The program of Master’s courses is determined by each teaching program separately and includes advanced compulsory and elective courses which are also designed for doctoral students. The list of courses will be compiled together with the supervisor and will be approved by the head of the teaching program or the advisor for Master’s studies.
1. As a rule, courses are taught in Hebrew, if all the students in the course speak Hebrew. If one of the students in the course does not speak Hebrew, the course will be taught in English.
2. All students must complete the quota of credits as determined by the teaching program in the appropriate study track. As a rule, the quota is 30-36 credits in research study tracks, and not less than 45 in non-research tracks. This quota will be fulfilled from the courses taught at the teaching program, or those taught by other teaching programs but approved by the teaching program (by the head of the teaching program, advisor or similar office).
3. Every teaching program may establish individual procedures, such as compulsory courses, compulsory election, various study streams, etc.
4. Students will register for courses from the pool of Master’s degree courses. Students may register for courses from the pool of Bachelor’s degree courses up to a maximum scope of 1/3 of the total credits for the degree. Language courses are not included in the calculation of credits, and programming courses that are outside the study track will be approved up to a maximum of 3 credits for the degree. Any deviation from this provision must be approved by the head of the teaching program or someone on his behalf (advisor). The head of the teaching program may prescribe more stringent procedures.
The minimum “pass” grade in Master’s courses is 60.
Supplementary studies
Students at the Hebrew University (or another recognized institution of higher education) who fulfill the admission requirements for Master’s studies, but lack a number of background courses, will have to undertake additional studies to make up the lacking knowledge. The scope of the supplementary studies will not exceed 16 credits, which they will have to fulfill in addition to the teaching program’s Master’s program. The minimum grade in supplementary courses will be at least 75 or another minimum grade which will be determined by the teaching program. Grades in the supplementary courses will not be counted in the average for the Master’s degree, and payment for them is in addition to tuition for the Master’s degree. Students must complete the supplementary studies in the first year of their studies. Otherwise they may not continue their Master’s studies.
Supplementary year
Students who have been required to take supplementary courses to a scope of more than 16 credits must complete them before being accepted for the Master’s studies. In such a case, the average grade of the package of supplementary courses will be at least 75, or another minimum grade set by the teaching program. The grades in these courses and their average will not count in the average for the Master’s.
Students who do not have a B.Sc. must take supplementary courses to a minimum scope of 40 credits of which 8-10 credits must be in Mathematics and Statistics. The teaching program may increase the scope of supplementary studies but not reduce it, except in cases where students present relevant courses that can be offset against the quota of 40 credits. This offsetting must be approved by the faculty Teaching Committee.
Students who were admitted for Master’s studies through the School for Overseas Students must obtain an exemption from Hebrew and/or English studies as a condition for completing the Master’s degree.
Bachelor’s courses “banked” for a Master’s degree
“Banked” courses are advanced courses studied above the quota required for the Bachelor’s degree. Such courses, whose content will be regarded by the teaching program as significant for Master’s degree studies, may be included, with the advisor’s approval, in the Master’s study program and their grades will count as part of the overall grade for the Master’s degree. An application to change these courses from the status of “banked for a Master’s degree” to “Master’s degree studies” should be made to the secretariat for Master’s studies. These courses should not be entered in the computer as part of the Master’s courses. The scope of “banked” courses will be determined by the head of the teaching program.
Advanced courses taken at another institution of higher education in Israel or abroad, which were approved in advance as part of students’ study program, will be counted in the calculation of credits for the degree but without a grade. A request to approve such courses will be considered only if students achieved a grade of at least 65 in them.
Students will not be granted credits as part of the Master’s studies for participating in external frameworks such as: conferences, workshops and supplementary research.
Students for advanced degrees will be required to participate in safety training which will be held in their units. Students whose researches relate to work with animals must attend course no. 94810 – “Use of Laboratory Animals.”
Personal study program for Master’s degree
This program is designed for students who wish to take Master’s studies comprising more than one scientific field. Only students who completed their Bachelor’s degree studies with an average grade of at least 85 can apply for a personal program. The study program will be determined in consultation with the supervisors and heads of the teaching programs and with the approval of the Teaching Committee.