Mind, Brain and Behaviour

Overview This international, research-focused Master of Science program—taught in English in Gießen—explores how perception and behaviour arise from mind and brain. Combining theory with practical training, it equips students for careers in academia and industry areas that require understanding and modelling human behaviour, such as behavioural measurement, human–machine interfaces, virtual reality, autonomous driving, cognitive robotics, AI and machine learning.

Curriculum and training The course mixes specialist lectures on perception, action and cognition (including development in infancy and childhood, and perception of objects, colour and materials) with hands-on methods training. Practical modules teach key empirical and computational techniques used to measure and model neural and behavioural processes: functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), eye- and body-movement tracking, computer graphics, virtual reality (VR), computational modelling and machine learning. An internship and a set of elective modules allow students to tailor their professional profile; elective examples include Quantitative Foundations of AI, Creativity and Entrepreneurship, Technology and Innovation Management, and Scientific Programming and Data Analysis.

Programme highlights and research environment Courses are taught by internationally active researchers, including Katharina Dobs, Katja Dörschner‑Boyaci, Katja Fiehler, Roland W. Fleming, Karl Gegenfurtner, Benjamin de Haas, Martin N. Hebart, Daniel Kaiser, Bianca van Kemenade and Gudrun Schwarzer. Justus Liebig University Giessen hosts a Collaborative Research Centre in Psychology (Cardinal Mechanisms of Perception) and is regularly ranked among the leading institutions worldwide for vision science.

Programme components and features (concise)

• Taught in English; international, research-oriented MSc level program
• Blends theoretical seminars and hands-on methods courses
• Theoretical topics: multi-sensory perception, action and cognition, developmental aspects, object/colour/material perception
• Practical methods: fMRI, EEG, eye/body movement measurement, computer graphics, VR, computational modelling, machine learning
• Internship opportunity plus elective modules to shape individual career focus (examples listed above)
• Teaching faculty: list of named researchers above
• Strong local research infrastructure: Collaborative Research Centre in Psychology and recognized strength in vision science

This interdisciplinary Master’s curriculum blends core theory from neuroscience and behavioural science with hands-on training in the empirical methods used to measure and model perception, neural processes and behaviour. Across the programme students complete four theoretical modules and four application modules (chosen from five options), alongside two electives. Teaching is organised so that the first two semesters cover all theoretical modules, most application modules and the electives; the third semester finishes the remaining application module and includes a nine‑week practical placement in research or industry; the fourth semester is reserved for the Master’s thesis.

Key modules emphasise both conceptual foundations and method development. The four theoretical modules—Visual Perception of Colour and Materials; Perception and Action; Visual Cognition and Object Perception; and Current Topics in Cognition and Development—explore how sensory information is processed, integrated with action, and develops across contexts. The application modules (Programming; Capturing and Emulating the World; Computational Modelling; Imaging and Recording Brain Activity; Measuring Human Behaviour) provide training in the computational, measurement and experimental techniques needed to collect, analyse and simulate perceptual, neural and behavioural data.

Learning outcomes focus on empirical and analytical competence. Graduates will be able to design and carry out experimental studies, apply programming and computational modelling to interpret data, use imaging and behavioural measurement methods, and translate laboratory skills into research or industry settings during the practical placement. The Master’s thesis—typically an experimental research project hosted by one of the programme’s associated research departments—culminates the degree and demonstrates independent research capability.

Requirements and curriculum facts

• Total module structure: 4 theoretical modules + 4 application modules (choose 4 of 5) + 2 elective modules + Master’s thesis
• Semester 1–2: complete all 4 theoretical modules, 3 of the application modules, and 2 electives
• Semester 3: complete the remaining application module and a nine‑week practical placement in research or industry
• Semester 4: dedicated to the Master’s thesis (usually an experimental project in an associated research department)
• Theoretical modules: Visual Perception of Colour and Materials; Perception and Action; Visual Cognition and Object Perception; Current Topics in Cognition and Development
• Application modules: Programming; Capturing and Emulating the World; Computational Modelling; Imaging and Recording Brain Activity; Measuring Human Behaviour
• Electives: choose two modules from offerings in Economics, Data Science, Psychology and Human Movement Analytics (provided by other programmes at the university)

Graduates are prepared for doctoral studies or applied positions where expertise in measuring and modelling perception, action and cognition is needed. Typical employment areas include academic research groups, research labs in industry, human–machine interface and VR design, autonomous systems, cognitive robotics, and roles involving behavioural measurement and machine learning.

The programme’s mix of experimental methods, computational modelling and practical internships also supports careers in data analysis, product development and technology innovation roles at companies and research institutes that work on perception-driven systems.