An interdisciplinary perspective for understanding the brain and the mind

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Organized by the International Center for Neuroscience and Ethics (CINET) of Fundación Tatiana in collaboration with Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo (UIMP), this online Master’s in Neuroscience and Humanities — taught in English — offers a unique program at the intersection of both fields. Its aim is to provide a deep understanding of the brain and the mind in all their biological, philosophical, and social complexity.

As its director Javier Bernácer explains:

“This Master’s program fulfills one of CINET’s core missions: to train people in true interdisciplinarity so they can achieve a better understanding of the nervous system and the mental activity associated with it. Ultimately, it seeks to help us grasp the role of the brain within the human being as a whole, without neglecting its subjective and social dimensions.”

The program offers a rigorous and innovative academic proposal where neuroscience, philosophy, ethics, artificial intelligence, art, and law converge. In Bernácer’s words:

“Students will learn from leading international experts in key biological and philosophical issues essential to achieving a complete anthropological understanding. Moreover, they will be able to apply these fundamental concepts to education, art, law, or artificial intelligence. This is a unique learning opportunity that opens a new path for research on the brain and the mind.”

 

 

A training program that addresses today’s major challenges

How can we explain consciousness scientifically? What distinguishes human intelligence from artificial intelligence? What role does the social and cultural environment play in shaping the mind?
This Master’s program provides the tools to address these questions from multiple angles — from neuroanatomy and embryonic development to philosophy of mind, neuroethics, art, education, and AI.

Each subject — whether focused on perception, memory, scientific theories of consciousness, or the mind–brain problem — is an opportunity to cross disciplinary boundaries and confront the most pressing questions in contemporary neuroscience. From this perspective, the Master’s program trains professionals capable not only of analyzing the brain but also of interpreting it in relation to who we are as human beings.

Key features of the program

This Master’s addresses the great challenges of modern neuroscience through a unique combination of biology, philosophy, ethics, and technology. Its curriculum places it among the few academic programs of its kind worldwide.

Taught 100% online and in English, it is designed for students from different disciplines and countries. Its interdisciplinary and multicultural character fosters rich dialogue and a deep analysis of the relationships between brain, mind, culture, and society.

It also offers students the opportunity to learn from world-class faculty — from institutions such as University of California, Berkeley, Yale University, University of Bonn and University of Cambridge — and to join international scientific and professional networks.

Faculty and international scope

The program brings together a distinguished international faculty, including:

  • Claudia Vanney (Universidad Austral)
  • Alva Noë (University of California, Berkeley)
  • Marya Schechtman (University of Illinois, Chicago)
  • Matthew Cobb (University of Manchester)
  • Arleen Salles (Neuroethics Program)
  • Markus Gabriel (University of Bonn)
  • Jorge Sepulcre (Yale University)

…alongside other leading international experts who bring a plural and cutting-edge perspective to the study of the brain and the mind. The program is also supported by a scientific committee and CINET’s advisory board, and collaborates with institutions such as Cambridge and Columbia University.

Program structure

The Master’s has a total load of 60 ECTS credits and can be completed in one academic year. It offers two pathways, adapted to the students’ academic backgrounds.

  • Students trained in neuroscience, biology, medicine, psychology, or other biomedical disciplines will follow the Humanities pathway, delving into philosophical, historical, and ethical aspects to enrich their understanding of the brain from an interdisciplinary perspective.
  • Graduates in philosophy or humanities will follow the Neuroscience pathway, focusing on biology, neuroanatomy, and specialized techniques.

This dual approach ensures that all students receive a comprehensive education combining neuroscience and the humanities.

The program also includes elective courses in statistics, evolution of the nervous system, neuroethics, and art, as well as advanced seminars. The Master’s culminates with an in-person defense of a final Master’s thesis (TFM).

Teaching methodology, assessment, and requirements

The program combines lectures, seminars, personalized tutorials, and virtual labs. Activities include discussion forums, oral presentations, opinion pieces, and practical case studies. Assessment is based on written exams, practical work, active participation, and the TFM defense.

Admission requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree (according to the European Higher Education Area or an equivalent international degree)
  • Minimum English level of B2 (by certificate, diploma, nationality, or interview)
  • Selection process based on academic record (70%) and motivation letter (30%)

In the motivation letter, applicants should express their interests, previous experience, professional goals, and relevant projects or research.

Career opportunities

Graduates will be prepared to develop their careers in:

  • Interdisciplinary research and doctoral programs
  • Neurotechnology, artificial intelligence, and digital health companies
  • Bioethics, evaluation committees, and institutional advisory roles
  • University teaching, science communication, and public policy development

 

An academic experience with global impact

This Master’s program not only trains specialists capable of tackling the major contemporary challenges related to the brain and the mind, but — through its online format — also fosters a global network connecting students and faculty from around the world. It builds an interdisciplinary community of colleagues with complementary academic and cultural backgrounds — a space to think, research, and build together.

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