Graduate Studies in the Life Sciences (M.Sc. and Ph.D.) – General Information
Graduate studies in the life sciences are much more than advanced academic training. They are an opportunity to become an active participant in scientific discovery. M.Sc. and Ph.D. students at Bar-Ilan University move beyond acquiring knowledge to generating it: asking new questions, designing experiments, and investigating biological processes that influence human health, the environment, and life itself.
Through hands-on research, students develop as independent scientists, strengthen their analytical and scientific thinking, and learn to work effectively in collaborative and interdisciplinary teams. An advanced degree in the life sciences opens the door to a wide range of opportunities in academia, industry, and at the interface between them, while enabling students to pursue research driven by their own scientific interests and ambitions.
The Faculty of Life Sciences at Bar-Ilan University is a dynamic research environment that brings together advanced methods and expertise across a broad range of fields. Research at the Faculty spans marine biology, neuropsychopharmacology, computational genomics, stem cell research, ecological resilience, gene editing, RNA biology, immunotherapy, and other areas at the forefront of the life sciences.
Our researchers combine fundamental scientific inquiry with approaches that have applications in medicine, biotechnology, and environmental sustainability. By integrating field research, advanced molecular techniques, and computational modeling, the Faculty provides graduate students with the knowledge, research experience, and methodological tools needed to address complex biological questions and contribute to scientific advances.
Graduates of our M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs pursue diverse careers in academia, research, and industry. Many continue to doctoral or postdoctoral research and conduct advanced research at universities and research institutes, while others lead innovative projects in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, advanced agriculture, and cleantech. Additional career paths include laboratory management, regulatory affairs, and clinical trials, as well as fields in which scientific expertise has a broader impact, such as public policy, science education, science communication, and entrepreneurship. Alongside in-depth scientific expertise, graduate studies develop analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work in multidisciplinary teams. These skills are highly valued wherever scientific knowledge is applied to real-world challenges.
Join a Faculty Where Research Makes a Difference
- Learn from leading researchers – Work alongside internationally recognized scientists who are advancing knowledge across the life sciences.
- Access advanced technologies – Work in state-of-the-art laboratories equipped with advanced technologies and specialized facilities.
- Go beyond the classroom – Learn through research, experimentation, and hands-on experience from the very beginning.
- Connect with the international scientific community – Benefit from collaborations with leading researchers and physicians around the world.
- Stay at the forefront of science – Engage with current research, emerging discoveries, and new directions in the life sciences.
- Become part of a supportive research community – Join a professional, collaborative, and engaged academic community throughout your graduate studies.
- Receive personal guidance – Learn from faculty members who recognize your individual development and academic progress.
If you are ready to explore, discover, and make an impact, this is where it begins. Bar-Ilan. Life Sciences. The future is already here.
Graduate Study and Research
M.Sc. and Ph.D. students at the Faculty of Life Sciences conduct in-depth research in one of the Faculty’s research laboratories under the supervision of senior researchers. Throughout their graduate studies, students can pursue research in a wide range of fields and develop expertise in an area aligned with their scientific interests.
Research Laboratories at the Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University – Laboratory Guide
Research Fields for M.Sc. and Ph.D. Students
Graduate students can pursue research across a broad range of fields in the life sciences, including:
Immunology * Biochemistry * Biotechnology (various topics) * Environmental Biology (including hydrobiology and desert biology) * Cell Biology (including cancerous cells) *Clinical Biology * Molecular Biology * Genetics and Genetic Engineering * General Microbiology * Medical Microbiology and Chemotherapeutics * Molecular Parasitology * Virology * Neurobiology * Animal Physiology * Plant Physiology (including plant diseases) * Botany * Zoology * Ecology * Marine Biology * Animal and Human Fertility * Computational Biology (Bioinformatics) * Systems Biology * Structural Biology * Pharmacology * Photobiology * Gerontology: The Science of Aging * Vision Science and Optometry *
(*)Programs/tracks with rigorous requirements: Biotechnology, Computational Biology, Vision Science and Optometry
Research Fields Research Groups
Psagot Program – Direct Track to an M.Sc.
The Psagot Program is a direct track to an M.Sc. designed for outstanding students who have completed the first three semesters of their undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Life Sciences. The program enables participants to complete both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees within four years, while receiving academic benefits and scholarships during their undergraduate studies. For full details, visit the Psagot Program page.
PSAGOT - Combined B.Sc.-M.Sc. Honors Track
- Admission Requirements for M.Sc. and Ph.D. Programs in the Life Sciences
Applicants to the graduate programs at the Faculty of Life Sciences must hold a relevant degree in the life sciences from Bar-Ilan University or another recognized institution of higher education: a bachelor’s degree for admission to an M.Sc. program and a master’s degree for admission to a Ph.D. program.
Applicants with degrees in related fields, such as chemistry, physics, or other relevant disciplines, may also be eligible for admission but may be required to complete additional coursework. In such cases, an individual supplementary study program will be determined in consultation with the prospective research supervisor.
Applicants who studied life sciences as part of a double-major undergraduate programת for example, in combination with psychology, chemistry, computer science, or another fields are required to complete a full year of supplementary coursework before beginning their M.Sc. studies.
- Supplementary Year: Students must achieve an average grade of at least 80 in their supplementary courses. These courses do not count toward the degree requirements, and the required supplementary coursework cannot be completed in a single semester.
- Applicants Without a Relevant Academic Background: Applicants whose bachelor’s degree does not include an appropriate background in the life sciences must first complete coursework equivalent to a major in life sciences before applying to an M.Sc. program.
- Computational Biology: Students with a background in computer science or related fields who are interested in pursuing an M.Sc. in computational biology are invited to visit the Computational Biology Track (M.Sc) page or contact the Faculty office for further information.
Final admission decisions are made by the University’s M.Sc. or Ph.D. Committee, as applicable.
Late applications from candidates who meet the admission requirements will be considered subject to availability.
Master's Degree in Life Sciences PhD Program – Faculty of Life Sciences- Graduate Research Student Regulations
Graduate research students, including M.Sc. and Ph.D. students, are required to comply with the Scholarship and Employment Regulations for Graduate Research Students.
Terms of Graduate studiesM.Sc. Research Student Scholarship Regulations (In Hebrew)
- Additional Information and Resources
- School of Graduate Studies – M.Sc. Information
- School of Graduate Studies – Ph.D. Information
- Faculty of Life Sciences – Course List (In Hebrew)
- Jewish Studies and Israeli Culture Requirements – M.Sc.
- Jewish Studies and Israeli Culture Requirements – Ph.D.
- Course Search and Schedule – Search for detailed information about individual courses by course number, course title, or other criteria.
- Postdoctoral Studies
- Contact Information
Want to learn more about graduate studies in the life sciences?
- Associate Dean for Graduate Studies: Prof. Galit Shochat-Ofir
- Academic Advisor for Graduate Studies: Dr. Hila Alipantz
- Graduate Student Coordinator: Ms. Shani Hazan – Ls.Graduates@biu.ac.il
- Scholarships Officer: Ortal Zah
