How does the brain create thoughts, emotions, and behavior? What happens when it is injured or affected by illness?

In this interdisciplinary course, students will explore the fascinating connection between neuroscience, psychology, and medicine. Through interactive activities, real clinical case studies, and hands-on experiments, participants will learn how brain structure and biology influence memory, decision-making, personality, and mental health.

The course also introduces modern medical technologies and ethical questions shaping the future of brain science.

Almost 120 years ago (1896), the first film ever made was presented in a French café impressing the audience. From that time a new art was progressively formed through a variety of artistic movements, trends, and also scientific and technological achievements.

Film watching has been a favorite habit for billions of people around the world. But, why are so many people engaged by the stories presented on screen? What are the biological and psychological processes activated during film-watching? How have these processes evolved in humans? Do we all “see” the same story on screen? Furthermore, how is cinematic reality constructed? How do images and sounds interact to compose the cinematic world? What is the science behind visual and audio effects?

These are just some of the concepts to be investigated by the students in this course. As they develop a deep understanding of the principles of cinematic narration, students will also learn various scientific concepts as well as techniques related the film-making and film-watching processes.

Alfred Marshall described economics as “the study of mankind in the ordinary business of life.” How much are you willing to pay for ice cream on a hot summer day? Why professional athletes earn so much? Is there such a thing as a perfectly competitive market? Why has Google been accused of monopolistic practices?  Is Bitcoin a financial bubble or our future currency? Which are the key success factors for businesses in the modern economic era? What is a “start-up” company and how can it be financed?

The “world of economics and entrepreneurship” aims to answer these questions in a creative and exciting way; by investigating how various economic agents (households, firms and governments) make crucial decisions, students become familiar with the mechanisms that shape our current economic and business reality and therefore our society. During this course, students analyze basic economic and business concepts, such as supply and demand, scarcity of resources, cost of production, market structure, incentives, business strategy, innovation and more, and consider them in the context of today’s global economy.

Case studies and participation in the creation of a small “start-up” through a firm simulation game will provide useful insight into businesses organization, operations and decision-making. Upon completion of the course, students will acquire useful knowledge upon the basic functions of an economy and a business, becoming themselves responsible decision-makers in their everyday lives.