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Minor

Evolutionary Psychobiology

This programme is the only minor in The Netherlands that focuses on evolution and (human) behaviour. Students acquire extensive knowledge about how natural selection and sexual selection have shaped the evolution of behavior. It covers diverse species, but includes an emphasis on humans and other primates. In addition, students acquire research skills related to the study of animal behaviour (including a research project in Artis zoo), comparative psychology, human and animal intelligence, plasticity and learning, and evolutionary anthropology. Students also explore their critical thinking about theories on evolution and behaviour by writing, presenting, and discussing.

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Evolutionary Psychobiology: Ecology, Behavior & Cognition
    12
  • Evolution of Plasticity and Learning
    6
  • Evolution of Human and Animal Minds
    6
  • Evolutionary Anthropology
    6
Course Catalogue: Evolutionary Psychobiology
What does this minor entail?

Discover everything you need to know about the minor Evolutionary Psychobiology—a unique programme focusing on the evolution of cognition and behaviour that builds bridges across disciplines. 

Continue your studies with a master

With a minor you sometimes have access to certain (extra) masters.

Entry requirements

The minor Evolutionary Psychobiology is open for students who have successfully completed their first year of an academic Bachelor's programme (60 EC). The minor is also open for application to students from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO) who have completed their propaedeutic year. Students from various disciplines are welcome to apply, but the program is particularly interesting for students currently studying the behavior of humans and other animals, such as Psychology, Biology, and Bèta-Gamma.

Students are required to have at least basic knowledge about evolution and behaviour, such as presented in the book Evolution and Human Behaviour by John Cartwright. The minor offers a full-time program, so participants are expected to be available full-time for the entire semester. To verify entry requirements and due to limited capacity of the minor, there might be selection based upon current study program, study results, and motivation.

Application and Admission

The courses in this minor have a maximum capacity of 45 students. The maximum number of students that can participate in the minor is 20. The other 25 students are enrolled in the Psychobiology program or exchange programs. If needed, students will be selected based upon their current study program, study results, and motivation. In previous years, almost all students that met the entry requirements have been admitted.

Application and admission for Evolutionary Psychobiology

Please don't forget to include your academic transcript in your application.

Did you complete the application following the link above? Please fill out this selection form next to provide us with additional information about your application. This information is needed for the selection procedure, and your application will not be processed without it.

You need to be registered as an UvA student to be able to participate in this minor. Students not enrolled in a regular degree programme at the UvA, but who are interested in taking an UvA course, may need to enroll as a guest student with the Bachelor's program Psychobiology.

Contact

For questions about application and admission, please contact the Education Desk FNWI.
For substantive questions, please contact the minor coordinator Willem Frankenhuis.  

Facts & Figures
Credits
30 ECTS, Semester 1
Language of instruction
English
Location
Science Park