Conditions for successful completion of the academic year

1. Required grades for undergraduate studies:

1.1. Minimum passing grade in any one course – 60.

1.2. Minimum grade average for successful completion of the academic year based on compulsory studies – 60.

1.3. Minimum grade average for the degree – 60.

2. Successful progression from one academic year to the next will be approved under the following circumstances:

2.1. Successfully completed a computer-based safety course in every year of study (for students who are obligated to complete this course).

2.2. Received a grade of 60 and above on every course

2.2.1 Failure (or failure to attend) exams in one compulsory class in the course will be permitted to progress to the next year on condition that their grade average in compulsory classes is 60 and above

2.2.2 Failure (or failure to attend) exams in two compulsory classes in the course will be permitted to progress to the next year on condition that their grade average in compulsory classes is 70 and above

2.2.3 Failure (or failure to attend) exams in three or more compulsory classes will not be permitted to progress to the next year

2.2.4 Any student with a grade average below 60 will not be permitted to continue to study on the course in which they are enrolled

Any student who fails to meet the criteria will be entitled to submit a special application to the faculty teaching committee in conjunction with an opinion submitted by the head of their program. Should the students’ application be denied, their studies will be terminated.

Retaking an academic year will only be permitted one time, and the student will not be permitted to enroll in any more advanced courses during this year.

Structure and scope of academic studies in the faculty

The sum of the degree studies is intended to familiarize the student with the disciplines, skills and tools necessary in the fields of science and technology. These studies lay the foundations for future employment in many practical areas that are rooted in the sciences, as well as postgraduate academic studies or studying toward a teaching qualification.

Undergraduate studies are generally spread out over three years. The academic workload varies from program to program. These studies will require a minimum of 134 academic credits (depending on the demands of the program). Every weekly hour in the semester timetable awards the student one academic credit. Any student on a dual-major program will be required to meet the credit total of both programs. Courses that are included in both programs will only count once toward the academic credit for an undergraduate degree. Studies consist of core courses and electives. These include classes, exercises, seminars, labs and educational tours.

Students in the faculty can enroll for courses and programs from other faculties within the university (subject to registration and admission). The differences in class starting times on the different campuses facilitates, to an extent, studies on the other campuses in Jerusalem (Mount Scopus and Ein Kerem).

1. Expanded single-major academic studies, “Cornerstone” program and supplementary studies -

This framework enables students to focus all their efforts on courses from one specific undergraduate degree program and offers an in-depth preparation for further studies in this field. Students have the option of adding an academic track and/or courses to ensure they receive the requisite number of academic credits for the expanded study program – in accordance with the demands of the program and the conditions detailed herein regarding supplementary studies. For more on the requirements of the Cornerstone program in accordance with the starting year of studies and the specific study program, see: Cornerstone.

2. Single-major academic studies, academic track, “Cornerstone” program and supplementary studies -

This option offers extensive freedom of choice and a multidisciplinary academic education. This arrangement is usually insufficient on its own as a foundation for postgraduate studies. This option will require completion of a full program in sciences (in line with the demands of each program). For more on the requirements of the Cornerstone program in accordance with the starting year of studies and the specific study program, see: Cornerstone.

3. Dual-major track -

This combination is suited for those interested in interdisciplinary studies. For this option, students will select two programs. Should the student select two programs from the Faculty of Science, they will be entitled to take courses from other faculties in order to meet their required total academic credits for the degree. Students are entitled to select one program from the Faculty of Science and a second program from another faculty – to be eligible for the degree, the student must meet all the requirements of each of the two programs.

The faculty permits special combinations of programs, however any student wishing to do so should take into account that such combinations will require extra effort on their part and will often require extend their studies over more than three years. In the expanded single-major option, the different courses complement each other in terms of the curriculum and are synchronized in terms of the teaching schedules. This is often not possible when combining two programs – there may be overlaps in class times and exam dates between the two programs.

As a rule, dual-major programs require acceptance onto each of the majors individually. For example: a student wishing to apply for a dual-major mathematics and computer science program must be accepted onto each of these majors individually. Combined programs are an exception to this rule. Here, being accepted onto the program is separate from being accepted onto the participating majors. For example: computer science and computational biology – acceptance onto the program is separate from acceptance onto the two individual participating majors, computer science and life sciences.

4. Academic track -

This represents a “package” of courses worth 32 academic credits in a program, designed to enable students to expand their knowledge in subjects that they are interested in, but which lies outside their program. The list of recognized tracks is published in the faculty’s course catalog.

5. “Cornerstone” program -

The Cornerstone program is an academic enrichment program that enables students at the Hebrew University to register for a wide range of courses in different subjects to those that form part of their program. This is a longstanding tradition that is widespread at universities in the United States; a tradition that recognizes the intrinsic value of expanding students’ horizons from their undergraduate studies onward. Since the start of the program, new courses designed specifically for participating students are regularly being created in all the different academic disciplines. These are taught around the different campuses.

The program is based on a three-way division of the areas of knowledge taught at the university: sciences, humanities and social sciences. Undergraduate students studying for a program/programs in one of these three areas will take Cornerstone courses from the two other areas. Undergraduate students studying for programs in two of these three areas will take Cornerstone courses from the third area.

Students on single- and dual-major programs are required to take courses from the Cornerstone program during the course of their studies. The academic workload of the Cornerstone courses in the various programs and constellations is outlined in the “Cornerstone” brochure.

Returning undergraduate students, undergraduate students on other pathways and postgraduate students are also invited to sign up for Cornerstone courses and to expand their knowledge.

Undergraduate students who started their degree before 2009, who are on a single-major program and are yet to receive their full elective academic credits from outside the program, will be permitted to select a minimum of four credits of Cornerstone courses for the elective course total in their degree. The conditions regarding other students will be determined at the faculty/school level.

Grades received in Cornerstone courses will count toward the overall grade average for the degree but will not be counted in the average for the program. The minimum required passing grade for the Cornerstone program will be determined by the accepted passing grade in the student’s faculty.

6. Supplementary courses -

Supplementary courses are required in situations where there is a gap between the total credits required for the degree and the total required for a given academic program. This framework grants students a choice of individual courses from among the academic programs offered by the university. Supplementary courses are subject to approval from the program that oversees the course.

Only one foreign language course may be recognized as part of these courses, up to a total of no more than four academic credits and excluding Hebrew or English. Language courses worth eight academic credits will be recognized for a total of four academic credits to complete the degree.

Courses covering similar subject matter to previously completed courses will not be accepted for consideration, and likewise, neither will “Cornerstone” courses from the Faculty of Mathematics & Sciences.

7. Students on a special track

Students on a special track are those studying as part of a personal study program and not toward a degree. Students who are accepted onto such a track will be required to meet all the requirements of the course, and should they successfully do so, they will be eligible to receive official confirmation of their participation and results.

Those eligible for this track must either meet the entry requirements of the program in question or, if not, must belong to one of the groups detailed below. Entry is subject to availability and to the previous qualifications of the candidate.

Studying as part of a special program entails tuition, registration fees and service fees. The tuition is calculated by the number of courses.

The main groups of eligible candidates are as follows:

(a) Foreign students at the university as part of the one-year program.

(b) Holders of a recognized academic qualification.

(c) Teachers on sabbatical.

(d) Students from other institutions of higher education in Israel.

(e) Hebrew University lab employees.

(f) Outstanding high school students.

Interested candidates should contact the secretary for teaching affairs at the faculty.

8. Studies for teaching qualification

These studies fall under the responsibility of the School of Education, and the information herein is provided to assist students in planning their studies. The Department of Education Studies trains teachers for secondary schools (7-12 Grade) in the following subjects: biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and science, technology & society. These courses are intended for students in the Faculty of Science and graduates of the biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics programs. For further information

Academic Workload and Duration of Studies

1. Planning for the academic workload: a quota of 24 academic credits per semester enables students to complete their degree within three years. The academic program demands a substantial time commitment beyond the scheduled contact hours for purposes of further reading, preparing exercises, lab reports and more. Students are therefore advised not to take additional academic commitments. Students who feel adequately prepared and equipped to take on a higher academic workload will be permitted to do so; however, it is advised to consult with the program advisor first.

2. Restrictions on duration of studies: To meet the conditions necessary to obtain the degree, only courses completed in the previous seven years will be taken into consideration. This also applies in cases where a student has placed their degree studies on hold. From the fifth year of studies onwards (sixth for students on a four-year program), the student will require approval from the teaching committee for their timetable. This committee will assess the reasons for the delay in completing the studies and the likelihood of the student completing their degree studies.

All rights reserved, Faculty of Mathematics & Sciences at the Hebrew University

Special programs for honors students the faculty offers a range of special programs for honors students in addition to the “Amirim” program, which will be mentioned later. Opportunities vary depending on the field of study and on the following conditions:
a. The program in life sciences offers a special academic track for honors students, “Etgar” (“Challenge”) – see details in program outline.
The integrated “Exact Sciences” / “Computer Science and Computational Biology” programs offer a direct-to-master’s academic pathway and are intended for honors students.

b. Outstanding students are eligible to submit applications for deviations from the regular academic track. Deviations that will be considered include exemption from core courses. Such exemptions will allow them to participate in other courses, either within the faculty or from across the university, in accordance with the desires of the student. Another option that may be afforded to successful applicants will be to take advanced courses without fulfilling all the preconditions.

c. Included among the courses within the faculty are a number of advanced courses, within both undergraduate and master’s studies. Some of these courses are open to undergraduate honors students. The framework of these courses is designed to facilitate debate between the students and teachers, and they require substantial individual work. Participation in these courses may be taken into consideration as part of applications to the appointments’ committee for master’s and doctoral students.

d. Some programs offer the choice of preparing a personal research project under one of the research labs. Such a project is subject to submission of a final written paper and is considered equivalent to an advanced course. It offers the student an opportunity to carry out research and helps them to understand the general subject matter and to choose a pathway for further studies. The top-rated honors students will be eligible for permission to prepare an expanded project (worth up to 20 academic credits), similar to the research project for students on the “Amirim” program.

2. “Amirim” program for honors students:
Students meeting particularly high entry criteria (as determined by the university) are invited to join a special honors program for B.Sc. students. Students who are awarded the rector or dean’s awards for their academic achievements in their first year will be invited to join the program in their second year. An “Amirim” student who completes their first year and does not excel in their academic studies may be transferred to a regular academic program. This decision will take into account the academic program chosen by the student, the academic workload and challenge in the courses they opted to take.

Amirim students are entitled to tailor an academic program to their personal preferences. Multidisciplinary programs include classes from programs in other faculties. These will be determined in coordination with the various program advisors and the Amirim program coordinator.
Every Amirim student will undertake a free-choice research project in their third year, under the supervision of one of the teachers in the faculty. Graduates will be awarded a special bachelor’s degree that will declare their participation in the Amirim program for honors students, and that they submitted a research project, with the grade listed on the certificate. Graduates of the program will also be offered postgraduate degree programs in accordance with their achievements, including a direct doctoral track.
For further information, see the section referring to academic pathways for undergraduates.

• Scholarships, awards and loans in the Hebrew University
• Dean of Students Financial Aid Unit
• Scholarships, grants and loans for academic studies, Ministry of Education
• List of scholarships at the Registrar of Foundations
• Database of scholarships, National Union of Israeli Students
• Student discounts in various services
• Social involvement in exchange for a scholarship, dean of students
• Summer scholarships for students in the Institute of Life Sciences for work in the research labs
• Sachlav Project
• Schulich Leaders Program
• Scholarship board – Israel higher education website
• Science scholarships

1. Planning for the academic workload:
a quota of 24 academic credits per semester enables students to complete their degree within three years. The academic program demands a substantial time commitment beyond the scheduled contact hours for purposes of further reading, preparing exercises, lab reports and more. Students are therefore advised not to take additional academic commitments. Students who feel adequately prepared and equipped to take on a higher academic workload will be permitted to do so; however, it is advised to consult with the program advisor first.

2. Restrictions on duration of studies:
To meet the conditions necessary to obtain the degree, only courses completed in the previous seven years will be taken into consideration. This also applies in cases where a student has placed their degree studies on hold. From the fifth year of studies onwards (sixth for students on a four-year program), the student will require approval from the teaching committee for their timetable. This committee will assess the reasons for the delay in completing the studies and the likelihood of the student completing their degree studies.

Academic curriculums for certain programs include study camps and educational visits. Students will be charged for their participation in study camps and educational visits as mandated in the Meltz Committee regulations, as the public committee responsible for setting tuition and additional services at higher education institutions. The program will make a collective booking of spaces. Any student cancelling their participation in the visit after this date will be charged the cost of their place. The student will also be obligated to adhere to the safety instructions and to provide support to the extent of their capability regarding the various requirements for obtaining permission for off-campus visits, such as firearm and guard permits. Students will be charged for their participation in study camps and educational visits as mandated in the Meltz Committee regulations, as the public committee responsible for setting tuition and additional services at higher education institutions. The program will make a collective booking of spaces. Any student cancelling their participation in the visit after this date will be charged the cost of their place. The student will also be obligated to adhere to the safety instructions and to provide support to the extent of their capability regarding the various requirements for obtaining permission for off-campus visits, such as firearm and guard permits.

Additional important information can be found in the section teaching and studying regulations