A psychology student researcher in Dr. Kiran Soma's lab. Photo by Paul Joseph.
Students curious about the brain can explore the connections between psychology and neuroscience, thanks to a new Vancouver Summer Program.
Your Brain, Your Mind, Your Future is a new Vancouver Summer Program (VSP) developed collaboratively by UBC’s Department of Psychology and Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience. Featuring lectures, workshops, and social activities, the program offers international students a unique, immersive introduction to the brain and human behaviour.
How it started: a vision for collaborative learning
Dr. Steven Barnes, a Professor of Teaching in UBC’s Department of Psychology and former Director of the Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience, envisioned the collaboration as a way to combine the strengths of UBC’s psychology and neuroscience programs.
“This new program will generate excitement amongst learners and showcase the vibrant neuroscience research happening at UBC.”
Launching this summer, it will be co-taught by a team of Sessional Instructors, including Shayden Schofield-Lewis, Alexander Cook, Mikey Jose, and Johanna Mickelson.
“In this program, students will learn key neuroscience and psychology principles,” explain the instructors. “This includes the properties of how neurons—the brain’s fundamental unit—communicate and behave; the structure and function of our brain’s diverse regions; and the principles of sensation and how we perceive and interact with our environment.”
Students will also explore mental health challenges from scientific and clinical perspectives and gain a primer on psychological research and the scientific method.
An interactive, hand-on learning experience
With a focus on immersive learning, the program goes beyond traditional lecture-based teaching. Students will engage in case studies, real-world applications, and experiential learning activities, with opportunities to explore Vancouver and UBC’s campus as part of their academic journey.
“We are excited to have students not simply act as passive learners but play an active role in their own learning. Students will re-enact foundational experiments—taking turns as both researchers and participants—to deepen their understanding of how neuroscience and psychology are driven by scientific inquiry.”
“We also encourage productive collaboration between students to develop crucial teamwork and problem-solving skills for their academic future,” say the instructors.
With small class sizes, instructors have the flexibility to get creative. “Why not go to the beach and give a talk?” says Dr. Barnes. “Or visit a site that’s relevant to the topic and hold class there?”
Gateway to multiple career paths
Your Brain, Your Mind, Your Future opens doors to a wide range of academic and professional fields.
“This program is a gateway to not only psychology or neuroscience, but also business, marketing, communication, law, and beyond,” say Schofield-Lewis. “Understanding the fundamentals of how and why human beings behave in the ways that they do is an invaluable skill to foster for an academic future.”
Whether students are considering a major in psychology, counselling psychology, a neuroscience track—or other interdisciplinary areas, the program offers a strong foundation.
A unique program offering
According to Dr. Barnes, the program fills a gap in the current VSP offerings. “Right now, there’s nothing neuro-focused,” he says. “But demand is high. People are deeply interested in anything with ‘neuro’ in the name—neuroeconomics, neuroeducation, and more. This is a great addition that will generate excitement not just for UBC, but for the entire VSP.”
As the program continues to grow and evolve, it offers students from around the world a chance to experience the best of neuroscience, psychology, and UBC’s vibrant academic community.
“This program is a gateway to not only psychology or neuroscience, but also business, marketing, communication, law, and beyond,” say Schofield-Lewis. “Understanding the fundamentals of how and why human beings behave in the ways that they do is an invaluable skill to foster for an academic future.”
About UBC’s Vancouver Summer Program
The Vancouver Summer Program is four-week experience for international undergraduate students at one of the world’s top universities. UBC VSP is as much about academics as it is about social and cultural experiences.
Eligibility
To apply for the Vancouver Summer Program you must be:
- An undergraduate student at a post-secondary institution outside of Canada
- At least 18 years of age on the first day of the program
Program Highlights
- The programs have two uniquely designed courses taught by world-class UBC instructors
- The VSP is a chance to engage in unforgettable social and cultural activities
- Students live on UBC’s Vancouver campus in modern student residences
