Are you interested in human thinking and intelligence? Apply!

What made you choose the course Intelligence and IQ?

I have always had an interest in human thinking and cognitive abilities. I studied the bachelor's program in cognitive science, where we broadly covered intelligence but not in depth, which I missed. Later, when I pieced together my master's degree in psychology, I had a longing for more knowledge on this topic and a desire to delve deeper into the subject, so I applied for the course.

What is the best thing about the course?

The depth and breadth of the course, which covers intelligence as a concept very well. The course discusses definitions of intelligence, of IQ, of what environment and genetics actually mean for intelligence. I liked that the course didn't narrow down to classical IQ and "book smart" but instead explores theories and knowledge about savant syndrome, creative intelligence, emotional intelligence, fluid and crystallized intelligence, and more. I also perceived the course as research-oriented and well-updated, and the teachers we had showed a great interest in the subject, which I thought was noticeable.

Primarily, I appreciated the course's structure with discussions and seminars, which were quite open-ended. Even the examination was oral, which challenged me to articulate my reasoning and thoughts in a different way. It was very instructive and gave me the opportunity to develop in a way I didn't expect.

What do you want to work with in the future?

Right now, I work as a research assistant at Karolinska Institutet in the Department of Global Public Health, within a research study about post-COVID, yoga, and health-related quality of life. My hope is to pursue a doctorate and research in psychology in the future, preferably in something related to cognitive abilities, as well as physical and mental health.

What opportunities do you see this course providing you in your career?

The course provided good knowledge about intelligence as a concept and how to theoretically break down a larger concept into smaller components, which is something I've taken with me and applied to other areas. But primarily, I learned a lot from the seminars and from the oral examination, and I strengthened my ability to reason and constructively discuss new and older research. It has helped me a lot in my workplace today, where critically reviewing and discussing research is central. Plus, the course was a natural complement to my personally selected master's degree where I studied courses in psychophysiology and cognitive neuroscience. Intelligence and IQ became the course that tied everything together.

What would you say to someone considering taking this course?

Are you interested in human thinking and intelligence? Apply! It's a challenging course in a positive sense, and my perception is that the course structure not only feeds you with facts but also initiates critical thinking, constructive discussions, research methodology, and knowledge about causality and relationships. If I had the opportunity to take the course again, I would do it without hesitation.