ProspNeuroGrad

I am an undergraduate neuroscience major interested in going to graduate school for neuroscience, specifically to do research on people (most likely).

I was wondering what undergraduate courses most neuroscience programs require of students? More specifically, do they require that undergraduates take physics (electricity and magnetism, for instance) and organic chemistry? I have heard conflicting answers from various sources, and I want to set the record straight so I know what is required of me.

One source comes from the Society of Neuroscience, as described in the "What Courses to Take and When" section; is this site correct?
Society for Neuroscience - Choosing A Program

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

ProspNeuroGrad

*Also, by "doing research on people", I referring that research that is biology-based, not strictly psychology.

parafilm

Graduate bio (which includes neuroscience) programs will expect you to have taken bio/chem/organic/physics. No real way around that. Physics and organic are definitely important in neuroscience. You also want solid upper-level courses in neuroscience and in cell biology (neurons are cells, after all).

You also want to get involved in research, and aim to get substantial lab work done before graduating. You need to demonstrate an interest in research, an interest in neuroscience (and if you can argue your interest in a certain area of neuro, all the better), and you need to have PIs who will vouch for your abilities.

Don't worry too much about exactly which courses to take. Most schools only "require" the 4 basics + whatever electives you chose. Biology undergraduate degrees are fairly broad-- I majored in neuroscience but now study cell biology, other people may have majored in biochem but now study neuro, etc etc. What's important is that you have a solid foundation, and are able to argue for why you want to enter X field.

skruzchkns

Your best bet is to look at the schools you might be interested in attending and check their requirements. I just took a quick look at three websites. I couldn't find any mention on Harvard's website. Yale and UCSD both say there are no strict requirements but in general physics and organic chemistry are expected. I think you'll find that most programs that mention specific coursework will say something similar.

dapi12345

Gen chem/organic chem/biology/physics/year of calculus/advanced biology courses/and they like programming courses too.

Can't stress this enough: research. For as long and as much as you can. Research, LORs are huge

ProspNeuroGrad

Okay, that clears things up a lot. Thanks!

Also, I know that research experience is highly stressed, but do graduate schools put a higher emphasis on research than GPA's? So, if you have a significant amount of research experience/some publications/etc, but a GPA that is lower than a 3.6, would you still be considered a competitive applicant?

aerokid1491

From what I have picked up on these forums and talking to my professors, research probably outweighs GPA a bit, but the GPA is still important. If you can have a 4.0 with lots of research, you obviously look better than someone with a 3.4 and an equivalent amount of research. Just make a goal to get the most research and highest GPA you can and if you come close, I guarantee you will get where you want to be.

dapi12345

Research > gpa, yes. But of course try your best. Just don't skip doing research for all years of undergrad or afterwards