<p>Lately I've been really interested in a topic known as "biopsychology" (aka psychobiology, behavioral psychology, or physiological psychology). Biopsychology studies the links between the human body and the brain. It involves both genetics and psychology, both of which I am really interested in.
HOWEVER. Biopsychology apparently is not a very popular major.. There are few schools that offer it, and the ones that do are schools I have never heard of and don't want to look in to, the reason being that I'm looking at bigger schools (U of I- Urbana Champaign, UW Madison, Notre Dame, etc.)</p>
<p>My question is: Is there a different major that equates to a biopsychology major that more schools would offer? Or is there something I can do such as major in biology/genetics/psychology and minor in one of the others?
Please help, I don't know how to research this by myself! (:</p>
<p>Since you apparently are still in high school, my advice to you is, Relax.</p>
<p>A large majority of college students will change their intended major at least once between the time they enroll as freshmen and graduation. My intuition is that this is especially true for a specialized field such as biopsychology. I find it difficult to imagine that you have much, if any, expereience in the field at this point, so it is reasonable to think that as you study and learn more about this and other majors, your preferences will shift.</p>
<p>Notre Dame does not even allow students to declare a major until sophomore year.</p>
<p>If you decide that you are definitely committed to biopsychology, then your choice actually becomes easy - pick one of the few schools that offer it. However, it seems more prudent to me to pick a school where you fit and explore a wider offering. You can always go to graduate school for a specialized area like biopsycho</p>
<p>If few schools offer this major, there is a reason for that. Either it’s so new that there are few faculty members available to support an undergraduate major, or it’s so narrowly specialized that only a small, niche school (without significant non-major liberal arts requirements) is in the position to offer it. Keep in mind that choosing a major is NOT the same thing as choosing a profession. You might consider contacting faculty members in the biology department at Notre Dame for further guidance. Most likely, this is a field for graduate school.</p>
<p>If not every school has the exact major you want, look at their courses to see what classes are available. Some schools allow students (with appropriate guidance) to create an individualized major. Or you might be able to have a major and a minor which together could give you the education/background you desire. Some admissions departments will give you contacts within a department where you can ask specific questions about their curriculum.</p>
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<li>Notre Dame does have a create your own major: </li>
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<p>"How do I design my own major?
"A program for a special self-designed major was approved by the College Council during the 1994–95 year. The self-designed major involves substantive integration of the subject matter in ways that cannot be undertaken within any existing major, minor, area studies, or concentration program.</p>
<p>"This option is granted under exceptional circumstances by the dean, under the recommendation of the Undergraduate Advisory Committee.</p>
<p>“If you have questions about the self-designed major, please make an appointment with Associate Dean JoAnn DellaNeva in the Office for Undergraduate Studies.”
[Student</a> FAQs // College of Arts and Letters // University of Notre Dame](<a href=“http://al.nd.edu/advising/faq/]Student”>http://al.nd.edu/advising/faq/)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>As has been mentioned before, the odds of you switching your major are higher than you think and the importance of what you actually major it is lower than you think. Thus, it is more important to go to a school that is <em>gernerally</em> strong for undergraduate giving you more freedom with your choice of classes and majors.</p></li>
<li><p>With the last name Hagerty, you’d fit right in at Notre Dame.</p></li>
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