<p>How popular is the biopsychology major at Tufts? Is it possible to major in bio and minor in psych and vice versa, or is this not common since biopsych is offered? And I might be wrong, but I heard some people double major in bio and psych, what could be the reasoning behind this?</p>
<p>Biopsychology gives you a basic background in both biology and psychology ([Tufts</a> University: Department of Biology](<a href=“Tufts University”>Tufts University)) without going into too much depth (unless you want to take additional classes) in either. Some people who are really interested in neuroscience take both biology and psychology as majors to get the full basic science/clinical science perspective. It just depends on where your interests lie and how much you’d like to take additional biology and psychology classes. I’d say that if you’re really interested in neuroscience that doing both biology and psychology together might be more useful than biopsychology. </p>
<p>You should visit the biology and psychology department websites and learn more about courses and major requirements. After that you should consult with your first year adviser, or email a professor in psychology or biology who might do research in something you’re interested in.</p>
<p>if i’m interesting in doing pre-med, should i stay away from majoring in biopsych then, if it doesn’t go into too much depth in either?</p>
<p>It shouldn’t be a problem if you do premed. In fact for the major you still have to take the introductory biology courses and genetics (which is useful for the MCAT and in general), and you have to take a physiology course (also good for the MCAT). So the major will prepare you just fine, since you have to take the regular premed courses anyway. But the major may not be as useful from the perspective, like you mentioned, of being in depth unless you take additional courses in a specific area. It is very difficult to cover anything in significant depth in the sciences unless you focus on a specific area, and when you focus on two fields there will inevitably be areas that are neglected (e.g. you may not get as much of a cellular/molecular perspective). </p>
<p>So if you want to take additional courses to supplement the major, that could work out to cover any areas you’re interested in. In any case, you’ll do just fine going premed with this major.</p>