<p>Currently I'm a freshman Biomedical Engineering major looking to switch to strictly Biology. I've realized I don't like the engineering portion as much as I thought, my interest seems to lie more on the biology size. What I'm looking to focus on in the future is some sort of research career. My main interests lie in neurobiology, toxicology, cellular biology, pharmacology, and some other closely related fields. What I am curious about is how would I go about focusing on those certain topics if my school doesn't offer those as a major. Is my best bet choosing Biology as my major then applying to grad school where those areas are focused on? Also, what could I do with a degree in some of the fields I listed? Advice is greatly appreciated it!</p>
<p>No help here!? =/</p>
<p>If you were my kid, I’d recommend you email the biology and chemistry professors at your current college that come closest to doing work in these areas. </p>
<p>They will give you some ideas about what you need to major in, what courses may come close to your interests (or preparing you for graduate study). Even better, they may give you a chance to do research in their lab and/or an independent study that involves research in the areas you like. </p>
<p>You may also learn from them some areas of research you are not familiar with but that you may find as interesting (given the interests you describe to them). </p>
<p>Give it a go. I’m sure they’d be more than happy to talk to you about your future career ideas.</p>
<p>If you’re looking to do research, you will need to achieve a higher degree anyway. My advice would be to major in strictly biology for your undergraduate degree and continue on with a more specific major in your graduate studies. Starting broad and narrowing in allows you the chance to do so much more. For example, with a biology major, you could earn your teaching credential and teach high school science (my plan), or continue on to…say, get a graduate degree in neurology and be a lab assistant, or go on the get your graduate, then doctorate and do independent laboratory work (don’t forget all the need for writing in this major as well…writing on research, writing for grants, etc).</p>
<p>There are a multitude of options with a biology major, but the options decrease as you get more specific. Going into research requires a lot of work, so my advice would be to get your undergrad in biology now and continue exploring further options (talking to professors) for after graduation.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help!</p>