<p>I recently decided that I want to try neuroscience, but none of the colleges to which Ive applied offer neuroscience specifically. I don't mind getting a different undergrad major and then going back for neuroscience. What major should I get that's most closely related to neuroscience? I'm more interested in the psychology side, and Ive narrowed down my college list to Hofstra, UCONN, and UVM, if that helps.</p>
<p>You will not get a job with that major, especially with just a BSc. That is too narrow a field with few opportunities. Go to med school and specialize in neurology instead.</p>
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<p>As schoe2 said a specialized job like that will likely have few opportunities. I am 22 and have been at community college since I was 18 because I could not decide on a major and did not have the skills or mindset for what college actually is or demands from you. One great thing about community college is that you get to talk to people(professors) that actually have jobs in fields people want to major in. My consensus from all the professors I have talked to is do something general like accounting, med school,etc. Then specialize in something later that way you have more ways to get in the door early on and can get the money later. But, I will say that if you feel strongly enough to do the neuroscience then do it and disregaurd anything that anyone else says because in the end it is your career and your life.</p>
<p>The trouble with generalizing in the sciences especially is the employers are often looking for someone with specific skills. The general science jobs are the lowest paying lab tech jobs and they are dead-end and unlikely to provide you with any career development so you can advance. In other words science grads are a dime a dozen and are paid accordingly.</p>
<p>There are a few areas in the sciences that are in demand, but not many at all. Some that come to mind are packaging technology, ink/paint/glue/anything formulations (not neuroscience or anything related to pharma especially). With many of the areas that are in demand there is a shortage due to the old catch 22 employers will not hire and won’t train you without experience and without getting hired there is no way to acquire the experience.</p>
<p>UVM does offer a neuroscience major: [Neuroscience</a> Undergraduate Major : University of Vermont](<a href=“http://www.uvm.edu/~nsmajor/]Neuroscience”>Neuroscience Program | Neuroscience Program | The University of Vermont)
UConn offers a major in Physiology & Neurobiology, and a minor in Neuroscience (jointly between the Physiology & Neurobiology Dept. and the Psychology Dept.</p>
<p>Even if a particular school doesn’t offer a neuroscience major, a psychology dept. will offer coursework in behavioral neuroscience, so a psychology major would be fine. Depending on what you plan to do with respect to grad school or career, you should take core basic science courses to supplement a psychology major, e.g., chemistry, biology, physics, calculus. You also could major in biology and supplement this with psychology courses. Or, double major in biology and psychology, or do a major in one with a minor in the other. </p>
<p>Also, check my post in this thread. The link at the Society for Neuroscience will give you some recommended guidelines for undergrad neuroscience programs. It’s quite possible to major in either biology or psychology and use your electives to match these recommendations:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/707599-best-undergraduate-schools-neuroscience.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/707599-best-undergraduate-schools-neuroscience.html</a></p>