<p>hello, i have decided to do a neuroscience major for preparation for medical school, and i have a few questions:</p>
<p>1) is this a good major for med school?</p>
<p>2) this is my freshman list of classes:</p>
<p>math 155
chemistry 102/104/106
biology 110/111
earth and environmental science writing seminar</p>
<p>is this list going to make me go crazy? i cant decide whether to do a different class instead of biology, so can you please give me feedback?</p>
<p>Thank you</p>
<p>1) Yes. Neuroscience at Vanderbilt is a combination of psychology and “watered-down” biology. It is not as rigorous as other science majors, especially Bio and Chem.</p>
<p>2) You won’t go crazy. Math 155 - instead of 150 - should save you trouble (I took 175, but I’ve heard 150 is extremely difficult). I would recommend keeping the combination of bio and chem. It will give you an indication of whether or not pre-med is for you, and if you can handle the workload. Also, it will allow you to take Physics and Organic (and another writing class) next year, which would cover the requirements of the pre-med track by the end of your sophmore year.</p>
<p>I just fiinished intro bio and gen chem this year, so I’d be glad to answer any other questions.</p>
<p>hey so i just have a few more questions:</p>
<p>1) when you say that neuroscience has a “watered-down” biology component, will that affect the way that med schools will look at my application? basically, i just want to know if neuroscience is considered a weak major by med schools?</p>
<p>2) so you said that you just finished bio and chem this year, are those the same ones that i listed above? also, how was it taking both simultaneously?</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s such a good idea to rush through your pre-med classes. These will be very important to your GPA. You should allow proper time to prepare as much as you can for each class. That being said, since BSCI 110 is the harder of the classes, I suggest waiting till your sophomore year to take it.</p>
<p>Furthermore, I suggest you take a non-science based writing seminar so you can fulfill an AXLE requirement. Pick one in HCA or international cultures, since you willing be missing these topics in your major. (Neuroscience will cover your SBS requirements as well as your MNS requirements).</p>
<p>Lastly, Nuero is NOT watered down bio. The Bio portion of the major has many classes that are in the BSCI department and include some of the more rigorous ones (especially Cellular Neurobiology BSCI 252). Do not worry about neuroscience keeping you from getting into medical school. The only way you could consider Neuro easier is because of the heavy psychology requirement, and less of an emphasis on research. Neuroscience is a great major filled with some of the best faculty on campus. (Me not singing the praises of MCB, weird right?)</p>
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<p>Absolutely not. Medical schools will not look down on a neuroscience major (especially not one from Vanderbilt). My assessment is only a reflection of the sentiments of many bio and chem majors. </p>
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2) so you said that you just finished bio and chem this year, are those the same ones that i listed above? also, how was it taking both simultaneously?
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<p>Yes, they were the same ones. </p>
<p>Taking the classes together was difficult around midterms, since they tended to fall in the same week (more so in the second semester). The material is not particularly difficult, but the learning curve is steep (to be pre-med “weed outs”).</p>
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Lastly, Nuero is NOT watered down bio. The Bio portion of the major has many classes that are in the BSCI department and include some of the more rigorous ones (especially Cellular Neurobiology BSCI 252). Do not worry about neuroscience keeping you from getting into medical school. The only way you could consider Neuro easier is because of the heavy psychology requirement, and less of an emphasis on research. Neuroscience is a great major filled with some of the best faculty on campus. (Me not singing the praises of MCB, weird right?)
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<p>The six hours of cellular and molecular neuroscience are difficult. But, the other components of the major, including introductory (three hours), and systems and cognitive (six hours) neuroscience are not as demanding.</p>