<p>IN SHORT:
Neuroscience major needs to take upper level math to pursue the PhD that would most please her. Searching for postbacc options.</p>
<p>And now, the long version.</p>
<p>I am going to graduate this May with a BS in neuroscience and a BA in French. I currently have a 3.6 GPA (science and overall) and expect that to rise a bit over the next two semesters. I've had two years of experience in a toxicology lab and am currently doing additional research that combines my experience in neuroscience and my experience with programming. I plan to pursue a PhD in computational neuroscience.</p>
<p>However, I have a small problem.
I have spent my time in undergraduate planning to go into a general neuroscience PhD program. This means, I haven't had enough time to complete some of the more mathy bits of computational neuroscience prereqs (linear algebra, differential equations, and experience with a programming language other than Python).
I want to take a year to get these prereqs while garnering more research experience in order to raise my chances of getting into a very good computational neuroscience program.</p>
<p>What is the best way to do this?
I come from a rather ... underprivileged economic background.
I've looked into several postbac programs but most seem tailored to either people who are looking to get premed requirements or people who obtained BAs and are now looking to pursue science.
Is my only option to enroll at a state university, take out loans, hope to get a position in a lab back home, and complete the necessary coursework?
Do you have any recommendations?</p>
<p>While you await possible suggestions here, have you been talking to your professors about these questions, or the advisors at your current school in the computational neuro/bio area? That’s going to be your best bet.</p>
<p>Also, I’m not an expert, but I’d think you are going to need more foundational classes in CS that you are mentioning above. Not just the math, but the foundations of computer science, data structures, and algorithmic design at the least.</p>
<p>Another parent’s suggestion: Talk to your profs, try to get a lab job next year. At some schools, you can then take classes for free. I think some may make you wait some months before waiving tuition for a class. If you are earning about $35,000, you could still afford a class.</p>
<p>Another parent here–and one with a D likely to go into computation neuroscience. (She’s currently a neuro + applied math double major. D has research experience in developing predictive computer models of the brain and analyzing 3-D brain imaging.)</p>
<p>I would also add the suggestion to take more foundational computer programming classes, especially MatLab scripting (used by lots of places) and algorithm design.</p>
<p>D has said that topology, fractal theory, probability and advanced statistics are also all quite useful for people in comp neuro.</p>
<p>As for D–she’s doing what bookworm suggested. She has a job offer to be a full time research assistant next year. After the first year, she gets 1 free class per semester, but even before that, her lab will give her release time to take any class offered during working hours. </p>
<p>D figures 2 years doing research (plus some additional coursework) will clarify her research goals and help her decide if she wants a MD/PhD, PhD or MD. (Also it will give her a breather between undergrad and post-grad programs, plus she can earn some cash, live in a new city, broaden her network of professional contacts and maybe get another publication for her CV. All pluses.)</p>
<p>I was in a similar situation with a deficit on the biology side. I took up a RA with a well known computational neuroscientist outside the US. In my opinion, doing courses full time is not very beneficial for PhD admissions. I’d suggest that you take up a research position in a department that has a strong computational neuroscience flavor. You can always enrol in math courses (officially/unofficially) when you are doing research. In the meanwhile you can also explore labs/topics for your PhD.</p>