<p>I'm very interested in Neuroscience, and I would love to go to NYU's graduate program for neuroscience! I am currently a freshman at BC, and I am planning to do Psychology major with a concentration on neuroscience. The concentration is filled with tons of bio and psych classes, with 2 general chemistry classes. </p>
<p>However, at the bottom it says Organic Chemistry and Physics is "recommended by staff". I would love not to have to take organic chemistry and physics, and I have no interest in going to medical school. </p>
<p>So, does anyone know if I have to take these classes to get into NYU's neuroscience grad program? I have looked everywhere online, but can't seem to find undergrad requirements to apply to this program. Any help would be soo much appreciated! Thanks.</p>
<p>If you’re referring to NYU’s PhD program in Neural Science, it doesn’t specifically mention Organic Chem and Physics as admission requirements. [NYU/CNS</a> : Doctoral Program : Overview](<a href=“Doctoral Program”>Doctoral Program)
It would probably depend on what areas of neuroscience you wanted to work in. If you look at the requirements for NYU’s undergrad program in this field, Organic Chem and Physics are not required, except for students who want to go into health sciences. So, my guess is that those courses aren’t necessarily required for an applicant to the grad program. You’ll have to consider whether or not it puts you at a disadvantage compared to other applicants who have taken these courses.</p>
<p>^I’m a Neuro major and we do have to take Orgo and Physics classes - Physics is a prereq for 2 of my Neuro classes next semester - Molecular & Cell Neurobio and an elective course. </p>
<p>I do think Psych would put you at a disadvantage, to be honest. Neuro is a field of Biology, most Undergrad Neuro programs are basically Bio majors with different upper-level classes - like Computational Neurobio instead of Computational Bio, Developmental Neurobio instead of Developmental Bio, etc. Most people who study Neuro at the Grad level have backgrounds in Computer Science, Biology/Neuro fields. At NYU, the only class Psych and Neuro majors share is Stats for the Behavioral Sciences (although neuro majors aren’t required to). </p>
<p>Technically, you can major in whatever you want before grad school. You can study Psych if you want, you can study Computer Science, etc. But if BC doesn’t have a Neuro program, logically Computer Sci or Biology would be better preparations for Neuro grad school. I mean, you could even study English if you want, but would that put you at a tremendous disadvantage? Probably.</p>
<p>To clarify, there are 3 fields of Neuro: Computational, Molecular, and Behavioral. Most Neuro research is molecular research, and computational is a rapidly expanding field especially if you’re interested in Genomics, Comp Sci, technology, etc. If you’re interested in Psych, I’m guessing you’re interested in Behavioral Neuro, right? I know there are several PI’s in the Neuro dept who do Behavioral, so there would definitely be a place for you to research and study if you were interested in that particular field. I think PhD students generally don’t get to pick a specific field immediately though - so you would have to sample a variety of Neuro classes before settling on your research area.</p>
<p>You should email the advisor in NYU’s Doctoral program by Junior year maybe to ask for advice. I think Freshmen year is a little early to be worrying about PhD programs : )</p>
<p>The reason I’m doing psychology is because I am interested in being a neuropsychologist. The program at BC is a psychology major with a concentration on neuroscience, so I figured it would make more sense to do this route rather than the Biology major. I’m not too worried about it yet 
However, I do want to know if I have to take organic chemistry and physics because it will probably change the classes I’m taking my freshman year (calculus and writing classes would change, its hard to explain).</p>
<p>I guess there’s no definite answer if I absolutely have to take them or not, but thank you so much for the replies! I’m very frightened for organic chemistry and physics, but if I have to take them I certainly will.</p>
<p>@Lacey: That makes more sense now. I took a Behavioral Neuro class last semester and my professor described himself as a neuropsychologist as well - I hadn’t even heard of that field until his class!</p>
<p>The reason I recommend you take Physics is because Grad programs in Neuro often have Physics as a prereq. For example, Molecular & Cell Neurobio is a class you will probably have to take which requires Physics. Higher level understanding of topics like electricity and magnetism are needed to understand how an MRI might work, for example. Even in Neuropsychology that would probably be necessary. </p>
<p>What I’m saying is even if you don’t take it in college, you’ll need to study it in Grad school for sure. But I wouldn’t worry about it now. You can always take a General Physics class in a couple years if you’re still interested. Also, don’t be scared of Orgo! I was pleasantly surprised when I enjoyed it (my prof was awesome too) - I decided to double major in Chemistry because of that class.</p>
<p>That makes a lot of sense, I didn’t even consider how physics could connect to neuroscience, but MRI technology and magnetism makes sense. One more question, is applying to a PhD program like applying to medical school? Just wondering if I have to get major classes done by junior year, or if most people take a year off before getting their PhD. </p>
<p>I’m assuming that not taking organic chem and physics would definitely put me at a disadvantage compared to other students that take those classes in undergrad years. I will hopefully be able to talk to my adviser about it soon and figure out how to sort out of my classes again if I decide to take them.</p>