How to become a neuroscientist

<p>So I'm interested in neuroscientist and I am wondering (I have quite a whole before I get to this point) but after finishing undergraduate studies at a university should I enroll in a neuroscience Graduate program at a university or attend medical school. Or is there a difference? Or does it depend on whether I want to be a physician/surgeon or a research scientist? Thanks for any insight</p>

<p>Actually there is a third pathway: MD/PhD.</p>

<p>(And there’s fourth–DVM/PhD–which I’m not going to discuss, but is quite similar to a MD/PhD.)</p>

<p>Confused? Actually it is confusing, but your career goals will help decide which path to follow. </p>

<p>In broad strokes then–</p>

<p>A MD is clinically focused. IOW, MDs treat patients. For the most part, they do not engage in research, and if they do it’s clinical research. (Whether treatment A works better than treatment B.) A student interested in neuroscience would most likely go into either neurology or psychiatry. MDs work in hospitals or in small or large outpatient settings.</p>

<p>A PhD is research focused. Their career is about discovering new ideas on a very basic level. Neuroscientists may work with individual nerve cells, with biochemical reactions in isolation or in living systems, with artificial intelligence/computer models, or with animals ranging from amoebas to mice to chimpanzees. While some neuroscientists work with human subjects, most don’t. PhDs work either in academia (at universities), for federal research agencies like the NIH or in industry (for private companies–like pharmaceutical companies).</p>

<p>A MD/PhD is exactly what it sounds like–an individual who has earned both a MD and a PhD. These individuals have the best (or many would say the worst) of both careers. They conduct basic research and also see patients, usually on consultant basis when other doctors need additional help. Most MD/PhDs work at academic hospitals (hospitals associated with medical schools). Some MD/PhDs work full time as research consultants for big private companies or government agencies.</p>

<p>How to decide among the pathways? </p>

<p>Short answer–you don’t need to decide just yet. In fact, you won’t need to decide until near the end of your college education. (Typically junior-senior year). As a neuroscience or cognitive science major, you will be taking the require coursework needed for medical school admission regardless of your ultimate goal.</p>

<p>When you get to college, if you think you’d be interested in pursuing a PhD or MD/PhD, you should find a research lab to volunteer in ASAP-- no later than your sophomore year. Having a strong history in research is very important for PhD and MD/PhD admissions. (Also some people love research; some people hate it. You won’t know until you try it. Research as career takes a special personality type. It’s really not for everyone.)</p>