I recently decided to change my major from biomedical science and neuroscience to psychology and neuroscience. With my previous biology major I needed two semesters of physics. I am currently in the second semester of general physics, but now I don’t even need the class. Physics takes a lot of time out of my other classes and I recently got into a research lab and would be able to spend more time in the lab as opposed to a class that I don’t even need. I’m just worried that it will hurt my chances at getting into competitive graduate schools for neuroscience. I’m a sophomore and my GPA is currently 3.65, but if I drop physics it will probably go up this semester. I don’t know if this will help, but I received a B- in physics last semester which dropped my GPA significantly. My first test in physics this semester was a C- so I’m already struggling (there are 4 tests left now). I’m leaning towards dropping the class but would like to see what others have to say.
It won’t. One dropped course isn’t going to make a difference. Just don’t make a habit of it.
What do you want to go to graduate school for? Psychology or neuroscience? If you want to go to grad school for psychology you probably don’t need physics, but if you want to go to grad school for neuroscience you likely will need 2 semesters of physics.
@mademoiselle2308 I’m leaning toward behavioral neuroscience at this point, but I’m still only a sophomore. Even if my university doesn’t require physics for the neuroscience major you think that I would need it to get into grad school?
Are you at a point where it will show up on your transcript?
@texaspg yes it would show up as a W on my transcript. If I went through with the class, my grade would probably be a B and thats with a lot of extra work put in. I’m aiming to graduate with at least a 3.7…
I hear Ws can have an impact on medical school apps (at least more than one), I would assume the advice being given here by others not to have any in future is sound. However, taking a W instead of a B is not as sound especially if it limits the choices in major during masters.
@JessicaML I am not sure. I am not in the neuroscience field (I study genetics), but I do know that people in my umbrella graduate program studying neuroscience were expected to have two semesters of physics. You should google top programs in this field and see what the requirements are and go from there.