<p>I am interested in studing neuroscience in college. I am wondering what are the advantages and disadvantages of studing neuroscience in a LAC vs. in a research university. Any input would be appreciated.</p>
<p>buummmpppp</p>
<p>Research University- Probably much easier to gain research experience.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you can find an LAC that offers neuroscience as a major, you'll probably gain MORE research experience there because the department will be small and (obviously) undergrad-focused. At a large research university, you'll have to be at the top of the department to get much notice.</p>
<p>At their core, liberal arts colleges seek to develop intimate learning environments where extensive interaction between faculty and students and among students themselves fosters a community of serious discourse. Small class sizes, a primary emphasis on individualized instruction, and a faculty that is dedicated to teaching undergraduates represent the foundation of learning at these institutions. </p>
<p>These principles apply to neuroscience. LAC students gain great research exp. at a LAC because they don't have to compete with grad students to work with faculty, use specialized equipment, etc.</p>
<p>LACs produce about 3% of American college graduates. On a per capita basis, liberal arts colleges produce nearly twice as many students who earn a Ph.D. in science as other institutions. Liberal arts graduates also are disproportionately represented in the leadership of the nation’s scientific community. In a recent two-year period, nearly 20 percent of the scientists elected to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences received their undergraduate education at a liberal arts college.</p>
<p>Read the following article by Thomas Cech, president of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the nation's largest and most important medical research foundation:</p>
<p>By definition, neuroscience is an interdisciplinary science operating in a fluid intellectual environment wherein disciplinary boundaries are often so porous as to be essentially nonexistent. LACs are particularly well-suited to foster interdisciplinary research.</p>
<p>Are you interested in studying neuroscience to eventually get a PhD and be a researcher, or are you interested in another track (such as medical school)?</p>
<p>For an aspiring researcher, a small research university probably represents the best of both worlds -- small classes and attention from professors (needed to write grad school recommendations), as well as research opportunities in top (well-funded) labs in the field, using cutting-edge techniques and equipment.</p>
<p>I did my undergraduate work in a small neuroscience department of a top research university (50 faculty members, ~40 undergraduates per class year), and I thought it helped me tremendously, both in terms of getting into graduate school and in terms of supplying me with the knowledge and techniques that I need to succeed as a graduate student.</p>
<p>At this point, I am not interested in going on to med-school although that may change. I asked this question in another thread but I might as well ask it here as well: What kind of job opportunites are there for neuroscience majors who do not go on to medical school? Is a higher degree necessary to get a good job?</p>
<p>If you want to continue on a career in research, you will need a PhD, although there are research technician jobs available for people with just bachelor's degrees -- these tend to be one- or two-year positions for recent graduates who want more research experience before applying for a PhD or MD program.</p>
<p>If you want a degree in neuroscience but don't want a career in neuroscience research, there are many job options. The student group for MIT's neuroscience major has a list of possible jobs and careers for neuroscience grads on their [url=<a href="http://web.mit.edu/bcss/www/after9.htm%5Dwebsite%5B/url">http://web.mit.edu/bcss/www/after9.htm]website[/url</a>].</p>
<p>If applying to a LAC for non-humanities, pay close attention to their course offerings. A friend had to complete an extra post-graduate year because her LAC did not prepare her for her graduate chemistry program.</p>
<p>Is this question serious? Of course a traditional university is better for research based science. Nobody should be afraid of grad students usurping the time of postdocs and professors time. If anything, you will learn a whole lot more from the grad students/postdocs than you would from a faculty member who has their own teaching/research/service commitments to deal with. A liberal arts college is not going to provide the breadth or depth of coursework that would be necessary to stand out in a field. At a liberal arts college, funding simply won't be there to run a worldclass research program and there won't be postdocs or grad students to do the work even if there were funding.</p>
<p>^ Is this response serious? LACs, especially the elite, well-endowed schools like Amherst, Harvey Mudd, Haverford, Swarthmore, Williams, among others have the resources, funding, and coursework to produce world class scientists. As noted by the evidence cited above. BTW, I certainly think one could make a reasonable decision that s/he would prefer a research univ. Like so many things in life, there are pros and cons to both sides. But to say that the answer is clearly reserach university is demonstrably false.</p>
<p>You can find the work at either - but your life will be a lot easier through a research university with respect to</p>
<p>1) availability of facilities/quality of facilities
2) spaces available for research for undergrads
3) faculty interest in research-based projects
4) variety of projects available
5) funding available for research</p>
<p>6) courses that would be helpful in research and more specific to areas of interest
7) grad students to guide you
8) library holdings to do in-depth research
9) you get the point.</p>
<p>There's a reason that it's called a research university.</p>
<p>buuummmppp</p>