Hi, I’m a senior hoping to major in a subject where I can research how changing chemicals and structural regions of the brain affects outward behavior. So far, my top choices are
Tulane (neuroscience), Case Western Reserve University (cognitive science), and (possibly) Univeristy of Michigan (several different majors), although U of M is a larger campus and no money from them, so I’m leaning more towards Case/Tulane. Also, I’ waiting on Emory (neuroscience/behavioral biology), Wash-U St. Louis (philosophy-neuroscience-psychology), and college of William and Mary (neuroscience). I loved the look of wash-U’s program, it has a lot of options and perspectives within the major, but Wash-u is a long shot, and I want to look at other programs as well.
I’m looking for a program that can offer me research opportunities. I’m interested questions like how we can use brain research to influence moral thinking (ex: what changes can we make to the brain of a serial killer to make him more empathic). These are the types of questions I want to study. However, since many of these schools call their programs by different names, I would like some advice as to what the programs at each of these schools are like and whether they would be a good fit for me.
Neuroscience is the study of neuroanatomy as well as the biochemistry of the brain. Cognitive science incorporates neuroscience, linguistics, psychology and philosophy as well as computer science. Both Case Western and Tulane list the courses available for their programs on their websites. See which set of courses appeals to you more.
What’s involved in/required for a neuroscience major can vary a lot from school to school. I’d second the recommendation to check out the course requirements and availability for the different schools.
Also, if you are looking for where the research opportunities are, you don’t have to major in neuroscience or cognitive science to do that. Really, what’s necessary is going to college where professors are doing that kind of work - and they could be doing it out of a biology or psychology department as well. Neuroscience is probably the best major for that but a well-focused biology major with enough electives/classes focused on the brain could allow you to do that too. Really, you’d specialize on the graduate level.
I will say that Emory’s NBB program sounds exactly like what you are looking for and Emory has a robust community of scholars working on related research topics - and they come from all over the college, inclyding the social sciences and philosophy, so will add in that interest on morality and emotion. Plus you are nearby the CDC for research opportunities as well. The Yerkes Primate Center is also affiliated with Emory and has lots of Emory researchers. There’s a program at the University of St. Andrews that will let you get an M.Phil in neuroscience in one year. ANd they have lots of classes for undergrads about research: http://nbb.emory.edu/research/
All of these universities have great research going on, though.