<p>One of the things that initially attracted me to Columbia was the fact that its neuroscience and behavior curriculum was split 50/50 between psychology and biology. I tend to have a stronger proclivity towards the social sciences than I do the natural sciences...so I figured this would be the perfect compromise of majoring in what I really love (psychology) and still being able to land a job/go to med school (biology). Is this a fair assessment?? I'm not a complete train wreck in the natural sciences (chem, bio...etc) and I do enjoy natural science....but have to work pretty darn hard at it to excel (or sometimes just break even). I would really appreciate the honest opinion of those who are in/have been in Columbia's program or those at schools with similarly structured neuroscience curriculums. Am I doomed at an Ivy League School majoring in something with a natural science component when my brain is wired more for social science/humanites/art? Or will the social science component of the major balance things out? I know there are a lot of people in my situation: those better at the humanities/art/social science but that are still competent in (or at the very least...willing to do) the natural science...and want a decent job at some point. Help......anyone with guidance.</p>
<p>I think the social science aspect will help make the natural science aspect more interesting as you begin to draw connections. I was a psychology major but still had to take behavioral neuroscience and cognitive neuroscience (very similar courses, but I transferred and ended up having to take both). </p>
<p>Are the neuroscience courses taught by the psychology faculty, the biology faculty, or do they have their own neuroscience faculty? My neuro courses were taught by the psychology faculty, and I think that made a difference because they were easily able to draw the connections between biology and psychology and make it more interesting. I was good at the natural sciences, but did not enjoy them at all. However, if the major is 50/50, I think one or two bio courses per semester will not be too much for you to handle. </p>
<p>When planning out your course schedule, mention to your advisor that you are not as comfortable with your abilities in the natural sciences as you are the social sciences. This way you can work together to plan out a schedule that will not seem too overwhelming. Maybe instead of taking two natural science courses one semester, you’ll take the second one next semester, or over the summer (even at a community college and transfer it in, if possible). You will not enjoy the major if you are struggling, but good planning and having a good variety of interesting courses you excel at and more challenging courses will help. Do not shy away from something because you think it will require more work. Those are usually the things that are most rewarding once completed.</p>
<p>Thanks, NovaLynnx! Your reply was very helpful.
The psychology classes and the biology classes are taught within their respective departments. As far as I know, there is virtually no overlap. That could work both to my advantage and my disadvantage. On one hand, it makes me wonder how much correlation between the two disciplines will be emphasized since I will be mixed in with pure bio majors (when I fulfill the bio half of the curriculum) and pure psych majors (when I fulfill that half). On the other hand, being mixed in and made to compete with said majors is bound to make me pretty strong within each individual area. </p>
<p>And you’re right…A good relationship with my advisor is a must, and I’ve never been afraid of hard work. Here goes nothing………</p>