Neuroscience/Political Science double major?

<p>Hey, I’m interested in applying to Brown for the open curriculum mostly because I have a wide array of interests and I would have the opportunity to take a diverse course load. I was wondering if it would be possible to double major in cognitive neuroscience and political science at Brown and also take a few music theory/performance classes? I have a passion for both neuroscience and politics and according to Brown’s website the cognitive science concentration requires 16 courses and the political science track requires 12. I’m also a dedicated musician who would like to continue performance lessons. So is that double major possible? If so, is it possible with a few music courses? Thanks!</p>

<p>Assuming no overlap, the requirements sum to 28. If you were to take four classes each semester, you would take 32 overall, leaving little room for electives outside the concentration. Taking some five-class semesters would broaden your elective opportunities.</p>

<p>Okay, so if I took a few 5-class semesters it would be doable? I could definitely take one pass/fail class for the 5-class semesters to lighten the load a little bit.</p>

<p>It would probably be doable. If I were you, I wouldn’t cross off schools from your list just because it’d be difficult to do a double major. Remember that you may change your mind in the future.</p>

<p>I can speak a bit about the music department and performance programs at Brown - they’ve been awesome for me. The performance opportunities are varied from Orchestra and Wind Symphony to smaller performance groups to private lessons, and it’s a very talented department despite not having a performance major.</p>

<p>Thanks so much bruno14! I play classical and jazz guitar and an obscure Chinese lute instrument so I would love to have musical opportunities - especially private lessons and small ensembles. Do the private lessons count for credit? What performance groups have you had experience with? How are the theory classes? I’m also looking at UPenn for the biological basis of behavior and political science/philosophy/economics majors and Harvard too but it seems like doing a double major would be more difficult at either of those schools. I know my opinions and passions will most likely change but political science is certainly my foremost interest. It just seems as if Brown has the most breadth to offer with the most depth for the programs I’m interested in.</p>

<p>Why would you double major? If you are most interested in poli sci, why also major in neuroscience? What do you think the benefit of a double major will be? Take some neuro classes, see how it goes, but please don’t box yourself in. It is very difficult to take 5 classes a semester. A lot of students start off with 5 and end up dropping one along the way. If you want to take advantage of the open curriculum by taking a wide range of classes, double majoring makes that difficult to do.</p>

<p>OK, I know you’re not at Brown yet, and may never be there. I just want you to consider these factors and don’t make decisions based on a goal of double majoring when there is a strong possibility that you might not do it.</p>

<p>-Private lessons count for half a credit each semester, if taken through the AMP program. Look it up.
-I’ve had experience with just the orchestra so far.
-Theory classes are great - the basic ones are Musc 550 and 560 (two semesters), but you need to place into those. You’ll be fine if you’ve had any formal theory or AP Music Theory.</p>

Hi aceofspades15! I know it’s been ages since your first thread on double majoring in neuroscience and political science, but I was wondering what your ultimate decision was. I, too, am interested in double majoring in those choices also in Brown, should I be accepted!

Just keep in mind that obtaining degrees in these two concentrations–Neuroscience (Sc.B.) and Political Science (A.B.)–necessitates a five-year program of study at Brown.

https://www.brown.edu/academics/college/degree/combined-degrees

Yes but you can get an ScB in neuro and just do the concentration in poli sci. It only requires 5 years if you want 2 degrees. Don’t really know why anyone would do the two degrees option when there’s no real difference between that and 2 concentrations.

I guess if you desperately need 2 diplomas. That would be a reason to do two degrees vs 2 concentrations but that’s the only one I can think of.

^^ Agreed. There were only 8 dual-degree recipients at this year’s commencement for a reason - there’s no point in doing an extra year just for one more diploma.