<p>Hi AwesomeOpossum - I cannot seem to find a lot of information on the Freshmen Health Science Living-Learning Community located in Litchfield Towers. If you (or anyone else reading this) know anyone currently living in this LLC, please share the pros and cons /positives and negatives. Also, I would like to know how many freshmen are typically in this group/ is it split equally between guys and gals. Do they do fun stuff. Do they mingle well with other Towers’ inhabitants? Do the other towers inhabitants have any opinions either good or bad about students in this group??? Anything else important that I am not considering. thx</p>
<p>Hi, it’s me again. Anyone here doing/has done neuroscience?</p>
<p>I would like to ask what kind of neuroscience (undergraduate) is Pitt more oriented towards? Behavioral/Cognitive/Neurobiology?</p>
<p>It seems to me that Pitt neuroscience is more towards neurobiology and not much psychological/behavioral courses. Meanwhile OSU has more diverse array of courses from different specialization. But everyone I’ve come across are telling me between Pitt & OSU, Pitts has the upper hand in neuroscience.
And I’m well aware of that, but the nature of my interest might need a different form of evaluation entirely</p>
<p>I was actually hoping for more Behavioral/Psychological courses. Will I miss out if I choose to go to Pitt over OSU. I’ve inserted the link to each of the colleges’ courses for neuroscience. Having said that, I might be inexperienced in evaluating and judging the program and its courses. Or the courses posted on their web aren’t complete, hence it’s hard to judge what kind of neuroscience they are offering.</p>
<p>Pitt: [CD[/url</a>]</p>
<p>OSU: [url=<a href=“Courses | Neuroscience Major”>Courses | Neuroscience Major]Courses</a> | Neuroscience Major](<a href=“http://www.neuroscience.pitt.edu/programs/undergraduate/CD.php]CD[/url”>http://www.neuroscience.pitt.edu/programs/undergraduate/CD.php)</p>
<p>My plan for the future is to either go into graduate school of neuroscience or psychology. It seems to me going into a graduate school of neuroscience will not be much a problem as compared to graduate school of psychology. I’ve done some research over the web, and it seems that the requirement for psychology graduate level is a coursework rich in psychology courses and research (they didn’t mention psych research specifically). And I’m not sure if neuroscience undergrad over at Pitt will provide me that kind of coursework (also not that sure with OSU, but they seems to have more psych courses in their neuroscience undergrad program)</p>
<p>Would be awesome if someone can shine some light on this one. :P</p>
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<p>If you search back through the thread, you will see that I <em>always</em> advocate UHC housing above regular freshman housing. Personally, I could not live in an all-girls dorm for a year, I think I would go crazy.</p>
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<p>It might be new starting this Fall, which would be why you can’t really find anything about it yet. But let’s see if anyone else might know more.</p>
<p>mrsmile10: Perhaps this is why the Pitt Neuroscience program is so highly regarded - due to it’s rigor. It seems to be more hard science based which is always harder than the Social/Behavioral Sciences (for most people). If you go to Pitt, you may be able to add a few courses in the Psychology Dept as electives - perhaps even minor in Psychology.</p>
<p>mrsmile10: Did you get accepted to Pitt’s main campus? I recall seeing older messages that you were offered a regional campus. If the choice is between a Pitt regional campus and OSU, not to disparage the regional campuses, but for neuroscience (and for the full university experience), you should go to OSU.</p>
<p>@plplpl: I knew some people living in the health science llc, though I think it was actually in Lothrop last year. It seemed to me that it was almost exactly like living on a regular floor in the dorm, but everyone on their floor took similar classes and would study together. There’s not a lot more to it than that and maybe some special programs. Because of that, I don’t see why other towers residents wouldn’t interact with them the same, most probably wont even realize that floor is an llc! I don’t know about guy/girl ratios, but since towers floors aren’t co-ed my guess is they’ll have two floors, one girls and one guys, so a perfect split.</p>
<p>southeastmom, yes, it did crossed my mind to maybe double major in Neuroscience & Psychology, but that’s gonna take me a lot of time and cost a lot of money for my parents. Not to mention I might have to spend more time doing general education courses for the 2nd major which might be a huge turn off…</p>
<p>Or I could just do a minor in Psychology but I’m worried that might not be enough for a graduate admission to a psychology program if in the future I decide to sway my path towards psychology</p>
<p>quakerstake, Yes, indeed! I’ve asked them if they could transfer me to main campus. and they agreed! the thing is everything is done online through email (their admission “letter”, etc) so I’m not 100% sure 
I guess it’s the same case with everyone applying to Pitt?</p>
<p>So right now, it’s between OSU-Columbus & Pitt-Main Campus.
The issue like I’ve mentioned, to put it in a simpler way, from what I’ve seen in their course catalog in their web) is that OSU offers a more diverse array of neuroscience while Pitt offers a more Neurobiology (I think) type of neuroscience. & my interest lies mainly in the Behavioral/Psychological nature of neuroscience. But then from what I’ve often heard, Pitt has the most, if not one of the best, program in Neuroscience. </p>
<p>Somehow, I feel I might loss a huge opportunity or get a program in OSU that is not that good, if I forsake Pitt. But if I go to Pitt, I feel I MIGHT not like their neuroscience program.</p>
<p>Pitt Neuroscience: <a href=“http://www.neuroscience.pitt.edu/programs/undergraduate/CD.php[/url]”>http://www.neuroscience.pitt.edu/programs/undergraduate/CD.php</a></p>
<p>OSU Neuroscience: <a href=“Courses | Neuroscience Major”>Courses | Neuroscience Major;
<p>Both OSU and Pitt will be fine - if you really like OSU’s curriculum better you should go ahead with that. Ohio State is also a fine school - you will not be hurt by going there. Their Psychology program at the grad level is actually higher ranked than Pitt (17 vs 33) though this may not impact undergraduate quality. But I wanted to mention that at Pitt, Neuroscience is in Arts & Sciences as is Psychology so the GEN Eds would be the same.</p>
<p>You may want to check admission requirements to Psychology PHd programs at some schools. You may find that they do not necessarily require a major in Psychology. For Instance the Pitt website say it does not require an undergraduate degree in Psychology:
[Admission</a> Requirements](<a href=“http://www.psychology.pitt.edu/graduate/admission-requirements.php]Admission”>http://www.psychology.pitt.edu/graduate/admission-requirements.php)</p>
<p>If they are in the same college (Arts & Sciences), does this mean the GEN Eds courses I’ve done in Neuroscience can be counted towards the requirement in my 2nd major in Psychology? hence save time completing a 2nd major (if yes, that’s another plus point for Pitt since, in OSU, their psychology is in arts & sciences, and neuroscience in college of medicine) <a href=“http://www.osu.edu/academics/a-z.php#A[/url]”>http://www.osu.edu/academics/a-z.php#A</a></p>
<p>Also, I’ve found out from here [<a href=“http://www.oafa.pitt.edu/undectarg.aspx][/url”>http://www.oafa.pitt.edu/undectarg.aspx][/url</a>] that in order to obtain a 2nd major, only an additional 12 credits are needed. Am I right?
Quoting from their FAQ, " Considering that students must have a related area (similar to a minor) of at least 12 credits in addition to their major, getting a double major at the University of Pittsburgh is not just possible, it’s very common."</p>
<p>About PhD program, I would imagine those who did undergrad psychology program would have better chances of getting admitted into a graduate program in psychology than a neuroscience undergrad would. :/</p>
<p>Yes the Ged Eds are the same for both majors - you only take them once.
[General</a> Education Requirements](<a href=“http://asundergrad.pitt.edu/requirements/gened.html]General”>http://asundergrad.pitt.edu/requirements/gened.html)</p>
<p>What’s more, if you are majoring in Psych and Neuroscience, your natural science, and social science requirements would be covered. In addition, you may already have credit for foreign language or an AP class which could help.
Students take an average of 14-17 credits per semester so this may help you figure out if you can do the double major.
Here is more info on each major:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.asundergrad.pitt.edu/advising/documents/NROSCI.pdf[/url]”>http://www.asundergrad.pitt.edu/advising/documents/NROSCI.pdf</a>
<a href=“http://www.asundergrad.pitt.edu/advising/documents/PSY.pdf[/url]”>http://www.asundergrad.pitt.edu/advising/documents/PSY.pdf</a></p>
<p>You can see that the neuroscience degree is MUCH more rigorous. Therefore I don’t think your last point is correct. Neuroscience majors would be welcomed in a grad psych program.</p>
<p>The reason why i have my share of doubts on the quality of Pitt’s neuroscience program is this. Of course I’m well aware that people have been saying to me that they have the best, if the one of the best program for neuroscience. However, the way I see their neuroscience program is they tend to be more specialized towards Neurobiology, and not much breadth towards others like Cognitive or Behavioral Neuroscience, or so on. Now I’m thinking their neuroscience program were more biased towards preparing pre-med students for med school. While OSU program may not have begun (I know this puts them at a very disadvantaged seat), their program seems to be more broad. OSU also allows you to pick 5 courses from you specialization; eg, Behavioral Neuroscience and 2 courses from Molecular Neuroscience or Computational Neuroscience.</p>
<p>An example of one among 3 of OSU Neuroscience path (System/Behavioral Neurosc):
<a href=“http://neurosciencemajor.osu.edu/sites/neurosciencemajor.osu.edu/files/major-sheet-behav-sys.pdf[/url]”>http://neurosciencemajor.osu.edu/sites/neurosciencemajor.osu.edu/files/major-sheet-behav-sys.pdf</a></p>
<p>Having said all that, my evaluation is only as good as judging the material they posted in their web. The reality might differ.</p>
<p>Also, correct me if I’m wrong Psychology major apparently is not as good in Pitt as it is in OSU. In OSU, the requirement for psych courses are 58 credits but in Pitt, it is only as few as 29, not to mentioned the amount of available psych courses are significantly more than that in Pitt, which I think psych students in Pitt won’t get the chance to get expose to much psych background</p>
<p>Pitt Psych major: [A&S</a> Majors and Minors | Undergraduate Bulletin | University of Pittsburgh](<a href=“http://www.bulletins.pitt.edu/undergrad/psychology.htm]A&S”>http://www.bulletins.pitt.edu/undergrad/psychology.htm)</p>
<p>OSU Psych major: [OSUM</a> Dept of Psychology](<a href=“http://psych.mansfield.ohio-state.edu/major.html]OSUM”>http://psych.mansfield.ohio-state.edu/major.html)
PDF version: <a href=“Undergraduate | Department of Psychology”>Undergraduate | Department of Psychology;
<p>Pitt available psych courses: [PSY</a> Courses](<a href=“http://www.courses.as.pitt.edu/results-subja.asp?SUBJ=PSY&TERM=2124]PSY”>http://www.courses.as.pitt.edu/results-subja.asp?SUBJ=PSY&TERM=2124)</p>
<p>OSU available psych courses: [OSUM</a> Dept of Psychology](<a href=“http://psych.mansfield.ohio-state.edu/major.html]OSUM”>http://psych.mansfield.ohio-state.edu/major.html)</p>
<p>But, Pitt small amount of credit requirement in psych major might turn out to be an advantage for me. Since Pitt doesn’t offer a minor in psych, this means I have to go with a double major (in Neuroscience & Psych) & I only need to complete 29 credit hours of psych courses since the general ed & co-requisite courses requirement for neuroscience & psych overlap. (Again, correct me if I’m mistaken :P)</p>
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<p>I disagree with the above. It’s much easier to find a top-rate program in neurobiology than it is one in cognitive neuroscience that emphasizes biology rather than psychology. My daughter is in the Pitt CNUP working toward a PhD, and she is simultaneously earning a certificate in the neural basis of cognition through the joint Pitt and CMU Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition. I believe that that CNBC includes undergraduate students as well as graduate students. The CNBC brings in its own speakers with national and international reputations. It includes students from neuroscience, psychology, computer science, bioengineering, and math. </p>
<p>As an undergraduate, it doesn’t really matter what you major in or what your major is called, as long as you take the necessary prerequisites for a future job and/or graduate school. Even more important than that is research experience (pop over to the graduate school forum to see the various components of a successful graduate school application), and Pitt, with its medical school and graduate program should offer a lot of opportunities. I know that my daughter’s cogsci lab at Pitt has at least two undergrads working in it.</p>
<p>With the CNBC, Pitt is one of the preeminent places in the world for research in neurocognition. It really is. That said, it doesn’t have undergraduate program per se, but the labs that participate in it are absolutely open to undergraduates. (see also [here](<a href=“http://www.cnbc.cmu.edu/undergraduateresearch]here[/url]”>http://www.cnbc.cmu.edu/undergraduateresearch)</a>)</p>
<p>Pitt has one of the largest and most robust communities of neuroscientists in the country. I’m not just being a homer, it is absolutely true. The university as a whole brings in more NIH research money than all but four or five other institutions in the country (and one of those five doesn’t have undergrad programs). It consistently ranks in the top 10-20 of world research citation index rankings. A big part of that is research coming out of the Department of Neuroscience, the Department of Neurobiology, the CNBC, and parts of Psychology, Psychiatry, Neurology, Biology, bioengineering…16 different departments…collectively under the [Center</a> for Neuroscience University of Pittsburgh (CNUP)](<a href=“http://cnup.neurobio.pitt.edu/about/index.aspx]Center”>http://cnup.neurobio.pitt.edu/about/index.aspx).</p>
<p>To clarify, the CNBC doesn’t have its own courses, although certain courses at both Pitt and CMU are designated as CNBC-qualifying courses. It also doesn’t have its own faculty and instead draws from both Pitt and CMU. What’s really cool about the CNBC, however, is the way it brings together minds from many disciplines in the study of cognitive sciences. The research is top-rate.</p>
<p>Well! PITT is it!, although I’ve paid the acceptance fee for OSU :P(nah, never mind that) </p>
<p>Thanks guys for sticking with me. It was great that I could get so many advice and opinion.</p>
<p>I’m still thinking of how I can incorporate Psych courses into my Neuroscience major. Minor would seem to be impossible since they don’t offer them. Maybe a double major. But that would require more time and money 
It seems impossible to take them as Electives because Gen. Ed would require around 60 credit hours and neuroscience major requires 59 credit hours, so both would sum up to around 120 credit hours which already fulfills the graduation requirement. </p>
<p>I think neuroscience major would still serve me more good than doing psych major since I’m more interested in, apart from the wonderful works of the brain- its cognition, resilience, its plasticity, to find answers to the mind from its biological standpoint. Just as much as the mind fascinates me, the brain does so as well. And I don’t think psychology gives as much credit for the works of the brain on the mind as it actually deserves. I think by working on the tangible, it can help answer the intangible much better and with a solid base. </p>
<p>By the way, when they look at your qualification for grad school, what kind of research affects your admission, say you are applying for neuroscience grad school but you did psychology researches during your undergrad, will that somehow be less better compared to someone who did neuroscience research a lot?</p>
<p>About applying for a placement in research opportunity during undergrad.
Is a neuroscience student eligible for a psychology research?
Is a psychology student eligible for a neuroscience research?
Just wanna know how flexible it is.</p>
<p>And also, do students who are staying on-campus need to stay there for a minimum period (eg, 1 year) or are they allowed to move out to off-campus anytime?</p>
<p>Haha, I really have a lot of questions, don’t I</p>
<p>Neuroscience Major Requirement: [Degree</a> Requirements | Department of Neuroscience | University of Pittsburgh](<a href=“http://www.neuroscience.pitt.edu/programs/undergraduate/degree-requirements.php]Degree”>http://www.neuroscience.pitt.edu/programs/undergraduate/degree-requirements.php)</p>
<p>Arts & Sciences Gen. Ed. Requirement: [General</a> Education Requirements | University of Pittsburgh Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences | University of Pittsburgh](<a href=“http://www.as.pitt.edu/fac/teaching/general-requirements]General”>http://www.as.pitt.edu/fac/teaching/general-requirements)
-OR-
[General</a> Education Requirements](<a href=“http://www.asundergrad.pitt.edu/requirements/gened.html]General”>http://www.asundergrad.pitt.edu/requirements/gened.html)</p>
<p>:P</p>
<p>The truth is minors are really irrelevant. They don’t do anything for you. Grad school admissions will not care if you have a minor but they will look at your transcript to see what classes you have taken. Just take Psychology courses where you can fit them in. And if you decide Psych is more of what you want, you can ease into it from Neuroscience because there are a lot of similar requirements. I think you still may be able to pick up a double major if you plan ahead at the beginning of your college and stay on task (and you could still finish on time, and if you end up working in research over the summer you can take courses then too). But make sure you pick up the few courses that may be a requirement for grad school in psychology in case you decide you want to go that route (for Pitt, that is only 12 credits so that should be easy, but be aware clinical psychology programs sometimes have additional requirements and at Pitt that is abnormal psych so make that 3 of your 12 credits…but also places like Penn and UCLA don’t have any such requirements as far as I know). </p>
<p>But at the same time, I do not know your academic background. Make sure you don’t you don’t get over your head your first semester or two as you make the transition to high school to college because that is just easier for some than others no matter how smart. Also be aware that some of the neuroscience classes will be some of the more challenging ones that you take. Just talk to people (including students). Also talk to advisors in both departments, and even if you aren’t entering the honors college as a first semester freshman, you can still be a part of it so you can also go there and inquire about things like building your academic curriculum and research/fellowship opportunities. </p>
<p>Seek out undergraduate research opportunities as early as you feel comfortable with that. Those will be important no matter what direction you end up. And yes, lab based research, whether in behavior or cognitive or just basic science is what you should aim for. Try to find a lab you like. If you don’t like what one is doing, explore a different one, but do that as early as possible so that you can settle in because the more time you spend in the lab, the more substantial the project you may be able to work on, which increases the likelihood of presenting your work at conferences and ideally also gaining some authorships.</p>
<p>Hi! I’m sure you’ve been asked this all the time but how did you do moving day as an out-of-state? I’m from California and I have no clue how to get my stuff over there or what to bring. Also, does anyone have any info on the Physical Therapy and Athletic Training?</p>
<p>You can probably ship some things. You also can order things from Bed, Bath, and Beyond and pick them up in Pittsburgh. Good luck with the cross country trip.</p>