I’m interested in both biology and neuroscience, but probably leaning toward neuroscience. Also, I want to do the pre-med track.
I have a couple questions about University of Michigan’s neuroscience major vs. biology major:
Is it easy to switch from neuroscience to biology major?
Are all of the classes required for pre-med also part of the curriculum to complete a neuroscience major?
How are the professors in the biology/neuroscience department?
Thanks!
You can do pre-med as a number of different majors at UMich. These majors include but are not limited to biochemistry, biology, cellular and molecular biology, chemistry, and microbiology. If you want to follow the pre-med track, certain courses will be outlined to you by your adviser. You really don’t declare your major until you do your prereqs, and they’ll help you to figure out which way you want to go. You’ll have lots of chance to talk to people, explore a little, and test your metal in your first couple of years before you declare. But yes…lots of kids start off thinking they’ll do one thing, and end up doing another within the biological sciences. My daughter started off thinking she wanted to do Cell and Molecular Bio, and her roommate started off thinking she wanted to do Neuroscience. They’re both Microbiology majors now. One on a premed track, one on a research track. You’ll have good people available who will help guide you.
My daughter has LOVED all of her science teachers. Very demanding difficult classes, but lots of support. Be sure to check out UROP, and consider working for a lab or volunteering at the hospital.
MaryGJ…I’m curious about how your daughter volunteered at the hospital? My daughter has also had a great experience in UROP, but has had a more challenging time obtaining good hospital volunteer experience. And she has also had difficulty meeting with pre-med advisors. Has your daughter received strong academic counseling from someone knowledgeable in pre-med requirements from the Newnan Advising Center? From all I’ve read, strong pre-med advising is really important in being admitted to med school, and, while UMich is a fabulous school, I’m not convinced they have a strong pre-med advising program. Can you share how it has worked for your daughter?
My kid is the micro-bio major on the research track. Her roommate is the micro-bio major on the pre-med track. I’m sorry about the confusion. My daughter doesn’t volunteer at the hospital…her roommate does. I wish I could give you more details about that, but I can’t. Maybe I can ask?
Here’s some very basic information on becoming a volunteer at University of Michigan Health Services: http://www.med.umich.edu/volunteer/about/collegestudents.html
My daughter loved UROP, and is working her third year for a research lab on campus, having discovered that research is where her passion lies. She’s hoping to intern with the CDC this summer. She’s been given excellent guidance and mentorship from her boss, her academic advisers, and coworkers.
I will say that getting a job on campus opened doors for her. She looked through university job listings, applied, interviewed, and has worked 10 hours a week since freshman year.
I’m hoping a premed student will chime in here with more information for you.
Wish I could be more help. Good luck.