<p>So I've read a lot about this program on their website, but could anyone offer any personal experience on how the program is? Right now it sounds like my perfect-fit program (if i can get in of course :) ) but I would love to hear from someone who knows more about the program. Thanks!</p>
<p>I’m a sophomore in PNP, and since I’m still scratching the surface of the program I don’t have a very comprehensive view of it either, but I’d be glad to help you with what I do know.</p>
<p>PNP is a very interdisciplinary major, so the majority of the classes you’ll be taking will be in separate departments, which depend on your track (I’ll explain this later). There are PNP-specific classes along the way as well, which also depend on your track.</p>
<p>There are two ways to become enrolled in the PNP program:
- By enrolling in the MBB (Mind, Brain, Behavior) program as an incoming freshman. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone set on doing PNP. I was not a part of this program myself, but a friend of mine who is also in PNP really enjoyed it. I’ve also heard that you get opportunities to do research in the PNP department, but don’t quote me on that.
- You can take the PNP 200 and PNP 201 classes, which are Introduction to Cognitive Science and Inquiry in the Cognitive Sciences. This is what I’m doing right now. You won’t be able to take this in the fall as a freshman, because they require at least a semester of Gen Chem, an intro-level Philosophy class, or Intro to Psych if I recall correctly. </p>
<p>When majoring in PNP, you choose between two tracks: CN (cognitive neuroscience, which I’m doing) and LCC (language, cognition and culture). CN is geared more towards neuroscience and psychology, while LCC is more anthropology/psychology/linguistics-based. Both will incorporate sections of philosophy, neuroscience, and psychology regardless; the track just focuses your interests (it’s a pretty broad major, after all).</p>
<p>This page details the course requirements: [Undergraduate</a> | PNP at Washington University in St. Louis](<a href=“Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology | Washington University in St. Louis”>Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology | Washington University in St. Louis)</p>
<p>That page is a pain to look at, but to sum it all up, once you have chosen a track, you have to complete the following:
- core requirements: pick and choose from different classes in the philosophy & psychology dept’s. Pretty diverse, so they’re easy to fill, plus you’re in this major so you’re bound to find something that interests you.
- track-specific requirements: these are based on you either being in CN or LCC. LCC lets you choose from a list here, while CN has a few mandatory classes plus any two upper-level Neuroscience courses.
- depth requirement: 9 units from upper-level courses. The areas of study depend on your track (philo/neuro/psych for CN, philo/psych/anthro for LCC). </p>
<p>And finally, there’s a capstone requirement. This is required only if your primary major is PNP, or if you’re opting for honors in PNP. You can do a PNP book club, a PNP project, or the PNP reading class. I unfortunately know nothing about this, sorry.</p>
<p>It sounds pretty confusing, but it works itself out as you go. The professors in the PNP department (as well as the other departments you’ll be taking classes in) are, for the most part, fantastic. Plus, if you’re a pre-med, the CN track works out in your favor as many of the requisite classes overlap. Personally I’ve taken Problems in Philosophy (an intro-level class), Intro to Psych, Gen Chem 1 & 2, and Bio 1 & 2. </p>
<p>Good luck applying and if you have any other questions I can try to help you out!</p>
So could anyone give me some ideas of future careers that can sprout from a PNP Degree? More so on the LCC course. I love the major, I just want to know it is realistic when it comes to job opportunity. Thanks!
Do not take MBB. First semester class was horrible. Very disorganized class IMO and the teachers teach in a lecture style where they dont use power points or anything and they just keep reading from their notes, making it hard to take notes and get the main point for tests. Second semester MBB (the philosophy course) was way better though.