Biological and Physical Science Coursework

[Atomnicbomb]

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Hello all,

I am still on the fence about my future plans, as I am having a hard time deciding which field is best for me (clinical psychology or neuroscience, both of which I would pursue at the doctoral level). I have searched this topic on this forum and read a lot of great comments, but I am curious to know where all of you stand regarding the biological and physical sciences and how important they are in preparing for graduate school.

With that said, I am currently a junior and have taken/am currently enrolled in Behavioral Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience, and Immunology (but do not have any general biology or general chemistry prerequisites, unless you count environmental science), along with a plethora of the pre-psychology courses. My question is as follows: What other courses should I take to get a broader feel of the interplay between psychology and, say, medicine? More specifically, which of the following would be of top caliber options if I choose to stray towards neuroscience rather than clinical psychology: Anatomy and Physiology, Physics/Mathematics, or Chemistry? Or should I feel confident with the coursework I listed above, as they address biology/genetics and chemistry adequately, and try enrolling in courses dedicated to computer science/programming?

I know that some aspects of my question have been addressed in previous threads, so I apologize in advance if some see this as bothersome! I also am aware that your answers can only be so specific as I am leaving out crucial information, such as the list of other courses that are available at my college/university - but I really would like to hear raw, unswayed opinions.

tl;dr Which was more beneficial to you in preparing for either clinical psychology or neuroscience: Undergraduate coursework in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics and why?

Thank you, and I look forward to being an active member in this community!

 

[deleted343839]

What other courses should I take to get a broader feel of the interplay between psychology and, say, medicine?

Your undergrad neuroscience courses will touch on this to some extent. Depending on what is available at your college or university, you might also consider psychopharmacology. A&P is not really going to teach you anything about psychology. I don't know how you're managing to take immunology without pre-reqs but I don't think it will be of much help to you unless someone is teaching a seminar or small course on psychoneuroimmunology - this is more of a niche field, though.

Which was more beneficial to you in preparing for either clinical psychology or neuroscience: Undergraduate coursework in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics and why?

Speaking from the clinical psychology side, I think biology is useful and some programs even recommend it. I took neuroanatomy during my first semester of grad school and it was helpful to have a solid bio background. If you are at all interested in behavioral genetics you might take a genetics course. Physiology is fun but of limited relevance to clinical psych with a few exceptions. I'd like to think it helped to know some chemistry, but looking back it might have been helpful only in the context of learning biology. Physics is not likely to be useful. Most of the math you do in psych or neuroscience is statistical modeling and is really more "applied math" than true mathematical statistics.

If you do need more advanced training in any of these areas, you will get it in graduate school. For now, a few semesters of biology along with the more physiologically-oriented undergrad psych courses would be adequate preparation. If you want brownie points take more research methods/stats and don't forget hands-on research experience. If it's a choice between making time to work in a lab and time to take an extra bio course, work in the lab.

 

[Atomnicbomb]

Your undergrad neuroscience courses will touch on this to some extent. Depending on what is available at your college or university, you might also consider psychopharmacology. A&P is not really going to teach you anything about psychology. I don't know how you're managing to take immunology without pre-reqs but I don't think it will be of much help to you unless someone is teaching a seminar or small course on psychoneuroimmunology - this is more of a niche field, though.

Speaking from the clinical psychology side, I think biology is useful and some programs even recommend it. I took neuroanatomy during my first semester of grad school and it was helpful to have a solid bio background. If you are at all interested in behavioral genetics you might take a genetics course. Physiology is fun but of limited relevance to clinical psych with a few exceptions. I'd like to think it helped to know some chemistry, but looking back it might have been helpful only in the context of learning biology. Physics is not likely to be useful. Most of the math you do in psych or neuroscience is statistical modeling and is really more "applied math" than true mathematical statistics.

If you do need more advanced training in any of these areas, you will get it in graduate school. For now, a few semesters of biology along with the more physiologically-oriented undergrad psych courses would be adequate preparation. If you want brownie points take more research methods/stats and don't forget hands-on research experience. If it's a choice between making time to work in a lab and time to take an extra bio course, work in the lab.

I do agree that my neuroscience courses have covered this topic at least minimally. I plan on doing research in graduate school on psychoneuroimmunology, which was my whole basis for taking the course - it is not as bad as one would think without the prerequisites! And thank you for reminding me about the field of behavioral genetics; I will definitely consider taking a course in Genetics. My reasoning behind Physics was to learn more about electrical properties and oscillations, and then apply that to neural systems. I have taken Statistics and Research Methods/Data Analysis, and have about one and half or so years of research experience as well as just began working in two laboratories this semester. I do completely agree with your last sentiment - thanks again!

 

[deleted343839]

My reasoning behind Physics was to learn more about electrical properties and oscillations, and then apply that to neural systems.

The likelihood of being able to take this farther than a concept with only a general physics background seems very low, and is far afield of what you'd be doing if you work in psychoneuroimmunology.

 

[Atomnicbomb]

The likelihood of being able to take this farther than a concept with only a general physics background seems very low, and is far afield of what you'd be doing if you work in psychoneuroimmunology.

This is very true - I guess it is a mix of "I really want to learn about everything" and "I want to keep my options open"!

 

[deleted343839]

By all means, take physics if you want to learn physics! It will probably be your last opportunity. I was just trying to assure you that it's not required, unless there is any possibility that medical school is in your future.

 

[Atomnicbomb]

By all means, take physics if you want to learn physics! It will probably be your last opportunity. I was just trying to assure you that it's not required, unless there is any possibility that medical school is in your future.

I, whether fortunately or unfortunately, had to rule out medical school as it just was not a feasible option at this point due to that prerequisite issue. I think I will first try to land more research opportunities for my remaining semesters and if that does not work out as planned, I will make some sort of decision between Physics and other more applicable options. Thank you again for your help; I appreciate it greatly!


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[tofubam]

I do agree that my neuroscience courses have covered this topic at least minimally. I plan on doing research in graduate school on psychoneuroimmunology, which was my whole basis for taking the course - it is not as bad as one would think without the prerequisites! And thank you for reminding me about the field of behavioral genetics; I will definitely consider taking a course in Genetics. My reasoning behind Physics was to learn more about electrical properties and oscillations, and then apply that to neural systems. I have taken Statistics and Research Methods/Data Analysis, and have about one and half or so years of research experience as well as just began working in two laboratories this semester. I do completely agree with your last sentiment - thanks again!

Brandeis University has a great Brain Body Behavior grad program that might match your interests: http://www.brandeis.edu/departments/psych/doctoral/phdbbb.html

 

[Atomnicbomb]

Brandeis University has a great Brain Body Behavior grad program that might match your interests: http://www.brandeis.edu/departments/psych/doctoral/phdbbb.html

Thank you for bringing this program to my attention! It definitely looks like a good fit. Are you currently enrolled in this program?


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[st2205]

Physics can be helpful more on the cellular level and in relation to biophysics. This may not be helpful to whatever it is you want to do, but having a well-rounded background in basic sciences is helpful for conceptualizing different things, such as understanding why saltatory conduction is faster by understanding things about charge and capacitance. A lot of things you learn in chemistry and physics will likely not be relevant but there are a lot of building blocks you'll want to know for understanding a lot of neurophysiology.

 

[Atomnicbomb]

Physics can be helpful more on the cellular level and in relation to biophysics. This may not be helpful to whatever it is you want to do, but having a well-rounded background in basic sciences is helpful for conceptualizing different things, such as understanding why saltatory conduction is faster by understanding things about charge and capacitance. A lot of things you learn in chemistry and physics will likely not be relevant but there are a lot of building blocks you'll want to know for understanding a lot of neurophysiology.

Thank you for the input - I definitely agree that coursework in Physics and Chemistry will create a strong foundation when it comes to neurophysiological research; I wish I had more time in terms of my undergraduate education in order to survey the biological and physical sciences further.

I guess this leads me to another topic that I have always pondered about: Self-teaching. There are some great resources out there, so let us hypothetically say I am able to learn the material efficiently (which is just for the sake of this conversation, as I know it is quite the difficult task). If I can display this knowledge when conducting research and working with others, will I be able to be viewed as well-versed despite not having a formal record of indulging in the respective courses? I feel as though there exists a strange dichotomy in learning between formal and informal paradigms, with the former being far superior to the latter. Is it a waste of time to self-teach because of this?

 

[deleted343839]

I guess this leads me to another topic that I have always pondered about: Self-teaching. There are some great resources out there, so let us hypothetically say I am able to learn the material efficiently (which is just for the sake of this conversation, as I know it is quite the difficult task). If I can display this knowledge when conducting research and working with others, will I be able to be viewed as well-versed despite not having a formal record of indulging in the respective courses?

The further along you are in your education and career, the more you can do this. Actually, at a point your research will become so specialized that you have no choice but to be self-taught in some respects.

If you can develop some knowledge and skills that are relevant and applicable to your research interests, you may be at an advantage. I've seen a few people successfully apply existing skills (eg, programming, running pharma/molecular assays, speaking a second language) to develop their own independent lines of research while in grad school. Emphasis on skills. You can come up with a brilliant-sounding idea on paper but if you don't know how to design or carry out the study, or don't know your way around the lab equipment, your mentor isn't going to work it out for you unless that is already his/her methodology.

 

[Atomnicbomb]

The further along you are in your education and career, the more you can do this. Actually, at a point your research will become so specialized that you have no choice but to be self-taught in some respects.

If you can develop some knowledge and skills that are relevant and applicable to your research interests, you may be at an advantage. I've seen a few people successfully apply existing skills (eg, programming, running pharma/molecular assays, speaking a second language) to develop their own independent lines of research while in grad school. Emphasis on skills. You can come up with a brilliant-sounding idea on paper but if you don't know how to design or carry out the study, or don't know your way around the lab equipment, your mentor isn't going to work it out for you unless that is already his/her methodology.

This is truly great advice; as I continue to learn, I will focus equally on absorbing information as well as translating that information into valuable knowledge and skills. Thank you!


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