Enough intermediate/upper level sciences for MD/PhD?

[phonyreal98]

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I'm planning on applying to MD/PhD programs, but am a psychology major, so I don't have quite the extensive list of intermediate/upper level science classes that a true hard science major might have, and was wondering if this was enough for MD/PhD programs:

Intermediate (~200 level courses)
Analytical Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, Animal Behavior (in bio dept), Genetics and Molecular bio

Advanced (~400 level courses)
Biochem, Intermediate Organic Chem

I have also taken courses in biopsychology and cognitive psychology (200 level, in the psych dept) and cognitive neuroscience (400 level, in the psych dept) which may be relevant since I want to pursue my PhD in behavioral or cognitive neuroscience.

 

[soundnin]

do MD/PhD programs care about this? if they do, it's news to me.

 

[Neuronix]

do MD/PhD programs care about this? if they do, it's news to me.

For social science majors there is a certain scepticism about appropriate preparation for a MD/PhD program where PhDs are roughly 90% bench research (which describes most programs). The amount of upper level basic science coursework that is "enough" to please adcoms is difficult to ascertain due to varying opinions on this topic. Generally, I recommend at least a minor in a basic science. That said, if you pitch yourself as doing a PhD that does not use or minimally uses basic science, this is less of an issue. That is more on a case by case basis.

 

[phonyreal98]

For social science majors there is a certain scepticism about appropriate preparation for a MD/PhD program where PhDs are roughly 90% bench research (which describes most programs). The amount of upper level basic science coursework that is "enough" to please adcoms is difficult to ascertain due to varying opinions on this topic. Generally, I recommend at least a minor in a basic science. That said, if you pitch yourself as doing a PhD that does not use or minimally uses basic science, this is less of an issue. That is more on a case by case basis.

Alright thanks; I'm a chem minor, if that helps any. I'm looking to do a PhD in neuroscience, I'm probably leaning more towards doing something that has to do with cognitive or behavioral neuroscience, in which case those psych courses seem like they would be of some use (I realize that some programs don't really offer PhD's in these areas of neuroscience...I guess the best way to find out would be to look at the research of PIs that can advise MD/PhD programs, is this correct?). Right now, I am interested in looking at changes in cognition in people with psychiatric and neurological disorders.