Neuro vs. MCDB

[ralphie48]

What is considered the better bio major for top research schools, Neuroscience or MCDB?

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[MassTransport]

There's a few threads floating around here that all say that major doesn't matter. Do what you like and apply yourself.

 

[neurochic]

I agree with the above.

Additionally, if you are seriously considering applying to medical school (I'm assuming you're at the beginning of this trail as you are still considering undergraduate majors), that you keep in mind that GPA is far and away considered more highly by admissions committees than actual major.

That's my 2 cents.

 

[EyeballLove]

The best one is the one you like the most.

I agree with neurochic also. GPA is so much more important than your major.

Good luck!

 

[Jaded03]

I'm actually curious though in what he/she's asking. Why a top research school? I mean if that really is your path, you'd be trying to find research, correct? If so, while you're deciding, see which labs will accept you and see if you can think critically enough to get your own project.

Yes, the consensus is choose a major to get a high GPA. Sad, but true.

BTW, That didn't happen to be UCKLA did it? 😛 We have those majors.

 

[sle3pyguii]

What's MCDB?

 

[Jaded03]

What's MCDB?

UCLA has incredibly long winded majors.

Biology
EEB - evolutionary ecological biology (something like that)
MCDB - molecular, cellular, developmental biology
MIMG - microbiology, immunology, molecular genetics
Physiological Sciences
Neuroscience
Psychobiology

 

[Lukkie]

UCLA has incredibly long winded majors.

Biology
EEB - evolutionary ecological biology (something like that)
MCDB - molecular, cellular, developmental biology
MIMG - microbiology, immunology, molecular genetics
Physiological Sciences
Neuroscience
Psychobiology

wow i think you got em all. i never saw all the LS majors listed like this, puts it all into perspective. 😀

 

[annihilatorpro]

.

 

[Law2Doc]

What is considered the better bio major for top research schools, Neuroscience or MCDB?

Neither. Heck, an english or religion major who aces their prereqs is probably in equal or better standing these days. The days where you need to be a bio major to be in good shape for med school ended in the 1970s. These days the nonscience majors are the ones that are seeing the biggest year to year increases in admissions, while bio majors have to do more to separate themselves from the pack of other bio majors to show diversity. As prior posters have indicated, do whatever you like and can do better in. When it all comes down to it, the 4.0 in underwater basket weaving will blow away your 3.7 in neuroscience any day.

 

[Jaded03]

Neither. Heck, an english or religion major who aces their prereqs is probably in equal or better standing these days. The days where you need to be a bio major to be in good shape for med school ended in the 1970s. These days the nonscience majors are the ones that are seeing the biggest year to year increases in admissions, while bio majors have to do more to separate themselves from the pack of other bio majors to show diversity. As prior posters have indicated, do whatever you like and can do better in. When it all comes down to it, the 4.0 in underwater basket weaving will blow away your 3.7 in neuroscience any day.

True. Provided they finished all their pre-med prereqs in this 4.0. He's right.

 

[EyeballLove]

UCLA has incredibly long winded majors.

Biology
EEB - evolutionary ecological biology (something like that)
MCDB - molecular, cellular, developmental biology
MIMG - microbiology, immunology, molecular genetics
Physiological Sciences
Neuroscience
Psychobiology

Psychobiology is not a science major 😛
Not that psychbio is bad 😛
I like psych 🙂

 

[Jaded03]

Psychobiology is not a science major 😛
Not that psychbio is bad 😛
I like psych 🙂

Are you UCLA? I believe a lot of Psychobio majors would be thoroughly offended. 😛 Psychology is not the same as Psychobio at UCLA even though they come from the same department. 😛 I don't really want to start up the debate of is Psychology is a science, but I would say let them have their Bio status. Heck, they might even want it as a non-science to stick out. 😛

 

[Breazy]

Isn't psychobiology an outdated major? At my college, it was replaced by neuroscience some 15 or 20 years ago, given all the recent (the past 50 or so years) advancements in what we now know about the brain.

 

[Jaded03]

Isn't psychobiology an outdated major? At my college, it was replaced by neuroscience some 15 or 20 years ago, given all the recent (the past 50 or so years) advancements in what we now know about the brain.

I didn't really want to start a debate, but I'd say it is the Molecular Basis of Psychology and Human Behavior. It's a more scientific psychology. Neuroscience is more on development and neuronal physiology. At UCLA.

 

[Lukkie]

Isn't psychobiology an outdated major? At my college, it was replaced by neuroscience some 15 or 20 years ago, given all the recent (the past 50 or so years) advancements in what we now know about the brain.

psychobiology is for people that feel too smart to do regular psych (ie the easiest major in the world) but not smart enough to do a real science major (ie biology)

 

[neurochic]

psychobiology is for people that feel too smart to do regular psych (ie the easiest major in the world) but not smart enough to do a real science major (ie biology)

ouch...