Neurobiology, Physiology, & Behavior; NPB (UC Davis Major)

[Cardiothoracic]

Anyone here heard of the Neurobiology, Physiology, & Behavior major at the University of California - Davis? It seems like a really interesting major that covers all the medical school prerequisites. I sort of see it as a cross between neuroscience, physiology, and psychology. I'm not sure how accurate that is though; that's why I'd like to get some more information. Is anyone here familiar with this major? This is the official description of the major on their website:

"The Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior emphasizes research into the understanding of vital functions common to all animals. All animals perform certain basic functions-they grow, reproduce, move, respond to stimuli and maintain homeostasis. The physiological mechanisms upon which these functions depend are precisely regulated and highly integrated, but may be disrupted by disease, injury and aging. Actions of the nervous and endocrine systems determine behavior and the interaction between organisms and their physical and social environments. Exercise and physical activity also regulate the physiological, biomechanical and behavioral aspects of the organism. Research in the Department focuses on functional mechanisms; the control, regulation and integration of these mechanisms; and the behavior that relates to those mechanisms at the level of the molecule, the cell, the organ system and the organism, including at the human ecological level. "

To what other major would you say this is closest to? I'm looking at neuro-based majors and most schools provide either neurobiology or neuroscience. Would you say that this major would prepare me for the MCATs as well? Thanks for taking the time to view this thread.

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[brrenters]

UC Davis cell bio major here. It's a great major with great professors. A LOT of material and stuff to memorize compared to a major like cell biology or biochemistry, but it's neat that you get to understand the body on a systemic level. I took the neurobio of addictive drugs, endocrinology, and systemic physiology courses in the NPB major. NPB students tend to love their major.

It's a great major that gives a very solid biological background, and I'm sure it will prepare you as best as any reasonable science major can for the MCAT. With that said, your success on the MCAT can be entirely separate from how well you do in your courses, and while information from your major may help on a few questions, you're not going to fully rely on your major to succeed on the test.

 

[Cardiothoracic]

UC Davis cell bio major here. It's a great major with great professors. A LOT of material and stuff to memorize compared to a major like cell biology or biochemistry, but it's neat that you get to understand the body on a systemic level. I took the neurobio of addictive drugs, endocrinology, and systemic physiology courses in the NPB major. NPB students tend to love their major.

It's a great major that gives a very solid biological background, and I'm sure it will prepare you as best as any reasonable science major can for the MCAT. With that said, your success on the MCAT can be entirely separate from how well you do in your courses, and while information from your major may help on a few questions, you're not going to fully rely on your major to succeed on the test.

Thanks for the reply Brrenters! I didn't expect to get a response since NPB isn't as popular as it could be. Have you heard of any horror stories involved with it? I heard a few people say that its hard to maintain a 3.6+ with it. Hopefully, this isn't fact.

 

[sakabato93]

Anyone here heard of the Neurobiology, Physiology, & Behavior major at the University of California - Davis? It seems like a really interesting major that covers all the medical school prerequisites. I sort of see it as a cross between neuroscience, physiology, and psychology. I'm not sure how accurate that is though; that's why I'd like to get some more information. Is anyone here familiar with this major? This is the official description of the major on their website:

"The Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior emphasizes research into the understanding of vital functions common to all animals. All animals perform certain basic functions-they grow, reproduce, move, respond to stimuli and maintain homeostasis. The physiological mechanisms upon which these functions depend are precisely regulated and highly integrated, but may be disrupted by disease, injury and aging. Actions of the nervous and endocrine systems determine behavior and the interaction between organisms and their physical and social environments. Exercise and physical activity also regulate the physiological, biomechanical and behavioral aspects of the organism. Research in the Department focuses on functional mechanisms; the control, regulation and integration of these mechanisms; and the behavior that relates to those mechanisms at the level of the molecule, the cell, the organ system and the organism, including at the human ecological level. "

To what other major would you say this is closest to? I'm looking at neuro-based majors and most schools provide either neurobiology or neuroscience. Would you say that this major would prepare me for the MCATs as well? Thanks for taking the time to view this thread.

First, this seems like a GREAT major. I would love to do something like this. If you like that stuff, do it!

While it will probably prepare you for the MCAT well, make sure that's not your priority when choosing a major. Preparation for you MCAT is determined by how well you study the things you learn from specific courses, not your major (although having a Bio-based major helps with credits and stuff).

Choosing a major that you enjoy and expect to do well in is most important. Your major determines you GPA not your MCAT. Make your GPA doesn't suffer. But, in my experience, if you really like the subjects you are studying, and if you're very disciplined, your GPA will be spectacular.

Good luck! Hope you choose this major!

 

[Cardiothoracic]

First, this seems like a GREAT major. I would love to do something like this. If you like that stuff, do it!

While it will probably prepare you for the MCAT well, make sure that's not your priority when choosing a major. Preparation for you MCAT is determined by how well you study the things you learn from specific courses, not your major (although having a Bio-based major helps with credits and stuff).

Choosing a major that you enjoy and expect to do well in is most important. Your major determines you GPA not your MCAT. Make your GPA doesn't suffer. But, in my experience, if you really like the subjects you are studying, and if you're very disciplined, your GPA will be spectacular.

Good luck! Hope you choose this major!

Thanks! 👍 Its definitely my number one choice for the moment. I'd love to be able to go to a private school out of state, but I'm not sure how possible that is.

 

[alpharez]

It's probably one of the more competitive majors at Davis but you definitely shouldn't let that discourage you. The major is well established and has really good researchers/professors/classes that everyone tends to love. It's kinda like pre-med school for pre-meds. 😛

Throw in anatomy during your senior year for fun and you'll be set.

 

[MD021]

Graduated in NPB a few years back. The name of the major is more intimidating than it sounds...

Most of the requirements are similar to other biological sciences majors (typical premed lower division classes + upper division genetics, biochem, cell bio). What makes NPB unique is you take a few core classes:
1 neurobiology class, 1 systemic physiology class, 1 systemic physiology lab class, 1 animal behavior class

Then you have some options:
1 advanced lab class that can be the advanced systemic physiology lab (referred to as chicken lab), or it can be a repro lab, or if you do a research thesis i think that counts too
the remainder of the NPB specific requirements are electives, I think 12 units of any upper division NPB or Exercise Biology class

Overall it is pretty rigorous, but only because its one of the more popular premed majors (if not the most popular), and you'll be competing on a curve with lots of premed and prehealth students...

 

[MD021]

Hmm, just realized I didn't really answer any of your questions..

I'm not sure if the MCAT changed yet, but NPB prepares you very well for the biological sciences portion as well as for the other sciences. The BS section heavily revolves around physiology, which NPB covers very well. NPB also covers the other biology parts well because of the upper division classes: genetics, biochem, cell bio. Honestly, I think its a bit better than the other biological sciences with regards to the MCAT because its deeper courses are MCAT relevant (physio, endocrine, etc.). Whereas, deeper courses in other majors are out of scope (you won't need physical chemistry or pharmacology, etc. for the MCAT).

Another major I would suggest you look into is psychobiology (B.S. in psychology rather than B.A.). Its very interesting and many students aren't premeds so its a little less competitive I heard.

Overall, the NPB major is somewhat misleading: I only took 1 course in neurobiology and 1 course in behavior so I can't say I learned that much in the "N" and the "B" haha. Its really up to you on which parts to go deep into.

 

[SolarPower]

NPB is a pretty cool major overall, especially if you like physiology. Looking at the major requirements, you'll quickly see that it's mostly physiology. I've taken some npb classes and I really enjoyed them. The professors were great and the subject matter was really interesting. I would say a major like biochem would be harder and more cut throat though. You have bis 102/103 instead of the combo class bis 104, which are tough and you also have physical chem and some tough upper level molecular bio classes. I recently switched from biochem to another major.

If you're trying to pick a major, definitely research it well. If you can, talk to people in the majors you're interested in (upper level students are best). Look at what professors teach which classes. A horrible professor can make or break a class, especially hard classes.


Sorry for typos. I'm on a phone with a super tiny keyboard!

 

[snikkle]

Graduated as an NPB major, and I can assure you it is not as hard as the title implies. Getting a 3.6+ isn't hard as long as you put in the time and effort to study (that's honestly all it is). The courses do go into depth, but that's what makes the major so attractive. Many of the classes overlap with other science majors so you'll get a pretty wide range of classmates, too. It does a great job of preparing you for the MCAT which is also a plus!

 

[sinombre]

Thanks for the reply Brrenters! I didn't expect to get a response since NPB isn't as popular as it could be. Have you heard of any horror stories involved with it? I heard a few people say that its hard to maintain a 3.6+ with it. Hopefully, this isn't fact.

This will be the case with pretty much any science major there. Most classes curve at a B-/C+, so the average grade is roughly a 2.7. NPB is an awesome major though (most premeds at Davis I've met have majored in it). If it sounds like something you're interested in, you should go for it. Just work as hard as you can, and try to obtain practice tests for every class you take.