Psychobiology at UCLA

[SnYpaJY]

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If you have taken this major or are currently taking it, please tell me why you chose the major, if you liked it, what you learned, and what your overall GPA is/was after completing Psychobiology. Also, if you didn't like this major, which other Life Science major would have rather done?

 

[hung]

Unless you really like psychology, don't do it. If you really want to learn about about the brain, do neuroscience. Why do you want to do psychobio?

 

[pazan]

Graduated psychobio in 08 (minor in neurosci). I didn't like the overall breadth and depth of the major... the only psych class I really enjoyed was sensation and perception, and some, like fundamentals of learning, are just painful to sit through. The major isn't integrated at all... you basically take some psych courses and some bio courses, but no course really gets into the minutiae of psychobiology (like neuroimmunology, neuroendocrinology, behavioral neuroscience and genetics, etc). If you like science and want a career in science, stay away from the major... if you're looking for a relatively easy course load and the chance to graduate in 3 years, go for it (that's not a bad thing, I'm probably better off for being a psychobio major than I would have been as a biochem major). I'm really glad I added the neurosci minor because it gave me exposure to an actual science department I wouldn't have had otherwise. Good luck at UCLA and take advantage of some research opportunities while you're there.

 

[SnYpaJY]

I heard it's related to Neuroscience, except for the fact that it's easier. You learn about the brain but I guess not as detailed as you would in Neuro.

I want major in either neuro, psycho, or MIMG because I am interested in them, but I don't know which to pick because I also don't want to hurt my GPA in the long run.

What do you do in these psychology courses? Read a lot and take multiple choice tests?

 

[Lukkie]

its easier than bio but harder than psych

 

[funkydrmonkey]

You will also have to deal with the real bio majors making fun of you for having such a joke major... just saying😉

 

[Lukkie]

You will also have to deal with the real bio majors making fun of you for having such a joke major... just saying😉

and the physci/mcdb/mimg folks too

 

[hung]

I heard it's related to Neuroscience, except for the fact that it's easier. You learn about the brain but I guess not as detailed as you would in Neuro.

I want major in either neuro, psycho, or MIMG because I am interested in them, but I don't know which to pick because I also don't want to hurt my GPA in the long run.

What do you do in these psychology courses? Read a lot and take multiple choice tests?

What year are you? Take psych 10, neuro 101A (goes by other names depending on department), and mimg 101. After taking these classes, see which one you liked and did well in. MIMG 101 in the spring is the best time to take it, Dr. Bradley teaches it (very nice prof and not hard). Neuro 101A will give you the workload that is typical of neuroscience. Psych 10 will be similar to the upper div psych classes, read/memorize and m/c exams. Of all the required upper div classes for psychobio, PSYCH 116 (neuro lab) was the most satisfying. It actually required work and was challenging, at least for the neuroanatomy lab portion.

 

[funkydrmonkey]

and the physci/mcdb/mimg folks too

that is what I meant by the real bio people... and don't forget the nuttiest of them all, the biochem majors...

 

[Lukkie]

that is what I meant by the real bio people... and don't forget the nuttiest of them all, the biochem majors...

biochem is part of the chem dept iirc

 

[funkydrmonkey]

biochem is part of the chem dept iirc

I know, but they were still a bunch of them in my classes, and most ls people take biochem lab, so they are included with the bio peoples...

 

[SnYpaJY]

What year are you? Take psych 10, neuro 101A (goes by other names depending on department), and mimg 101. After taking these classes, see which one you liked and did well in. MIMG 101 in the spring is the best time to take it, Dr. Bradley teaches it (very nice prof and not hard). Neuro 101A will give you the workload that is typical of neuroscience. Psych 10 will be similar to the upper div psych classes, read/memorize and m/c exams. Of all the required upper div classes for psychobio, PSYCH 116 (neuro lab) was the most satisfying. It actually required work and was challenging, at least for the neuroanatomy lab portion.

I am transferring as a junior so I don't have the luxury to take those classes. If psychobio is all about reading/memorizing and doing m/c exams, I'm going to have second thoughts.

 

[koffein]

I just want to say that you're incredibly lucky to have such an amazing selection of majors. The Neurobiology program at my so called "public Ivy" in-state university consists of an intro course, four or five 4000 level neurobio courses and the rest is studied on your own through your research project in your mentor/professor's lab. So it is just awesome that you actually have a real normal major in Neurobio. Take it

 

[Franksta1118]

I'm hear to tell you the truth and give you the best advice you have ever recieved.

Becoming a psychobio major at UCLA was the best choice I ever made at UCLA.

Don't listen to the BS "oh youll be looked down upon" or "oh its not a REAL science major" etc. It is not only very interesting but also will help you A LOT in med school admissions because the courses are in general MUCH easier to do well in. Also, it still falls under life sciences and medical schools will not give a damn if you are a phy sci. major or a psychiobio, but phy sci amd MIMG will take up ALL your time and LOWER your GPA, where as psychobio is NOT time consuming and will INCREASE your GPA.

I know that medical schools DONT look down on the major because 5 of my psychobio major friends of mine and myself are applying to med school and we all hold MULTIPLE top 20 acceptances. So trust me, choose psychobio.

The classes are interesting. The electives are fun (social psych etc), the core classes are cool too. 115 and 116 are the main science classes which are neurosci and neurosci lab essentially dumbed down a little bit. (which again helps ur GPA).

Anyways, bottom line, med schools DO care if your a science major or NOT. So choose an INTERESTING and relatively EASY science major - PSYCHOBIO.

Finally, at my interviews schools are fascinated with the major and always bring it up as an interesting point. This is because not many schools offer this major and so its a unique part of your application. I love explaining how it is the ideal major for preparation before med school.

GOOD LUCK and if you have any Qs PM me.

 

[SnYpaJY]

Psychobio seems interesting but is it really that much easier than neuroscience?

So confused don't know what to do and I have until saturday to decide!

My options:

Neuroscience: Everyone tells me it's hard but really interesting, and will alter your GPA which is not a good thing when it comes to med school

Psychobiology: Everyone tells me its an easy major (good for my GPA) and I have people telling me it's not that interesting and also people who tell me it's very interesting

Either major is fine with me, but I for some reason, I am having a difficult time choosing.

I am leaning towards psychobio right now.

 

[thegetupkid]

I completely agree with Frankster. (hey frank)

But here's the scoop, I've been psychobio the whole time at UCLA. The subjects are INTERESTING, and the courses are multiple choice / memorization. Now, I know snypaj is worried about these MC tests. But frankly, if you can't do these, I can't see how you would do decently on the MCAT...

My psychobio friends and I get to relax, study a few days out of the quarter for midterms and finals, and have a life outside of academia the rest of the time. I LAUGH at physci or neurosci majors that think their majors are the only ones "real" enough for medical school. Actually, I have pity on them. It sucks to work so hard and look the same to ADCOMs. (Now, this isn't meant to diss people that have a true interest in these other subjects--but I find this is a rarity)

Plus, if you are worried about looking inferior to the other science majors, just get a 40 on your MCAT and tell them what's up.

Make life easy on yourself, have fun, go psychobio '11.

 

[wjstk]

I'd say...don't choose a 'competitive major' just because of med-school...you’ll feel alone. choose something that you are really interested and make good friends which will make your stay so much enjoyable! Be active, have fun and good luck!

UCLA is awesome!!

 

[brado]

Biopsych major at Umich is almost completely made up of psych classes. The psych department here is really good, and the classes are easy, especially when you have to worry about completing the bcpm classes. You still learn about interesting things that will help you in dealing with patients, while still learning a bit about psychopathology/sleep/etc. No exaggeration, about 40% of the pre-med students here are biopsych majors, which probably isn't a good thing, but hey I have good reason to major in it besides it being easy. My entire orgo lab class (20 kids) is 95% biopsych or neuroscience. I'd go for biopsych.

 

[SnYpaJY]

I appreciate all of the advice. I have decided to go with Psychobiology after checking out the course catalog for both majors and after reading all of your truly insightful comments.

I don't have a problem with MC tests or even written tests, I think if I put effort and studied a bit, I would do well in the class. I just didn't want to end up memorizing uninteresting material the entire two years that I am at UCLA. After doing extensive research, I realize that this is not the case for either major.

Psychobio class of 2011 all the way 😎

Thanks guys.

 

[SBK]

I'll tell you what NOT to do at UCLA: Chemical Engineering..

Of course that is if you want to go to med school🙂