Undergraduate Courses for Neuropsychology

[ghostofme]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi everyone,

I am an undergraduate student and am interested in the field of neuropsychology. We have to register for classes, and I was wondering if anyone had input into what kinds of classes I should take or if there are any courses that I am required to take. I understand that neuropsychology integrates biology/chemistry into the study of behavior and I have already taken the intro biology and chemistry courses. Also, I am in first semester organic chemistry right now; should I continue on into the second semester?

Thanks

 

[CriminalPsych]

Where I went we had a psychobiology major which is what I did. But that consisted of the general premed requirements, basic psychology courses, and a ton of electives in the neuro area. My classes were biological basis of behavior 1, 2, and lab; neuroscience 1 and 2; psychopharmacology; human morphology; and so on. The same type of classes (but probably different labels) would point you in the right direction.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Neuropsychology is a sub-speciality within clinical psychology, and classes that involve aspects of clinical psychology represents a very small minority of undergraduate classes within a psychology department, so you will find few if any classes that directly relate. With that being said, having a solid foundation in anatomy, physiology, and related areas will be helpful.

I think the weakest area for incoming clinical students (wanting to study neuropsychology) is in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. While most/all clinical psychology doctoral programs should offer at least one class in neuroanatomy, the quality and depth of the training can really vary. I've found the best training outside of psychology departments, particularly in med schools and/or neuroscience departments. A number of div 40 fellowship training programs require their students to take the neuroanatomy courses at the local med school as a refresher. I took a wet lab course that was incredibly beneficial to my training, which was recommended to me by someone who went through the boarding process recently. Some programs/mentors are more anatomy based than others. I lean more towards incorporating anatomy (and imaging findings) into my conceptualization of a case.

 

[ghostofme]

interesting...I think my school has a psychobiology program within the overarching psychology department; I'll check it out. Thanks!

 

[ghostofme]

Neuropsychology is a sub-speciality within clinical psychology, and classes that involve aspects of clinical psychology represents a very small minority of undergraduate classes within a psychology department, so you will find few if any classes that directly relate. With that being said, having a solid foundation in anatomy, physiology, and related areas will be helpful.

I think the weakest area for incoming clinical students (wanting to study neuropsychology) is in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. While most/all clinical psychology doctoral programs should offer at least one class in neuroanatomy, the quality and depth of the training can really vary. I've found the best training outside of psychology departments, particularly in med schools and/or neuroscience departments. A number of div 40 fellowship training programs require their students to take the neuroanatomy courses at the local med school as a refresher. I took a wet lab course that was incredibly beneficial to my training, which was recommended to me by someone who went through the boarding process recently. Some programs/mentors are more anatomy based than others. I lean more towards incorporating anatomy (and imaging findings) into my conceptualization of a case.

thanks for the information, I will look into anatomy and physiology, especially neuroanatomy and neurophysiology as you said. do you think completing the pre-med course load would be beneficial to me? I am currently working the biology, chemistry, physics circuit and it is not particularly interesting or stimulating to me. also, if you don't mind my asking, how do you personally feel that you as a neuropsychologist are an agent of change. I feel that I'm a pretty idealistic guy, but, as I continue to research potential careers, I wonder how this idealism will do when it clashes up against reality.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

...how do you personally feel that you as a neuropsychologist are an agent of change. I feel that I'm a pretty idealistic guy, but, as I continue to research potential careers, I wonder how this idealism will do when it clashes up against reality.

I feel like I provide objective data and recommendations that can assist in treatment and support change, though whether or not my patient changes is very much up to them. Learning that I can't will a patient to change was an important lesson. I think a large aspect of neuropsychology is being able to take in a lot of data from many sources and somehow makes sense of it. Cases are messy, and often there will be things you can't explain, but that helps the team realize there could be multiple causes of the person's problems. Rarely do I see a case that is clear-cut, usually it is a 1 + 1 = 3 scenario where symptoms compound, and half the battle is sorting out what goes where. You should talk to a neuropsychologist (preferably multiple) as day to day work can vary greatly, and it can be highly dependant on the setting.

 

[ghostofme]

that's interesting, I do think such 1+1=3 questions are stimulating and intriguing, but also, as I can imagine, sometimes frustrating.

when you say that sorting out confounds/compounding factors is half the battle, what is the other half? do you do therapy sessions as well?

 

[AcronymAllergy]

that's interesting, I do think such 1+1=3 questions are stimulating and intriguing, but also, as I can imagine, sometimes frustrating.

when you say that sorting out confounds/compounding factors is half the battle, what is the other half? do you do therapy sessions as well?

Some neuropsychologists do therapy, yes. However, I think T4C (correct me if I'm wrong) just meant that the other "half the battle" is figuring out the actual/primary contributing factor (if there is one) for the client's/patient's cognitive deficits once you've sorted out and sorted through all the compounding and/or confounding components..