Will a computer science minor help me if I want to be a neuropsychologist?

[Psychology 76]

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I know that neuropsychologists can use brain imaging technology which may require some computer science knowledge to program them. Would it be worth it to know some computer science if I take that path? I would just be taking general computer science classes. Thank you!

 

[Ollie123]

I wouldn't say its absolutely necessary but definitely helpful. Not just limited to neuropsych either, non-neuropsychologists also use all kinds of computer tasks that may require programming, and if nothing else a programming background means you'll be a lot more comfortable looking at SPSS/SAS syntax than the average person.

I personally think at least one comp sci class should be required for psych majors just to get people used to that "style" of thinking, but I'm probably in the minority on that one🙂

 

[PsyDr]

brain imaging stuff used to be run on a lot of linux platforms. this is not so much the case in the last several years.

if you want to go into brain imaging research: know how to ping, and some basic matlab stuff you should be fine...if you are specifically going into a research neuropsych area. you don't want to be messing around with the programing by and large.


if you just want a clinical neuropsych, then that kinda knowledge is really not too useful.

 

[toby jones]

I'm not so sure:

http://www.mind.duke.edu/main/employment.html

A few of them mention programming as desirable. But then... Just how much programming are you looking at learning? Math is pretty useful too...

 

[PsyDr]

i am pretty sure.


you have to be able to read between the lines in a lot of those position announcements.

 

[myelin]

I think a comp sci course would be better suited for one interested in neuroscience. I've never had a comp sci course and I do just fine in neuropsych. However, I do know quite a bit about computers, and it has aided me in making sense of SPSS/SAS syntax. Instead, I'd consider some advanced stats courses. That would give you a skill set that you'd definitely use in neuropsych.

 

[numbereight]

regarding gaining entrance to a top program in neuropsychology or getting a job - your time would be much better spent doing more related work

unless you specifically want to write neuropsych programs etc. and you will be applying to those kind of jobs/work with these professors. Then, of course CS courses would be essential.

I'm a clinical psych phd program applicant with an extensive scientific background in a discipline outside of psychology. My experience has been that top programs and the psychologists in them prefer to see relevant experience on your CV rather than a broad scientific background.

on the other hand, other less well established programs seem to look at my outside experience and achievement in a favorable light. thus, i would say that its also a function of who and where you're applying to.

hope my 0.02 helps

 

[Psychology 76]

thank you all very much for the input, i appreciate it!

I've decided not to minor in computer science. Instead I will probably minor in sociology. I also will take the 2 most in depth stats courses my college offers. The sociology minor should help with research skills along with getting another perspective on things. I will probably only take one foundations biology course and one neuroscience course. Will that drastically hurt me if I want to do neuropsych? Even if I do clinical psych first then do a post doc in neuro? Thank you!

 

[PsyDr]

uhm, the normal path is clinical psych followed by a neuro post doc.