Neuroscience is the study of the brain and nervous system, with an emphasis on how the nervous system affects human behavior. Neuroscientists are interested in understanding how the human nervous system develops and functions throughout life, and seek to find ways to prevent or cure neurological disorders. Therefore, neuroscience draws from many different areas of study including biology and the life sciences, chemistry, psychology, physics, and biomedical engineering. Although it has connections to the social sciences and humanities, neuroscience is firmly based in the laboratory. It is there that neuroscientists study the relationship of the brain to behavior, the biological basis of thought, and how memories are stored or lost. It is topics such as Why addiction occurs, How can we help nerves to regenerate?, What causes depression?, and How can we treat pain? that consume the interest of neuroscientists.
Although many universities have neuroscience departments, even at the undergraduate level, many neuroscientists have gotten their initial training in areas such as biology, pharmacology, physiology, or psychology. Typical introductory courses in this major include general and organic chemistry, math including calculus and statistics, physics, psychology, and general biology. More advanced courses may include neurobiology; cognitive, developmental and systems neuroscience; behavioral and evolutionary neuroscience; neuropharmacology. Although undergraduate programs may allow for a concentration in one area of neuroscience or neurobiology, it is at the graduate level that most of the specialization occurs. Thus, most neuroscience majors go on for an M.D. or Ph.D. degree, or both. In choosing an undergraduate program, look carefully at the course offerings to determine the emphasis of that school’s neuroscience program and to see if the courses in its major correspond with your interests.
As a neuroscience major, you’ll develop skills that are applicable to many career areas. Some of these skills include:
- Laboratory and research skills—designing experiments and recording and reporting results, operating scientific equipment, applying scientific theory to real-world problems
- Critical thinking and analytical skills—creating new ways of looking at problems and finding solutions, analyzing data and drawing conclusions
- Communication skills—interacting effectively with other members of your team, utilizing different forms of media to present findings
- Organizational skills—working both independently and as a member of a team towards a goal, identifying and applying resources toward solving a problem
While research careers in the neurosciences generally require graduate degrees, some undergraduate majors go into teaching, journalism, nursing, psychology, radiology, or medical technology. They may also pursue a variety of alternate career paths in areas such as biotechnology, public health, social science research, and consulting. Others pursue a medical degree to become practicing neurosurgeons or psychiatrists. Still others will focus their graduate studies and life work on one of the subspecialties described in the sidebar to the left.
To learn more about this rapidly expanding field, explore the website of the Society for Neuroscience at www.sfn.org.
Subspecialties of Neuroscience
Neuroscientists may choose to specialize in a variety of areas
- Neurobiology—studies the biology of the nervous system
- Neuroanatomy—studies the structure (anatomy) of the nervous system
- Neurochemistry– studies the chemistry of the nervous system, such as how neurotransmitters work
- Neuropharmacology—studies the action of drugs on the nervous system and on behavior
- Neuropathology—investigates the diseases of the nervous system, such as Alzheimer’s, stroke, and multiple sclerosis
- Neuropsychology—studies the relationship between the brain and behavior, especially as related to thought
- Neurophysiology– studies the electrical responses of the nervous system
