-Need insight- Behavioral Neuroscience and Animal Behav. and Learning programs.

[psych12]

Hi all,

 

I am actually a junior preparing for applying next cycle, and I wanted to see if anyone is in the same or similar boat as me. I am completing a B.S. in psychology with a concentration in biopsychology. I am looking to apply to animal behavior and learning programs, and behavioral neuroscience programs (based in the psychology department). I have only taken introduction to cell biology (not Cell Biology), molecular genetics, ecology and evolution, introduction to biochem and organic chemistry I & II (the chemistry classes were not the organic chemistry classes biology majors take).

 

My research background (at the times of application in early fall 2013):

 

----    2 years in a space radiation behavior lab – I strictly run behavioral experiments in this lab, and I am also completing my honors thesis (will be done and in prep/under review for 1^st author pub by the end of fall 2013) on the neurocognitive effects of a certain kind of radiation (sorry, a little vague). I work strictly with rats at this job.

 

----   1.5 years of experience paid behavioral research assistant at a world-renowned, top medical school (so I am assuming school brand helps a bit). I have learned over 20 modern behavioral tests (and am competent conducting them), I validate them, help train post docs, test new protocols and help develop protocols (I also have limited experience analyzing and organizing data). I have learned a lot of different computer software programs through this job. This is probably more of a research technician job. I work strictly with mice at this job.

 

----   A semester of experience in a genetic epidemiology lab - mostly did literature reviews and learned how to make good research figures.

 

My question lies in how much biology is a pre-requisite to these animal behavior and learning, and behavioral neuroscience programs. They are based in the psychology department, and I feel I have a competitive behavioral edge, but I have never taken a biology lab or worked in one (all my research experience involves only the behavioral testing side – my honors thesis involves behavioral comparisons between different radiation particle characteristics). Is anyone else in this situation? I have this spring left, and I am applying in the fall, so I do have time to take some classes – but I wanted to take Calculus I (as an elective) and introduction to computer programming this semester, not more biology.

 

If you are in the same boat, feel free to post questions too! I would greatly appreciate if anyone could post their experience or insight on this.

 

If you need any additional info, let me know – thanks!

Edited January 21, 2013 by psych12

[grazzle]

I think a lot of neuro programs within psych departments are prepared to teach you lab skills. I don't think many of them expect you to come in knowing a lot of bio lab techniques. That said, it might give you an edge to know some coming in to a program.

Research experience in a lab that does the kind of techniques that you're interested in might be more useful than another biology class. Have you considered taking fewer classes next semester and using the time to volunteer in a bio professor'slab? An independent study is another option.

As for bio classes, I think it depends on the type of research you want to do. Cell, mol, and genetics won't help you (much) if you want to do fMRI studies, but they'll help you if you want to look at what's going on inside cells. That said, I think psych programs are looking more for fit and passion than a specific list of bio classes.

Edit: I just want to add that this is only based on my background and the response I've gotten from programs so far.

Edited January 21, 2013 by grazzle

[psych12]

Thanks for your response. I'm curious to see what people have for math backgrounds as well.

[grazzle]

Hey again, I was thinking about this a bit and I remebered that at one point I was really wanting to squeeze in Cal 1 before I graduated . I even tested out of precal so I could go straight to Cal 1. In the end, I took another bio class instead.

I don't think the lack of calculus hurt me. But maybe it would be different if I were interested in MRI and other imaging studies. Then, I think a math/stats/programming background becomes more important. I do wish I had taken a MATLAB class. I think that would be useful in a variety of labs.

[yhat]

First I am going to preface this by saying I am not in your field, but rather giving my general take based on experience with talking to professors and graduate students throughout various Psychology areas and this serve as a more general commentary.

You will find that research experience is more of a indicator that you enjoy research, which is what a PhD. is about, that you can research in that area at a very advance level. This is the full point of a dissertation compared to say Master's comps. Even if you are in the same field every lab has 'their way' of doing it. So while researching in a same situation is nice, it is not a necessity. Either way, they are going to have to teach the lab specific procedures. They are more interested in people who can pick it up and understand it quite well and at a high level.

A professor told me once (he was paraphrasing another professor and I am paraphrasing him) that first and second year graduate students are useless because they are still learning everything. That third year students are great to have because they have the information all down. Finally that 5th/6th year students are useless because they never around, be it working on their dissertation or flying to job interviews.

I guess what I am saying is realize you can't do it all and they don't expect you to.

(Sorry for any typos, poor grammar, or nonsensical ranting. I am typing on smartphone and heavily sedated because of a cold!)

Edited January 22, 2013 by yhat

[psych12]

Thanks for the input, some of this stuff should be more transparent..

[psych12]

First I am going to preface this by saying I am not in your field, but rather giving my general take based on experience with talking to professors and graduate students throughout various Psychology areas and this serve as a more general commentary.

You will find that research experience is more of a indicator that you enjoy research, which is what a PhD. is about, that you can research in that area at a very advance level. This is the full point of a dissertation compared to say Master's comps. Even if you are in the same field every lab has 'their way' of doing it. So while researching in a same situation is nice, it is not a necessity. Either way, they are going to have to teach the lab specific procedures. They are more interested in people who can pick it up and understand it quite well and at a high level.

A professor told me once (he was paraphrasing another professor and I am paraphrasing him) that first and second year graduate students are useless because they are still learning everything. That third year students are great to have because they have the information all down. Finally that 5th/6th year students are useless because they never around, be it working on their dissertation or flying to job interviews.

I guess what I am saying is realize you can't do it all and they don't expect you to.

(Sorry for any typos, poor grammar, or nonsensical ranting. I am typing on smartphone .and heavily sedated because of a cold!)

That makes a lot of sense, my main concern is that I'd be at a distinct disadvantage due to not ever having any biology lab experience. I don't really have the time to join a lab either (it would also take me 1 semester before I'd even be able anyway, would need to take cell biology and the lab - required at my university).

[yhat]

That makes a lot of sense, my main concern is that I'd be at a distinct disadvantage due to not ever having any biology lab experience. I don't really have the time to join a lab either (it would also take me 1 semester before I'd even be able anyway, would need to take cell biology and the lab - required at my university).

If there are any faculty in the field at your school you can talk to them. Again I am not in your particular field and more basing it on generalizations guided by my experience. However, for example in my field of quantitative psychology (statistics, measurement, etc.) we happily accept people with no psychology backgrounds (math majors) or people with very limited math backgrounds (say Calc 1 & 2). I wouldn't say one has an advantage over another in terms of application. Rather, they are looking that you are interested in the area of research. Again, I like to emphasize that every field and even school has there own standards so I could be wrong.

[psych12]

Just wanted to bump to see if anyone has further insight :-)

[Jvcxk]

I just went through this year's application cycle, applied to a bunch of behavioral neuro programs.

 

Like you, I was concerned about my science credentials.

Unlike you, I've only completed gen bio, anatomy and physiology, and physics (if that counts?). And definitely less relevant lab experience!

 

So, I've been accepted into one program so far, with full funding, gotten a few rejections, still waiting on a lot of schools.  I definitely feel like my background kept me out of some programs but I hope this just goes to show that schools are willing to take people with substantially less experience than you!

 

Grad schools expect to give you a lot of specialized training.

I think your biggest concern right now should be developing a research focus (for your statement of purpose) and getting your GRE score up to a certain point.

[olayak]

I have a MA in Animal Behavior.  Feel free to send me a PM with any questions you may have.

[psych12]

Bump for any additional insight, post application season. Tell me how it went for you!

[sociologia-psicologia]

I was accepted for this fall into The University of Texas at Dallas's M.S. in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience. I have a B.A. with a major in sociology and a minor in psychology, with that said, I didn't take cognitive psychology nor neuroscience...I took everything else but those two lol. I had a very strong GPA (3.75), great letters of recommendation, and even did a couple of months of research with one of the faculty members at UT-Dallas while I was at UNT. I am planning on using this master's program to gain a strong sense of behavioral neuroscience, graduate-level coursework proficiency and some sense of what I might like to study as a researcher. My main goal will be to apply to clinical and counseling psychology Ph.D. programs. 

 

Also, the only science courses I took were Intro to Bio and Intro to Biotechnology. 

Edited May 11, 2013 by sociologia-psicologia