For Prospective Students
Q. What can I do with a neuroscience major/minor?
A. Students graduating with a major (B.S./A.B.) in neuroscience from Duke University will be well prepared for a variety of graduate (M.S./Ph.D.) education programs in neuroscience and related fields, including programs that feature studies in genetics and genomics, molecular and cellular neuroscience, systems neuroscience or cognitive science. Completion of a Ph.D. in neuroscience would then facilitate a career as a scientist/educator in colleges and universities, government sponsored institutions or private industry. Neuroscience majors from Duke will also be highly competitive for admission to medical school or any other health professions school, such as dental school or schools that prepare physical therapists or physician assistants. Given the broad impact of neuroscience, Duke neuroscience majors will be increasingly sought out by leaders in law, business, social sciences, arts, and humanities for collaboration where knowledge of the brain sciences addresses public policy, professional practice, and a broad understanding of human behavior.
Q. What’s the difference between a bachelor of science (B.S.) degree and a bachelor of arts (A.B.) degree?
A. One or the other degree may be conferred to neuroscience majors at Duke University. The B.S. major emphasizes studies in the quantitative sciences, with additional background in mathematics and organic chemistry. This degree may be preferred by students planning to enter medical school or pursue graduate studies in neuroscience. The A.B. major exposes students to the broad relevance of brain science for culture and society by requiring that students study the history of neuroscience, ethical issues in neuroscience research, or the philosophy of mind. This degree may be well suited to students interested in applying knowledge of the brain sciences to disciplines outside of the traditional natural sciences or medicine.
Q. What department at Duke offers this major?
A. One of the great strengths of this new major is that it provides rich opportunities for undergraduate students to study neuroscience with faculty from diverse disciplines and perspectives. Thus, the undergraduate curriculum in neuroscience is truly a joint, interdisciplinary major that draws faculty and courses from many individual departments, chiefly the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience and the Department of Biology, both of which are in Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. There are also important contributions from the Department of Neurobiology in the Duke University School of Medicine and the Biomedical Engineering Department in the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University. Administrative support for this curriculum is provided by Trinity College and the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences.
Q. I still have questions and want to speak with someone; whom should I contact?
Please feel free to contact any one of the staff that supports Undergraduate Studies in Neuroscience. Both the Director of Undergraduate Studies and the Associate Director are teaching faculty and active neuroscientists; they are ready to help answer any general or specific question that you may have regarding our curriculum in neuroscience.
If you are planning a visit to campus, please do visit us. We would be happy to meet you, and we are eager to help you explore the exciting opportunities for studying neuroscience at Duke University!
