University choices (and doubts)

[Francesco]

Hello, everybody!

 

I'll take this chance to introduce myself, as this is my first post on this forum.

My name is Francesco, and I'm a seventeen-year-old International Baccalaureate student.

I love science (the reason why I signed up to this forum...), and I'm currently taking Biology and Chemistry HL in my course.

 

I have a big doubt. Since I'm very interested in Neuroscience, my question is: what do I have to do?

I mean, what is it that I have to "go through" in order to be come a neuroscientist?

My current dream would be to be in the field of Neurobiology (maybe technology-applied, since I'm really into IT too).

 

The point is, I really don't know what my next step after high school is.

My "sketchy plan" was to take Medicine first, and then, as a graduate program, take Neuroscience.

Would that work? And what could I "do" with them, as a job? Neurologist? Or neuroscientist?

I'm just really confused...

 

Also, if you are actually studying Neuroscience or Neuropsychiatry (or something related to the nervous system, really), what good universities are there? Since I'm taking the IB, I have the great chance to pick a university around the world more "easily."

 

I really hope you can help me.

Any comment or advice is greatly appreciated.

Bye!

[Amanbir Singh Grewal]

i think you won't make it . i think youre too happy. sorry.

[Francesco]

i think you won't make it . i think youre too happy. sorry.

 

Wow, ok.

I don't really see your point.

What do you mean by "too happy"?

And why would I not make it?

[CharonY]

Neurology and neurobiology are quite separate career paths. What you need to take for either depends a lot on where you are (i.e. which country). You do have it backwards, though. You would have to think what kind of job you want to have and thing about what degrees (if any) you need to get there.

Also a neuroscientist is not a well-defined career goal per se, There are for example academic positions as well as industrial ones (though I am not sure what types of position there are in these areas).

A medical career has quite different requirements, mostly aimed at getting into med school in the first place.

Just to reinforce, "scientist" is not well defined as a career goal, and especially outside academia (though to a certain degree it is also true within) a science degree holder is often not a bench scientist or may not be actively involved in research. Think more in terms of project managers. But I would think that you would have to sketch out the vague direction (medical/non-medical etc.) take some courses, look at job offers on science job websites, go to job fairs etc. to find a career that suits you.

[Francesco]

Neurology and neurobiology are quite separate career paths. What you need to take for either depends a lot on where you are (i.e. which country). You do have it backwards, though. You would have to think what kind of job you want to have and thing about what degrees (if any) you need to get there.

Also a neuroscientist is not a well-defined career goal per se, There are for example academic positions as well as industrial ones (though I am not sure what types of position there are in these areas).

A medical career has quite different requirements, mostly aimed at getting into med school in the first place.

Just to reinforce, "scientist" is not well defined as a career goal, and especially outside academia (though to a certain degree it is also true within) a science degree holder is often not a bench scientist or may not be actively involved in research. Think more in terms of project managers. But I would think that you would have to sketch out the vague direction (medical/non-medical etc.) take some courses, look at job offers on science job websites, go to job fairs etc. to find a career that suits you.

 

You are right on the "scientist" aspect.. It's a vague term.

Now I know what the main differences are!

Thank you very much for making it clear for me.

Edited November 10, 2013 by Francesco

[Prometheus]

If you do train in medicine you will primarily be taught clinical skills with enough science to properly execute those skills. You would not be trained in the scientific method itself; you would more likely be doing the data collection than the study design. At least in the UK, not sure about elsewhere. Also studying medicine will mean you have to study most systems of the body, which may or may not be a good thing for you, and loads of clinical work before specialising. You will get more money as a doctor though.

 

UCL has a good reputation in neuroscience and with the Francis Crick centre soon to open should be an interesting place to study. http://www.crick.ac.uk/about-us/

[Esrevinu]

As a High school student, its unlikely you know what you want your career to be. Clearly, you are interested in neuroscience. Get a bachelor's degree in physics, or chemistry, and explore a lot of biology. You'll iron out your goals and interests during the 4 years of bachelors