Math, Neuroscience, Languages? My brain is overwhelmed

  • Thread starter Thread starter Justabeginner
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Brain Neuroscience
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the pursuit of an undergraduate degree in mathematics with an interest in cognitive neuroscience and memory. The individual has independently studied upper-level math courses and is contemplating how to integrate this knowledge with their interest in neuroscience. They express concern about the perception of a double major in Neuroscience and Language versus a double major in Neuroscience and Math, particularly regarding medical school applications. There is a recognition that while language skills are valuable, they may not be as impactful on a medical school application as a strong foundation in math and neuroscience. The conversation highlights the importance of research experience over multiple degrees, suggesting that engaging in undergraduate research, especially in computational neuroscience, is more beneficial for career prospects. Ultimately, the individual has decided to major in Neuroscience while leveraging their math skills for research opportunities in the field.
Justabeginner
Messages
309
Reaction score
1
I'm interested in studying mathematics at the undergraduate level, and have been studying some upper-level courses on my own (technically, for the college I hope to go to, I would only have six courses left to complete a math major). I also am interested in connecting my knowledge of upper level math (if I become a major) to cognitive neuroscience - and memory. I realize I have no knowledge whatsoever on the topic, and I know tons of research has been done in this area, but I think it would be interesting to see how mathematics could possibly bring a new perspective to the research being done currently.

And I've also had an interest in foreign languages; I speak five currently. Spanish and German are the ones which I have been doing in high school so far.

I want to pursue a profession in the medical field, and I don't know whether a Double Neuroscience/Langauge major would look really simple, and unmotivated for a prospective med school applicant. I feel as though if I did a Double Neuroscience/Math major, it would look more engaging and interesting for the jury. However, I really want to continue languages, but if I do a Double Neuroscience/Langauge major with a minor in math, the minor in math won't show on my diploma, and it seems like these courses that I'm learning now won't show for anything. I feel as though this hard work in math, which I enjoy so much, won't count towards anything. Because med schools will only see my majors.

Sorry for the essay. Thanks for all the input.

EDIT: To show interest, it is not necessary to record an interest as a major/minor right? I was hoping to do a Math/Langauge Major, and also get in touch with a friend who works at a neuroscience lab and look into doing research there. However, I don't see how, if I want to pursue say, German as a major - it would not be useful in the United States as a physician.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
http://www.dyns.ucsb.edu/ this is a program at UCSB that integrates math, computer science, electrical engineering with neuroscience. I am sure there is a field there that can integrate languages as well ( ie natural language processing)
 
The stereotype for double major is "someone with broad interests who is willing to do extra work". The stereotype for triple major is "flake who can't make up his mind". Like many stereotypes, it is not completely made up from whole cloth. And whether or not "pre-med" is an official major at your school, it's a major's worth of work.
 
Double degree is not worth your time, in terms of time invested vs career benefits. Use your spare time doing undergraduate research instead. Even better if you can published in a peer-reviewed paper.

Research experience is gold. It's far more valuable than a double degree.
 
Thanks for the replies all!
I've decided to do a Neuroscience major, but I intend to use my knowledge in upper-level math to find research opportunities in computational neuro.
 
Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...

Similar threads

Replies
8
Views
8K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
3K
Replies
30
Views
3K
Replies
19
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Back
Top