Math, Neuroscience, Languages? My brain is overwhelmed

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the participant's academic interests in mathematics, neuroscience, and foreign languages, particularly in the context of preparing for a career in the medical field. The participant is contemplating the implications of double majoring in neuroscience and either mathematics or languages, and how these choices may affect their medical school applications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • The participant expresses a desire to connect mathematics with cognitive neuroscience and memory, despite lacking knowledge in neuroscience.
  • There is concern about how a double major in neuroscience and languages might be perceived by medical school admissions committees compared to a neuroscience and math double major.
  • The participant feels that a minor in math would not be recognized on their diploma, leading to concerns about the value of their math coursework.
  • A suggestion is made regarding a program at UCSB that integrates math, computer science, electrical engineering, and neuroscience, potentially including language processing.
  • One participant argues that pursuing a double degree may not be worth the time compared to gaining research experience, which is considered more valuable for career prospects.
  • The participant later indicates a decision to major in neuroscience while seeking research opportunities in computational neuroscience, utilizing their math knowledge.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the value of double majoring versus focusing on research experience. There is no consensus on the best academic path for the participant.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the implications of academic choices on medical school applications without resolving the complexities of how different majors may be perceived. The discussion includes personal opinions and stereotypes related to double and triple majoring.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering interdisciplinary studies in mathematics, neuroscience, and languages, particularly those interested in medical school applications and research opportunities.

Justabeginner
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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/language 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/language 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/language 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.
 
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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.
 

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