Sc Neurobiology Student Seeking Scientific Foundations

[oysterberg]

Hello everyone,

I've never used PF before, so I'm not exactly sure I'm posting in the right place. Anyway, here's what's going on : I'm currently preparing a Master's in neurobiology. I stopped studying sciences (i.e., physics, chemistry, maths) in high school, but somehow managed to catch up in biology and statistics enough to get accepted in neurobio.
Basically, I'm asking for advice about books, articles, subjects, anything to study to catch in those subjects. I'd really like to read more about cosmology, for example, but I need this basic scientific background to do so.
I hope some of you will be able to help me. Thanks for your attention !

M

 

[micromass]

Why? For your degree? Or for fun? I doubt cosmology is needed for neurobiology.

And what is the last math course you took? Physics course? Chemistry course?

 

[symbolipoint]

You must already have an undergraduate degree if you are preparing for a Master's degree program in Neurobiology. You had to have studied some necessary qualifying sciences already.

 

[oysterberg]

I don't need it for my degree, it's just general knowledge I'd like to have. I did mostly arts in high-school, and psychology (we all make poor choices sometimes) and neurosciences for my undergrad, so I'm proficient in biology but not in physics or maths, for example.
The last courses I took were really basics during my first year of high school, that's why I'd like to catch up from there.

 

[Student100]

I don't need it for my degree, it's just general knowledge I'd like to have. I did mostly arts in high-school, and psychology (we all make poor choices sometimes) and neurosciences for my undergrad, so I'm proficient in biology but not in physics or maths, for example.
The last courses I took were really basics during my first year of high school, that's why I'd like to catch up from there.

If you don't actually need it -which sounds like the case - then you aren't trying to "catch up" on anything.

If you want to prepare for your masters then you probably need to review things from your undergraduate, like biology and psychology.

 

[symbolipoint]

I don't need it for my degree, it's just general knowledge I'd like to have. I did mostly arts in high-school, and psychology (we all make poor choices sometimes) and neurosciences for my undergrad, so I'm proficient in biology but not in physics or maths, for example.
The last courses I took were really basics during my first year of high school, that's why I'd like to catch up from there.

If you don't actually need it -which sounds like the case - then you aren't trying to "catch up" on anything.

If you want to prepare for your masters then you probably need to review things from your undergraduate, like biology and psychology.

Does Neurobiology not depend on study of Chemistry, some fundamental electricity, some discrete Mathematics, and include some other supporting sciences and technology?

 

[Student100]

Does Neurobiology not depend on study of Chemistry, some fundamental electricity, some discrete Mathematics, and include some other supporting sciences and technology?

Not to my knowledge of the field. In fact, my exposure has been it's more akin to psychology with MRI's, mileage may vary.

 

[oysterberg]

Alright, looks like I absolutely did not make myself clear. My degree is not relevant here. I'm asking whether anyone would have some recomendations (books, articles, etc) about where to start learning subjects such as physics or maths, when you don't have a solid scientific background. I'd just like to understand these subjects a bit better, for my own personal knnowledge ; that's it.

 

[micromass]

Alright, looks like I absolutely did not make myself clear. My degree is not relevant here. I'm asking whether anyone would have some recomendations (books, articles, etc) about where to start learning subjects such as physics or maths, when you don't have a solid scientific background. I'd just like to understand these subjects a bit better, for my own personal knnowledge ; that's it.

We'll really need to know the extent of your knowledge for that. What you've said until now is incredibly vague.

 

[Student100]

Alright, looks like I absolutely did not make myself clear. My degree is not relevant here. I'm asking whether anyone would have some recomendations (books, articles, etc) about where to start learning subjects such as physics or maths, when you don't have a solid scientific background. I'd just like to understand these subjects a bit better, for my own personal knnowledge ; that's it.

If the end goal is personal knowledge you should have named the thread better and not provided so much ancillary detail.

Your last exposure was high school, so naturally to learn physics in a sort of proper manner you'd want to start with introductory mechanics. A book like H&K physics volume one would be good for this, then you can progress to E&M volume 2 after.

Before that, however, you need to understand some basic calculus and algebra. If you're rusty here, pick up a book like REA Algebra & Trig, then proceed to something like Anton calculus. Micromass can probably help you out more here though, and I think if you search his insight posts he has a few on the self studying of mathematics.

 

[oysterberg]

Thank Student100, that was the kind of directory I was looking for! I'm sorry for the jumble, I still need to get familiar with this website.

 

[symbolipoint]

Alright, looks like I absolutely did not make myself clear. My degree is not relevant here. I'm asking whether anyone would have some recomendations (books, articles, etc) about where to start learning subjects such as physics or maths, when you don't have a solid scientific background. I'd just like to understand these subjects a bit better, for my own personal knowledge ; that's it.

The best way is gain admission to college and soon as practical, to university and study for an undergraduate degree (at least) in some scientific subject that you believe would be most beneficial to you goals. Maybe pick major field Biology, Biochemistry, and be absolutely sure to include some courses on Microbiology, Molecular Biology, any technology courses which you believe (maybe from formal advisement) might be beneficial. Why this suggestion: You will want to read, do exercises, and handle laboratory activity. Just reading books on its own is not going to give you what you want.

 

[Student100]

The best way is gain admission to college and soon as practical, to university and study for an undergraduate degree (at least) in some scientific subject that you believe would be most beneficial to you goals. Maybe pick major field Biology, Biochemistry, and be absolutely sure to include some courses on Microbiology, Molecular Biology, any technology courses which you believe (maybe from formal advisement) might be beneficial. Why this suggestion: You will want to read, do exercises, and handle laboratory activity. Just reading books on its own is not going to give you what you want.

It sounds like he already has an undergrad and is about to start a master's. It seems he also just wants guidance on self studying these topics for personal enrichment, not as any requirement or for any use in his masters.

 

[oysterberg]

That's it. I'm just trying to study those subjects on my own and was looking for advice to do so.