Programs Cognitive Neuroscience: Chemistry vs Physics for UC Davis Biochemistry Major

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Attending UC Davis without a dedicated Neuroscience major raises questions about the best alternative for pursuing cognitive neuroscience. Biochemistry is currently the chosen major, but its relevance compared to other fields is debated. Cognitive neuroscience is inherently multidisciplinary, with backgrounds in neurobiology, bioengineering, psychiatry, neurology, physics, computer science, linguistics, philosophy, and mathematics being common. The absence of chemistry in discussions about cognitive neuroscience is noted, with arguments suggesting that biochemistry should be more relevant due to its connection to neurochemistry and the chemical processes in the brain. However, physics is emphasized for its role in studying the brain through techniques like MRI and PET scans, which are crucial for understanding neural processing. The mathematical models used in cognitive neuroscience also highlight the importance of physics, suggesting that familiarity with these models is essential for the field.
annoyinggirl
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I attend UC Davis, which doesn't offer Neuroscience as a major. What is the next best alternative if I want to go into cognitive neuroscience? I'm currently majoring in Biochemistry. Is that the best major for Cognitive Neuroscience? If not, what is? According to wikipedia:" Due to its multidisciplinary nature, cognitive neuroscientists may have various backgrounds. Other than the associated disciplines just mentioned, cognitive neuroscientists may have backgrounds in these disciplines: neurobiology, bioengineering, psychiatry, neurology, physics, computer science, linguistics, philosophy and mathematics." I'm wondering why chemistry is not mentioned, whereas Physics is. Shouldn't biochemistry/chemistry have more to do with the brain than does physics?
 
Physics news on Phys.org


i guess the neurobio already took care of all that biochem
 


neurochemistry has to do with the chemistry of the brain. it is applied to solving neurological problems. you give someone medicine and their brain changes (say, no longer depressed). however it doesn't have much to do with studying the brain itself.

physics is used to actually study the brain itself, from MRI scans for example, and to model brain processes.
 


http://www.sfn.org/index.aspx?pagename=whatisneuroscience
"Cognitive neuroscientists study functions such as perception and memory in animals by using behavioral methods and other neuroscience techniques. In humans, they use non-invasive brain scans -- such as positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging -- to uncover routes of neural processing that occur during language, problem solving and other tasks."

Despite the use of PET and fMRI, a recommendation of physics for this subfield probably has to do with the sorts of mathematical models employed, ie. with the sorts of mathematical familiarity would have, eg.
http://videolectures.net/icml09_niv_tnorl/
http://www.princeton.edu/~yael/Publications/Niv2009.pdf
 

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