Which Path for Neuroscience: Med School or Medical Physics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the decision-making process for pursuing a career in neuroscience, specifically whether to attend medical school or to pursue graduate studies in medical physics. Participants explore various educational pathways and their relevance to different aspects of neuroscience, including both biological and physical perspectives.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering (EE), chemical engineering (ChemE), or physics could provide a solid foundation for a career in neuroscience.
  • One participant expresses interest in converting a master's in mathematical physics to a PhD in neuroscience, questioning the applicability of quantum physics and mathematical skills to the field.
  • Another participant argues that if the primary interest lies in neuroscience itself, medical school may be the more suitable option, as medical physics focuses more on instrumentation and imaging technologies.
  • There is a distinction made between interests in the biological aspects of neuroscience, which may favor an MD or MD/PhD route, and interests in the physical aspects, which could lead to biophysics, bioengineering, or medical physics.
  • One participant proposes the idea of pursuing both biomedical engineering and medicine for a more flexible career path, given their interrelated nature.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the best educational path for a career in neuroscience, with no consensus reached. Some emphasize the importance of medical school for biological interests, while others advocate for graduate studies in medical physics or related fields for those leaning towards physical aspects.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight various educational backgrounds and interests, indicating that the choice between medical school and medical physics may depend on individual goals within neuroscience. The discussion reflects a range of perspectives without resolving the complexities involved in these career decisions.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering a career in neuroscience, particularly those weighing the merits of medical school versus graduate studies in medical physics or related fields.

fizikx
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Med school or Medical physics??

Hey all, I have an interest in neuroscience, and I was wondering if it would be better to go to med school, or go to graduate school for medical physics. I was also wondering which areas of physics are more hands on. Thank you in advance, fizikx.
 
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Wow, great stuff. What areas of neuroscience interest you most? What is your background so far? Depending on what areas of neuroscience you want to get into, I'd think that an undergraduate degree either in EE or ChemE or Physics would be a good start. In the fields you are interested in, what graduate and post-graduate degrees are found the most?
 
I'm interested in neuroscience as well. I'm currently doing a masters in mathematical physics. Could I convert this degree to some kind of neuroscience PhD. For example using quantum physics, condensed matter physics or even just maths skills.
 
Fizikx, I once did some work in a medical physics department (it was part of a clinic). I would say that if you're interested in neuroscience, med school might be the better plan. Medical physics has a bit more to do with the instrumentation side of things, such as design, maintainence, and improvement of imaging technologies. If neuroscience itself is what interests you, then I don't think the physics route is what would interest you.
 
berkeman said:
Wow, great stuff. What areas of neuroscience interest you most? What is your background so far? Depending on what areas of neuroscience you want to get into, I'd think that an undergraduate degree either in EE or ChemE or Physics would be a good start. In the fields you are interested in, what graduate and post-graduate degrees are found the most?

more or less I'm interested in how the mind works.. I'm majoring in physics, entering my third year this september
 
What aspect of neuroscience interests you most: biological or physical? If you're interested in the biological side of neuroscience (diseases, clinical function, treatment, diagnosis, biology, pathology, etc) then an MD or MD/PhD would be the better route.

If you're more interested in physical aspects (signal transduction, modeling, measurement, imaging, signal processing, instrumentation, etc) then biophysics, bioengineering or medical physics specializing in MRI/functional MRI would probably be the route for you.
 
Have you considered just entering into a neuroscience undergraduate degree program?
 


I say, do both bio-medical engineering PhD and medicine. It's worthwhile since both are related and heavily converge, and allows a lot of flexibility career-wise as well.
 

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