Advice on finding the right graduate programs in the fields of science?

Question

I am a neurobiology undergrad student (1 more yr left) and I am looking for neuroscience graduate programs in to apply this fall. I had research experience in the field but I want to do something DIFFERENT in my graduate career (ie switching from molecular/genetics to functional imaging). I don't have any experience in functiona imaging but I am really interested in it.

My question is, is it difficult to find a faculty advisor who will be happy to take me even if I have no prior experience his/her research area (no related lab experience, nor coursework yet; although I can take some related classes in my remaining year, but that will come after the deadline of application)?

Thank you!

Answer 1

quick answer: no, it's easy.

Longer answer:

1. distinguish, when asking for information, between functional imaging and fmri (I am assuming you are interested in doing fmri experiments). Functional imaging is a much larger category, and much of the work is not on humans (whereas fmri is almost exclusively humans).

2. Realize that fmri comes under the umbrella category of cognitive neuroscience (some other categories would be cellular/molecular, systems, behavioral). Though these categories do not have well defined lines, it is most common for those who study the brains of humans, using functional imaging, to call themselves cognitive neuroscientists.

3. You really don't need any lab experience. at least 90% of students enrolling in cognitive neuroscience labs have no relevant lab experience.

4. No courses that you can take as an undergrad is really going to have an impact on how you do as a grad student in this field. That sounds kinda depressing, like what you're doing now is not worthwhile, but the courses you are doing now are only to show that you can work hard and to help you define your area of interest. Coming out of college with the knowledge that you are interested is cognitive neuroscience is sufficient. The fact that you are a neurobio major means that you know what a neuron is, what an action potential is, what ion channels are, dendrites and axons, etc. This is more than most first year graduate students in neuroscience know upon admission. Psychology would be the most relevant field outside of your department, any math you take is always useful.

5. Many schools have a rotation program such that you are admitted to a department and try out a few labs (2 to 4) before you settle down.

6. Don't be too certain that this is what you want to do, you may change your mind when you try it. (Many people find that once they learn how fmri studies are done, they aren't so into it. It's not bad, just not for everyone).

7. The best for last (by that I mean this is the MOST IMPORTANT). The biggest impact on where you get in will be to what extent you have developed a relationship with potential advisers before you apply. This means you have to seek them out, email them, tell them you're interested, and ask them questions. This often seems very intimidating, but it makes a big difference. If there is a professor at your school who you can talk to, ask them to recommend labs to you, and to perhaps introduce you (by email) to potential advisers.

Some schools with big cog neuro programs (in no particular order, just what I think of when I think cog neuro) in the USA:

UCSB

Dartmouth

Duke

penn

carnegie mellon

Really, it makes very little difference where you go - just that you are interested. Try to think of what questions interest you within cogneuro (ie. what topics are accessible using fmri). Some categories to think about might be the more sensory related stuff, the more motor related stuff, attention, memory, emotion, intelligence.  Saying "all" is a bad answer, pick something and focus.

Good luck. Message me if you need any further info on the topic, always happy to help prospective neruoscientists.

Answer 2

Let me guess, are you in the University of Toronto (U of T)? Anyways, you still need the previous courses or else you won't know what is going on. Those courses are pre requisites. Sorry for the bad news.