2 answers
Daniela
Student
Raleigh, North Carolina
2
Questions
Asked
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What type of associate degree should a neurologist major focus on?
Would you choose the AS or AA for an associate's degree? And what are the majors you would recommend to take for someone heading into neurology? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of the major and associate's degree that you choose?
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2 answers
Alexander Verma
Physician - neurologist
8
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Alexander’s Answer
Hi Daniela,
To clarify, are you wanting to be a neurologist, a doctor specializing in treating neurological conditions? Or do you want to be a neuroscientist who primarily does research on the brain and nerves?
In either case, you will want to get a bachelor's degree at least before moving on to graduate school. For medical school your major isn't that important so long as you complete the prerequisite courses for medical school (chemistry, physics, organic chemistry, biology, calculus). I have known doctors who majored in theater, music, or spanish who went on to practice medicine. For neuroscience a bachelor's in biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or neuroscience would be ideal.
Alex
To clarify, are you wanting to be a neurologist, a doctor specializing in treating neurological conditions? Or do you want to be a neuroscientist who primarily does research on the brain and nerves?
In either case, you will want to get a bachelor's degree at least before moving on to graduate school. For medical school your major isn't that important so long as you complete the prerequisite courses for medical school (chemistry, physics, organic chemistry, biology, calculus). I have known doctors who majored in theater, music, or spanish who went on to practice medicine. For neuroscience a bachelor's in biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or neuroscience would be ideal.
Alex
Thank you so much!
Daniela
John Gallien Ph.D
Scholar
4
Answers
Santa Maria, California
Updated
John’s Answer
You would choose an AS, an associate of science. Biology is a hard science, like chemistry and physics, the softer sciences would be more like psychology and sociology. If your intention is to be a neurologist however, getting your AA in psychology or neuroscience would also be acceptable. In fact, at most universities Neuroscience meets all requirements for pre-med the same as biology.
Advantages AA- say in psychology
- Focus on the brain from the beginning
-Typically easier courses at the AA level (personality theory vs organic chemistry)
Disadvantages AA
-Less hard science coursework (biology, chemistry, physics)
-may be harder to get into a bioogy major if you transfer
-Most people with medical degrees do not do an AA, but attend a four year university where they can volunteer in a lab for experience
Talk to an academic counselor, do not worry so much about the degree as the coursework. Nobody I know is going to care if you have an AA or AS, we usually refer to all community college degrees as an AA anyways.
Advantages AA- say in psychology
- Focus on the brain from the beginning
-Typically easier courses at the AA level (personality theory vs organic chemistry)
Disadvantages AA
-Less hard science coursework (biology, chemistry, physics)
-may be harder to get into a bioogy major if you transfer
-Most people with medical degrees do not do an AA, but attend a four year university where they can volunteer in a lab for experience
John recommends the following next steps:
Ok ,thank you so much for this information!
Daniela