Ever wondered what it is like to be a neurobiology, physiology and behavior major at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Davis? Well, me, too. I decided it was time to interview my NPB friends and find out why it is the most popular major within the College of Biological Sciences and fifth most popular on campus.
In , I learned that students investigate how organisms live, learn and interact in their environment. Every animal must grow, reproduce, move, respond to stimuli, and maintain consistent internal environment to survive and expand its species.
Developing solutions for healthy lives
Because of its focus on organisms and their interactions within their environments, this major educates all pre-health majors with the mindset to develop solutions to help humans and animals lead healthy lives.
Throughout the course of this major, students gain an understanding of the vital functions that all animals have in common. They study these mechanisms at all levels of life, from cells to organ systems to whole organisms.
Neurobiology, physiology and behavior = broad range of careers
The versatile NPB major opens students to a broad range of careers and opportunities. I learned that besides pre-health, neurobiology, physiology and biology is also an excellent major choice for any student who is interested in biomedical or biotechnology research or careers, science education or doing foundational biological research.
If you love science and the idea of doing chemistry and biology labs, or if learning something interesting and new in each lecture appeals to you, then you will succeed in these NPB courses. Though the prerequisite courses can sound intimidating, they’re actually a great way to start learning the material you’ll need for your upper-division courses.
Introductory courses prepare you for your major
I started my interview quest by talking to my friend, Matt Burke, an undergraduate in the major with plans to attend . A freshman like me, Matt has spent his first year at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Davis getting through prerequisite courses, which are the introductory courses that prepare you for your major. They are designed to test students’ ability to comprehend the material they’re learning.
This major is a great way for pre-health and pre-med students to study the subjects they need for their careers.
Advice about fun vs. academics at college
Matt has offered some advice on how to get through your prerequisite courses.
“College is full of great times, but I feel that as a neurobiology, physiology and behavior major, it’s important to find a balance between you academic and social life. If you take a lot of STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] courses, break them up with a fun or join an intramural sport. There are lots of ways to stay focused on school and still enjoy your college life.â€
The campus offers many resources to support you in your major. can help you learn to study effectively and plan your time at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Davis and — with this being a research university — you have the opportunity to and
How to make friends and find mentors as a NPB major
So now that you know what you can do outside of college with this major, you’re probably wondering about clubs and other ways to connect while in college.
One option is to join the on campus. This club builds relationships between students, professors, researchers and others in NPB-related careers. This club provides excellent networking opportunities and offers advice and volunteer opportunities to all of its members. If you are considering a medical career, you have the option to rush for a professional fraternity, like , which is specifically for pre-med students.
In an interview with another friend, Ally Wheeler, I learned how great it is to be involved with a group that gave her a community of like-minded people.
“As for [Phi Delta Epsilon], I love having mentorship opportunities and tutoring resources from older members for all these NPB classes!" she told me.
Study Abroad offers NPB internships and programs
And if you don’t want to join a club or fraternity, but you love to travel, then you can The office offers many internships and programs for NPB students to study in countries all over the world. These opportunities range from working in a microbiology lab in Thailand to spending a quarter in a clinical rotation in local hospitals at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.
A variety of careers await you with a neurobiology, physiology and behavior major. It can lead you down career paths such as a surgeon, veterinarian, physical therapist or to work in the private sector as a researcher. Eventually you could become the CEO of a biotech firm. You will become like other students who go through this program: hard-working, dedicated and knowing how to balance your work and social life.
Internships, Classes Abroad
Look at these opportunities for summer experiences and adventure:
- Spend part of your summer in a in South Africa.
- Take a summer , international health issues and the changing environment while in Bangkok, Thailand.
- Learn about the visiting Vienna, Cambridge and Stockholm.
- Gain firsthand health-care experience through .
- Take a global health internship in
Lily Coates is a student intern with the College of Biological Sciences’ marketing and communication team. Her internship combines her love of biology with her love of writing.