Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if the Neurobiology Major for me?

Ask yourself if you are really interested in how the nervous system works, and are willing to learn about it from the ground up, starting with single cells and molecules and progressing to behavior and disease. Are you willing to devote six courses (22 credits) of required courses to this subject? If the answers to these questions are "Yes", then you should seriously consider joining our program. For many of our students, the best indication that they should apply to the major was their heightened interest in neurobiology based on material in Biology 220.

What does it mean that the group of students admitted to the major each year takes all required courses as a group?

Students accepted into the major in the Autumn Quarter must start the program the following Winter Quarter. The group takes Nbio 301 in the Winter, 302 in the Spring, and the sequence of four 400-level courses the next year. Since the courses are open only to NBio majors, you will be with the same group of students throughout the sequence of required courses, and your registration in those courses is guaranteed at the time you start the program. Students in each year of the program get to know each other well, and find a sense of community that enriches their entire university experience.

Do I have to take all of the required NBio courses, or can I choose only those that interest me?

NBio majors must take all of the required courses (Nbio 301,302, 401,402,403, and 404). This reflects our belief that the excitement of this field reflects the many approaches that can be taken to the study of the brain.

I was not one of the top students in Biology 220, and my grade was only a 3.4. Do I have a chance of getting into the major?

Yes! A GPA of 3.4 and a similar grade in Biology 220 places you right in the middle of our admitted students in most years.

My freshman year grades stink, but the next year I shaped up and good grades since then, including good grades in introductory Biology courses. Will my poor first year grades eliminate me from consideration?

Not necessarily. Point this out in the statement you write on your application. We will take a look at your transcript and consider this factor in our decision.

I am very attracted to the small classes and overall structure of the major, but I'm not really interested in neurobiology as a subject. Should I join your program?

Probably not. Although our small classes and other features of the program make the undergraduate experience very rewarding for our majors, the subject matter drives the program and it probably isn't worth it for you to devote so much effort to studying something you're not interested in. On the other hand, if you simply are not sure if you are interested in neurobiology, come and talk to Prof. Moody about it. He can suggest ways for you to test the level of your interest.

Although I enjoyed the labs in the introductory Biology courses, I was very frustrated because there was just enough time in one lab session to make mistakes, never enough to really explore the subject. Should I consider a major that has such an intense laboratory component to its introductory courses?

Absolutely yes! Many of our lab exercises run for 2-3 weeks, giving you a real chance to learn the methods and explore in your experiments. You may even have the chance to design a new experiment and try it. (This isn't true only of Neurobiology. Many of the advanced courses in the biological sciences work that way.)

Is majoring in Neurobiology the best way to get into Medical School?

It is a very good way to prepare yourself for Medical or Graduate School, but that isn't the reason to do it. Major in Neurobiology (or any other subject) because you are interested in it and are eager to learn about it in depth. Our graduates have a very good track record of admissions to M.D., Ph.D., and combined M.D./Ph.D. programs, so it certainly doesn't hurt.

Can I receive an Honors Degree in the Neurobiology Major?

Yes. See the description of the Honors Program.

I am interested in joining a lab and doing independent research. Can I do this in the Neurobiology Major?

Absolutely! We strongly encourage this and will help place you in a lab that interests you. Most of our students do independent research, and it is a requirement for the honors degree.

Of course you will tell me that your program is good. Can I talk to students who are already in the program to ask their opinions?

Yes. We can give you a list of contacts and you can choose whomever you wish to talk to. We are confident that the program enriches our students university experience, and encourage you to speak directly with any of them.

What is the faculty/student ratio in the laboratories of the introductory courses?

Each laboratory section has 12 students, working in pairs. Each section is run by a graduate teaching assistant. A second TA is present for most of the lab, especially during difficult procedures. The professor teaching the class will be in each laboratory session for at least the second half, as will the lecturer who is in charge of running all the labs. So, when experiments get tough, you can expect 3-4 instructors working with the six lab pairs.

Do your TA's know anything about neurobiology?

A lot. They are students in the Neurobiology and Behavior Ph.D. program, or in the Biology graduate program specializing in neurobiology. They are very good.

I am a second-year student at another university. Will you consider my application so that I can consider transfering to UW to join your program?

Yes. We have had several students tranfer to UW just to follow our program. Please contact the Director to discuss your particular situation.

I am transfering to UW from a community college. Can I join the Neurobiology Major?

Absolutely. You may apply just like any other student. Many students find it difficult to start at UW the same quarter that they start the Neurobiology Major, so you might consider starting in the Summer before you apply.

There are circumstances in my life and my undergraduate career that I feel should be taken into account when you judge my application, but I don't feel comfortable describing them in writing on the application. What should I do?

Make an appointment and discuss your situation with the Director. We of course cannot keep confidential things that are considered in the admissions process, but only a few faculty will see your application, and the Director can advise you as to what information you should include.

I plan to take a year abroad before my last year at UW. This prevents me from taking the advanced NBio courses the year after the introductory courses. Can I still be admitted to the major?

Yes. Please discuss the situation with us. The advanced courses are not limited by lab spaces, so this is normally not a problem.

Can I major in Neurobiology and another subject at the same time?

Yes. Many of our students major in more than one subject. These have included Biochemistry, Microbiology, Political Science, Music, and others. You should consult with advisers closely to ensure that course schedules in your two programs are compatible.

I am interested in the field of neurobiology, but don't want to major in it. Can I take or audit your courses?

Maybe. You cannot take the introductory sequence, because we are limited by lab spaces. If you wish to take one of the 400-level classes, please see the individual instructor.

If you do not fill the program in a given year, is it possible for a non-major to take the introductory courses?

Yes, but this is rare. When it has happened, the student often gets so interested that they join the major! If you want to be put on a waiting list for consideration, contact the Director.

You didn't answer my question!

Contact Prof. Moody (profbill@u.washington.edu) or Tom Freng, the program's adviser.