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Neuroscience Orientation 2015
Welcome to USC !
Neuroscience Orientation 2015
A. Welcome & Introduction
B. Research OpportunitiesC. Honors ProgramD. Advising: Academic / Pre-Health. Some
words of caution. E. Honor & Service Societies: Nu Rho Psi &
InterAxonF. Supplemental InstructionG. Reception
Faculty & StaffCo-Directors
Prof. Irving Biederman, PSYC ([email protected])Prof. Albert Herrera, BISC ([email protected])
Executive Committee• Prof. Chien-Ping Ko ([email protected])• Prof. John Monterosso, ([email protected])• Student Representatives: Eshed Margalit, Arvin Saremi• Academic Advisors
Academic AdvisorsLica Abu-Esba ([email protected])Lucy Leon ([email protected])Briana Weiland ([email protected])
Program AssistantGloria Wan ([email protected])
http://dornsife.usc.edu/usc-neuroscience/
http://dornsife.usc.edu/usc-neuroscience/
Research
I. Why get involved in original research in a faculty member’s lab as an undergraduate?
Research: Why? How? When?
A. The obvious. It will:
1. Look good on my record (allow honors*!) and,
2. Allow me to get a personalized recommendation, which along with (possibly),
4. of getting into _____________. (Fill in the blanks: medical school, graduate school, or much of what I might want to do as a career choice in this competitive world.)
3. A conference presentation* or a publication* in a scientific journal, would improve my chances
*Life-long record of a distinct achievement
I. Why get involved in research as an undergraduate? (cont.)
B. The not-so-obvious:
1. The chance for an extraordinary intellectual journey. The excitement of mastery and discovery.
2. An opportunity to experience—deeply--what a research university is really about.
3. A home on campus. Labs are like families. You will be taken into a small group of highly intelligent, dedicated people with a shared mission.
4. A lifelong domain of expertise. With benefits:
a. Developing cognitive seed crystals for a broad range of your studies in neuroscience.
b. The opportunity to become a “citizen” of your domain of expertise.
II. How (and in what manner) can I get involved in research?
B. Select a lab that you feel could be a good match for your interests and talents. Look at the web pages of various labs. Ask around. Treat your meeting with the lab director as if it were a job interview.
A. First and foremost, you should know that it is competitive: there are more people who want to join labs than there are positions to be filled.
C. You are not expected to come in with a research project in hand. Once in, you will join a lab member on either an ongoing project or a new project. They will train you.
II. How (and in what manner) can I get involved in research? (cont.)
D. Everyone in a lab will have to do some routine work. Once in the lab, do all you can to demonstrate that you are capable of making an intellectual contribution to the research (rather than working only as a drone). This can (and should) lead to co-authorship.
III. When should you get involved in research as an undergraduate?
A. The sooner the better. The longer you are involved in a research project, the more time you have to develop mastery.
B. Most labs would want you to be able to commit a minimum of 10 hours a week. The good news is that times usually are flexible. But the lab will want (and should want) to recoup their investment in your training and want you to be a productivity source, not a productivity sink.
Three Things to Think about Re. Courses
and Skills
1. Take your Neuroscience courses as early as possible in your
university career.
Neuroscience is not an easy discipline. There is enormous
complexity and range, from molecular neuroscience to
cognitive and computational neuroscience. The more time
the conceptual structure is in your brain, the greater the
chances of discovering new associations between concepts
that will bring you mastery.
2. Learn to program.
Certainly if you are going for a B.S., and even if you are
going for a B.A., Matlab (or Python or any programming
language) is a good start. This will stand you well for the
rest of your life. It will give you an edge in a wide range of
courses, lab positions, and employment opportunities.
3. Learn (take a course in) linear algebra.
Honors Program
http://dornsife.usc.edu/usc-neuroscience/honors_program/
• Adds distinction• Deepens understanding• Develops skills• Facilitates mentoring• LORs• Requirements:
- GPA 3.5- NEUR 493 Honors
Seminar (1 unit, 2x)- NEUR 490 Research (4
units)- NEUR 494 Honors Thesis- Submit thesis
• To start, begin research
Academic Advising
Academic Advising
Advising Services
• 30 minute, 1-on-1 advisement appointments• Make course recommendations • Create Course Plans• Degree Audits• Lift Advising Holds• Connect to Campus Resources• Mid-term “at risk” Grade Outreach• Navigate Academic Policies
Additional Resources
• Career Pathways• Career Planning and Placement Center• Pre-Health Advising• Pre-Graduate School Advising• Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity• Disability Services & Programs
Involvement
• Student Organizations• Greek Life • Intramural Sports • Service Learning (JEP & Volunteer Center)• Internships • Research (SURF & SOAR)
Contact Info
AHF 107
To make an advising appointment, please call:
213-740-3800
Nu Rho PsiArvin Saremi - President
Emily Lin - Vice President
Who are we?
Nu Rho Psi is the National Honor Society in Neuroscience, founded in 2006 by the Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience and now an independent honor society. We are a non-profit, grass-roots organization comprised of neuroscientists, like you. Currently, charters have been awarded to over 40 chapters in all regions of the United States.
Purpose• Encourage professional interest and excellence in scholarship,
particularly in Neuroscience • Award recognition to students who have achieved such excellence in
scholarship • Advance the discipline of Neuroscience • Encourage intellectual and social interaction between students,
faculty, and professionals in Neuroscience and related fields • Promote career development in Neuroscience and related fields • Increase public awareness of Neuroscience and its benefits for the
individual and society • Encourage service to the community
Requirements• Major, minor, other emphasis in Neuroscience
• Completion of at least 3 semesters of the College course.
• Completion of 9 semester hours of Neuroscience-related courses.
• Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.5 and a minimum GPA of 3.5 in Neuroscience courses.
Events
• Mentorship Programs
• Neuroscience-Related Volunteering
• Tedx Neuroscience
• Special Events (Active members only)
Perks• Course Assistance
• 24/7 access to upperclassman
• Discounts for GRE/ MCAT prep classes*
• Informational meetings
• Scholarship opportunities
Get Involved Interested in a cabinet position?
Sign up sheet towards back of the room!
defin. Neuroscience community service organization that visits under-served K-12 students to present dynamic
interactive presentations about science in general and neuroscience in particular
Join our mailing [email protected]
FB: “USC Interaxon”
community service | neuroscience community |
leadership opportunities | mentorship | social
events around LA | teach what you’re learning
Supplemental Instruction
http://dornsife.usc.edu/supplemental-instruction/
Neuroscience Social TeaOne Thursday a month, HNB 107, 4 – 5 pm
Please join us!This Fall: Sep 24, Oct 22, Nov 19
Ponder deep thoughts! Satisfy hunger
