Student Information

Student Experience

Undergraduates at the University of Pittsburgh, Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, develop strong analytical, mathematic, and scientific skills. They must maintain a high grade point average to improve chances of graduate and professional school admission. Students have the opportunity to secure strong relationships with faculty, taking independent research classes to learn laboratory procedures, become familiar with laboratory equipment, and read scientific journals related to the area of interest.

Students are encouraged to seek summer, part-time, volunteer, co-op, or internships to test fields of interest and gain valuable experience. They participate in summer research institutes and submit research to local poster competitions or research symposiums. Majors are also encouraged to join the Neuroscience Club, professional associations and community organizations to stay abreast of current issues in the field and to develop networking contacts.

Careers in Neuroscience

Many neuroscience majors plan to pursue advanced degrees that specialize in their field of interest and present opportunities for work in medicine, research, education, and public health. These students will matriculate to professional schools including colleges of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, public health, physical therapy, physician’s assistant programs, exercise physiology, and law.

Graduates with a Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh find opportunities in health care, academic research and education, pharmaceutical and other branches of industry (laboratory equipment, medical supplies, prosthetic devices, etc.), private research foundations, public health departments, state and federal government agencies (National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Agriculture, Armed Services, etc.), nonprofit organizations, law firms, and large corporations.