Breyaundra Woods found her fascination for neuroscience after reading a book on phantom limb syndrome. Two days after reading it, Woods changed her major plans, and it was her interest in the field that brought her to the University of Oregon.

“The neuroscience major department heads are really pushing through this uncomfortable period during the pandemic to make sure the major is getting off the ground,” Woods said. “They’re answering questions, they’re approachable from a student perspective, and they’re reaching out to individuals personally and working with whatever hardships people are facing with distance learning. I’m really impressed honestly.”

The neuroscience major officially launched in the Fall of 2020 Woods was originally trying to piece together her own neuroscience curriculum through psychology, biology, and human physiology classes. When she heard about the upcoming neuroscience major, she connected with the faculty in the program’s participating departments to ensure she was prepared to graduate on time with the new major. Woods plans to attend a Physician Assistants program after graduating the UO. She also has a strong inclination for research and hopes to peruse that in the future.

“Approaching neuroscience can be very intimidating. It’s within the STEM field, and that can make potential students apprehensive,” Woods said. “But neuroscience pulls from so many disciplines . . . .There are different avenues you can explore, especially in this program.”

During her time at the UO, Woods helped co-found the UO chapter of Synapse, a nonprofit, student-run organization working to support and serve local brain injury survivors. She currently serves as the vice president of outreach and development for the group. Her studies in neuroscience directly play into her work for Synapse, and she plans to continue this work in the medical field.

“I think anyone is capable of anything. If you have enough drive, interest, and passion for this final frontier of research and science, then go for it,” Woods said. “You will find colleagues and friends that you’ll build relationships with, and that will help you get to the point where you want to be. I can promise you, you will find your niche; I know I found mine.”

Learn more about the neuroscience major here.

Minh Nguyen is a fourth-year student majoring in the newest program in the College of Arts and Sciences: neuroscience. The major launched in Fall 2020, and it brings together faculty and courses from the biology, human physiology, and psychology departments for an interdisciplinary education on the brain and behavior.

“The first time I held a human brain in my hand was such a magical moment. I felt so thankful I got to be part of the cadaver lab, and that was the moment I knew that neuroscience was for me,” Nguyen said. “Neuroscience is emerging out of its infancy, and there’s so little that we know about the brain, even though it’s such a central part of our lives.”

After her experience in the cadaver lab through the HPHY department, Nguyen took as many neuroscience-related courses as she could find. When she learned that neuroscience was being offered as a major, she jumped at the chance. Now she’s double majoring in both human physiology and neuroscience, with a double minor in chemistry and global health.

“With the neuroscience major, you take classes from biology, psychology, and human physiology. You get to learn a bit about the behavioral aspect, you get a bit of physiology and anatomy, and you get a little bit of molecular biology, like how the neurocircuits and synapses work together,” Nguyen said. “You get a general overview of neuroscience as a field, and you’re involved in multiple departments but still working towards the field you’re interested in.”

Nguyen plans to attend medical school and adds that the neuroscience major covers all the prerequisites that medical schools may require. The neuroscience electives provide those interested in a career in academic research with the opportunity to gain hands-on research experience as an undergradate student. From working in a neuroscience lab where you learn research and thesis writing skills, to investigating a topic on your own, students leave the neuroscience major fully prepared to go into graduate studies or a career in a range of medical and health care fields.

“There are so many resources here at UO that help students who want to get involved with research or higher education,” Nguyen said. She points to ASURE, which is a student-run group that connects students with research across the UO, and CURE, whose mission is to increase academic research opportunities for undergraduate students.

“When you think about undergraduate research, it can be scary, especially for students who don’t have exposure to higher education, like some first-generation or underrepresented students,” Nguyen said. “But with CURE, they’re always there to support you. And the neuroscience department wants its students to succeed. If you’re interested at all in neuroscience, or you’re thinking about medicine, this is definitely a major you should take advantage of.”

Learn more about the neuroscience major here.

Emily Norquist is a third-year student majoring in neuroscience, the newest program in the College of Arts and Sciences. Norquist plans to attend medical school after graduation, and for her, the neuroscience major is exactly what she’s been looking for.

“I think it perfectly combines all the subjects I’m interested in: biology, human physiology, and psychology,” Norquist said. “Since high school I’ve been interested in learning more about the brain, so when the major opened up, I jumped at the opportunity.”

Previously a human physiology major, Norquist said the opportunity to do research in not just one, but multiple fields is why she enjoys being a neuroscience major. The major itself draws on curriculum and faculty from across the biology, human physiology, psychology, and even computer science departments. This allows students to get involved with research in any area that interests them, while still making progress towards their major.

“The professors really want to see the major succeed, and they’re really willing to help you get into the classes that you need,” Norquist said. “Dr. Dudukovic has been amazing in helping me get the classes I need for the major, and I haven’t had that kind of experience before.”

Norquist aspires to be a pediatrician, along with continuing her research in neuroscience. She says her passion for the field is the motivation to continue on into medical school.

Norquist said that the neuroscience major will open a lot of doors for interested students. Neuroscience is a quickly growing field, and the recently opened Phil and Penny Knight Campus allows neuroscience students a chance to be part of translating scientific knowledge to everyday life as they study and work in research labs. Norquist sees now as the best time to jump into neuroscience.

“One of the classes I’ve really enjoyed has been cognitive neuroscience,” Norquist said. “It’s a good introduction to neuroscience as a whole. You get to read clinical reports, and you get a look into past, current, and future research. The class really shows you where this field can go, so I’m very excited for what the future holds.”

To learn more about the neuroscience major, visit the website here.