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Frequently Asked Questions

Neuroscience Questions

• How do I change my major to Neuroscience?

Email me! Be sure to include you student ID number and a list of times that you are free. We’ll set up an appointment to discuss the major in person and then we can officially change it through the system.

• How do I add the Neuroscience minor?

Once you have completed all the prep and we check your unit max, I can officially you to the Neuroscience minor. If you’re going to exceed your unit max, you will need to file a petition with the College of Letters and Science. These petitions are typically approved IF you show that you will graduate by Summer Session C after your 4th year (2nd year for transfers). You don’t have to complete all the prep before you start taking upper division courses – just check the pre-requisites and enrollment restrictions.

• Where is the Neuroscience Undergraduate Office?

I am in the Gonda Center, Rm 1506D. The Gonda Center is south from Ackerman Union on Westwood, at the corner of Charles E. Young Dr. South. It’s a large brick building across from the Police Station.

• Why do we have to take NS 102 and NS m101A together?

Many students mentioned that NS 102 enhanced their understanding of future upper division electives. Therefore, if you take it with NS m101A (Fall of 3rd Year), you will be well prepared for any elective.

• What if I have been volunteering in the lab instead of completing SRP 99? Can I still sign up for NS 199/198?

No. You must have one quarter of SRP completed in the lab with your faculty sponsor. Therefore, make sure you plan a quarter of SRP into your schedule before NS 199.

• What’s the difference between NS 198AB and NS 199?

NS 198AB is reserved for students in department honors and requires additional work.

• I want to sign up for a Psychology elective, but it says I need Psych 100A/115/etc. Can I still take it?

Yes, you can still take a Psychology courses, even if you have not completed all the requisites. Please check the Enrollment Restrictions and Notes sections on the Registrar’s Schedule of Classes to see when Neuroscience majors are allowed to enroll.

UCLA Questions

• I’m thinking about dropping a course. Is this okay?

There are several aspects to dropping a course. For all courses, the first thing to consider is: what week is it? If it’s after 2nd week (for an impacted course) or 4th week (non-impacted), you will receive a transcript notation. If it’s during Weeks 8-10, you are now limited to dropping no more than three non-impacted courses in your academic career. Should you decide not to drop, the College allows you to re-take courses you receive a C- or below in. Please talk to a College counselor about re-taking policies.

    For courses for the Neuroscience major, you will have to re-take core requirements, so please make sure you are aware of when the course will be offered next.

    Ultimately, the decision to drop a course is a personal decision, but it is best to be as informed as possible.

• I’m thinking about double majoring. What do I need to do?

Make sure you can either graduate on-time or under the unit max. If not, you’ll need to get started on the petition paperwork. You can not declare your second major until you have completed all the prep courses and two upper division courses. But you can begin the upper division courses before completing all the prep as long as you have completed the pre-requisites.

• What is the “College” ?

By this, I am referring to the College of Letters and Science. Academic counselors are split in four departments: College, Honors College, Athletics, and AAP. Every student belongs to one of those groups, but if you're not sure who to see, start with the College Academic Counselors in A316 Murphy Hall.

If you are a student in the School of Arts and Architecture, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of Nursing, or the School of Theater, Film and Television, please see a counselor in your division.

• What College counselors am I supposed to see and what do they help me with?

All College counselors advise students on General Education, Expected Cumulative Progress, Academic Regulations, Unit Minimums and Maximums, Petitions, etc.

• I want to go to Medical School/Dentistry/Nursing. What classes do I need?

The Career Center is an excellent place to find answers for all pre-health students.  

• How do I fulfill my Writing Requirements?

Please see the Career Center for questions about the English requirement for medical school and your College Counselors for the the Writing I and II requirements.

• Why do I have to go to so many different counselors to ask my questions?

Because UCLA is so large, there are so many different areas counselors specialize in. My area of focus is anything and everything related to graduating as a Neuroscience major. The College counselors can tell you about graduating from UCLA in the College of Letters and Science. And the Career Center can give you lots of information about how to pursue the career of your choice. We try to make this process as smooth as possible, but I understand how tiresome it can be to bounce between Murphy, Gonda, and Strathmore. However, this process is in place so that each of us can specialize and really know our specific area as best as possible.  

Is there something not answered here? Let me know!

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Is there something not answered here? Let me know!

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