FAQs

  1. Who will my Advisor be?

  2. How do I make an appointment with Dr. Lipton?

  3. How do I change my major to Neuroscience?

  4. I don’t think I’m getting communication from the program, what do I do?

  5. What is an Intent to Graduate Form, and what do I do with it?

  6. Can I get academic credit for a course taken outside of BU (transfer credit)?

  7. Is there any formal mentoring program that I can take advantage of as a first year student in the neuroscience program?

  8. I want to get involved in performing research, what are my options?

  9. How do I find a research opportunity to participate in?

Who will my Advisor be?

Professor Lipton is the faculty advisor for all undergraduate majors.  Prior to registration, all current declared Neuroscience majors will receive an email with instructions to sign up for an advising appointment.  These advising meetings are mandatory for each student to receive their advising codes and students must plan on attending one session.  You will meet with either Dr. Lipton, Lindsey Clarkson, or one of our PostDocs.  For further registration information, please refer to the Office of the University Registrar.

How do I make an appointment with Professor Lipton that is not specifically for academic advising?

Professor Lipton is happy to meet with you at a mutually convenient time.  Please contact Lindsey Clarkson (617-358-3298) to arrange a meeting time.  All meetings will take place in Professor Lipton’s office at 2 Cummington Street, room 114 unless otherwise specified.

How do I change my major to Neuroscience?

Changing your major is very easy in the College of Arts and Sciences.  Please go to CAS B3, the Records Office and complete a change of major form.  After completing this form, please contact Lindsey Clarkson to confirm that you are added to the communication list.

I think I am not getting communication from the program, what do I do?

Start by checking your Boston University issued account (BUID@bu.edu) as our email lists are derived from the university database.  If you prefer to use a personal account, be sure that your mail forwarding is set correctly.  If you still feel as though you are missing communications, contact Lindsey Clarkson.

What is an Intent to Graduate Form and what do I do with it?

An Intent to Graduate Form should be completed the May of your junior year or one year before you are planning to graduate.  It may be completed in CAS B3, Records Office (725 Comm. Ave.) you will need to bring an unofficial transcript with you for the Records Office.  As noted on the form, Neuroscience majors need an additional check list which is located at 2 Cummington Street, Room 109 with other documents.  Either Dr. Lipton or Lindsey may sign this for you.

Can I get academic credit for a course taken outside of BU (transfer credit)?

Yes, upon review and approval from the necessary departments.  Pick up a transfer credit form from the Advising Office. Complete this form and bring it, along with a copy of the course syllabus to the department from which you aim to receive credit from.  Each department will provide more information regarding the specifics of allowing transfer credit.

Is there any formal mentoring program that I can take advantage of as a first year student in the neuroscience program?

Yes, there is a peer mentor program that pairs first year students with current juniors and seniors.  Interest Surveys to participate are accepted throughout the summer and reviewed at the beginning of the Fall semester.  Peer mentor matches are made and the upperclassman will contact the first year student within the first few weeks of classes.

I want to get involved in performing research, what are my options?

As an undergraduate student you have four options for participating in research.  You can choose from a directed study, senior work for distinction, volunteer or paid research.

To get involved in a directed study, you will need to contact the researcher in which you wish to work with and complete a Directed Study Application.

A senior work for distinction may be completed by identifying a faculty member to work with, completing the application with the necessary signatures and submitting it to CAS 105 for approval.  Please note that CAS students are required to have a 3.0 GPA to participate.

Volunteering in a research lab is arranged by contacting a lab manager and establishing the terms of your participation.  Similar to volunteering, some labs may have funds available to you for working in the lab.  This will be arranged through the lab manager.  Check out available research opportunities!

How do I find a research opportunity to participate in?

First identify the specific areas of neuroscience that are of greatest interest to you.  Next, read the research descriptions of the faculty labs you have identified as most interesting. Look over a few of the journal articles they have published, paying particular attention to the methods section. Are these the kinds of experiments you can imagine yourself doing?  Then contact the primary investigators and ask if there are openings in their labs. Explain specifically why you are interested in their research area.