Student Organizations
The Mind and Brain Society
The Boston University Mind and Brain Society (MBS) was founded in the fall of 2008 in concert with the Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience. The group aims to foster a community in which undergraduates interested in neuroscience-related fields can take an active role in current issues and explore their interests outside of the classroom. MBS welcomes students from all colleges and majors and serves as a hub for students interested in psychology, biology, philosophy, computer science, etc. Our goal is to support an eager multidisciplinary undergraduate community with the conversations and resources fundamental to neuroscience today.
Throughout the academic year, MBS hosts events spotlighting many different facets of neuroscience. In the fall, we host an annual Miracle Berry “Tastravaganza” where guests try miracle berries and experience the wonders of their brain firsthand. Throughout the year, MBS members lead discussions on various topics with a neuroscience perspective; previous topics include 3D-printing guns, video games, and alternative medicine & nutrition. In the spring, MBS hosts B.R.A.I.N. Day, an outreach event that celebrates Brain Awareness Week and features fun, interactive demonstrations of neuroscience. Like us on facebook, join our mailing list, and check out our website for more information!
The Nerve & The Nerve Blog
The Mind and Brain Society publishes The Nerve, a journal written and edited by BU undergraduates interested in Neuroscience. The Nerve features essays on neuroscience and related fields and aims to spread awareness and ignite interest in the field while giving fellow students the opportunity to refine their writing skills and integrate what they learn in class. The first issue of The Nerve was released November 2009 with a Release Party hosted on the 26th floor of StuVi2! You can now read The Nerve online at bu.edu/thenerve.
The Nerve Blog is the online companion to The Nerve. Blog writers and editors collaborate to create posts about neuroscience from many different perspectives, including music and popular culture. Check out the latest blog posts here!
Undergraduate Neuroscience Shadowing Program
The Undergraduate Neuroscience Shadowing Program is dedicated to providing BU undergraduates with the chance to explore careers in neurology and neurosurgery. The organization seeks to match students with medical professionals for one-time shadowing opportunities at local hospitals. Currently, we work with Boston Medical Center, where students follow neurologists on clinical duties. Psychiatry and research shadowing will be available in the future.
Shadowing opportunities are open to students in any major and are given on a first come, first serve basis. Students on the mailing list will receive an email when there are available shadowing opportunities and are asked to fill out a pre-shadowing document. After filling out the document, students will be allowed to sign up for a specific date on an online sign-up in the order their document was received. Once assigned a slot, students are asked to attend one of our weekly meetings (Mondays at 6:30 P.M. in 2 Cummington St. Room 109) at least one week prior to your shadowing date to discuss the details of the shadowing opportunity.
UG Neuro Shadowing is student run as part of the Mind and Brain Society; students are involved in every step of the process to set up shadowing opportunities and to connect students with doctors. If you are interested in or have any questions about shadowing or getting involved with the shadowing program email mbsshadowing@gmail.com.
Nu Rho Psi
In 2014, neuroscience students founded the Boston University Chapter of Nu Rho Psi, the National Honor Society in Neuroscience, which recognizes outstanding achievement while fostering a dynamic community of proactive neuroscience students. Like Nu Rho Psi on facebook and read more about membership and eligibility requirements on the Nu Rho Psi OrgSync page.