Neuroscience

Students who study neuroscience analyze the brain, the nervous system, and the mental processes by which we perceive, act, learn, and remember. The knowledge of neuroscience has been pivotal to new treatments for cardiovascular disease, stroke, parasitic diseases, and several other illnesses. It has also advanced knowledge about psychiatric and neurological disorders and is helping to improve the lives of people in the developed world as well as in third-world countries. La Sierra's program offers students opportunities to pursue cutting-edge research, leading to careers in one of the fastest-growing fields in psychology.

Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. They often use clinical trials and other investigative methods to reach their findings.

Employment of medical scientists is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for medical scientists was $82,090 in May 2017. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $45,120, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $160,520.

In May 2017, the median annual wages for medical scientists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding representing appropriate breadth and depth in selected content areas of neuroscience.
2. Design and conduct basic studies to address empirical questions, using appropriate research methods.
3. Use critical thinking effectively.
4. Seek and evaluate scientific evidence for claims.
5. Tolerate ambiguity and realize that scientific explanations are often complex and tentative.
6. Demonstrate information competence in relevant areas.
7. Use information and technology ethically and responsibly.
8. Demonstrate effective writing skills in various formats (e.g., essays, correspondence, technical papers, note taking) and for various purposes (e.g., informing, defending, persuading, arguing, teaching).
9. Consider current trends and controversies in neuroscience and reflect on them in light of personal beliefs and Seventh-day Adventist values.