PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE, INTERDISCIPLINARY COURSES, AND NEURO RESEARCH
INTERDISCIPLINARITY
Gold Experience
Emergent properties of the brain, such as intelligence, cannot be understood by looking only at individual neurons. It requires a holistic understanding of the brain, which can only be achieved through an interdisciplinary approach. Because UMBC does not have a neuroscience major, I decided to pursue a psychology degree, but focus on courses in which I could learn about neuroscience, as well as normal and abnormal neurological conditions. As a grad student, I plan to use my understanding of the brain and an interdisciplinary approach in my research in machine learning.
THE SCIENCE OF MAKING GOOD DECISIONS
FALL 2017
This course focused on decision theory, decision analysis, and behavioral economics. I found the combination of the disciplines of economics, psychology, and computer science to be particularly interesting. As my end-of-the-semester project, I modeled an important decision in my life: whether or not to attend grad school immediately upon obtaining my undergraduate degree.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
HOW MY INTERDISCIPLINARY EXPERIENCE ALIGNS WITH THE GOALS OF THE PROGRAM
During this experience, I:
Demonstrated integrity by
Showed perspectivism by learning about the ethical considerations of the sciences.
Exhibited realistic vision by considering how to integrate the disciplines of psychology and computer science in my work.
Demonstrated my ability to be a team member by
Showed persistence by
Exhibited flexibility by
In addition, I:
Identified the different disciplines that contribute to the solution of a complex problem through writing reflections, essays, and papers in my classes on topics such as using artificial intelligence in computerized neurocognitive testing and understanding schizophrenia through an interdisciplinary lens.
Describe and apply strategies for creating common ground between different disciplinary perspectives by identifying shared goals between psychology, neuroscience, and computer science that relate to my Grand Challenge of Reverse-Engineering the Brain.
Apply bridging strategies to facilitate the conscious integration of different disciplines by applying what I learned in INDS 330H: Ways of Knowing to my disciplines, which enhanced my understanding of my coursework, as well as my research, service, and entrepreneurship experiences.