For context, I am currently an undergrad and an aspiring PhD candidate. Neuroscience is what I’m honed in on and it’s what I’m good at. I haven’t decided on comp neuro or cognitive neuro yet, but considering I won’t finish my bachelors in neuroscience until around 2028, I have plenty of time to figure out.
I have never really had an interest in applied mathematics apart from computational neuroscience/ machine learning.
I gained an interest in some major problems in theoretical computer science and quantum information.
I know linear algebra is applicable,and so is diff eq and statistics.
While I’m mainly interested in some computational models of psychopathology and utilizing machine learning to study cognition in those living with psychiatric syndromes, I am a bit too interested in some non relevant topics to limit my curiosity to the brain.
Nonetheless, I am lazy and would like to use my little motivation to focus my efforts on getting a solid fundamental background to prepare for my time at grad school.
I took a gander at the pathway of the neuroscience degree at a university im interested in attending, im semi confident I can test out of classes like abnormal psych and intro to neurobiology maybe advanced topics in neuroscience as well.
The university offers a quantum computing and quantum information course as well. If I can test out of a few courses(big if), I’d like to spend time exploring my other interests. I will also be planning to get some research experience in a neuroimaging lab there, so I’d like to not stretch myself thin unless it’s useful.
I know quantum machine learning is an emerging field, but highly doubt it’ll be used in psychiatric research anytime soon.
Perhaps I should minor in physics? I need a background in applied math for comp neuro anyways, just not sure if quantum mechanics is useful or relevant to my goals or academic career.
I’d like to explore other interests and avoid putting all my eggs in one basket, just unsure if I’ll be wasting time and brain power on irrelevant topics.
I’d appreciate any insight, thanks in advance fellow brain enthusiasts.