Ira Puranik

Major & Minor
Major: Neuroscience & Cognitive Science
Minor: ISTA & Population Health Data Science

Hometown
Phoenix, AZ

What made you choose your science major at this school?

• I completed an internship in high school at GCU's Cadaver Lab and was enthralled by the complexities of the brain, which is why I chose Neuroscience and Cognitive Science as my primary major. I also decided to add Statistics and Data Science as a secondary major because it is useful for research.

How hard were the intro science classes compared to high school?

• The intro science classes in college were not that much more difficult than the AP classes in high school. I still did go to office hours to make sure that I was filling in all of the gaps.

Do professors actually teach, or are most classes taught by TAs?

• The professors actually teach in most of my classes; however, there was one class (Intro to Statistical Methods) that was taught by the TA.

How easy is it to get help if you’re struggling in a science class?

• It is extremely easy to get help. Professors always hold office hours and are willing to help you.

When can students start doing research (freshman year or later)?

• I started in my freshman year, but students can start whenever they want to.

How did you get involved in research or labs?

• I got into my first research lab by cold emailing professors and making connections with other professionals in my departments. I also applied for VIP courses.

Are research opportunities competitive or fairly accessible?

• Some labs are competitive while others will take most students who email them. It depends on what the PI is looking for.

Do students get paid for research or is it mostly for credit?

• It is mostly for credit, but some students get paid for research.

What does a typical week look like for a science major?

• I usually go to class, then go to the library, then go to club or lab meetings depending on what I have that day.

How much time do you actually spend studying?

• I spend about 3 hours a day working on homework. The rest of it goes into research projects.

What’s the hardest science class you’ve taken—and why?

• The math classes are the most difficult for me because I honestly do not find it interesting. It takes me a lot of motivation to be able to complete an assignment; however, going to office hours makes it way easier to understand the material.

What do you wish you had known before coming here?

• I wish I knew that academics was not the only aspect of life. There are so many other opportunities I could have pursued if I was not so busy with classes.

What clubs and/or organizations are you involved with?

• I am involved in a club called Mortar Board National College Honor Society.

What are your future plans after graduation?

• I am not sure yet, but I am applying to Masters programs in Bioinformatics.