Student Perspectives: School of Science & Engineering

Hello future Tulane Class of 2020! My name is Emily Sturtz, and I am a current senior finishing up a double major in Psychology and English. Throughout my four years here, I have had the opportunity to take many classes that are not only interesting, but also inspired me to pursue graduate study in the field of Psychology. When I was an incoming freshman, I was unsure exactly what I wanted to study (a struggle I’m sure many of you are facing right now). After sitting in my “Introduction to Psychology” class first semester, however, I realized that a major in Psychology would be the perfect way for me to study something that I loved while also preparing me for a future career.

After declaring my Psychology major, the classes I have taken have consistently reminded me that I made the right decision. For example, Dr. Patterson’s “Abnormal Psychology” class engaged students beyond the textbook by applying examples from her years in practice, and also encouraged students to link course material to outside sources, such as movies and television shows. This is just one of many examples of the incredible professors I have had not only in the Psychology Department, but also in many of the other classes I have taken in the School of Science and Engineering. During my sophomore year, I had the privilege of taking a Neuroscience class, “Brain and Behavior” with one of Tulane’s most popular professors, Dr. Beth Wee. This class was definitely one of my more challenging classes, and Dr. Wee did absolutely everything she could to make sure I gained as much as I could from the class.  She was always available during office hours for me to ask questions about material and go over tests, and she was so supportive when I was struggling more than usual with a particular concept. My experience with Dr. Wee is not unusual, because I have heard hundreds of iterations of similar stories from my fellow classmates about Dr. Wee’s dedication to her students.

Many students get involved in research on both the Uptown and Downtown campuses as undergraduates.

It is also very common for students for participate in research on campus, even starting as early as their second semester. For the past two years, I have had the opportunity to work as a research assistant in Dr. Laurie O’Brien’s Social Perception Lab, and my experience in the lab has been invaluable for learning skills and practices that I can use here as well as in graduate study. Additionally, many of my fellow research assistants in this lab have presented at conferences about studies that we have worked on. There are many opportunities for research in various disciplines within the School of Science and Engineering, such as Biomedical Engineering, Biology, and Earth and Environmental Sciences, just to name a few.

As I am finishing up my last few months at Tulane, though I am sad to go, I feel incredibly prepared to take the next step toward my future career. Next year, I will begin the long journey to a Ph.D in School Psychology at another university, but I am taking with me all of the knowledge and experience I have gained through my time at Tulane. Through my research experience, dedicated teachers, and courses that are rooted in current topics in the field, Tulane has provided me with multiple opportunities to succeed not only here but in the future as well.



Emily Sturtz is a Senior graduating in May 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and English.