Colorado State University-Fort Collins Top Questions

I think that the academics at CSU are good. They make you think in most of you classes. I think it is hard to say at this point thought because as a freshman I am still in 100 and 200 level classes so they are huge. It is hard to test on things like if you are actually grasping the concept or if you are just regurgitating information that you cramed for.

I would say that CSU is an academically sound school. There are always seats filled in the library, and students reading on the lawn. Most people go to class with the exception of those who skip most all of their classes, but the grades will prove that it is not a good method to go about school. Typically if you go to class, do your homework, and study for tests then you will do just fine.

My professors do not know my name...in fact sometimes I don't even know theirs. You can deffinitly get lost in the crowd sometimes. A lot of students don't show up for class and it can really effect your grade. Its understandable that sometimes you will have a bad week and be a little down and out but you can't let that effect your attendance especially once you start getting to the 300 level classes in your junior and senior year. You don't want to fail miserably when you are so close to the end. Obviously many students will take the easy way out and do the bare min. when it comes to studying, however, its important you make the right friends who study more than you so that motivates you to go to the library more or have study groups. Students have a lot of intellectual conversations outside class, but it really depends on the friends you make. I have a lot of smart friends and a lot of dumb ones too. But I'm not going to get any studying done with the dumb ones...they just want to sit around and drink. Not a lot of motivation there. The most unique class I have taken is Human Gross Anatomy. CSU is one of the few universities where you get to work with real cadavers (dead people). It a great opportunity for anyone who is looking to go into medicine. But don't get me wrong it is a very challenging class. The academic requirements can be tricky. You would be surprised how much things change in the four years you go to school here. It feels like every year something is a little different. Thats why its important to talk to advisors. But I rarly get a good advisor in my department or any department. Its hard for them to keep up too with the changes. The best you can do is make friends that want to go into the same field as you and that way you get perspective from everyone so you can get to the bottom of things.

One thing that was difficult for me was when I took organic chemistry here. A new professor came and was an absolutely horrible teacher. The entire class got a 30{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} average on the first exam. Everyone complained to the department head, to the teacher herself, and to CSU officials. However, not much was changed about the class. I felt like since CSU is so big, we couldn't do much because the school cared more about the money this professor brought in through her research than about our academic concerns about her teaching. I feel like if I was at a smaller school, we would have gotten more attention and either the teacher would have been fired or we would have been given more opportunities to do better in her class.

difficult and interesting

Academics at CSU is amazing! I do think my classes have been difficult, and my schedule doesn't even compare to some of my fellow classmmates. I have really enjoyed my psychology classes. The department seems to be very knowledgable and organized. I enjoy how the use practical examples. They also effectively use technology in their classes. I partically enjoyed Mark Richard's class. However, I feel like some of the classes I have taken this year were a total waste of my brain power. I hated philosophy and history classes. I really didn't feel like either offered new information or expanded my understanding of the topic. I did take classes in writing and speaking, and although I thought they were annoying and time consuming, both really helped my communication skills. They both have are two classes that all students need to take! I believe that my biggest down fall so far is not getting to know my professors more outside of class. I have felt more intimidated or nervous to approach them. I think it might be to my benefit to get in touch with them more.

I have some huge classes and some small classes. It's very diverse. As long as you show up to class, the professors seem to recognize you if not actually know your name. I love hanging out in the plaza while there's a controversial speaker, and listening to all of the deep conversations around me. CSU has high expectations for the sciences, but the requirements for the liberal arts majors and such are loose. You're really free to take classes that you think you'll find enjoyable. There are always advisors ready to help, and it's easy to get involved with a scholarly group.

Need to be regulated. There needs to be a set standard on what teachers grade on. There are a few classes like CO 150 and CO300 that if you look at 2 different teachers you may think that it is a different class when really it is the same.

Keep in mind this is all from the Scientist perspective. My classes have all been more than fifty people. If you have questions, email the professor and go to office hours. Within two visits, he or she will know your name. If you get a particulary 'mean' professor, they might ask you questions in class. If you want to get letters of recommendation, professors are easy to approach and easy to get to know. I came up with 'fake' questions and went to office hours for this reason. My non-science classes were mostly taught by TAs. They go both ways. I had a TA in 20th Century Fiction who was a jerk with writing tests and grading. I have no clue how anyone got an A in class as it was participation based and only 3 of us ever spoke up. On the other hand, in Philosophy I had an amazing TA who made one of the worst things for me to have to take actually quite fun.

I am a first year Medical Student, I went to CSU for Undergrad, and Post Bacc. I also did a graduate year at another institution, so I have a point of reference. I can say without a doubt the best Academic experience I have ever had was at CSU. I knew my professors on a personal basis, one on one help and guidance was always available. CSU's professors are there to teach and they love to do it. They were integral in my progression to medical school. Every class I had at CSU was excellent, from History, to Microbiology, to Animal Sciences, the quality and enthusiasm of the professors is unlike any I have experienced since. Students and professors all love CSU and it shows, Ram Pride!