University of Arizona Top Questions

I had a big mix of experiences in my classes. In my Gen Eds, the professors didn't usually know my name. However, we often had weekly "sections" with 10-15 students, where that individual got to know us much better. I had some great, memorable classes and professors, and I also had some frustrating and unfair professors. Some of the gen eds seemed pointless and filled with just memorizing information, but as I got further into my degree's courses, I definitely felt information was much more relevant. I will be honest in saying that the overall "big picture" of U of A was what I will rave about, not their academics.

Some classes are very large (500 students), while others are very small (15 students). Odds are that you will have a combination of all sizes in your college career. The professors (the good ones) are easily accessible. They always hold office hours for you to come in and ask questions. There are also a mixture of students (ranging from overachieving to very lazy).

GREAT TEACHERS. Use Rate my professor.com, and you will never go wrong. Even in a sea of 250 kids, I feel as though they are talking TO ME, not AT US.

Arizona academic life is great. Most professors are very friendly and if you attend their office hours, they are willing to help you- but only if you put yourself out there. Sometimes you pick a general education class just to fulfill a requirement but you never know what you will actually walk away from it. For example, the best class I have taken at the University of Arizona is Indv101- Race, Ethnicity and the American Dream. It has opened my eyes to the society around us but at first, I had thought that it would be another bullshit course I had to take. The University has a gen-ed curriculum that forces you to take many different types of classes. Through this, actually is what made me want to change my major from communication to environmental science. Gen-eds suck but it really matters which ones you pick.

Again, this all has to do with the student's motivation and what kind of experience they want to have at the UA. There are a lot of really big courses where it's easy to get lost amidst your 500 peers, but professors are actually really accessible, for the most part. Class participation depends on the setup of the course; it's pretty hard to have a discussion in a huge lecture course, but in smaller classes, like literature or language classes, participation is pretty common, as well as in the breakoff sessions that often accompany the big lectures (those are usually led by grad students, though). Students in the pre-medical fields are all pretty competitive, and a few other departments. There are a lot of academic opportunities on campus with some of our world-class research and faculty, but there are lots of study abroad options, too!

Most of my classes have been really great. I can think of only one whee I wondered how this guy got tenure. My favorite class was African American Psychology. It was not in my major, but just a fantastic and interesting class. My least favorite class was the Psychology of religion and spirituality.There is generally classroom participation in most classes. However, it is less true in larger classes. Try to stick to smaller classes if you can. It is hard when you are in the gen eds to do this though.

The thing i like least about academics at Arizona are the gen-ed classes you have to take such as Trads! they stink- and some of the lower level classes are huge ... but when you get into actual classes for your major its a much more intimate setting with your teacher and fellow classmates. The retail program is amazing at Arizona - I definiely feel that it is preparing me greatly for what lies ahead after graduation!

Unlike many schools, Arizona has a set "gen-ed" curriculum that forces students to engage in many different areas of study before delving directly into their major's classes. I like this concept because as a freshman and still as a sophomore I have not declared my major..by being involved in these other classes I have been able to look into many different fields of study to help me choose my major. I recommend going to the library during times of class registration because wireless internet or internet that is faulty will cause for a lack of scheduling of good classes and leave students dissatisfied with their choices. If prospective students do not succeed in math, I suggest taking MAT 110 at the Pima Community College in that it is less expensive and taught in a more understandable fashion..Math 110 at the U of A is the most failed freshman course.. watch out!

Academics at arizona are very hard! Coming out of high school i thought this would be a piece of cake but boy was i wrong! this school is very hard! The teachers are different. some can be boring beccause they dont make their classes intersting but others love to meet all their students and make sure all of them are interested in their subject! i study a lot more than i ever have! usually about 4- 8 days in advance depending on the class! it is the complete oppisite of high school.

Education at the University of Arizona isn't extremely competitive. In the higher level classes, people are a lot quieter and don't mess around during lectures, though entry level students may have a hard time concentrating with all the other Freshman still in "high school" mode. There are a few professors on campus who know my name, and some I do work for outside of school to assist with their research. My favorite class was Psych 330, Sensation and Perception with Dr. Felice Bedford. The material wasn't overly complicated, and involved a lot more "high thinking" than classes based on reciting facts. Her tests are take home which was something I had never done before, which allowed me to really engage myself in the answers (all essay-format). The Psychology Department is very friendly, and the professors are all very intellectual and engaging people. So far I am incredibly pleased with my choice in Major since it's very easy to connect with the professors.