University of Arizona Top Questions

Academics here are huge. Many tier one classes are bigger but because there are separate discussion groups, it is easy to feel comfortable talking to a professor or a TA. Many professors actually care and want you to go to their office hours. I feel like there is a huge selection of classes to take from any subject that you could ever dream of.

Academics at Arizona is really what you make of it. It is easy to fall between the cracks because it is such a large school, but if you make an effort to get to know your professors, most of them will reciprocate. Students seem to study a fair amount here, depending on which classes they are taking. I have a couple of classes that demand a lot of out of class time. Students definitely participate more in smaller classes than larger ones. For my major, which is Pre-Business, it is very competitive because have to apply to the business program your junior year and the application process is very competitive. The education in Arizona seems like it is more geared towards learning for learning's sake rather than preparing you for getting a job, but that may change when I get into upper division classes.

My major is great for me. It is basically the new communications major - perfect for the business school dropouts. Many of the intro classes for Eller are the same prerequisites for the Retailing degree

As far as academics go, I think I would have to say that they are probably as good as any other state university in the country. Of course, with any college they are going to have a particular area in which they focus most on. I believe ours happens to be science. So if your looking for a school that has pretty decent science programs, whether its biology or astronomy, this would be a great place to go. Another (well at least I think) up and coming college at this University is the Retailing and Consumer Sciences program. THis is the college that I am a part of and I absolutely love it. They say the classes are smaller, that way the teacher can get to know you and you can build relationships with fellow classmates. This eliminates the issue of just being a number and the professor/counselors will recognize you. I'm only a sophomore so maybe I haven't been here long enough for the "not so serious students" to be weeded out, but unfortunately that has its affects on the class. Most teacher are more than willing to accept any kind of discussion or questions that come up in the class. However, the majority of the students don't seem to care. They just want to get in and get out and survive until the weekend. The only advice I have is to ask questions no matter what. This is what you are here to do; learn. So take advantage of every opportunity.

While I was in my general education classes, I felt like the classes were huge and there was no personal interaction. Although, when you start getting into your major classes your teachers really do get to know you and even in those big lecture halls everyone always sits in the same places and still have great discussions.

So far the Academics at the U of A have proven to be very nice, and I have met a great deal of professors that I find interesting, intelligent, and overall awesome. I do have to say, however, that the gen-ed math department here is horrible. I've heard of one good math professor out of all the first and second year math courses.

My professors know my name, but don't show very much personal investment in my education. Neither do my advisors nor any other faculty at the school.

Professors do learn students names and they are very personable. they are very encouraging when it coems to coming in for office hours. my favorite class is spanish and my least favorite class is biology. studying depends on the students grade ad major. freshman dont tend to study as much as seniors do. students are competetive. the most unique class ive taken is music through experience. we play the guitar and recorder

Yes, I know my profs names. I know only some personally, but the others I'd rather not know. Education here is geared towards getting a degree. The Biology department is realistic in using it in laboratories or other applicable fields.

Luckily since I am an upper classmen my classes are smaller given me a better chance to know my professors and have them know me. My favorite class is my upper divison Englsih class where we are taught different methods of research. Every class we get an assignment to find this obscure documents through what we have learn. It's been compared to a non-stop scavenger hunt and I love every second of it.