University of California-Davis Top Questions

I haven't gotten close to most of the professors because I take mostly science and math classes and I haven't had very many good professors for those subjects. However, my Italian teacher knows who I am and a lot about me because it is a small class and this is my second quarter having him as a teacher. I think the academic requirements are definitely good and the expectations provide a very well rounded student.

the size of the classes i've taken range from a couple hundred to about 50. it's difficult for the professors to learn everyone's names because there are so many of us. and for the fact that our professors are researchers first and foremost (like any university), the quality of our educators here are not the best. however, there are a handful who are exceptional. my favorite classes would have to be Human Sexuality (HDE12), and Beer and Brewing (FST10?). these classes are fun, educational, and out of the box. like any group of students you find anywhere, there is great variety in study habits. some are always studying in the library, others the night before the exam, others utilize their time in between classes and read on the quad on a sunny day.

I am a civil engineering student and a lot of the classes in upper division is geared towards getting a job. A lot of professors teach and start by saying "When you get into industry..." In my major people go to office hours a lot. Its also a good time to work with your fellow classmates on the homework.

Initially classes are very large. My intro chem and bio were large lectures and if you're not a proactive student you will get left behind. That said, we always had discussions with TAs that by and large DO SPEAK ENGLISH and as you progress classes get much smaller. A lot of it is major dependent, so if you want small classes pick a rare major:) Students are smart and there is a good intellectual attitude to the campus. People discuss most taboo subjects easily and noon the beautiful quad is a great time to experience campus "hot topics" I encourage everyone to take some language classes while at Davis because the TAs are generally native speakers and you meet in a class of 15-20 students everyday. It's a great way to meet people. Professors always have office hours and GO TO THEM. you will succeed. I didn't figure this out until my senior year.

Engineering is one of the worst subject areas in Davis. People like Prof. Current really doesn't give a shit about students and they teach horribly. Most teachers are nice and try to teach but no one really knows how to teach well. They are smart, but what's the use of being a smart teacher, but can't teach anything well. I give them an A for trying and D for teaching ability. It is pretty much required that you have to go to Office Hours for help/kissing ass for recommendation.

All academics at UC Davis are up to par. It really just depends on the class though. If you are in a english or art class you are going to have maybe 30-40 kids in your class and the teacher will give you all the individual attention you want, but in a lower division science or math class you are looking at 300-400 students and the teacher will not know you. Teachers are highly aproachable though and all of them have office hours that you can attend to get some one on one time if thats your thing.

Like any school, there are good and bad professors, but I have found that this university really wants to see their students succeed. There is free tutoring offered for all students in math, science and english at Dutton Hall. In the residence halls there is also free tutoring every weeknight in these same subject areas. I have heard that at highly competitive schools students aren't willing to help each other in their studies, but at Davis I have found everyone I ask to be more than willing to take time to help me understand something or study together. All of the professors I have had really stress learning for learning's sake (not just memorizing to pass an exam). The professors seem to really care about our wellbeing beyond studyies as well. Some professors have even offered their office hours for students to come in a talk to them about whatever is on their mind--that was a huge surprise to me at this big university, but something that also means a lot!

My professors have gotten to know my name. If you're in the other majors in which there are thousands of you, definitely go to your professor's office hours. This will enable him to remember you and professors know that if you come to office hours you are trying to pass their class. UC Davis is a research university, so most of the professors don't teach their class. They have TAs - Teacher's Assistants. These are graduate students studying for their masters. However, the TAs and professors do have office hours. There are many ways for a student to get academic help as well. Since I'm a French major, the upper division classes are very small. You are expected to participate in discussion and read the material. UC Davis also has one of the biggest Internship & Career Center. They are there to help you get a job or internship that will help you in your career search.

Sociology is a great class. Math is not fun at all, but it would be that way in most schools. Students are competitive but it's easy to ignore that and do your own thing and still have fun. You can go either way at UC Davis. There are a lot of challenging classes you could take but it's not hard to do well if you try.

Classes at a big school can also be pretty mixed. I have really loved many of my courses, but this isn't the kind of school where a professor will give you a call or send an e-mail if you miss a class - it's on you to reach out and make a connection. I've found that professors are generally very helpful and caring, but the student needs to go to office hours or set up a meeting time, you probably won't make a good connection in a class, especially a large lecture hall. It can also take some work to make good connections with students in classes - freshman year I was disheartened by how many people on my floor didn't care about their classes, but my sophomore year people are more focused and you really start to recognize those students in your classes who are academically oriented.