University of Colorado Boulder Top Questions

CU Boulder academics are very challenging. The graduate program in Environmental Engineering that I am in is ranked 13th overall among public universities.

The academics at CU Boulder can be described as an ajar door: students can either wait outside it (even all four years) or they can proactively enter through the doors. I personally have chosen to enter those doors, so professors know my name, I participate in class, and attend office hours with my professors and TA’s. There are always a handful of students that display motivation similar to mine in classes, but for the majority of students, showing up to class is about the extent of their effort. My classes are not competitive at all, and teachers do an excellent job of negating any competition that could arise by keeping grades completely secret. This is key for my learning experience; I have enough pressure to do well, I don’t need it from my peers around me. The most interesting class I’ve had has been African Dance, because dancing is a joyous and passionate activity to take part in. The Women’s and Gender Studies department fosters a great sense of community, hosting socials, lectures and workshops, as well as offering counseling, scholarships, and a place to study or just converse. Curriculum is definitely focused on learning itself, not vocational training (although I’m sure this standard would be different in other departments.) The academic rigor of the institution is decidedly lower than I assumed it would be (much more emphasis on consuming rather than producing), but in spite of these reduced expectations, I find students carrying out intellectual conversations every single day, which is wonderful to be submersed in.

Generally, professors are all fine. They are willing to share their opinions with you. They would like to answer your questions. My favoriate class is environmental science class and pyschology class. The class I do not like is the BCOR2300 management class.

Most of my professors know my name because I make it a point to meet them and give them a little information about me. This communication really helps when i'm having trouble on certain topics because I can go to their office hours and they will help me. My favorite class this year is an Engineering elective called Intro to Humanities. We discuss the origins and analyze greek literature. My least favorite class is Calculus 3, not because of the material just the homework. There is a tremendous amount of homework and Calc 3 touches on some extremely complicating and complex subjects which I enjoy because I've always liked a challenge. If the homework load was decreased, It would be one of my favorite classes. Engineering students study, do homework, and have intellectual conversations every day. I'm majoring in Engineering Physics and considering a 5 year masters program. This school has fairly tough academic requirements but, I didn't have to worry I had a 4.5 at my high school. There are certain classes that are geared toward getting jobs and all classes try to apply teaching to real life situations. Calculus 3 is a class of learning for its own sake but that is normal of most math classes.

Overall, I like the academics here, although I wish some of the classes were smaller. My classes range in size from 6 people to 500. I really enjoy my small classes because I like to get to know my professors. I like classes that require me to participate in class. It is harder to concentrate when the classes are really large, but there are always opportunities to get help outside of class if you need it. The professors are available for office hours and most of the TAs are very competent and always willing to help. There are a lot of core requirement classes that most students would rather not take (it's like that in almost every university) but I am really enjoying my major. I would recommend coming to this school with your options open because this is a large school and therefore there are a lot of opportunities. I started off as a psychology major but I switched my major to spanish at the beginning of my junior year and some of the require psychology classes brought my GPA down. I would suggest getting a feel for your classes before getting stuck in a major, but if you know what you want then go for it!

Overall, I like the academics here, although I wish some of the classes were smaller. My classes range in size from 6 people to 500. I really enjoy my small classes because I like to get to know my professors. I like classes that require me to participate in class. It is harder to concentrate when the classes are really large, but there are always opportunities to get help outside of class if you need it. The professors are available for office hours and most of the TAs are very competent and always willing to help. There are a lot of core requirement classes that most students would rather not take (it's like that in almost every university) but I am really enjoying my major. I would recommend coming to this school with your options open because this is a large school and therefore there are a lot of opportunities. I started off as a psychology major but I switched my major to spanish at the beginning of my junior year and some of the require psychology classes brought my GPA down. I would suggest getting a feel for your classes before getting stuck in a major, but if you know what you want then go for it!

CU is definitely a great university to study at. In my experience with studying, I have definitely found that students are serious about their academics at the university. Whether it is visiting professors in office hours or getting together with fellow students to form a study group, it is very easy to succeed at CU. I also find that class participation is an integral part of an individuals development in their respective classes. Whether it is answering a question that has been asked or posing a question to the class, speaking up is always a huge help when it comes to meeting your goals and getting great grades. I encourage any student coming to CU to seek out and develop relationships with their professors and other students in their classes to ensure the best success possible!

The professors are very passionate about what they teach and there are a wide variety of classes.. You will get out from a class, what you put in. Professors expect a lot from the students, because they know we are capable. Professors make themselves widely available to students outside of class. Tutoring is easily accessible, particularly for Freshman.

CU has a very strong academic program and requires a lot from its students. Core requirements are very comprehensive and range from natural sciences, to mathematics, to geography, to English and writing composition. Because of this, my schedule has been diverse and changes drastically from semester to semester. I am a communications major. Many of the lower division classes are taught by graduate candidates rather than professors so they are often younger, less egotistical, and more willing to help you outside of class time. I was surprised when I first came to CU by how much students actually study. The library is always full of students working on projects, studying, and hanging out.

At first, the atmosphere in classes is hushed and unfriendly, but this soon fades away as students branch out and get to know others. The quicker you meet the students in your class, the more fun it will be.