University of Maryland-Baltimore County Top Questions

At UMBC the grading is very hard if you are not use to it. The professors teach as if you are at an Ivy League University. There is a lot of studying required in order to pass your classes at UMBC. The library is always packed because students are studying of all of their classes. The professors give work as if you only have their class to take for the entire semester.

There are not that many "easy A" classes, especially in the sciences. You definitely have to work for your grades, no matter what your major is. Some professors make classes much more difficult than they need to be. Students work hard, but are often willing to help each other. There is a lot of tutoring available for freshman and sophomore classes.

The academics at my school are based on the sciences and engineering. As a media and communications major I get to see a different side of it and in my experiences, a little over half of the professors will know your name. Many times class participation is a requirement and the students are very competitive. But even with the competition, students help each other in and out of class and you can even get extra help from professors during their office hours.

The academics at my school are based on the sciences and engineering. As a media and communications major I get to see a different side of it and in my experiences, a little over half of the professors will know your name. Many times class participation is a requirement and the students are very competitive. But even with the competition, students help each other in and out of class and you can even get extra help from professors during their office hours.

Most professors do know your name, unless you are in big lecture classes. My favorite class was Cultural Anthropology 211, it was very fun and informative. My least favorite was Econ 101, I just never understood anything. Students study, however not all the time, that's why you are never pressured too hard but relaxed by the school atmosphere. Class participation is common. UMBC students do have intellectual conversations, people mix in groups of different academic and ethnic backgrounds. Students are not that competitive, but more about "working together." I do go visit some of the professors that have helped me out.

UMBC's Professors are awesome. When I was trying to figure out what college to go to, 'hospitality of professors' was not high on my list of what was important, for I had heard the horror stories of how professors at most universities are, and I assumed all professors were lecturers who didn't really care about their students but just taught the material and then expected you to do your job as a student. At UMBC, professors are not so cold and unattached to their students. I've been in classes of 100 students where the professor knew everyone's name, and this was amazing to me. For the most part, the professors are friendly and care about their students. There are many professors who are willing to get to know their students in and out of academics. In fact, on quite a few occasions I've spoken or emailed with professors about random things that had nothing to do with the class. Alternately, professors are always willing to help if you are having problems with a class as well.

Academics at UMBC are tough. Professors are hit or miss. Some are great, some are god awful! Ratemyprofessor.com is a great tool for our school. The teachers for the most part get to know your name and if you go to their office they for sure will remember you. Participation is a major part of most classes, even large lecture classes. UMBC offers a wide variety of classes, we have a facebook class! Overall sometimes I dread class but it's only because of the few very weak professors.

Students are very competitve. Most of the professors are fair and helpful but there are a few that don't deserve to teach. My favorite class so far was Abnormal Psych with Dr. Resta.

Professors at UMBC are required to do research, this means that there are a ton of opportunities to get to know more about what your teachers are interested in. I’ve really had great professors at this school (although I’ve never had the computer science professors; I’ve heard bad things) For the most part, all my classes were great, with interesting material and enthusiastic professors.

Most of my professors have been very helpful and taught at the pace of the class. However, a lot of professors are part time or not fully tenured, so do not expect to become familiar with your entire department quickly. People who come here tend to be either highly intelligent or average, so there is a lot of variation in class stimulation. One thing that is very advantageous is that the school tailors the curriculum of its programs to the demands of the local economy. For example, a new certificate was recently added which combines accounting and information systems. It was added specifically because there are a lot of jobs for people with those qualifications. For the most part, the focus of the classes is to help you get hired after you graduate.