University of Maryland-Baltimore County Top Questions

Academics are very good at UMBC. Classes can be very challenigng. There are definitley some professors to stay away from, especially in the Chem dept. you know those that have to curve a full letter grade in itro chem classes... Most professors try to learn your name I know a lot of mine have even in some larger lecture halls. Participation in classes is done in the for of CPS or 'clicker' questions. (it's a little remote pad that lets you answer multiple choice questions during lecture) Often you will hear students having intellectual conversations outside of classrooms it's your choice to get involved or not. The students can be extremely competitve especially in those science majors.

Academic is rigorous at UMBC. Everyone attending UMBC including the undergraduates, graduates, professors and staff are all dedicated to providing an excellent education. There are so many opportunities for internships and research (for which UMBC is well known). If you are really dedicated in and outside of class to what you study, there are endless opportunities for you at UMBC.

The campus focuses mainly on the sciences and the arts seem to get short handed much of the time. Being a biology or chemistry major is hard on campus because you are in the majority and are lost in the sea of all the others. I am squeaking by easily in the English major, not too pressured by campus life in succeeding there.

Proffessors at UMBC MAKE the school. The physics department in particular works very well, because of its small size. You get to know the professors on a personal level if you make the effort (i.e. meet with them outside of class, etc.) because they are very available, but the classes are not too small that the professors breath down your neck for you to get the work done. Perfect balance between support and free reins. The history and political science faculty are particularly amazing. Though UMBC gets more recognition as a science school, the faculty in these departments are balanced, progressive, and GENUINELY interested in what they are teaching. EVERY professor I have taken in ANY department (except many I've had in the math department) have been extremely open & inviting, interested my individual work, and extremely available for help. The academic requirements for UMBC aren't difficult to get, and for most people it's fun because there are so many interesting and well-run classes in other departments that you can take to fill your requirement. The only real issue I have with the requirements is a caveat you will meet if you plan to pursue two majors. To graduate, you need a minimum of 120 credits, though many people graduate with more. If you pursue two majors and make between 120-150 credits, you get ONE degree, and one lame certificate thing that isn't really a degree, it just states that you finished the work for another major. In order to get TWO degrees (which you deserve after completing all the work required for two majors) you need to have at least 150 credits. This of course, is complete crap, because there are no requirements for the last 30 credits, you could take the most meaningless courses on campus to fulfill those credits, but they make you take them to get two degrees. Basically they just want your money even if you can get two majors done in under 150 credits.

As a member of the new Media and Communications major at UMBC I am proud to say that we offer a huge diversity of majors, minors, and certificates and UMBC. Class sizes at UMBC are small and very involved, professors attempt to learn all their students names and always encourge students to email questions. Office hours are also required by all the teachers. My favorite class would have to be between Professor Hummel's Television in American History and Professor Snyders Video Games and American Culture class, both classes were exciting and interesting to participate in and I really learned a lot. Most students try and study about 2-3 hours a day and take the weekend off unless its finals week. I love all my professors in the Media and Communications department and find it fun when we meet outside of classes and are able to talk about media in a social friendly manner. UMBC requires a lot of their students but it's doable if you choose to simply do a major and minor. For me I'm doing a double major and a education certificate so five years here at UMBC looks likely. The Shriver Center on campus helps students find jobs and internships, and we have several very larger job fairs come to campus each semester so when you graduate many students have jobs.

The classes are, for the most part, pretty small. All my professors know my name. As a music major, i know almost all of the other music majors, and we routinely study and practice together. I fell a part of a family, though i think sometimes the music professors could be a little harder on us.

Once you get into upper level classes, they become smaller and all my professors but one knew my name this semester. The classes are hard, but very doable and provide one with an execellent education. UMBC students definitely have intellectual conversations outside of class, since one of the main reasons people attend UMBC is for academic reasons. Learning is geared both towards learning for its own sake and towards getting a job depending on what classes one decides to take.

Some professors will know you by name, others won't or just don't care to. Classes aren't entirely challenging intellectually. Professors won't go too far out of their way to help you. Most of the classes seem geared toward getting a job as opposed to the pursuit of knowledge.

I have had a successful semester but I was challenged. There were a good amount of projects and papers with clear expectations from my professors. While I was challenged, I rarely felt frustrated. Even in a class I struggled in (dreaded science) that I felt for a survey class was pretty intense I still proved successful. Luckily, I had an hour or so every day between classes to study or work on upcoming assignments and it was put to good use. Few people I think would be able to get away with not doing the readings, and applying themselves. Class participation is a must. Even in my largest class with over a hundred students the individual student could be and was encouraged to be heard. The requirements for graduation are straight forward and the ability to utilize advisors that really are invested in the success of their advisees is a plus. The great thing about my advisor for one thing is that not only was she able to give advice on what classes I need but also the availability of some courses so I can plan ahead. She even helped me to change my minor so that I could meet my personal goal of graduating on time while working. In my major my education is to build a competent social work generalist, but it is also to ground me in enough theory and history in the profession so that I can understand my place in the work and my responsibility to affect change. It's aimed at yes, making sure I have the tools to break into the profession and grow within but there is also opportunity to explore the various issues and perhaps even research topics for personal etification and perhaps even publication.

Professors know your name, even in lecture classes, if you speak up or have to contact the professor about something. One of my favorite classes was a history 101 class because the professor was so engaging. My least favorite class was a humanities forum where there was supposed to be discussion, but instead the professor lectured the whole time. In every class there are always 1 or 2 people who speak up a lot, a few who speak up occasionally, and several who never speak up unless called upon. In my experience, most students are not competetive, we're all trying to survive college together. The most unique class I've taken was a humanities forum on the Philosophy of Love. That was great, but it was only available to humanities scholars. The English department is good. I'm a humanities scholar, and we have a great advisor. I don't spend time with professors outside of class, but I know they are available. UMBC's academic requirements seems to be fitting.