<p>A worry that I have about UVA is the accessibility of the professors. Granted, I don't expect someone like Larry Sabato to be sitting around during office hours waiting for some lonesome soul to drop by, but are professors open to student inquiries and do profs have the time to get to know students? How intimate are those interactions? In addition, once one moves beyond the introductory/survey courses, do the class sizes decrease dramatically? Are any classes taught by TAs?</p>
<p>i second this question :)</p>
<p>Well I'm currently a first year and all of my professors thus far have eagerly encouraged students to talk to them during office hours (even if it had nothing to do with the course!). And yes, many intro classes are large but I've had quite a few small classes my first and second semester; like intro economics 30 students, writing 12-15 students, seminar 20 students, human biology 40 students. Also as you get into your major class size decreases.</p>
<p>Yea, professors are generally more accessible than I thought they would be. UVA is a public school, but it avoids a lot of the shortfalls of the typical public school (or lower ranked private schools, i guess.)</p>
<p>you'll find most 100 and 200 level intro classes will be fairly large if you take them with a professor. Those classes generally break down into small sections with either the professor or a T.A. once a week - usually between 15-20 students a section. for some classes - like econ 201/201 (micro/macro) you can take them with a t.a. only and you'll be in a class of about 30 or so students.</p>
<p>I've found, especially in the history department, professors practically beg students to come to their office hours. I will say I don't go often, but when I do go, I'm always happy to find I never have to talk about the class if I don't want to. Of course they can answer any questions you may have, but its getting to know them on a personal level which makes for class being all the more interesting.</p>
<p>As you get to upper level classes, 300 - and definately 400, the class size drops dramaticly - and is only taught by professors.</p>
<p>Small classes for first years will include enwr - a writing class - usually about 15 or so students, and a usem, which caps at 20. Also, if you venture to the smaller departments, like music or classics, you'll find you can take very small classes with professors.</p>
<p>"Granted, I don't expect someone like Larry Sabato to be sitting around during office hours waiting for some lonesome soul to drop by"</p>
<p>Heh, you'll be surprised how accessible even popular professors are. For example, if you're willing you can easily talk to Larry Sabato as he takes an hour after each class speaking with students and discussing further what was talked about in class or just general political events. He also always responds to emails whether it's a class question or you're debating the death penalty with him. Other popular professors like Elizinga spend hours at a time talking to students once or twice a week (though you have to haul up Ivy road to talk to Elizinga.. he does offer free cookies and Pepsi, though). It shouldn't really be a problem at all to get to know most professors.</p>
<p>When it is asserted that class size for majors drops dramatically, are we talking fewer than 20 students? Fewer than 15?</p>
<p>Not that small, but no larger than around 50 students. Some seminars will be in the 10 person range, particularly if you are pursuing a distinguished major.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any experience with the Political Philosophy, Policy and Law major?</p>
<p>the size of upper level classes depends on your major. Large majors like econ will have large upper level classes - 30 to 50 students.</p>
<p>400 level history seminars are about 8 or 10 students.</p>
<p>Generally the smaller the major - the smaller the classes.</p>
<p>To add my 2cents about the major class sizes.... as jags mentioned it varies greatly based on the major. I can give a couple of examples.</p>
<p>Math dept:
Intro classes (100-200) are roughly 40 people. Slightly higher introductory stuff (300s, math 400s are practically non-existent) is around 30. 500s (they are still noticably undergraduate in math case, but they are listed in both graduate and undergraduate records) are around 20. Of course exceptions exist. For instance, there are a few 300 sections which may have around 15 people in them, or there are some 500s which have around 5 students enrolled.</p>
<p>CS department:
101 is 400 students. Other 100-200s are typically around 100. 300s around 70. 400s vary around 30-50.</p>
<p>In either case, you can just check out the course offering directory for what the sizes are like in your particular area of interest. <a href="http://etg08.itc.virginia.edu/cod.pages/20061/cod.html%5B/url%5D">http://etg08.itc.virginia.edu/cod.pages/20061/cod.html</a> for the current spring semester. Notice the enrollment column is allowed/actually in there (a little bit counter-intuitive at first).</p>
<p>"Does anyone have any experience with the Political Philosophy, Policy and Law major?"</p>
<p>This is a specific major that you have to apply to. You'll probably want to find out more information on it separately if you come here- but it's not like just any other major being discussed here.</p>
<p>Could you be a little more specific as to why it isn't like any major that is being discussed? Generally, is it considered a solid major or is it something people avoid on account of requirements/regulations/lack of advising?</p>
<p>how did you guys hear that you need special permission to enter into the political philosophy program??</p>