<p>Well Math 32(L) (Calc 2) is the most failed class at Duke, but my roommate came through ok. I don't know from experience how it was or anything though. I've heard if you can start in Math 103 (Calc 3), which you can do with a 4 or 5 on BC, you should. Of course I can't really comment too much because I haven't taken a Math yet (which is kind of dumb because I'm a math major...whoops) </p>
<p>The first semester of Gen Chem (21L) wasn't too terribly bad. With that it kind of depends on your Chemistry background. I hadn't taken a single science class since my sophomore year of high school and at first I started out pretty rocky but in the end did decent. The tests weren't too terribly difficult. Don't get me wrong...I had to work my butt off more than I ever have for anything before...but it's doable.</p>
<p>I don't know too much about lit/humanities. I was in freshman econ...bad experience...enough said. lol.</p>
<p>I took Math 32 my first semester which is like Introductory Calculus II. It is soo hard, at least for me it was. It took me a while to get the new material. People have said it's the most failed course at duke. I really really had to work to get my B+. However, I hear Math 103 is just, if not more difficult, so...I guess you can't win with Duke math. haha.</p>
<p>I took Math 32 and I thought that I knew the stuff really well when I signed up. I got a 5 on Calc BC in high school and thought the class would be a joke. It wasn't. The final is very tricky and the curve is not the nicest. I wasn't shocked to hear it's the most failed class.
Like loveduke22 said, Math 103 is difficult as well. They're the two math classes you better stay on top of.</p>
<p>I'm a Chem major and I took Orgo freshman year. Chem 151 for freshmen is a difficult class with a talented group of students, but in the end the curve is very nice. There are good professors for both Chem 151 and 152. The curve is not the greatest and there's a lot of information but if you're on top of the work you'll learn to enjoy the material.</p>
<p>I took Physics 62 (E&M) this semester and I was basically the only non-engineer in the class. It was boring at times (especially recitations) but all of the notes are powerpoints put online and the final was surprisingly easy.</p>
<p>I am not really a pessimistic person, but the sciences and math at Duke are for the most part demanding. They are also for the most part interesting. Just don't fall behind and don't feel that you know the material because you took it in high school. Duke Courses>>>>>>>>>AP Courses</p>
<p>My school does not offer Calc BC, so I took AB jr. year, got a 5, and am now taking statistics (boo. no credit at duke.) I'm planning on going into 32, but I feel slightly distressed that it's been so long since I took calculus...I don't remember anything, though it just takes a reminder for me to get it, generally. Is this going to be a problem? It would be silly for me to do 31, so is there anything I can really do to prepare? I'm going to try and borrow a 31 book to review over the summer, and possibly a 32 one to go ahead and look over the material.</p>
<p>I was in Math 31 Fall of Freshman year, and I found it to be fairly easy, although I bombed the first test and had to dig my way out of that hole the entire semester. You could look at a 31 textbook I guess, but we really didn't use our book at all except for some practice problems. We didn't even cover alot of the chapters, just kinda skipped around. What you could do is enroll in a 32 class and drop down to 31 during drop/add, that's what I would suggest. On that note though, this thread was more about non-academic life at Duke, let's try to keep on topic.</p>
<p>Novah, sounds like you're a fit for Math 41. It goes over 31 quickly and jumps into the 32 cirriculum. I believe Math 41 and 32 take the same final.</p>
<p>Actually, this course can either be a pleasant experience or your worst nightmare depending upon your professor. The course is graded on a normalized curve and test diffulculty and 'harshness' in grading varies among professors. I felt like I was flat out getting a C or lower in this class and was relieved to find out I pulled off a B+. This class is curved tremendiously at the end (I think around 80% get a B or higher..so I hear). If your an engineer, physics/math/economics major...be prepared to work reeeeally hard and feel reeeealy stupid in math. But if you stay on top of the work and go to office hours and put in the time, you should do fine. But I still dislike multivariable calc :)</p>
<p>Chem21L</p>
<p>Fairly easy course in a large lecture style format. If you just read the book and do the practice tests and quizzes, it is easy to pull off an A. Labs are ridiciously easy and don't take the entire 4 hours blocked into your schedule (the longest I stayed was 2.5 hours tops).</p>
<p>EGR53</p>
<p>Intro. computer programming course for all engineers. This class is hard at first if you have no programming experience, but the prof. is great and teaches you everything you need to know. The weekly labs are tedious and a bit challenging, but going to office hours and asking questions makes them doable. Tests can be tricky too at times, but the labs bring up your grade a lot. Recitiation is boring...but all recitations for any subject usually are (the nice part was that they weren't graded).</p>
<p>Music 56</p>
<p>If you want an easy A, this is it. Basically, we just sat in a circle and talked about writing chords, with the occassional 'talk about what music you like and how this is applied.' No tests/quizzes, just do the homework which took all of 30 minutes tops a week (which isn't graded either). The final exam: Write a song that sounds good and play it. Everyone got an A. Depite its easiness, it was actually interesting and the prof. was awesome. If you want something more theortically based with part writing rules etc, take 65 or higher.</p>
<p>So this is my first semester review of my classes at Duke. Hope this helps you guys in some way.</p>
<p>my math 103 experience was pretty bad.. my professor spoke poor english, and my class average was 6% lower than the departmental average on the final exam.</p>
<p>i scored 13% better than my class average on the final and still got a B+ (missed an A by 1% on the final exam), while another class gave As at the average score.</p>
<p>its not really a fair set up, so do some reading about professors before hand, make sure they speak english well..</p>
<p>Great thread, got a few more questions which I think will be helpful to all the new Blue Devils.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I live in Southern California. The weather is, well lets just say perfect. Rarely rains, and when its cold (60 degreeish), usually a simple sweatshirt will suffice. That being said, can someone tell me how the weather is at Duke (I visited in August and it was insanely hot) and what kind of clothing do I need to bring. (how often it rains, snows, how cold it gets, different weather at different parts of yr, etc). </p></li>
<li><p>Which cell phone service has the best reception: T-Mobile, Cingular, or Verizon?</p></li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li><p>I'm from New York and the weather's a big improvement. My friends from Southern California have complained that is a little on the cold side at times, and I just role my eyes at them. Someone else will probably go into more depth about this, but Carolina weather is awesome to me.</p></li>
<li><p>Verizon, hands down.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Sprint has pretty good service too if anyone had any questions about that. </p>
<p>Carolina weather might prove to be a bit different than Southern California weather...but it just takes getting used to. This fall the weather was actually AMAZING though, so who knows. It's pretty hot for the first few weeks of school, but after that it's generally around 70s, 80s for a little while. North Carolina also has a few weeks where like, it will be cold (50ish) for a few days but than warm up again to the point where you can walk around in jeans and a tshirt. It's really weird sometimes. The last few weeks of classes it was pretty chilly, but nothing too drastic. No snow or anything.</p>
<p>Jan-May, in my opinion, is just like fall semester in reverse. The first few weeks are usually the coldest months in NC, but it really just depends on the year. Sometimes it will snow, but never too much...it usually just ices. Either that or they say it's going to be the snow storm of the year and we get freezing rain and then its over and done with. For the most part it's 40s and 50s for a bit. It does warm up pretty quicky and does the warm-cold thing for awhile, then eventually it will just stay warm. Spring is AMAZING here. love love love! By the beginning of May is isn't TOO hot yet, but it can be.</p>
<p>That's just my opinion on Carolina weather...I'm kind of used to things so whats cold for me might not be cold for some people or might be even colder for others...lol.</p>
<p>It doesn't rain too much here...but when it does it drags on for like, the entire day or even a few days and is just a hassle. BUT that doesn't happen often...especially this year. The weather this year was exceptionally amazing, so let's hope it stays!</p>
<p>Ok, I know this is a strange question, but I have to ask -
since my closest experience with rain has been, well, my daily shower,
what do people wear in the rain? Boots/raincoats/or just umbrellas? (I realize you can't wear one, but...)</p>
<p>It just depends really. Since "rainboots" are technically in right now you see some people wearing boots. I usually just throw on some tennis shoes, a hoodie, and bring my umbrella.</p>
<p>I just think an umbrella is the easiest, especially if you have to walk to science dr. or something.</p>
<p>Yea, women usually wear rainboots, guys usually just wear regular shoes and waterproof jackets. Surpisingly few guys use umbrellas, im not sure why, but I do. Beware (especially on East Campus) of the Quad-Muck. During heavy rains, the quads sometimes flood. You can go from soggy ground to ankle deep mud in one step, and that can be unpleasant. Use the asphalt.</p>
<p>I have a somewhat silly question. Ok. So when do they stop serving breakfast roundabouts in the student cafeteria places w/ the Duke "D" waffles? And/or can you get said awesome waffles at the diner on campus?</p>
<p>
[quote]
So it is possible to have a nice room in Randolph or Blackwell, and I've seen a lot of nice ones around the dorm - but lofting is pretty much necessary if you want to fit comfortably.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Just dropping in to offer my $.02 in disagreement. I live in Randolph and neither my roommate nor I lofted. Until the room gets really messy, we're fine in regards to space. If you do loft, make sure to replace the bed with a couch or something because one of the most annoying things about lofted rooms is the fact that you lose the sit-space that the beds offer.</p>
<p>Breakfast ends at 11 M-F. Then brunch on the weekends is 10-2 I think. Sometimes you can get waffles at dinner too which I love because I don't go to breakfast...lol.</p>
<p>Ricks Diner has some pretty good Belgium waffles, 24/7 too! yay!</p>