<p>Hi,</p>
<p>Can Harvard students and alumni give me some inside information on the best professors to take courses from? I'm a biochemistry/music double major, but I'd love recommendations for courses/professors in other subjects. Also, which Freshman Seminars have people especially enjoyed? I understand this is a personal preference, but any help for an entering freshman is greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>I'm so glad you asked! I recommend John Parker for English (Shakespearean Genres give you lit and arts A credit as well), Judith Murciano for Expos (censorship and freedom of expression), Steve Rosen for Gov (also teaches historial study A-12, which I'm planning to take even though I don't need it), Mike Smith and the coursestaff for Computer Science 50, Dan Wegner for Psychology (I don't think he's teaching Psych 15 this year, but do take it from him when you get the chance).</p>
<p>Also check out (once you get your HUID and PIN)
<a href="http://www.fas.harvard.edu/%7Ecueguide%5B/url%5D">http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~cueguide</a></p>
<p>By the way, how are you planning on doing a joint in biochem and music? Not to say that it's impossible, but gosh, it would be hard, I think, to write a thesis combining the two.</p>
<p>Professor John Stauffer is also awesome. I took 2 classes with him, The 19th Century American Novel (English 17x), and American Protest Literature: From Tom Paine to Tupac (Lit & Arts A-86), and really enjoyed them both. He's a very engaging, funny and interesting lecturer, and shares a lot of his personal experiences and thoughts, so you'll never be bored in lecture. Also he chooses great reading lists. :)</p>
<p>Many thanks for your replies! Which freshman seminars did you take, I'm just wondering? Phoenixy, I'm hoping to last through the new Harvard/NEC joint degree program. It's a 5 year deal where you get a B.A. in something at Harvard and an M.A. in music at NEC. Of course, it can be all just wishful thinking since I'm sure it'll be a load of work.</p>
<p>Anne Harrington's courses in History of Science are wonderful. I also loved Marjorie Garber's Shakespeare Core (I hear her course on Austen is great too), and anything with Robert Kirschner (physics/astronomy).</p>
<p>If you're in biochem, you may not need it for a Core, but Sex, with Marc Hauser, is a lot of fun and very enlightening, with a pretty light workload.</p>
<p>It may be tough to squeeze in, but if you have time to take a language, particularly an Asian language, DO IT. It's worth the time commitment; it will absolutely rock your world. Matsumura-Sensei and the entire staff in the Japanese language department are some of the best teachers you'll ever have.</p>
<p>How are the Chinese teachers at Harvard?</p>
<p>I have heard nothing but stellar reviews about the instructors in every Asian language. Same goes for the accelerated European languages.</p>
<p>I have heard a lot about Math 55 at Harvard.</p>
<p>What's the subject for Math 55?</p>
<p>Hanna, did you take Madness and Medicine? (I enjoyed the class, and the final was super-easy, but I didn't like my TF that much and there was a "section kid" in my section.)</p>
<p>I took Hamlet and Ulysses for my freshman seminar. It was good, but not stellar. I think I just don't have the attention span for a seminar.</p>
<p>ohh, I'm going to apply for a science seminar. I thought you could do one in the spring too?</p>
<p>Yep, I did take "M&M," and had a terrific TF and a great section. Funny how that works out sometimes.</p>
<p>I'm also kind of paranoid about all the placement exams we have to take. Did anyone study for them before hand? Is it really difficult?</p>
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<p>Well, it's a multivariable calculus and linear algebra class but very theoretical. I heard it attracts a lot of former IMO participants.</p>
<p>The placement exams aren't binding, so there isn't really any reason to stress about them or study. They just suggest what level of math or language you should go into. (I think the expos one might be binding...not sure on that. But not that many people who speak English as a first language fail it.)</p>
<p>Ohh, I see. For the expos, are we tested on writing essays and/or grammar? Also, I heard there are many sub-categories for expos. Do we choose those?</p>
<p>The expos placement test is just writing a persuasive essay in a blue book, exam-style. (When I took it, you had to argue a stance on some classic ethics question.) I believe they're mostly evaluated on grammar and coherency. As for choice, you rank your top eight expos sections and then you're placed in one of them.</p>
<p>If you're interested in extracurriculars in music, particularly choral music, I highly recommend auditioning for one of the Holden Choirs. The director, Jameson Marvin, is absolutely insane.</p>