<p>This is my first post so bear with me. My D is choosing between UCSB and Cal Poly. She wants to get her BS and than go on for a Masters in Forensic Science. We just did the Open House at Cal Poly but were unable toattend the one at Santa Barbara. D did visit SB during the week and liked it a lot.
Ok, the question that I have is does anynone know how the two programs compare? Cal Poly took us on a tour and show us all of the equipment that as undergrads these kids get to actually use on regular basis. Cal Poly's whole motto is "Learn by doing" which I can see as being very valuable. I think that most people learn better when they get to do hands on. Anyway, does any one know if SB Chemistry Undergrads get to use the actual equipment that is available or do only a select few get that opportunity? </p>
<p>My D really felt good when she was at SB and I think that if Cal Poly wasn't in the picture she would definitely choose SB. I just want to make sure that she has all of the facts. Thanks for any imput!</p>
<p>I appreciate your response. I am aware that there are Noble Laureates at UCSB which is awesome. What I am trying to find out something about the undergraduate experience. Do undergrads get to work on any and all of the expensive diagnostic equipment or do only the TAs, Grad Students, and Professors have that opportunity? When we did the tour of Cal Poly they kept pointing out how they got to work on this MRI machine and all of the other equipment and they would say that this opportunity would not be available to an undergrad at a UC school.</p>
<p>Now I know that when you go to an open house at any school they are putting their best foot forward because they want you to decide to choose their school. With that in mind, I don't want to automatically just accept everything that was said. So are you a Chem Major or do you know any Chem Major at UCSB?</p>
<p>I am a freshman biochem major at UCSB. From what I know, I don't think that we get to work on any of that type of expensive equipment as an undergrad. Our labs usually entail the standard equipment, bunsen burners and the like. However, there is always the option to work with that kind of equipment when you participate in a study with a professor.</p>
<p>falkster, Do you feel that you have access to the Professors? Are they required to have regular office hours? Do you think that you have the opportunity to get to know your teachers and that they get to know you?</p>
<p>You definitely have access to the teachers. They all stick around and answer questions after class and they all have regular office hours. The teachers that I have talked to remember me and have all been very helpful. And thats surprising seeing as how all the classes that I have met the teachers in have been in classes of over 400 people.</p>
<p>Falkster, you are being so helpful! Thanks! The classes with the 400 people, are these your General Biochemistry/Chemistry classes. Do these than break down into smaller groups lead by a TA for doing labwork?</p>
<p>You generally have your general chem class either 2 or 3 times a week, depending on the schedule that you pick. Then, once a week, you have your general chem lab that, at Santa Barbara, meets for three hours where you actually use the concpets that you have learned earlier on in the week. That is how it is for all of your large classes at UCSB. If you have a large class, with some exceptions, you have the class during the week and then meet once a week with your TA to cover the topics of the class a little more in depth.</p>
<p>I was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me.
For a little background, I'm a transfer student and was accepted into the Biochemistry major from the Chemistry department. I want to enter pharmacology (I know they offer a major for it, but I figure if I change my mind a Biochem major will give me more wiggle room later in life) so research and internship opportunities are a big factor for me.</p>
<p>I was wondering whether I'll be at a disadvantage if I try to get a research position (either with faculty or on my own) if I'm not in CCS. Does the College of Creative Studies provide such a large benefit that I should stress over the fact that I didn't apply for it?</p>
<p>I was also wondering if you could give me an estimate of how many people majoring in the sciences are able to do research or internships? When I went to the Spring Insight thing they really seemed to be pushing the fact that undergraduates can do research with faculty, but no numbers were given. I'd just like to know if it's one of things that reserved for the top 1% or if it's moderately common. Davis claims that around 2/3 of their student body take internship positions in their field, and I'm really hoping SB can compare.</p>
<p>And Momof3Ds, I'm sorry if you feel I'm hijacking your thread.</p>
<p>Name- I'm not in the College of Creative Studies and I didn't apply for it either. I may in the future but I'm not sure yet. I am in the Health professions club and I get emails from them all the time talking about research opportunities and internships. They aren't designated necessarily for the top people, but they usually are for the older students (third and fourth year students) but it definitely is not uncommon for a lower classmen to work with a professor. I'm not sure of the actual percentage of people that do it.
I wouldn't worry about not being in the CCS being a disadvantage for you. They take people from all over for their opportunities.</p>
<p>My D has sent in her SIR and will be attending UCSB. Thanks to falkster and Wellendowed for the input. I just wanted to bring a conclusion to this thread regarding D's decision. Now we have to figure out
housing! : )</p>
<p>Congratulations on your D choosing UCSB! I'm sure she will have a great college life here at UCSB. Just let her know that whether she's the introvert or the extrovert type she'll fit in here just like the rest. I only have praises for UCSB. One of them is how students are very accepting and friendly to newcomers. Hurray future Gaucho Mom!!</p>
<p>Does anybody know where I can locate practice tests or old tests for chem 142a (biochem), chem 150 (analytical chem), or chem 112a (biophysical). Thanks!</p>
<p>Hold up… I am a senior Chem major (former Biochem major), & for the more general science classes (chem,bio, especially physics), the labs are a little budget. But thats because everyone needs to learn the basic stuff first. After all the general pre-major classes, the labs get pretty intense. Basically, the biochem lab is designed to prepare a student to go straight into the industry if they wanted after they graduate, it is SUPER demanding. I dropped the biochem major soley on the fact that the lab took away too much time from my other classes (biochemistry, biophysical chemistry, & Analytical chemistry). To this day, the people i see still in the lab look like absolute ***** every day, always falling asleep in class, dark shadows under their eyes, & just plain depressed. </p>
<p>You will get to use pretty amazing equipment even as an undergrad, even more so as a grad student. But if you want to use the “state of the art” crap, then get an internship in that area & you will be able to use multimillion dollar machines you only hear about (my buddys making graphene & plasmas using some of the craziest things ive ever seen).</p>
<p>Basically, dont get excited over an MRI machine.</p>
<p>P.S get an internship early, try a few of them, because you might not have so much time to have them as you enter your upper division classes, the work load is heavy. </p>