Hi everyone - Thanks in advance for replying if you can! Can anyone comments, from personal experience, about the class size at Northeastern. Specifically, as a computer science or business major, are the classes going to be large lectures of 80+ students? If so, is that just for intro level classes? Any insight into class size is appreciated.
Second, my son is torn between business and computer science. does anyone have experience with either the combined major or double majoring in these two disciplines? Is it easier to do from one college or the other (He was admitted to the business school, but maybe he should switch into the other?).
Finally, if anyone can comment as to the quality of the computer science faculty and curriculum. My son is comparing to U. Maryland, College Park, which has a great comp sci department.
Again, thanks for any thoughts!
Northeastern CS student here: I’d absolutely recommend the program. Classes for CS tend to be around 50-100 for intro courses and then 25-50 for classes after. I was personally in a lecture of 50 for my intro course but there was plenty of interaction, questions, etc. There’s also tons of support, with daily office hours to get help with course material and homeworks all through the first year, with upper-level tutors available for 1 on 1 help in addition to TA’s for classes after.
I’m not personally combined but I know many that are. Generally, combined majors are always run out of one base college, but it doesn’t make much of a difference in the end - the classes and opportunities will be the same no matter what. Co-ops and classes are pretty open and accessible.
The faculty and teaching is absolutely amazing here, with an introductory approach specifically developed for helping build a base on problem-solving and design rather than learning. Here’s an essay that details the curriculum:
http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/matthias/Thoughts/Developing_Developers.html
The author of the essay and creator of the program alternates between teaching the first intro course, software development, and a few upper division electives.
I don’t have any direct experience with UMD but when I was looking at schools I eventually eliminated it before applying for various reasons. Their research and specifically cybersecurity program is amazing but their teaching seemed very standard from my personal research. I’m probably a bit biased though, as I prefer the approach mentioned in the essay and the language of choice for most classes at UMD works at a bit lower level than I think is helpful for beginners.
Business school classes max at 40 students. Advanced business classes may be smaller.
Thank you for the incredibly thoughtful and valuable reply, PengsPhils