<p>I love the idea of a core, because even though I'm planning pre-med, I love english and human geography and feel that being all around proficient in many subjects is beneficial in general. However, are the actual courses in the core actually beneficial? I'm not talking about the idea of a core, but for example, Frontiers of Science, which I've deduced is not that great, is it and the other classes interesting and enjoyable? Would it be better to just have an open curriculum, like Brown, and take a plethora of classes in a variety of subjects, so you're still getting a well-rounded education, but have the ability to actually choose the classes and be able to pick the ones that you know from other students are worthwile?</p>
<p>most people on here and at columbia enjoy almost all of their core classes. The rate at which they dislike core classes is less than or equal to the rate at which they dislike classes in their chosen field. sometimes you just end up with a bad professor in a requirement that you have to take that semester itself, it's the same for the core. Each core class tends to have many different teachers so to some extent you can choose profs who suit your learning style. it's a great feeling when everyone in your year is studying the same stuff you are in one of your classes.</p>
<p>There are many posts about this in core threads, do a search and you'll find a lot.</p>
<p>yea columbia's core is definitely....well-done (except for university writing, which, although some people like it, blows). Frontiers depends a ton on who your seminar leader is, if you get someone good, like i did, you'll love it; otherwise.....you'll live with it. altho i'm a math major, and went into lit hum with the idea of getting through it and hopefully not doing too poorly, that class was pretty much life-changing for me, really sorta made me grow up a lot. that's why our core is so much better than brown's system, cuz as an incoming freshmen, you think you know what's best for you but a lotta times you really don't, and the core forces you to take classes you wouldn't normally take, which for a lot of people tend to be really great experiences.</p>
<p>Frontiers of science will not be a required class for columbia college anymore starting class of 2012. They will instead have to fill their science requirement with 3 classes instead of an additional two.</p>
<p>That is exciting that the Frontiers of Science class will no longer be required. I would much rather take a more specific science course.</p>
<p>
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Frontiers of science will not be a required class for columbia college anymore starting class of 2012.
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<p>You have more info on this? Why was this change made, and who realized that it was a flop?</p>
<p>Interesting info on Frontiers but I have not been able to find ANY statement from Columbia that Frontiers will be dropped as a core requirement. In fact Frontiers was awarded a $200,000 grant from the Davis Foundation to help aid in the development of teaching fellows for the course. I doubt whether the loss of this requirement is correct. Where did you get your info? A search of Spectator also failed to mention anything about a drop in the requirement.</p>
<p>Columbia</a> College
<a href="http://www.avdfdn.org/2008grants.htm#PHE%5B/url%5D">http://www.avdfdn.org/2008grants.htm#PHE</a></p>
<p>bump...any more info on substituting an additional science class in place of frontiers?</p>
<p>I had heard that it was on a trial period that they were going to postpone it indefinitely, however it is up on directory of classes for fall semester (but not spring...curious). CU</a> Directory of Classes</p>
<p>it'll be up later. Also, it's not on trial, the class of 2008 was the first class to have it, in non-pilot form. </p>
<p>I loved the class, I thought it was terrific</p>
<p>cerberus, i think you're slightly mistaken. we're not talking about frontiers being introduced into the curriculum, but about being able to substitute another science course in place of it.</p>
<p>see mike's post #4</p>