In CSE, do professors know the students? Anyone know how big the class sizes are?
Class sizes depend on the class - generally the required lower classes are large (eg physics). You can get to know TAs who can be very helpful in these classes. They also have discussion sections and labs that are smaller than the lecture class size. In UD classes and some honors classes, the class sizes are smaller (20-30 or so?). My freshman took an honors physics class 1st sem and it was a smaller class and prof knew the students. He took the regular physics class 2nd sem and it is much larger class (they have to answer some questions w/ a clicker as a sort of attendance tool). He took some UD math classes and it sounds like the profs know the students in these classes (so far) - enough to notice class participation. He also got to know some profs a little by going to office hrs (for the smaller classes). There are also tutors available for some of the common required classes like physics and calc etc.