Current TROJANS taking questions

<p>Which courses are an easy (good professor, not too much work or math) way to get the gen ed cat III and cat IV credits?</p>

<p>I've heard that Astronomy 100Lg, with either Warner or Rhodes is the best for cat III.</p>

<p>I don't know anything about cat IV though, as I got exempt from it.</p>

<p>Suggestions on good classes for other gen ed courses?</p>

<p>uhhh, I can also recommend for Cat VI: Sociology 150gm, which is Social Problems. But make sure you get Messner; DO NOT take this course with Kaplan.</p>

<p>Cat I: History 200gm is The American Experience, or as termed by a friend in it "U.S. History, College Style." The only problem is this one is a very popular class, since it is the only Cat I with the "m" designation for diversity.</p>

<p>And my Cat V was Modern Russian Art with Prof. Bowlt, but he doesn't seem to be teaching it this fall.</p>

<p>I've also heard that HIST-200gm is good for cat I, especially with Seip. But Seip's classes are usually 8:00 am. :(</p>

<p>There are some cat IV classes in biology, for those non-math-inclined. BISC-230 is neuroscience with Prof. McClure who is also a good prof and ranked very highly...but with 200+ students the curve is pretty nasty, with everything ranging from A to F. It's not an easy class by any means. I already did my cat IV so I took it pass/no pass and I'm glad I did.</p>

<p>few questions -- <em>mostly for Marshall students</em></p>

<p>I'm a Business major and will be doing TO and the Global Leadership Seminar..what will my first semester most likely look like?</p>

<p>Also, I'm takin AP Calc AB and Ap Macroecon and was confused about the policy of being waived out of Math 118 and Econ-205. You need a 4 or 5 but we won't find out the results til July and I want an Orientation in June...so what will happen??</p>

<p>Ohh and last but not least...do I need these placement test things if I'm doing TO and Business? I am confused.</p>

<p>haha ok that was alot...thanks ahead of time =)</p>

<p>acacia:
You'll need to take the placement test for math. If you don't have your AP scores, you'll sing up for 2 TO classes, Econ (either micro or macro) and Math 118.
If you do get AP credit for both you could take 2 TO classes, ECON 203, and BUAD 304.
If you are planning to take Microecon at a CC, then ask an advisor at orientation for what your 4th class should be.
Oh, and for GLP you sign up for BUAD 101</p>

<p>1) What's grade inflation like in the College? How about for TO? I'm a merit scholarship student, and the money's contingent on my GPA.
2) If I take the math placement exam and do well enough on it, will I not have to take Math 116? I'm interested in majoring in psych and would like not to have to take too many math courses though I know that I'll definitely need to take statistics. Will passing the AP Calc AB exam help with any of these requirements?
3) When you're in TO, what are the other courses you need to take to fulfill all of your general requirements before going on to your major/minor classes?
4) I'm a little confused about the AP policy; apparently you can get AP credit but that won't exempt you from GE's? How useful is AP credit/what can you do with it?</p>

<p>Sorry if I'm repeating any questions! This thread is a little long so I haven't gotten through all of it yet...</p>

<p>Ok these first few questions are technology related, so here goes:</p>

<p>1) I'm sure this has been asked many times...but laptops or desktops? What have you found is more useful at USC?</p>

<p>2) Wireless internet access - First of all is it available? And if it is, how is the signal strength in the dorms, in the library, etc.?
Is wired internet access available in rooms? How many ports do they have per room?</p>

<p>3) TVs - Is cable included in the housing costs? Which service provider does USC use for cable?</p>

<p>4) Printers - In the computer lab, is there a printer usage allowance? If there is, after that allowance has been used how much does it cost to print? Do students typically take their own printers?</p>

<p>Ok..that's it for those kind of questions. But don't worry, I'm not done! =)
Thanks in advance for your replies!</p>

<p>Ok..I promised there would be more!</p>

<p>These are just random questions...</p>

<p>1) How much is the Spartan Spirit Card? Is it worth it? Can you explain how it works?</p>

<p>2) How many courses do typical students take per semester?</p>

<p>3) This question is mostly addressed to Business students (especially any who have done TO) --
I am planning on taking 2 TO courses, BUAD 101 (Global Leadership Seminar), Math 218/BUAD 304 (whatever they let me move up to if I test out of Math 118) and Econ 203 during my first semester. Is this too much or will I be fine?
Is there a lot of work for GLS, or is more of an attending lectures kind of thing?</p>

<p>Ok...woO...now I'm done. Thanks guys! =)</p>

<p>How about Time and Time Travel 100g with Van Cleve? Does anybody know about/ have taken this class and have any input? It sure sounds interesting.</p>

<p>ok acacia, here we go:
1) I'm sure this has been asked many times...but laptops or desktops? What have you found is more useful at USC?</p>

<p>I would say 9/10 students here have laptops, and it can be useful for lectures and when you don't feel like working in your room. (and there will be times like that, trust me).</p>

<p>2) Wireless internet access - First of all is it available? And if it is, how is the signal strength in the dorms, in the library, etc.?
Is wired internet access available in rooms? How many ports do they have per room?
</p>

<p>Every dorm room has a high-speed ethernet connection per occupant (I think T3, not sure). Don't go on a download frenzy when you get here, though. They will shut down your access if you exceed the bandwidth limits, which is 3.5GB in 2 hrs and/or 10GB in 24 hrs.
Wireless is also available in most of the dorms, although it depends on what floor you're on. For example, in Parkside the 1st and 2nd floors have no problems getting the campus wireless, but it's impossible on 3rd and 4th floors. All the libraries have wireless. I usually get strong signals there.</p>

<p>3) TVs - Is cable included in the housing costs? Which service provider does USC use for cable?</p>

<p>Cable is included, although if you want HBO or Showtime, then you have to pay extra. USC is it's own cable provider, at least according to Yahoo and TVGuide. If you want to see the channel line up, go to this link: <a href="http://tv.yahoo.com/lineup/?co=us&.intl=us&.done=%2Fgrid%2F%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://tv.yahoo.com/lineup/?co=us&.intl=us&.done=%2Fgrid%2F&lt;/a>. Type in 90007 for the ZIP, then choose USC Cable TV for the provider.</p>

<p>4) Printers - In the computer lab, is there a printer usage allowance? If there is, after that allowance has been used how much does it cost to print? Do students typically take their own printers?</p>

<p>Printing is 15 cents per page with no limit, so it might be better to bring your own printer. I have a cheap laser and I think it's the best, as I rarely do color printing but I don't have to change the ink as much as one would with inkjet.</p>

<p>1) How much is the Spartan Spirit Card? Is it worth it? Can you explain how it works?</p>

<p>It's the Student Spirit Card, dunno where you got Spartan. Last year it cost $120. You get an email and you go to a link to purchase it. Once it's purchased, they just simply assign your ID number the spirit card privileges. Then when you go to any home game of ANY sport, they will just swipe your ID and let you into the student seating section for the particular venue.</p>

<p>2) How many courses do typical students take per semester?</p>

<p>12-18 credits. That would be 3-6 courses on average. It really depends on the major.</p>

<p>And I can't answer the last question, sorry.
Hope that helps</p>

<p>Acacia:
For your last question. The GLP seminar is not that much work. Just write a page on what you learned from the speaker. It's easy enough that you could write it even if you didn't go and just got a summary from a friend in class. But the class is interesting, so I don't think you'd want to miss it.
And your schedule will be fine. I know a lot of people who had the same schedule last semester, so don't worry. </p>

<p>Madtoast:
Never heard of Time Travel or the prof, but if it sounds interesting, why not give it a shot?</p>

<p>Thanks so much redski 59 and sunnydaysee!
And redski -- I think I got the Spartan because that's my current school's mascot. Oops..little slip. =)</p>

<p>Map</a> of wireless access on campus. It's not totally accurate, as some floors on Leavey are not great for wireless. And the "outside" areas marked on the map are spotty. I think the wireless transmitter is on the 2nd floor because that's the computing floor. All the carrels there have power outlets and ethernet ports, whereas the 3rd and 4th floors only have outlets and ports along the walls, so you have to sit at a carrel next to the windows. Wireless Internet access is spotty on those two floors.</p>

<p>Doheny gets no wireless at all when you go to the bookstacks underground. Cell phones don't work either. However, there are places in Doheny where the wireless is great. <a href="http://www.usc.edu/isd/libraries/locations/doheny/technology/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usc.edu/isd/libraries/locations/doheny/technology/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>You should bring your own printer. When you're up late, you won't want to walk to Leavey to print out something. Inkjets don't use that much ink; I've only had to change out the black ink cartridge once this year from normal paper writing and miscellaneous printing use.</p>

<p>That's awesome! Thanks for the help. I'll show my Dad - at least he'll be able to make heads or tails out of all this techy stuff =)</p>

<p>someone asked about grade inflation earlier.. any thoughts on that?</p>

<p>Yeah, we definitely don't have grade inflation here.</p>

<p>hi can any of you guys comment on my question on this thread that i started...
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=180002%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=180002&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>thanks for the help..</p>