Any recommendations for interesting/not too demanding courses for incoming students to fulfill the math/natural science/etc… requirements- notably for students not interested in pursuing classes in the respective areas?
(like natural science classes for a history major or arts/humanities classes for a physics major)
Hey, so I’m an engineer so I’m not the BEST person to ask :stuckouttonguewinkingeye:
BUT I know that a lot of my humanities buddies are planning to take “lighter” math like Logic or Statistics, and a science class that is somewhat intriguing to them. And vice versa for my stem friends who aren’t engineers (ie bio or physics)- they take what seems interesting to them. There are SO many different classes at Tufts, it may seem overwhelming but there’s always something up your alley in requirements. If it seems interesting, then it’s easier to learn since you’ll be motivated to study it.
As an engineer, we don’t have as many reqs since we have a more specific course load. We just have to take a certain number of humanities & social science electives but at least two of those credits must come from the same department.
Also don’t forget about AP credits- they can get you out of reqs you dread! (I don’t have to take English 
)
Statistics is useful in almost any field so that is a popular math to take. For the sciences there is a popular class in biologic anthropology which social science and history people find very interesting. There is also an Astronomy class that a lot of nonscientists like to take for the science requirement. Neither of these build on a big scientific fund of knowledge and both are interesting and useful for non-scientists.
Thanks for the responses. Is the statistics course noted above (twice) a calculus based or algebra based course?
Statistics would be algebra based. And I’ve heard that they are good about planning schedules that accommodate different strengths. I, personally, am looking forward to the class that a lot of people seem to have taken (maybe it’s not a class, but…) about how to write a research paper. I’m scared s…less.
There is a half credit class - taught by library staff I believe - in research methodology. Mostly it is taken by upperclassman writing a thesis senior year. However, I do not believe there are any prerequisites or restrictions. There is also a writing help center and lots of support from TAs and teachers (prof and/or student) in freshman classes and seminars.