<p>Speaking of physics, </p>
<p>would it be possible for one to take the Physics For Poets sequence, the Modern Physics course, and then audit a higher level physics course, like Quantum Mechanics?</p>
<p>What is UChicago’s policy towards auditing?</p>
<p>It depends on the class and on the professor. Some allow auditing, some don’t. I think you need to get permission from the professor to audit his or her class.</p>
<p>Lectures, and Modern Physics probably contains a lecture component, are pretty much always audit-able unless they are spectacularly, uniquely popular.</p>
<p>S has audited an upper level math course with prof approval all year. He was expected to contribute in class and answer when called on (yikes). Now he’s been invited to take the final, go in cold, just for grins. That’s what I call tremendous support for the audit with that particular prof. It’s been a lot though 'cause it effectively became a 5th course all year even though the homework and midterms were mostly left unattended.</p>
<p>So I guess that if you love something and can’t tackle it full on, an audit is worth exploring if you are crazy.</p>
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<p>That’s nothing. If you’re a prospective student sitting in on Paul Sally’s class, the first thing he’ll tell you once you enter the classroom is, “Prepare to answer questions.” (I think he gets kicks from frightening people.) The math department has quite high standards for auditors and, I guess, prospective students as well.</p>
<p>That is soooo adorable! Of course anyone sitting in a classroom should be engaged enough to participate! (In University of Chicago World, at least.) I bet Paul Sally doesn’t expect them to have all the right answers.</p>
<p>As a parent, there are some things about the University of Chicago that I really, really like, and this would be one of them, even if it’s far from universal there.</p>
<p>Double yikes. </p>
<p>But really how many colleges engage students who are not officially enrolled or expect so much from them?---- it really is all about learning. Makes me happy to pay tuition.</p>
<p>Glasses–</p>
<p>Trying to keep things anonymous doesn’t work so well around here ;-)</p>
<p>I’ll try to pitch in a little bit from my experience, as I, too was the humanities/social sciences kid who was towards the top of the pack in the math/physics leagues. I ended up not taking courses for math/science/physics majors and instead used the PhySci courses (which I found very easy, somewhat fun, but not quite as stimulating as I had hoped) to lighten up my reading/writing heavy courseload. I guess students could try doing the opposite. </p>
<p>Humanities writing seminars are workshops that supplement the writing-intensive humanities core course. Each humanities writing TA will run them their own way. (Note: the humanities writing TA is separate from the professor and does not teach the class for the professor, but is there in anticipation for the help students may need in learning college-level writing). My first quarter first year, the writing TA met with us once or twice in small groups, and we read each others’ papers and discussed essay structure, argument, flow, etc. </p>
<p>My second and third quarter TA required all of us to meet with her at least once during the quarter.</p>
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<p>Phuriku, S1 had a similar experience as a prospie with a different math/CS prof. This was how S knew Chicago was the place for him. (S promptly signed up for two classes with said prof this year.) He had some interesting chats with Paul Sally this year, too.</p>
<p>unalove— thank you.</p>