<p>They are easier (maybe not conceptually, but workload wise. Actually 260 is questionable. Weaver is teaching it starting this year. My friends are taking him this upcoming year. They’ll need to keep me updated on how it’s going) and less “rigorous”. They basically only have exams, so all you need to do is study. No tedious p-sets (actually, I think P-sets are good) and material is sometimes spoon fed. Nice curve/generous grading scale as well. </p>
<p>The group is self-selected. A significantly higher percentage of Soria’s students perform at a much higher level and easily develop that level of thinking needed to be very successful in academic achievement, research, and various other ECs (a reasonable amount of them get research that year or already have a research job). They already have the potential, Soria helps push them to the level they need to be. Gen. Chem students seem to expect ease and certainly don’t like being “pushed” or surprised. They get really mad, for example, when a prof. designs a difficult, but fair exam. And when they get to orgo., the complacency/ entitlement gets worse. I personally blame it on the professors. I honestly think they should have break-out sessions that expose students to modern research or something or make them work on problem sets that apply certain biological or special concepts (seriously, Other peers do it, and their gen. chem sections are far larger, and I believe they used tenured profs. We pre-dominantly employ lecture track profs. which are supposedly dedicated to teaching, so they can’t claim they don’t have time. I’ve seen tenure track profs. try harder). The fact is, they don’t demand that much, and thus it is surprising when they design a tough exam. It is also surprising when most students take their first orgo. exam. When you take an upperlevel course exam, you won’t be surprised. You’ll know how to handle it and inquire further about info, because you were in a community encouraging that type of learning among a very strong peer group. Seems that many profs. and characters in highered actually perceive general chemistry as rather useless the way it is taught at most institutions today. It isn’t too challenging (not to say it’s easy. It’s one of those courses w/non-stimulating material that you may not make an A in even after having AP. And that’s what sucks), doesn’t inspire inquiry, and is almost too broad. Lab sucks. Nothing interesting happens there except for perhaps the alternative fuel project 2nd semester, but then, the same could be done in orgo. lab. </p>
<p>Soria’s class is normally between 35 and 70 (I think he shoots for 50-55 now, but allows it to balloon to 70 if there is increased interest. Class of 2013, a very strong class, for example, was 68 in the fall) students, gen. chem in fall is generally 105-125 (depends on how many frosh enrolled. Last year, too many enrolled in CAS, so 125. Even labs needed overloads. Really embarrassing). Basically, as good as these lecturers are, don’t expect interaction unless you join chemory. In Soria or W’s class, you need not do that. They try to do it in the classroom. And w/Soria, he does it in lecture and lab. He learns all names (gen. chem profs. won’t do this, they are already skeptical of your level of interest, and don’t want to reciprocate what is nearly a non-existent level of interest in the broad material they teach) and is willing to assist or discuss career, academic plans, etc. Uses his own version of Socratic method vigorously in class, plays students in sports, takes them to lunch sometimes, etc. Basically, the man believes in the undergrad. experience and what high-level teaching, learning, and mentoring can do. He doesn’t just pay lip-service to it. Luckily, he isn’t the only science prof. at Emory like this. I think Emory is special in that it has a surprising amount of science profs. w/this philosophy at least for a research institution. It’s trying hard to straddle that liberal arts/research school fence successfully. Some profs. try to offer the benefits of both experiences. Soria and W. are just a couple of those.</p>
Thanks!</p>