<p>Hi,
After a year at another univeristy, i think i'm transferring to cmu.I just want to know how different the academic environment is at cmu. Im interested in a degree in Psychology but also a pre-med track. Exactly how challenging are the science courses (and psychology) at cmu? Is the difficulty level comparable to ivy science courses? ..or if it could be compared to ap tests..(maybe?)
Haha, well coming from a 3rd tier public school the classes were probably a piece of cake comapred to cmu. I managed a good gpa with minimal work my first year. Im really willing to work..I just dont want to be overwhelmed and shocked after coming here...</p>
<p>I'd say that the classes here are very challenging. I took the Chem AP and can honestly say I put a lot more work into these classes than I ever did studying for the AP test. If you're thinking pre-med, the courses are pretty challenging, but on the most part, they are time-consuming. I needed to put in a lot more effort to get the grades I wanted. haven't taken a psych course yet, so I don't know anything about them.</p>
<p>Clearly college is in a whole different league than high school. He's probably talking about CMU science courses compared to science courses at other universities.</p>
<p>In my intro cognitive psychology class, I found the expectations to be very reasonable- 20 page readings every other week, 4 tests (lowest grade dropped, no exam), and a 5-8 page paper, as well as some smaller assignments throughout the semester. That said, the professors for the intro classes change every semester, so I know people who have had very different experiences than mine. The 400-level psych class I took this semester was time consuming and frustrating, but not particularly difficult.</p>
<p>Many people have trouble with physics at CMU, because it's at 8:30 or 9:30 in the morning, they take attendence at lectures and recitations (class meets 5 days a week, essentially), and it's taught in a kind of odd way that I suppose is supposed to give it more relevance to chem/bio majors. There is a TON of support for the class though- in addition to the recitations 2 days a week where you work on problems in small groups, there are SI sessions once or twice a week that recap what was covered, TA office hours 4 or 5 nights a week, peer tutoring several nights a week, and professor office hours. It's a completely doable class, especially with all the venues for help, but you have to make time for it and not leave things until the last minute.</p>
<p>they take attendance at lectures? hahah..thats pretty crazy. </p>
<p>I read about a psychology-bio dual major somewhere..anyone know anything about that?</p>
<p>I took both Physics I and II at CMU, and attended a total of 3 lectures for each. Attendance only matters in 'border-line cases.' Keep in mind that I did take AP Physics exam, and had credit for these courses (so if it's the first time you're seeing the material, I'd advise you to go).</p>
<p>KrazyKow: which Psych course did you take?</p>
<p>Look here for course catalog, where you can find info about psychology-bio (look under psychology): <a href="http://www.cmu.edu/esg-cat/%5B/url%5D">http://www.cmu.edu/esg-cat/</a></p>
<p>While 'attendance only matters in border-line cases,' there are only posted upper bounds for grade cutoffs (say, 90 for A), but they often get moved down (85, maybe), so it's hard to know where you're going to fall, and I'm not one to take a gamble. :)</p>