<p>U of Maryland or U of Colorado for Physics and Math?</p>
<p>Can anyone provide insight into things like:</p>
<p>1) percentage of physics, math, and engineering courses taught by TAs/Grad students (teaching skill, language barrier, etc.)
2) Quality of counseling and guidance for major, class selection, etc.
3) Quality of career counseling
4) housing quality, issues,
5) Other quality of life issues like safety, student body attitude, competitiveness vs. cooperativeness, etc.
6) Anything else that affects a student's day-to-day life
7) Anything else I should know that affects the overall experience and eventual education that I didn't think of or ask?</p>
<p>I'm looking for first hand insights that go a bit deeper than rankings or what can be found in the Princeton Review type books.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Isn't UC known as the number 1 party school in the nation? If it is that should give you the answer!</p>
<p>Regarding #2: I don't know if the Math department is the same, but in the Journalism school, students are required to meet with their advisor on a regular basis. In fact, you can't register for classes if you don't. I think that's great, because it keeps the students on track for completing all the credits needed. You might want to delve deep into your department's website and see if you can find more answers there.</p>
<p>D is working toward double degree in Physics and Astronomy. One thing we found helpful is to look at actual course schedules from a spring semester and fall semester (even tho courses are listed in the catalog, it doesn't mean that they are actually taught every semester). What she has found so far (2 semesters) is that the courses are taught by professors; the discussion sections (meets one day a week and supplements the lectures) are taught by TAs. Because she entered with a bunch of AP credit, it has put her in very high priority for scheduling, so she has had good experiences with registering for classes. She placed out of the first couple levels of physics classes, and most of her classes from here on will be smaller.</p>
<p>To oregonianmom's comment, I think all majors are required to meet w/ their advisor....there are "4-yr plans" and tons of info on the website, regarding major requirements, and graduation requirements, so if a student spends the time to plan out what they want to do, there shouldn't be "surprises". </p>
<p>With regards to UMD's size, in 2 semesters so far at UMD, all of D's professors have known her by name, except for a semi-senile guy who taught one of D's honors semesters last semester (18 in the class--he didn't know anyone's name!) and her Calc III professor this semester (because she has chosen to remain relatively anonymous there). Again, it requires some effort on the student's part, but a school can be as big (or little) as you make it.</p>
<p>I'm sure that a student could get a good education at either U and go on to a successful future. (H was a math/physics/comp sci major at a no-name non-flagship U way back when....it never slowed him down).</p>
<p>A lot may have to do with things like location....close to DC vs. not. and whether the student is into skiing and outdoorsy stuff, which would certainly be more attainable in Co. D says that she can't imagine having made a better choice. She goes into DC at least once a week on the Metro and loves it.</p>
<p>PM me with any specific questions.....</p>
<p>maryland math and physics rank among the nation's bests. However, the facility is really crappy. They need to upgrade this to fit with our rankings. Maybe math & physics majors don't care about the look so it's all good.</p>