<p>I am a high school senior and was just wandering which college (NCSU or UNC-CH) is better for undergraduate physical science (chemistry, physics, mathematics). Is there a noticeable difference between the two, and in what ways? Which is better for undergraduate research and which is known to produce better scientists? Also which has a better college life and/or athletic facillaties? Finally, would it be better to be in the NCSU honors college or UNC-CH regular.</p>
<p>Thanks for any input, and try to keep it as unbiased as possible.</p>
<p>Both are good schools; but I would say UNC trumps everything NC State has to offer, with the exception of engineering and textiles. (Personally, I think it’s insane that unc doesn’t have an engineering program, but that’s another story…). Anyways, within the state of NC, both have great reputations, but outside of the state, NC State is almost non-existent.</p>
<p>well, the reason why UNC doesn’t have engineering is b/c some of the professors from UNC actually head some of the medical-engineering related departments at NC State. It could be also that since it is state funded, there might not be enough money to create an engineering school when another so close by and famous can provide for UNC students. Personally, I think it’s pretty smart on behalf of UNC. Many schools do this shared program stuff, I don’t see why UNC, of all the unis, should be excluded.</p>
<p>Okay, so is the consensus that UNCs undergraduate chemistry and physics better than States? Also, which would look more impressive, a chemical engineering degree from NCSU or a chemistry or physics degree from UNC-CH. Also, are the science classes at both universities around the same level of difficulty?And how does the liberal arts philosophy affect a science major, does it benefit or hurt them seeing liberal arts is geared towards artsy/english type kids? (even though liberal arts philosophy is for learning as much as possible in ALL DICIPLINS at UNC of the required classes, 31 hours favor english/history majors and 10 favor science/math majors, does anyone else think that this doesn’t follow the true liberal arts philosophy of learning as much as possible in all areas of study, not just ones for english majors)</p>
<p>Let me start by saying that I’m not a UNC-CH or NCSU Student. However, I was, at one time, interested in chemical engineering and chemistry, and so I looked into the programs at UNC-CH and NCSU. </p>
<p>First, regardless of which “look[s] more impressive,” chemical engineering, chemistry, and physics are all their own field. They lead to different careers and have different goals… you want to make sure you’re in the right field. </p>
<p>Looking at the degree plans at both schools, NC State does not have the same liberal arts stuff as UNC, but there are a lot of choices in UNC’s requirements. You might have to take a philosophy class, for instance, but PHIL 052: FYS: Reason and Religion at the Dawn of Modern Science; PHIL 085: FYS: Reason, Religion, and Reality in Copernican Revolution; PHIL 150: Philosophy of Science; PHIL 335: Theory of Knowledge, PHIL 340: Philosophy of Mind; PHIL 351: Philosophy of Physics; PHIL 368: Environmental Ethics; and PHIL 450: Philosophy of Natural Science are all examples of science-oriented courses that would meet the philosophical/moral reasoning general education requirement.</p>
<p>I don’t know if this helps, but I know UNC’s chem department was ranked 1st for analytical chem and 8th in organic chem, and 13th overall. I might be wrong since this is from memory, but I’m sure you could find this ranking somewhere on the UNC website.</p>
<p>I did find that, I was wondering though if UNC was better at the biochemistry type of stuff and wondered whether UNC or NC State would be better for theoretical chemistry or for undergraduate studies to prepare for a Phd in astrophysics or chemistry. Also, will the liberal arts classes help or hurt me for undergraduate studies or would it be better to take as many technical classes as possible? </p>
<p>If you want to do engineering, go to State.</p>
<p>If you go to UNC, the liberal arts classes will be your friends because they will help your GPA. If you are a science major at UNC, you will need them to help your GPA.</p>
<p>Science classes at State are much, much easier than science classes at UNC. Don’t get me started!</p>
<p>Celtics, I would advise you to check out the curriculum of majors you are interested in at each school and maybe even try calling the departments and actually talking to some faculty if possible. It only stands to reason that posters (many whom are students themselves with no real firsthand knowledge of other schools’ curricula) on the UNC forum page will tell you that UNC is the best. </p>
<p>I know my S (not engineering major) was happy to jump into his major from the beginning rather than taking a lot of liberal arts classes that were of no interest to him. He turned down UNC for NCSU. There was nothing easy about the science classes he took.</p>
<p>It’s really about the college/program that fits you best rather than the “name”.
You need to visit each sch. and get info. on your own. Don’t depend on the opinions of strangers on the internet.</p>
<p>If you are interested in Theoretical chemistry, Prof Parr is very well-known. I think he may have retired. But his student, Prof. Yang is at Duke. I know there is a UNC-Duke rivalry. But worth checking it out.</p>