What are Classes Like?

<p>From a current student or alum's point of view, what are classes like (in Trinity) compared to say, high school classes? On a whole, were they more interactive and discussion-based, or centered on long-winded lectures? Were kids put to sleep often, or kept at the edge of their seats? What's the consensus favorite class, if there is one?</p>

<p>There really is a little bit of everything when it comes to classes. I actually had 2 lectures and 2 smaller classes with under 10 people, which was pretty nice. Plus the lectures I did have broke down into labs/TA sections. So obviously it was about 50/50 with discussion-based classes and lectures. Obviously most of the intro classes like chem and econ are going to be lectures, but you can pretty much get what you want.</p>

<p>In regards to being put to sleep...it depends as well. If you really like the class you're obviously going to be interested, but the kid next to you might sleep for an hour. My econ class was pretty boring, but the professor just wasn't interesting. If you pick classes you like you won't fall asleep, so it's really a personal thing.</p>

<p>lecture classes seem to be harder in terms of grading because hundreds of people are taking the course at the same time so the average is placed at B- ish. but at the same time, as the semester goes on less and less people attend the lectures (especially the 8:30/8:45 ones on science drive). AVOID 8:30/8:45 lectures, they WILL put you to sleep on monday morning after a long weekend, as they are focused on one person reading off of slides or blabbing about biology.</p>

<p>discussion / seminar classes are fun for the most part. participation is encouraged and part of the grade, but if the material is interesting then participation just happens. all writing 20 classes have 12 people and are held in seminar style. in my class we discussed the assigned readings in class and then wrote papers on them for the next class. definitely try to get tues/thurs for seminar classes -- sometimes my writing teacher let us out 15 minutes into class. no point in going to three classes a week like that if you can go to two.</p>

<p>the classes are all very demanding and are nothing like the classes i took in high school. every single class period something major is due -- problem sets for math, papers for writing. it is VERY important to have a good work ethic, otherwise you will find yourself doing math from 12 until 6 the night before homework is due. getting ahead was something that was made fun of in my high school -- overachiever -- but i found that at duke there really is no way around it. one week i had a 30 minute presentation, a 15 minute presentation, a 7-10 page paper, 3 sections of math homework, a math exam, an engineering lab, and an engineering exam. getting done stuff early is a must!</p>

<p>I cant think of one consensus favorite class, as everyone has different interests. but as an engineer, i can say that Engineering 53 is probably the easiest first year class (about half get A- or better) and it is very interesting at times, even though it requires lots of lab work. intro pure science and math (calc 2 and 3) classes seem to be the most hated -- hard curves with lots of work. writing classes are really hit or miss.</p>

<p>hth</p>

<p>Sucks that I have that 8:30 chem lecture this semester...oh gosh.</p>

<p>I'll see your 8:30 chem and raise you 8:30 Bio 116 on the two days that I don't have the 8:30 chem. :( At least I'll be over on west in the morning since I'm tenting.</p>

<p>yea i have physics 8:30 MF and econ 8:30 TTH :) i'll be on west as well for tenting... i think</p>

<p>8:30 classes are stupid. period.</p>

<p>Haha, I have Math MWF at 8:45 and Bio TTh at 8:30. My classes are all in the morning (except one early afternoon class). Am I the only one who likes getting up early? :)</p>

<p>I had a FOCUS seminar at 8:30, and I was usually one of the only people awake. The prof said she'd never teach an 8:30 class again. :rolleyes:</p>

<p>i like to get up early everyday, but i cant seem to get to bed before 2 any night of the week</p>

<p>how many people are in one class???</p>

<p>Most English, History, Language, Math, etc. classes are capped at about 30, seminars at 12-15, and lower level science lectures at 80-100. Some, like Econ 55, can be much larger. For specific class sizes, see <a href="http://www.siss.duke.edu/Schedule/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.siss.duke.edu/Schedule/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>If you're in FOCUS your first semester, class sizes are usually 12-15.</p>

<p>I heard about FOCUS. That is where you get together in small groups just to discuss issues? Sounds like fun.</p>