Which professor would choose for an introductory math or science?

College Life
1

<p>Professor 1. Assistant Professor
-Male
-Speaks English well but some grammar mistakes, mistaken word usages, and grammar make comprehension of his speak a bit of a task.
-Has a massive Curriculum Vitae with many pages of listed research as head author.
-Has an office but requires appointment
-Teaches two graduate level courses and your one undergraduate intro. science/math course.</p>

<p>Professor 2. Graduate Student
-Female
-Speaks English perfectly and comprehension of this professor's speech is very easy.
-Graduate student
-No phone number for contact, only an office.
-Teaches only one course, the undergraduate intro. course, yours.
-Office hours</p>

<p>Given only these details, which professor would you choose?
Here is my analysis.
Professor 1 is currently an Assistant Professor and may have the goal of tenure. If this is the case, his primary focus is probably in research. Given that this professor requires appointments, I would suspect that he is the sort of professor who focuses largely on research and would prefer not to be sitting in his office waiting for students to come in. His massive Curriculum Vitae with plenty of research and publicated work also suggests his focus on conducting research. Because he predominantly teaches graduate students, he may, perhaps unintentionally, have a tendency to expect his students to be thinking at a very high level. This is due to the fact that he is probably used to working around and teaching graduate students. This may not all be true but they are likely.</p>

<p>Professor 2 is less experienced as a teacher but being graduate student is not as far removed from the woes and tribulations of student life and academics. She may better identify with undergraduate students in this way. Tenure is far less of a concern but graduating with a degree and conducting research is also a focus. This professor's goal also involves high quality research. However, her focus is more likely to be conducting quality research that will secure him a graduate degree. Her having of office hours suggests that she may be more open to discussion with students who come for help at least in relation to professor 1. </p>

<p>These are all theoretical and my analysis does not necessarily reflect reality.</p>

<p>I would probably choose professor 2 if given only the above details for the reasons above.</p>

2

<p>Can you attend both sections for the first week or few to compare the two?</p>

3

<p>You’d be able to sit in on lectures and no one would notice because attendance is not taken but there is no formal ability to do so. Section switching is allowed but can be a bit troublesome do to the online system that students can access.</p>

<p>However, given only the above information and the requirement to choose right now, without taking either class, who would you choose based on assumptions and guesses and why?</p>

4

<p>I’d go with number 2 unless you’re aiming to do some research.</p>

5

<p>I aim to do research but in the engineering department which neither professor appears to be involved in.</p>

6

<p>Is there a ratemyprof on any of these? I always try to go for the more entertaining/passionate professors – and it sounds like either of these could be both. But professor 2 sounds like the better choice for learning from your analysis of them.</p>

<p>It is because of the fact that she seems open to help students (which is always a plus) rather than p1 who has high expectations. From personal experience, I had a merged class (undergrad + grad) and the professor seemed to have high expectations for the undergrad and expected us to understand the material right away, like grad students. He was more than ready to help students BUT the class moved so fast because he wanted to challenge the grad students that he forgot about the undergrad. I would opt for the more understanding professor, one who may be more likely to help/understanding of undergrad status. Unless you want to challenge yourself greatly and the grade may not matter?</p>

7

<p>Based on the information you’ve given, I would go with option 2. It sounds like the option I’d be able to learn more from, based on my learning style.</p>

8

<p>In my opinion it’s pretty obvious that you should pick Professor 2 since she seems like she’d be more into the class and into helping students out when they’re having trouble.</p>