Colorado State University-Fort Collins Top Questions

Most of my professors recognize my face, and for the most part my name once i reintroduce myself- i usually make it a habit to see each professor at the beginning of the semester so that if i ever have any problems they will recognize me. Class participation is somewhat common, its pretty intimidating to ask questions and share things in huge lecture halls but you get over it. My Insect Science and Society class was my most unique class for sure- it was so much fun and the professor was really knowledgable and interesting.

My favorite class is Appreciation of Design. My least favorite was composition. Students study quite a bit they always study more when they have tests and essays of course. Class participation is common in the smaller classes but not at all in the larger lectures. I'm sure that some CSU students have intellectual conversations outside of class, but I don't with my friends thats our time to forget about class and have fun. Yes, you will always have students that are competitive. The most unique class is Appreciation of Design. My major Fashion Merchandising which is in the Apparel and Merchandising department. I have gone to see a few of my professors but i don't usually spend time with them. I feel that for the most part the academic requirements are good. The education is geared more towards getting a job but they also make you learn for it's own sake.

I love my english class. Its nice and small. I like that my teacher knows me by name and im not just some student in a class with many faces. I feel like i need to go to that class because my teacher will know when im not there unlike other lager classes. He makes the class fun and interacts with us on a adult bases. He wants our feed back on everything we do. This makes me feel like my opinion in the class is very important and valued.

My professors are intelligent and concerned about our academics. Very accessible and helpful during office hours. Thought-provoking discussion or even lecture make many of my classes a pleasure to go to. Of course not all classes are like this, but I seem to have many more good/excellent experiences than negative ones.

I do think any professors know my name, except one small class. My favorite classes are the ones that actually relate to my major. I enjoy my major very much and I feel my department is a great and really helps with all students and looks out for the students. I feel the academic requirements are there to make sure students try the best they can and to reach their maximum potential.

My favorite class was with peter newman and he taught about parks and protected area management

I like the way the scheduling is set up. Classes arent very long. I also like the classes where my professor knows my name. It give me a feeling like I should be there and I belong.

Professors try to know your name, but they expect you to put in the effort in the larger classes. Larger classses are easy to ditch but alot of professors try to discourage that by offering extra credit or some insentive to go to class. Class participation is common, its good in smaller classes, but just anoying in the large classes. You get out of it what you put into it. There are tons of intellectual conversations outside of class, its a matter of if you choose to participate in them. My major is Social Work, I am new to the department, but so far it seems great, all of the professors have a strong passion for the feild and its great to see! CSU's academic requirements are good, they are selective but not too much, it is a higher education and I would only expect them to have some standards. The first two years are geared toward learning, it kinda weeds out the people who arent serious, but after that it is geared toward getting a job and prepairing you for where you want to be.

Students, epecially freshman, don't study enough. So far in my experiences I have come to realize that CSU's requirements to get in really don't have that much of an effect on how well freshman students do their first year. Because high school is easy and at some schools it is VERY easy to do well and to get a high GPA. And now these kids who have slid through highschool are living in the dorms with easy access to alcohol and parties. And they feel like they just don't need to study because they never really had had to try hard in high school. And that's why so many students drop out their freshman year.

You can make your experience with your professor any which way - you can not go talk to them outside of class or you can go talk to them any time outside of class. CSU professors are really good about having office hours or finding a time to help you. The professors here just want to help you which is awesome.

I think that the academics at CSU are good. They make you think in most of you classes. I think it is hard to say at this point thought because as a freshman I am still in 100 and 200 level classes so they are huge. It is hard to test on things like if you are actually grasping the concept or if you are just regurgitating information that you cramed for.

I would say that CSU is an academically sound school. There are always seats filled in the library, and students reading on the lawn. Most people go to class with the exception of those who skip most all of their classes, but the grades will prove that it is not a good method to go about school. Typically if you go to class, do your homework, and study for tests then you will do just fine.

My professors do not know my name...in fact sometimes I don't even know theirs. You can deffinitly get lost in the crowd sometimes. A lot of students don't show up for class and it can really effect your grade. Its understandable that sometimes you will have a bad week and be a little down and out but you can't let that effect your attendance especially once you start getting to the 300 level classes in your junior and senior year. You don't want to fail miserably when you are so close to the end. Obviously many students will take the easy way out and do the bare min. when it comes to studying, however, its important you make the right friends who study more than you so that motivates you to go to the library more or have study groups. Students have a lot of intellectual conversations outside class, but it really depends on the friends you make. I have a lot of smart friends and a lot of dumb ones too. But I'm not going to get any studying done with the dumb ones...they just want to sit around and drink. Not a lot of motivation there. The most unique class I have taken is Human Gross Anatomy. CSU is one of the few universities where you get to work with real cadavers (dead people). It a great opportunity for anyone who is looking to go into medicine. But don't get me wrong it is a very challenging class. The academic requirements can be tricky. You would be surprised how much things change in the four years you go to school here. It feels like every year something is a little different. Thats why its important to talk to advisors. But I rarly get a good advisor in my department or any department. Its hard for them to keep up too with the changes. The best you can do is make friends that want to go into the same field as you and that way you get perspective from everyone so you can get to the bottom of things.

One thing that was difficult for me was when I took organic chemistry here. A new professor came and was an absolutely horrible teacher. The entire class got a 30{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} average on the first exam. Everyone complained to the department head, to the teacher herself, and to CSU officials. However, not much was changed about the class. I felt like since CSU is so big, we couldn't do much because the school cared more about the money this professor brought in through her research than about our academic concerns about her teaching. I feel like if I was at a smaller school, we would have gotten more attention and either the teacher would have been fired or we would have been given more opportunities to do better in her class.

difficult and interesting

Academics at CSU is amazing! I do think my classes have been difficult, and my schedule doesn't even compare to some of my fellow classmmates. I have really enjoyed my psychology classes. The department seems to be very knowledgable and organized. I enjoy how the use practical examples. They also effectively use technology in their classes. I partically enjoyed Mark Richard's class. However, I feel like some of the classes I have taken this year were a total waste of my brain power. I hated philosophy and history classes. I really didn't feel like either offered new information or expanded my understanding of the topic. I did take classes in writing and speaking, and although I thought they were annoying and time consuming, both really helped my communication skills. They both have are two classes that all students need to take! I believe that my biggest down fall so far is not getting to know my professors more outside of class. I have felt more intimidated or nervous to approach them. I think it might be to my benefit to get in touch with them more.

I have some huge classes and some small classes. It's very diverse. As long as you show up to class, the professors seem to recognize you if not actually know your name. I love hanging out in the plaza while there's a controversial speaker, and listening to all of the deep conversations around me. CSU has high expectations for the sciences, but the requirements for the liberal arts majors and such are loose. You're really free to take classes that you think you'll find enjoyable. There are always advisors ready to help, and it's easy to get involved with a scholarly group.

Need to be regulated. There needs to be a set standard on what teachers grade on. There are a few classes like CO 150 and CO300 that if you look at 2 different teachers you may think that it is a different class when really it is the same.

Keep in mind this is all from the Scientist perspective. My classes have all been more than fifty people. If you have questions, email the professor and go to office hours. Within two visits, he or she will know your name. If you get a particulary 'mean' professor, they might ask you questions in class. If you want to get letters of recommendation, professors are easy to approach and easy to get to know. I came up with 'fake' questions and went to office hours for this reason. My non-science classes were mostly taught by TAs. They go both ways. I had a TA in 20th Century Fiction who was a jerk with writing tests and grading. I have no clue how anyone got an A in class as it was participation based and only 3 of us ever spoke up. On the other hand, in Philosophy I had an amazing TA who made one of the worst things for me to have to take actually quite fun.

I am a first year Medical Student, I went to CSU for Undergrad, and Post Bacc. I also did a graduate year at another institution, so I have a point of reference. I can say without a doubt the best Academic experience I have ever had was at CSU. I knew my professors on a personal basis, one on one help and guidance was always available. CSU's professors are there to teach and they love to do it. They were integral in my progression to medical school. Every class I had at CSU was excellent, from History, to Microbiology, to Animal Sciences, the quality and enthusiasm of the professors is unlike any I have experienced since. Students and professors all love CSU and it shows, Ram Pride!

Academics is a hard subject to comment on because I've found it varies a lot between departments. In the big classes, the prof's won't know your name. That's not anything any different than any other school. When you get into smaller classes (could be your freshman year, could be your senior year, depending on your major), they will know your name. Both situations have advantages though. How much you study, again, will depend on your major. I tend to study at least 5-10 hours a week, but I've known people who get by with much less. As I look through the list of questions for this section, the generic answer is that it depends on your major. In biochem, we tend to be competitive (in a friendly way). We know our profs pretty well (especially if you work in a lab). We also tend to talk about classes and study together a fair bit. I would say that this department is awesome overall! I love it! We work pretty hard, but we also have a lot of fun!

Most professors I've had were very nice and willing to help students. I don't really have a favorite class, but my least favorite is definitely organic chemistry! The academic requirements are pretty easy for a biology major, and more difficult for Environmental Health or Biomedical Sciences. Most students I know study about every weekday on average. I try to but am a great procrastinator so normally I end up pulling all-nighters to write an essay or study for a test. Not recommended.

The academics here at CSU are not particularly challenging, not are the professors up to the standard my private high school professors were.

CSU's academics are very interactive. Class participation is highly encouraged if not practiced. The classes are not just about failing students, but rather about enabling the students to learn. The professors really seem like they care about teaching. My favorite class so far was PY100. My professor was always in a good mood and tried to relate the material to us in a way that we would not only understand but also remember and apply into our daily lives. That class really had an impact on me.

Class sizes vary from just a few students to a few hundred. If you take advantage of a professor's office hours, any class will become more personalized as you get to know the prof and they get to know you. My Spanish classes have been challenging, interactive, and covered a variety of topics. Most of my classes are science classes, which vary in difficulty from General Chemistry to Organic Chemistry. Students who study more and work harder usually get the better grades... it's a logical balance. My physics professor has made that course unbelievable. His lectures entertain and inform at the same time, and he (like many professors here) genuinely cares about the students. My theory is that you can make your education worth whatever you put into it.

Professors are very willing to help students outside of class, whether it be during office hours or set up appointments. I have gotten to know my professors very well and they all know me by first name. Since CSU is such a large school its nice to know that teachers are willing to get to know you on a personal level. I find that students participate in classes that are smaller in size. In large lecture rooms, people don't respond as much. Also, I have noticed that there is more discussion in classes that are in the later morning or early afternoon. 8AM classes are too early and 3PM or later are too late in the day. People talk more often during the middle of the day.

The professors in my large lecture classes have no idea who I am, but the ones of my smaller classes do. My favorite class I've taken at CSU was Geosystems with Chamberlian, and my least favorite has been Public Speaking. Class particicpation is common in my smaller classes, but not as much in the larger ones.

What I have discovered at CSU is the majority of your teachers really do care about you. If you put yourself out there and get noticed the professors will remember you. Although I have had a few classes where the professor doesn't seem like they really care how you do.

No like I said above I wish we could reduce class sizes to help academics. When a professor knows my name I am more involved in the class and I learn a great deal more then when in a big lecture hall.

Two professors out of six classes know my name: my comp teacher and my lab TA. My other classes are in huge lecture halls and I haven't had a reason to speak with any of those professors yet so, they don't know my name. My favorite class is comp150 because our teacher, Marcia Gibbs, takes time to get to know us and schedule draft conferences to help us with our writing. My least favorite class is CIS 150. It is incredably frustating to work with the interactive Excel and Microsoft applications used to test student's abilities on these programs. Also, the class is incompatiable with my Apple computer, which is outrageous because I've been using that computer and never once has it crashed or gotten a virus, something that can't be said for the many Windowns comptuers I've owned in the past. CIS150 NEEDS to become compatible with Apple. It is necessary. Most students in my a hall study frequently, at least 2 hours a night.

I am still transitioning but the hardest part about university life compared to community college life is the diversity and size. The community college I attended I usually was not the only minority in my class.

Although I am in a pretty limited major (about 100 kids per grade) only a few of my professors know my name. My favorite class would be Psychology with Serena Enke, she is the best teach! My major is great! All of the staff and advisors are so helpful and understanding. My department really helps me to get the right classes to get the best job possible after i graduate!

Many professors try to get to know there students at CSU. My favorite class was sociology with Denis (I can't remember his last name). My least favorite was current world problems with Marny, we learned about the cold war the whole time and only touched on major issues the last two weeks, also she did not follow the syllabus at all! I feel as if the country is dumbing down and I'm very disapointed that no one is aware of current issues or seems to even care that such things and more concerned with what's going to happen on reality t.v. I feel CSU has good academic requirements. Yes the education is geared toward success in society but really it depends if the professor cares and how they teach to engage the students or not.

Right now classes are pretty easy for me. There are a lot of good classes like Current World Problems and Logic and Critical Thinking. I don't think any professors know my name, but so far they have all been really inteligent and good teachers. I think it is one of the better academic programs in the country? Students are competitive i would say, but also cooperative and sharing. People are always wanting to study togehter and share ideas and stuff about projects, exams or papers.

Because i'm an international student most proffesors and students don't know my name which is a little sad, but mainly classes are fun and i really like the idea of extra credit and thats when i can really cover up and add more points if i mess up.

i do know my professors names. my favorite class was college composition, it was about 20 people and my teacher was awesome! I liked the small atmosphere because i came from a small high school so it was a nice transition for my 1st semester of freshman year. I got to know the teacher really well and the class really applied everything i learned from highschool, it was very useful. most people hated that class but it was a great class for me. Everything i have learned so far i know that it will be useful later in life, CSU is definatly geared toward getting a job and its great!

input

It all depends on how far the student is willing to go. I always go meet with each of my teachers at least once a semester to establish a good relationship and get to know what they might be able to do for me. If you do this they will remember you by name and get to know your interest more (business school). The students who care and are interested can always find other students, clubs or organizations to further explore their passions. I think the school is pretty easy to get into and we might want to make it harder.

everyone particpates in class. I love that as we are getting into our upper level courses that the professors are starting to respect students more.

I think that I've found as I'm getting into more advanced courses that it's apparent that students really want to be in class and learn. Professors seem to be a little more respectful to students as we're getting older, which is awesome. Professors always have their door open. I've found when I need help all my professors have been willing to take time out for me and my problems.

Class participation not common. There are more intellectual conversations taking place outside of class rather than inside class.

The big lecture classes can be a bit intimidating and seeming worthless to attend when you enter college. There are soooo many students and attendance is rarely taken, making it easy to skip class and get the notes off line. Once you move on from the required core classes, the class size significantly shrinks. There are more interactions between students and professors and students, and between students. More group assignments are assigned and the expectations to do well are much higher. Most of the colleges are pretty competitive, especially in Business and also in Science and Engineering. Professors are easily accessible outside of class and they want you to attend their office hours with questions.

Professors do not know my name but that is because my classes are so large, it wouldn't be possible for them too. One of my favorite classes was my Pop Culture class. It was really interesting to analyze different events and see how they have brought us to where we are today. My lease favorite class was Physics, I had a terrible teacher who did not teach material and was not available to help you outside of class. I would say that most students study at least twice a week. I study pretty much everyday and I usually have at least one exam a week. I put my time into other homework and studying for other upcoming quizes and tests as well. Depending on the class, participation is common. If you have a smaller class a lot of people will participate, even in my larger lectures there are always those couple of people who make comments and ask questions all the time- but class participation is not required. Not every student has intellectual converstaions outside of class, but just like any other college or university some of the students do or will engage in an intellecutual conversations outside of class. I am a Human Development and Family Studies major with an Early Childhood Education Degree and a minor in Business. I really like the business college, they are organized and professional. Their advisors are easy to work with, available, and very helpful. Unfortunately, I found the many of the classes and professors to be boring and below expectations. I have never spent time with a professor outside of class. CSU's academic requirements are pretty even with most schools- they want you to have a good base of classes and then a very focused major. Based on the business college and how their classes work, I would say that the education at CSU is definitely geared towards getting a job.

My favorite class this year was plants and civilizations. I got to think outside my required major classes (business) and learn about something entirely different. I find it very interesting to learn about the foods and plants we interact with and eat everyday.

Professors at CSU, primarily in the College of Business, are great. I have had a great experience with nearly every class I've taken. There's one CIS class that is absolutely terrible and has been for a long time, but the college is making changes and revamping the course, and it's teachers. My favorite and most unique class is one I'm currently taking, called Negotiations and Conflict Management. The entire class is based off negotiations that we will all have to be involved with sooner or later in our lives. For example, negotiating a job salary, buying a car, buying a house, etc. Students study fairly often, average with other universities. There's always been a good balance between class studies and enjoying college life. Academics at CSU are very much career oriented. Professors always have in mind that we will be looking for jobs in the near future and that practical application is vital. My marketing classes have given me a great sense of what a real career would be like in the various fields of marketing.

There is a wide range of different colleges to choose from with many concentrations as well. There are also many great professors on campus and I have been lucky enough to have taken a few classes with some of the best.

My favorate class is speech class. I attend all of my class regularly. I would say no we don't unless it is for a project in class. I took clothing, adornment, and human behavior.

As a freshman at CSU out of 6 classes in my first semester 5 of 6 had 40 people or less. I was really impressed by this at a university of this size. Class participation has been excellent for the most part, except in one of my classes where the professor is particularly boring and teaches straight from the textbook. The library is always filled with lots of people who are busy studying - I think students here are generally pretty focused and have a good balance between work and play. In my business major, the classes are relativaly small and the professors do make an effort to get to know students and to be friendly and approachable. They have encouraged us, as freshmen, not to be afraid to use campus resources, or think that we should not start using the career center until we are juniors - no they encourage us to use all the resources starting now, so that we get the maximum benefits.

In my larger classes my professors do not know my name. Class participation is some times seen in class, mostly in the form of questions. Students are usually pretty calm in class, just taking notes or asking questions. My major is Natural Resource Tourism.

While attending UW, I found that students studied there and it was a big deal...we are, after all, attending college. However, at CSU, it seems different...people are ALWAYS studying. It is extremely easy to find someone to go to the library with. I feel like contacting professors is extremely easy to do. Every teacher I have encountered here at CSU has been more than happy to accomadate and answer questions. I have never had trouble with any professor of faculty memeber!