Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Top Questions

I am a Biology major and at least one teacher in all of the Sceince departments, Chemistry, Mathamatics, Biology, and even the Sociology department knows me by name. I have a 3.5 GPA and didn't achieve this by sitting in the back of the class not caring to learn who my teachers are. I am not sure how often other students study but I know for me to maintin my GPA I study everday. I dedicate at least a couple hours per week to spend time with my teachers. This usually involve me going to office hours and going over past exams or other school related topics I didn't understand in class. My specific major is Biology with a concentration in Medical Technology and a minor in Forensic Science. This degree involves a residency my senior year where I will earn 36 credit hours doing clinical and laboratory education. At the end I will have obtained my Bachelor's degree and a certification as a Clincal LaboratoryScientist. I do believe SIUE requires their students to graduate with an education that will prepare them for the best job.

As long as you make a point to participate in class, or talk to the professors outside of it they will remember your name. Regardless of if they know your name or not though, I have never had a professor unwilling to help. Right now my favorite class is Phil 321: Biomedical Ethics. The professor is really what makes it amazing with his enthusiam, knowledge, and humor! I am a psychology major and love it here; the professors are great and many of them, when in their office, just leave their doors open and you can just stop in and say hey or ask questions. I feel like the academic requirements here are totally understandable, put your effort into it and you'll succeed.

Small class size is a benefit. But, it comes at a HUGE cost, both in time and money. The school limits the number of students per class to such a small number that roughly 25% of students that register for a class get squeezed out. Why does that matter? Myself and each and every member of my 30 person group of friends through out college did NOT graduate in 4 years. By the way, many required classes are strategically scheduled only once per semester, so if you don't get in, it is a FULL year before many classes are offered again. I pushed this point with my department head, that person changed 3 times in the 5 years I attend SIUE, sounds like a roll over in staff huh? When pushed the department head said that it is so theoretically students would graduate in a perfect 4 year time frame, when I provided physical proof (list of classes and semester offered, clearly showing that at minimum 4 and half years is required), he stammered and had a sudden meeting to attend.

SIUE's academics are great. My largest class has 50 students and no class is bigger than 100 students. The teachers really get to know the students and the facilities are up to date and they are currently adding on to the campus.