University of Idaho Top Questions

What are the academics like at your school?

Lauren

I am a member of the Honors program, so I particularly enjoy the Honors classes and opportunities. Honors classes are smaller (usually limited to 30 students), professors get to know their students and respect their intelligence, and students are more willing to help each other (rather than simply cheat off each other). In my regular classes, class size is usually pretty large but teachers are willing to help students who come to office hours. The online grading/assignment program, Bblearn, is helpful. Most teachers post notes and assignments online, and will update grades online.

Alex

It is difficult to say what the academics are like at my school, since I have chosen only one path, public relations with a minor in marketing, out of the vast array of majors this school offers. I can say that the core classes that University of Idaho requires seem to be very dull and pointless. I learned very little my freshman year while attending school, but national statistics show that this is the case at many colleges and universities nation wide. As I have gotten into classes that better pertain to my major, I have nothing but good things to say. The majority of my teachers are enthusiastic and seem legitimately interested in what they teach. They also have had life experiences in their field (they aren't all teachers aides) and they do a very good job of relating their real life examples to the material they are teaching. This not only helps me learn a lot better, but it keeps me engaged and interested.

Michael

Academics at the University of Idaho are exceptional. This school offers a wide variety of programs, services, and educational clubs to further a student's academic. The benefits received from this college primarily depends on the student's desire to become involved in their area of interest. The college offers academic programs that encourage friendly competition and personal development. The professors at this university are very informed and place a high priority in assisting students meet their full potential. In smaller classrooms, the professors know their student's names and, in some occasions, the students know the professors by their first names. Not only do the professors have the students' quality of education in mind, but the curriculum does as well. The University of Idaho's academic requirements are geared towards providing a well-rounded educational experience. The University's priorities, values, and academic excellence is what allows its students to succeed in the professional environment.

Lindsay

Academics in the landscape architecture program at the University of Idaho are great. I know all of my professors and they know me. This makes it very easy to ask questions on all my projects and assignments. In this major at the U of I we are constantly moving and learning something new. In Larc 289 we are out side walking around the campus looking at all of the different plants, learning about their characteristics, and then using them in our design projects throughout the semster. For Larc 268, we went out side and actually drew contour lines all around our campus. This let us practice drawing contour lines and also seeing how that fit in to the landscape. We are constantly doing something new and different. This makes it very competetive among the students but also brings us closer together. We are always pushing each other to do our very best and to impress our teachers. I can't wait to continue my education in the landscape architecture program after I am excepted in to my third year in the department.

Kyle

Academics at the University Of Idaho are unique in their own way. Classes vary from large lecture halls to relatively small resonation groups as you progress in your field of study. With this progression, teacher familiarity increases as well as student participation allowing for the adept students to demonstrate their knowledge of the courses, whilst prompting the struggling students to seek consultation from their peers/professors. With this being said, I am currently enrolled in the college of liberal arts with a duel major in Psychology and Philosophy. From personal experience, the professors are more then willing to take time out of their day to clarify questions and provide the one on one lecture experience if needed.

Kyle

Academics at the University Of Idaho are unique in their own way. Classes vary from large lecture halls to relatively small resonation groups as you progress in your field of study. With this progression, teacher familiarity increases as well as student participation allowing for the adept students to demonstrate their knowledge of the courses, whilst prompting the struggling students to seek consultation from their peers/professors. With this being said, I am currently enrolled in the college of liberal arts with a duel major in Psychology and Philosophy. From personal experience, the professors are more then willing to take time out of their day to clarify questions and provide the one on one lecture experience if needed.

Rebecca

There are different sizes of classes, some lectures will have up to 100 students while other classes only have 15-25 students. Studying depends on the students and how much time or effort they want to put into their education. Among the Greek community, houses are competitive with their grades which motivates the members to put their studies at a higher priority. The most unique class that I have taken was Vandal Success 101, which gave me tips on how to study and information on where different departments or resources were located.

Rebecca

There are different sizes of classes, some lectures will have up to 200 students in them while other classes only have 15-25 students, so I have gotten to know some of my professors. Studying depends on the students and how much time or effort they want to put into their education. Among the Greek community, houses are competitive with their grades which motivates the members to put their studies at a higher priority. The most unique class that I have taken was Vandal Success 101, which gave me tips on how to study and information on where different departments or resources were located.

Anthony

Ive taken many different types of classes ranging from Environmental Science with 300 other students, to Business classes with 20 students, to Gender and Communication with about 50 students. Each class had a completely different tone and so far I've enjoyed all but one or two classes at U of I. In smaller classes, professors seem to make an effort to get to know their students and all professors encourage students to visit their offices with any questions. Student participation in classes is extremely low. Often, a teacher will ask a question and no one is willing to raise their hand and respond. The Business school at U of I is a very respected program in and around Idaho, and is known as the Integrated Business Curriculum (IBC.) It teaches all aspects of business in a student's Junior year and then builds on that for a specific major the student's Senior year. It is extremely rigorous and many students' GPAs take a dive Junior year. However help is available and the Business professors are the friendliest and most helpful on campus in my experience.

Paige

It is not difficult to get admitted to UI, and though it is a state school in Idaho, the academics are very strong. My best academic experiences have come through my involvement in the University Honor Program, which offers challenging and engaging classes and seminars. Here, I have had the opportunity to get to know my professors and fellow students well, and have expanded my personal beliefs and knowledge well beyond what I expected. My other great academic experiences have come through university sponsored internships, where I have received first hand experience in various field. I have interned/conducted undergraduate research in advising offices, the resource center at the local hospital, within Moscow elementary schools, at a Japanese-American internment camp as a field archaeologist and in various archaeology labs at the university.

Kenneth

I myself am a third year architecture student and can personally tell you that the competition is fierce yet worthwile. In just the first three years of the program over half of those who started in architecture have either been dropped or they changed majors on their own. The professors in my discipline are great and do everything they can to help. they even go so far as to organize annual trips. for example, I will be spending the summer in Rome with 15 of my peers.