University of Massachusetts-Amherst Top Questions

Again, the classes can be huge, which can be an advantage for some and a disadvantage for many. the way the school is set up makes it very easy to be individualistic. a lot of people have a problem with that - so keep it in mind. extra help and guidance from teachers isn't readily available. there's always the ta's, but most of the time they know as much about what's being taught as we do. so if you don't mind being on your own and fending for yourself academically, it works out wonderfully. i'm sure it depends on the department as well, there are obviously some where there is a greater focus on each person. i guess the best academic opportunity is the bdic program, where you essentially build your own major. it allows for a lot of freedom, and it gives you a chance to do make something of what you're really interested in, instead of just settling for something else. it is a bit labor intensive, and you need a bit of self direction, but i think it's worth it.

Most of my professors in my major know my name. The Gen Ed classes tend to be a lot larger, therefore the professors never get a chance to get to know their students. The classes I have taken and I am currently taking are extremely hard as I am in the science field (Animal Science). I study more than the average student, and I still don't always get the grades I deserve.

My professors over here know my name and are accessible during office hours. I love my marketing class because I learn about certain things that can be applied to the real world. The distribution requirements enable me to learn about a wide range of disciplines, which allows me to discover what I like or dislike. Furthermore, it helped me pick my major. Education is what you make of it; some may here to learn for the sake of learning, others are here to in order to get a good job. I am here for both reasons.

I'm a Kinesiology student. I absolutely love it. I switched from Geology to Kinesiology. One great thing about UMass is its wide array of majors to choose from. My major is the study of human movement and how the body moves. It focuses on biomechanics, anatomy, physiology, and motor learning. Several kinesiology students work/intern during the school year as athletic trainers for the UMass sports teams.

The Academic aspect of UMass is one that is extremely overlooked in light of the school's image as a "party" school. The professors and teaching assistants are as integral to the students' success inside the classroom as they are for shaping their lives when they leave. Professors are never hesitant to meet with students, discuss things with which the student may have trouble with, and always give a wave and a smile should they recognize you outside the room. More-so, they all have a unique teaching style that suits their course to a tee.

For most classes, I make it a point to know the professors, and have them know me. In particular, professors in my major (psychology) recognize me when I am cycling by on campus. However, I find it a much more rewarding experience if you and your professor know one another. The smaller seminar-style of the ComCol classes affords this opportunity. I suggest every student make themselves known to their professors--It's makes class much more worthwhile and personal--even a 400 person lecture.

Your professors won't know your name unless you take the initiative to show up to office hours. Classes and majors vary a lot. I wouldn't come here unless you are entering a credible major that requires you to do internships. I know people who have left with business degrees that are doing great things and others who left with communications degrees that are doing a whole lot of nothing.

U mass provides a great education, but, one of the downfalls are the gen. ed requirements. I understand that these are necessary, however, I am not a science person, and forcing me to take 3 science classes brought down my GPA a little bit. At U mass, alot of the classes are huge lectures, but, as you get further into your major, class sizes dwindle down. How much work you do depends on the type of student you are. You could get by with doing the bare minimum, however, if you want to get the best possible GPA, you need to put in some work.

Geared towards job education for sure, and too many students are ok with that. The professors seem to have been dulled by this and, while they are are very open outside of class and are genuinely excited when it happens, many have seemed to given up hope on this being a common action.

Most of the time I would have to say that professors do not know your name. But it small classes they make an effort to learn. My most favorite class was EDUC293A Love and Work, least favorite was GEO104 Volcanoes. Students study everyday all the time 24-7. Class participation is very common. Not usually do students have intellectual conversations after class, thats free time. I don't believe that students are competitive, they just want to do well. Again the Most unique class is the EDUC293A Love and Work. I am a communications major. I love it the department is amazing and the options for internship experience is out of this world. The professors are the best and the classes are very interesting. The only time I may see a professor outside of class is if I need help. The academic requirements are fine, I just think 120 credits to graduate is alot, because I have all of my requirements accomplished and I just have to take random classes to fill credits. I believe that learning, and getting a job as well as graduating in 4 yrs. is very important.

Most professors know me and that's because I make sure they do. I ask questions in class and go see them when I need help. That's the same in any university and if you don't take advantage of it, you've got no one to blame for yourself. All of my engineering professors know me well and I've spent much time in their offices throughout the last four years. Students are studying all the time. There are always groups meeting, people working in labs and in libraries. It's almost like a social thing...I know that's geeky, but we're engineers and we have a lot to do. We make the best of it. I think my favorite class was a simulation and facility planning class. It was a project based class and I learned a LOT, especially through the autonomy that was given. My least favorite class was strength of materials. The teacher could barely speak english, did not offer a lot of help and our grade was based off of about 3 exams. Close to that was this manufacturing processes class. The teachers were equally horrible in both presentation and help and the material was just uninteresting. It was so hard to get through it. My department is awesome. The teachers are, for the most part, excellent and very well qualified. They're approachable and they want you to succeed. Umass's gen eds are kind of...annoying. They're cool because you have a lot of flexibility and can take a few classes that aren't engineering related to explore other hobbies or interests of yours. But you inevitably take some history class that's hopelessly boring and you feel like falling asleep the whole time. That's no fun. I think the engineering aspect is about getting you a job. You learn skills and they help you apply them in real situations. I think the gen ed requirements are more for just learning. They're trying to get you to be more well rounded as a person.

Academics at UMass are great, if you make it that way. Attending such a big school, lots of students think you can't get to know any professors by name. But that's not true. Take the time to go to office hours, show interest in a class, or just approach the teacher after class. It's easier than you would think, the professors here are great and they care about their classes and students and if you take the time to talk to them they are sure to listen and help you in any way they can. The school has over eighty majors to choose from and certificate courses as well and many interesting classes that you can take, including classes at the four other colleges in the Amherst area.

Most professors, unless it's a huge lecture, do work hard to learn the names of all their students. One of my favorite classes ever was "Music in Film" where we basically just watched movies in class and discussed them, then the professor had us all over to his house at the end of the semester to watch a movie on his big screen. My favorite class right now is Basic Scuba where I am learning how to Scuba dive in the classroom and one of the campus pools and then I will be certified after taking a diving trip to Key Largo over spring break. It is a pretty big financial commitment, but if it's something you're interested in, it is much cheaper than learning Scuba outside of the university, plus you get class credit. My least favorite class was probably Biology because I worked extremely hard but couldn't get an A. I would say that students study very often at Umass - all you have to do is go to the library and see how many people are there. We have the tallest academic library in the world and there are usually people on every floor, including the basement floor which houses the Learning Commons with all different resources for studying. Most professors try to simulate class participation and, for the most part, students are definitely willing to participate. My major is Communication Disorders, which is a very small major at UMass and it's not offered at too many colleges. It includes the study of speech and language and audiology. I don't generally spend time with professors outside of class, but every year my department holds a potluck luncheon where all the undergrads, graduate students, office staff, and professors get to sample each other's food and mingle.

No not all of my professors know my name. Fav Class is Econ 397B which is also English 190. Title of the class is Economics in the literary imagination which is also called street fighting with the universe. By prof john stifler. Some STudents study all the time. Some have never ever bought a book. Intellectual convos are held all the time. Students are very competitive. Class part is very common. Umass is not geared at getting anyone anything, esp not a job post-umass.

Your freshman and sophomore year are all gen ed classes, you'll be in a class with several hundred people. The professor is 50 yards in front of you and has no idea who you are. You are known by your student ID number, never your name. If you fall behind then you are on your own. No one is here to help you. Make friends in the class and try to study with them and work together, otherwise it is a lost cause. The general requirement classes are a waste of time, I'm studying law but I'm forced to take classes like astronomy and insects classes in order to fulfill those requirements. You waste over a year of college doing this. Take out a loan...go to a private school down south. This place is a frozen tundra filled with assholes and shitty professors. but hey at least you get to say you go to a party school....what a great trade off.