PBA Home > Institutional Research & Analysis > Surveys > Senior Survey 2004 > Open-Ended Comments by Major Program
Senior Survey, Spring 2004--Open-Ended Comments by Major Program
Click on the links below to jump to the comments for a specific major program
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP-ARCH 172375 1:GOALS-SOME I believe that with any institution there are
strengths and weaknesses. The strengths of the program are
defininately in the subjects of computer technology. I
felt that the weakness of the program was that there was
much inconsistency within the studio classes. It was as if
the diversity of professors would cause confusion from one
studio to the next. Some taught design, other emphasized
computers, and very few focused of drawing and drafting.
There was conflict between philosophies of old school
architecture, and new school architecture.
2:WMAJ I would like it if there was more emphasis on
drafting/drawing and also more practical analysis of what
would be realisic design for this current day and age.
3:BMAJ The emphasis on computer aides technolgy helped me
become more computer literate and competant than I ever
thought I would be.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I did not go to college right out of
high school, but when I did, I got and associate degree
before I decided what to do for my undergraduate.
209198 1:GOALS-SOME I believe that the Architecture program needs
to be focused more towards providing an education that will
prepare students for the real world. The program as it
stands is too theoretical. The computer components of this
department are seriously lacking. The program also needs
to focuse more attention to construction methods and
technology so that its graduates know what it is they are
proposing to build.
2:WMAJ Better facilities
3:BMAJ Lecture series
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I started my college career working full
time and taking classes part time. I am recieving a Minor
in Business Administration as well as a Bachelor degree in
Architecture.
236460 1:GOALS-SOME I feel unprepared for the next step... but
that could just be nerves about the future.
2:WMAJ the facilities and equipment... they are outdated
and end up costing extra time to work through
3:BMAJ about 1/3 of the faculty are awesome. they make up
for the other 2/3 of mediocre faculty
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T one semester longer.
247372 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T Getting into my desired School of
Architecture took MUCH longer than orginally anticipated
because I was a transfere student. As such, my GPA did not
transfere; requirements w/in my school stated I had to
recieve a 3.0 or higher, w/out a GPA established, I had to
create one, however coming into the university as a
transfere student meant that I didn't register for classes
until everyone else had, THUS, getting into classes
required for my major was almost impossible. This has set
me back significantly.
247867 3:BMAJ oppertunity to work on the solar d 2005 competition
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T transefered from community college
277613 1:GOALS-SOME There is little explanation as to how the
theories that we learn in class apply to the "real world"
in so much as we can use them to explain the design process
to others and/or have a practical, working knowledge of
what we should expect from the profession post-graduation.
2:WMAJ The building -- it is too small to accomodate for
the needs of the students.
3:BMAJ The interaction between peers, expecially during
Studio
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered to CU-Boulder from UCD and
subsequently switched my major.
322939 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I have taken great care in the planning
of my college career.
356749 2:WMAJ Make it more applicable to the real profession,
instead all the theortical thought.
3:BMAJ You have to be creative and think outside the box.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I will be recieving two degrees.
441862 1:GOALS-SOME I completed all of my math, science,
humanities, foriegn language, ect. at frcc and found the
instructors there much more dedicated to my success. At
CU the instructors don't seem to care as much.
2:WMAJ Add a required hand drafting course.
3:BMAJ Study Abroad Program Sounds Amazing.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I had to meet some requirements I had
not met during highschool. Also I will be working almost
full time during college.
478938 1:GOALS-SOME Lack of direct accredidation, lack of intern
networking support, lack of computer design courses and 3d
presentation pertaining to real world use.
2:WMAJ More computer aided design emphasis, more practical
studio application
3:BMAJ Studios, Instructor care and knowledge
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I'm ready to begin a new adventure in my
life and move onto a career in architecture beginning with
an internship. I was able to stay focused and complete the
required courses for the ENVD program in the 4 years with a
reasonable credit load each semester.
531979 1:GOALS-SOME I felt that there was too much emphasis on
the conceptual and theoretical parts of design. I didn't
feel like I really learned about many realistic processes.
2:WMAJ I wish faculty would really help us as students
generate relations with outside resources in order to make
the transition from school to the real world easier. Also,
don't focus so much on the conceptual part, because in the
real world, we probably won't ever have as much freedom for
design.
3:BMAJ The studios were amazing! I think they were almost
the only thing that I got anything out of while at this
school.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I changed my major two times prior to
architecture.
580128 3:BMAJ I really have grown to like the faculty. All of my
past teachers have no problems helping me out or answering
any questions that I have or giving me advice on grad
school or employment.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T because I think that it is important to
take a break from school for atleast a year so that you can
make a decision on what you want to focus on in college.
634859 1:GOALS-SOME I feel that my program focused a little too
much on theoretical design and left me unprepared for
working in an architecture office. I was fortunate to get
a job with a company that understands this about CU's
architecture program, but I think my job options would have
been greater had I had more pratical eductaion and less
theory. Also it would be great if CU's school of
architecture offered more classes that fall along the lines
of interior architecture. There were times when I felt as
though this school thinks the only field of design is
becoming an archtiect, when interiors are the interest of
many of their students.
2:WMAJ That there was an interior architecture emphasis.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I have life goals that I wish to achieve
and while college is fun, it is only meant to last for so
long, and then the real world has to begin.
683964 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I knew what I wanted to study before I
came here.
695221 1:GOALS-DEF The program has been very successful in
opening my mind to theoretical ideas in relation to
architecture and design. I have been lucky to get a variety
of great instructors. I also believe there have been many
occasions where my fellow students needed to be pushed or
graded harder by instructors.
2:WMAJ I think it would be very beneficial for students to
learn more about real-world office and construction
experiences and techniques.
3:BMAJ I have had amazing and inspirational instructors
here
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I started at a community college and
wanted some experience working in my field of study. I
decided to work full-time for an architecture firm for a
couple years, but it was great experience and helped me
decide that I definitely wanted to get my bachelors degree.
702351 1:GOALS-SOME There are too many people in the architecture
college. There weren't always enough seats for me to sit
sometimes. They need to make it harder to get into
architecture because there are some people I seriously,
seriously wonder about how they made it so far in higher
education. They should have flunked a long time ago. It's
scary that they could potentially be designing buildings.
2:WMAJ Less people should get into architecture
3:BMAJ Studios (I can't believe I'm writing that)
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F The architecture department is less than
satisfactory. I want to go to a real architecture school.
751111 1:GOALS-DEF There was too little that dealt with the real
world we encounter outside the college. Life as an
architect is all about leadership, teamwork and
interpersonal relationships, together with all the
practical and academic aspects of it. While the latter
aspects were very well addressed, the real life of an
architect, and other important skills required, were not
taught to anywhere near the needed level.
2:WMAJ More emphasis on leadership.
3:BMAJ The range of class choices to suit everyone.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I came in with AP credits from high
school, but took additional classes that interested me.
826543 1:GOALS-SOME There are many things about the architecture
program @ CU that are lacking. There are a very limited
number of courses offered which reflect the wide range of
experience that I think an architect should have before
becoming a professional. I think that things could be
greatly improved if there were more of a variety of classes
offered that explore the field of architecture in the
greater context of the world.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I took a year off due to medical issues.
In addition, I needed to take my time with classes and not
take too many per semester in order to stay in good mental
health.
868254 1:GOALS-DEF Some classes were very valuable, some classes
were a waste of time with young, inexperienced teachers.
2:WMAJ Located in a better building.
3:BMAJ Type of work. Different from the typical college
experience.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Open Option was very limiting. Did not
choose a major until junior year.
895397 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F it will help me stay on a better track
career wise.
904145 2:WMAJ I would change the way I always to manage to
procrastinate until the last minute. I would also change
the girl to guy ratio in the upper division classes to make
it more even.
3:BMAJ The level of craft and precision is taken greatly
into account, wheras it would not be so noticable in the
construction of a term paper.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T ... I only decided to study architecture
when I arrived here at CU. Prior to attending CU I studied
for 2.5 years at a junior college and was awarded my AA.
The classes I took at junior college did not meet the
requirements for the school of architecture core classes,
only the elective non-envd courses. So, when begining the
architecture program I basically had to start from scratch
even though I had already attended a junior college for 2.5
years.
918345 1:GOALS-SOME As far as public universities go, I believe
CU-Boulder has one of the top schools in the U.S. so I feel
like my educational experience was, for the most part,
top-notch. The structure was difficult enough that I feel
my goals were obtained in a working/learning environment
with enough difficulty to feel like the program was really
effective.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T My degree is in architecture and it's
structured at CU-Boulder as a five year degree. My degree
will actually take close to six years to complete because
the structure is difficult and the way for me to get the
best educational experience and good grades is to pace
myself.
941268 1:GOALS-DEF Interacting with professional architects and
for them to critique our work with a professional view.
The program taught me on how to really investigate and
solve problems independently from the instructors.
2:WMAJ To incorporate more internship opportunities to
help students learn more about the professional aspect of
architecture
3:BMAJ The theoretical approach to teaching architectural
design and applying concepts to our work.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F Four years because I plan to take a year
off before graduate school and since most graduate programs
are about two years long, I would like to try for my
architectural licensing when I am 27 years old.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP-DSGN 102319 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F i switched majors
122348 1:GOALS-DEF I started at CU with a desire to finish a
degree in a "technical" field - something that would
qualify me for a specific career. Architecture seemed a
good choice, but after 5 years, I feel only slightly more
qualified to work in the field than I did when I started.
The classes I've taken have been interesting, and
educational, but I have often missed a sense of any real
world applicability to what's been taught. The fact that
AutoCAD is not even a required course for A&P majors pretty
much sums up what's wrong with the program. An essential
skill for the field, and we're not required to take it?
2:WMAJ Real world focus! Studio projects have the
potential to be very valuable experiences for entering the
world of architectural design, but they don't meet that
potential at all. We're given the freedom to create, which
is all well and good, but I doubt the practicality of it. I
would like to know how to design a good building according
to actual problems and programs. I'd like to know how the
budget of a project affects its design, as well as the
whims and demands of the client. And I'd like to always
collaborate with group members on a design. Studying
Architecture should not be the same as learning how to be a
crazy innovative genius - it should be about learning how
to design good buildings in the real world.
3:BMAJ It does afford a lot of creativity, and options -
though these options are not widely known. Topics such as
green/sustainable design, historic preservation, growth
issues - these can lead to many other things related to
architecture, but not necessarily requiring one to be an
architect. The built environment is broad, and there are so
many places to go with it.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I don't know what I'm doing, so I'll
start taking general education classes and see what
happens. Then I'll quit for a while and work full time for
low pay and decide I just want to go get a degree so I can
graduate and get a job doing what I went to school to learn
- I'll decide on Architecture because it would be
challenging and interesting. But I'll still have to work,
so who knows how long until I finish what I start?
235142 2:WMAJ For more of my ROTC credits to count toward my
degree.
3:BMAJ The flexibility in classes, I can choose from
Architecture of Planning.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F my degree only counts 8 of the 22 Army
ROTC credits that I have/am taken.
425159 1:GOALS-SOME It was too abstractly based. We didn't
really get into real world problems like building a house.
We got into building an adstract landscape that folds into
a box. What good will that do me?
958595 1:GOALS-DEF I would have liked to have a better sense of
what the acctual field of design looks like. However,
there is a lot of individual attention and several onsite,
hands on, group experiences.
2:WMAJ Design studies would be better at accomodating
diverse areas such as Landscape if credits in biology and
plant science applied to the core of the major credits.
3:BMAJ I love my major, I learn a lot by constantly having
hands on projects and then critiques and group feedback on
the project.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F The University of Colorado at Boulder
does not offer Landscape Architecture, so I am going to
graduate in three and a half years so that I can go to
Graduate school sooner.
959943 1:GOALS-NO I did not learn anything. yet I am a senior.
product of the industry.
2:WMAJ The courses, faculty, and administrators. The
courses because they hardly pertain the reality of the
major or the profession, the faculty because if they were
good architects/designers shouldn't they be working instead
of teaching, and adminitstraotrs because after all, what do
they really do?
3:BMAJ That I will have jumped through every ridiculous
hoop created and will be done with this Bureaucratic BS
this May.
4:DODIFF I would never have come here.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T halfway through my first college
experience I realized that college was a joke, so I quit.
Then once in the real world I realized that you can make
more money and have better opportunities with a degree. So
i returned only to find out that nothing has changed.
College is a joke, a waste of money, and most importantly a
greedy industry selling a fallacy to america's youth and
their parents.
971017 1:GOALS-SOME I like that I was able to build my own major
in the college of environmental design.
2:WMAJ ???
3:BMAJ I like the option of design studies with in the
college of envir. design. I like the variety of envd
electives - from Feng Shui to photography...good stuff.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have been playing on the varsity
women's golf team and while I could have finished all my
credit load, the only class left that I HAVE to have is a
envd. studio. A studio is very difficult to complete when
I travel so much to golf tournaments
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP-PLAN 230693 2:WMAJ More emphasis on real estate development and less
on policy
3:BMAJ I had the opportunity to experience a whole
spectrum of education
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F While the college experience has been
rewarding and a great opportunity, I find it necessary in
this point of my life to move on to the professional world
where I can make a difference. I also expect to go to
graduate school and do not want to spend my ENTIRE life in
college...haha.
256190 1:GOALS-SOME The planning field is somewhat difficult to
enter from the undergraduate level, be it in the public or
private sector. I won't blame the economy, but I'm sure
that had something to do with it... somehow...
740822 1:GOALS-SOME It tried to be too politically correct with
issues that have little relevance in the real world. Would
have liked more professors who had worked outside the
university sytem.
2:WMAJ I'd have some design competition and more awards
for good work.
3:BMAJ Advising was great.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I have taken a full load of courses
every semester and took all the required courses early on.
Actually I will graduate in 3 years from CU.
757281 1:GOALS-SOME I think that the class structure in planning
is too rigid, in that there is no room for learning more
about what interested me- I really wish I would have chosen
to be a 'design studies' major. I learned as much, if not
more, about my field of study independently of my class
work, using the school resources which being a student
afforded me (i.e., through the U.R.O.P. program).
Furthermore, I think there is too much duplication of
cirriculum between classes- the professors need to sit down
in the same room and figure out how not to just teach us
the same things over and over again.
2:WMAJ There needs to be more flexibility in the course
requirements, and more room for independent study.
3:BMAJ The breadth of scope in the classes- many
professors are very dedicated at opening the eyes of the
students to broader issues related to planning.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T ...I'm indecisive. After graduating high
school in '96, I was unsure of what I wanted to do in life,
but there was many things I did want to do that I felt
being a full-time student would keep me from doing- such as
working full-time so I could have money to have fun and
enjoy life. I'm glad I took so long, because I have been
able to get much more out of my education than if I had
just whipped straight through college and fast-tracked to
some dead-end career (although, in hindsight, I would now
have alot more money to have even more fun at this point...
sigh).
914712 3:BMAJ It is very small and specialized, allowing you to
enjoy the amenities of a big university within a small
college.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I can not wait to get out inot the real
world and apply what I have learned, and start making a
difference.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-ANTH 120397 1:GOALS-SOME Since this was my secondary major, even
though it was the one I was most interested in, I may have
been out of the loop on a lot of things, but ilnternships
seemed rare and inaccesseble.
2:WMAJ THe ability to specialize more, I was really
interested in physical anthropology or forensic anth, but
there are very limited classes in these areas and there
really is no specialization.
3:BMAJ It's a very well staffed department (Anthropology),
the faculty is superb and I have nothing for praise for
them and their qualifications.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Financial aide is a joke. I have been
broke the whole way through even though I've worked both
work-study and outside jobs and this makes school work hard
to complete. When you are in school you should be in a
position to make classes and homework your biggest
priority. However when you get so little financial
assitance you simply can't. My parent's income counts
against my ability to get aide, and they are making good
money for the first time in their lives, but it all goes to
paying off debt, they can't help out as much as financial
aide apparently thinks they can. I mean $750 a semester
for work study? That's like 5 hours a week for the
semester, it's so little it's almost not worth it.
Additionally when you appeal your award you get told you
qualify for grants but there is no money to give you that
grant, that's helpful.
146043 1:GOALS-SOME The program has too many specific requirements
in areas that I am not interested. Studnts should be abl
to take the intro courss and then pursue the are or areas
that interest them most. For this reason I am not planning
on graduating with my Anthropology degree.
2:WMAJ Less specific course requirements, more freedom for
pursuing what most interests the student.
3:BMAJ The professors, VanGurven, Covert, ...
4:DODIFF I would not go to a giant public state university
in which I a monly a number. I would go somewhere that I
wuld be considered a person!
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I have taken 100% of the initiativ for
knowing what classes I needed and what reqirements they
meet. I have had three different academic advisors in my
primary major, but I have had to do all the work pertaining
to my needd credits.
151895 1:GOALS-SOME I wanted to do an interdisciplinary major but
only discovered that major opportunity when it was too
late. Anthro was a pretty good major in terms of teaching
and class opportunities. CU-Boulder classes for lower
division are too large and don't give enough personal
attention and therefore motivation to younger students.
There is not as much experimental teaching and grading,
that is, too many standardized tests and textbooks and
papers rather than interactive classroom activity. CU is a
large school and therefore I was able to seek out
professors in many different departments that were good
teachers and valuable to me.
2:WMAJ More cultural classes that branch out into other
disciplines,
3:BMAJ flexibility, not a lot of requirements
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F it just worked out that way that I
wanted one extra semester to finish everything up.
227210 1:GOALS-SOME Few of the classed offered in the
Anthropology department were related to Latin America and
most of those were small and filled up quickly. This made
it very difficult to focus my studies on my areas of
interest. It was also very difficult to integrate into the
University community as a transfer student because there
were very few group projects and/or student-student
interation.
2:WMAJ Make the lower division courses more interesting
and smaller. As they are now, there is little drive to
continue the major because they don't make the major sound
as appealing as it is.
3:BMAJ It has given me myriad new ideas about the way the
world works and about the way the would could work.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I started out at a community college
taking two classes per semester while working full time.
When I transfered to the university of Colorado I continued
to work two part time jobs and went to school full time. I
am also a double major.
230679 1:GOALS-SOME i learned a lot about anthropology but it
didn't really help me to get a job
2:WMAJ the advising program xxxx its hard to get in to
meet with advisiors and most of the time they get you in
and out with out making sure that you are doing alright.
3:BMAJ the teachers in the anth department are great
everyone of them is knowledgeble and willing to help the
students
286222 1:GOALS-NO i changed my major to anthropology because i
wanted to get involved in archaeology- a subfield of anth.
however, sinnce archaeology is one of three subfields in
anthropology, i spent more time studying fields that i have
no interest in than in archaeology. only after some time
did i realize that if i wanted to study archaeology, i
should have majored directly in the area that i wanted to
study (e.g. classics), instead of anthro. however, i would
had to have at least stayed another year, and given you
xxxx more of my money.
2:WMAJ more flexibility to pursue the sub field that i was
interested in.
3:BMAJ the professors (i.e darna dufour and payson sheets,
etc)
4:DODIFF i would have loved to have gone on study abroad,
but alas, i am too poor. i would also have been a classics
major and not felt rushed to graduate within two years.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F i took two non-sequence semesters off.
in hindsight, i should have taken a year off between high
school and college.
300843 1:GOALS-DEF At times, my anth program has been so
broad-reaching that I felt my interests and studies were
all over the place. This has been complicit in my current
worry of not knowing what I will do with my life. However,
my anth studies have taught me such a wide variety of
fascinating and useful things that, even if I never use
some of them again, I will always be glad to have learned
them. I recommend anthropology to anyone who has a general
interest in the humanities and the science of what makes us
'us.'
2:WMAJ I would spend so much more time talking to my
professors! They are here for a reason. They are (most of
them) smart and interesting people. If only I had
understood that as a Freshman/Sophomore
3:BMAJ The best thing about my time as a CU undergrad,
was, ironically, the time I spent studying abroad in
England. I realize that CU was my doorway to that
experience. The time I spent in England is probably the
best thing I have ever done. I can't recommend it highly
enough.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I'm going to take about four years,
because I have sometimes pushed myself harder than I
probably had to. It's like I'm driven to get through with
school, and go on to whatever is next... only I'm not sure
what is next. Sometimes I just want to go on to the next
step, whatever that is. I'll have to take some time off to
work now, and then it's back at it (this whole 'school
thing') for my next degree... somewhere and in something. I
only know that I'm interested in what makes people tick and
I think maybe I want to write about it. My advice to you
(as to whether or not to get out in four years) is just do
what feels natural. If it takes you seven years, but you
learn a lot and enjoy yourself, more power to you. Good
luck.
316308 1:GOALS-SOME Would have liked to seen more applied
anthropology classes.
2:WMAJ Have applied anthropology be one of the
undergraduate requirements for the major.
3:BMAJ It teaches about diverse cultures.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I was quick in deciding my major
349350 1:GOALS-SOME I felt left in the dark about programs such
as INVST that I would have wanted to participate in or at
least known more about.
362120 1:GOALS-NO In the Anthropology department, there were
few, if any, real world/experiential learning opportunities
in the realm of cultural anthropology. (plenty for
archaeology in Four Corners... but alas, that was not my
interest). In order to obtain such experiences, I turned
to the INVST program, and Fine Arts.
2:WMAJ More course offerings related to the current
paradigm of cultural interaction.
3:BMAJ Inspired, passionate professors.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I decided to squeeze the most out of an
undergraduate education by earning two degrees; a BA in
Anthropology, a BFA in Fine Arts and a certificate in the
International and National Voluntary Service Training
Program.
375541 1:GOALS-DEF The anthropology program has taught me a lot
about diversity and equality and provided me with a good
foundation for the future.
2:WMAJ The advisor, she wasn't great.
3:BMAJ The professors, they are all awesome! Especially
Covert and VanGerven
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I worked very hard and took some summer
school classes to make sure that I would graduate on time.
409790 1:GOALS-SOME many of the upper division classes were very
theoretical, but in lower division classes, we were never
taught the theories
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I could not get into many of the classes
I needed to graduate. I was not even aware of some of the
classes I needed to take until senior year
470151 2:WMAJ I would increase the allowed credits within the
major. I would also add more practical application classes.
I would make Applied Anthropology a requirement early on in
the major.
3:BMAJ I loved the diversity of classes
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T because by this time I can't stand the
politics and structure of school, despite my love for
learning. Maybe I'll go back for graduate school after a
short break.
474782 2:WMAJ Have more explicit study abroad opportunities
related to the major available.
3:BMAJ The professors -- they are motivated,
inspirational, and passionate
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F you can if you try and my parents stop
paying after four years
475122 1:GOALS-SOME The ANTH Department is full of WONDERFUL
Profs and Grad students. I only wish that the department
had more faculty and additional course offerings. Some
semesters were better than others, but overall I found
myself either struggling to find interesting courses, or
not able to fit them all in my schedule - hit or miss
overall. Additionally, the lower division courses could
be much more effective if they were smaller in size, and
required more out of their students. I enjoyed the
diversity of topics provided in the lower division classes,
but each course often tried to cover too much material and
resulted in a rather slight portrayel of certain
topics. I wish more courses were offered in ANTH that
dealt with CURRENT ISSUES in anthropology, especially
cultural stuff. Too much "traditional" cultural anth
topical and ethno courses.
2:WMAJ Expand the course offerings to reflect the
evolution of the discipline. Provide more courses geared
towards the REALITY of entering the job market - ie: less
theoretical and more practical. Maybe a course on jobs in
archaeology, or cultural etc... I feel like I have a good
foundation for graduate school, but absolutely NO
foundation for getting paid in the real world ASIDE from my
wonderful internship with Amnesty International. How about
making internships REQUIRED for Graduation?
3:BMAJ The PEOPLE!!!! The ANTH Department is full of
AMAZING profs and grad students who are intelligent,
passionate, and accessable. They are the HEART and SOUL of
the discipline. Eventhough I extremly dislike archaeology
and biological stuff, my profs (Covert, Bamforth, and
Sponheimer) made it enjoyable and interesting most every
step of the way. By far the best department on campus. I
wish I could have taken more classes from them all. My
list of the Greats in the ANTH Department: Donna
Goldstein and Carol Conzelman - the reason I am in
ANTH Pat Lawrence - my inspiration for international
human rights and peace work...now my life work! Bert
Covert - my mentor and great friend Dennis Van Gerven -
the smartest, shortest, most dynamic professor who made
statistics enjoyable and showed me that I can do ANYTHING i
put my mind to. I am truly going to miss these
folks...
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F out of state tuition is very expensive
and I do not wish to burden my family and myself by
spending more time in college and acquiring greater debt.
484584 1:GOALS-DEF In the Anth. program at CU I was able to take
a wide variety of classes that fit into my major, as well
as learn Spanish fluently and complete an internship in
Chile. I then was able to go on working one on one with my
professor to present my internship research findings at the
annual meeting of applied anthropologists in Estes Park.
This was a great opportunity for me.
2:WMAJ More time and emphasis devoted to applied work in
the field. Also a required course on research design and
analysis.
3:BMAJ It has taught me so much and changed the way that I
view the world and all international issues.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I took one year off to establish
residency in the state of Colorado. With the upcomming
tuition increases I would recomend that you personaly do
the same. In state is managable while out of state is out
of the question for many of us. Muchos Saludos, Mark
547182 1:GOALS-SOME I think there need to be more access to
internship or other outside of school educational
opportunities.
2:WMAJ More small classes that give students an
opportunity to get to know thier teachers.
3:BMAJ The small classes I already have taken.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F Even though I didn't know what my major
was going to be freshman year, once I declared my advisor
helped me find a way to finish in four years.
563293 1:GOALS-SOME I was hoping for a bit more challenging
academic environment and higher standards for all students
2:WMAJ I would like to have academic standards raised
throughout the school. Too many students are getting
through this university without having to really apply
themselves academically. Not all departments have low
standards, but many overall departments and classes
(usually lower-division) within departments require too
little effort to pass. Including certain classes (lower &
upper division) in my major program.
3:BMAJ The close feeling of community including both
students andd faculty.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I plan to stay ontop of my major's
course requirements and know what is expected of me for all
four years as an entering freshman.
600992 1:GOALS-DEF I learned many new things, and was able to
participate in the honors program by writing a thesis. I
was also abel to see the way my professors thought about
current issues. In some cases I also got to hear how they
came to be where they are currently.
2:WMAJ More career oppurtunities.
3:BMAJ The professors.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I worked hard and stayed focused. Once
I figured out what I wanted to do I got on track and stayed
foucused to achieve graduating in four years even though it
required taking over 15 credit hours and a summer class to
catch up.
655924 1:GOALS-SOME Did: anthropology is a broad subject,
allowing for introduction to many disciplines; teachers
were generally nice and helpful Did not: teachers often
had reservations about introducing complex subjects, so
knowledge was very basic; there was no component that
focused specifically on refining academic skills (writing);
teachers were often so flexible or too talkative so not all
course material (especially "required" books) were used,
the overemphasis on multiculturalism and diversity limited
time to study more important things; presentation of
material was often dull relying solely on overheads and
powerpoints.
2:WMAJ add a linguistics portion. the study of
anthropology traditionally has four fields, but at CU,
linguistics as been left out because it is a separate
department. I think that there should be a way to
integrate the fields or have a ling requirement in the anth
major especially because it has such low credit
requirements anyway
3:BMAJ i like that anth is interdisciplinary, using
history, biology, sociology, etc. it is unfortunate that
some profs are afraid to really explore these other
disciplines in depth
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I came into college with over a
semester's worth of credits, and despite choosing my major
late and going abroad will be able to complete the meager
30 credits required for my BA as well as a minor. I have
taken over 15 credits every semester and have maintained a
decent GPA while still being able to manage my time to
balance school, community service, recreation, social
connections, and partying.
660273 2:WMAJ Less Cultural, more Biological and Archaeology
emphasis. CU (in general) has met my educational goals
because I chose CU for its outstanding Anthropology and
History departments and those areas of CU were definitely
worth it. On the other hand, many classes I would be
interesed in taking, specifically pertaining to world
issues and languages, are not taught with a neutral tone,
they are taught from the Western perspective of politics,
the American way of thinking, not by someone from the
outside looking at the United States, perhaps, as the
"foreign" party. If I wanted that, I would watch the news
on television! I would advocate the hiring of a more
diverse population of faculty to teach about the
non-Western world. Additionally, CU does not offer any
Arabic courses through the main campus program, and those
offered through the Continuing Education program are
frequently cancelled and consequently unavailable for those
of us who don't want to learn Spanish or French or German.
I believe that students should have the option of learning
a Middle Eastern language on main campus, during "regular"
school hours - not only will it better and broaden the
scope of knowledge available to students, it will create a
more competant, competitive work force as the Middle East
becomes more and more a part of everyone's daily lives.
3:BMAJ The amount of knowledge that the Anthropology
faculty has to offer and is willing to share.
4:DODIFF I would have added my minor sooner
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F that's as many years as I can afford.
660566 1:GOALS-SOME I was pleased with professors in the
department. They all seemed to know a lot about what they
were teaching and were generally enthusiastic about passing
knowledge on.
2:WMAJ More practical courses with field work
3:BMAJ Great teachers
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am able to finish in four years (well,
actually three), and I would like to save the extra money
to continue to graduate school.
665579 1:GOALS-SOME Cost and sheer number of required courses
(even the variety offered by CORE requirements) have
limited my opportunities for a broad education... It seems
that the university wants students to come in, pay up, get
a smattering of this, that, and the other, and then get
out. There is no time to take courses just because I find
them interesting... It's a shame that my education is
limited by my schooling. (And no, I never had to read Mark
Twain for any of my classes.)
2:WMAJ Let students focus on one area of study within
anthropology. A broad program, involving cultural anth,
biological anth, and archaeology seems most logical, but
I'd really have liked to focus more in one area, and have
more room for electives within the major requirements. As
it stands, students are forced to take some classes in each
area, with room for only one or two electives. (I'm
double-majoring, so I don't have elective credits to spare
to take more anth classes.)
3:BMAJ The faculty are truly world-class! It's been
wonderful to learn from them.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F ...it's difficult to juggle a part-time
job and a full 15-hour course load. Taking 15 hours a
semester, approximately 5 classes, is required in order to
graduate in four years. Financial aid assumes your parents
will help you; when they don't, financial aid is *quite*
unsympathetic, and so you have to work 20+ hours per week,
on top of taking as many loans as possible, to make ends
meet. Some people can work full time and go to school full
time; many people cannot. Therefore, the education suffers,
and it takes longer and longer before your graduation date
nears.
665711 2:WMAJ That there be smaller class sizes especially at the
upper-division level.
3:BMAJ The professors
4:DODIFF I would have wasted not a single second worrying
about what my grades were. If I go to class, read the
materials, complete the assignments on time, and talk to
the professor, I will be okay! I would also not waste my
time with individuals who party so much. I would have
tried to surround myself with other intellectual and
academic people who care about their learning and are
passionate about school.
675360 1:GOALS-SOME The program met my goals because I will have
a degree, but the stress needed to attain it was unnessesary
2:WMAJ more courses/diversity
3:BMAJ it only takes 30 credit hours
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F the advising at this school is horrible,
and the dean and admissions offices have no compassion for
an individual student.
689422 1:GOALS-SOME yes, but there is a huge discrepancy between
upper and lower division courses. too much and not enough
education.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I had forsight to plan ahead in major
classes and get a double degree
695045 1:GOALS-DEF I sought out a degree in anthropology with
the hope that I could complete it in a reasonable amount of
time and that I could pursue a professional degree. While I
don't know about the odds of getting into graduate school,
I am very pleased with the structure of the Anthropology
major.
2:WMAJ I was thrilled with the Anthropology program and
wouldn't change it.
3:BMAJ The availability of interesting classes--it was
marvelous!
4:DODIFF Chosen a different second major (because my
interests developed over time).
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS I am a double major and also working.
This makes it a bit harder to find classes to fit my
schedule without going too insane. How's the weather in
Oahu? See you soon!
710151 1:GOALS-DEF I've loved studying culture and I've loved
medicine-- low and behold, I'm graduating and my major is a
mixture between medicine and anthropology (medical
anthropology). I've also researched and travelled with a
professor for the past few years, to make this
undergraduate experience feel more personalized and unique.
2:WMAJ The Archaeology requirements.
3:BMAJ The faculty! The anthropology professors have been
incredible for my learning experiences, thank you!
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F It is possible to change your major
three times and still graduate on time (I did it!) And
there's a good reason to take summer school... Over four
years of undergraduate work can be financially burdensome.
Therefore, if you love school that much (and a lot of
people do), then go to graduate school and then get your
PhD. But for God's sake- don't waste money getting your
BA/BS!
711823 1:GOALS-SOME First, i don't remember ever being encouraged
to set any goals, except to graduate in 4 years, which i
managed to do with 2 majors and a minor. I feel like i've
gained a lot of information and great skill in analyzing
world issues/ being able to see both sides of any
arguement. It seems to me, the more i learned, however,
the more i realize that no one is right/wrong in any issue,
which i believe is pretty useful.
2:WMAJ Allow for some kind of independant, longterm
project where i could work closely with one prof. on a
project that i have shaped and created on my own volition,
culminating in some kind of research paper/project that
would be presented to my cohorts before graduating.
3:BMAJ Teaching staff was, for the most part, EXCELLENT.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F My dad's paying for it, Otherwise, they
say it's the best four years of your life, why not make it
5 or 6 right?
752904 1:GOALS-DEF I feel that the Anthropology program at CU,
though small, is right in line with what undergraduates
need to succeed outside of the university. All of my
experience with the professors has been wonderful and very
personal, and it's something that you don't get with the
larger majors on campus, like Psychology or Biology.
2:WMAJ I think that I would give Anth undergrads the
opprotunity to alter their major to fit their future plans,
so that those who do not plan a career in Archaeology or
Biological Anth can focus on Linguistics or Cultural Anth,
and vice versa.
3:BMAJ I think that the Anth program at CU has a wonderful
faculty, and would like to see them grow in size and
appreciation.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I have decided to complete a double
major undergraduate degree in Psychology and Anthropology.
753846 2:WMAJ The courses that are offered. I wanted to take
some courses that weren't offered in a particular year. I
wish that some courses were offered more often.
3:BMAJ THE diversity of it. There are so many things
about Anthropology that are interesting. I like all the
subjects, cultural, physical, archaeology.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I had difficulty deciding what I wanted
to do.
809787 1:GOALS-SOME Not enough field work / experience in the
field of anthropology. No opportunity to focus officially
on any one area in anthropology, for instance archaeology.
Good overall education in anthropology however.
2:WMAJ more field work
3:BMAJ the professors
4:DODIFF i would take less time to graduate by integrating
my two majors better. i would also go on study abroad to
broaden my experience
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I didn't know what i wanted to do for a
year and half and then added on a second major my junior
year. However, I plan to enjoy every extra minute of it
while still getting stuff done and hopefully i'll be able
to pay off the extra debt some day. love, Levi
815183 1:GOALS-SOME I think it was more me than anything, I just
grew away from the major and by that time, it was too late
for me to switch majors
2:WMAJ Advising, my advisor seemed to play favorites and
she was never very nice to me and not very helpful.
3:BMAJ it is a very interesting topic and fun to learn
about
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F to recieve a broad education with
experience in many fields that will be useful to me after
graduation. Four years is long enough to give you the
broad and full education you will need.
852561 1:GOALS-DEF I chose anthropology as a second major. It
expanded my general knowledge of cultural anthropology.
2:WMAJ I would recommend more difficult course work. I
thought that many of the upper division classes were too
basic. I took one upper division survey course which
engaged students with in class debates and many readings.
This was much more challengine, enjoyable, and more of a
learning experience. I also think additional options for
the upper division archaeology course should be offered.
There should be other options for students more interested
in cultural anthropology. The one archeological option
that is cultural (ancient egypt) is a very poor class.
3:BMAJ Anthropology exposes you to a variety of topics and
subjects. There are many interesting options for upper
division coursework.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F it is possible to take all of the
classes for my major within that time period. I will also
have time to take additional courses that I am interested
in. I should also be able to study abroad for that
semester during that time period, and still be able to
finish school in four years.
872979 1:GOALS-SOME I would have preferred to earn a degree in
Cultural Anthropology, rather than in the broader
Anthropology.
2:WMAJ I would change the distinction of my degree from
"Anthropology" to "Cultural Anthropology."
3:BMAJ The incredibly qualified and motivated faculty.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T all possible paths taken from college
require careful consideration.
876828 1:GOALS-SOME Make internships more avaliable. Make credit
requirements clearer. Look at the B-schools student
progress sheet as a guide.
2:WMAJ Change the pay for print. 19 cents for double
sided in unnecessary. At that price there is no motivation
to save paper. Also bring back scheduling booklets (for
free!)
3:BMAJ The professors.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Double Degree
884628 2:WMAJ better availability of classes
3:BMAJ the professors
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F it is difficlut to get into the classes
i need and want to take, plus i keep putting off taking a
math class b/c i don't like the subject.
899673 1:GOALS-DEF CU-Boulder has prepared me for my teaching
profession and I feel confident that I will make a good
elementary school teacher.
2:WMAJ More interaction with the instructors and smaller
1000 level classes. CU-Boulder lets in way too many
students, which takes away from the overall learning
enviroment.
3:BMAJ The faculty are wonderful speakers and really
convey their message about anthropology to you in a
straight forward way.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have chosen to get my elementary
teaching license in addition to my Anthropology major.
913970 1:GOALS-DEF I was able to focus on biological
anthropology rather than having to take all cultural
anthropology
2:WMAJ It would be nice if there were more biological
anthropology courses offered rather than the plethora of
cultural classes. Perhaps it would be nice if students
could have an emphasis in one or the other. Also,
linguistic anth is poorly represented.
3:BMAJ It teaches good ethical skills for life in general,
not just for the field itself.
4:DODIFF I would have perhaps chosen a second major
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F My major was easy to complete within
that time and it is the only major I chose. Further, it
helps that I did not transfer here from another school and
I had all my maps requirements out of the way before I came
here, particularly foriegn language.
932075 1:GOALS-SOME I understand the desire for ANTH students to
be well-rounded in all aspects of ANTH. However, I focus
on cultural anthropology. Many of the interesting
ethnography courses are lower division, which is a
disincentive to taking them. And then there is the
archeology requirement. I understand requiring it as a
lower division, and while I disagree with the requirement,
I see the logic behind requiring an upper division
archeology class. BUT, if you are going to require that
students take an upper division archeology class, you
should provide them with more options. Human ecology (with
an emphasis on geomorphology) does nothing for my future.
I have no interest in southwest archeology. I'm not given
a whole lot of options in that arena, and I think that
should be improved. That said, some of my favorite
courses on the CU campus have been ANTH courses and easily
my favorite professors. Even in large lecture halls, the
ANTH professors create an intimate classroom experience.
2:WMAJ The archaeology requirements mentioned before...
3:BMAJ Quality teachers
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F there is so much more to do. Although
the college experience is worth enjoying and savoring,
there is so much more to do. Get in, do the job, get out
and move on. Love every minute of it.
956196 1:GOALS-SOME There aren't many jobs available in
anthropology, which is frustrating. I didn't learn about
the reality of the lack of jobs until my junior year.
2:WMAJ I would like to see more upper division classes.
In the course booklet, there are so many classes in anth
that CU once offered, but maybe the isn't a professor to
teach them.
3:BMAJ I think that the faculty is great!
5:DEARCJ-xxxx F longer than four years because I have
basically three majors- Anthropology, History, and I am
getting my secondary teaching license, but I definitely
could have finished in four years if I stuck with one major.
963238 2:WMAJ The Fine Arts advising is horrible.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am a transfer student, and all my
previous credits did not get accepted.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-ASIA 497820 1:GOALS-SOME I had few goals coming in. In light of this,
CU did fairly well.
2:WMAJ I would raise academic standards.
3:BMAJ Very flexible.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I spent two years in China following my
third year at CU, and an additional two years fulfilling
core requirements and taking graduate classes after
returning. In addition, I rarely took more than twelve
credit hours in any given semester.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-ASTR 132222 1:GOALS-SOME there has been a lack of organization within
my major, astrophysics, which is probably due to the
newness of it. There have also been a few courses where
the professors have extremely low averages and to me this
is unacceptable. It shows a problem with the teaching
ability.
2:WMAJ I think the program needs to be structured better.
There should also be teachers that dont have averages of 40
teaching.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F i have three majors adn a minor.
219362 2:WMAJ More courses offered and expand opportunities for
core requirements within the department. Students need to
be directly notified of changes in course planning and
scheduling because not all mentors will think to tell them.
3:BMAJ Quality of instruction and application of course
materials.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I took some summer classes to facilitate
going abroad (which does not generally provide opportunity
for graduation progression). Some courses conflict and are
not offered specific semesters. Generally, it is possible
to graduate in 4 years as long as you don't take only the
minimum credits required.
318206 2:WMAJ Upper division astronomy courses should have
pre/co-requisits of upper division physics courses and be
taught at that level. Too many courses avoided interesting
topics because people did not have the phyiscs/math
background which is required in astrophysics.
3:BMAJ The instructors are generally enthusiasitic and
really willing to work with students.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I've taken most of the classes in my
majors which seem interesting and valuable to me and I wish
to continue my education in graduate school without further
delay.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-BAAH 498416 1:GOALS-SOME I only wish I had more time to take additonal
classes
2:WMAJ the facilities
3:BMAJ The faculty, and the commitment to non-western art
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am a non-traditional transfer student
who chose two new majors while at CU
501867 1:GOALS-SOME For the most part it did, but I feel like
classes should be more concentrated in one specific area.
I feel like I know a little about a lot of different
things, and I would rather know a lot about fewer things.
2:WMAJ have smaller, more concentrated classes
3:BMAJ Diversity of classes and faculty
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I took classes that counted for college
credit in high school, and because I took 18 hours each
semester my senior year, so I could be done in four years.
613730 1:GOALS-SOME I feel that about half of my professors gave
the class very general information instead of an in depth
knowledge of the subject.
2:WMAJ I would like to have more choices of classes. For
example, there has been no Islamic art and architecture
class for years.
3:BMAJ The professors in the upper division courses are
wonderful. They have a huge amount of knowledge and good
lecturing skills.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F my high school education was so
wonderful that I completed most of my CU core requirements
during high school.
723146 1:GOALS-DEF IT WAS NOT UNTIL MY SENIOR SEMINAR THAT I WAS
ENCOURAGED TO WRITE AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY OR TO SHARE MY
OWN OPINION!!I FELT I LEARNED A LOT OF FACTS IN MANY OF THE
CLASSES, BUT HAD FEW OPPORTUNITIES TO ANALYTICALLY PARTAKE
IN REFLECTIVE DISCUSSIONS.
2:WMAJ Recitations in the lower division art history
classes. I would want my AP Art credit to count for "intro
to art" instead of "drawing 1". more discussion and small
group projects in classes. more helpful advising.
3:BMAJ i get to look at art!
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I originally took classes my freshman
and sophomore year that interested me the most. These
classes then transferred nicely when I decided that I
wanted to major in those same areas.
937252 1:GOALS-SOME Courses that met my focus in art history
either did not exist or were were only offered rarely.
2:WMAJ Too much focus on European art; thus excluding
focused study of non-Western art.
3:BMAJ Smart and hard-working staff and faculty.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F that's the amount of time I needed to
finish my degrees, and the amount of time I was willing to
spend at CU-Boulder.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-BASA 146768 1:GOALS-SOME I would have appreciated more real-life
direction regarding how to get artwork into galleries or
out into the world.
2:WMAJ The fine arts school should be more organized with
its advising department. I never felt comfortable that my
adviser knew what she was doing. Also, some classes felt
entirely worthless, like "History of Media Arts" with Alex
Sweetman. He never even gave us a syllabus even though I
asked repeatedly for one. The classes and teachers should
be reevaluated.
3:BMAJ I have learned a fun and interesting skill:
painting.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am getting a double degree and a
minor. Broadcast News and Fine Arts degrees and a
minor in business.
213656 1:GOALS-DEF Gave me lots of training and practice in the
skills i will need in my career, not only technical but
personal
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F It is hard to get all the classes you
need due to budget cuts
357382 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F i took 5
405564 1:GOALS-DEF Provided me with a path for the future
2:WMAJ More variety in classes
3:BMAJ small, hands on classes
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F because I am graduating on time- most of
my friends are not.
545335 1:GOALS-SOME the fine arts program is seriously lacking
variety and availability of its classes.
2:WMAJ some of the fine arts faculty aren't interested in
the students at all it seems. They do not inspire us or
challenge us to do better. I would say its almost too laid
back.
3:BMAJ some of the faculty are great, for example Jerry
Kunkel is an excellent instructor-he has a personal
relationship with students that other profs lack.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have a double major.
592059 1:GOALS-SOME A lot of the classes were unstructured. I am
studying digital arts and the classes were very repetive
and boring as well as too easy.
2:WMAJ A bigger selection of courses that are not
repeatitive
3:BMAJ some of the professors
4:DODIFF I would choose to go to CU-Denver because it
seems like they have a better digital art program.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T It is hard to get into many of my
required classes due to overcrowding
608137 1:GOALS-xxxx Not enough courses offered to meet demand of
skills needed job market
2:WMAJ add more programs than just your basic art classes
and better facilities
3:BMAJ nothing
5:DEARCJ-xxxx T because you cannot always get into the
class you want or it is only offered once a year, so it
will take a bit longer.
731951 1:GOALS-SOME I felt very limited as an artist and as a
student wishing to become and art teacher with the
facilities I had available to me. The Fine Arts building
and its facilities need a serious overhaul. The school
should put some effort in bettering what is available to
fine arts students in order to be able to provide a better
educational experience and to attract future classes as
fine arts majors. I feel that on a whole the University
has forgotten about the department in many ways.
2:WMAJ The facilities.
3:BMAJ The faculty.
4:DODIFF I would double major, or have a minor.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F my father wants me to get out into the
world and be grown up, not so much to be doing what I want
to be doing, but to be doing what HE THINKS I should be
doing. Sounds like fun, doesn't it. I say that you should
go out and do what you want to do with your life, whether
it is teaching snowboarding on the side or being the CEO of
a top company. Its your life, not his. Now, if only I
could tell him that.
754638 1:GOALS-SOME I don't feel like I gained knowledge of what
a carreer in this area is really like and I feel like i got
a pretty focused education that I don't know how to apply
in the real world
3:BMAJ The teachers in the sculpture department have made
my experience at CU what it is, Yumi and Toni Rosato
especially. Their sincere concern for each individual
student and the knowledge I have gained from them have been
highlights of my academic experience
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transferred to CU and although all my
credits transfered they didn't give me credit for some of
the classes in my major. So I have a bunch of electives
from classes that in some cases were upper division courses
towards my major. The University I transferred from was
much more academically challenging and had the same
requirements for my major and it is frustrating that at CU
I have to re-take the classes I have already taken and
worked so hard in.
774944 1:GOALS-SOME The program gave many opportunities for
creative work to be experiemented with. However, there was
always a difficulty in getting the classes I needed and
desired to take. This, therefore did not allow me to
persue all of the creative goals I have as a fine arts
major.
2:WMAJ The facilities of the Fine Arts building are awful.
In many ways, they are hazardous to students and faculty
alike. The program would be greatly improved by updating
the building and the up-keep of it. It is difficult to
create and work in a shared space that is deteriorating.
3:BMAJ The opportunity to hear other artists (as they
visit through the course of the year). It gives us an
insight into the present art world, and what we have to
look forward to after graduation.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I received college credit in high
school. Mostly, I wanted to graduate in four years to save
money while getting the most out of my education and time
spent at CU.
805003 1:GOALS-DEF The fine arts program was so underfunded that
the facilities often stood in the way of academics.
Graduate students teach almost all of the classes, and even
though they're excellent, they aren't professors. It has
dissuaded me from going to graduate school any time in the
near future. However, the professors that I did have were
amazing, and I learned more than I could have imagined.
2:WMAJ I would provide more funding. I would build a new
building, or add on an extension to the old one so that
students could take the courses that they wanted to take.
3:BMAJ The individual courses taught be great professors
like Tony Rosato and Garrison Roots. They were incredible.
I learned more than I thought possible.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F it's really expensive, and there's a lot
more out there besides college. However, if you need more
time, don't rush yourself, because you won't enjoy it, and
it can be a lot of fun. Not just party-wise; academics can
be really interesting.
851636 1:GOALS-DEF Excellent instuctors.
2:WMAJ The Fine Arts Department deserves a better space
and better materials. I realize there is not enough money,
but the atmosphere is really struggling. Too many student,
not enough space, not enough class availability, course fee
is too high and pays for nothing-maybe the occasional paper
towels and soap. There are some very talented students in
the program and CU should be proud of thier Art Dept.
3:BMAJ Professors- Vernon Minor, Sally Elliot, Kay Miller,
Celeste Rehm, Bill Amundson, Liz Owen, Peter Beal
4:DODIFF Double major
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T it took me a couple of years longer than
everyone else to figure out that I wanted to do well in
school. This meant that I worked full-time while taking
evening classes until I knew I was ready to take school
seriously. You cannot just float by at CU. You have to
learn how to do things for yourself and use the resources
offered.
894419 1:GOALS-SOME As an Art/Art history major it is
discouraging to see the lack of funding and resources in
the department. I would certainly not recommend CU to
anyone in studio art. Classes are overcrowded and
facilities are substandard. Sorry!
2:WMAJ See previous comments. The Art/Art History
department needs facilities. Could it be that it might also
benefit from a little focus on careers such as graphic
design, illustration, or (gasp), advertising? I know,
that's more than one thing.
3:BMAJ Dedicated hard working brilliant professors who
could benefit from some help with facilities.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T It keeps costing $ the longer I take!
895347 1:GOALS-DEF could not take several classes, due to
departmental funding issues of hiring enough teachers.
fine arts dept. does not receive enough funding, and the
students suffer from it.
2:WMAJ More sections / class positions in classes, so I
could have taken certain classes that I wanted to.
Photography needs more teachers and sections.
3:BMAJ Encourages diversity, both artistic and personal.
It is one of the most accepting and diverse departments.
4:DODIFF I wish I had went on study abroad. I did it in
H.S. and it is just such a rewarding experience. Wish I
wouldn't have switched majors so many times, so I would
have had time to go overseas.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I have experienced several majors, and
decided on one that I enjoy. Once I discovered this, I can
buckle down and focus on the school work ahead. I make up,
in the summer sessions, for what I have fallen behind on,
just so I can graduate in 4 years.
974780 1:GOALS-SOME i wanted to experience hands on art, and art
instruction. This is not the field i plan on going into,
so i wanted to get experience, and in that way it met my
goals. I think if i was planning on going to graduate
school in art though, i would have been disappointed,.
2:WMAJ Make the classes and times more flexible and open
for students. There were many semesters when i couldn;t
take a class because it was only offered at one time, and
so was another equally important class. Also, there were
semesters where i couldn't get into a class i REALLY wanted
to take simply because it was limited to a certain number
of people, and because it was a survey class, not offered
again for two years, after i graduate!
3:BMAJ The community that is formed in small class rooms
with people you have been with before and have gotten to
know pretty well
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F it wasn't that difficult for me to
complete the major as long as i took some summer school
classes. Also, my parents were only going to pay for four
years, and i didn't see a point in wasting my money on an
extra year when i could easily finish in four.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-BCHM 117403 1:GOALS-DEF In terms of connecting with individual
professors my program did not meet my needs. Perhaps offer
ways for students to connect better with professors in
fields that don't necessarily lend themselves to discussion
or interaction.
2:WMAJ I would employ faculty that are interested in the
students success and future interests so that they
structure their class with the intent to engage and know
their students.
3:BMAJ The professors were highly qualified and
knowledgeable individuals who cared about their field and
it's application to the world.
4:DODIFF I would have liked to discover my interest in
economics earlier so I could have completed an honors
thesis.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I plan to pursue at least two majors
within the College of Arts and Sciences and then hope to
complete an honors thesis in order to attain honors
recognition at the time of my graduation.
150627 1:GOALS-SOME Too many requirements outside of field of
study which made getting necessary classes hard .
171730 1:GOALS-DEF I transferred in and added biochem last year.
This means i missed a good deal of the standard experience.
I think the best choice for a science major is working in a
lab since it forces thinking and reasoning far more than
classes or class labs. I really like both the MCDB and
Biochem deparments and will recommend them highly, though
current state budget issues make me wary.
2:WMAJ Since I am only writing for biochem I really would
not change anything. I like the program and think skills
from it will carry over well when I go to graduate school.
3:BMAJ I finally understand enough chemistry to
confidently know nothing.
4:DODIFF I would have taken more advantage of the UROP
program.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I busted my ass for three of them and
got really good at fighting for transfer credit.
227066 1:GOALS-SOME it helped me encounter job opportunities
throughout my advisors...
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F if you are organized, the four years are
time enough
228515 1:GOALS-DEF I worked as in undergraduate in a MCDB lab
for three years. This lab allowed me to become a better
problem solver, an independent learner, and taught me more
than probably all 120 credit hours I was forced to take by
the university. Research experience should suppliment for
many of the required labs and maybe even some classes.
2:WMAJ Labs should be supplimented by research experience
in a related field within the university.
3:BMAJ I was very impressed with all the professors
knowlege and teaching ability in biochemistry and MCDB
compared with many professors in other departments.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F It is not difficult to graduate in four
years. I am graduating in four years with dual degrees and
a minor.
235548 1:GOALS-DEF It offered enough theoretical knowledge that
the challenges in a research position were merely
technique, not fundamental ideas. I consider myself
well-versed in the basic (and many advanced) theories of
biochemistry after completing my education at CU.
2:WMAJ More upper division electives reflecting current
topics in research that Faculty members are excited about--
we don't get to see the faculty interested and engaged
very often. Maybe structured as Seminars, with multiple
professors?
3:BMAJ You really learn chemistry and biology. I almost
completed an MCDB major, but dropped it when I realized we
were simply covering the same material I had taken in
Biochemistry I & II and physical Chemistry I & II, but in
LESS detail.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F The degree program is structured such
that you only need 4 years (heck, I did it in 4 years with
2, almost 3 majors and a minor).
263636 1:GOALS-SOME My basic education goal is to get a degree,
which I do not have. But, I think that CU excedded my
education goals in that it changed me and required that I
push myself, which developed me a little more.
2:WMAJ Not to require that you take Calc III for BioChem,
just up to calc II. Thats probably the main reason I'm not
persuing a major in this program, as I didn't pass calc III
3:BMAJ The Labs and the experience that you get being in
the scince department.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I have been hoping all over the place,
I've tried a bunch of stuff, till I finnaly found something
that I like. I did transfer from another school, and the
credits transfered as lower division, but I still got to do
some catch up completing the core, where it was done at the
other school.
263904 1:GOALS-DEF I would have my instructors add more
techniques to my various lab courses.
2:WMAJ Make it longer and harder. Every chemistry related
major at CU should be an ACS certified degree.
3:BMAJ I think it would be the advisor, Lynn Gieger, whom
has been very helpful during my time here.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I came into school with almost a year of
AP credit. Also, I did not switch majors, nor did I fail
or drop any courses.
270102 2:WMAJ make it so that when you take your upper division
elective classes, there are more options that you don't
have to go through all of the lower division prerequisites
to take, because i would have liked to take some
kinesiology classes, but i didn't have any prerequisites
for them, and it is immpossible to take them, when you
already have a full load.
3:BMAJ i love learning about biochem
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F i changed my major too many times
338853 2:WMAJ Make more recitations
3:BMAJ Lab experience
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I had the AP credit, otherwise it would
take longer.
349817 2:WMAJ more diversity! There aren't enough brown folk in
this state!
3:BMAJ Being able to work closely with my research advisor
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I want to gain as much experience as I
can and make sure that the major that I choose is the major
that I will stick with for the next 5 years.
357541 1:GOALS-DEF The program is challenging, and I really like
that. It also allowed me a lot of hands-on experience and
interaction with so many different people and perspectives,
which has made me a very well-rounded person - I definitely
feel ready to enter the 'real world' from this program.
2:WMAJ There are so many foreign lab TA's that are
extremely hard to understand lecture because of their
accent - that was always very frustrating. I feel that all
the students miss out on the chance to really have a good
class experience and be able to get anything out of it amid
the confusion and frustration of what the person is saying;
we can't even ask them for help... I think if an entire
class is going to be affected like this and have such a bad
experience, it's better not to have them teaching.
3:BMAJ The opportunities I've had to work on extra
research projects with a couple of my professors in the
Chemistry and Biochemistry department. As a transfer
student from School of Mines, I've been able to compare the
two Chemistry departments - there is a lot more interaction
among students and with faculty at CU. It is a much
'warmer' and inviting environment at CU because no one is
afraid to ask questions or for help, and students are more
willing to push themselves to share their ideas without the
fear of being considered 'stupid'. I really opened up here
at CU, and I don't think I ever could have reached my full
potential or see what I am capable of had I not come to CU.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I have a genuine passion for school and
learning, and I plan to stay involved in the academia realm
my entire life by working toward getting my MD/PhD.
382882 1:GOALS-SOME I probably should have chosen a different
major. I do not belive that was the current advisors fault
but I probably should have begun as open option. I did not
realize this until my Junior year and felt it was to late
to change to a more suitable major.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I just like to get things over with.
436299 1:GOALS-DEF I think that in the Biochemistry program,
with many other of the scientific fields that, there should
be a little more leway with course selection. This program
requires 8 specific semesters of chemistry. Having a little
more choice in the final semester would have been nice so
that I could take classes that would help me more in my
graduate school plans. Other than that I have been able to
get into graduate school on the first try and deans at
these schools are impressed by my experiences from CU
Boulder and I feel pretty satisfied with my choices for the
future so far. These choices I would only have been able to
successfully make, because of the semi-rigid structure of
the degree. Basically I've been forced to take classes that
I really didn't want to, but they have helped me to confirm
my own future path.
2:WMAJ Sequence of 5 required semesters of chemistry with
the next 3 semesters required but as a personal choice.
3:BMAJ Academically I feel prepared for graduate study.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I was able to stay motivated. When I
needed help academically, I could talk to my professors.
When I needed support I could go talk to my advisor. I was
able to take core courses during the summer and the UCSU
offers anything a student needs to get away from academics
(club sports, rec center, Club 54, etc.).
474912 1:GOALS-DEF I feel knowledgeable about the theory of
biochemistry and its practical applications.
2:WMAJ 3 semesters of Calculus is unnecessary. I'd rather
have taken more biology classes than spend that much time
in mathematics.
3:BMAJ The opportunity to do undergraduate research
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I'm planning to attend medical school
and don't want to prolong my education unnecessarily. Plus,
I completed all my requirements for both my majors in four
years.
476420 1:GOALS-SOME I would have liked some more emphasis on
carrers and post-college opportunities. I think a
mandatory internship or something like it, or more
incentives to do such, are very much needed.
2:WMAJ More emphasis on interships and post-graduate
opportunities.
3:BMAJ The quality and accesablity of professors.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I'd like to get started in professional
school. I wish I could just be a professional student, but
I don't have the money to afford such a hedonistic (for me)
lifestyle.
574577 1:GOALS-SOME I felt like I'd learn more over my couse of
studying at CU. I felt like Id be more confident to enter
the work world and bring new knowlege with me, however, I
feel like I've learned more from my work experiences than I
have from my education. Also, I feel like the Ars and
Sciences required core courses distracted from my studies
and prevented me from being able to take more courses that
I was interested in. This is the first semester (my second
to last semester) that I am truely interested in all of my
classes!
2:WMAJ I would like there to be less Arts and Science
Humanity/core requirements. I would like there to be more
research oriented classes instead of research experience
only coming from independent study. I would like the
professors to care more about teaching and less about their
research.
3:BMAJ Best of both biology and chemistry- not overkill on
either subject.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I was forced to take three
non-consecutive semesters off of school because I feel very
ill with a yet to be diagnosed illness that is similar to
mono.
601768 1:GOALS-DEF Was able to obtain placement in a
biochemistry lab.
2:WMAJ The class sizes are much to large.
3:BMAJ Good teachers, flexibility of the biochem major.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F Of the rising cost of tuition and living.
651256 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I worked hard and priortized my time as
a CU-Boulder student.
657553 1:GOALS-SOME I would have liked to take more classes which
would help me in professional school, for example anatomy
and human physiology. Unfortunately I had too many other
classes which prevented me from taking these classes.
2:WMAJ I wish I could have taken a more variety of core
classes and for them to fulfill more core requirements, for
example psychology and anatomy, because I will be using
these skills in the future.
3:BMAJ All of the opportunities which were available to
me, from guest lectures to internship experiences.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am going to take four years, because I
came in with 27 college credits from high school and I have
worked hard for that last four years of my college
education.
708101 1:GOALS-DEF Great advising and class scheduling helps
expedite my degree in the most efficient manner possible at
CU.
2:WMAJ Nothing...all courses of study in
Biochemistry/Chemistry in the past and the present have all
been necessary and relevant in preparing me for a real
world career should the opportunity arise in the future.
3:BMAJ My Academic Advisor(Biochemistry), Lynn Geiger,
she's a life saver in more ways than one can know.
4:DODIFF Had I not worked so much and experienced family
crisis, I think I could have graduated earlier or at least
by now.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I changed my major and have gone through
quite a few family crises including the present terminal
illness of my mother who suffers from fully metastasized
brain cancer. Please don't let that discourage you from
attending CU, this is one of the finest institutions for
higher education and I don't see any reason why you would
not be able to finish in 4 years. Thank you for your time
and consideration CJ. Sincerely, Partha Kar
793141 1:GOALS-SOME The major limitation occurs when professors
spend too much effort on the details of their areas of
interest, when time could be better spent emphasizing (and
re-emphasizing) import central themes with broad
applicability.
2:WMAJ The ORDER material is taught. Chemistry programs
are taught in a haphazard manner, ie. material from
physical and bio chemistry courses would be of great
service as prerequisite material for organic chemistry.
I understand that the courses are likely arranged to
allow for 4 year graduation and also to accomodate
non-majors (ie. organic chemistry), but it seems feasible
that half-semester courses for majors could be initiated
and existing course structure rearranged to facilitate
maximum comprehension (and appreciation) WHILE going
through the sequence (as opposed to the peeling the layers
of an onion approach).
3:BMAJ Learning material that is on the forefront of
research efforts ( brought home most effectively when class
materials need to be amended in light of current findings).
4:DODIFF If I were starting today, I might realistically
choose either a different major or open option. (This does
not reflect negatively on my current major, rather changing
personal opinions.)
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I've loaded up on the credit hours each
semester(I've changed my major and school, and added a
second major), and do not recommend it. Take longer if
needed; it will be more enjoyable and you'll retain the
material more effectively.
824494 1:GOALS-DEF My program did meet my goals by giving me
experience and hands on learning. Like most things at CU,
you get out what you put into it.
4:DODIFF I would have liked to be able to study abroad
with out sacrificing my graduation date
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I am not going to slack off, and I am
going to work hard.
874377 3:BMAJ Faculty are outstanding
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I can't afford to pay off tuition costs
for the rest of my life!
915541 1:GOALS-DEF The courses that I took were excellent with
respect to theory but the availability of research
internships, where real world research problems are
encountered, are difficult to obtain.
2:WMAJ Greater opportunity to participate in faculty
mentored research projects.
3:BMAJ The opportunity to explore both molecular biology
and biochemistry.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS It was neccessary for me to leave
school and when I returned my original priorities had
changed. This lead to a change in my major but also, in the
intervening years, I lost many of the academic skills that
I had developed and these needed to be redeveloped.
921250 1:GOALS-DEF I had the opportunity to work in lab for over
a year. During this time I was given guidence as well as
freedom. My goals were to do independent research, and
write and defend a thesis based on my findings.
2:WMAJ Having to take Biochem lab while working on
independent research in a Biochemistry lab was redundent,
boring, and pointless. I learned absolutely nothing and
wasted a fair amount of time. I think if someone is doing
independent research, they should be exempt from the Lab.
3:BMAJ I feel I had many excellent teachers.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I studied a semester abroad, am working
on two majors, a minor and a leadership certificate.
959883 1:GOALS-DEF I developed a love for biochemistry, even
though it was difficult most of the time, the information I
learned truly gave me a passion for it.
2:WMAJ Options for more medical applications of
biochemistry
3:BMAJ It is incredibly interesting and it helped me to
learn so much more about living organisms
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I came to CU with a lot of AP credit,
which allowed me to double major and minor all in four
years, including taking a total of 19 hours all my senior
year.
995605 1:GOALS-SOME The overall educational experience at CU
Boulder allowed for a strong base in theoretical
operations, of the Biochemistry field, but lacked the
parrallelism between school and the work place.
2:WMAJ Because of the double degree of Applied Math and
Biochemistry there are many classes that overlap, and 158
credit hours causes an excess of classes that are not
needed to fulfill my requirements.
3:BMAJ I love science and math, what better majors than
biochemistry and applied math.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F of the difficulty of the majors that I
have choosen to pursue.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-BFAS 167655 1:GOALS-DEF I worked one on one with individual teachers
that helped me find my own goals, and work toward them. I
think the Fine Arts Dept is one of the only departments
that offers this extent of guidance.
2:WMAJ The facilities desparately need improvement. They
are functional, but the air is contaminated because of lack
of a proper industrial ventalation system. Otherwise, the
building suits its purpose well. Above all else, Fine Arts
students' health is at risk while here at CU because of
inadequate measures to clean and filter the air.
3:BMAJ The faculty is wonderful. There is a great deal to
learn from every single one.
4:DODIFF I tried several programs, but I had difficulty
paying for study abroad. Also, I have a family to take
care of, so certain priorities came first. I wish I could
have studied abroad though, for any length of time in any
part of the world.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I wanted to get the most out of my
education as possible, so I took less classes at a time in
order to focus more on each as I went.
177383 1:GOALS-DEF I am in the BFA Art studio program and the
English Lit program. I have found that 90-95% of the
faculty are brilliant in their fields, deeply committed to
their students and are strong teachers. I feel that I have
had an incredible privilege to attend CU. I have learned
critical thinking and writing skills and have had all that
it means to have an education. The world has been opened to
me. I have been taught to critically engage subject matter.
I feel incredibly blessed. What concerns me is that
tuition will be raised to such a degree as an in state
student, that I will not be able to finish my degree
because I can't afford it. That is really scary to me.
2:WMAJ Fine arts, the building!!! and lack of faculty
3:BMAJ the professors.They are outstanding, committed and
deeply care for their students. I hope they know how much
their students love and appreciate them because they are
incredible role models.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T because I am a non-traditional student
with children as well as a dual degree student which means
that I will both go slower and take longer to finish.
329861 1:GOALS-SOME in the art department there is a lack of
funding to support the needs of all the students who are
involved in the program. this is seen in a lack of
professors and instructors, too few sections for classes,
and subpar facilities. while i had some very excellent
classes and learned much at cu, the added stress of these
frustrations put a damper on my experience.
2:WMAJ more funding, more teachers. some of the teachers
within the department are terrible, do in part to the fact
that they are teaching outside of their area of expertise.
some cleaning up and reorganizing should go on there. also,
if more teachers were to be hired it would help keep
classes small, have more availabilty for the classes
students want to take and allow the instructors to be able
to spend more one on one time with students and not be
spread so thin. also, i feel there shoule be more classes
geared towards preparing students for life as an artist
after graduation. and, there really needs to be something
doen about the art building and facilities. everything is
old and breaking and some of the facilities such as the
darkroom are just not safe due to lack of proper
ventilation etc. i guess that's more than one thing but it
all comes back to having more funding for the department.
3:BMAJ i took some incredible art history courses and it
was great to be able to work closely with the professors.
overall, working closely with the teachers is the best part
about the fine arts major.
4:DODIFF i would have chosen my focus in my major sooner.
i also would have liked to have a double major, not an
entirely new major, to supplement what i want to do upon
graudtaion.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F i kept on top of the classes i needed to
take in order to stay on the four year track. while i did
not always get the classes i wanted i was able to get the
classes i needed for the most part. also, taking a summer
class was very helpful in keeping me on track.
424127 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I work two jobs and in order to graduate
in time I would have to take 15 credit hours a semester and
I am recieving 2 degrees. I have also lost credits when I
transferred from CU Denver and had to take more credits
because of that.
848632 2:WMAJ Vera Babiak is not effective as the academic
advisor for ALL fine art students. She is way too busy to
be of any real help. You MUST employ more people to help us
art students make important academic decisions.
3:BMAJ The ceramic teachers are all fantastic
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T CU has a lot of core requirements to
meet. This has taken me a lot longer because I chose to
study abroad. It will take me five years even though I
average 16 credits per semester.
908174 1:GOALS-SOME There was lack of structure within the art
school and the format of it's classes, so there was a
large discrepency between what was taught and what was
needed to fully learn all aspects of the medium i was
working with. I would register for classes specifically
titled "lithography" or "intagalio" and end up at the end
of the semester with an A grade and still not know the
definition of "lithography" or "intaglio".
2:WMAJ The quality of instruction would improve and the
lack of effort by classmetes would not be acceptable.
3:BMAJ the visiting artists program.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T This is a ridiculous question. I think
most people who take five or more years had no intention of
taking that long to complete a single degree and much of
the time its because the university's system has failed
them.
947184 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F my dad wont pay for more.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-CHEM 169055 1:GOALS-SOME I would have liked to see more electives in
my major. I thought there was relatively little
opportunity to expand my knowledge outside the basic
requirements. FOr example, once I had taken organic, and
pchem, there was no opportunity to take other classes
reinforcing the concepts or applying them in a real world
way.
2:WMAJ more classes. What would have really helped me
understand fundamental chemsitry principles is a mid-level
intro class between gen chem and organic. You go from low
level chem (basically just problem solving) to organic,
which a full-blown chem course, and it took me until my
senior year to understand basic concepts. Looking back,
having a better grasp of these concepts would have made
everything so so so much easier. Also helpful would be,
like a one credit course where you could just meet with
students and an instructor and reflect and discuss the
topics. FOr the sake of interest only, NOT like
recitation. Recitation is pretty much a complete waste of
time.
3:BMAJ Organic lab for majors and (sorry, two things)
analytical lab. Kathy Rowlen is the coolest!
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transferred and CU did not accept many
of my transfers as core classes. Also, becasue upon
transferring I completed most general studies, I could only
take about 3 science/math courses at a time to be able to
manage the workload. Finally, I dragged it out one
semester in order to attempt to do a UROP project.
273523 2:WMAJ Mandatory advising sessions with a personally
assigned counselor
3:BMAJ Lots of peer support
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I entered with a lot of AP credits and I
the academic requiremens at CU are not terribly challenging.
388432 1:GOALS-SOME I had expected to do more research over the
course of my undergraduate time here, but I felt that there
weren't many opportunities to do so. Although there were
classes I could take to learn about different career
pathways, I didn't feel the skills I gained would be enough
to survive in a job right away.
2:WMAJ I feel that since I am a transfer student, I
repeated a few areas that were taken at my previous school
but somehow didn't transfer. I wish that I had been able
to supplement the classes with new classes that were
interesting to me instead of having to repeat the same
material over.
3:BMAJ The TAs helping out in the laboratories were very
knowledgable about the material they were teaching.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I cannot afford to remain in school much
longer than that. If I can finish in four years then I
might as well. Also, I wish I could stay longer, but I
would want to work toward another degree.
501178 1:GOALS-SOME Many of the Chemistry courses offered have
nothing to do with one another. It is dificult going into
Inorganic chemistry with no background in inorganic.
Classes like these do nothing except hold students back and
stress them out. If you wanted to improve the program,
let students 'specialize' in an area of chemistry, for
example I'm a very hands-on learner, I'd like to have more
laboratory time. Maybe students like myself could've
benefitted from more labs, and less pointless blindly
taught lectures.
2:WMAJ More emphasis on the labs, less on the lectures.
The real learning happens in the labs. Most of us will go
on to work in a laboratory environment, and many of the
students here treat labs like a playground, nothing is
serious enough for the real world. The truth is, only
1/10th of the TA's wear goggles, as an example. How can we
be expected to become all-around chemists if the people
teaching us contradict the rules?
3:BMAJ The fact that no matter where I go or end up doing,
I'll always have my work-ethic to take with me. When it
comes down to having a job to get done, I'm the hardest
worker you'll find. That's why I'm going to be sucessful,
not because of CU. My favorite part of my major program
would have to be Ray Sadeghi - the teacher I'll always
remember for his willingness to help the students. He is
the ONLY professor I'll remember.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F It is nearly impossible to get a
Chemistry degree in four years, being a working student
that has to pay many of his own expenses to afford to live
here. There's only so much time in the day...
506287 1:GOALS-SOME I would like it if they would provide more
oportunities for real life work. Maybe have an intership
requirement. And make positions with the faculty or local
companies abailable.
2:WMAJ I would offer different types of classes nd give
the opportunity to speacalize in a certain area
3:BMAJ The majority of the teachers are very good
instructors. They now their materal well and convey
thoughts and ideas to students very clearly
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F because if you come in open option it
may take more time to graduate. As well, if you plan on
completeing more than one major it may take more than four
years.
546386 1:GOALS-SOME Not enough opportunity for student jobs, too
much emphasis on how many credits to determine who gets
what.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T My advisor did not help me enough, and I
ended up taking way more classes than was actually
necessary.
838677 1:GOALS-SOME Needs more focus on how courses can prepare a
student for the workforce rather than graduate school
(which seems to be the focus as is).
2:WMAJ Don't make O-chem such a make or break course. Not
everyone has an O-chem kind of mind...I am more p-chem
oriented and have done well in all other upper division
classes since O-chem.
3:BMAJ Extensive lab experience.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I began college with a substantial
amount of credit hours from IB. This allowed me to take a
reasonable course load each year in a challenging major and
ultimately helped me to obtain a second degree within those
four years. I would not have been able to do this however
had I started with 0 credit hours. My college experience
would have been much more stressful, and my performance
would have been poorer.
882077 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T five years, because the business
school's administration has become an obstacle to the
interests of CU students who are interested in entering and
finishing a degree from the Leeds School of Business.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-CHIN 919995 1:GOALS-SOME I wanted an EE, but never was able to get
into Engineering due to having too many credit hours after
completing Chinese major requirements.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-COMM 102875 1:GOALS-DEF The program really prepared me to review
materials and write a critical response. The program also
helped me to be able to think in an abstract as well as
concrete manner. I feel confident that I would be able to
handle real-life situations based on theories I have
learned.
2:WMAJ The advising. My advisor was not very helpful.
Sometimes I felt like I did not know if I was on the right
track and I did not know who to turn to.
3:BMAJ The best thing about my major were the professors.
What an incredible team of professors I dealt with for the
past couple of years. Every one of these men and women
deserve praise because they are one of the main reasons I
got up and went to class. THANK YOU!!!
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T My parents and I had a goal and mutual
agreement that my college experience would take four years.
I do not want to disappoint myself or my parents if I can
control the circumstances.
203526 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F it took me longer to decide on a major,
and I had some difficulty getting through some of the
classes.
289680 1:GOALS-SOME Writing and application skills that I
acquired will be helpful in future careers.
2:WMAJ ?
3:BMAJ Emphasis on theory applications and writing,
faculty.
4:DODIFF I would have double majored or minored.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I want to take some time off to travel,
work, and enjoy my time at CU rather than just rush through
it and jump into the "real" world without any experience
outside of the university.
291128 1:GOALS-DEF lower division courses have an over load of
BUSY WORK!!!
2:WMAJ less busy work in lower division courses by
disregarding recitations~ they're a waste of time!
3:BMAJ of course, the professors and the course material!
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I wasn't sure what field of study I
wanted to pursue until the end of my sophomore year. I
took at least two full semesters worth of credit hours that
can't be applied to the core or my major. So basically,
those courses weren't needed, however, they did provide me
with more knowledge that I hope to use in my future
successes. I don't regret any of my college experience and
would recommend CU to anyone looking to gain a fulfilling
education.
310755 1:GOALS-SOME it provided a good breadth of theorists to
study from and a lot of real life examples, but sometimes
the material was just too common sense.
2:WMAJ better advisors
3:BMAJ the faculty...dr. daniel especially
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F it is more affordable and i completed
both of my maojors in that time
329080 1:GOALS-SOME Most Comm professors tend to prepare you for
a job as a communication professor and not for other
Communication-related jobs.
2:WMAJ I would like more time spent towards educating us
for real-life jobs and not just interaction. Interaction
is very important, but what good is it if we cannot use it
in a profession. I would also like the COMM department
making a better effort to towards making a better name for
itself. So many students think that Communications is a
joke major and that it is the easiest major at CU. It kind
os makes a bad name for those who major in it.
3:BMAJ Students particiapte a lot more in Communication
classes than they do in any of my other courses.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I goofed off too much sophomore year and
did not take enough credits to stay on track to graduate in
four years. You need to stay on track even if you do not
plan on graduating in four years.
332312 1:GOALS-SOME I feel that the advisors have way too much
going on and therefore canot help the students when then
need it. I also do not feel I am well equiped to take my
major out into the job force and say this is what I have
learned, this is what I can do and this is why I am a prime
canidate to work for you.
2:WMAJ I would have chosen a different advisor for my
honors project. The professor I chose had way to much
going on to give the time needed to help me complete this
project. I also wish I could have aforded to live in
Boulder- I think it would have only made my experience
there even better.
3:BMAJ I am very glad I transfered to Boulder. The
faculity and students here are all great. The faculity is
actually excited about teaching and is usually more then
willing to help in anyway possilbe.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered schools and decided to be a
part of the honors program which requires a year of
commitment.
377013 1:GOALS-SOME my program has helped me a little with public
speaking skills as well as group project skills. however,
there have been a few too many group projects making it
hard to individualize myself and be as productive and
succesfful in certain classes.
2:WMAJ to have more classes on human resources, public
relations and less on theory with socrates, aristotle.
While they are important figures they do not help us to
succeed in the real world, in mu opinion
3:BMAJ Smaller classes, if you can call them that, but
they're small for CU.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F of class availability at CU-not being
able to get into classes I need to graduate, especially
with the business minor. They are very strict about who
they let in.
377439 2:WMAJ the advisors. Getting in touch with them was near
impossible let alone making appointments. I would have
meetings with her only to find out that what she has to say
is nothing i don't already know.
3:BMAJ The classes that i did take were extremely
interesting and they made it easy for me to be enthusiastic
about them. examples: nonverbal communication, darwinian
debate, interpersonal comm.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F advisors don't do everything I think
they are supposed to. Sometimes you don't know what
questions to ask, and if you don't ask them, it could hurt
you academically.
383424 1:GOALS-SOME The selection of courses that a Communication
major is require to take are too broad, and not defined
with a specific end goal in mind. Yes, they do open the
student up to a broad range of topics, but they need to be
more defined. For example, having the student have a focus
of study, such as Rhetoric, Interpersonal Comm, Cultural
Comm, etc. Still have the student take a broad range of
lower undergrad courses, but have the upper undergrad
courses more focused on end goal. A Senior Thesis would
help the student wrap up his or her overall learning
experience. I enjoyed a few of my professors very much, but
after completing this major I look back and don't have one
definitive idea about what I learned. I feel like I took a
bunch of classes that just don't have connecting theme
resonating through out them. This sort of diversity is
great, but there needs to be a greater conclusion for the
student to walk away with. In order to be more "efficient"
so to speak with the Comm degree there are some classes
that need to be eliminated because they REPEAT everything
that you just learned in another Comm class. The lower
undergrad courses are horrendously repetative and I am
truly sorry I wasted my time and money on them. Also -
every single TA that I had in the Comm department was
horrible. Recitations are supposed to tie together
everything learned in lecture, but rather I felt like I was
completely wasting my time. And if there is one professor
that has had the greatest impact upon my college education
it is Prof. McDaniels...hats off to him.
2:WMAJ A Degree that has a unified meaning....a degree
that makes my feel like I have really become in touch with
the world, and not just a list of COMM terms that some
graduate student made up for their thesis.
3:BMAJ My Rhetoric Professors in the COMM Dept (McDaniel
and Houser especially) were able to connect their students
with the real world, and how communication is used to
create our world.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I always try and do everything as
efficiently as possible, and organization is a strong suit
of mine. Without these two things in mind it is extremely
hard to graduate from a state school, such as CU. With
little advising...I only met with my advisor twice the
whole time....one must be as organized as possible and
figure everything out on your own. I also hate wasting
money, and I feel taking longer than four years is doing
just that.
421289 1:GOALS-SOME I thought that my major would be more spcific
and that I would have more oppertunities to work more
hands on in the area of communication. I don't like the
fact that you have to have a certain GPA, just to get
credit for a internship. I know that I learn things better
if I had a chance to apply what I am learning in class to
real life experience. So when you have a limit on
internships it make me feel that it is not worth my time.
2:WMAJ I would change the internship guidlines, so that it
is open to all comm majors with any GPA status. It helps
us learn and earn credit. Just because your GPA is under
2.5, does not mean that an internship with credit options
is not for us. It also helps build our resemes. And
grades are not always a factor in a work place.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I took off a semester to do an
internship and Walt Disney World. (Which I could not get
any credit for.)
459364 2:WMAJ the requirement to take human comm. theory.
changing the 1210 all around. giving more opprtunities to
take the class instead of 9 in the morning or the days it
is on. I am a senior and taking it now. theway it is
taught is horrible they treach the students as little kids.
too many little assigments and the clickers are a pain to
use. half the time you don't know if is working. for a
400 person class the way she expects students to do all
this stuff and for a introductory class the grading on
papers and assignments a to hard. I turned a paper that
would have been a C/B in most classes because the so anal
about format and little things like that I end upo getting
a D. the TA's are about smart in the subject and some who
has just read the book. All in ALL it needs to be
rethought on how it is taught. I think there is a better
way of teaching a 400 person class. making attendace in
that big of a class with the clickers is complete bull crap.
3:BMAJ can go into anything with this major.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T there's no reason to rush thru your
college exprience. take my time and see what the school
and city has to offer.
464990 1:GOALS-SOME I never felt like the classes got a very in
depth look at communication issues and I didn't much of an
opportunity to apply what I learned
480634 1:GOALS-SOME I have learned a lot about life in general,
and my classes have only contributed to my learnng. at
this stage I feel that I am prepared to make the next step.
2:WMAJ If I could change one ting about my major in
communication it would be that more emphasis be placed on
writing and speaking skills and learning how to interact
and aply theories rather than just focusing on the
theories.
3:BMAJ One of the best things about my majors-business
management and communication-is the amazing professors that
I have had the ooportunity to interact with and from which
I have learned a lot.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Four years and one semester because I am
double majoring in two schools at CU and the requirements
are different for both.
512665 1:GOALS-SOME I love communication as a major, but now that
I am entering into the work force, I am afraid that I don't
have enough skills that jobs these days are requiring.
Communication is a great thing to know about and to
understand, but in reality, how many jobs out there deal
just with communication. I realize now that I need to learn
the skills needed to be a sucessful candidate for a job,
especially in today's economy. More outside experience
would be a good requirement, ie internships etc.
2:WMAJ What I already wrote about learning more skill that
will help me in the business world. Or maybe more
information about jobs that I could get with a degree in
Communications.
3:BMAJ The amount of work.
4:DODIFF I would take on another major or a minor, but I
didn't know any information about this at first, and now it
is too late.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F everyone I know is graduating in four
years, and I was able to so I have no reason to stay longer.
558955 1:GOALS-NO There was a chance to work on leadership
skills. Not enough buisness related class options.
2:WMAJ allow the students to choose their classes. When
classes are to large, other classes should be opened.
3:BMAJ Dr. D and Lisa Keranen.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F its possible, and if you want to take
longer you always can. Remember that CU will screw you out
of money and time so be carefull.
570556 1:GOALS-NO Not oriented in a way to apply to real world
jobs, or professional working oppurtunities.
2:WMAJ More structure and HOW IT CAN APPLY TO THE REAL
WORLD AND PROFESSIONAL JOBS!
3:BMAJ Minimum credits required to graduate
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F four years because it is less money, and
more advantageous to get out into the professional work
force earlier.
597376 3:BMAJ DR. Brian Daniel and all the other comm. professors
I was lucky enough to meet. They are a true asset to the
department.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am double majoring. I wan to tbe more
marketable when I graduate than the average student becasue
I understand the real world is competitive and I come to
win.
603788 1:GOALS-SOME I felt that there could have been less
theoretical discussion, and more practical application. In
addition, there was little dialogue in classes of how my
major in communication could aid my professional
development after school; it would be nice to professors to
focus on what kind of jobs we could apply the information
to. I learned many of those skills outside of the
classroom, and in the jobs that I've held while in school,
rather than in the classroom.
2:WMAJ More practical application, less theoretical study
and group work.
3:BMAJ Some great professors, brilliant, good life
experience... Wish there was more time to interact with
them outside of a classroom setting.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F it is so expensive to go to school here,
and I am working two jobs to be able to afford to be here.
In addition, the party atmosphere gets old very quickly,
and it's hard to find stuff to do on weekends without
having alcohol be an issue. I'm lucky that I'm graduating
this May, with all of the negative media attention that CU
has been recieving. I believe that your experience is what
you make of it, and for that reason, I've had a great time
while I've been here; but I'll be glad to be graduating in
4 years.
607645 1:GOALS-SOME I dont think there was much guidance in
assisting with internships
2:WMAJ It would have more public speaking courses and less
redundancy in the LD classes.
3:BMAJ The professors are amazing.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I lucked out and picked a major I liked
and stuck with it.
616607 1:GOALS-SOME I think that there were some teachers that
could have been a bit more understanding and involved in
the class and their students in it but besides that, I feel
like the communication department did a good job.
2:WMAJ I would have each of the professors looked at by
both student and faculty and determine whether or not they
are communicating with their students enough to keep on
teaching that specific class.
3:BMAJ I have had the oppurtunity to take some amazing
classes I probably would not have taken had I not been in
this program.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I feel that I have been given a good
education at CU and been able to finish the degrees that i
wanted to graduate with in this time. For me, it is now
time to move on from college and begin my traveling and my
career.
649873 1:GOALS-SOME My educational goals were not met as I
originally wanted to be a Business major in the Leeds
School, however was unable to get in due to my previous
grades.
2:WMAJ Get rid of April Trees, I don't have one nice thing
to say about her and neither does anybody that I have ever
talked to.
3:BMAJ The offering of such diverse classes such as
Improv, Family Comm, etc.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am going to compete on the varsity
Men's Golf team and know that my course load will be tough
due to the numerous amount of classes we will miss because
of our tournament schedule. My plan is to redshirt my
freshman year, thus extending my attendance at CU to five
years, so I only have to take 12 credits a semester. This
will not only alleviate some of the stress of having to
cope with a full course load while traveling constantly,
but will also allow to focus more attention on the classes
I am taking, which will, in turn, incredibly boost my GPA.
I feel that this is the right option for me to take; while
some people may feel that I am taking the easy route, I
feel that I am taking the route that will best allow to
keep up with my grades while maintaining the commitment I
have made the golf team all at the same
time. Sincerely, Bruce Brenneman
736022 1:GOALS-DEF I feel that through my education here, I have
gotten a wide array of classes and learned a lot about life
through classes, professors, and campus life. This is what
I wanted out of a college experience.
2:WMAJ I would have loved to have a public speaking class
for people who already know the basics of public speaking.
That way, we could have focused on better speaking tactics,
instead of mundane details like how to write an outline.
3:BMAJ I like the choices you have in taking classes. If
you don't want to take a rhetoric class (like me) there are
many other classes you can take to fulfill your
requirements.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I declared my major in the middle of my
Sophomore year, along with picking up my business minor. I
came into CU with 13 credits of science from my AP tests,
so that helped me have some extra credits to take electives
or necessary cores. Also, my major and minor are not huge
amounts of classes, so I could finish them in due time. I
could've finished my major sooner, but I wanted to stay in
college longer because it's fun. It was very difficult for
me to get into my business minor classes, but I did them
all without going to summer school, so it is possible!
746815 1:GOALS-SOME I have a lot of different information in a
lot of different areas but no expertise in one. Also it was
difficult to have undergraduate classes in my senior year
instead of having them in order.
2:WMAJ The only thing that I would about the communication
department is the order of classes in which most people
have to take their classes becuase it is not structured at
all. I couldn't get in to a lot of the lower division
classes when I should have only been taking upper division
ones. Also many of the core classes where irrelevant to
being a communication major. Aslo there should be more
tutoring services available through the school for students
in all areas of the academic career
3:BMAJ Some of the faculty was really great
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I was a tranfer student and it was
difficult to get some of my credits excepted even though
they were from another univerity in Colorado.
758317 1:GOALS-SOME I think that the communication department is
wonderful, however it could emphasize more real world
application and less theory. At times I felt ..How is this
going to help me inthe real world?! I enjoyed my classes
and teacher, I just htink more class could be offered to
apply to jobs you would receive with a communication degree.
2:WMAJ The intro class- Perspectives, was one of the
hardest classes that I took, I think that class needs to be
rexamined because I know so many people that get frustrated
withthe major fromthe beginning. I also think the program
should incorporate some more business/ public realtions
into its programs. I know the Mass Jour school offers
these, but as a comm major we can't take them. THey are
classes that are going to be relevant for almost every comm
major.
3:BMAJ Graduating with a Comm degree gives you tons of
flexibilty. It is like a survey major becuase you can do a
variety of things whether its grad school or a career of
some sort. I am happy that I choose this as a major.
4:DODIFF Think about double majoring or gaining an
emphasis in something that would help me more in the
workign world. I was going to minor in business, and I wish
I would have stuck with that.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I am paying for a majority of my college
myself and can't afford to be in Boulder for maore than
that time. While I really enjoy my time and experiences I
also feel that the real world, i.e. outside the bubble of
Boulder is also an awesome learning experience. I feel that
getting out of school and working hands on is also a good
learning expereince. It also helped that my major allowed
me to graduated in four years because I had decided by the
beginning of my soph. year what i wanted to major in.
851270 1:GOALS-SOME Too many people, too much competition, not
enough help, little focus, uninterested professors.
2:WMAJ Take more time to emphasize what we can use the
major in.
3:BMAJ Comm Club, and most of the professors are truly
dedicated, but there are a few that don't care and don't
need to me teaching here.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I don't know if I am ready to go to
college, but I am going to give a junior college a shot. Ok
so I did, and i transfered to a top University, and it will
take me longer now cause not all of my credits transfered.
944327 1:GOALS-SOME I thought I would be more prepared for the
world out there and I thought there would be more job
placement
2:WMAJ Better advising, both academically and career wise.
3:BMAJ work with some of the same teachers
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I changed majors a few times
954713 1:GOALS-SOME some of my classes were very interesting and
insightful while others were extremely mediocre, to the
point of boredom. I feel that FCQ's are ineffective and
that the adminstration does not take them to heart,
otherwise many of these professors would be gone.
2:WMAJ This university has a lot of work cut out for it.
Need more funding in struggling programs, need more space
in classes, need more diversity on campus, etc. etc.
3:BMAJ upper division classes. The professors treat you
like a human being, and there is more interaction and
application of theories.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F my parents refuse to pay for any longer,
and im not going to travel abroad or take any super
interesting classes b/c they do not fulfill my major or
core requirements. I had to sacrifice a lot to graduate on
time b/c many course that i was interested in were closed,
moved, or were too full for me to get in to. so i just
setted with any requirement so i could make it out on time.
966334 2:WMAJ i would choose a different advisor, one who cares
about what the students are doing and does not treat them
very poorly...i would guess this would only be one persons
opinion, but so many people have had the same opinion about
Susan Epstein.
3:BMAJ small group interactions in classes were the
absolute best
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F i picked an easy major
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-DNCE 349478 2:WMAJ eliminate the "politics" involved in being in a
competitive program, and have more opportunities to present
work
3:BMAJ the number of opportunities to participate in
productions
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am working on a double degree, though
it has not been officially documented. Also, the courses
required for graduation often overlap in the schedule, so
they cannot be taken simultaneously. Also, there are many
required courses that are only offered every third
semester- which makes it very difficult.
416528 1:GOALS-SOME There is very little preparation and
education for after graduation and there are not enough
technique classes.
2:WMAJ More performance opportunities.
3:BMAJ We are a very close knit department. There is a
good relationship between the undergrads and grad students
as well as with the facualty.
4:DODIFF bfa degree instead of a ba
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I took a semester off, transfered, and
switched majors.
531179 1:GOALS-SOME Would like to see more jazz emphasis, but the
program does help students become well-rounded in dance
theatre, from performance to back stage to costumes, etc.
2:WMAJ A jazz emphasis!
3:BMAJ Definitely the faculty
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I pay for college myself and must work
full time. Plus, I hope to do a study abroad and write an
honors thesis. I want the experience to be full, so I
don't feel a need to rush it... it would only take an extra
semester anyway.
650944 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS I believe in life-long education.
700861 1:GOALS-DEF I was offered a variety of information that
gave me the opportunity to choose what areas agreed with me
best. I would have liked more attention and opportunities
as a BA student, I feel there is definately more attention
given to MFA and BFA students.
2:WMAJ more opportunities and access for all studends
3:BMAJ it offers a myriad dance related options
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transferred to CU late in my college
career. It would have been extremely helpful if my advisor
had been competent in helping me to graduate in a timely
manner. Instead, he (Richard Seydel) waited until I was
getting my graduation application from him to tell me that
I was going to need to complete 15 credits that were
supposedly "hidden." I will graduate with over 135 credits
toward my undergraduate degree, which is ridiculous and
expensive. Take great care in learning how to count and
recount credits, and have them double checked by at least
three people, so as to ensure a timely graduation.
747231 1:GOALS-DEF The dance program gave me everything I need
to dance and make art. I noticed that I rarely learned
anything I didn't already know in my core classes, though I
has some great professors who individually taught me
volumes.
2:WMAJ I would add more credit hours to each dance class,
add more ballet classes and teachers, and remove the cap on
dance hours.
3:BMAJ The faculty.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am a transfer student and I declared
my second major late. Also, dance classes require frequent
practice and often conflict with other university class
schedules.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-ECON 103245 1:GOALS-SOME The economics department is too focused on
micro. I would probably do finance in the business school
or international relations if I was going to do it all over
again....
2:WMAJ Less emphasis on microeconomics.
3:BMAJ Ability to take classes from other majors...
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I actually took three. You definitely
have to stay focused on school at least a little bit
because its easy to get distracted. But the distractions
are what makes this school worth it...
163674 1:GOALS-SOME I would have like more help with career
guidence and more help with possible internships. Every
aspect of my classroom education was above and beyond what
I expected.
2:WMAJ Just more information and HELP on internship and
other applied work guidence.
3:BMAJ The PROFESSORS!
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have to also work to pay for my
education, room, and board. I also think that it is wise
for me because I like to focus and engage myself in each
subject that I take, rather than kill myself working and
studying just to obtain a degree in which I don't know has
much about as I would have liked. I would recomend that
even if you don't have to work during school that taking
longer than four years is advantageous because it allows
you to concentrate and actually learn what you are taught.
Furthermore, taking longer than four years will give you
the opportunity to explore and find-out what you truely
love to do and work toward that goal.
164954 2:WMAJ I would not change anything
3:BMAJ I liked the faculty and good classes
4:DODIFF I would have spent more time getting interships
that relates to my career after college
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I look forward to getting into the job
market and establishing myself and my career.
223965 1:GOALS-SOME I think my area of study, Economics,
sufficiently oriented me with the field. However, many of
the required core courses and other lower division courses
much of the time felt like a waste of time and effort with
minimal academic benefit.
2:WMAJ I think the TAs and professors should be evaluated
for their english language and teaching abilities more
thoroughly before given control of a classroom.
3:BMAJ Many of the professors put the subject in a bigger
context that could be used in real-world experiences.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I feel like I need to go out into the
real world.
232519 1:GOALS-SOME Most upper division classes in my major
included several weeks of (unnecessary) reviewing of
elementary concepts learned and applied in all lower
division courses leading up to it. I felt it was a wasted
four to six weeks in at least 4 of my classes.
2:WMAJ I would have the professors treat "prerequesite"
course material as assumed knowledge, rather than teach
calculations I learned in middle school over and over. If
students require assistance on these topics, they should be
either directed to references, asked to complete the
prerequesites, or assisted outside the classroom. Their
trouble holds back everyone and makes our degrees represent
less.
3:BMAJ In addition to the courses I felt were very
disappointing, I also had some professors who went above
and beyond their expectations. They reached out, taught
valuable material, and generally seemed to enjoy their
work. Some of them even had tenure!
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F When I entered college, I was unprepared
mentally for the challenges that lay ahead. I took some
time off to regroup and came back strong.
243853 2:WMAJ I am very satisfied over all. One thing which I
want to change is C grade. There should be some rule if
somebody come to class everyday he/she should get A or B
not C. Because C make GPA so low.
3:BMAJ One best thing is CU offers PHD students to teach
classes. They exactly know what student want.
248808 1:GOALS-SOME not enough internship experience. not enough
interaction with real world. too much theory, not enough
empirical evidence to evaluate theories presented.
2:WMAJ increase the quality of instruction. Many
professors may be very skilled at research, but lack in
qualities that make for a good teacher. Increase work load
while concurrently increasing financial aid awards or
decreasing tuition for those putting themselves through
college. Increase interaction with business community (real
world experience and case study). Increase presentation of
empirical evidence for or against economic models studied.
Increase the math requirements, one a semester for entire 4
years of program. Reduce size of classes, CU-Boulder feels
like a degree factory...
3:BMAJ Keith Maskus, Martin Boileau, Jules Kaplan
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F because I cannot get into all of my
required core classes in a timely manner
274528 2:WMAJ The advising structure. I don't appreciate not
being given any sort of choice when it comes to whom I may
seek out when planning the academic future that will in all
likelyhood decide the fate of my career in the future. I
intensely disliked my advising sessions which were too
brief, too vague, and very uncomfortable. I feel I would
have benefited greatly from being able to choose a
different advisor.
3:BMAJ The upper-division courses were enjoable and
educational. Throughout my college experience I felt like
I was missing something academically, like I was passing
throught the classes without really gaining the knowledge I
would need to be succesful in the business world. The
upper-division economics courses made me feel as though I
was actually gaining some of the tools I will need for the
future.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered schools and changed majors.
Unforseen personal issues outside of my control also
contributed to the delay in my graduation.
340983 1:GOALS-DEF My advisor, Jan Horn, was great about sending
out informational emails about internship opportunities,
speakers, etc. This kept the opportunity to be very
involved open. My upper division classes had very sharp,
interesting and knowledgable teachers (Scott Savage and
McKinnish) and learned a ton in those. Lower division
classes were difficult to follow becuase of large class
sizes and nondirected materials. Even though I enjoyed and
learned a lot about my major, I struggled with the calculus
which is integrated into all of the econ courses because
the calculus requirement was very lenient in the beginning.
I wish that I had been forced to take a formal calculus
course before beginning econ, would have benefitted greatly
from that (the math mods are not sufficient). All in all,
I learned a lot, but could have been more successful with a
strong calculus base.
2:WMAJ Require a stronger calculus base before being
allowed to start econ courses
3:BMAJ Learned a bunch about how the world operates, and
real problems and solutions. Really enjoyed Labor
Economics and Environmental Economics
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F Even though I switched majors five
times! I graduated in four years because I planned my
schedules according to satisfy the core requirements while
at the same time trying out the new majors. I took full
class loads all semesters and took summer courses during 2
of my summers
388499 2:WMAJ The professors in Economics realize that pay is
directly related to FCQs and grades. Therefore if they get
good FCQs without a lot of people gettings an A in the
class, they are more likely to get a pay increase. This
means that some professors will give really easy mid-terms
and then really hard finals, in order to get high FCQs but
give lower grades. Therefore, either pay should not be
related to student performance and FCQs, or FCQs should be
taken after the final. In addition, although economics
should be math based (and in many schools it is), the
economics professors here tend to avoid math in their
lectures. This makes it difficult because students are not
really learning the kind of economics that will be taught
in graduate school, so students from CU are at a
disadvantage when applying and attending grad school.
3:BMAJ The grad students who teach classes tend to be
really helpful and from my experience are as good or better
than the professors.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I worked hard, budgeted my time wisely
and I did not wait until the last minute to take required
classes.
395972 1:GOALS-SOME I felt that diverse, non western thought was
excluded, and I often was frustrated by some professor's
lack of willingness to discuss current and applicable
events. I do feel like my critical thinking skills were
greatly improved by the program, and overall I found it to
be a challenging degree, which I enjoyed.
2:WMAJ I would like to see better math preperation, for
lower divison courses, I had TAs, did well in their
courses, but then really struggled with the upper divison
math, I felt a little blind-sided. I would like to see more
diverse expression of global economic theory, I felt like
all the courses I took were strictly from a western,
euro-centric point of view.
3:BMAJ I learned how to think critically about difficult
issues, to ask questions in a logical manner, and begin to
appreaciate the inter-related nature of complex
systems,while understanding that many of these systems
occupy decidedly gray areas.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I took some time off to work and travel
to Ireland, in addition, I will be graduating with two
majors and a minor.
446830 1:GOALS-DEF I would have liked more hands on, real life
activities and more direction for moving into the work
force.
2:WMAJ I would like to have some more projects that get me
ready to work in the real world. I think that there should
be one or two courses that let you get a feel of all the
different options available for one graduating with an econ
degree.
3:BMAJ Excelent staff. Very well rounded.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I stayed on track, and didn't switch my
major.
470203 1:GOALS-SOME The school does not offer much of any
opportunity for undergraduates to participate in research
because the department is so focused on graduate level
research. Also, the order in which classes are taken is
not logical and is geared towards encouraging people to
take an Econ major because the introductory classes are
easy. Why isn't there arequired course in the history of
Economics?
2:WMAJ More research opportunities for undergrads.
3:BMAJ Variety of topics related to Econ.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I don't want to pay anymore money. If I
were you I would think about taking some time off somewhere
in your college career to study abroad or even to explore
other opportunities that can help you become a more focused
student.
527727 1:GOALS-SOME large class sizes, not enough attention paid
to individual students
2:WMAJ Make it easier to get into classes you need!!! I
can't tell you how many times I have fought over getting
off a waitlist.
3:BMAJ The curriculum-- i have learned alot since coming
into the Economics program with absolutely no background in
the subject.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I feel like that is the amount of time
that is necessary to graduate, unless you slack off.
556256 1:GOALS-SOME When school change their program requirement
they did not let me know first. They didnot send me any
email or letter to let me know. So I have to change my
study plan.
4:DODIFF I will try to graduate faster. Or I may not even
choose CU.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T Because I need a job to pay the high
expence. I can't afford to stay in school longer than four
years.
624170 1:GOALS-SOME Did: grounding in undergraduate economic
study Did not: lack of real-world preparation/experience
(only specific to major, otherwise an excellent experience
at UCB)
2:WMAJ Better advising (more advisors); when I try to
schedule an appointment with my advisor, she's nearly
always booked for two weeks, so I have to wait until
another week becomes available in a rush to make an
appointment. ... advising highly impersonal, particularly
relative to other schools ...
3:BMAJ Gifted, interesting, and very likeable faculty
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I've taken/am taking Maymester, summer,
and Continuing Ed courses to make up for 1) having wasted a
semester in Engineering and 2) pursuing both a B.A. in Econ
and a B.S. in Management
729941 3:BMAJ it has given me a broad view of the world economy
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I have limited financial resources
776448 1:GOALS-SOME I really would have enjoyed dealing with more
real life situations. For example, getting more involved
in decisions the city or state has had to make dealing with
economic issues. Also, more opportunities for class
presentations.
2:WMAJ I would have liked to have more on-hands
opportunities through more internsip programs.
3:BMAJ I feel my the classes I had to take educated me in
a way that I can apply my intelligence to many different
real world situations.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F rather than taking 17 credits, I decided
to take 14. This ocurred because some of my classes were 4
credits, and some 3.
777431 3:BMAJ The internship class
786460 2:WMAJ N/A
3:BMAJ Economics allows one to understand how people make
choices based on money everyday of their lives. By having
a deeper knowledge of how the world operates on money, one
can make more informed decisions regarding their own
well-being.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F college is expensive, and assuming I
know what career I want, then finishing in four years
should not be a problem. If I change majors, then I might
take longer because finishing the other major's
requirements might be tough in the remaining four years.
By finishing in four years, it saves me money to be used
toward professional school.
791967 1:GOALS-SOME Not a whole lot of real-world application,
experience.
2:WMAJ More group activity.
3:BMAJ Excellent availability and knowledge of Economics
professors.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am going to take longer than four
years to graduate because it will take me a few years to
get my feet securely on the ground. The University
education is far too rich to take less than 5 years.
854660 1:GOALS-SOME Provided me with the training of how to think
in my degree field but did not provide me marketable job
skills. So essentially I need to tell future employers that
I know how to think in the field but, my job skills in a
degree related field are minimum.
2:WMAJ More higher level business classes. I'm majoring in
Econ with business emphasis and I think a couple of higher
level business classes should be required.
3:BMAJ The varity of different econ classes and the
ability to choose which ones I want to take.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered from Metro State College in
Denver and the general eduction requirements differed
between the two colleges. Furthermore, about 15% of my
classes from Metro State did not transfer.
890890 2:WMAJ Offer more courses
3:BMAJ I like most of my professors
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F it is definetely way too expensive for
me to pay out of state tuition here. It is expensive in
Boulder period, and I feel that with the amount of money I
pay here, I'm just a number within the classes I'm required
to take and I'm not getting the education and attention
from teachers that I should be getting.
956744 1:GOALS-SOME there was not enough math/calculus in my
Economics courses. There is too much too learn in too
little time, and I felt that the department could use more
class series where the knowledge gained in the previous
class would be directly applied to the next.
2:WMAJ more math/calculus.
3:BMAJ The professors kick ass
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered twice and it took me awhile
to figure out what I wanted to do. I also ended up as a
double major, and for every semester on the crew team I
typically took fewer credits. Plus, I'm just not in a
hurry.
960327 1:GOALS-SOME my educational goals was to think more
logically, understand complex problems that would be
related to real world experiences, and to be able to
develop myself into an educated young man that can
accomplish meaningful goals in life. m program did a very
respectable job at helping me achieve these goals
2:WMAJ It would be nice if there were more classes that
pertained more to the business area of the major other than
most classes studying theories and quantative methods
3:BMAJ Have a strong knowledge on how our economy works
and how economic decisions are made.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T dear john, i took longer than
four years to graduate college because i transfered here
from another school and cu did not take all my credits. so
i completed 2 years at a community college and 3 years at
cu.
999741 1:GOALS-DEF The Economics program has taught me what I
want to do when I graduate. I know what kind of economist
I am based upon my educational experience, and I know what
field I want to go into because of this major. I did not
have very many educational goals, but I know I have learned
a lot with this major. So, the program has completely
surpassed my expectations for learning. (I have had some
pretty bad professors, that is why I say I am not
completely satisfied with the program.)
2:WMAJ Get better professors. Specifically, Anna
Rubinchik-Pessach should not teach Intermediate
Microeconomics. Jay Kaplan should not only teach more
classes but teach three or less classes per semester. He
is too busy to pay a lot of attention to his students.
3:BMAJ The ideas I learned were real-world. Specifically,
in international finance and in Intermediate
Macroeconomics. Tell the new International Finance
professor to use real-world examples and to use less math.
4:DODIFF I would have stuck to one major in my time here.
I have to pay an extra $8000 just because I changed my
major.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F It is easy to complete a college degree
in four years if you do not change to major. It is a waste
of money to stay longer than four years, and the faster you
graduate, the faster you will get a job and start making
money. Boulder is a beautiful place to be and the school
has a lot to offer, but I would not want to spend more than
4 years here because I am sick of the crazy Boulder
activists with their offensive billboards and their lack of
integrity to respect other peoples' ideas or opinions.
Partying gets old, too. If you feel you have gotten all
you can get out of CU or Boulder, try to graduate. If you
are in love with Boulder and the school, spend as much time
here as you want. But I do not think it is worth the
money, especially with these tuition increases for in-state
students.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-ENGL 102925 1:GOALS-SOME I felt that at a lot of times the program was
so structured around taking certain classes that it
prevents students from exploring the specific aspects of
english that they are interested in. There are plenty of
very interesting and diverse classes at CU (Bruce Kawin's
Faulkner class for one), but I feel like we spend so much
time taking classes that don't really spark our interest
like others. This is perhaps related to the core
requirements for the arts and sciences. It is so much more
advantageous credit-wise to take all the diversity
requirements in english, as it kills two birds with one
stone. Perhaps you could allow more freedom for english
students in terms of the core requirements.
2:WMAJ I already addressed this in the earlier comments
portion (talking about the core/structuring problem)
3:BMAJ There are some really good professors with some
really interesting classes. And on the rare occasions when
we are lucky enough to be able to fit them in our schedule,
and at the same time actually GET IN to the class, it is
quite a good academic experience.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T ...I am going for a double degree at CU.
I can get two separate Bachelor's degrees in five years by
just doing it all at once. I'm getting degrees in english
literature and advertising, which hopefully will be a
diverse enough background to net me a job in this economy.
104252 1:GOALS-DEF the arts and sciences school afforded me the
opportunity to diversify my education, giving me knowledge
that is marketable to many different types of employment
2:WMAJ complaints you say? well, the first of two
complaints is that i have had 4 different advisors in three
years. the revolving door at the english department
advising office has given me a great opprtunity to realize
that if i want something done, i must do it myself. i
could do a better job than a couple of the people they
hired. the second, and most disturbing is the total
disregard for the students needs by the higher ups in the
school of arts and sciences. i applied to drop a course
after the drop/add deadline. i signed up for the course
because there was no advisor at the time who could help
me(see above). i was doing well in the class. the bold
writing on the drop/add form said not to try if you are
trying to save your gpa. no problem. problem. i was
denied because i was doing well in the class. conclusion:
i could not drop the class if i was doing poorly, and i
could not drop the class if i was doing well. HELLO? at
this time i had to request a meeting with the holier than
thou president of the arts and sciences school. request
denied. i never got past her receptionist. i guess she
was too busy to givee an explanation to one of the students
whom she was supposedly working for. this is the type of
negative experience that i will carry with me.
3:BMAJ the teachers are great, the football games are
great, the campus is beautiful. there are many things to
do that are provided by CU. all in all, i thought my
experience at CU was great. i got a good education from a
good school. just avoid anything to do with administration
and you will have a great experience.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T it has become increasingly difficult to
make your classes fit into a four year schedule, unless you
are taking 15 credit hours and summer classes. CU is
becoming more and more crowded, and expensive.
115655 1:GOALS-SOME The program necessarily focuses on short
fiction. This format should be adapted to consider the
writing styles of other types of literature, such as longer
novels or novellas. In general I am mostly dissatisfied
with the financial support that the English department
recieves from the rest of the university. It is very low
priority. Often the upper division courses are not offered.
I would have liked a better general faculty. While some of
the professors such as Steve Katz and Professor Deshell
were very helpful, others were not.
2:WMAJ I would create a program for dedicated students who
want to pursue a larger piece of creative writing, and I
would structure an honor's course around this work. The
goal would be possible publication. I think that this
course could focus on the requirements for publication, as
well as the difficulties and obstacles. (none of the
current courses seem to cover this topic). It would also
focus on concepts like chapter organization, structure,
longer term character development and change. It will deal
with topics like genre writings and formula.
3:BMAJ The creative writing workshops. Despite their
limitations, these teach us the most about the writing
process.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Because, I want to obtain both of my
degrees. I already have sufficient credits, numerically
speaking, but have not completed all of my major
requirements. Another reason that I will be here longer
then four years is because I have been working full time
for the last two years, and part time before that. I also
must needs complete certain core requirements that should
be excluded. The upper and lower division writing course
should have been excluded for English majors. The classes
do not teach anything that I have not already learned. I
consider them an example of burnt money. I'm also enjoying
a lot of aspects of the college life, and to be honest I'm
glad that I won't finish at the end of this semester. I
don't feel ready to begin my professional career.
139865 1:GOALS-DEF I have been able to work an English professor
who is one of my faculty mentors for a McNair research
project. He has provided information about graduate
programs and has overseen the development of my research
project. He has been an invaluable resource. I also found
that many of the English faculty members provided academic
support and were willing to talk with me about my interest
in pursuing a graduate degree when I went into their office
hours. However, I have not been impressed with the quality
of the academic advising that I have received from the
English Department Advisors. One of the advisors told me
that grauate school was out of the question and I would be
lucky if I was able to graduate from the University of
Colorado at Boulder. I feel that her assertion was
unwarrented. I have always had a strong GPA. (Since that
time, the advisor has left CU). That day, I left her office
in tears. I was grateful that during the same time period I
was taking a class with a wonderful professor in the
English Department. The professor encouraged the pursuit of
my dream of attending graduate school. I am currently
pursuing a Double Major. My second major is in Women's
Studies. The advisor that I have had in the Women's Studies
Department has encouraged the pursuit of my educational
goals and has been a valuable resource.
4:DODIFF I would have been more assertive during the first
three years that I attended the University of Colorado at
Boulder. Had I been more assertive, I would have asked for
a different English Advisor. Also, I would have asked about
support services for first generation, low income students.
In the fall of 2002, one of my friends told me about the
Sabout Academic Excellence Program. In the fall of 2002, I
have become a member of the program. I also began to
utilize the services that the Student Academic Services
Center provides, including tutoring. I participated in the
TRIO Advanced Study Community and submitted an application
to the Ronald E. McNair Program. I became a McNair scholar
in the fall of 2003. I have found the community and
academic support that I needed.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I was admitted with a MAPs deficiency in
foreign language, and I am currently enrolled in the
Modified Foreign Language Program (I had to be tested to
see if I qualified for the program). I will finish the
program this semester. Also, I switched from Journalism to
English. I completed one year of course work in Journalism.
I am also pursing a double degree. I applied for the Ronald
E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program. I will be
completing my research project for the program in August of
2004.
190212 1:GOALS-SOME I am very satisfied with my CU experience,
but I think one should be allowed to specialize a
little more. There are so many different requirements,
which makes students spread themselves pretty thin.
One can get through school not reading Joyce, Faulkner,
even Shakespeare! I do not think that is right.
2:WMAJ The advising is sometimes inconsistent and even
unhelpful. Also, the class descriptions and book list
are made available much too late. It is difficult to
choose classes because one has no idea what the class
reading list will be or the direction the class will go.
That needs to be changed immediately for future
studnents.
3:BMAJ Absolutely, the best thing about English is the
professors. Most are wonderful.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I was not prepared to choose a career as
a freshman. As a result, I made a grave mistake with
my first major. However, I am rectifying that problem
and I love English! Come visit me anytime my
friend. Your pal, Denys
202611 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I owe it to my parents for supporting me
finacially all the way through 4 years of college. I owe it
to myself as well, because taking time off would have
distracted me from continuing my schooling right away.
219708 1:GOALS-DEF I wanted a general idea of a wide range of
literature to take into my teaching experiences. I found
that the English program provided me with a wide range of
class choices that let me examine a lot of different
literary works.
2:WMAJ Nothing, I thought it was fine for what I am using
it for (as a core major for my elementary education program)
3:BMAJ There were a lot of interesting and insightful
classes with great professors
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I knew what I wanted to do going into my
college experience and I stuck to the expectations of my
program as opposed to experimenting with different classes.
239501 1:GOALS-SOME I was disappointed that the university
doesn't offer a degree in rhetorical writing, although a
program exists for it. Beyond that, the Creative Writing
program has in many ways helped me to become a more
complete writer, which will help me make the transition
from student-writer to professional-writer.
2:WMAJ I would create a degree program for
professional/rhetorical writing, as that particular form of
writing is gaining emphasis in the writing world. I was
very disappointed that the WRP does not offer a degree,
because it would offer a nice alternative for those who
want to write, but are not interested in fiction/poetry.
3:BMAJ The staff. To date, I have only had one class
which I would characterize as truly worthless. Even then,
I very much enjoyed the professor, but the subject matter
and his method of presenting the material left me with
nothing. Outside of that class, I have gushed to my
friends from different universities about how much I have
enjoyed my classes (and how much I have taken from them),
even drawing the jealousy of a friend from an elite private
school in Washington who followed me to my classes for a
day.
4:DODIFF I would have spent more time in office hours, not
with my counselor, but just speaking with my professors.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am a masochist and decided to switch
over from Computer Science to English halfway through my
sophomore year. That, coupled with a large number of
classes I took in high school and at the University of
Southern Colorado which didn't count for xxxx and the
semester I took off after my dad died, and I may graduate
sometime before 2034.
242571 2:WMAJ Not to be so strict in courses you have to take. I
would have liked to take more survey of literature classes
and i would definetly have enjoyed reading more novels and
learning more about the classics that non english majors
learn in their literature classes. i think they assume that
englosh majors have already done all of the classics, but
that is not always the case.
3:BMAJ Smaller sized classes.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am burnt out on school, but I used my
time here effectively enough to double major and still
finish on time. i am eager to move on to a new chapter of
my life and start something new.
257543 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am earning a double degree and a
triple major.
295680 1:GOALS-DEF I have gained a great deal of writing skills
and the ability to consider analytically the world around.
The life experience aspect of the University has been the
most valuable in my opinion. I have both learned how to
deal with new people and how to ignore those who show no
interest in interaction with others.
2:WMAJ I would ask the program administration to carefully
consider the quality of creative writing professors they
are losing each year, and try to find more esteemed writers
to raise CU-Boulder back into the ranks of great writing
schools.
3:BMAJ The faculty has been the most genuine, open and
accessible group of people I could ever have asked for. I
have had great professors in the English department, as
well as wonderful grad student teachers. I admire them for
their caring and interest in the success of their students.
I think that really matters in building confidence and
happiness on a daily basis.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F although I enjoy the academic experience
and lifestyle, I have a strong desire to take on the world
outside the shelter of daily routine. Academia allows for a
lot of personal growth, but it is still contained to a
campus that remains somewhat sequestered from the world at
large. There are too many things in life to experience to
spend so much of it in a structured environment.
296887 1:GOALS-SOME a good diversity of classes, but size
sometimes constraining to discussion and work on literature
2:WMAJ better advising and availability of required classes
3:BMAJ great professors and breadth of class choice
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F it's enough time in the college
environment and spending too long at school often makes it
harder to eventually graduate.
309622 1:GOALS-SOME I could have used a more challenging
curriculum. I found myself "just getting by" with A's and
B's; I would rather have worked harder for them. I was
also dismayed that I was required, as a Creative Writing
student, to take an upper division writing course that was
designed for non-English majors, when I have extensive
experience with paper writing as an English major. Perhaps
this would have been appeased by the option of a writing
class for English majors.
2:WMAJ drop upper-division WRTG requirement, or provide a
course tailored to English majors, who normally have
previous experience with paper-writing.
3:BMAJ small upper-division literature classes with lots
of discussion; familiar faces.
4:DODIFF I would've pursued a double major early on.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I took summer classes, and had no
problem managing a heavier credit load some semesters, so
that I will in fact graduate with a total three and a half
years of actual academic work.
310170 1:GOALS-DEF The English major required a broad range of
study which helped me not only to expand myself but also to
have an idea of what I'm going to study in the future.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I had to pay for my own college, so I
worked really hard to finish in three and a half years to
cut down on my thousands and thousands of dollars of loans.
Also, the course load required in order to graduate in
such a short time kept me busy enough while still allowing
a little bit of free time.
314984 1:GOALS-SOME My writing skills have been developed, but my
major is not a very practical one that will get me a job
right out of college.
2:WMAJ In regards to my english major I really don't know
if I would change anything except to have had my IB English
credits apply a little more to my major requirements.
3:BMAJ The best thing can also be the worst- peer review.
In the creative writing department the feedback recieved is
only as good as what is given to you by your peers- which
can be excellent or terrible depending on the people in
your class.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F That is all the funding that I have
available to me without taking a student loan.
379228 2:WMAJ advising
3:BMAJ workshops
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have two majors
379811 1:GOALS-DEF The English major gave me the
interdisciplinary, ethical basis in literature that I
sought upon undertaking the major.
2:WMAJ I would encourage the academic advisors to correct
their essentially unqualified and unevaluated positions on
the very important differences between pursuing the
creative writing track versus the literature track
regarding quality of courses, their instructors (i.e.
quasi-competent grad-students in the former versus, for the
most part excellent faculty in the latter), course content,
et.c.
3:BMAJ The professors (I'll give four examples, in no
particular order: Mary Klages, Adeleke Adeeko, Bruce Kawin,
Michael Preston).
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F , anticipating the 19 credit hours that
I came into the university with due to AP, IB, and previous
university credit hours, I assumed that I would be able to
take a semester off and still finish on time. However, due
to careless, faulty academic advising in the ENVS
(Environmental Studies) department (whoever the female
advisor was), I lost seven of those credits before changing
my major to ENGL (whose advising was excellent).
382025 1:GOALS-DEF I wanted to become well-read and very
knowlegeable in my field of study and I think I have
achieved that.
2:WMAJ I feel there is a severe lack of upperdivision
courses. I need upper division electives and the classes
offered I've either already taken or seem very dull.
Classes like men in literature, science fiction, and poetry
classes (reading not writing) are all much more
interesting and exciting, but not offered. I'd like to see
more of a selection.
3:BMAJ The teachers. Burger, Bickman, Winnoker, Lehman,
and Foreman are all incredible proffessors. They are smart
and creative and seem to really love what they do.
However, there are some who have made my education here
downright miserable, Prof. Bassoff in particular. But
overall, the faculty is awesome.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transferred from a different school
and not all of my credits transferred. Also, I changed my
major from psychology to English and had to catch up.
399886 1:GOALS-SOME There never seemed enough information about
careers in your specific area of focus, and the teacher,
many of them were doing their jobs well, but that was all,
it was a job, not something they loved.
419693 1:GOALS-SOME I feel that the program has met my goals in
that I have a solid background in English and a strong
resume for graduate school. However, I feel that there has
been a notable lack of opportunity for connecting classroom
theories with practical experience. I think I would have
benefitted from a service-learning requirement within the
program. Also, the advising I have received from my
assigned advisor has been minimal, at best. I have felt
like she has treated me as an interruption to her day
rather than the object of her efforts, I have been made to
feel like I have done something wrong or should have had an
answer already when I ask what I consider to be simple
questions, and I have received absolutely no direction from
her after stating my academic goals - I have only been told
to seek out other faculty members. At the same time, I
have had great experiences with ALL of my professors in the
department - the only exception being an adjunct who I
believe does not teach courses anymore. They have gone out
of their way on multiple occasions to help me with
questions, work on independent projects, and to advise me
for future courses and graduate school.
2:WMAJ Adivising - see comments elsewhere.
3:BMAJ The diversity and knowledge of the professors.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I took a year off between my sophomore
and junior year in order to work and gain residency. It
was a great experience, I've returned to school with more
motivation than ever, and I don't regret it for a moment.
452190 2:WMAJ Some English classes are so focused on theory that
they lack a substantial study of the literature itself. I
would like to read more novels, poetry, and plays in
English classes.
3:BMAJ The classes are fairly small, so it's easy to
participate.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F My advisor in film studies helped me
plan my classes with enough foresight to be on track. And
I found a couple of summer classes I enjoyed that helped me
be ahead.
475037 1:GOALS-SOME My English major helped me to decide that I
want nothing to do with that field because the classes are
boring, too easy, and too specialized. There were no
opportunities to explore various fields that English might
lead to, and my love of reading and writing has been
diminished by the major, rather than increased. The nice
faculty members taught the worst classes, and the
interesting classes were taught by mean, inconsiderate,
unavailable professors.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I added a double major and a minor, and
all the EPOB auxilliary courses are taking forever to
complete. Additionally, I pretty much wasted the credits I
took my freshman year fulfilling a science requirement that
I no longer have and taking a foreign language.
476458 1:GOALS-SOME wasn't offerend or even mentioned much what
types of programs their are for english majors except for
honors thesis, which i was given information about the
semester before i graduated.
2:WMAJ More oral presentations, and opportunities to get
experience outside of class.
3:BMAJ Learning to write and professors that listen and
care
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I knew what I needed to take, planned
ahead, and declared my major ASAP.
485097 1:GOALS-DEF I feel that I had adequate practice in
analysis and composition. While the instructors may have
faltered at times, the focus of the program is on the
individual, so little blame can be placed beyond myself.
2:WMAJ More diversity and better quality of professors. IN
the creative writing program, and especially poetry, there
are few faculty to choose from. One of the professors (De
Cervantes) needs to be let go.
3:BMAJ The work is done basically on the student's time.
There are far fewer deadlines and requirements in the
Creative Writing program than in others I've heard about.
4:DODIFF vary my housing choices
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F thats just the way its worked out. My
advisors (and I've had many), did little to help me
navigate registration and course requirements. It was only
through my attention to the course catalog and happenstance
that I've made it through CU in four years.
490709 1:GOALS-SOME I majored in English for one reason only, and
that was to go into teaching. Majoring in English to teach
is starkly different from majoring in English to go onto
another occupation. Also, English students had very little
guidance in writing or how to improve writing. By this
point in time, many professors believe college students
should know how to write--not realizing that areas always
exist in which students can improve or learn. While in the
English program, I only had one class not in creative
writing that addressed my needs or interests in writing. It
easily provided me with what I desired as a writer and as
someone who plans to teach writing, but why is this
instruction not integrated into normal courswork? When
people think of the English major, they think
creativity--much like those who look at Fine Arts. However,
I was met with little creativity within the program,
especially when the structure of the class was not working.
Multiple classes went on functioning in a way that was apt
to disengage students from the material rather than engage
them. I feel as though there were multiple areas left out
as options within the offered courses, forcing students to
take classes that are quite similar to ones they have
already had. I would attempt to diversify the program even
more so than it is currently.
2:WMAJ I would change the design of the courses. I know
the professors put a lot of thought into what to teach and
designing lecture notes, but too many times I have seen
interest dwindle because not all English majors share the
same passion within that field. I would ask the professors
to put more thought into how they teach--not just what they
teach.
3:BMAJ One of the classes I took--ENGL 3856 Beyond
Academic Writing. This class was supposedly a test drive
for it to replace the upper division writing requirement
for English majors. I would highly recommend this and seek
out professors that can teach the course. It was designed
to let English majors write papers other than literary
analysis papers, while still emphasizing the importance of
structure, rhetoric, message, and audience. I learned a
thousand times more from this class than I did from the
Writing and Rhetoric class I had to take. Not to mention,
there seems to be some unspoken hostility between the W & R
professors and the English majors--to avoid that would be
heaven sent.
4:DODIFF I would have liked to go on Study Abroad, but
with majoring in English and doing the education program,
it was difficult for me to find a semester that I could fit
that in. I was unable to take the education courses abroad,
and I couldn't do the practicums, so my only opportunities
to have gone would have been to go during my sophomore
year--however, I wanted to spend that year as a Resident
Advisor (which was a good decision). I probably would have
looked into going abroad during the summer if I were to do
it again. Also, I would have taken more Spanish or math
classes, and I would have tried to do Applied Math through
Engineering rather than math through Arts and Sciences. I
possibly would have signed up to double major in Fine Arts
so I would have been eligible to take some art classes
offered only to those students--like so many other students
do--and then dropped the major once I had taken the courses
I wanted.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I was able to keep track of my own
records and coursework. I realized early on that I was not
going to have the guidance or support of an academic
advisor like friends in other programs have, so I took the
steps necessary to track my own progress. I realized there
were programs here that I wanted to get involved in, and
that I wanted to be able to leave my final spring semester
for student teaching. Because of this, I took courses over
the summer to explore learning opportunities outside of my
requirements, and I took more courses than recommended
during several semesters. It was easy to know what to do,
but I do wonder why some advisors provide everything a
student needs, while others remain practically
non-existant. I am glad I chose to do so because now, as I
get ready to graduate, I am corresponding with my fifth
advisor in only one major program to make sure I am set to
graduate. Five advisors in four years--a little ridiculous
if you ask me.
513782 1:GOALS-SOME the english program was great my education
certification was less so, teaching is a hands on job and
too much time in a class and cursory practicums just do not
cut it.
3:BMAJ the teachers, i have had highly qualified
compassionate and interesting teachers.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am also pursuing a teaching
certification. additionlly i really screwed up my grades
when i was young and have had to make up alot of work.
608985 1:GOALS-DEF The program had great professors who were
more than willing to meet on a one on one basis during
office hours and outside of office hours. I have had
experience with a select few faculty who have completely
made my experience as an English major very rewarding and
fun.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I want to enjoy as well as learn in my
classes instead of trying to rush something that I want to
retain for graduate school.
650272 1:GOALS-SOME It met the need for a degree, but I often
felt that there was too much theoretical knowledge, and not
enough practical.
3:BMAJ The bulk of the English faculty are great,
genuinely caring about the students.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T college is so expensive. I can't afford
to spend longer here, especially with the fees and expenses
beyond tuition.
694099 1:GOALS-SOME there is a complete lack of application to
the outside world. Very little that I learned would
prepare me to engage in a discussion on currrent politics
or world affairs or current issues. I understand that
these things are not emphasized within my major, but I
only took one class that even incorporated current issues
into literature.
2:WMAJ There should be more classes that integrate
literature with other fields. Perhaps modern literature
with say, a bent on immigration, or I would love a modern
literature class that read only biographical novels about
recent US presidents or something, in order to combine
politics and literature, or science and literature...
3:BMAJ I have had extremely (for the most part)
sympathetic, intelligent, and passionate professors.
4:DODIFF I would have studied abroad for longer, maybe in
two different countries. Also, I became minimally involved
in many student organizations, but found that across the
board, they are ALL extremely disorganized. If I had more
time, I would have maybe stuck with one and tried to bring
it some structure.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I want to move on. Boulder has been good
to me, and CU has been good to me, but I am anxious to see
what else is out there.
723852 1:GOALS-SOME the creative writing program is sufficient
but variety is minimal and could definately be expanded to
encompase more than just poetry and fiction.
2:WMAJ I suppose the biggest frustration I had was
advising not only for my major but for core requiremnts. I
transferred from FRCC and studied independently overseas
and between the three different advisors I had over a two
year period, all of them said different things which
ultimatley led to me taking unnecessary courses. All I
could do was wonder why I was paying for these incompetent
advisors to give me incorrect information. But as far as
my major courses go I don't have any extreme complaints.
3:BMAJ The best thing about my major was the instructors.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T fifteen credits per semester is too
difficult to undertake for someone who has to work as well
as go to school. I also believe that rushing to complete
college in four years has the potential to result in a lack
of understanding and retention of what was studied.
794104 1:GOALS-xxxx I met my goals in the kinds of material
covered in my major courses, but I did not have the
opportunities to study some of the things I would have
liked, nor did I have the chance to take the core classes
that I would have liked.
4:DODIFF I would also have taken a minor program.
804688 1:GOALS-SOME I'm not sure if I have educational goals per
se, I have goals for my future. Academically, I guess
I've achieved them but I don't know how to apply them to
what I want to do in the future.
2:WMAJ The English office needs to be much more organized.
They lost my first submission to the creative writing
program and couldn't find it.
3:BMAJ I'm just happy that I finally got accepted into the
creative writing program.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F because I have planned out my schedule
well taking appox. 15-16 hrs a semester and have stayed on
track even when adding a second major my sophomore year at
CU. I came into CU with credits from high school and I
went study abroad over the summer that earned me extra
credits too. Those two combined have helped me jump a
semester ahead.
895557 1:GOALS-SOME The English Department is very eurocentric
and thus has not contributed to my diverse knowledge of
literature, authors, and perspectives.
2:WMAJ Add more ethnically diverse professors and courses
so that the curriculum is not so eurocentric.
3:BMAJ The few diverse courses and professors I have
experienced- courses such as Caribbean Literature, Writings
by Radical Women of Color, Survey of African American Lit,
and professors such as Marcia Douglas, Adeleke Adeeko, and
Kathryn Rios.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I was going to be 5 credits short of
graduating in four years, and rather than taking them in
the summer, I decided to take an extra semester to complete
these elective courses abroad. I did not rudh myself in
trying to graduate in four years because I took advantage
of the opportunities to engage in an undergraduate career
outside of just academics. I experienced an internship,
leadership positions in student groups, student government,
and study abroad.
899413 1:GOALS-DEF While the English department had some serious
structural issues (professors were spread too thin, the
requirements a bit too general, and the availablitly of
advisers during high demand time is dismal) the
availability of a few higly dedicated faculty members
(Burger, Rivers, Klages, and Brickhouse, to name the
majority) made the major a highly rewarding experience.
2:WMAJ More faculty and more advisers primarily. The
addition of an English grammer course also seems important.
3:BMAJ Doug Burger, Ed Rivers, Anna Brickhouse, Mary Klages
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I declared a double major, and took
almost two years choosing them.
905779 2:WMAJ consistency and depth of advising
3:BMAJ the faculty
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I'm taking two degrees.
943216 1:GOALS-SOME Advising was pretty poor. My advisor was
rarely available and when she was I was essentially one of
a million of her advisees. I had to find my own direction
without any kind of encouragement. Luckily I am an
independent individual... Some may not be so lucky.
2:WMAJ Better advising, more individual attention. If you
can't take care of individual students, there shouldn't be
that many people in the program!
3:BMAJ Some of the teachers are fabulous and are really
interested in their subject area.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I knew what I wanted to major in from
day one. I had a lot of direction and I was able to apply
this direction to my course studies. I finished up my core
classes within my first 2 years of college as well-- This,
I feel was crucial to my on-time departure from this
university
978154 1:GOALS-NO The classes were never challenging enough. i
dont mean that there wasnt enough work- it had more to do
with the professor really engaging with the class and
getting discussions going. many professors tried, but
oftentimes, the students arent interested. they just sit
there like vegetables. i think the lack of outstanding
education at CU has a lot to do with the low aspirations
and motivation of many of its students.
2:WMAJ I would like to be able to take more literature
classes. More i mportantly, I owuld like the classes to be
smaller. Also, there should be a minor in Art History. It
is really awful that it isnt offered.
3:BMAJ Sidney Goldfarb, Will West and Lee Krauth.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I do not feel I am getting the kind of
education I want. Save a few professors, I do not feel
challenged enough and I do not want to be around the
generally apathetic student body at CU. Also, it is too
expensive.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-ENVS 146633 1:GOALS-xxxx I would like more hands on experience in my
area of study, and more real world opportunities given to
us to prepare for real positions.
148949 1:GOALS-SOME The program is very broad. I feel like I have
learned a little bit about many subjects but don't feel
like I know much about any one field.
2:WMAJ More specialized course availibilty, more freedom
in "building a major." There are too many required courses
that while possible very beneficial for other students,
were for the most part useless to me.
3:BMAJ Adrienne Anderson
4:DODIFF Study english and literature. Take more art
classes.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T Three years because I want to get out of
the super general stuff and sink my teeth into something
more specialized at the graduate level.
190087 1:GOALS-SOME I am satisified with the science classes I
took. I am not satisified with the foreign language
requirement
2:WMAJ I do not like all the propaganda in the UMC. It
should be a place for students to go and hang out with out
being harassed bt solicitors. I feel naged every time I go
in there.
3:BMAJ I like the teachers. Mark Williams is the best.
James Sylviski is great. Scott Peckman is a good teacher
too.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T it is a great way to learn how to manage
your time.
203452 1:GOALS-SOME I say somwhat b/c I have not yet graduated,
and I plan on interning the next year.
2:WMAJ I think that their are some judgement problems with
the CU football affair. I would also like to see more
diversity, yet that may be attributed to certain people not
wishing to attend CU. I also wouldn'd mind seeing some
more ENVS specializations, though that will come with
program growth. However, my favorite ENVS class is taken
through Continuing Education, Environmental Education.
3:BMAJ The environment, and being surrounded by it. I
also think I might have one of the best advisors at CU-
Kirstin.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T B/c I tranferred and switched majors.
I also like the location and wouldn'd mind spending a bit
more time here.
277719 2:WMAJ I would like to see a wildlife conservation
specialization in my major. Of the four track B
specializations I did not feel like any of them were ideal
for me.
3:BMAJ I had a very broad ranging education, covering many
different fields of study. I enjoyed branching out to many
different aspects of the world we live in and applying them
to environmental science.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I had bad advising and did not take the
right courses throughout my career.
290112 1:GOALS-SOME It was too scattered, not enough of a final
grand picture.
2:WMAJ Need more focus.
3:BMAJ the professors
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I took time off to work.
356943 1:GOALS-SOME I think that the flexibility of classes
allowed me to get a broad education but I do not feel
prepared to get a job in any one field.
2:WMAJ there is not really an envs program, all the
classes are in different majors, ie biology, geology,
geography, etc. no sense of community
3:BMAJ flexible, able to graduate in four years
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F it is outragously expensive for out of
state. a huge rip off
403224 1:GOALS-SOME Many of the government jobs that I have been
appling for have demanded 6 credit hours of calculus and 6
hours of Physics. I have taken 5 hours of calc which was
required by my degree and no hours of Physics. I believe
if the government is looking for undergraduate students
whith a background in physics our degree should make us
take it.
2:WMAJ Make us take physics if we are in the science track.
3:BMAJ Advisors were very helpful in getting me to
graduate.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I took my freshman and sophmore spring
semesters off to ski.
405534 1:GOALS-SOME The environmental studies major was too
specific with the 3 specializations within the environment
track.
2:WMAJ Change the 3 specializations within the
environmental studies science track to be more general.
3:BMAJ Has helped me experience classes outside of my
primary major (EBIO).
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am getting a BA in ENVS and also a BA
and MA in EBIO.
421146 1:GOALS-SOME My program was good for theoretical
education, but application was lacking. While understanding
that this is a very large institution, I felt that there
was a great need for focus on facilitating current students
in achieving their educational goals instead of looking
toward future students and inane athletic conflicts. This
university makes few attempts to reach students on
individual levels and puts ridiculous road blocks in the
way of educational pursuits. My envs advisor, Kirstin
Pack, was one of the only people in this entire institution
who actually cared about me and my goals, and I owe her
much for all that she's done for me.
2:WMAJ Thanks to Kirstin Pack for everything she's done.
The environmental studies major was definetely the best
major for me here, however, if I had a chance to go back, I
would have stayed at a small college and gotten an
education of higher quality.
3:BMAJ the flexibility of the major
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T , though, I have applied to the dean to
accept a history credit taken on study abroad, it has been
refused for CORE credit--despite my writing a lengthy
letter explaining the fact that I'm out of money and have a
job after May. I don't know what I'm going to have to do to
finish up my degree because I am unable to speak to an
actual face in the dean's office, and there is no apparent
concern for student welfare. I am a hard-working student
who has more than enough credits and a sufficiently high
GPA to merit graduation, however, I must pay an additional
$500 to try to fit in an intro history class that will
serve little purpose in my future thanks to the lack of
concern from the academic administrators (not that I'm
bitter).
440204 1:GOALS-NO ENVS is not its own department. i felt like
professors were not enough a cohesive unit in order to
relate what each other is studying. this helps in
directing students to professors that may have common
interests as the student. there also seems to be a lack of
overall goal. whereas you can look at the different
professors interests, department websites, weekly
colloquims these all help to provide students with a vision
for what they might do after receiving there bachelor's
degree(s).
2:WMAJ i guess i touched on that in my above comments.
much more money and there own department.
3:BMAJ benefits from broad spectrum of scientists.
4:DODIFF i would have stacked my ENVS major with
different, more focused classes. they seemed a more broad
array even though i went track b, water resource
concentration, oceanography, marine/freshwater ecology,
snow hydrology.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T i took my time to enjoy life outside of
school a couple of times during the course of my
undergraduate studies.
465309 1:GOALS-SOME In a globalized world it is imparative to
have a very broad understanding of interdisciplinary work.
CU should encourage more work outside of ones major
2:WMAJ nothing
3:BMAJ Adrienne Anderson!!!
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F because Ive chosen to study several
different things. I reccomend having a diverse education
because it will help you in the real world. In addition, I
reccomend waiting to go to college until you are devoted to
your education. It is imparative to make the most out of a
college education and not see it as merely a four plus year
party
495059 2:WMAJ More practical sulutions to problems rather than
stating problems with few practical answers
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I dont have any idea where my degree
will take me and I feel that I dont have a very good chance
of working in my feild when I graduate and no loner have
external monetary support
505065 1:GOALS-SOME not challenging enough
2:WMAJ 1 Make the classes more challenging. 2 More
math.
3:BMAJ Diversity of required classes
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I want to get out into the real world
and work insted of sitting in class.
536789 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I attended three different
universtities, and I also took some time off of school to
do some travelling.
551129 1:GOALS-DEF My internship gave me experience in a job in
my field and I learned a lot from it. It definitely was
key to meeting my educational goals.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I took a semester off and when I
returned I decided to take less credit-hours per semester
because it was less stressful than taking a full 15 credits.
559834 1:GOALS-SOME Very general program outline- so loosely
structured that it's difficult for students who don't have
a clear idea of where they want to go with it. Writing and
public speaking are not emphasized enough- I felt like my
time was spent mostly reading and regurgitating material.
When writing is required, instructors do not take adequate
time to critically evaluate students' writing and point out
areas where students could improve. I feel like my writing
is at about the same level as when I entered college.
Critical thinking classes need to be empahsized more from
the start- they should be required every year I think.
2:WMAJ Reduce class size from the beginning if possible-
students tend to get lost in the early-on enormous lecture
classes. These are not really suitable learning
environments.
3:BMAJ Good general education- I learned a little about a
lot of pertinent issues and had access to some very
competent faculty members.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I need to explore some other options
before I settle down in school. Also, I am not focused
enough right now to remain in school for four straight
years.
575247 1:GOALS-DEF I was in a veriety of courses that required
us to get out of the classroom and do volunteer and service
learning projects which were all very good experiences as
well as something to add to my resume.
2:WMAJ I wouldn't cahnge anything about the porgram, but I
would have taken more time to graduate so I could take more
classes.
3:BMAJ It's really strucutred around what you think you'll
need to know and what you think you'll be doing after
gradution, not what someone else thinks you'll need to know.
4:DODIFF Go on more study abroads
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I was able to finish all of my classes
in 4 years after taking one summer class.
605879 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T Not all the classes I need are available
frequently enough or are in scheduling conflicts with other
classes.
643282 2:WMAJ less focus on scientific aspects, and more on
policy. i only took one class that had to do with
environmental policy and did not give me as good of a
background into what i hope to do than i would have liked.
3:BMAJ it may be the best and worst thing. i liked how
the major was interdisciplinary, allowing me to take
classes in many fields. environmentalism, after all,
involves many different areas of study. however, this gave
me little direction and a broad education on a variety of
topics instead of a specific education focusing on a
certain area.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F my parents refused to pay for more than
four years out of state. i found it easy to graduate in
four years because i knew my major freshman year, but i
know that for some it is difficult if they change majors.
670057 1:GOALS-DEF good rounded physical science background
2:WMAJ better availability of biogeochemistry classes
3:BMAJ the flexibility within specializations- I
structured my own
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I did the McNair program which was 12
hours that fit NOWHERE (not even UD written communication,
which it totally was) in my curriculum. Students in this
program should be given core LD/UD writing credit for this
program in the future.
694703 1:GOALS-DEF my envs degree is a very good broad
education. i made mine more focused in my area of study,
and the instructors and advisors were very helpful.
2:WMAJ omit the second economics course required for track
A. it is extraneous and tedious.
3:BMAJ my advisor, kirstin pack.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F i have changed majors several times in
an effort to find what i really want to do. i have also
taken time off before and in the middle of school.
711465 1:GOALS-SOME I felt I was lacking on some concrete skills
that would be marketable in the "real world"
3:BMAJ I really enjoyed learning....the classes were all
interesting and the professors were great
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I decided to do a double major.
725374 2:WMAJ I had a lot of problems contacting advisor, she
left for a while and left two people to watch over for her
but both people denied that that was there job.
3:BMAJ specializing in a particular area.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F changed my major too many times.
726605 1:GOALS-SOME While Academically I was pleased with my
experience at CU, I was dissatisfied with the amount of
research that had to be put into finding research
opportunities and work positions. These were things that
are crucial to the undergraduate experience and need to be
more available to students.
2:WMAJ I would give more emphasis on field experience,
esspecially with such classes as Geology and Hydrology.
3:BMAJ I had a wonderful experience on a study abroad
program and was able to work this into my major
requirements. Kirsten Pack, my advisor, rocks!
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS of my study abroad experience and
switching majors.
765606 1:GOALS-SOME Not all students care about their education,
only getting through classes
2:WMAJ more practical/hands on experience
3:BMAJ combination of course work
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F college is expensive and I am ready to
move on with my life
784849 1:GOALS-SOME Advising for this major is very bad. My
advisor does little in the way of informing me of possible
jobs or internships even though i have sent several
requests for her to do so.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F that is how long my college account
would let me go to school for and it is a good idea to be
focused on your school work and try to finish in 4 years.
822284 1:GOALS-SOME My main goal was simply to graduate and I
will do just that. Sometimes, however, information I
learned in previous courses fades from memory.
2:WMAJ I would like more courses to choose from.
3:BMAJ The fact that there are different tracks allowed me
to learn about one area in depth. I believe this makes me
more qualified to work in that field.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I would like to take some classes that
are not related to my major but are fun and interesting.
824309 1:GOALS-SOME My program provided a broad education in the
field. However, I would have liked to have more practical
experience.
2:WMAJ Would like more emphasis on science, perhaps offer
a BS.
3:BMAJ The diverse list of programs to choose from.
4:DODIFF Double major.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I must work full time to support myself
while attending school. Working full time while attending
school full time is difficult and time consuming. I will
have more free time if I extend my education beyond four
years.
861083 1:GOALS-SOME There is a lock of information concerning the
atmospheric emphasis in ENVS. The science aspect of this
major should be set up in such a fashion that an undergrad
should be able to apply for a quantitative grad program.
As it stands PAOS has told me that the Atmospheric track is
too qualitative. More so, undergrads need more
opportunities for real life research/experience, especially
in this competative economy. I also have concern
over information for courses to be taken. While I greatly
appreciate the flexibility of the ENVS major there are
classes that could fulfill requirements not listed on
course sheets. This makes it extremely difficult to plan
semester to semester.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T requirements for my major are not
granted often enough, they overlap with other courses or
they are not offered every semester. In other cases they
do not offer enough courses for all that are interested to
get into them... sometimes high school students get to be
enrolled in courses displacing college undergraduates that
need the graduation requirement.
882448 1:GOALS-SOME Given the broad nature of ENVS, I was hoping
for mare classes with a pragmatic, rather than theoretical
approach.
2:WMAJ Make advising more accessable.
3:BMAJ The upper level faculty
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I took a year off to gain residency, a
big mistake.
956729 1:GOALS-SOME Taught me that I need to go to grad school to
make anything substantial from this major
2:WMAJ Make it more specific, I have no idea what I am
going to do when I get out of school with this degree
3:BMAJ Critical Thinking about environmental issues
4:DODIFF Standard of living at CU is too high! I would
rather have gone to FTC so I could spend more time learning
and less time working to pay bills, especially for those of
us in situations where we foot our entire education bill
ourselves
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T Course availability, full time job
requirements prevent me from taking as many classes as I
would like
971609 1:GOALS-SOME More opporunity to explore and less
requirement on stagnant theory and basic knowledge when
courses on current issues, trends, and applications would
be invaluable
2:WMAJ Clearer definition of courses used to satisfy
specializations, courses have often changed or not been
available
3:BMAJ flexibility interdisciplinary
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I tansfered to CU and have a plethora of
new requirements to fufill.
993366 1:GOALS-SOME Some of the core classes were a waste of time.
2:WMAJ more flexible
3:BMAJ i love it
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F it doesn't take more than that.
993367 1:GOALS-SOME I would rather have spent more time in
classes I enjoyed. Many requirements in the Environmental
Studies curriculum are redundant, or remedial, forcing us
to rehash the same material when we could be learning
something new.
2:WMAJ I would fire Dale Miller and broaden the courses
that can be applied to the major, including more emphasis
on Women's Studies and Ecofeminism.
3:BMAJ Adrienne Anderson's Race, Class, and Pollution
course. Not only was it the best and most educational
course I've taken in my University career, it was fun and
taught me skills I will need in the professional world.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T of scheduling conflicts, poor
organization of courses by the Department, and a dearth of
pertinent courses offered over the summer.
999684 1:GOALS-SOME Feel that core curriculum did little to
further my educational goals; my program is simply too
broad and theoretical; feel stereotypical approach to ENVS
majors and a general lack of expectations--was not
challenged into truly thinking; too much regurgitation of
since forgotten material; do know more about the field than
before and have narrowed a focus, but not enough
specialization courses
2:WMAJ more specifics; two tracks--one for intelligent,
dedicated students and the other for the stereotypical,
lazy, idealistic environmentalist; more focus upon
application than theory
3:BMAJ opportunity to take classes within other
departments; would like to see this extended to other
schools
4:DODIFF Take more honors classes to challenge myself;
take more classes from outside arts and science if not so
difficult to do
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I knew exactly what area I wanted to
focus on and entered with some AP credits that lightened my
core curiculum load.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-EPOB 101825 1:GOALS-SOME little to no personal contact with faculty
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T It is nearly impossible to take all
classes need to graduate from cu in 4 years
114427 1:GOALS-SOME Did not feel very challenged to learn
more...re-learned many of the same concepts covered in high
school...except for a few exceptional professors, many
professors did not seem motivated, or to have enough time,
to really help and listen to students!
2:WMAJ Better advising, more personal!
3:BMAJ The few passionate professors that really seemed to
care!
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F It is not difficult to graduate in four
years if you apply yourself. Even if you do not know your
major field in your freshman year (I didn't), you are still
able to make things happen.
119272 1:GOALS-SOME I liked the diversity of the courses offered
3:BMAJ Lots of options for field of study
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T i want to work
147229 1:GOALS-NO I found several classes to be rather
uninteresting and that professors were selfishly only
concerned about their research than the student's learning.
2:WMAJ Replace all professors and instructors with ones
that are more dedicated and there for the sake of student's
learning.
3:BMAJ Advisors are highly supportive and they are my
reason for still standing strong after having to deal with
such horrible instructors.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F alot of time was wasted in having to
take courses over because instructors have failed to help
students out in trying to pass the course. I feel they are
grilling you down and trying to fail you on purpose.
160613 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I took too long to choose a major.
164043 1:GOALS-SOME Overall, I learned all that I was expecting
to learn, but some of the classes I was expecting to learn
a lot of new information in were a little flaky and
unstructured
2:WMAJ more emails from the department on requirement
updates and advising reccomendations.
3:BMAJ freedoim to take classes when I want to take
classes, and not having my years planned out for me
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I changed my major alot and have double
majored iun engineering also. I would suggest either
deciding in the Freshman year what kind of field you really
want to get into, or maybe taking some time off to travel
or do something and find sometihng you really like and want
to continue you're education in. I know an engineering
degree is worthwhile, but I'm not interseted in that field
anymore, and i'm just finishing it because i started it.
166735 1:GOALS-SOME I would have liked more career information
and instruction that led to post-graduate work. Also, many
of the introductory courses were not geared for anything
but random absorption of knowledge. It would have been nice
to have more time to actually learn the material even in
the more basic courses. Some of the labs did not offer
solid research experience and seemed to be more like
busy-work.
2:WMAJ Less focus on core work and more opportunity to
specialize in the upper-division classes. I'm going into
marine biology and while I realize that is obviously not a
focus at this university, courses that offered more
flexibility as far as paper/research topics, etc. would
have been more interesting. Also, for EPOB, most of the
classes are only offered in the mornings. This semester my
internship is in the morning and this made course selection
very difficult. More summer EPOB course offerings would
have been nice too.
3:BMAJ Greg Dickinson was very helpful and encouraging.
Also, the staff, if approached, was also encouraging and
knowledgable.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I made an effort to be very clear of all
of my graduation requirements and made sure that I
successfully completed the right courses. Also, some
semesters required more catch-up work but it was worth it
to finish in four years.
178025 1:GOALS-SOME I was not aware that you could major in
almost anything and go on to grad schoool or med school. I
thought that you had to be a science major in order to be
able to move on in the medical field. That is not 100% the
fault of the University but I probably would not have been
a biology major.
2:WMAJ I would probably give students the opportunity to
have psychology as a minor. One thing that would be good
is to never have exams in Coors. It is uncomfortable, dull
and drab. Chem 140 is not any better. I understand the
size of the classes requires big rooms so maybe cutting
down the class sizes would be better. The chemistry 1111
and 1113 labs are aweful. They do not correspond to
lecture and there is little to no instruction prior to
doing the lab.
3:BMAJ I really enjoyed being able to pick electives
during my last year. I think that if a class in a
different major does not have any prerequsites, then any
junior or senior should be able to take them. Closed to
major is sometimes a bummer. During the last year, I have
learned how Physics, Chemistry, Physiology etc fit together
and mesh. I am proud and feel honored to be able to say I
am going to school and I am almost done...for now.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I made some poor choices before I
entered CU and now that I finally am on the right track,
have a lot of making up to do. It is ok because eventually
it will pay off. I just wish I knew how colleges worked in
High School. I guess that is what you get for going to a
small high school.
185577 1:GOALS-SOME I feel that in some classes so much material
is covered that professors are worried about the little
details and overall concepts are missed. It also concerns
me that some professors spend more time on their research
than they do preparing to classes or learning how to teach.
2:WMAJ I would change the ever changing program. In the
five years that I have been here, it has changed in degree
requirements and now in the name of the department. For us
who are trying to graduate it is frustrating to have so
much change during your college experience and throw you
off the map toward graduation.
3:BMAJ the best thing is the availability of classes and
the variety.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I had a double major so the course load
was larger. Summer classes are also very hard and I had to
repeat one of them becuase I did not pass.
307483 2:WMAJ Having a course senior year geared toward students
completeing their honors thesis. Many other majors have
this, and I feel it would have made the completion of my
honors thesis much easier and less stressful. Also, it
would have connected top EPOB students- we don't know each
other, and never will.
3:BMAJ I had EPOB 2050,2060,2070, and 2080 through the
Baker Residential Academic Program. It changed my life.
Offering lower division intro courses in a small setting
with great professors and staff made me love biology even
more, and gave me an extremely solid foundation of the
basics.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F for motivated students, it is easy to
get done at CU in Arts and Sciences in four years, even
with a double major.
310517 1:GOALS-SOME many animal course which are vital for my
goal of veterinary medicine, but not much in the way of
actual medical knowledge (disease, paracitism, etc.)
2:WMAJ More pre-vet and pre-med advising is necessary.
With only 2 advisors, it is almost impossible to get in for
much needed advice, even when facing copious deadlines.
3:BMAJ The variety of classes.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I was able to transfer in a good amount
of credit and take summer courses. I wanted to get through
in 4 years because I still have about 6 more years of
graduate school.
315659 1:GOALS-SOME Although CU is supposed to be a liberal arts
college; I was unable to continue my study of the cello as
a non-music major with a doctor, like I had been at the
school I transfered from. The continuing-education music
program offered no storage locker for my cello, and too
limited hours for practice rooms. Auditions should allow
access to music professors by non-music majors.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am trying to learn how to think.
318651 2:WMAJ offer course cirriculum guides for different areas
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered twice and took two and a
half years off school.
321418 2:WMAJ Nothing
3:BMAJ The health focused classes are wonderful. Most
teachers are there to explain and find out input on where
you stand in class.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F For I was not given critcal information
onn how t graduate in four years when I first started
school at CU.
331109 1:GOALS-DEF I got a good general education in all areas
of ecology and evolutionary biology. I was also able to
focus on my area of interest and get a rather indepth
education in what I wanted to learn more about. I feel
like the department could do a better job to encourage
students to give presentations and write scientific papers,
which is largely what a scientist does to promote
themselves upon graduation.
2:WMAJ Faculty to push and use the Mountain Research
Station. More speaking and writing papers, proposals, more
experience with what ecologists and evolutionary biologists
do. Some profs did this, but not until the last year, I
think they need more earlier. Statistics should be a
requirement.
3:BMAJ The faculty was helpful and supportive. Great,
brilliant scientists who taught me a lot about ecology and
evolutionary biology and about teaching.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I did my first semester at a different
university and I took a semester off after my first year at
CU.
344215 1:GOALS-DEF I started volunteering in a biology lab my
freshman year, and I have worked my way up to undergoing a
thesis project this year. I have found working in the lab
has allowed me to apply many of the concepts that I have
learned in my biology classes.
2:WMAJ The required classes. I wish I had more freedom in
choosing which classes to take in my field. That way I
could have taken more classes that truely interested me.
3:BMAJ The upper division courses have been great. The
professors are very enthusiastic and there's a great over
all attitude about the subjects between the teachers and
the students.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F It is a lot cheeper! Plus, doing it in
four years allows for more time in the real world to
explore what is out there and really get an idea of what
you want to do before you have to "settle down" and "grow
up"!
351061 2:WMAJ I would increase the quality of the EPOB academic
advising program.
3:BMAJ Faculty
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have bipolar disorder and had to take
time off from school to get treatment. Also, I tried seven
different majors. Finally, I am doing a double major.
529302 1:GOALS-SOME By the time I finally discovered what it was
I wanted to study, I didnt have any usable credits left in
my major. I had to fill up with unwanted elective credits.
2:WMAJ I would ask the advising office to be a little more
helpful in terms of searching for and receiving internships
(not just get directed to Career Services immediately).
Secondly, I would allow the students to take more than 45
credit hours in their major program.
3:BMAJ The broad range of classes that can be taken and
the faculty.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I dont want to go to school any longer
and wont have to work during school (only summers).
549982 1:GOALS-SOME It gave me some experience, and something to
put on a resume, but nothing I could really work with in
the future.
2:WMAJ I am sure that everyone complains about calculus, I
just don't understand why it is an requirement for EPOB.
When and where will I use it??
3:BMAJ very knowledgeable professors
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T because I decided to get my associates
in arts at a community college. Then transferring to CU, I
have realized that half of the requirements to receive my
associates degree, do not apply to CU. Having already
taken a 2 semesters of English at the community college,
the second semester does not count at CU, so I have to take
yet another writing class. I have also found that all my
requirements left for my major at CU is all science and
math classes. I have been struggling every semester taking
2 science classes along with a math class, all with labs,
with no time to spare for my homework. And at this point I
really don't have a choice when I can take certain classes
because some are only held once a year. This really limits
what I can and can not take each semester because they all
have conflicting times. It is going to be a struggle, but
hopefully I will be able to pass my classes with C's so I
don't have to retake them, again. A word of advise would
be to wait until you are completely ready to commit to
school, and then go straight to a University. Don't waste
your time at a community college if you know that you are
eventually going to transfer to a University. I feel like
it was a huge waste of time on my part. Lovs, Karin
581005 1:GOALS-SOME There is a lack of quality advising, and
information as how to obtain an internship, or paid
position in my field of study.
2:WMAJ Give more information about change of structure of
major, and make advisors more accessible
3:BMAJ Great professors
4:DODIFF It would be a good experience to go abroad.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F it is possible to finish in 4 years, and
I don't want to waste money on more semesters than
necessary to get my degree, also I will be ready to move on
to something else.
595280 1:GOALS-SOME Student to faculty ratio was higher than
ideal, although for a large state school this should be
expected. Also, I strongly recommend allowing students to
substitute academic laboratory courses for actual research
work in a lab. Not only are the same skills learned in the
real setting, but the work goes toward real world
situations. Allowing exemption from course laboratories
would encourage students to participate in the highly
rewarding experience of laboratory work, while also
allowing for more time to be dedicated to this work.
2:WMAJ As mentioned earlier, I think substituting actual
research experience for required course labs is invaluable.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transferred from CU-Denver where the
college of liberal arts general requirements are different
from Boulder. Also, I was unaware what I wanted to do and
the general course work I took was at a lower level than
that required for the major I decided upon. I also took
lower credit loads than that required to graduate in 4
years. Take it easy CJ.
596016 1:GOALS-SOME I came into CU thinking I was going to go
Pre-vet medicine but found that I was not getting the
grades needed for that kind of career path despite the
overwhelmingly large amount of hours I devoted to my
education. it has become a lot easier now in my senor year
in that I know what works best for me an can balance my
life accordingly to achive the best results I can but I
still would have liked to have a couple more animal classes
under my belt. I am not looking into jobs at the moment
and will evntually look into grad school hopefully abroad
but I think a bit more help from my advisors would have
been good. I would meet with them every semester but they
kept changing on me and it was hard to build a good
relationship with them so that they know who I am and what
my goals are.
2:WMAJ I would start students with their major
requirements and more focused classes a lot earlier on.
ESPECIALLY THE WRITING COURSE! (Arguements in Scientific
writing... I put that class off till my last esmeter here
and it would have helped me SO much throughout my yers here
and all the papers I've had to write.
3:BMAJ It got more fun when I was taking more focused
courses having to do with what I love to read and learn
about. And on just one other note... I had a great time
here at CU and wish I could stay longer but because of
money issues its not feasible. I wish I knew all the
things I know now about college and how to live a balanced
lifestyle and still get decent grades to be able to follow
my vetinary practice dreams but Vet school is very hard to
get in. That and I wish I didnt waste away a bunch of my
nights in my earlier years binge drinking and taking in all
those unnecessary calories but hey, I'm a stronger and
smarter person because of it and if that isnt the point of
a college career then I dont know what is.
4:DODIFF I wish I had picked up a minor earlier on in my
time here at Boulder. I ended up not being able to add a
minor because I did not have enough time to complete
requirements.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I kept up with my requirements and
worked hard in my classes so that I never had the
unfortunate experience of having to take any classes over
again because of having to drop a class or becasue of a bad
grade. As much as I would like to stick around for longer
because I love CU it would not be fair to my parents who
have been more than graciously providing me with this
quality education for the past four years.
648187 1:GOALS-SOME I came to CU pursuing a second degree. There
are many biology courses available from which to choose,
and it is easy to enroll in interesting courses.
Unfortunately, I find less emphasis on academics that on
other aspects of college life, and am somewhat frustrated
by the seeming complacency on the part of the professors.
Courses should be designed in a challenging manner so that
they are useful to students who want to pursue higher
degrees.
2:WMAJ offer more part-time graduate courses to
undergraduate students (perhaps on an application basis).
3:BMAJ Honors course offerings in lower division classes
has been vital to my academic experience at CU. Smaller
classes and recitations allow for more profound learning.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I plan on pursuing an advanced degree
after graduating, and would like to start a career in
research.
659792 2:WMAJ More access to advising!!
668533 1:GOALS-SOME I felt that some of the lower-division
courses were harder than necessary, especially courses that
are meant to be an introduction of those to come. When a
professor expects the class to get low grades because of a
hard exam, and won't curve the test, I feel that that is
inappropriate. Not that I am saying everyone should do well
in a course, but when 75% of a class fails a test, and that
was what the professor intended, I do not believe that is
fair or justly backed in any way.
2:WMAJ I would add more undergrad advisors. Often, my
advisor would have his schedule booked for days. When I
needed to see him for whatever reason, I would have to wait
for another couple of days to get in. Also, I think that I
would have been more inclined to see my advisor had I not
had to wait and set up appointments as often as necessary.
3:BMAJ The classes are exciting and the labs are a great
teaching tool, a hands on experience helps many learn more
than they would in just a lecture setting.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I decided to informally change majors
midway through my sophomore year. I then decided to switch
back to my original major, EPO- Bio. I have now decided to
minor in Business, and possibly major. Because of this, I
will be taking longer than four years. Also, I have had to
retake a class or two due to below par grades. This too has
added to my time here at CU.
737121 1:GOALS-NO I wanted an opportunity to explore diverse
viewpoints from a new perspective. I was not given the
opportunity to explore ideas from an independant viewpoint,
but instead was forced to undertake projects and research
from the viewpoint that the professor felt "I would benefit
from" i.e. supported their worldview.
2:WMAJ The Calculus requirement.
3:BMAJ Harvey Nichols.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F at least another year because of all the
extra requirements bieng placed on students. Although they
can be completed in four years, it will usually require a
sacrifice of GPA due to the fact that one must invariably
take extremely difficult classes simultaneously.
768495 2:WMAJ Many of the teachers are not friendly or helpful.
I have ran into about 50/50 share of these professors, but
the other half have been the nicest, most friendly and
helpful professors. I would put more emphasis on FCQ
reviews.
3:BMAJ I got to work with some very enthusiastic and
friendly professors that cared about student learning.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F my goal in college is to complete my
B.A. in that allotted time.
776291 1:GOALS-SOME There does not seem to be a lot of
opportunity to get involved in research projects or other
internship type activities at the undergrad level. Also
with such large classes it is difficult to meet teachers,
especially for recommendations. The physics department
also seems to be disorganized.
2:WMAJ I think that more money needs to be spent on
materials for labs and demonstrations.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F If you know what major you want and take
at least 15 credits you can graduate in 4 years. You may
not though because it is difficult to get some classes esp.
the gen prereq courses like chem 1111
786158 1:GOALS-SOME The applied mathematics department was
completely lacking CU-employed tutors for Calculus III and
above. As a former aerospace engineer, I could not get the
help I needed to pass that class or Diff-Eq without paying
out of pocket for a tutor's time. As far as EPOB goes, I
am satisfied, and impressed, with the quality of the
instructors and the content of the lab classes and projects.
2:WMAJ As I said before, I am happy with the EPOB
program... but I would like an option to be able to declare
something like pre-med, pre-dental, or pre-vet.
3:BMAJ GREAT Professors.... especially Dr Jorge Moreno, Dr
Gregory Snyder, and Dr Alex Cruz.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T it is conceivable, though not in any way
enjoyable, to take upwards of 18 credit hours a semester
and summer school every summer to graduate in four years.
I will be graduating in six years because I changed my
major-- in this situation, summer school is nice, because
it does allow you to catch up with peers who might be up to
a year or so ahead of you. Unfortunately, this only works
for certain classes within certain degrees.
807199 4:DODIFF I would begin at CU rather than the community
college.
831115 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I need to work and like to snowboard to
much to finish class in four years
854090 2:WMAJ Less physics, or a physics geared towared biology
majors, just focusing on the aspects of physics that apply
to , for instance, the study of the human body.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T My advisor did not give me enough
information so that I could take the classes necessary for
me to graduate within the shortest amount of time possible.
Ginny Darr overlooked that my credits from CSU would have
directly transferred over, instead I unkowingly retook
classes. She also failed to give me a plan for future
registering that would have given me the necessary classes
for graduation. I feel like I've wasted my time and money
here by taking too many uneeded courses. I'm extremely
frustrated with the physics professor Bahaman Saless who
came in for a semester to help the physics department and
erased me from the transcripts. I will probably end up
taking physics 2 over again, yet another waste of my time
and money.
877177 1:GOALS-SOME Knowing what research would be like and
deciding I don't want to be a scientific researcher.
2:WMAJ More field trips less classroom
3:BMAJ Good professors
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F There's so much else to do besides go to
school.
911287 2:WMAJ no comments.
3:BMAJ it was interesting! no other comments.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F because I would like to graduate with my
peers and strat a carrier soon. The sooner I finish school
and and have a good carrier the sooner I can make a nice
life and family for my self.
915022 1:GOALS-SOME I am interested in marine biology vet
medicine and there were a surprising number of aquatic
related courses.
2:WMAJ Some of the prereqs for vet school count as
electives in the EPOB program. However, the prereqs for
those classes don't count for anything. It feels like a
waste of time and money for a class that doesn't do
anything for you. An example is Organic Chem.
3:BMAJ The professors.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I will take my time and get it done
right the first time.
919676 1:GOALS-SOME As far as my education goes, I feel like I
learned a lot of valuable information in many areas. I do
feel, however, that my knowledge of environmental biology
may be too specific in some areas and too broad in others.
Only time will tell how much of the information I have
gained is of importance or not. Right now I feel unprepared.
2:WMAJ Give a broader choice of classes pertaining to
major in lower division. More specific courses in higher
level classes. Let students have a taste of everything they
want and dont make them take classes they dont need.
3:BMAJ The faculty is great. I think some of the foremost
experts in my field are right here at CU. It was great
being able to communicate with them and realizing how
valuable a resource the professors are.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F The university required me to take
classes that I did not need and will NEVER use.
922662 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I had some credits coming in and I
stayed on top of my major requirements.
934095 1:GOALS-SOME I didn't gain as many practical skills as I
would have like to. Too many classes that I would have
liked to take were cancelled. For the most part I was
very satisfied with my professors.
2:WMAJ Provide more hands on training, more applicable
skills. I got a lot of the background knowledge but I
would have like to learn more skills that were applicable
to doing work in the field. It all seemed to theoretical.
It's hard to really understand a subject when you don't
know how it will be applied.
3:BMAJ I had the opportunity to take a wide variety of
classes in my major. For the most part I was very
satisfied with the abilities of my professors and their
dedication.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I'm not in a hurry to graduate. I want
to be sure and take all the classes I am interested in
while I'm an undergraduate.
956924 2:WMAJ more specilzed classes, particularly more classes
on insects
3:BMAJ the combined BA/MA and the faculty
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F because i'm doing a combined BA and MA
program in 5 years
969513 1:GOALS-NO I felt like I was a source for money to fund
CU. I had no one on one attention from a single teacher,
many of my classes were over crowded, and did not feel as
though I was getting a real education until I had a
critical thinking class when I was a major. Physics in
particular was one of those miserable classes that need to
be much smaller, as it is an extremely difficult subject.
More critical thinking should be implemented, at all levels
of college education.
2:WMAJ Enviornmental Biology is such a broad subject.....I
would like it to be more specialized.
3:BMAJ Harvey Nichols
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have to work 30 hours a week to put
myself through college, and cannot always manage 15 credit
hours every semester.
975402 1:GOALS-SOME I feel that I have obtained a large amount of
information in the field of biology. Furthermore, I feel
that through the classes that I took I was able to identify
the specific field within the larger field of biology that
most interests me and which I would like to pursue further.
I felt, however that a handful of classes that I wanted to
take that were listed in the course description guide were
not offered while I was in attendance at CU. Also, I feel
that a couple lower division instructors looked at the
course as a weeding-out oppertunity and not as a chance for
students to learn. Overall I am coming away with a large
amount of knowledge and I am glad that I chose EPOB as my
field of study while at CU.
2:WMAJ The availability of elective courses within EPOB.
3:BMAJ My counselor, Greg Dickenson, was extremely helpful
to me in determining my class status along the way as well
as being a great person to just chat with.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I took one or two classes for two out of
the three summers in order to catch up since I delared my
major in my sophmore year. In addition, I have two majors
so it required more of my time to finish. I was dedicated
to finishing within four years so I can go on and pursue
other interests.
980938 1:GOALS-SOME I understand that undergraduate studies are
intended to give a more broad background, but I would have
appreciated flexibility in acquiring more skills needed for
immediate employment (ie more intermediate computer
training, more options in statistical courses, a more solid
mathematical and chemistry background on which to build
on). In addition, I always feel as though there is some
unwritten requirement to squeeze as many topics as possible
into a single course--with little true understanding of the
bulk of it. The idea of exposure is great, but with
curves, etc, it's too easy to squeeze by without
intuitively comprehending much-needed fundamentals.
2:WMAJ Better advising--including hearing about research
presentations/talks, community happinings in field,
career/academic advising, etc..
3:BMAJ I've had quite a few decent upper-division profs
who really care about teaching the course topic and
acheiving student understanding.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I've had to work part-time to cover
household expenses. In addition, I can't imagine squeezing
in all the courses I've needed/chosen that will directly
relate to my future as a result of course
availability. While I've appreciated the time to grow and
better shape my academic and professional careers, I feel
I've missed out on the majority of clubs and other
experiences I may have joined had I attended Freshman year
and continued full time.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-FILM 106858 1:GOALS-SOME I am interested in documentary film
production, for which I would NEVER use 16mm film, I would
always use a digital camera adn I resent the fact that to
take a class I woudl consider practiccal, and THE reason I
came back to school, I must spend an estimated $1600 to
make a film in a medium that I will NEVER use. Also, in
order to even take the (only one is offered) documentary
film class, I have to have passed film 2600 class with
flying colors. So, not only is it a waste of money for me,
it is also a waste of time and teaches me nothing that
would apply to my field of interest. Also, the two film
classes that I wanted to take this semester, FILM 3091 and
FILM 3010 were both cancelled, so at this time, I am very
dissatisfied with the film department at CU, although I
think the school in general is a good school, so I would
reccomend the school as a whole, but the film program only
for thsoe interested in Hollywood-style production.
2:WMAJ Create a documentary film program; have a graduate
program; make it possible to take a documentary class
without having to take film 2600; encourage other styles of
filmmaking aside from Hollywood-style narratives Sorry, I
guess that's more than one, but they are all sort of
related and equally important to me
3:BMAJ The faculty I have encuontered, for the most part,
have been fabulous- Don Yanancito, Melinda Barlow, Janet
Robinson, and Ernesto Acavedo-Munoz are all great
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I took four years to complete my first
degree (Anthropology, graduated May 2002) with no trouble.
I am now on my second degree here because I was highly
satisfied with the anthropology program (only a minor
qualm) and thought that the film program would be as
satisfactory. However, it seems to me that it is highly
geared towards something which I never plan on doing-
Hollywood-style production
243456 1:GOALS-SOME I wanted the film department to focus more on
writing without having to join the BFA program
2:WMAJ the advising isn't very helpful. The advisor only
does the minimum of what is expected and expects the
students to know exactly what they want when they might not
understand the requirements to the fullest. He offers no
really helpful advice other than what can be found in the
course catalogs.
3:BMAJ The faculty are very learned in their feild
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Because I had to withdraw due to a car
accident
355257 1:GOALS-SOME need more hands on experience in production.
2:WMAJ don't have any
3:BMAJ production
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am not in a rush.
460203 1:GOALS-SOME Teachers are radically different and you have
no idea what you're getting. Some are great, some are a
waste of my time, and I don't know until the first week of
class. Overall, I don't feel prepared and competitive in
the marketplace.
2:WMAJ Offer more intensive tracks, like a production
track where you take nearly ALL of our production courses,
and a critical studies program for all that crap.
3:BMAJ It's probably the most fun, expressive major on
campus.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I spent a year at School of Mines (not a
lot of Film classes offered) and am double majoring in
astrophysics (not a lot of overlap, credit-wise.)
526653 1:GOALS-NO I just want to say that this refers to FILM
STUDIES, as is listed, and NOT English, which I think is a
superior porgram. The film department is underfunded,
understaffed, and far too expensive to fulfill my goals
from just four years ago. I am dissapointed with the
program and feel now that it was a waste of time.
2:WMAJ I like the English program, but Film Studies I
would change. First, I would fund it better. Students pay
far too much out of pocket expenses. I would eliminate
this. The program also needs better facilities--both for
learning in class and for technical purposes.
3:BMAJ Movies are enlightening. English helped me develop
language skills.
4:DODIFF I LIKE English tremendously, and wish that I
would have started from my Freshman year. I also wish that
I studied in abroad in England for a year.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I did not make the best decision in
choosing a major.
543109 1:GOALS-NO With the exception of Don Yannacito, none of
the professors I've had, have shown much interest in their
students. David Bailey is an inept advisor and Ernesto
Acevedo-Munoz is one of the worst professors I've had at
CU. Because of David's lack of knowledge, I've had to seek
my advertising advisor's advice. I'm very disappointed with
the film program as a whole.
2:WMAJ We need better equipment.
3:BMAJ My classmates.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T if you know what degree you'd like to
pursue, figure out a long-term plan to give you the
appropriate classes and credit hours then stick with it.
686942 1:GOALS-SOME My career is currently and will always be
that of a film actor. The Film Studies program has helped
me a great deal in understanding the whole process of film,
in front of AND behind the camera. Before attending this
university, I had only a narrow corridor in which to apply
film acting. Now I have a wide array of outlets to
compliment my acting career. When I am not acting, I can
be behind the camera as a director, cinematographer,
lighting technician, etc. To tell the truth, I did not
expect to learn very much when I declared myself a Film
Studies major. I now realize that I have learned a great
deal, and am in a good position to learn a whole lot more
with experience after graduating.
2:WMAJ If I could change one thing about my major program,
it would be my academic advisor for Film Studies. I
believe that an academic advisor should care a lot about
how to help CU students get the best out of their
education. Every time I have gone to see my advisor, he
has shown the least amount of support possible and has even
resorted to making me feel like I am a terrible student.
Maybe if he spent less time being condescending to the
students and more time trying to understand our situations,
people like me would be much happier in our major program.
3:BMAJ The best thing about my major program is the
multiple directions you can take. There's ways to focus on
the directoral and production side of film, the technical
aspects of film, the history of film, and the critical
analysis of film as a whole. I've taken such a range of
courses in film that the film medium itself has become
something else. It's now different than what I had
perceived it to be in my beginning at CU.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F it took me a little longer than most to
figure out a few things. I knew what I wanted to do in
life as a whole when I was thinking about college, but I
did not know what way I should have pursued it when I was
selecting a major. At first, I tried my hand at being a
Theatre Major. After a few semesters, I found that I did
not belong in CU's Theatre department and decided to switch
my major to something closer to home for my career: Film
Studies. Going into Film Studies as a major was a good
choice for me, for I find that I understand the process of
filmmaking and the history of it a lot more than I did four
years ago. So, I'll gladly spend an extra semester here at
CU to work on a major that has taught me so much.
746369 1:GOALS-SOME The University and major as a whole put no
emphasis on finding a job after graduation, how the system
works and where to go. There is no University support for
the Arts.
2:WMAJ There needs to be more focus on getting students
out into the real world. It seems they do such a good job
while we are here of educating us and then let us sink
afterwards because there is no career services for film,
the teachers don't work in that type of field etc. It shows
me that the university is interested in me while I am
giving them money, but could care less about me after I
graduate. The administration needs an overhaul.
3:BMAJ They are passionate about their art, and they are
great instructors, famous and focused.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T the university did not accept transfer
credits from other schools, as well as I am a double major.
The Film department also schedules 6-8 hours of class for
three credits making it near impossible to achieve a full
schedule every semester.
785716 1:GOALS-SOME One class that might be missing from the film
curiculum is a film analysis class. Some people go into
the major without being highly capable of analyzing a film
and seeing what needs to be seen for the class needs (e.g.
one of the director courses). Sometimes it feels like
either you can analyze yourself or you can't and must
resort to regurgitating the lecture or the book to the
professor. The goal is to understand the films we see, not
have someone tell you what the films mean. Two seperate
levels of film theory might help attain this, one upper
division and one lower. Or it could be the second half to
the Intro class. I wish I had developed a more practical
ability to look at any film and see what the professor
sees. Instead, I can tell you all about the certain
Kubrick or Kieslowski films that I saw and read about.
2:WMAJ I would add a third history course to alleviate the
stress of fitting so much information into only a semester.
Film History could be an entire major. My other change
would probably have to come from somewhere outside of the
film department, but I would give the program more money
for a widescreen wherever the history class needs to meet
(mainly Film History 2), and for filming equipment. I've
heard that other programs have access to free cameras and
film (like the photography program).
3:BMAJ Overall, the film degree encompasses a diverse
curiculum. I praise it for requiring all aspects of film
for both the BA and the BFA. It is crucial to learn film
history, film production AND critical studies if one wants
to learn about film and/or make films. And on top of that,
the art and literature requirements are just as important
to understand because they set a precedent that shaped
film. So many arts (if not all) share a thread on some
level. Film is specifically unique in that it uses many
different forms of art together. I'm glad to have learned
about so many different arts; if I ever make a film I am
sure that that knowledge will be detrimental to making the
film a good one. Photography and music would fit perfectly
into the curiculum and would help just as much.
4:DODIFF I would have chosen film immediately, instead of
business and then switch to film. Also, I see how the
value of a degree is rediculously outweighed by the
$100000+ bill.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F as a sophomore I changed majors to get
out of the loathesome School of Business. I had lots of
trouble with them, starting with the very first Business
Core class BCOR 1000. It is an online course, and during
my semester, their system was not working properly, so they
switched formats. In the process, they lost many of my
assignments. Since they deleted all their files from the
previous online database, no one could prove I had done the
assignments. Consequently, I failed the course in my first
semester at school. Fearing what the 'F' would mean on my
transcript, I took the course again under the Course
Forgiveness program. I got an 'A' in the course because it
was an easy course. But that was enough to sour my
sentiments toward the business school. So I switched, but
I couldn't get into Intro to Film because it was full and I
wasn't a major yet. That took an extra semester to even
begin my film studies. After switching though, I also
realized how lousy the advising was in the Business school,
and how intelligent and informative the film advisor is.
He kept me informed of my progress whenever I asked or
whenever I completed something else. In the end, I am only
two classes short of graduating on time. Had I not retaken
BCOR 1000 and had I gotten into Intro to Film sooner (or
started with film to begin college) I would definitely have
graduated on time. Thanks a lot Leeds School of Business.
You owe me $6000 for summer school. Love, ----
829229 1:GOALS-SOME i would have liked more courses focused on
career oriented preparation
2:WMAJ I would make it much more accessible (cheaper) to
take production classes. I know many students don't have to
worry about the bills but the ones who do are put in very
serious binds when trying to take the film production
classes. I know I couldn't continue as far as I would have
liked to because of the very expensive costs in the courses.
3:BMAJ The knowledge of the instructors and accessibility
of the many prints of films.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F i changed my major while in my first
semester of my third year. it will only take a short time
more to get the major requirements fulfilled. 4 and a half
years to be exact.
883943 1:GOALS-SOME The area of film literature and culture was
inspiring. Much of what I learn of other cultures is from
mainstream American media. Studying each culture, gender,
sex and class as how they represent their own worlds
through film takes away any hesitation to learn about
them. The area of film production, however, is
still in the works. The professors are very helpful, giving
you some sort of wisdom from their own experience. But one
of the issues avoided is how to budget for a film, what
kind of costs to expect, and how to find financial sources
and film resources. I know that financial support is a
problem for many students, but film production majors have
suffer much more than most other majors and need extra
support and guidance.
2:WMAJ The price tag is pretty much garunteed. It would be
nice if use of top taken care of equipment was also.
3:BMAJ The creative and mental diversity of other students
in my major.
4:DODIFF Accomplish more majors or minors
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T There are many courses that require full
devotion and time, and with tuition and other costs rising,
many students have to devote time to working and else
where. It helps if you can get your education's worth by
spreading yourself out and saturating yourself in academics
and college life.
927723 1:GOALS-SOME The overall program is a little broad.
2:WMAJ Make it affordable.
3:BMAJ It's fun.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I'm not sure what I want to do.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-FMST 135271 2:WMAJ The film studies program is in desparate need of
money for equipment, a building to call our own, and more
qualified faculty. Funding funding! Aren't we one of the
largest majors on campus?
3:BMAJ The stress on theory even for the BFA students.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F i worked my ass off in high school and
college is ridiculously expensive.
293872 1:GOALS-SOME I was expecting more hands-on and practical
information within my major, better internship
opportunities, and better advice about a future in the
film business. I didn't expect the class fees and
equipment rental fees to be as high as they were either.
It seems redundant to charge us for film studies course
fees and then to also charge us for rental of the things we
NEED to pass the class we already paid for.
2:WMAJ Have internships rather than cutting them out of
the budget.
3:BMAJ Bruce Kawin
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am staying over until after summer
because that is the only opportunity for me do complete an
internship and I need to finish a correspondence course.
325316 1:GOALS-SOME lack of faculty, limited of course choices (
in production ),
2:WMAJ how about the MFA program?
3:BMAJ classmates are amazing...
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T waiting for right class to take, not
just filling the course
441962 1:GOALS-SOME In my final semester I intended to do an
honors thesis project. The project was declined due to
abitrary and inflexible parameters. I then submitted a
revised independent study proposal which was also turned
down by the chair of the department in spite of having
broad and enthusiastic suport from several falculty members.
2:WMAJ The program should focus on creating opportunities
for those students who are excelling, rather than tailoring
the curriculum to the lowest common denominator.
3:BMAJ The fine arts approach to film making.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I took a year off to travel
446792 1:GOALS-DEF It has given me the technical, historical,
and theoretical knowledge of film.
2:WMAJ Have a more unified faculty.
3:BMAJ the combination of hands on filmmaking and critical
studies.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I feel that I am not quite ready to
enter the highly competitive job market. First, I want to
further hone my skills to become more desirable to my
potential employers.
463123 1:GOALS-SOME Program is excellent and hands on, but little
opportunity for internship or labor force experience
2:WMAJ nothing
3:BMAJ The People
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am getting two degrees
508959 1:GOALS-SOME Film studies provides almost NO resources for
jobs/internships outside of school. Many of the classes
are good in the film school, but I've taken a lot of
classes (MAPS) not in the film school that were usually a
pretty big waste of time. I'm VERY dissatisfied with the
academic advising. I'm forced to do just about everything
on my own, and the academic advisor is pretty condescending
and not very helpful in general.
2:WMAJ I wish they were more integrated with the people
and businesses in the proffesional field. They need to
network with local (and national) film/video companies and
people so that it's easier for students to get into the
business after school. It's left up to the student to find
himself a job or internship, the school doesnt have many
connections.
3:BMAJ The people. The teachers and students are some of
the most interesting and most fun people I've ever met.
The teachers are very good and passionate about the
subjects (in the film school specifically).
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F People told me to take a broad range of
classes early on in college. I did that, but once I chose
a major I was pretty far behind in what I needed to take to
graduate. It also makes it tough when the school only
offers a class for one semester ie Film History 1 is only
offered in the fall (this is not that big of a deal though).
562775 1:GOALS-DEF I wanted to learn how to make films. And so
I did.
2:WMAJ I'd reduce the cost of film equipment/editing
rentals.
3:BMAJ The "auteurist" quality.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I want to get done with classes quicker
and thus free up my time sooner.
565020 1:GOALS-SOME I would have liked to learn more about film
production. The film program doesn't have a plan to teach
you film production until your last semester of film
studies.
2:WMAJ Film Studies should be a funded "school" not a
"program". This would change the emphasis from theory to
production and maybe the students wouldn't leave having
learned absolutely nothing.
3:BMAJ When you're working on a film shoot and everyone is
having a fantastic time.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I needed to work full-time while going
to school, so some of my semester's were lightly loaded
with classes; therefore, extending my stay.
633395 1:GOALS-SOME I meant to take on an internship in my final
semester, but with recent budget cuts, it was in Autumn
annonuced that internships would no longer be offered in
the Spring semester; leaving me without a crucial level of
University education. However, I can usually write better
sentences than that. Also, very little help in guidance as
to graduate school was given, at least not where I knew how
to find it. I suppose some people who are more active in
campus life know these things. In short, I have NO IDEA
what to do come the 8th of May, aside from hold a party
confirming my non-existent place in the world.
2:WMAJ More money for education means less idiots roaming
the streets. I think I said everything else already.
3:BMAJ The film studies department generally "make do"
pretty well with what little money we have. But we
definitely do suffer, because apparently all of the money
goes to people who like to slice 'n' dice puppies.
4:DODIFF I would add another major that would let me learn
as many foreign languages as possible, if such a major
exists. Or, just take more language classes, if most
weren't 5 days a week (a pain when you live in Denver).
Unfortunately, the University's treatment of languages is
ludicrous. i.e. Russian 1 and Japanese 1 only offered once
a year or something, and Arabic? I was lucky to find a
continuing ed. course, until it was cancelled, because, ya
know, SWEDISH is more important in the world these
days...(nope, not bitter...)
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F why hurry out into the workaday world?
I can get financial aid and learn many different things.
After CU, I will probably just try to get into grad school,
unless opportunity knocks. Be cool, stay in school.
690796 1:GOALS-NO I think it is absolutely ridiculous that film
students have to pay money to rent film equipment from the
school. The lack of funding given the film department is
inexcusable and the cost of equipment rental is prohibitive
to exploring and experimenting with film. More money needs
to be given to the film department to offset the out of
pocket expense of film production. Journalism students
have acess to equipment for free, there should be no reason
why film students do not have that same opportunity.
2:WMAJ The equipment would be free for all film students,
at least editing time and cameras. We pay enough tuition,
some money should be saved on attorney fees and public
relations for the football team and given to the film
program.
3:BMAJ the fact that the BFA program focuses on production
and theory is the best thing because it is unique compared
to other film programs
4:DODIFF I would not have had so much unprotected sex and
put myself at risk of contracting HIV or other STDs.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I fell into drugs alcohol, and
depression my first semester at CU and almost flunked out
of college, but thanks to CU's academic probation program I
was able to get back on track.
719550 1:GOALS-SOME Most of what I know I learned on my own time,
until this year when I took the top level courses.
2:WMAJ I would change how the film department is shoved
into the west wing of Macky Auditorium. I spent many hours
in the boiler room of Macky working on my films.
3:BMAJ Everyone has creative control.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F The main piece of advice I get is to
take my time, and it enjoy college while it lasts. I don't
have any problem with this piece of advice!
747284 1:GOALS-SOME I am incredibly UNHAPPY with my adivising in
the film program. My goal was to graduate in four years
and had I been given the proper and timely advise I pay
high tuition and large student fees for, I would be
finishing in May, not August. I am also displeased with
the communication between staff/faculty to students on
issues of availability of courses and budget explainations
thereof. The enrollment is out of control and should be
limited so that students have the ability to register for
courses they are required to take within the time-frame
they are given to complete these courses without being
waitlisted for every class, every semester. The
professors, however, did meet my goals and expectations.
They are fabulous assets for the Film school and the
University, with the exception of perhaps one or two.
2:WMAJ Just one thing? It would have to be the adivising
I received, or rather DID NOT receive. David Bailey does
not do his job and therefore should not have it. It is an
overwhelming experience to go through college and not have
personal academic counseling to utilize, although it was
promised to me by the university. I have navigated college
alone and with no helpful guidance from my "advisor". The
most academic support I have received was from a professor
that I became close to over the course of a semester.
Unfortunately, I have not been able to experience college
with the comfort of knowing that someone besides me is
looking out for my academic achievement and success, which
is the purpose of an academic advisor, because they know
exactly what it takes to graduate and are supposed to
deliver that information to their students. I can only
hope classes following me will have better advising,
advising at all!
3:BMAJ The best thing was the professors that work so hard
to teach overloaded classrooms about a subject they are
passionate about. They have inspired me to further my
knowledge of film studies and also into possibly teaching.
They are intelligent, wonderful people and are worth much
more than they make.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F my adivising was MISERABLE and I was not
given the knowledge needed to avoid taking summer classes
as well as courses, specifically an INTERNSHIP, that were
not offered to me because they were removed due to budget
cuts, though I was NEVER informed of this change until it
was too late. Technically I will have completed school in
four years even though I had to tack on an extra semester
in summer school.
767939 1:GOALS-SOME It's difficult in Colorado to engage with the
film community in any way, but little effort or funding
seems to even be attempting a transition into the real
world. Internships and job placement should be one the top
priorities.
2:WMAJ Give the film school more funding instead of
lumping into Arts & Sciences. Create a film school more
integrated with the community/media community. With more
concentration on the medium, and lower costs to students;
you'd allow more room for experimentation and artistic
practice.
3:BMAJ the production and post-production courses and
instructors.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I need to get out of Boulder because
I've grown up here.
796953 1:GOALS-SOME So far it has taught me what I believe I will
need to know, and given me important experience.
2:WMAJ Equipment rental would be free for students.
3:BMAJ It requires a diverse knowledge in film. While I
am a film production student, I also have to learn a lot
about film history, theory, and other such things.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I took lots of AP classes in high school
(those were the days!) and then when I got to college I
started taking 16-17 credit hours a semester. I feel no
need to spend more than four years here, so I will graduate
after only four years since I can.
817054 2:WMAJ change my advisor- he was horrible. stop having
the program focus on competition so much.
3:BMAJ phil solomon- and his negotiating rapture class.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T my advisor was generally inadequete in
helping me choose the fastest path to graduation. plus, a
lot of my credits from my other school did not transfer in.
this may come as a surprise seeing as how my other school
was acredited by the same foundation that rates stanford
univeristy in california.
897101 2:WMAJ Have a better academic advisor. David is not very
caring for his students needs and doesn't offer much in the
way of help. He tells us to do it on our own and that's
it. We are only recommended to see him if we have a
problem, not for suggestions/
3:BMAJ The faculty is so passionate and caring for the
subject matter and the students within the program. When
comparing teachers from here and Iowa, CU blows them out of
the water. This program is so much better than there or
most other schools around the country.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered from Iowa after two years
and realized I had made a huge mistake by not choosing
Boulder initially. I am taking a college total of five
years to finish, but that's just beacuse I don't care to
leave CU yet.
909022 1:GOALS-SOME I don't think I am as prepaired for the film
industry as other students from other film schools are.
Too much art stuff (which is good), but not enough actual
production stuff where we have to work with a crew or learn
how the system works.
2:WMAJ Like I said before, It would be better to integrate
the art and the production side better.
3:BMAJ The teacher know there stuff.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I switch schools after two years and my
transpher credits only counted as electives, thus I have to
start over with CU's core classes.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-FREN 547283 1:GOALS-SOME it did in that I was seeking a course of
study that would prepare me for graduate school, however i
feel that the courses in general don't expect as much from
their students as they should and that in turn the students
do not give as much of themselves to the courses, this is
frustrating.
2:WMAJ add more language components on a higher level.
3:BMAJ the ability and passion of the staff
4:DODIFF i probably would have added a third major/second
degree.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F four years because it's really not that
difficult.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-GEOG 104662 1:GOALS-SOME More Hands on, more field work.
2:WMAJ Right Now I just want to graduate.
3:BMAJ I Was able to study nearly anything
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I wasn't ready right out of high school
to go to more school.
163453 1:GOALS-SOME The geography department should provide
higher level courses in GIS and Cartography the undergrad
department. The current courses are upper division and they
should be 1000 and 2000 level courses.
2:WMAJ More variety and exposure to various software in
the GIS department
3:BMAJ GIS/Cartography can be applied to many different
realms of the Earth.
174032 2:WMAJ more classes available. It seems like there are
never classes i want to take, or the teachers are on
sabitical
3:BMAJ Small major, so you get to know your professors and
the students. Its interesting!
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I'm out of state and can't afford to be
here any longer anf pay tuition. You have to work really
hard to graduate in four years because you have to stay
focused on the requirments for graduating. If you do not,
it can be confusing, and people don't let you know what you
need to do to graduate, and so you end up staying here
longer then you need to.
234680 1:GOALS-SOME My Biggest complaints would be 1.
Advising, When Elizabeth Dunn was advising I got incredible
help...Now if it wouldn't have been for Office Aid Connie
Luoto I would probably be here for six years taking
meaningless classes 2. Geography is too broad. It's very
easy to get your degree with knowledge from all different
areas without having solid knowledge in a particular area,
which is good for some, but it's really difficult to gain
knowledge in a more specific area because of the lack of
classes. Which brings me to... 3. Not enough classes
offered frequently enough.
2:WMAJ MORE CLASSES MORE FREQUENTLY
3:BMAJ The Amazing faculty (upper division) and specified
classes they teach
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Went to advisor and didn't tell me I
needed to be taking upper division classes. So I need to
fulfill upper division requirments
290527 1:GOALS-DEF I have a focus on Geographic Information
System (GIS) and Remote Sensing. I feel like I know a lot
about both subjects, and am ready to advance to the real
world. However, I am interested in military and defense,
and it seems that all of my professors have simply avoided
these topics within the classes. Meanwhile, military,
intelligence, and defense are a main part of GIS and Remote
Sensing. I have been informed about very few internship
opportunities, and would like to be informed of more.
Moreover, the ones that I have been informed about are
often heavily environmental ("green") or non-paid. I'm
sorry, but I'm not going to take all of this excellent
knowledge and use it to map prairie dogs or locusts 40
hours a week.
2:WMAJ Dylan, the advisor, really does not know much about
other classes or programs around the university. I always
have to seek advice somewhere else, and it annoys me when I
try to see a regular Arts & Sciences advisor in Woodbury,
and they tell me to see my Major advisor, because he knows
jack. Secondly, I think the geography department should
have more full time GIS / Cartography professors. The ones
we have are great, but we do not have enough. Oh, and where
are the conservative professors?
3:BMAJ The GIS and Remote Sensing programs offered here
are clearly some of the best in the country. They are
teaching me how to find and map some of these terrorists
using satellite technologies. I want to smoke them out of
their holes after college working for some governmental
organization or organization affiliated with the government.
4:DODIFF Trying to get more Fridays off. It is not fair
that the bussiness school is practically closed on Fridays
whereas the rest of the university seems to offer classes.
(Obviously there is a bit of an exaggeration here, but it
is true.)
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I did not want to take 15 credits or
more per semester. Furthermore, I recieved three (3)
credits for taking 3 lower division Air Force ROTC classes,
and these credits did not count towards my degree. I think
this is a clear failure on the University's part to not
award these credits towards a bachelor of arts degree since
they have much to do with leadership, morals, and military
history.
299711 1:GOALS-xxxx Allowed me to study what I wanted to and what
I was interested in. If I'm not interested in a subject
there is no way I'm going to excel in it.
327832 1:GOALS-DEF The geography major is extremely
interdisciplinary, so I feel that I received a well-rounded
education here at CU. Many of my professors, particularly
Dr. Rubinoff really urged to me explore my studies outside
of class.
2:WMAJ I wish my advisor would have been more informed.
he gave me wrong inforamtion that really impacted by work
load.
3:BMAJ I love the solidarity of my department. We have a
lot of student support and weekly coffee breaks. my
department is extremely unique and special in this way. I
don't think there are many departments like mine in
academia.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am a transfer student and CU Boulder
did not accept my transfer credits because they were from
an alternative university.
333542 2:WMAJ Better inform the geography students of geography
related internships and jobs.
3:BMAJ The ability to have access to the great KESDA
computer lab in Guggenheim.
4:DODIFF I would have loved the opportunity to be able to
study abroad for a semester.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I stayed at CU for more than four years
for several reasons. First is the fact that the economy has
been doing poorly and I felt another year in school would
allow the economy to improve and to recieve more education.
Secondly, I decided to get a History minor, and I needed
the fifth year to complete all the necessary credit hours.
342798 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I had a great amount of difficulty
finding a major I was interested in, as well as the
University of Colorado is not a student friendly
environment. The instructors are more interested in their
research than in providing quality teaching to
undergraduate students. Also, CU is not a hands-on learning
environment, where training for a real world career is
available.
378770 1:GOALS-SOME I never really met with my advisor Dylan
Clarke until I was a senior. I would have liked to have
more discussion with someone in the department that did
degree advising, not just acedemic advising. I kind of felt
like Dylan was just trying to get me graduated, when really
I was interested in a in depth discussion regarding what
classes I should be taking and where I wanted my career to
go. I have never really done that to this day. I would have
liked to sat down with a professor or someone and learned
more about them and gain their perspective and advice.
2:WMAJ Offering required classes on a more consistent
basis. Waiting a full year for a desired class is
unsatisfactory.
3:BMAJ The people teaching the classes in my major and
also the fact that I'm happy with my major.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am in no hurry to get anywhere quick.
It's about the journey, and I've changed my major once too.
So there you have it.
421205 1:GOALS-DEF I felt that my major allowed me to explore
the areas which interest me most.
2:WMAJ I would have more human geography classes
available. I would also provide smaller intro level
classes for geography majors.
3:BMAJ The small feel of the department. I really got
to know a lot of the professors and staff members. Connie,
who is no longer the academic advisor, was extremely
helpful to me and other students.
4:DODIFF Although I am not sure how I would have gone
about this, I would have sought out more advice early on.
As a freshmen I felt that I fell through the cracks a bit,
and did not have enough help in formatting an academic path.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I took the opportunity to study abroad
and CU was unhelpful in helping me transfer credit.
Despite this I think that five years in college allowed me
to find greater direction in my academics and was a perfect
amount of time. I am lucky that five years did not create
a financial burden for my family, but others might not have
this luxury.
463101 1:GOALS-SOME The major is so broad that many different
avenues of study were able to be explored from hard
sciences to political theories, which was a huge benefit to
studying geography. However, towards the end of my junior
year I was searching for more specialized courses in the
political geography realm, and few to none were offered
through my last year, so I had to explore other departments
such as political science to "settle" for a challenging
upper division course relating to politics, when what I
wanted was a political geography course. Unfortunately, I
also do not feel that the geography department as a whole
offers enough in regard to future studies/professions.
Since it is such a broad field of study, it would be nice
if they offered senior seminars specific to geography as a
tool for careers, graduate school, etc., and how to go
about it. Career Services is often not enough of a
resource in regard to specific questions that are very
important at this point in a student's life.
2:WMAJ I wish they would offer a chance for upper division
students to plan their own course with other students with
similar interests, or at least offer more specialized
courses in the political geography and human geography
spectrum. A great way to do this would perhaps be to
combine forces with the department of international
relations. Also, as a major focusing very much on world
issues, it is too bad they do not sponsor internatioal
summer internships or at least accept more study abroad
credits as geography.
3:BMAJ The best thing about geography as a major is that
it allows you to explore many different angles of science
and humanities without worrying about having to pay for
more than four years of schooling. As an out of state
student, the tuition is ridiculous, and to go over four
years would be very unfortunate.
4:DODIFF I would most likely spend more time figuring out
what different things I may want to do as a job/career
before deciding what to study.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I successfully researched what I needed
to do in four years to graduate from school. It was easy
to look at core requirements for my college and take
classes for the first year fulfilling those while
experiencing different areas of study. Then I focused on
study abroad options, and began to figure out which major
seemed to allow the most flexibility and diverse courses,
and took a direction. My advisors were not too helpful
with my credits, and even made some mistakes along the way,
but thanks to my older brother and sister, my parents, me,
and the registration handbook, it was simple and pretty fun
figuring it all out on my own! Good luck with your school,
and I will be ready to celebrate with you this summer!
563997 1:GOALS-DEF Geography program gave me a broad base from
which i can build more specialized knowledge. There was a
good balance of theory and practice. most importantly, i
had the opportunity to explore many different aspects and
fields of knowledge.
2:WMAJ Offering more of the possible Geography courses on
a more regular basis.
3:BMAJ The integration of social science, physical
science, and technology science into one cohesive whole
focusing on humanity and our environment.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T i have taken time off between my studies
to travel and better explore and focus on my priorities,
and it took me a little while just to find my true
direction.
699631 1:GOALS-SOME Needed more emphasis on GIS -- a technical
geography skill needed in almost every job in the field.
Advising was simply terrible. Advisor should be replaced
immediately. Students should be advised of benefits of
these more techinical classes. I wish I had time to take
more of these types of classes for better employment
opportunities.
2:WMAJ The counseling was awful. Advisor (Dylan Clark)
should be replaced with someone more competent. I had
broken appointments as well as a lack of any good advice
toward major. I would be better off if I never had to
track him down for a signature. Also, required classes
weren't offered for ONE FULL YEAR. Specifically,
Cartography I during 2002-03 year. If it's required, offer
it. Also, poor and disorganized geography scholarship
administration. Classes in Geog were great, administration
poor.
3:BMAJ Excellent faculty and classes. The KESDA Spatial
Data lab and classes in there are wonderful. Great
equipment, resources, and classes. I enjoyed all of the
unique and interesting human geography classes. Excellent
curriculum and discipline.
4:DODIFF Would have taken more GIS classes.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T It is ridiculous to take longer given
the easy and loose requirements in the A&S. Don't waste
extra money.
740594 1:GOALS-SOME I got to learn all about climatiology and
meteorology. Lots of information. Great learning
experience.
2:WMAJ nothing
3:BMAJ specific classes
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I like to take my time and not rush in
receiving my degree. I am going to enjoy this college
experience and stay in school for about 5 years, learning
as much as I can while having lots of fun.
756032 1:GOALS-SOME has not prepared/qualified me to work in my
field.
2:WMAJ more structure. More courses.
3:BMAJ I can study anything I want in Geography: history,
politics, geology, atmospheric sciences, social science. .
.the possibilities are endless.
4:DODIFF No study abroad.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F My study abroad did not offer
appropriate classes, and required courses for my focus in
my major (hydrology) are offered only rarely. Also, it
seems that just this year many of the Geography professors
have taken sebatical. This spring (2004) very few classes
have been offered in GEOG.
797162 1:GOALS-DEF I came in with no idea what I wanted to do. I
found that I wanted to do Network Administration, but that
it was in the Business school for some stupid reason, and
thus inaccessible to me, as I'm not good at Economics,
though I am -very- good with computers. After settling in
Geography halfway through my Junior year, I found the next
best place to suit me. The teachers are great, the classes
are wonderful (although the UD Mapping/Remote Sensing stuff
/could/ be offered more often...), and the students are
fun. I wish I hadn't had to take the intro physical
geography classes, as I'm just not interested in dirt,
rocks, or the weather so much, but they certainly do
help. Dr. Babs Buttenfield, Dr. Ken Foote, Todd Albert,
and Sandy Starkweather are true assets to the Geography
Department.
2:WMAJ Hire another professor so that the upper division
mapping classes can be offered more often. Perhaps offer
different intro classes for people doing the remote sensing
end of Geography.
3:BMAJ The Professors and the TAs. Vanessa Baumann and
Todd Albert have been absolutely amazing and helpful.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Some of the Upper Division classes I
would like to take weren't offered when I would've liked
them. Also, it took me a while to settle on a major since
CU is stupid and has grouped the computer networking
classes I'd like to take in the Business School. I can't do
economics! How can they -possibly- put econ with computer
classes? Argh, frustrating, but it's way too late to worry
now. It really should be in engineering, if anything, if
you ask me... but, of course, they don't. Y'know, I'd
propose a computer oriented section of one of the schools.
Perhaps a sub-school of Engineering... such that it doesn't
put /as/ much strain on you as Computer Science or
Engineering, but still allows you to learn about routers
and cisco equipment and the like. In any case, I picked
my major late, so I have had to rush through Geography
courses in basically 3 semesters. Not impossible, since
I've completed my core, but still tough. Would you believe
I'm doing poorly in Geography 1011? Heh, that's what I get
for not being interested in it. Anyway, take care- xxxxx
820418 1:GOALS-DEF I came to CU to learn geography. While here,
i learned about colorado forests through summer research
positions, and i learned GIS and cartography through class
and internships. The research and internships are where i
learned the most about geograpy. Education through books
and lecture can only go so far, but true hands on
experience is where the real educational value is.
2:WMAJ The one thing that CU geography is lacking is the
amount of specialized classes offered at one time. If you
can't take a certain class because of a schedule conflict,
it may take a year or two years or more for the class to be
offered again.
3:BMAJ The amount of research and internship oppurtunities
is by far the best thing in my major
4:DODIFF I would have planned my courses better. I would
have taken more credits my freshman year. I would have
taken out less loans and worked more my freshman and
sophmore years.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F because there comes point where there is
not enough time to complete class work. I had to drop
classes because the work load was too much and thus leaving
with 2 credits shy to graduate in four years. But because
i have one more year of eligibilty in my sport, I going to
stay a fifth year and complete a business minor.
883914 1:GOALS-SOME The Geography departments is understaffed and
they offered little to no classes thoughout the last few
years in my field of study - Human Geography. I enjoy
studying people and cultures and I have found it EXTREMELY
difficult to find enough if at all any classes in that area.
2:WMAJ When I decided to become a Geography major I was
told by my advisor that CU was one of the top 3 Geography
departments in the US. This could be true for students
focusing in Physical and Cartography Geography, however, my
focus is on culture and I find it extrmemly difficult to
find enough classes to take in a semester. The Geography
department has the potential to offer great classes (they
have them listed for potential classes in that field) but
they don't ever offer them to the students. This semester
(Spring '04) I was offered 3 upperdivision classes - out of
those 3 non of which were one I wanted to focus on. I have
discovered that most of the classes have been environment
related. I also feel that the program is not structured
well. I have only 3 classes left to full-fill my geography
requirments and I don't feel that I have learned much
overall. I tool a few requirments in pysical - 2 cultural
and environments and people where i learned about global
warming - american cities where i learned how cities have
urbanized over the last 100 years - international
development - which actually related to my field of
interest. But overall I DON'T feel complete with my
education. Why didn't I switch majors?? Because I want to
learn about cultures and people and would love to work
overseas - Cultural Anthropology would be the closest
related major - but after finishing the Geography
requirments and realizing how little was actually offered,
I didn't have enough time to start over with Anthrophlogy
requirments and finish school in enough time.
3:BMAJ They offer students the opportuntiy to learn about
Culture, and world events. Which I think is extrmemly
important because it seems more and more that we become
much more westernized and forget about life outside of the
US.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I work better when I can focus on fewer
classes instead of overloading my work load in order to
finish "on time".
979563 1:GOALS-DEF The program taught me public speaking and
event management as well as putting me in touch with
interesting people.
2:WMAJ Less emphasis on the overall study of physical and
cultural geography, to allow for a more in depth study of
the subset you choose.
3:BMAJ The professors.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I worked my butt off and paid attention
to what classes I needed to take.
984939 1:GOALS-SOME What is important to me is that geography
allowed me to first realize my needs and desires for my
education. Geography is a really broad major with a lot of
room to move around and experiment, which allowed me to set
and achieve my educational goals.
3:BMAJ The flexibility of the major and the availablity of
learning technical skills
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F ...what is the rush anyway? It is
important to me that i gain a complete educational
experience at my own pace. I want to take time to achieve
the fullest college experience CU offers, with such
programs as international education. There is also the
possiblity to combine interests and double major or
structure my own major. An education is too important to
put on someone else's time scale.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-GRMN 736712 1:GOALS-DEF Both my writing and speaking skills improved
drastically.
2:WMAJ More upper division classes offered; perhaps a
German Pop Culture class.
3:BMAJ Emphasis on improving writing skills
4:DODIFF I would have tried to go abroad for at least one
semester to Germany or Austria to improve my German
speaking skills.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered and still have core classes
that I need to graduate.
977310 1:GOALS-SOME It did NOT meet my goals in the following
ways: - Inadequate graduate school prep; I had to go to
individual professors to get advice; a workshop giving info
on preparing for grad school/application process would have
been nice -- particularly for humanities/arts degrees
(there's plenty out there for would-be med/law
students) - Literary Theory courses unavailable to all
except english majors, honors classes and grad classes;
Very frustrating.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-HIST 130270 2:WMAJ I would bring in more qualified Professors for many
of the classes. Instructors, though a reality of academia,
are rarely of the same expertise as Professors. I could
name a few instructors who are entirely aloof. I will spare
them the indignity of recognition, but I did feel a certain
sense of resentment in their classes over the lack of focus
and preparation on their parts.
3:BMAJ The honors program is wonderful. Professor Virginia
Anderson, specifically, is an absolute gem of this
university. I do hope that the administration realizes and
compensates her for her brilliance, warmth, and expertise.
I will always look back on this university fondly because
of her.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I place significant emphasis on
beginning my professional career immediately, and
commencing the pursuit toward my ultimate goals.
147860 1:GOALS-SOME The program did a good job of having a
variety of different classes and subject areas and teaching
the curriculum efficiently and effectively. However, it was
a struggle to get many classes because there were fewer and
fewer offered every semester, and the revolving door that
was the advisor's office made things even worse for that
much.
2:WMAJ An advisor that actually stayed for the entire time
I was to be at the university, not the three or four I have
had in just the last two years.
3:BMAJ The professors know the material and are very
helpful with any problems, questions that arise.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F ...I came into Boulder with some college
credit already, so I was almost a semester ahead. However,
I must also take summer school just to reach the
possibility of four years in college to graduate. For
myself, a large part of it was that every semester less and
less classes were offered in both my majors and in general,
so for anyone to get into all the classes they wanted has
become a virtual impossibility. So for the classes that you
DO need for your major are being put off and put off
because you can never get into them. At this point,
graduation in four years will be an amazing feat for myself.
148832 1:GOALS-SOME I do not feel completely prepared for
graduate school, but I have learned a lot more about my
subjects of choice, and about myself and my future.
2:WMAJ I would have liked the option for more diverse
history courses. I was so occupied with getting the
requirements out of the way, that I missed out on the "fun"
courses that non-majors get to take, such as a course on
the Vietnam war. I was never able to take that. Also,
CU is losing a lot of its best history professors to
higher-paying jobs. I was sad to see some of my favorite
professors either cut their time down, or leave altogether.
3:BMAJ I did enjoy being encouraged to focus outside of my
area of study. I did not have to take only American
history courses. By having to branch out a little bit, I
learned a lot more about medieval societies, the French
Revolution, and Mexico than I would have if I had only
stayed "in" America.
4:DODIFF I would spend a semester in Ireland, and choose a
health sciences major.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am studying two subjects -- journalism
and history. I will earn a degree for each of these majors
becuause they are each located in different schools of the
university. After five years, I will have a Bachelor of
Science in Journalism, and a Bachelor of Arts in History.
151358 1:GOALS-DEF The history department prepared me very well
for entrance in the professional field of acedmia, which
was not my goal upon beginning the program, but has over
the last year become my main focus. I feel the best skills
I received were in the realities of getting published and
the way in which one needs to create a professional niche
for one's self in the history community.
2:WMAJ There would be more emphasis in the lower division
classes on personal the necessity of developing personal
relationships in an academic environment. I understand that
the large student population at this Universit can at time
lower the chances of one on one interaction between
students as well as between students and faculty, however
if there is one thing that I have learned, it is that any
succes in an academic field (or any professional field
really) is somewhat dependant on the contacts that you have
in that fielf and the personal relationships you develop.
3:BMAJ The stringent focus on quality writing. By
continually requiring in depth analysis and composition,
the program almost forces students to not only learn to
think critically, but more importantly to write clearly,
concisely and effectively. I feel that this is a skill that
can be carried on to the next phase of a student's life
whether they choose to remain in an academic career path or
not.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Over the duration of my college
experience I have found it necessary to broaden my
interests by pursuing a triple major and also feel the need
to distinguish myself by undertaking an honors thesis such
that I may graduate with the distinction of cum laude. This
last consideration has become increasingly important given
the amount of negative press attention this university has
received in the last six months.
151822 2:WMAJ offer more of a focuse area
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have two majors tha are not relae to
each other : history and biology
174575 1:GOALS-SOME The courses at CU are all very specialized,
especially in the upper division. Further, professors tend
not to use the courses as a means for analyzing current
goings-on. This means that students come out with a lot of
knowledge about, say, the French Revolution, but little
idea about whether that event, and its consequences, has
much application to the problems facing the country and the
world today.
2:WMAJ I had very negative experiences with my advisor
between Fall '01 and Fall '03. The fellow never knew any
useful information about courses or professors, and
provided me with incorrect information that almost required
me to stay at CU an extra semester.
3:BMAJ "Nazi Germany" course taught by Dr. David Spires
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F Four years works for the program I'm in,
and also represents the money available for me to attend
school. Despite the pre-Freshman registration suggestion,
I strongly advise taking 15 credits every semester in order
to push yourself in your schoolwork, and so that you can
graduate in four years and enjoy the support of your peers
during the entire time you are in school.
180658 1:GOALS-DEF I found the History Department to be
organized, challenging and encompassing of many different
insights into world and US history. I am extremely happy
with my major and the experiences that I have had in
Boulder. The teaching styles and professors created
environments that were thought provoking and unique.
2:WMAJ The class sizes of the lower division courses make
the students feel less involved in the lectures and a lack
of individual attention with the professor. I also wish
that there had been more opportunities to speak in front of
the class/oral presentations, especially because this can
increase respect and connections to other students in the
course.
3:BMAJ The professors are amazing!
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am obtaining a teacher's license
through the School of Education at the same time that I am
getting my History degree. I will only be there, thought,
for five years total, and that includes my student teaching.
185859 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F that's all I need to take.
208875 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am working on multiple degrees at
various levels.
234291 1:GOALS-SOME In my major it did however majority of the
core classes I will never use and they were a waste of my
money and time.
2:WMAJ Nothing
3:BMAJ The History Department is the only thing about this
univeristy that I will ever recomend.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered and took time off to teach
and become a resident.
239364 1:GOALS-NO The advising that I revived was sporadic and
initially: wrong. Any attempts I made with faculty members
for guidance were met with distain and or dismissal.
2:WMAJ Make instructors accountable for poor performance
in a concrete manner. The questionnaires at the end if the
semesters were worthless and every student knew it so they
did not care what they answered.
3:BMAJ Robert Pois and Marta Hanna
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T bad advising
257857 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am a returning student who has
re-entered college after taking several years off to work.
Additionally, the requirments to get a teachers license
through CU are very demanding and will prolong my undergrad
career by at least one year. The education department is
poorly structured, has a lot of requirements, and is not
flexible - you must be flexible with your life and schedule
if you plan on enrolling in the education department at CU.
309896 1:GOALS-SOME class size. i would like more personal
contact with teachers, especially freshman year. that is
when it is most important to get to know someone.
2:WMAJ the advising. We had a great advisor for about a
year. Everything before and after that was pretty terrible.
3:BMAJ there are a lot of good people in the department.
4:DODIFF study abroad more.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F i can't afford to go any longer. This
places keeps getting more damn expensive every year.
352975 1:GOALS-DEF I was able to explore what I love best
through wonderful professors who giuded me in the direction
I want to take for my career
2:WMAJ I would like to be able to take as many history
classes as I want, without restrictions on the number of
classes we are allowed to take in the major
3:BMAJ The professors
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I want to pursue graduate school and
will graduate with a bachelor's as soon as possible
364542 1:GOALS-SOME this was not the university of colorado fault
but underlying circumstances in my life that caused this
shortfall.
2:WMAJ offer vietnam war class at a different time then
8:00 or 9:00 in the morning
3:BMAJ professor pois, and professor Zeiller
4:DODIFF get a double major in economics instead of only a
minor
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F because I don't know what I want to
major in and will have to work a lot to pay rent.
370642 1:GOALS-NO Overall the quality of the program was great
due to the quality of the proffessors and thier passion for
history
2:WMAJ nothing
3:BMAJ the professors love for thier students and the
topic of the class
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have two majors, am a student-athlete,
and will graduate with an honors thesis
437349 1:GOALS-SOME It taught me a lot about history, but did
little to prepare m.e for anything else in professional
areas (non-academic).
2:WMAJ more cultural history, less u.s. west.
3:BMAJ professor david gross
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F i switched schools after two years, from
music to arts and sciences.
508279 1:GOALS-SOME The lack of seminars (a required course)
annoyed me. The only two seminars for American history
filled up too quickly, and I am now in a Seminar on Chinese
history, something I know nothing about. Because of this I
am struggling in the course. I am also upset with the 4020
class I have to take. There should be at least two, if not
three, different 4020 courses to choose from.
2:WMAJ Have a greater varity of courses to choose from.
3:BMAJ That it is part of Arts and Sciences, and this gave
me opportunities to take different types of liberal arts
classes.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F My parents will not pay for me to attend
longer then four years.
524456 1:GOALS-DEF Learning history occured and that's why I'm a
history major.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I'm doing two degrees which requires an
extra 30 credits for graduation.
526213 2:WMAJ The capstone course is perhaps the worst course I
have ever taken
3:BMAJ Seminar
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am an idiot and should have stayed in
college longer
545344 1:GOALS-SOME It failed vastly because of the lack of
teachers who cared. In particular, one teacher, Lucy
Chester, exhibited a blatant bias towards male students.
Not only did this create a hostile learning environment,
but any attempt to change it did not result in a result.
Furthermore, the course requirements were not articulated
and as a result, I wasted so much time doing work that
turned out to be irrelevant that my other class grades and
work suffered.
2:WMAJ The terrible teachers who do not care about
students. And the complete and utter lack of representation
for male views along with lack of acceptance of them.
3:BMAJ Professor Tom Zeiler
4:DODIFF Declare many majors so I can take classes offered
that require the major in order to get into. This would
include, upper division fiim classes and art history.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I took AP classes and scheduled right
while suffering by not enjoying the full class
opportunities offered by the university
586457 1:GOALS-DEF The history program met my goals of an
undergraduate degree to go along with my main goal of
obtaining my teaching license.
2:WMAJ Change the lower division requirement classes,
there are a couple of useless classes that I had to take.
3:BMAJ The professors in the History department. They
were all excellent, especially the upper division
professors!
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am receiving both an undergraduate
degree and a teacher's license. Steve
635414 2:WMAJ a more specific focus
3:BMAJ the professors
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T i want to capitalize on the
opportunities offered. There are numerous classes that
catch my interest and I would like to take my time and find
a major that I enjoy and deem relevant for my future.
655349 1:GOALS-SOME Far too much time was wasted on core classes
of little practical worth.
2:WMAJ More time spent on history and less on the other
junk that is used to fill out the 120 hours needed to
graduate.
3:BMAJ With a couple of exceptions the history professors
are very competant at what they do.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am bored out of my mind by the sort of
work I do here.
656053 1:GOALS-DEF the history department provided me with all
that i wanted to know and the teachers made me take an
active interest in what i was learning
2:WMAJ The history department changed its academic advisor
way too much this year and that caused a lot of confusion.
3:BMAJ the teachers!!!
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I want to get out into the real world
and the out of state tutition is insane.
671721 1:GOALS-SOME I enjoyed many of my classes a great deal and
had an excellent experience with the professors. But then
there were classes that were a complete and utter waste of
time with professors who hardly cared about the class and
didn't seem to care about us as students. In this way I
was unsatisfied as I feel like some of my classes weren't
of any real value, just credit on a transcript.
2:WMAJ We had an awful advisor for my first three years.
He called me selfish and arrogant because I commented on
one policy I thought was unfair. I do not believe any CU
representative should make personal attacks on a students
character for any reason. I was very disgusted with his
behavior and because of him did not go see an academic
advisor in my major for 2 years. I suggest that academic
advisors be better trained.
3:BMAJ I had one Professor in particular who was fantastic
and I feel as if she changed my entire experience at CU
Boulder as a history major. If I had not had her I would
have thought the program was full of a lot of teachers who
did not care about students and were inaddequate in the
classroom. I am very appreciative to her and her amazing
abilities.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I will have finished my course work for
my majors and feel I have completed my college experience
to my satisfaction.
679036 1:GOALS-NO The program did not meet my educational
goals, because I have not learned much, if anything while
attending CU-Boulder. Specifically refering just to my
history major, I learned more on my own from books that I
had previously read. The fact of the matter is that not
even the simplest of ideas were covered in my classes.
There were times earlier in my academic career, that I
would not attend class for the majority of the semester,
and get a B in the class. The impressive (or sad) thing
about that, is the fact that I did not even own the books.
From the stand point of all my history classes, only two
have been of any benefit to me; HIST 4020, and the history
class on Natives and Newcomers. The problem also lies in
the fact that there are very few world classes. Could this
be due to a lack of diversity on all levels?
2:WMAJ What wouldn't it be.
3:BMAJ I learn about the diverse cultures of white
americans and various European peoples.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I switched my major in the middle of my
senior year. Thank God though, I graduated in five
684077 1:GOALS-SOME Considering the fact that I am a history
major who is not planning to do much with that particular
major after college, I never expected a great deal of
practicality out of my major. Instead I chose history as
more of a hobby. In this regard I think that the history
department at CU was great. My classes were highly
informative and the professors were magnificent to say the
least. I was highly pleased with the History department
yet I cannot say the same for other departments and
programs at CU that I encountered.
2:WMAJ More class options for History majors with a World
Areas concentration. Each semester I was highly limited to
what classes I took, and what time they were offered, as
opposed to European or American concentrations within the
Histroy major itself.
3:BMAJ The professors. I have had great experiences with
many of the finest professors in my department (e.g.
Nwaubani, Zeiler, Yonemoto, to name a few). I can't say
enough about these and other professors in the history
department.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T ....despite transferring into CU from
another University after my freshman year, my advisor
helped me figure out the best options for me so that I
could graduate on time. Thankfully all of my credits
transferred. The requirements for my major and minor were
not extensive enough that I needed five years to graduate,
and since I had made up my mind early on as to a major I
enjoyed, I was ont interested in spending any more money on
my undergraduate education than I had to.
694666 2:WMAJ Less elective credits and more focus on the
specific program I want to pursue.
3:BMAJ The knowledge that I have gained in
researching/writing skills.
711181 1:GOALS-SOME Your listing of Classics courses is nothing
short of a lie. Over the summer and spring semester I
wanted to take a Classics class for my upper division
literature and the arts. Of the ten or so listed at least
EIGHT were canceled before seniors could register.
Also, Mark Berge is an aweful advsior. Dick Scheidenhelm
(sp), Professor William Wei and Professor Gross are
excelent educators.
2:WMAJ There is a very good chance I would pursue a
Classics minor if you didn't cancel the vast majority of
your classes. Really, canceling so many classics classes
makes the university nothing short of a phony University of
Michigan. Why do you need to lie to us? P.S. The Campus
Printing Initiative is an aweful idea. Why does the
university explicitly discourage students from using
computers to do their homework? If you are so strapped for
cash put up turnstiles at Hellems.
3:BMAJ The variety of classes
4:DODIFF As an alumnus of Boulder High School I would have
liked to do a semester abroad or a semester at sea, so I
could see something more than Boulder.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I think it is important to get a well
rounded education and as a student that is also an
economics major the second major will probably open doors
to higher paying jobs in the future. Furthermore as an
economic major, I know that at the end of George W. Bush's
first term as president it will be harder to find a job
than when he was elected. This has not happened since
Herbert Hoover stood on the sidelines as we fell in to the
Great Depression (sp).
714329 1:GOALS-SOME Never brought different times and ideas
together. A whole bunch of seperate classes as opposed to
one education
3:BMAJ David spires and Paradis
4:DODIFF double major
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F School takes almost no effort whatsoever
764268 1:GOALS-SOME The program was structured successfully but
the field of study was not exactly what I expected it to be
nor what I see myself doing for the rest of my
life(Political Science internship).
2:WMAJ allow for more diversity
3:BMAJ The upper division professors
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F both of my majors and my core
requirements will be completed in this time and another
year would be excessive both monetarily and in relation to
my time.
778367 1:GOALS-SOME no comment
2:WMAJ more cource offerings
3:BMAJ I like history
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F it's cheaper.
818820 1:GOALS-DEF It meet everthing I was looking for, it gave
a good base in history.
3:BMAJ It gives a good comprehensive overview of U.S
History.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I have worked really to get in done in
four.
826635 2:WMAJ Offer more of the courses that are in the catalog.
3:BMAJ There is a strong military history aspect in the
history department
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T i worked my butt off
841699 1:GOALS-SOME Upper level courses were much better than
lower division courses. Overall I enjoyed and learned a
ton from the history dept. I would emphasis more smaller
assignments intermixed between the 2 paper/final sched.
that some courses follow. More envolvment if forced upon
will help the student even if they complain.
2:WMAJ Smaller classes and more of an emphasis on having
just history majors in classes starting from freshman year.
I would have liked to have gotten invloved with a
proffessor or have one assinged as an advisor
type. Possibly stress not just honor program with
smaller classes but a History track from the beggining with
history students only. Not to bash other non history
students but more times than not the History students are
usually more intrested int the class.
3:BMAJ The upper division classes are much more well run
becasue teachers are better and students (mostly history
students_care about the class. Prof. Zeiler, Denton,
Spires, Mann, Yonemoto very good teachers I have had.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I made the decision of my major freshman
year and I was forced to graduate in 4 years because of
financial reasons. You must go repeatidly to your advisor,
now that you are in college you will not be taken care of
anymore.
846476 1:GOALS-SOME I think it's pretty appalling that any
individual of color going to school at CU must go outside
their department to learn their history. I do believe
that it is IMPERATIVE to have an Ethnic Studies Department;
however, the History Department needs to make a much, much
bigger effort to incorporate the views of other groups in
their history courses. I think its disgusting to even
think that a professor debates in class whether the use of
the atomic bomb was justified or not. This sort of
callousness shows the assumed level of privilege that an
individual is assuming. Please, don't get me wrong - the
professors I have been in contact with have been very
helpful and supportive of my studies. However, I think it
is sad that I had to gain my knowledge base for my degree
largely from outside the department. I got a very good
education of Western Civilization and basic "Anglo"
American history, and World areas too. I think it is very
important that we fully understand ALL our past in order to
see that it ALL builds from those experiences, not just
those from the Anglo perspective.
2:WMAJ More cultural sensitivity and inclusion of minority
history in the curriculum. To be quite honest, I have a
better rapport established with my Ethnic Studies
professors. I feel more comfortable with them, and am able
to talk about history with them from the perspective of an
individual of color. I don't feel comfortable doing that in
the History Department.
3:BMAJ If you work hard and do well in the eyes of the
History Department, the professors definitely go out of the
way to make sure you really will succeed.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Because I am a non-traditional student
and I need to juggle the demands of a family and school.
859558 1:GOALS-DEF My educational goals were to first get the
degree because even if I didn't learn anything the world
out there signifies a degree as an achievement. However, I
did learn a lot along the way, in and out of my major.
2:WMAJ More emphasis in my emphasis, and not equal classes
areas. I was a european history major and took as many
classes in american and world areas as I did in european
history. I understand you need to wide scope, but narrow
it a little.
3:BMAJ I only had one bad professor in 3 years. They're
all very bright and were very excited about what they knew
and teaching it to the class, even if it was over a hundred
people. Overall great staff, especially the hands on in my
Seminar with Dr. O'Hara.
4:DODIFF I wanted to minor in classics but didn't want to
take the last semester of Latin because of the amount of
time involved. I love the classics department and probably
would be a classics major if I had a second go-around.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I knew how many credits I had to have
each semester to graduate in time. I averaged those
credits and easily graduated in time while working
part-time and never fealt over pressed.
909323 1:GOALS-SOME It did in allowing me to experience upper
division education but not with experience in the field of
study or internships
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F of the unavailability of core classes
938708 2:WMAJ core classes separate from everyone
else...specifically Western Civ. etc that are taught for
history majors and in smaller classes.
3:BMAJ professors spires and pois. they made you feel that
they taught for reasons other than its an easy job.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F i have a career to begin.
947197 1:GOALS-SOME I gained little experience in teaching
history, and there were no opportunities made available to
learn or to intern or teach. I have received NO career
counseling, and now am scrambling to find a job.
2:WMAJ The fact that only one section of 4020 is offered
each semester and so often conflicts with the department's
own upper level courses. This has made it impossible for
me to take the course until the very last semester, and
forced me to drop another history class that would have
aided me in my other major.
3:BMAJ I get to have class with Robert Hohlfelder, who is
far and away the best teacher I have had in my four years
at CU
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I can't afford to stay at CU longer than
that, and the state legislature is raising tuition. I also
entered with a lot of AP credit, which has allowed me to
avoid the pitfalls of many of my classmates, who do not
receive good advising and are not able to take all the
classes they need in order to graduate on time.
999725 1:GOALS-SOME did not because of intresting issues were no
longer being held becaue the professor retired. I found if
one teacher is teaching some issue and desides to retire or
leave the is a large gap in the history department that
sometime is never filled
2:WMAJ I would like more divers things to pick from in
U.S. Hitory like; classes on native americans, asian
culture in the U.S., more culture relations classes dealing
with the U.S.
3:BMAJ One of the best things is that the chair of the
department is a great teacher and well knowledgeable in all
areas.
4:DODIFF nothing becuase i really needed more things to do.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T you now have to take all of these class
when you start out that have nothing to do with anything
anymore like class on studing. It's not like we haven't
been in school for already more then half our life.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-HUMN 195629 1:GOALS-SOME I would have liked more job and professional
opportunities offered through my major department.
2:WMAJ more professional development
3:BMAJ the variety offered and the passion and compassion
of many of the professors
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I'm actually taking three years because
I was able to plan and utilize my AP credits in order to
graduate early. I'm nervous about entering the job market
without much professional experience, but I believe that I
have gained a strong foundation from which I can continue
to build on my education and start a career.
222515 1:GOALS-SOME My program was a bit of a fall back. After
experiencing extreme dissatisfaction with the psychology
department, I switched to humanities so I could graduate.
The department that has assisted me most on my path to a
career is the womens studies department and the experience
that has been most benificial has been volunteering at MESA
(moving to end sexual assault)
2:WMAJ I'd like to see more empahasis placed on real-world
application
3:BMAJ the faculity and professors are exceptional. I felt
really at home in my department
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I think that college is an extremely
important and worthwhile experience, but I also recognize
that college is not the pinnical of my life. I'm excited to
be moving forward in with my goals and experiences. CU has
provided me with some preparation for the real world and
now I'm ready to give it a try.
228508 1:GOALS-DEF I feel that students can push themselves if
they want, or be mediocre if they want, at CU-Boulder (like
any other school, I'm sure). I am very interested in grad
school, so I worked really hard, and am currently writing
an honors thesis, in order to push myself.
2:WMAJ I would have taken the lower division classes
earlier to give me more of a background in art and
literature, but that was my own mistake by declaring the
major too late.
3:BMAJ The faculty and staff. They really seem to care
and want students to succeed.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am doing a double degree/double major,
so I feel that it is worth it to be here for 5 years to
graduate with 3 degrees.
234935 1:GOALS-DEF The instructors in the humanities field have
done a very good job of instilling a critical thought
process in the students. More classes should be taught
by Scot Douglass, he was the most exceptional instructor
that i came across, both in his ability to provoke a class
and his astoundingly varied knowledge base.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I chose to take only 13 hours a semester
so as not to be overwhelmed by my course load. I could have
"challenged" myself and taken a full load, but I find that
I get more enjoyment out of my education when I can really
take in what I am learning, as opposed to simply cramming
it all in there to forget when summer rolls around.
239344 1:GOALS-DEF My program introduced and educated me on past
and present culture and gave me a better appreciation for
the arts. It also offered me a class where I was able to
volunteer in the career I thought I wanted and I was able
to realize I wanted to go another way. It also taught me
how to express myself effectively through writing. My
program was also small enough to give me effective
attention from my professors.
2:WMAJ Nothing
3:BMAJ The richness of the classes offered. The courses
introduce you to so many ideas and cultures and arts. The
advisor, Dr. Shirley Carnahan, is also one of the best
things about the humanities program. She knows her
students personally and advises them with their best
interests in mind. She is always prepared for appointments
and really easy to get in contact with.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I had a professor, who turned out to be
the humanities advisor as well, who turned me on to my
major early and then gave excellent advice about the
courses to take.
256106 1:GOALS-DEF Well, I'm not quite finished but . . . The
direction of thought in the humanities/comparative lit
program here is right up my alley. I entered into the
program to learn 'how to read' more effectively. That's
exactly what's happening.
2:WMAJ At the moment, I can't think of one thing.
3:BMAJ The quality of the program's professors.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T ...I'm preparing for graduate programs
and an eventual teaching position.
307277 1:GOALS-SOME a couple of occassions dealt with professors
and course changes at the last minute. the one professor
in particular was extremely rigid and closed as far as her
position on topics discussed. This is detrimental to one's
learning experience when the very nature of the courses and
material is so subjective to interpretation.
2:WMAJ post-graduation career help and advising.
3:BMAJ I love the focus on interdisciplinary learning, I
love my advisor Shirley Carnahan, as well as many of the
professors I've had. I also like how individualized the
areas of concentration allow one's education to be.
4:DODIFF I may have never gone to CU-Boulder if I had
known how difficult it is to feel personally invested in
one's education amongst all the social distractions in
Boulder. Plus, there are a few outstanding professors who
show an invested interest in seeing the progress of one's
academic knowledge, vs. so many here that seem disengaged
from their actual desire to see growth in their students.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F five years, plus summer school. This is
due to enrollment issues, as well as the lack of structure
as far as helping students stay focused towards their
graduation.
309871 1:GOALS-DEF I wanted to receive a well-rounded education
that covered a broad range of topics, while also providing
a basic foundation in the liberal arts. The Humanities
program has equipped me with this.
2:WMAJ Nothing...I'm really happy with the major that I
have selected and the program.
3:BMAJ It gives you the flexibility to kind of "create
your own major" and study what interests you. I like the
fact that this is a less popular major at CU. It allows you
to get to know the people in the major better. Finally,
the instructors within the Humanities department are
fantastic.
4:DODIFF I might have chosen a smaller school than CU
Boulder, but this is not to say that I am unhappy with the
education or experience that I have received here.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I have never wanted to stay longer than
four. I am a goal-oriented driven person, and I decided a
long time ago that I would get my BA in four years. I do
not want to spend the money on additional semesters, and I
am ready to move on to the "real world." Four years is long
enough!
391561 1:GOALS-SOME Lacking in hands-on experience...internships
were not widely advertised or available. A little more
direction career wise/ support with what to do after
graduation in terms of using my major, etc would have been
more helpful. A little more community within the humanities
program would have been nice
2:WMAJ MORE INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, BETTER SENSE OF
COMMUNITY
3:BMAJ MY PROFESSORS- ALL DYNAMIC PERSONALITIES, PEOPLE I
ASPIRE TO BE LIKE, ALL EXTREMELY INTELLIGENT, THE
WONDERFUL, LIFE-APPLICABLE LESSONS I HAVE LEARNED
4:DODIFF I would have chosen to double major or at least
get my Real Estate Certificate. As a student, I would have
liked to have had more major advising and have been exposed
to ALL of my options on the CU campus. For example, being
in the school of Arts and Sciences, I didn't know that the
Business School even offered a Real Estate Certificate.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F Four years is enough time to fulfill
requirements. It gives you a goal in which you have to be
on top of things and prepares you for success. However, it
helps to have a good feel for what you want to do
(major/career wise) when entering college so that you don't
end up switching in the middle and adding on time because
of needed classes for new major. On the same note though,
education in college especially is not only fun, but always
worthwhile. If one can afford it, then why not stay longer
than four years? Four years worked for me because I managed
to keep my major, be on top of course requirements, and had
to financially.
433308 1:GOALS-SOME Greater course availability would have
allowed me to take more classes that I wanted, but overall,
it met my goals
2:WMAJ course availability. I did not get to take as many
classes that I wanted
3:BMAJ teachers were excellent
4:DODIFF Maybe I would have explored my major and its
facets by studying abroad
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I think that four years will allow me
sufficent job opportunities
439728 1:GOALS-DEF My program exposed me to a variety of
different subject matter. I had some very interesting
professors, and some not so good ones as well. My program
really helped me improve my writing skills, and critical
thinking.
2:WMAJ The large size of the lower division courses.
3:BMAJ Diverse learning experience
4:DODIFF I would have liked to know what my major was my
freshman year so that I could have studied abroad by the
time I was a junior. However, because I wanted to graduate
in four years I did not study abroad.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T because I want to get on with my life,
and go aborad for 2 years.
442090 1:GOALS-DEF The honors program, Humanities/Comp. Lit, and
writing an honors thesis have helped me to focus, giving me
the encouragement to continue in the field and pursue
graduate education.
3:BMAJ I am convinced that some of the best, most
knowledgable, exciting teachers are in my departments,
English and Humanities. The faculty in these two
departments along with select other departments have made
my academic experience at CU fabulous. My professors,
through their love of literature, theory, and philosophy,
have unknowingly kept me here at CU when I had the
chance to transfer to Brown University.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am ready to move on and I had no
problem fulfilling requirements in this standard time.
Graduate education, at this point, is more worthy of my
time, as well.
510591 1:GOALS-DEF i was challenged mentally and emotionally,
and therefore was able to excel by meeting both of these.
i also gained exposure to many of the ideologies and
theories to which i hoped to be exposed, and encountered
professors of the highest decorum. it has been a wonderful
experience, challenging, and rewarding. i love the
humanities department and all that i have gained because of
it!
2:WMAJ i don't know that i would change anything, i have
been nothing but satisfied with my experience in the
humanities department. maybe i would say i wish i had
started earlier, because of this reason. i have loved my
classes, and almost wish those in particular would not end.
3:BMAJ the inspiration the professors have provided me,
both to be like them as individuals, and for the material i
studied (character and literature).
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F longer than four years for 2 reasons.
1st, i had mono my sophomore year which made me drop
credits that i needed to take in order to graduate in 4
years. also, i switched majors my junior year, both
because of mono and because my area of emphasis changed.
519486 1:GOALS-SOME I think that more of a push toward an
internship within the field of study would be helpful. My
major is very different, and it would be nice to know
options of what I can do later.
2:WMAJ I would educate the students on what they can do
after they graduate, and I would lead them towards those
goals.
3:BMAJ MOst of the professors are amazing, and truly love
what they are doing.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I think that it is important to
diversify your education. You should try to live someplace
else. It is hard to plan your life when you don't know
exactly who you are.
617357 1:GOALS-SOME The humanities department has given me an
opportunity to take a broad range of courses that I am
interested, but also has introduced me to new ideas,
sucjects and topics that are now of interest to me.
There has been a lack of hands on experiencal work in which
one's own creativity is involved in the study of art.
2:WMAJ I would like there to be more racial/ethnic
diversity within the programs study. While the Western
European/American classics are important, understanding the
many different perspectives of other cultures in
association with upperdivision critical thinking humanities
courses is highly important. I would put a special
emphasis on African-American artistic movements of the
United States, but every and any culture's artowrks and
ideologies is crucial to developing a well-rounded
education. Becuase of this fact, a student of the
humanities should not have to choose classes in "the ethnic
studies department" in order to get these perspectives,
i.e. that art is even something that can be abstracted.
3:BMAJ There are some great professors in the humanities
department, not to mention the best advisor/teacher on
campus: Shirley Carnahan. But the ONE BEST THING would be
the great extent to which the humanities department keeps
an interdisciplinary approach. I have been opened to many
new ideas becasue of this and I have become able to
synthesize large amounts of seemingly disconnected
information together through writing and discussing many
subjects of artistic interest. While many disciplines have
beeb incorportated into the humanities department, I
believe that it would be strengthened greatly by the
inclusion of gender/racial/and ethnic perspectives and
arts. Thanks for a great four years!
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I can't afford a day over 4 because of
the ridiculously high priced out-of-state tuition at CU.
632074 1:GOALS-SOME In humanities I learned about what I expected
to about history and literature -- it met my goals of
wanting to learn these things.
2:WMAJ I think maybe you should have the option of chosing
three different areas of study, not just two.
3:BMAJ The one best thing is that you can mix and match
and two areas of study you want -- I love the diversity and
possibilities.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I decided to double major -- MCDB and
Humanities. Otherwise it would have taken only four years,
if not less.
641386 2:WMAJ My major was fine except I resented having to take
freshmen courses when I transfered in as a Junior
3:BMAJ Talented instructors
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I changed my major and double majored.
Also I had to take remiedial classes because my math skills
were poor. And I transfered from a community college and I
needed to take classes that were not offered at my
communiyt college. Had I known years before attending CU
that I was going to go there, I would have been able to
plan and take the correct classes in High School and at the
Community College and graduated in four years.
648520 1:GOALS-SOME I enjoy the major and all that it includes
very much, but my main interest is music, so partly I'm
kicking myself for not going directly into that field, but
also I'm just not sure what kind of jobs there are for a
humanities major. However, I enjoy the broad spectrum of
things I've learned in the humanities department and feel
that the material I've covered within that major has given
me a very well rounded education.
2:WMAJ I have always been upset that the Music Program
(and I believe others as well, i.e. Fine Art) do not allow
humanities students into a majority of their classes. One
major aspect of this major is to be able to pick a major
and a minor emphasis, my major emphasis was Music, but I
had to take classes for people who weren't already fluent
in many aspects of music. I think most of those classes
were a HUGE waste of my time. Easy A's, yes. Challenging,
no. More cooperation between these Colleges would be very
nice.
3:BMAJ I got to read a lot of good books. Also, I really
like the Humanities professors. They are all really
insightful and provide a lot of thought provoking material,
(They're nice too!). Specific favorites of mine are
Shirley Carnahan, Vernon Minor and Joel Cox. (I guess
that's more than one thing, huh?)
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I did really badly in my first? couple?
few? semesters. I took summer classes every year inbetween
but I still will need to take an extra semester. The
transition from High school (where I didn't have to work at
all) to college (where I DID have to work)was a big blow
for me.
760567 1:GOALS-SOME I felt that I di not have enough time or
opportunity to apply my knowledge to the future in terms of
career goals.
2:WMAJ More opportunity for experience and practice in
real life (career) situations.
3:BMAJ It is a completely cohesive education,
encapsulating elements from a variety of studies. It all
comes together and makes sense and relates to everything
else you are studying.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F CU makes it almost imporssible to
graduate in 4 years because of their desire for more
tuition from you, and because there is very low
availability of the courses you need to graduate, and the
CORE (non- degree) course take up too much of the degree
requirements.
772830 1:GOALS-SOME I felt like there was too much emphasis on
core requirements that deterred me from my major. I needed
the credit room for other courses that were more pertinent
to my future.
2:WMAJ More internships are needed. I wish I would have
looked into the options that were offered more, but I still
feel like there weren't enough overall.
3:BMAJ The faculty in the Humanities department is superb.
I have taken other classes in different major areas and I
have never had a professor I liked more than my Humanities
professors.
4:DODIFF I feel like after being at a large school, a
smaller more intimate education might have been a better
choice for me. I often feel like a number at CU.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I would like to move foward with my life.
967855 1:GOALS-DEF The degree was very open and allowed me to
custom tailor exactly which classes I wanted to take and
while allowing me to find real world applications for the
abstractions with which I was learning to grapple.
2:WMAJ More small group interaction.
3:BMAJ The diversity of the students and their interests.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F five years for an undergraduate and
maybe consider other fields because I feel that CU gave me
the best possible experience and the best possible
education. While I'm being so candid I would also say that
I really loved Boulder as a town and would highly recommend
staying here if the rent is not too much.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-IAFS 120993 1:GOALS-SOME The Japanese program is great at getting to
have a basic knowledge of the language, but after 3 years
of class 5 days a week I would have expected to have a
better grasp of everyday speaking
2:WMAJ I would either get rid of Kristen Carnes as an
advisor or hire another advisor to work with her. Many of
the problems that I had registering or with course load
could have prevented had she been available to meet me.
She is never available and tends to cancel appointments
repeatedly without make accomodations for you to reschedule
in any sort of timely manner.
3:BMAJ It's global. There are some really great upper
division professors.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am paying for this by myself and it is
necessary that I work full time at night. I have to take
smaller course loads in order to do a good job because CU
professors on the whole make no accomodations for students
with outside responsibilities.
122170 1:GOALS-SOME I felt that some of the classes required for
my degree were poorly taught. I felt that they did not
improve my knowledge of the world as. I also feel that if
i were to have had better advising skills I could have
taken classes that I would have liked better.
2:WMAJ I would get rid of the political geography
requirement. It is by far one of the worst classes I have
ever taken. I would also get rid of PSCI 2012, this too is
a class that is poorly taught and so far is useless.
3:BMAJ I feel that my major allowed me to choose classes
that were more diverse and not limited to one field.
4:DODIFF If I had better advising I would graduate with a
minor or I would have pursued a double major. One of IA
and PSCI or IA and a minor in econ.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I worked hard so I wouldn't have to
continue to pay out-of-state tuition. I took the
initiative to figure out what courses I needed to fullfill
my degree requirements and I made sure that I passed them.
142992 1:GOALS-DEF If anything my career plan has no focus due
to the vast amount of information, subjects, interests
obtained at CU.
2:WMAJ The senior seminar situation is a joke. I am
currently in a class on South Asia as my supposed
"capstone" class at CU. My area of interest for the major
was Latin America. I studied in Chile, took numerous
classes on Latin America, and now am unable to apply this
in my final class at CU. Either some form of advance
notice on the content of each Seminar should be provided,
or all the seminars should be broader in topic, and allow
students to investigate and explore areas or issues they
have interest in.
3:BMAJ The professors that teach the IA classes are all
great. They all come from other departments but are all
invaluable.
4:DODIFF Double major with ECON and IAFS
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I came in with college credit from High
School, I was fortunate enough to start my major without
actually choosing it before first semester freshman year, I
stayed focused on finishing, and got lucky with credits
from study abroad.
196471 1:GOALS-DEF The program prepared me with the background
knowlege that I required before moving into my field. The
classes as a whole were interesting and stimulating. All
in all I believe that I am a more qualified candidate by
having gone through the program at CU Boulder.
2:WMAJ Less emphasis on Economics. God I hate that aspect
of this major.
3:BMAJ I thought the course on "Revolutions and Political
Violence" was the most interesting class that I have ever
taken.
4:DODIFF I would have declared a major right off the bat
rather than be an "Open-Option" major. I found the having
the open option gave me no guidance in what I might want to
do and left me drifting through classes that are now
useless to me. At least if I declared a major, I might
have either stuck with it or changed into a related field
where the courses could help me out.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I spent a year studying abroad in
Germany and many of the courses I took did not count for my
major. Oh well. The experience was worth the extra
semester I need in order to graduate. Besides, it's only
one more semester and I don't even need to take all that
many classes. Why bother rushing out into the real world
so soon? I've got my entire life to work.
205261 1:GOALS-SOME Classes and teachers were great
2:WMAJ Political Geography was the worst course I took at
CU. The class should not be mandatory.
3:BMAJ Teachers are informed and willing to help.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I studied abroad in France. Not all my
classes counted towards my major and I also added a license
in Education.
219325 1:GOALS-SOME When looking at educational goals, a
university usually meets these. But, when trying to link
educational goals with work experience, unless a student
actively looks for the opportunities, which are abundant
although not always clearly available, the programs and
curriculum was lacking I believe. IA includes many
different fields and many different departments of study.
Because of this there are plenty of different directions
available for the student to pursue their interests through
internships and volunteer positions, but sometimes the
classes didn't show that, and so the opportunities were not
obvious to those who may have been willing to participate
2:WMAJ More flexibility with some of the Category classes
3:BMAJ The wide variety of courses offered to begin with -
in all the different departments. This aspect creates such
an important base for our general education I think
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am a double major and I decided to
take advantage of the great study abroad opportunities at
the school to spend one full academic year in Spain.
Although freshman year I entered with 28 credits, I decided
to double major and International Affairs has a very
rigorous curriculum. I don't regret my decision to spend
one year abroad, and welcome the opportunity to write an
honors thesis, something I may not have had if I tried to
graduate with two majors and one full year abroad in four
years.
231991 2:WMAJ more selection of courses in some categories, more
classes offered
3:BMAJ diversity of education- classes from many different
departments
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I cannot afford to stay in school much
longer, as tuition prices will be rocketing soon.
256905 1:GOALS-DEF International affairs offers a good mix of
history, economics, political science, anthropology, and
geography classes that made me feel like I had a
well-rounded education. However, because of the limited
class size and the way the categories are set up I often
had to skip classes I really wanted to take, and take
classes that were not interesting for me just to fulfill
that requirement. There are certain classes in the major
that are very popular (such as american foriegn policy)
that fill up so fast half the people who want to take the
class can't.
2:WMAJ The way the categories are set up. There is one
category where there are four econ classes offered, and all
but one of them have prereqs that are not included in the
IAFS lower division prereqs. So the wait list for that one
class is huge every semester.
3:BMAJ The variety of courses involved.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am going to graduate school and want
to move on. I finished my major in 4 years so there's no
reason to stifk around.
279770 1:GOALS-NO the program deals with too broad and
theoriotical concepts. It doen't help my knowlege to apply
to the real world, social issues, practical matters, jobs
and my future goals. I doubt what I 've learned and don't
know what I 've been doing at CU.
2:WMAJ lower-division requirement, especially PSCI because
it is not helpful and practical.
3:BMAJ chance to experience different fields, such as
PSCI, ECON, HIST,GEOG, etc.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I don't want to be stressed out and I
don't enjoy my life at school. I don't know what I 've
learned from school. I want to get out of school and find a
work as soon as possible.
288045 2:WMAJ The number of useless core classes required
(especially the number of science credits required!) and
the fact that most of the classes pertaining to IA are too
theoretical and not practical.
3:BMAJ The way that it incorporates classes on language,
culture, politics, and economics into the program because
there are many disciplines that are important in
international affairs.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F Although I studied abroad for a year and
even took a semester off from CU to do independent study
abroad, for which I did not get credit, I have more than
enough credits to graduate in 4 years because I received a
lot of credit from AP classes and college courses that I
completed in high school, and from taking summer classes at
CU.
411477 1:GOALS-DEF I came to college not knowing what to expect,
I will be the first one in my family to graduate from
college. I guess my goals were exceeded by my professors in
International Affairs pushing me to explore the world and
preparing me for a job outside of college.
2:WMAJ Many of the classes I took were not related to
International Affairs in a strong way. While they prepared
me for International Affairs they did not cover the
material that I thought would be covered.
3:BMAJ The IAFS 4500 capstone class was the best part of
my major. This class was exceptional. It rounded
everything I had learned into a coherent body of knowledge
and showed me how it could be applied.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F two of the upper division Italian
classes I needed to graduate were not offered because of
state budget cuts. These were classes with less than 25
students and they were cut with no options to take the
classes elsewhere.
432328 5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I know what I want to major in and can
plan accordingly to graduate on time.
446154 1:GOALS-xxxx I think I could have been challenged more
with more forums for debate with my class members.
Sometimes I felt my motivation exceeded that of my
professors and peers. I would have liked a education that
pushed traditional ideas a bit more.
465362 1:GOALS-DEF It tought me about the world, but I would
have prefered more hands on experiance. CU has a very good
IA department, but it needs more funding and more
professors.
2:WMAJ SMALLER CLASS SIZES!!!! It is detrimental to my
learning to have over 30 people in every class.
3:BMAJ Great teachers.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I found my passion in life and I'm ready
to get out into the world and see how reality works rather
than acadamia,
512837 1:GOALS-SOME My area of focus is the Middle East and there
are virtually no courses offered, lower or upper division
along with the fact that this semester Arabic is not even
being offered. Considering we are a country at war with a
Middle Eastern State I feel it is imperative students be
given the opportunity to learn about the middle east
culuturally, linguistically, religiously (about the only
way offered), economically and politically. I am doing an
independant study right now and the teacher is not even
getting paid. Where exactly is the money going cause i'm
paying for the class. My academic advisor is of no help
and the head of the IA department is not any better. I've
spoken to the Ass. Dean of Arts and Sciences and I'm
repeatedly told I'll be kept posted and gotten back to,
neither of which has happened. I think the middle east
should not be offered as a choice unless the university can
support the requirements, currently this is not the case.
As you can see this is very frustrating for me. Aside from
the lack of courses that pertain to my area of focus I'm
extremely satisfied with the Int'l Affairs program and am
glad I have chosen it as my major.
2:WMAJ More classes available!! Having arabic offered
through the regular univesity (it will be starting next
fall) or have the choice to do half arabic and half
french Have upper division middle eastern courses
offered. There are many classes that count toward the
requirements however they are not ever offered
3:BMAJ the diverstiy of general int'l affairs class. You
choice one class from each topic and usually I want to take
more then one of the choices so I like that I enjoy all of
my classes and feel they are pertanent as well as being
well taught
4:DODIFF consider going abroad sooner different major or
area if I new it would be such a struggle
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I changed my major from Molecular,
Cellular and Developmental Biology after 2 1/2 years,
therefore it will take me 5 years total to graduate with my
new major, Int'l Affairs.
513479 1:GOALS-DEF I am a Unitd States Marine and International
Affairs has prepared me for further career development as a
commissioned officer. It has given me a strong foundation
for further study and practical application in government
service.
2:WMAJ I would have the Arabic language taught on the main
campus for four years.
3:BMAJ The Russian Language program.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I have no choice...the Marine Corps has
given me a deadline that cannot be extended.
558235 2:WMAJ Have more career advice/internships available
3:BMAJ The diverse array of courses to choose from was
very good.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I decided to join McNair and do
research. Also, I am minoring in PSCI. But I think part
of the reason why I'm taking longer to graduate is because
I couldn't get enrolled into classes I needed for my
major/core.
589890 2:WMAJ Fewer general classes and more specific ones.
3:BMAJ The strong recommendation to study abroad.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F my parents won't pay for more than four
years.
595776 1:GOALS-SOME The program did expand my knowledge of
international affairs theories and current events, but did
not do enough to apply those theories to real situations I
might run into when looking for a career.
2:WMAJ I wish I could opt out of the econ, my brain works
well with the social sciences, the economics part is too
much like mathematics, which hurts my GPA.
3:BMAJ The diversity of disciplines combined into one
major.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F The transition from home life to
independent life was too much of a culture shock for me and
I did not know how to adequately manage my time in such a
free environment.
598920 4:DODIFF I would like to have more time to converse with
distinguished faculty. There is little benefit for a
department to have nationally acclaimed profs. if the
students are not even able to intereact with them. I would
like to join more groups specializing in my area of study,
however, there are few where I can get practical experience
and they always hold meetings at times when many students
have to work. Maybe more conferences or forums would help
in getting some interactive experience out of the classroom.
603829 1:GOALS-SOME We did not get practical, hands-on experience
of what it is like to work in an international setting,
e.g. UN, US gov, abroad, etc. Too much theory and not
enough actual practice. Also, we didn't learn important
computer programs.
2:WMAJ Less political science classes and more of a
variety of courses from anthropology/ women's studies /
etc. There is way too much emphasis on the PSCI courses -
it's almost just like getting a poli-sci degree. We should
be able to specialize in other things besides areas of the
world - for example, in development, or human rights. etc.
3:BMAJ There is more variety than any other major.
4:DODIFF I would have participated more in UROP.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I think the opportunity to study abroad
is very important, and that each student should do it. This
can set you back a bit without the proper planning. Also, I
have 1 major, 2 minors, and a certificate. I felt it was
important to study everything I was interested in.
625509 1:GOALS-SOME I enjoyed the courses, but there need to be
more publicized opportunities for internships and job
experience.
2:WMAJ Maybe a higher language requirement or just more
speaking classes.
3:BMAJ The diverse set of classes that are required.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F my father is cutting me off after four
years and the out of state tution is absolutely horrible.
653648 1:GOALS-SOME Very broad educational experience I was
looking for.
2:WMAJ more flexibility on core requirments
3:BMAJ language and advisors
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS medical problems
658610 2:WMAJ The advisor is awful. I would hire an advisor that
actually cares about the students.
3:BMAJ It is very diverse.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I want to start making money in order to
pay off my student loans.
692396 1:GOALS-DEF The faculty is very well informed and
helpful. The availibility and variety of classes offered
was very instrumental.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I plan on attending graduate school to
receive my Master's Degree at another educational
institution.
701695 2:WMAJ i'd like to have professors more than once to make
it easier to build relationships with them
3:BMAJ it's interdisciplinary major
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F i planned my time well.
732631 1:GOALS-SOME My area of interest-- the Middle East-- was
not fully covered either in political or language courses.
2:WMAJ Arabic language courses would be offered
3:BMAJ Multidiscipline approach with a variety of courses
offered in a variety of departments
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am doing a double major with little
overlap in course requirements
742346 1:GOALS-DEF My educational goal was to obtain a broad
knowledge of politics, economics and history.
International affairs produced the means to obtain those
goals. It also offered my a good opportunity to study
abroad and expand my foreign language ability.
2:WMAJ More course options, and the ability to take more
elective courses. I became a IA Major end of my second
year and after was unable to take an electives if I wanted
to graduate in 4 years.
3:BMAJ There were some really great and influential
professors.
4:DODIFF I would study other areas as well as
international affairs.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F school is so expensive and my parents
don't want to pay for another semester, and I couldn't
afford it. However it was very difficult to make it in
four years, and even my advisor was suprised that I was
graduating
752700 2:WMAJ more specialized classes for international affairs
majors. More career guidance. International affairs is such
an ambigouos area area of study, it would have helped to
have more insight and direction from an advisor. Maybe have
an advisor that actually knows somethig about international
affairs.
3:BMAJ Diversity of course choices.
4:DODIFF I would have stayed in state, because this school
isn't worth 30 grand a year.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have three majors and I studied abroad
for a year on a non-CU program. CU's study abroad office
did not offer a program right for me so I was forced to
take a year off.
771969 1:GOALS-SOME The courses for my area of concentration for
my major were all so similar that they became redundant.
They concentrated on the same areas of Latin America during
the same time periods and completely neglected other Areas
of Latin America. Further, those classes effectively relate
themselves back to the entire International Affairs
curriculam.
2:WMAJ The Economics requirements aren't fair to
International Affairs majors and should be modified. I
understand the need for one to understand the importance of
economics because of the way it closely relates to
International Affairs. However, it isn't fair or realistic
to have students, the majority of which aren't math or
science oriented, to take a lower-division econ class,
possibly semesters before they take an upper-dicision econ.
class. A lot can be learned from the introductory courses
and even those are a struggle for many in the major, and I
don't think the upper-division classes truly correlate to
what IA majors know, or measure their intelligence. The
biggest problem with this is that they could possibly keep
them from graduating because one needs a C- or above to
graduate. If there was a way to make it a requirement to
take an econ class, but maybe, Pass-Fail, it would make it
less of an obstable and more of a learning experience for
IA students.
3:BMAJ The professors are passionate about they are
teaching and it reflects in their courses. Due to the fact
that IA is farily new, the faculty is new to it and they
make us all feel like we are working on something current
and exciting together.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F four years because my parents would not
give another dime to this University. The lack of interest
the administration has in its students and the significant
problems on this campus, which I myself have been subjected
to, have caused them to plead with me for over three years
to leave. Seeing that I wanted to stay for my own personal
reasons I they made agreement with me that they would pay
my tuition until the end of the four year program but would
never give the University more than the expected amount of
money. Therefore, in order to graduate on time I have had
to take 20 hours of credits for the past three semesters,
hardly having any time to myself or for anything else. This
work load is partially due to the fact that CU makes it
nearly impossible for a student to change majors and still
graduate on time, even if it is in their first year of
college, and I had incomplete classes to make-up as a
result of the poor counseling and support I recieved after
a traumatic incident that occurred on the CU campus. As a
result, I will leave in a hurry, never getting to fully
experience what I could have from my time in college. How
about you?
806337 1:GOALS-xxxx My major met my academic interest goals,
however, it did not meet my professional career goals.
2:WMAJ The advising, it is not clear enough.
3:BMAJ It provides a broad academic background to launnch
in to other subjects.
819973 1:GOALS-SOME Over the course of my college career, I had
some medical difficulties which required a lesser
performance of my academic abilities than I would have
liked. My professors were enormously helpful in working
with me to complete my courses, as was my advisor. I ended
up taking time off to become more healthy, but when I
returned, my GPA was not a reflection of my knowledge or
understanding of the material. Because of my GPA, though,
many opportunities were unavailable to me. I lack the
hands on experience that studying abroad or doing an
internship would have give to me. If possible, I think
that it should be a requirement for all IAFS students to
complete an internship or have volunteer experience which
directly coincides with their interests. As long as one is
in good academic standing with the department, then he or
she should be able to have this opportunity.
2:WMAJ More interactive group projects and more
presentations that would apply theories that are overly
discussed to current world issues. Also, I think that an
internship related to my major would have been the most
beneficial experience that would prepare me for a career
upon graduation.
3:BMAJ The professors and courses offered - I just wish
that there were more courses available in each semester.
4:DODIFF As a freshman, I was accepted into the
Engineering School. But I had no advising help to
understand my core requirements each semester when I
registered, and upon leaving the Engineering School and
searching for another major, little help was given to me at
all. When I decided on IAFS, the advising was fabulous,
but I had already taken some courses that really did
nothing to expediate my path to graduation. For those
students like me, I think that the understanding of core
requirements should be well known and better advertised.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F because I took time off for medical
reasons.
898344 1:GOALS-SOME The program was very theoretical with little
practicle application. Material covered in lower division
classes was constantly repeated in upper division classes
instead of covering new information.
2:WMAJ Apply the theory! Teach people to problem solve.
3:BMAJ I definately have a deeper understanding of how/why
the international arena works as it does. I also came away
with some opinions about how it should be and the role I
think the US should be playing. This major was always more
of a personal interest for me than something I was going to
pursue a career in so foe that it was good.
4:DODIFF I think the only way my time at CU could have
been very different is if I had more scholarships/financial
aid. I could have studied abroad, worked less so I could
be more involved in clubs and club sports.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F because I need time to explore what I
really want to study, also because I will need to work a
lot and don't want to overload my schedual so I can be a
good student and support myself.
899386 1:GOALS-DEF I was able to take both International Affairs
classes, which are my interest, as well as pre-med courses,
which is my career goal. I was able to afford to take five
years, including a study abroad, because of the low cost of
in-state tuition, something I could not have done out of
state.
2:WMAJ Smaller classes
3:BMAJ the professors - TOP NOTCH!!
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I can afford it as an in-state sutdent,
and there are so many things I would like to study while I
have the opportunity. Also, I have worked throughout my
entire college career, so I could only take 12 credits per
semester comfortably.
947624 1:GOALS-SOME Portuguese was not offered to the level it
was presented to me when I began the courses and
language. Great Seminar and critical thinking courses --
more of these should be offered!
2:WMAJ --MORE DIVERSITY = offer more languages and courses
for areas of influence
3:BMAJ --The well-rounded course material -- you learn so
much about many different fields!! well done
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T Because I need to work while attending
college in order to pay for all my expenses.
951013 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I took a lot of summer school
955085 2:WMAJ I would change the advisor, I found her to be not
very helpful. On the academic side of things I have
enjoyed the program, although I have not been very
satisfied with the University as a whole.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T because the requirements for graduation
take more than 4 years to cdomplete.
971836 1:GOALS-DEF class availablility must improve. not being
able to access classes for your major until the last
semester/year puts a large strain on academic workload.
Please decrease overall enrollment or increase the size of
the classes.
2:WMAJ I did not like the fact that my advisor left half
way through. I wish that I could have had one advisor the
whole time. Other than that I am satisfied- GO CU!
3:BMAJ the selection of different classes from different
departments.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F taking less than fifteen hours each
semester helps you focus on the course material and in my
opinion, you get more out of classes if you are not
constantly stressing about your workload.
976024 2:WMAJ Less PSCI classes...or learning to analyze things
more critically
3:BMAJ Good variety
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F because I want to get out into the real
world and start working...or go to law school.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-JPNS 870868 1:GOALS-SOME lots of repeat unneccesary course work,
especialy in the core section. Not enough focus on real
world job skills.
2:WMAJ Better advising, I had many miscommunications with
my advisor (cynthia drake) during my time here that
resulted in many problems that we had to fix.
3:BMAJ The chance to learn about another culture
4:DODIFF Stayed in the dorms my freshmen year if I had had
enough money.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I have worked very hard not only during
college but in highschool to obtain the maximium level of
learning possible. The SAVE program allowed me to complete
two majors in four years. You should definitly take
advantage of it.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-KINE 181408 1:GOALS-SOME I felt that some areas met my education
goals, where I felt challenged academically. In other
areas I felt challenged, but I did not understand why it
was necessary to take the course. I felt that I could have
taken something that was more fitted to what I have in
mind. In other words, a course I could have taken to fit
my ideas for after college.
2:WMAJ Get rid of the academic advisor. I have had one
particular advisor for my first three years. She was
wonderful and we were on the same page. I knew the classes
that I needed to take and she made her recommendations.
Then this year, I was given a new advisor. She is aweful!
She said that I need such and such of a requirement to
graduate, which made me nervous until I realized that I was
already enrolled in that requirement. It would be helpful
if she understood and knew my record a little better. She
is supposed to know these things in my opinion.
3:BMAJ Anatomy! This class is wonderful! The hands on
lab where students learn straight from the cadavor is
wonderful. I think this is one of the best classes offered
at CU-Boulder. Ruth Heisler is very organized and knows
what she is doing.
4:DODIFF I have heard many people come back from studying
abroad saying it was one of the best experiences of their
lives. I'm sorry I missed that. Within my four years
here, I have found my true academic interest. If I had
explored different classes earlier I would have changed
majors.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I came in having declared my major and
continued with it. I have found that I was the only person
that I knew who stuck with the major they declared. Oftens
it takes longer to complete a major if the decision is to
change majors with in four years.
220027 1:GOALS-DEF It met my goal, because my goal was to obtain
knowledge in the field of kinesiology that i can take with
me once I graduate.
2:WMAJ Make the classes easier, not so that people will
get better grades, but that people will really learn the
material and not just learn for the tests.
3:BMAJ It's size. It's nice knowing a lot of the people in
my graduating class.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I think it is a realistic timeline that
we arre given to graduate in, and since I stuck to my
schedule, I will have no problem finishing in four years.
Not to mention, the earlier you finish, the less tuition
you have to pay.
368165 1:GOALS-DEF I felt that the Kinesiology program is a good
preview of what is to come for my future in health care,
specifically physical therapy. I thought the coursework
was intense and comprehensive enough to prepare me for this
field, and that the curriculum catered to a pre-health
approach. I also felt that the liberal arts approach
allowed for sufficient exploration into different fields of
study, and provided a well-rounded education. The only
thing I felt lacking in my program of study was the
opportunity for application within the clinical setting. I
had to actively search out internships and felt that many
of the classes were more abstract than practical, which
made it hard to apply the theories in an actual setting.
2:WMAJ The ability to choose an emphasis between research
and clinical applications.
3:BMAJ The intensity and prestige of the program, which I
feel has prepared me for a future in the healthcare
industry.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I want to finish my undergraduate degree
and move on in my life. I figure the sooner I can get
done, the sooner I can begin my career in the health
services. I also want to graduate as soon as possible to
minimize the amount money I pay to attend
school. Although I transferred to CU my sophomore year,
I will still be able to graduate in four years. This is
due to the fact that I have taken full credit loads every
semester, and have worked hard to achieve academic success.
372441 1:GOALS-NO My goals lie in chiropractic, much of the
classes i was required to take made my load larger, and
applied very little to my major. Also, core classes that
were offered were all biased and had little relevance to
what I would consider truth. Core classes tended to be
classes intent on brainwashing ignorant students in effort
to convert them to the boulder ideals. This was done by
requiring courses related to liberal points of view with
little offering of opposing viewpoints. I believe that it
is unethical to put this burden on students and force them
through such classes where there is little ability to
express one's own opinion unless it fits with the biased
perspective presented in classes. Especially since they
have nothing to do with my major.
2:WMAJ Downsizing classes under at least 100 with
professors that can teach and grade fairly
3:BMAJ Specialized classes are fun and interesting
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F ideally I would like to leave and pursue
my goals as soon as possible, fullfilling all requirements
necessary in order to attain a degree so that recieving a
scholarship in grad school would be much more available.
CU has been a good experience, for personal growth and
learning, however educationally I do not feel as if I
learned what will be important to me in the future.
Therefore I plan to leave in four years.
409520 1:GOALS-xxxx CU Boulder gave me a strong academic
background but not enough practical experience. I think the
kinesiology dept. should look into structuring an
internship class and more contacts in the community.
3:BMAJ The enthusiasm of the professors and staff about
what they are teaching, the students, and the department.
My major has an excellent faculty who are very knowlegeable
and caring.
416230 1:GOALS-SOME Some required courses were not related
closely to my major, for example, two semesters of chem and
two semesters of physics is a lot more chem and phys than a
kinesiology major needs. I would have liked to take more
kines courses instead.
2:WMAJ Have more courses geared towards kinesiology, less
general science courses.
3:BMAJ Hands on oppurtunities such as working with
cadavers and animals.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transferred schools, took a few years
off, changed majors, and didn't pass all my courses.
434189 1:GOALS-SOME The major was to confining and did not allow
students to branch out and expirience other fields because
we were too restricted to meeting the requirements in time
to graduate.
2:WMAJ allow a little more versitility in course
selection, so that students get to expirience broader
horizons.
3:BMAJ I really have enjoyed my classes the higher I have
gotten though the program.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T actually I am graduating in three and a
half years because I took classes every summer since my
senior year of high school, along with AP classes in high
school and taking some community college courses while in
high school.
475866 1:GOALS-DEF I learned a lot about both the theoretical
and the practical.
2:WMAJ I would not keep changing the name!
3:BMAJ The teachers all know and enjoy what it is they are
teaching, even the scientific writing teachers.
4:DODIFF I would have started off as an open-option major.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I took s semester off, transfered, and
switched to my present major spring of my junior year.
502924 1:GOALS-SOME I feel that I could have used my money at a
smaller school had had more attention from faculty and
staff. I felt that lower division classes were to big and
all you needed to be able to do is memorize information and
regurgitate for an exam and then you could forget about it.
the upper division classes the professors are more
interested in their research then in teaching and they only
did the later because they were required to do so. I feel
that the education at a large university is money oriented
and I coudl read text books on my own to learn what I was
taught. I would have liked to see more application of the
information then just memorizing information. I will be
much more selective in my selection of a graduate program
and more than likley will not be at the University of
Colorado. A large dissapointment I had with the university
was the advising. I wish there was more exploration on
career opportunities as well as the emphasis on couse
selection. I will be graduating but I am lacking a few
classes that are required for other areas of interest that
I had. I did not find out that these particular courses
were required until I was ready to graduate. I will be
taking these courses at another university as I continue to
prepare for a graduate program. So I did not feel the
advising was very personable. Also if you wanted career
services it is a seperate department and you needed to pay
for the counseling, which begs the question, where is my
tuition money going?
2:WMAJ I am a poor tester and I learn in a hands on
application of information setting. I do not feel I did as
well because it was a format of cram as much information in
as you can and then forget about it once the test is over.
I do understand that the personal level in which I am
looking for can not be taught on such a large campus.
Smaller classes and more experience based classes is what I
would change. But money ultimatley dictates the function
of a university.
3:BMAJ My eyes were opened to how so many of the courses
could relate to one another. But there was poor
integration of information between courses. I was retaught
everything that was pertinant to the next course from a
previous course. I did begin to see how the information
was integrated into the field of medicine but maybe the
sspecialization will come in grad school.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T This is due to the fact that the
university was not really concerned with my career goals.
I felt that I was just taking the classes that were
required to graduate and then from there it was up tp me as
to where to go and why to go. I felt that I was just a
number pushed through a program an not much individual
attention was given to me and my individual needs. But I
am finished left to contemplate if I really am ready for a
graduate program and wheter or not if the degree I earned
is going to be of any value in finding a job in the interum.
520399 1:GOALS-SOME CU Boulder offers a good, wide-spread
curriculum, but in the case of my major there were so many
lower-division courses to get through before moving on to
the things that really mattered to my future field that is
was more than a bit daunting at times to remember why I was
doing what I was doing.
2:WMAJ The Math requirements, because of the direction I'm
planning on going and the utter pain I went through in
forcing myself through a class that won't really come into
my life. Now, 50% of the above is bitching, I acknowledge
that, but it's true nevertheless.
3:BMAJ It's a broad program that gives you the skills and
prereqs you need to enter secondary schooling in a variety
of programs.
4:DODIFF I would take calculus somewhere else. I'm sorry,
but while I've been satisfied with the teaching in most
departments, I've not been very impressed with the
undergraduate instructors for Mathematics.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I changed my major from English to KAPH
during my sophomore year and have had a lot of catching up
to do.
535761 1:GOALS-DEF Helped me learn broad knowledge but in the
end be able to apply it to my area of interest.
2:WMAJ I think moving the anatomy and physiology to IPHY
is a good idea. I think that there is too much time between
freshman year intro to kines and senior year when you start
to get to take kines classes again. It would be good to
have some classes in actually what you are interested in in
between.
3:BMAJ I like the broadness of scope of the KAPH major.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I began college with 30 credits from AP
and am excited to get out into the world. I am able to get
both degrees done in 4 years.
581349 2:WMAJ Better advising . . . need to amke sure people will
graduate when they want to.
3:BMAJ The faculty that teach the upper division courses
are amazing!
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am doing a concurrent program.
602236 1:GOALS-SOME Instuctors and Professors goals for teaching
students seem to fall off course as the semester continues.
The price I pay for classes greatly exceeds the knowledge
I take away with me each semester and the instructors and
professors are to blame. Some people may be excellent at
research but do not have the patience and organization to
teach others.
2:WMAJ I would change the bachelor of arts to a bachelor
of science
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I changed my major when I found
something that I had more interest in. Also, I cannot
afford to take the time away from work each semester.
663829 1:GOALS-SOME Classes were very large and learning was not
as condusive to a strictly lecture environment. Labs
were effective to teach practical applications.
2:WMAJ The change is already happening in the Kinesiology
department, I just wish it had happened sooner. Also some
teachers were not very good. They combine the EPOB and
Kines to Integrative Physiolgy. Maybe creating your own
major would be more productive. Especially for
pre-professional students. (Law, Medicine,...)
3:BMAJ Labs.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T It is important to join the workforce
first after getting a bachelors, in order to get experience
and figure out what you want to do in grad school. In
order to be a professional, a BA is not enough credential.
680484 1:GOALS-DEF Very much did...I've used many skills that
I've learned in school in my present job and internship!!
3:BMAJ really enjoyed the classes that are required both
major and core
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I know what I want to do and don't want
to waste the money!!
688087 1:GOALS-DEF Prepared me for life after my undergraduate
education. Gained knowledge about a wide range of
topics.
2:WMAJ I wish they had changed the major to Integrated
Physiology earlier so I could have taken immunology, etc. I
love all the changes they are making in my major, I was
just a couple of years too late!
3:BMAJ The faculty
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I carefully planned out my courses so
that I could ensure that I would be able to take all my
necessary classes in 4 years. I took a heavy course load. I
plan on going to medical school so I wanted to finish my
undergraduate degree without increasing the amount of time
that I am in school.
705329 1:GOALS-SOME I would have wanted to learn more in other
areas too yet their were schedule conflicts within the
Kinesiology major (all the classes that we most take are at
the same time every semster or only one of the
semsters-spring or fall)
2:WMAJ To stop changing its name, structure, coursework,
etc- it got confusing and I feel it made me miss out on a
lot.
3:BMAJ The faculty and students are interesting and pretty
good people
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transferred and many of my classes
were not accepted (even from Georgetown University even
some of thes weren't accepted). Also, EVERY UPPER DIVISION
KINESIOLOGY CLASS IS BASCIALLY OFFERED AT SAME TIME OF DAY.
727856 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T i transfered and changed majors once I
got to CU, this added a few extra semesters
749168 2:WMAJ Some of the teachers are not approachable which
makes it hard to ask questions if all they do is degrade
you. At the same time many of the teacher are very helpful.
3:BMAJ Everything can be appied to every day life
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F CU is too expensive especially if you're
out of state.
773846 1:GOALS-SOME The writing programs here are absolutely
horrendous. My writing professors knew little abotu the
field they attempted to "teach" to the students. The
assignments were consistently trivial busy work that only
pissed me off and had nothing to do with strengthening me
as a writer. Every other senior I know agrees with me.
2:WMAJ Allow students to decide whether or not they will
need certain courses such as Physics or Biomechanics. I
will never be using either one of those in my future and
both destroyed my otherwise fine GPA
3:BMAJ Sensorimotor Neuroscience. Professor Enoka is the
xxxx.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Switched majors and neede more time.
828378 1:GOALS-SOME I would like to see the classes get more into
practical areas to apply the science learned.
2:WMAJ To add more practical uses of the info being
learned.
3:BMAJ The courses are very interesting and challenging.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T Because I attended the Air Force Academy
Prep School, which is a year program, and no credits from
their transfer to a university or college.
839220 1:GOALS-SOME The Kinesiology program met my expectations
in that I was able to take most courses needed as
prerequisits for graduate school, however there were a
couple of classes I had to take as extras to my major
courses.
2:WMAJ More nutrition classes.
3:BMAJ It was really hard, so I feel like I have
accomplished a lot in graduating.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I wanted to graduate in four years
because it is a four year degree, and I'm from out of state.
861151 2:WMAJ I think they really need a better adviser. I felt
the adviser did a terrible job in telling me what classes
to take. I never went to see her because each time I would
become more frustrated.
3:BMAJ I liked the way they suggested you take classes.
The only suggestion I would make is to tell people to take
Biomechanics right after you take Physics.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F my major did an excellent job of keeping
me on track to graduate in four years, making sure I took
the appropriate courses each year.
871320 1:GOALS-DEF I feel prepared for graduate school
2:WMAJ ba able to have a more substantial career after
graduating with a bacholors degree without having to go to
a graduate program
3:BMAJ Information that i can understand
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T changed majors and colleges
900896 1:GOALS-SOME There didnt seem to be very much variability
in what was learned. I hear thats changing and Im a little
jealous. I wish I could have had a little more of a choice
in what classes I took so I had more of an emphasis one way
or another. Other than that I feel like i learned a lot of
helpful information.
2:WMAJ flexibility
3:BMAJ I know how to live a healthy life and how the body
works
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I took summer classes and worked hard. I
dont know how some people take any longer than maybe four
and a half.
910214 1:GOALS-SOME I would have like to have more experience
with the different pre-med/pre-nursing/pre-physical therapy
programs. As much as our classes offer us the background
for these graduate programs, we know nothing about the
actual experience until we get into the grad school. I
really enjoyed my classes and thought that the teachers
were wonderful, however my main concern lies within the
teaching assistants. I think that there needs to be a much
more rigid entry process for teaching assistantships.
Since so many of our courses rely heavily on our lab grade
and communication by our TA, it is important that he/she
knows what they are talking about and speaks English well.
The thing I regret most about my major is that my courses
rely heavily on whether or not I had a good TA for the
semester. That makes a huge difference on whether you can
learn the material or not.
2:WMAJ The amount of core classes that don't apply to
anything that either is essential for my major, or will be
essential for anything in my future. Several of the core
classes were a waste of time and I would have rather been
taking something that would apply to my future or major. I
would also like to see more variety in the courses offered
to the Kinesiology majors, but I believe that they are
working on that with the integration of physiology and
kinesiology... I'm just a little late :) Also, Teaching
Assistants... they make or break a course for students,
especially when our grades rely heavily on lab/recitation.
It makes a huge difference when a teacher knows what they
are talking about and is passionate about teaching. You
can really tell when a teacher is there to get research
grants and has to teach to get it.
3:BMAJ My classes were amazing, and several of my
professors were brilliant and really enjoyed teaching. The
opportunities available for us, such as lab assistants,
internships, working in the labs, etc are wonderful for us
to get experience and see if what it is like to be a grad
student here. I feel like I receieved a much more useful
education with my major when compared to several of my
friends with different arts and sciences degrees.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I knew what I wanted to do with my
degree and I checked on the courses that I needed to take.
I made myself a list of the classes and which semester I
should take them because my advisor did not help me one
bit. When I did talk to an advisor they gave me inaccurate
information and I ended up better off keeping my own
records. Therefore, I knew when classes were offered and
what semester I needed to take them in order to finish my
major and minor within four years.
923085 1:GOALS-DEF I was a sports medicine student intern. It
helped me to keep my studies on track and re-emphasized a
lot of the things I was learning in class. There were also
opportunities for internships in fields of interest.
2:WMAJ That the faculty actually cared that the students
LEARN the material, and not that they take the test that
will be curved anyways to make the teacher look better.
3:BMAJ The opportunity to earn credits for my work.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am purusing two degrees and did not
get into CU's nursing schools so I must reapply to other
schools.
972130 1:GOALS-DEF I feel like I learned a lot. However, we did
not get very much clinical education, which was a downfall.
2:WMAJ Scheduling classes required for the major at the
same time and making lots of classes at 8am or after 2pm.
3:BMAJ Mostly everyone gets along.
4:DODIFF Add a second major.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F it costs too much too go for longer.
990679 1:GOALS-SOME The program did meet my goals in the fact
that the education that I have recieved has been a good
experiance. It did not however meet my goals with the fact
that the major is consistantly changing all the time,
leaving students unaware of the type of degree that they
are recieving.
2:WMAJ Have a definitive course work schedule.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T due to the fact that my degree is ever
changing and I have lost so many credits from transfering
to CU. When it seems that many of the credits that are not
being accounted for can be used towards my degree. Now I
have yet another year left which was a lot longer than what
I was originally told by my counselor.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-LING 583999 1:GOALS-NO I don't feel that i will be leaving college
with a marketable skill.
2:WMAJ It would have been nice if my advisor hadn't been
changed each year.
3:BMAJ The size; it allowed for small classes and more
opportunity to interact with the faculty.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I entered CU with almost a full year of
credit, which i earned through my high school's IB program.
If i had not had that credit, it would have taken longer
than four years.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-MATH 149716 2:WMAJ Competent lower devision teaching... people come
here to be taught by those that are good teachers, not just
renowned researchers trying to fill a quota.
3:BMAJ I will be leaving with more knowledge and schooling
than what I started with.
4:DODIFF Would like to have more help in time management
and take more advantage of the counceling services
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have a variety of intrests, and not
all of them add up to a degree. I will be completing 2 -
3/4 degrees, and one full degree by the time of graduation.
I've also had to drop many classes due to eternal
circumstances, and this has prolonged my graduation.
150331 1:GOALS-SOME I had started in Communication hoping to
learn more about actually interacting with people, which
did not happen. In Mathematics I did learn a lot about
Mathematics, and had a good experience over all with the
department, except for the MFAT test at the end of the
program. Overall I felt that I had to forcibly pursue my
own educational goals to a large extent and that there was
no one as a guide for the overall experience, only simply
to explain degree requirements.
2:WMAJ NOT HAVING THE MFAT TEST. The test was
inconsistent with the degree requirements! I am in Plan 2,
which has a very flexible class structure (which is what
attracted me to the program!). However, THE TEST
SIGNIFICANTLY COVERED AREAS THAT ARE NOT REQUIRED IN THE
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS. Analysis, Abstract Algebra, etc.
3:BMAJ The Professors, they seem to be the best teachers
out of all the departments I have been in and the most
interested in students.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I did not figure out what I really
wanted to study until several years into the programs.
There was no way to simply get a Bachelor's degree in
Liberal Arts without having to pick a field to specialize
in, which I was not actually very interested in. I also
decided to pursue work opportunities throughout my academic
career.
164134 2:WMAJ less theory and more application. We learn an
unbelievable amount of theoretical mathematics that is
completely useless outside of the class it is presented in.
I would rather learn applications and number crunching
than proofs.
3:BMAJ you're kidding right?
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F classes are not based upon equivalent
material. One class may use an entirely different
foundation that does not carry over to the next class. The
teachers obviously know the material, but they aren't great
at transfering it to students. The material is overly
theoretical and would be better suited for graduate level
study.
232666 1:GOALS-SOME I know more about the universe now then when
I started that's good. But I'd like to see higher standards
from math professors, make us work harder
2:WMAJ Chris Greene was the professor others should strive
to be. He taught abouve the class which required us all to
strive and work harder and I'm much better for it. CU has
some smart people and I think alot of professors teach
below their capabilities.
3:BMAJ Knowing more about the universe
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I'm double majoring and I want to know
more about the universe.
257255 1:GOALS-SOME It has provided me with more than enough of a
back ground to teach math in high school, and in some
senses that is good, and in others it is a bit frustrating
b/c I feel as if I could have gone on to get an education
degree after having taken CALC I.
2:WMAJ can't think of anything right now
3:BMAJ the instructors and advisors
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I decided I no longer wanted to pursue a
career in psychology and decided I wanted to get a degree
in mathematics so that I can teach it in a high school one
fine day!
311842 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I want to complete a second major which
I had not started until my Junior year.
341518 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I was forced to work for two years and
resume my college education later.
408717 1:GOALS-NO Courses are often offered at random times,
with random teachers, who seem to have little or no
interest in the particular course you are taking. I often
find it difficult to get in certain classes, and no one
drops classes until after the first exam (when it is too
late to get in). Classes change so much from semester to
semester--classes that sound interesting one semester are
often taught very differently the next semester.
2:WMAJ I would create a philosophy of Mathematics degreee.
3:BMAJ Flexibility in upper division classes.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I took time of, and transferred a couple
times.
417602 1:GOALS-DEF My math degree has given the necessary
knowledge to go along with my physics degree in the pursuit
of a PhD in physics.
2:WMAJ A stronger mathematics dept where the faculty
interacted more with the students and encouraged them to
become active in research.
3:BMAJ The dept is very organized and logical.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I came into CU with a lot of AP credit,
which has allowed flexibility in my schedule and has
practically guaranteed a 4 year graduation.
432102 1:GOALS-DEF I came here to learn... I started with no
major and am planning on leaving wtih two degrees. I felt
that no matter what I was intent on learning here at CU it
would be possible. I am also often surprised by the things
I didn't expect to Learn, from the more general educational
curriculum.
2:WMAJ More structure, and perhaps diferent curriculums
that reflect the different paths which exist in the
computer science industry.
3:BMAJ The relatively small size of the department
(faculty and students) which makes getting to know people
very easy, and is very useful in the learning environment.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F After taking a year off out of high
school, which is something I reccomend looks into, I came
into CU with a fresh start and made sure I took some
serious time assesing possible majors. I used my first year
as a way to look at several different options. I setteled
on going into the engineering department and more
specifically with computer science. Not once since I made
my decision have I regretted my choice of major. I think it
was critical for me to really put everything in perspective
and also for me to refelct and see what I wanted to
accomplish with my life. Having taken the the extra time I
never felt rushed and I believe that has helped me make the
right decisions, acedemic and otherwise, while I am here at
CU.
457111 1:GOALS-SOME My educational goals throughout the course of
my study. This is NOT the fault of my major department. I
changed what I wanted.
2:WMAJ Fire Homer Ellis, not let him teach, or at least
force him to incorporate more structure into his classes.
3:BMAJ Sarcastically speaking, the fact that I am actually
qualified for absolutely nothing.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F When I'm a junior I'm going to have sex
with a drunk woman I meet at a bar. She'll have my baby and
I'll be forced to quit school. After struggling for 9
years, taking classes part-time, I will finally return to
school as a full-time student only to find that although I
am more diligent than I was when I was 22, I lack the
skills in my major to do as well as I did when I was a
full-time student before.
475019 1:GOALS-SOME The program meet my desire to learn,
sometimes though the classes and the professors were
lacking.
2:WMAJ The strict aspect of what you must take outside of
your major, I would allow any classes outside of my major
to count towards a set total amount of required credit.
3:BMAJ Almost all of the professors had a love for what
they were teaching.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I took some time to decide what major I
was interested in and went on study abroad.
503396 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T trying to get the most out of this place.
559220 1:GOALS-DEF I feel it has given me gooed knowlege in the
field of mathematics, and I can explain the foundations of
it for teaching purposes. It has also helped me in
managing time spent between schoolwork and cheerleading.
2:WMAJ I would like to not have a blind teacher, but for
Analysis that was the only section I could take with my
schedual
3:BMAJ I really enjoyed my number theory class. Part was
because of my professor (Tubbs) who was great, and also
because that material really interested me.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have to complete student teaching, and
I have taken between 12 and 16 hours each semester which
put me behind by only 1 semester.
570463 2:WMAJ more selective acceptance requirements. i feel
there is currently a dilution of talent in the math
department.
3:BMAJ the faculty are top-notch and the classes cover a
broad range of theoretical topics.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I entered freshman year with 36 hours of
AP credit.
577252 1:GOALS-SOME I feel somewhat satisfied with the education
at boulder. I feel I have an excellent well-roundedness.
However, I don't feel that I particularly excell very well
in one field.
2:WMAJ Get rid of the MFAT (Major Field Acheviement Test).
Hire more advisors.
3:BMAJ The faculty is very proficent and skilled in my
major field.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfer in as a junior and CU gave me
the shaft on transfer credit. I was very dissatisfied with
the transfer credit I recieved.
591461 1:GOALS-DEF The class selection was very good. It allowed
me to follow my physics major. Some of the professors were
a little incompetent as teachers while accomplished as
mathemeticians.
2:WMAJ I would have liked more interaction with the
faculty. I would have also liked more opportunities for
research.
3:BMAJ Nothing comes to mind.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I had two majors.
656965 1:GOALS-DEF Get more teachers that speak english. It is
very discouraging to have TA that do not speak the english
language, go to school for free, and do not care about our
education. Some of us are paying a lot of money to get a
quality education and I think the university should better
reflect this in their choice of undergraduate teaching
staff, especially TA's.
2:WMAJ AS mentioned before, i would seriously look over
the cualifications of the people I hire to be TA's. A
knowledge of the english language is essential, an critical
to the job of teaching. I am appaled at the number of TA
that CANNOT communicate with their class.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T Because I have to earn a living outside
the classroom.
659262 1:GOALS-NO The programs were too easy. I was able to
drift through both majors with minimal effort while
maintaining a near 4.0 gpa. I had a few classes that lived
up to my expectations of college classes, but most seemed
like high school courses.
2:WMAJ I would make the program more challenging in
general. More classes, more material covered, stricter
grading, etc.
3:BMAJ It didn't require more than a few hours a week for
homework, so I had a lot of free time.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F It actually took three years, and could
have taken less time. I came in with over 30 credits from
AP tests. If I knew how easy college coursework was I
would have taken a lot more classes each semester and
graduated in two and a half or less years.
676344 1:GOALS-DEF I have been challenaged and I was forced to
really use my mind to get through my classes. Math is
different than other majors where I feel like you just
regurate the information. Even though I hated my major at
times I'm glad I did it.
3:BMAJ The professors, they push you to expand your mind.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I got my requirements done, and I done
want to give CU anymore money.
716104 2:WMAJ Don't have graduate students teach. Also teach
faculty how to teach. Much of the Mathematics faculty do
not know how to teach and thus makes the classes and the
content excruciating. I used to love Mathematics, but the
faculty drains all of the enjoyment out of it. Many of them
do not know how to connect with their students. I've had
some courses where it has taken two months before the
instructor/professor informs the students what is expected
out of them or if they will even use homework in the
course. Poor planning. Easily seen that instructors do not
care about their students.
3:BMAJ Jeanne Clelland is an AWESOME teacher.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F It is impossible not to finish all of
one's coursework in four years if a person actually cares
about obtaining an education at the university.
744727 1:GOALS-DEF My educational goals encompassed many fields
and subjects of study. I was very pleased with the fact
that even though CU pushed certain reqs on me I was still
able to pick my classes from a fairly large pool.
Also, I wish that there were fewer restrictions in terms of
being able to take classes that are not my major.
Particularly in Literature, there seemed to be only two
classes available: Shakespeare and Contemporary Lit - there
is got to be more! Overall, however, I am very happy
with CU and the flexibility it provides.
2:WMAJ Nothing - great job!
3:BMAJ The best thing about my major program is that there
is NOTHING I'd like to change about it (see above).
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I gots to move on! I completed all my
reqs, no reason to stay longer. Eager to go to grad school.
745007 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I got involved in an internship I was
not prepared for. I let the internship take precedence
over academic activities which resulted in very poor
academic performance over several semesters. The fault is
entirely my own, including accepting the internship, not
being prepared for it, and letting it affect my academics
as it did. In any case, the struggles associated with the
experience have greatly extended my time at CU and will
make it much more difficult for me to achieve post-graduate
academic goals.
747984 1:GOALS-SOME Some courses drifted to far away from the
course description. The teaching of upper level courses
seemed to be vague, they had the approach that the students
had to teach themselves the material, which didn't work for
me.
2:WMAJ Some of the required courses. There are courses
that I feel are unnecessary to the route that I wish to
persue, but unfortunately are required by the program.
3:BMAJ The advising. Unlike the engineering advising, my
programs advising is actually helpful and willing to meet
with you. The fact that there is a requirments sheet that
shows the relevent courses is also a big help.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have 3 majors which span two degrees.
I took me a while to discover what I wanted to do at CU and
once I finally realized my goals, it tokk about 2 years to
be in a position where I could begin working towards the
aforementioned goals. I also wanted to experience study
abroad which adds time to my education at CU.
778851 1:GOALS-SOME Additional courses I was interested in taking
were often not available.
2:WMAJ More interaction with industry (any related
industry).
3:BMAJ The Professors.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I spent a semester in Argentina helping
family memebers.
807147 1:GOALS-SOME Mathematics provided me with a solid base of
knowledge but left me on my own when it came to learning
how to apply it (i.e. using Maple/Mathematica/Matlab and
limited programming). There are also very few research
opprotunities, something which CU is clearly behind in with
respect to other institutions. In my honest opinion, a
minority of superstar Professors (Goodrich, the Clellands,
etc.) really carry this program. However, if I knew of
someone who was serious about studying Mathematics I'd
probably recomend going elsewehre becasue one doesn't
normally recieve the individualized attention and research
oprotuinities at CU that are easily available elsewhere.
2:WMAJ Again, more individualized attention from
Professors who really care.
3:BMAJ If you ask around and work it right, you can take
classes from a bunch of great Professors who really know
the material well and are excited about it.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F that's how long I could afford to pay
and two years past the point where I felt the return of my
investment.
885572 2:WMAJ As a physics major I felt like we were just
scratching the surface on most subjects instead of focusing
on understanding one thing very well. The course work was
always a mile long, but only an inch deep.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am recieving two degrees; implying
that I must stay in college for a required five years.
897154 3:BMAJ Intro to Abstract Math was the best course
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I came to CU with 19 credits in my major
from AP tests and classes I took while in high school.
912388 2:WMAJ Professor skill at interaction with students. Less
intuitive teachers perhaps. Better description of what
classes are cross-listed as graduate and at what level they
will be taught. Abstract Algebra 2 was cross listed and I
was not aware that it was a purely graduate level course
3:BMAJ Very clear major requirements, flexible.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I had to drop a course late, otherwise I
would have finished in four years. Now I have to take a
summer class.
917252 1:GOALS-xxxx I felt that the time spent doing homework for
my classes both in my major and otherwise would have been
better spent doing personal research and exploration in
mathematics. I feel like I've gained more understanding of
mathematics from my personal studies than I have at CU, and
much to my dismay, I don't feel like I've earned an
education, but just a diploma signifying my ability to
commit long hours to mind-numbing activities.
936073 2:WMAJ More advisors! It is so hard to schedule a time to
meet with my advisor, due to her busy schedule. When I need
immediate help, I am turned away just as immediately.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have no clue what my career interests
are. I enjoy most classes, however none truely compell me
to study further.
999502 1:GOALS-SOME I was satisfied with the demand of the
professors
2:WMAJ Better advising!
3:BMAJ The dedication and super high quality of the
professors. Small classes in math!
4:DODIFF I thought about transferring and would still
consider doing it
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I just discovered what I want my major
to be and so I have to take extra classes to accomplish that
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-MCDB 110494 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F money reasons.
131344 1:GOALS-SOME Many of the upper division classes I saw in
the registration handbook my freshman year disappeared
before I ever could take them. This was very frustrating
because I had to continually throw away and remake my plans
for graduation. The classes I did end up taking, however,
were very well run and interesting.
2:WMAJ Keep the list of electives more constant, and
include a critical thinking course. The only cirtical
thinking course close to MCDB is in biochemistry, which you
need to have an extra class in order to take anyway, so you
have to have 2 classes in order to fulfill the core
requirement. I disdain politics, which is unfortunately
where the majority of critical thinking core
requirement-filling classes are available. It's a waste of
my time.
3:BMAJ It is intensive and thorough, covering just about
everything you could need to know about molecular biology.
4:DODIFF I wouldn't have played video games. They wasted
far too much of my precious time.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I took an extra year to study abroad in
Japan. It was the best thing I've ever done. I pity those
who do not take the opportunity to expand themselves and
instead end up stuck in their own small, isolated, and
biased world.
144032 2:WMAJ I'd make cell and molecular biology into one year
long course. That way the two classes could build on each
other without being so repetative.
3:BMAJ The labs are an amazing learning experience.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F Actually, I'm only going to take three
years because I earned so much credit while in high school.
My advisors kept trying to get me to take a lighter load
or classes that didn't really count for anything, so it's
only by taking control of my own education that I have
managed to graduate so soon.
153893 1:GOALS-xxxx The gigantic lower division classes and the
disinterested T.A.'s teaching the lab sections made me feel
like a number. As a upper classman, the smaller courses
directed at critical thinking allowed me an oppertunity to
interact with the faculty and other students, but it still
seemed like too little too late. As a student with more
than one major, my MCDB advisor worked much harder than
either of my other advisors to know my name. Yet, overall I
would explain my educational experience as being thrown to
the wolves. I survived, but this program is tailored to
science majors that want to go into research, even though
it is a B.A. program. As a student who wants to apply my
bachelor's degree to other, more integrated fields of
science I feel ill-equipped to market my knowledge in the
work place. I do NOT believe this should be a B.A. program
because the heavy major requirements prevent a well-rounded
liberal arts degree. I would recommend, as would many of
classmates, that the MCDB major be awarded a B.S. It would
help them all get into medical school, after all.
215604 1:GOALS-SOME I felt that I didn't get a chance in
lowerdivision courses to make presentations on current
research or learn strong scientific writing skills. It
wasn't until my senior (4th year) when I began to do these
things. Also, I feel that professors bombard us will
information, yet really don't do a good job of putting the
smaller pieces together into one big picture (ex: How
biochemistry relates to molecular biology)
2:WMAJ More integration between the fields of molecular
biology, chemistry, genetics. A greater focus on how
overall concepts relate to current research. I would
strongly suggest not requiring students in the MCDB major
to take Physics. It was a waste of my time and I feel it
had nothing to do with what I was studying in other
classes. It is completely out of place. Instead I suggest
adding an lower division scientific writing course or a
course on public speaking.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have two majors and will have one
elective course in MCDB left after four years. I prefer
not to take summer courses because I can't imagine learning
all the information in an MCDB course in such a limited
amount of time.
332731 1:GOALS-DEF I think that my program could benefit from
relating the very detail-oriented components to larger
scale biological situations or theories. MCDB curriculum
can get a little caught up in specifics to the detriment of
the bigger picture. Also, my experience with the physics
department here (in comparison to Notre Dame where I also
took physics) was very negative. My professor was totally
disinterested and did not care about students and the
learning experience was dissatisfying at best.
2:WMAJ The physics department needs work. I would also
make research or internship opportunities known to students
from the start through their advisors. I know my advisor
is just now implementing this and it would have been
helpful for me.
3:BMAJ It is fascinating! My professors have been very
passionate and knowledgeable and have made my experience
very enjoyable/beneficial.
4:DODIFF I would have worked in a lab over one of my
summers here. I could not do this kind of thing during the
academic year because I was a varsity athlete but I am
certain the experience would have made me more marketable
and would have helped round out my educational experience.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I started college out at Notre Dame and
chose to take a year off after my freshman year because I
was entirely burned out on varsity soccer and school.
After taking a year off I transferred to the University of
Colorado Boulder where I have finished my degree in four
years. Therefore, I was a student for 4 years but took 5
years to go through the college experience. Taking a year
off was one of the best decisions I ever made because it
helped me to learn many things about myself and grow as a
person in a way that being a student athlete did not allow.
I loved that I went to two different schools too; it has
given me a unique perspective on my academic and athletic
experiences that I would not otherwise have.
335495 1:GOALS-SOME I had wished that there was more lab work or
required independent or lab-related research outside of the
normal classes.
2:WMAJ More research and lab experience
3:BMAJ Upper division electives integrate many of the
topics we have learned throughout the program into
different fields (ie immunology and human disease)
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I am able to copmlete the graduation
requirements in 4 years and will have plenty of school left
ofter I graduate from CU.
339919 1:GOALS-DEF I felt like MCDB was a good mix of all types
of science. I really though that the the program had a
great selection of upper division elective courses.
2:WMAJ I would definitely have a GRE subject exam class
offered by the program (sort of a review class of what was
learned the past three years). I would have the councelors
give out schedules and planners like the engineering
program does. I would have councelors inform us more about
graduating with honors. I would also have our program
promote doing more things outside of just studying.
3:BMAJ I like how we could sign up for programs a semester
early if we were on the waitlist. I also liked how three
of the four core biology classes had labs with them. I
think the labs are very important.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I have finished all of my credit and
course requirments. I do not feel like I need to stay
longer since I've learned a substancial amount of
information that should help me make near future decisions.
378717 1:GOALS-SOME I enjoy the hands on experience in the field,
but educationally I don't feel I have recieved a quality
education in comparison to that of a small school that is
not so focused on research.
2:WMAJ I would have the hard upperdivision courses taught
by those who really want to be there teaching. I think a
lot of the professors who are mainly researchers don't care
as much about teaching.
3:BMAJ It is very cutting edge and I feel like we have all
the lab equipment necessary to have good research
experience.
4:DODIFF I would have stayed at the smaller instituion
which I began my studies. I feel like I recieved a better
education where the faculty was more caring and showed more
interest in the development of their students academically.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered to CU after a year and a
half at another institution. All of my credits transfered
but some did not transfer as anything useful. I feel like I
was not advised very well as to witch classes would be good
to take with others. I have had to work during my full
college expereince which I find not to be the norm at CU so
therefore I will be taking longer than four years to
graduate.
392848 1:GOALS-DEF The department is flexible enough to allow me
to study a braod range of subjects both in and out of the
department. I managed to study a lot of different kinds of
biology and chemistry as well as taking lots of math and
physics classes. And I was able to do all this while
working full-time to pay for tuition. All in all, this
department allowed me to do what I wanted to do to become a
better biologist.
2:WMAJ MORE LAB COURSES And really, how about some
critical thinking in these lab courses. How about asking
some questions like: how would you go about showing such
and such, then do so. It's better than the cookbook crap
you do, and avoid the problem you have in cell lab, where
you say design an experiment but we were all sophomores and
didn't know where to even start. It would be way more
intelligent to give the question we're supposed to answer,
then let us decide wether to do a blot or use inhibitors or
whatever.
3:BMAJ Good courses offered. Many schools don't offer
classes like Biology of Aging and Brain, Thought and
Action. You guys do a real good job of letting the students
learn cool stuff without sacrificing teaching the
fudamentals.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T There's just so much to study and
college is the only time in your life when your primary
resposnibility to to learn, and everything else comes
second.
461789 1:GOALS-DEF I felt that the areas that I needed
improvement were dealt with in classes I've taken, and I
feel better about the understanding I have of science and
research.
2:WMAJ Increase faculty, therefore, decrease class sizes.
3:BMAJ The caring support and willingness to help students
from faculty.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transferred from APU, located in
Azusa, CA, after my third year there. I needed 1.5 more
years after applying to CU to finish my degree. (total of
4.5 years).
463659 1:GOALS-DEF I had a great degree of exposure to various
specialties within my field of study. These were helpful in
determing my future studies.
2:WMAJ The stringency of grades in large courses to weed
out people who cannot learn as fast as others, and also the
weighted amount of credit given to chemistry courses
(general chem. and organic chem.).
3:BMAJ The research experiences I had, as well as the
other opportunities gained through these.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F i was able to fulfill all of my needed
courses for my degree. I also came in to college as an open
option major. I would advise you to take any advance
placement courses you can.
472875 1:GOALS-DEF The MCDB program allowed me to have hands-on
experience that I feel is pertinent to my future career
plans. The program also expanded my knowledge of topics
and did not require me to simply memorize the material.
2:WMAJ I wish I didn't have to take Organic chemistry but
I realize that is necessary for my planned future
profession.
3:BMAJ All of the laboratories.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered from Colorado State
University and not all of my credits transfered. The core
curriculum at CU is slightly different that at CSU which
also puts me behind. However, I feel that the transfer to
CU was worth while since I have learned a lot more in the
last two semesters here than I learned during my whole
career at CSU.
488098 1:GOALS-DEF The program was very effective in covering
all the bases in mcdb - it would be nice to have more
useful labs...more like a real lab...and developmental
biology was terrible (I took it with Bill Wood and Jennifer
Knight) and it was extremely unsatisfactory. Otherwise I
thoroughly enjoyed my major and I would recommend it to a
friend.
2:WMAJ I would not let Bill Wood and Jennifer Knight teach
developmental biology.
3:BMAJ The ease with which I was able to get lab research
experience.
4:DODIFF I would not take developmental biology with Bill
Wood and Jennifer Knight.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I only need four years to finish my
degree.
509852 1:GOALS-SOME i achieved a strict research major which i
will not really use since i want to be a clincal physician.
i wish that there were a few more opportunities for more
physiological biology outside of electives that ones takes
their senior year.
2:WMAJ teachers that care more about the students rather
than their research
3:BMAJ how well it prepares you for med school
4:DODIFF snowboard 80 days a year
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T my major is set up to take four years if
you dont fail
511249 2:WMAJ Some faculty members seemed too caught up in their
research to care much about the students. Also, some of the
chemistry labs required so much "busywork" that it was hard
to care about the techniques we were learning.
3:BMAJ The hands on experiences in the lab, learning
techniques that will be useful in a job situation.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I declared my major in my first
semester, and was able to get into all the classes I needed
to take.
545261 1:GOALS-SOME I feel my degree choice was not completely a
perfect match for me, but by the time I realized it I was
already on my way in the major. In order to graduate in 4
years I could not afford to start over in a new major. I
did enjoy many of my classes, but I feel especially in the
lower level courses the professors/instructors didn't care
much about my progress in the course. In my upper division
courses I feel much more confident about what I got out of
the class. I feel the professors had much more of a vested
interest in my well being as a student. Overall a great
program though.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I worked very hard to graduate with two
majors. The only reservation I have is if you are not
entirely sure about what you want to do, it will take you
more than 4 years at least in my experience. Go in with a
very good idea of what you would like to do or stay open
option for at least a semester.
583313 1:GOALS-SOME I believe that there is too much emphasis on
the chemistry aspects of my major. I also believe that
some of the core requirements are not useful.
2:WMAJ less chemistry
3:BMAJ course availibility
4:DODIFF I would have waited to declare my major.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F my major was well planned out ahead of
time and I came into school with 68 credits. I also plan
on attending medical school out of college, so I don't want
to extend my undergraduate education with so much more
schooling in my future.
585678 2:WMAJ nothing
3:BMAJ lab class
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I'd like to have more knowledge about my
major
594396 1:GOALS-SOME The level of competition was too high, made
it hard to focus on learning, because I had to focus on
grades too much. The attitudes of some faculty about
medical education vs. scientific education created a bit of
an unfriendly environment depending on which side of things
one fell on.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T After 3 years in one major, focusing on
a science education, thinking that it'd be the best bet to
get me into medical school, I found myself unhappy and
unfulfilled. My true inclinations were in a more humanities
oriented field, so I added Psychology as a second major.
This added another year to my educational career, which was
time well spent. I was able to study things that I was more
passionate about, and gain confidence through taking
classes that came naturally to me, doing well with
considerably less effort.
640187 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I know what I want to major in and what
I want to do after I graduate.
640241 1:GOALS-DEF I was able to work in a lab on campus wich
allowed me to better understand the concepts I learned in
class. In addition the MCDB department had very well
informed teachers that were enthusiastic about the
material. I feel I have learned a lot, and the department
is a strong one.
2:WMAJ The advisors were not very good.
3:BMAJ The material and teachers.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I worked hard, and didn't change my
major.
653017 1:GOALS-DEF I sought out the hands-on internships
myself, which really helped alot with getting into a good
graduate school.
2:WMAJ More emphasis on real world work, more internships,
practical applications, etc.
3:BMAJ Biology of the Cancer cell was a great class and
really informational. Also, I really feel like I can
interpret real world news about biology and explain it to
others.
4:DODIFF I would have liked to take advantage of the study
abroad opportunities.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I worked full-time and went to school in
my spare time.
656095 1:GOALS-SOME wasn't a real help for pre med
2:WMAJ I would have more of a pre med major that covered
more broad topics than either MCDB or EPOB
3:BMAJ It makes you work hard.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am finished with all required course
work. Also taking longer than four years would cost a lot
more money and may not look as good when applying for
work
709514 1:GOALS-DEF not enough real world/job experience. too
much theory not enough skill acquirement.
2:WMAJ smaller classes with more lab experiences. this
major is directed towards a profession in research yet most
of us who graduate with MCDB degree are lost in a lab,
don't know basic techniques, and are limited in experience.
limits our desireability as an employee or graduate study
candidate. also, why is it a bachelors of art and not
science?
3:BMAJ great professors and good assistanceship programs
(if you know where to look).
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F it took me 2 semesters to decide what
major i wanted so it set me back a whole year. also there
are a lot of core requirements outside of my major
requirements. with such difficult classes required for my
major it was hard to find time to take the general core
classes. i took summer classes and large class loads in
the spring and fall semesters.
748064 1:GOALS-SOME I think the mcd-biology program here at CU is
probably one of the best.
2:WMAJ try to make it less about memorizing things and
more about just understanding the concepts.
3:BMAJ Very difficult but rewarding.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F because it's expensive and I need to
finish as fast as possible.
773656 1:GOALS-SOME I have gotten an excellent biology education.
The proffessors were well trained and informed. However,
I would have liked more economic and racial diversity in
the student body.
2:WMAJ I would make it a little less demanding.
3:BMAJ I learned a lot and I felt like the professors were
all very informed and educated about the topic they were
teaching.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I have taken a full class load every
semester. I am also anxious to graduate because I will be
attending medical school in the fall.
791498 2:WMAJ a much more straighforward PLAN OF ACTION for
course selection and scheduling for transfer students-- A
simple page that gives all the classes necessary, semesters
offered and ELECTIVE credits, also what overlaps between
cores and how many credits each, FCQ's, feasability of
course loads, etc... I'm aware most of this is available,
but it's spread out on too many websites or packets; set up
ONE packet with all the info
3:BMAJ The professors in the upper division and a fair
number in lower division are so well qualified that I feel
no matter what I go on to do after graduation, I will be AT
LEAST adequately learned in most subject areas.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I tranferred after my freshman year and
declard my major quite late. However, I am really
frusterated with my current graduation status because I
don't feel like the school really tries to help people
graduate ON TIME. Rather, it seems like I have to wait for
certain classes that are prerequisites (for other classes
that I need) a semester later than I would like. It is
frusterating and while I enjoy almost all of the classes I
have taken in MCDB, scheduling and late graduation taint
that satisfaction.
806371 2:WMAJ I would like to see increased availability for
courses such as Immunology and some other upper division
courses that did not seem to be offered on a consistent
basis.
3:BMAJ The upper division electives.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I took 12 credit hours or less at least
three or four times. I had 8 credit hours of AP credit but
I was just never quite driven enough to graduate in four
years and some classes such as lower division writing are
impossibly hard to get into.
852870 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T It has taken me a while to find a
carreer in which i'm interested. As you know I've been
studying Philosophy for the past four years simply because
i enjoy it. I've been working in doctor Koral's office for
a while, and i have liked it so much that I've decided to
become a dentist.
907558 1:GOALS-SOME Since I am not a traditional student, I find
that saome courses are wasting my time and my money. I want
to get my degree before I am retirement age, and with all
of the extra coures it is taking longer than I expected.
2:WMAJ Not as much fluff courses needed.
3:BMAJ Lots of opportunity for lab work in the class.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I didn't know what I wanted to be when I
grew up and so the first couple of years I wasted because I
took classes that didn't help towards my major.
922125 1:GOALS-DEF Not only doesthe MCDB department give me the
opportunity to learn the course work, but the
instructors(eg Trevor Mendelow), and profs(eg Jenny
Knight)also satisfy my desire to expand my knowledge on the
relevant subjects of interest. I am also satisfied
with other departments. The Geology department, to mention
one, has amazed me with the quality of prof. Jason Neff,
and lab TA Annie Schilla. The Global Change II lecture and
lab force one to expand his/her global awareness.
2:WMAJ I would require every MCDB student to take an
introductory course to organic chemistry.
3:BMAJ The opportunities to do research are wonderful.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T After high school I sailed the world on
a destroyer for three years, and when I finally began
attending colleg, I needed minor academic refinements. It
is not uncommon for an MCDB major/Biochem minor to take mor
than four years to complete his/her degree without taking
brush-up courses. This major can ealily take longer to
complete than other less specialized majors. When you do
graduate, you will indeed have many doors open to you.
Biology is the study life.
925352 1:GOALS-SOME The MCDB program did meet some of my
education goals, but not all of them. I feel as if this
school is in what I like to call the "Boulder Bubble". I
don't feel as though I learned anything about the real
world through my educational experience, other than the
fact that some professors are so wrapped up in their
reasearch they're too busy to teach or take extra time out
to post things up in a timely manner for their classes. It
seems to me that there are so many things going on in the
world in molecular biological sciences, yet no one takes
the extra effort to make us aware of it. I would love to
have a class that did that, because with the small amount
of free time I have, I don't have time to read the news or
research things on my own.
2:WMAJ Don't take away a good advisor, such as Susan
Wollman, and replace her with someone like Ginny Darr, who
doesn't understand her role as an ADVISOR, who is an "I
don't know, why don't you look it up yourself" type of
person. That made this year of this major program very
hard, because I was unsure on a lot of things that I needed
to get done, and the person to ask wasn't very helpful in
the least. I feel like I had to look and search on the CU
website myself, instead of being able to go to someone who
has a general idea on how to access the info quickly and
respond quicly.
3:BMAJ The MCDB electives. I feel like I learned a great
deal, and they were fun and informative. The classses were
smaller, and therefore there was more professor-student
interaction.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am double degreeing, and have decided
on a minor.
930888 1:GOALS-DEF I have had the chance to work for two years
in a research lab while here doing real research
2:WMAJ No or less organic chemistry
3:BMAJ Opportunity for research
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I took time off of school, and returned
with a new major
932223 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I wanted to explore a greater variety of
coursework and gain more experience.
951834 1:GOALS-SOME I should have spent more time on gathering
knowledge about the lab and lab persons I was working with
rather than just trying to satisfy the deadline for
applications for URAP.
3:BMAJ URAP. I enjoyed Tin Tin Su's Genetics class.
4:DODIFF achieved a higher gpa
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I payed attention to which courses will
count for more than one requisite for my major i.e.:
critical thinking and MCDB elective. I also took 6 credits
last summer in order to graduate on time. I changed my
major junior year and studied abroad for one semester.
980928 1:GOALS-SOME The program offered tons of education
relating to the subjects I was interested in but becuase of
the rigid requierments there were reas of specialization
that I was not able to explore (also due to course
offering). I am leaving feeling edcuated and more mature
in my field, but did not begin this procss of learning and
growing in my field until late in the game becuase there
was no internal support from the department.
2:WMAJ MORE INTERNAL SUPPORT FOR MAJORS-- biology is hard,
we need freinds and faculty support. That definately needs
to change, more community in the major is necessary.
3:BMAJ Upper division professors. They are brillinat and
at the top of their field, they are the best resource for
people going into science.
4:DODIFF Well, I didn't feel like I knew what it took to
do well in college, so I didn't spend that much time on it.
Now that I knw and I do these things, I can do better in
schol, I enjoy it more and I get way more out of it so I
would study harder and know my profs becuase they are the
best source of knowledge. I would like to have studied
abroad, but my major would not allow it (unless I took and
extra year) thus I would like to have taken more time to
graduate so I could do that, but financially I couldn't
make that commitment. I wish i had not locked my self into
a major right away and known that you can get into med
school with other degrees than biology.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I have to so that my parents will pary
for it. I wish I could stay longer!!
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-PHIL 274803 1:GOALS-SOME I discovered later in my studies (maybe late
Junior year) that I wanted more practical philosophy
education, but by that time it was too late to do much
about it. Which is more my fault than the school's,
actually.
2:WMAJ Exemption from the Critical Thinking core
requirement.
3:BMAJ There's room for most anything.
4:DODIFF I would have double majored in Philosophy and
MCDB.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I'd rather take any extra time I could
spend in undergraduate classes and use that for graduate
school.
287283 2:WMAJ Smaller classes
3:BMAJ Faculty is pretty good
4:DODIFF maybe add a minor
308823 1:GOALS-SOME My philosophy teachers teach very well, they
communicate well with students, care about them, and
encourage them to study things further. Overall, that
contributed to my being more willing to work hard and more
interested in what I was learning about, and from that I
met my goals.
2:WMAJ I would provide more opportunities to study free
will and philosophy of action, moral philosophy and
personal identity. Overall, I think it would be nice to
more opportunities for really specialized studies in
certain areas of philosophy.
3:BMAJ The coursework overall has provided a very strong
foundation in the major areas of philosophical inquiry.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am getting two degrees, so I need 150
credits instead of 120. Technically, I could finish the
requirements for both my majors, along with my core
requirements in four years and maybe 130 credits instead of
120 or 150. But instead of finishing in four years, I have
to stay here for another year and take a bunch of rather
pointless electives and spend thousands of dollars on
tuition. I could have saved time and money and received
just as good an education and have a good experience if the
credit policy would change to less than 150 hours for two
degrees.
315306 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I changed majors, transfered schools,
and took time off.
320663 1:GOALS-DEF They met my goals of developing my
interpersonal & communication skills, as well as learning
about biological systems in depth.
2:WMAJ The option of having my area of concentration on my
diploma, eg. "Philosophy with a Concentration on Medical
Ethics"
3:BMAJ Great professors that meet and exceed all
expectations.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I have planned ahead of time so I need
not spend the extra money on my education which ulitmately
is (hopefully) going to get me a job.
322161 1:GOALS-SOME I liked my professors, but the variety within
my major was lacking, and specialization of very narrow
topics was essentially non-existent.
2:WMAJ I wish there were more desks in the classrooms.
Sitting on the floor is a tad ridiculous when this
education costs so much. Also, I would want more
professors, and more classes to choose from, with smaller
class sizes.
3:BMAJ The professors!
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I enjoyed my first couple years, perhaps
a little too much, and changed majors in the middle of my
junior year.
345832 1:GOALS-DEF i have been very pleased with the program
367584 1:GOALS-SOME The student fees kept going up. You pay the
fees then have to pay to print or do most anything else.
It was ridiculous. I felt like the university should have
made things like printing for classes and printing papers
as easy as possible on students.
2:WMAJ Less paper writing. I understand the importance of
learning to write a good paper, especially in Philosophy.
But, it gets so old! I wish there were more projects,
presentations, community related activities, etc.. By
mid-semester I am always burnt-out on writing philosophy
papers; they're all the same. I even would prefer a
midterm exam or tests every now and then. Besides, writing
a decent paper is VERY time consuming. Especially on top
of doing the reading and comprehending the reading! Some
people can churn out great papers in a few hours, but most
of us cannot. It's not very fair. But let's mix up the
assignments...please!!!!
3:BMAJ Plenty of discussion. Discussion is great because
it keeps things interesting. Bordom is a big problem and
discussion helps drastically. Keep up the good work!
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T ...I have a clear understanding of what
I want in life. Although, I recommend taking the time you
need to figure out where you want to go in life. That is
important. But, if you're like me and paying one of the
highest out-of-state tution rates in the country for a
public education, you'll want to finish as quickly as
possible so you don't spend the rest of your life paying
off student loans and holding a grudge against your
"beloved" alma mater...
393341 1:GOALS-SOME I needed a 4 year degree to continue seeking
higher level degrees. CU Boulder gave me an opportunity to
recieve that 4 year degree.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I don't need more than four years to
complete a 4 year degree.
436428 1:GOALS-DEF I think the philosophy program help prepare
me for law school
2:WMAJ Nothing, the philosophy dept. is great
3:BMAJ The professors and the diverse material that I was
exposed to
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am going to graduate in four years
because of two reasons. the first reason is finacial. I
am cut off after four years. The second is that i feel
that it is time to move on to the next part of my
education. I get the undergrad thing
459575 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F i finished my classes
532776 1:GOALS-SOME Majoring in philosophy has greatly helped me
in learning how to evaluate things from a logical and
unbiased standpoint the best I can. Critically thinking is
applicable to affairs in any careers, and philosphy has
helped me to attain these skills. However, the
availability of jobs after completing a bachelor's degree
in philosophy is very limited, which is often a
discouraging factor for those who enjoy the subject, yet
want an education that will give them a more solid
foundation.
2:WMAJ Career fairs are helpful for students in evaluating
possible careers and thus undergraduate majors. I was
never able to make it to any because of scheduling
conflicts. I wasn't aware of Career Services until my
junior year, which by that point would have made it hard to
change majors and graduate in a timely manner. Perhaps
there needs to be more of a guidance tool known to students
so that they might better explore their interests and
ultimately figure out what they want to do with the rest of
their lives.
3:BMAJ Most of the philosphy professors are great. They
present the material, not unveiling their view on the
matter, letting the students critically evaluate the
material for themselves. Of the professors that I've had,
the best at letting students decide for themselves has been
Wes Morriston. The worst, who presents material
one-sidedly, trying to convince the class his own personal
view is Michael Humer. This method is highly ineffective
in philsophical discourse. His intellectual dishonesty is
shameful to philosophers.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F at the end of my junior year I
discovered the realm of Classics, choosing to double major,
and since then it has been my passion. So in an effort not
to overwhelm myself, I decided to take an extra semester or
two, so that I might perform better and better equip myself
for graduate school.
535706 1:GOALS-SOME The program gave me a basic understanding of
how to think well, critically, and in an organized fashion
but did not take it further through rigor or high
standards. I felt I was able to get by without putting
much effort into my work, thus, I became unchallenged and
did not face many things that would have motivated me to
delve deeper or try harder.
2:WMAJ More motivation from faculty possibly incited
through their own motivation and high standards for their
students.
3:BMAJ The classes which deal with issues and topics not
dominated by western culture.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T every class i take will fulfill either a
MAPS, CORE, or major requirement.
541499 1:GOALS-NO Considering that all the good faculty are
fleeing for better positions and those that are here bitch
about it constantly, I don't know. You tell me.
2:WMAJ The new advisor has the emotional maturity of a
bluberry scone. So aside from just not knowing how to do
her job, she's an impossible person. She should go.
3:BMAJ All the good faculty haven't left the building
screaming yet.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I have two majors and pre-vet
requirements to fulfill.
541562 1:GOALS-NO Generally, my courses were not rigourous
enough, my professors did not adequately prepare for
lecture, course-size has been steadily increasing, and I
recived a fair ammount of poor advice from my advisor. Also
I believe that the wrong type of student is being
encouraged to attend the university- I get the impression
that many are here for the social scene. That said, my
frustration lies mainly in the belief that the Philosophy
department has been squandering her considerable potential-
and both students and faculty are here responsible.
2:WMAJ I would get them more money; to hire more
professors, to offer more courses...
3:BMAJ philosophy itself. Although I believe that the
program is way, WAY underfunded, its far and away the most
useful department on campus.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T too complicated to be useful for the
purposes of this survey- I've had health problems, and
family issues...
611666 2:WMAJ more choice for single philosopher and metephysics
3:BMAJ wes, carter, potter, carone (sp?)
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F it is crazy (not to mention nearly
impossible) to try and learn while taking five classes.
there is simply too much doing to be learning.
629214 1:GOALS-DEF My goal was to come out with a general and
broad understanding of the history of philosophy, as well
as the ability to think and write critically. The
philosophy program did a good job of enabling me to meet
these goals, especially by offering both lower- and upper-
division versions of courses regarding the same time
periods in the history of philosophy. The program,
however, only offers existentialism every once and a while.
I never had the opportunity to take a course in philosophy
and literature. Students interested in continential
philosophy may be disappointed by the course selection at
CU. I think all philosophy students should at least be
exposed to it. If the department could just offer one
course per semester or year, I think it would solve this
problem.
2:WMAJ Course offerings in something related to philosophy
and literature or continential philosophy. The department
is very analytic. Also, some professors were more helpful
than others about teaching us how to read difficult and
historical philosophical texts. Some of them prefer to
"spoon feed" us the material which is the only way to go if
that professor gives tests (because there needs to be an
agreed upon answer). I think weekly or bi-weekly short
interpretive papers on a difficult passage would help them
teach this skill to us. We could compare our answers with
those of the professors. Spending more time on shorter
texts also helps build this skill. Longer texts rush the
students; this makes it hard for them to think critically
about their own understanding of the text.
3:BMAJ The instructors and professors were great!
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T because I wanted to complete a double
major in philosophy and religious studies as well as study
abroad in Germany for a year. I am not troubled by the
fact that I needed an extra year to get everything done
that I wanted to do. It was worth it.
633765 1:GOALS-SOME It seems to me that the PHIL dept has a good
senso of analyical philosophy at the Upper level but not as
much diversity in topics such as ancient and political
philosophy.
2:WMAJ I think i would offer more caveats to incoming
students of Philosophy especially those that are coming
from a different major. I feel that other dept.s offer more
info and more help in choosing the major.
3:BMAJ N/A
4:DODIFF I think that would prefer to be a PSCI major
because the material is more marketable in the job market.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T sstaying in school at CUBoulder is
icredibly expensive. I can barely afford to live in Boulder
and I am a Coloradan.
637251 1:GOALS-SOME The program was often too slanted toward
modern and contemporary Western Philosophy. Although this
material is obviously extremely important, other areas of
Philosophy (such as Ancient Philosophy, Eastern and
non-Western systems of reasoning, etc.) also need treatment
in the department, in order that, if nothing else, students
may at least know more about them in general. Also, I found
that the emphasis on Ancient Philosophy in particular began
to wane in the department over the years I have been a
student here. There is little emphasis on the foreign
languages useful to the study of Philosophy, and little
consideration (as I said before) to non-Western,
non-contemporary/modern forms of Philosophy and the
languages that facilitate their study. As such, I have had
to resort to other departments as well as this one to
satisfy the goals I wish to achieve prior to graduate
school. However, the department's treatment of
contemporary and modern Philosophy, though not as thorough
or as integrated as I would like to see, is not severely
lacking.
2:WMAJ I would like to see more diverse course offerings.
The existing course offerings are, I feel, insufficient for
the quality of the program that could readily exist at
CU-Boulder.
3:BMAJ I have had several enthusiastic professors who have
inspired me to pursue certain subjects more thoroughly, and
who have encouraged creative treatment of the subject
matter. Along these same lines, I have also had good
experience with professors who have done a great deal of
academic work in their respective fields, and have greatly
enjoyed learning from their work.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I've been taking college classes since I
was sixteen. As such, I am about two years ahead and wish
to make use of the extra time to broaden the scope of my
education, rather than to graduate early.
663709 1:GOALS-SOME The classes that I took in sociology, for my
sociology major, were mostly interesting and educational.
Though the classes in philosophy, for my philosophy major,
were most uneducational and off the topic. With a few
exception many of the philosophy professors don't really
teach anything, they just have off topic disscusions, which
isn't necessarily bad, but when a student takes a class to
learn about some topic they should be taught that topic and
not whatever the professor wants to talk about.
2:WMAJ I was very satisfied with my advising in sociology
and pre-law, but my philosophy advising was very
disappointing. I foud Brindel rude and unhelpful. In most
part my classes were pretty helpful, especially my
sociological classes. I am satisfied. ONE thing I played
rugby for CU and the school insurance would not cover my
acl surgery because it was do to colegiant activity. I
understand this policy but I am independent and the loans
that I had to take out to pay for my $25,000 dollar surgery
is going to be with me for a long time. My suggestion is
that there should be an option on the insurance policy that
athletes can choose, it would obviously be a bit more
expensive but hopefully prove helpful so that someone else
doesn't have to go through what I am.
3:BMAJ The sociological proffessors.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I pick my majors realitively quickly and
put in some long semester with a lot of hours.
704241 2:WMAJ More emphasis to go learn beyond the scope of my
courses.
3:BMAJ The accessability of the faculty.
768641 1:GOALS-SOME Because I am a transfer student, I will have
to complete an extra semester in classes not related to my
field to meet the residency requirements. While I
understand the purpose of the requirements it seems a bit
excessive. Also I very much wanted to double major or
minor in ethnomusicology. Unfortunately the way the
program is constructed I am not able to do so as an Arts
and Sciences student.
2:WMAJ More continental, environmental and non western
philosophy. Unfortunately most philosphy programs seem to
focus solely on the western traditions (particularly the
analytic traditions). I would have loved to specialized in
non-western systems of thought but it's not an option and
there are little or no courses offered in that vein.
3:BMAJ Great, super faculty. If I would have started with
CU I would have taken advantage of the Values and Social
Policy Option and tailored it to Environmental
studies/philosophy.
4:DODIFF I'd try to get into the ethnomusicology program
right away.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I've transferred twice before graduating
at CU.
771540 1:GOALS-DEF Cu had a good emphasis on current philosophy
that is substantially better than the training others I
know have recieved at other universities
2:WMAJ Although not related to my major program, I would
decrease the core so that I could take more classes in my
major
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered from another college and it
took some time to get all the courses i needed
827737 1:GOALS-DEF I hated my English major, because in the end
it turns out that that department teaches relativism,
whereas in the Philosophy department, I learned that there
is an objective truth of the matter and we ought to try and
get closer to knowing it. The problem with not believing
in objective truth is that there turn out to be no moral
standards for living, which I find extremely objectionable-
and detrimental for undergraduates to be learning in the
English department.
2:WMAJ Philosophy: make it less analytical, and give more
opportunity for continental studies.
3:BMAJ It taught me how to think, and changed my
perspective on life.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F Its possible, and I see no reason not to
graduate in the least possible amount of time-this is for
financial reasons. I like school though, and might stay
longer if money weren't an issue.
854169 1:GOALS-SOME I am interested in Philosophy of Mind. When I
was able to take a related course, due to having
pre-requisites and stable health, the class was cancelled.
I am not sure if I will be able to take it before I
graduate.
2:WMAJ I would like to see more courses and a greater
variety of courses offered on a regular basis.
3:BMAJ There are already a lot of interesting courses
offered.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I have been ill and unable to take the
necessary credit load to graduate within such a deadline. I
am also taking an extra semester to focus on an honors
thesis.
914353 1:GOALS-SOME At times I could not enroll in required
classes and I would be forced to sit on floors in some over
crowded classes.
2:WMAJ To have required courses always offered evefry
semester.
3:BMAJ The faculty is really good.
4:DODIFF I always wanted to go abroad but never had time
to.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I worked hard and took summer school in
order to graduate on time.
936362 1:GOALS-SOME It gave me the tools with which to make an
outstanding education. It didn't push me to use those
tools (as, perhaps, an Ivy League school would), but it
gave me the opportunities.
2:WMAJ More structure - make everyone go through classes
in order (e.g. first history, then epist and value theory,
then metaphysics).
3:BMAJ some great profs
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I can't afford to take more.
953380 1:GOALS-SOME No philosophy of language or mathematics
courses offered at any point during my tenure
whatsoever. The writing class (3480) is invaluably
wonderful both for reading comprehension skills and writing
ability. The overall major was interesting enough but I
would strongly reccomend against it as a single major.
2:WMAJ The classes are exceedingly dull as there is little
philosophy involved other than straight lecture on assigned
texts.
3:BMAJ Some of the professors are totally awesome.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I'm dual-majoring and in a concurrent
degree program. Had I done a single major, even with the
concurrent degree program, I would have actually graduated
a semester early.
969053 3:BMAJ The professors are fabulous in the philosophy
program here at CU.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F working my way through college is very
hard, and I need to be done with school already.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-PHYS 116782 2:WMAJ More classes geard tword experment instead of
theory.
3:BMAJ research oppertuinity for undergrads
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I have no idea what the hurry is. School
is a HELL of a lot better than working.
139653 1:GOALS-SOME It didn't really expose me to much more than
I had already been exposed to.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I want to go to medical school and need
to fufill the requirements.
189190 2:WMAJ Exams nedd to refect info taught, Homework, etc.
They should not be harder than the Hoem Work
3:BMAJ Labs and hands on work
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T changed majors
217662 1:GOALS-SOME higher level physics courses should not be
taught as though grad level. huge disparity between fun and
easiness of a&s classes and higher level phys.
2:WMAJ Stogyness of teaching style in the physics dept.
3:BMAJ Understanding the big picture (after a few years of
learning physics).
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F there is a lot to do after graduation.
224967 2:WMAJ The required labs should be worth more than 1
semester hour.
3:BMAJ The structure of courses.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I'm a 47-year old, part-time student.
238587 2:WMAJ I think the research professors need to spend more
timing learning how to effectively teach. I think as a
research institution, many professors focus too much on
their research. That would be fine if they could take some
classes on effective teaching methods before they get to go
full bore into their research.
3:BMAJ I believe the education I have received in my
program is equal to the education I could have gotten at
any "top" school in the nation.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I have too many interests and not enough
organization.
302477 2:WMAJ more lab sessions or hands on learning.
3:BMAJ highly respected in the community.
306279 1:GOALS-DEF lots of diversity
2:WMAJ more chance for specialization
3:BMAJ interaction with faculty
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T pusuit of professional skiing: olympics,
coaching etc..
323528 1:GOALS-DEF The diversity of subjects required were very
thought provoking. Although, some courses were to broad in
that they didnt require background or intro courses for
things covered more heavily.
2:WMAJ provide a little more preparation and orientation
work right away for people that need it to better succeed
in physics
3:BMAJ the professer's and faculty's high level of
intelect, tallent, and recognition by peers.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I had to learn how to study and succeed
in accademics first which required me to take lighter
courseloads.
346007 1:GOALS-SOME I feel very prepared were I going to graduate
school but not well prepared at all for the workforce.
2:WMAJ As I suggested earlier, a pre-registration would be
a good way to determine student interest in certain courses
instead of just coming up with what YOU want to teach and
forcing us to take classes we're uninterested in. That
comment applies more to the university as a whole than to
my major in particular. As for my major, it would be nice
to have some classes which are more oriented toward
practical applications such as we might see working for a
company.
3:BMAJ I learned how to work really, really hard.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Partly because of bad advising my first
semester, partly because classes I wanted to take weren't
offered or were full the semesters I wanted to take them.
My advisor has changed now so the first may be fixed but I
know so many people who can't get into classes they
want/need... This problem MUST be fixed. Might I suggest
pre-registration so that people can display interest in
which classes they want offered before actually designing
the course schedule.
366293 2:WMAJ make it more strict which students can take it,
BETTER PROFESSORS!!!!, modify some of the courses, give
more options for electives
3:BMAJ the broad base of science that goes on in the field
of my major at this university
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I took time away from school and decided
that I wanted to complete a double major and a minor
420719 1:GOALS-SOME I have been a participant of three different
programs and all in all I am very disapointed in all three.
In History and Astrophysics I was not given any opritunity
to experience what life might be like after getting my
major. I was given very little research experience, and
was ignored by teachers and advisors when I voiced these
concerns. I choose the Physics program only because they
gave me a research job, but even getting that was a matter
of luck and the kindness of my current boss.
2:WMAJ Get more teachers that give a damn about students
rather then trying to make the courses weed out courses. I
have a quantum class right now and half of the people
dropped because the teacher moved too fast and wasn't
willing to help students when they came in. Now that the
class is half the size he has become interested in helping
people. Why not try to help everyone? Isn't that what a
teacher is there for? Also, there is no structure to what
needs to be taught. Different teachers teach different
things in classes like analytical mechanics and modern
physics, as a result I am completely unprepared for new
classes. I wasn't taught what a hamiltonian was in my
Mechanics class and was told by the teacher that that would
be taught in quantum. It turned out that I was sopposed to
know what a hamiltonian was the first day. The Mechanics
professor just wanted to test his book and avoid any
difficult questions about his teaching style. Some of
these people are full of xxxx! Also, the History
department isn't any better. I was sopposed to do an
honors thesis. But, once I started asking my advisor for
help and norrowing down a topic she said that she was too
bussy and bailed on me! I could have graduated with
honors, I pulled in every favor from every professor I had
to get into that class that this one just up and dropped me
when I started asking for some guidence. History people
need to get there act together and help their students,
plan their scheduals and not let people down. This has
drastically changed my chances of going to grad school and
I cannot redue it. Get it together, please! So that other
people don't end up like me!
3:BMAJ A few random professors have shown a great desire
to see me succeed and have supported me through even the
tough times, but these actions are not the actions of the
program but the actions of people who are just good and
decent and intelegent and I thank them deeply for all they
have done for me.
4:DODIFF I would have loved to have done any of these
things but since you guys don't have any real financial aid
for things like study abroad, at least none that was easily
available for people like myself, it just wasn't possible.
I hope an administrator reads this because they are so full
of xxxx. If you are just a secratary like I was, sorry for
the complaining, and I wish you the best.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F This is because I choose to take two
majors that were not related to each other, History and
Physics. My best recomendation to you is to take a year
off, maybe even two. Go talk to people who are in the
possible jobs you want in the future. Talk to more then
one in each so that you can get an idea of what it is like.
Also, save money. Tuition here is much too high and they
will bleed you dry just like they did me. I now have to
live with my parents again because financial aid is so poor
for people who stay more then four years. In short, choose
a major before you come, make sure you like it, bother
people for a job in what you want and don't give up, and
get out in four years or they will screw you here. Best of
luck man, you are going to need it dealing with these money
grubbing, football obsessed bunch of opritunists. But, hey
if you or anyone you know needs some help let me know.
They don't make things easy to find up here so it pays to
have a senior who knows the ropes get you a job and show
you around. Best wishes.
442059 1:GOALS-DEF The program provided oppurtunities to gain
undergraduate research experience. The information
pertaining to graduate schools, especially applying, was
found to be lacking at times.
2:WMAJ A few courses could be place in a diffrent sequence
to obtain the best education. The Sophmore level courses
especially. They could also benefit from a better defined
curriculum. As they stand now, there is a wide range in
the calibre of the courses depending on the particular
professor.
3:BMAJ Overall well structured. The professors truly care
about their students. They are willing to go out of their
way to help.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T However this does not bother me as I am
getting two degrees. I found my time at CU to be well
spent. I have grown in terms of academics as well as
personally.
472812 1:GOALS-DEF I was looking for a broad introduction to
math and physics in my undergraduate career so I could have
a range of options for graduate school. I received a
strong base of math and physics skills here at CU, and I
feel confident that I am well prepared for graduate school.
Most importantly, I feel that I have received valuable
experience in problem solving and working with others to
accomplish a task.
2:WMAJ Many of the physics classes focused only on the
math behind the subjects (e.g. Electricity and Magnetism,
Quantum Mechanics). I realize this is extremely important
for understanding the subject matter, but I would have
appreciated learning more about applications to the real
world, or simply how the mathematical equaions fit in the
context of a bigger picture. Also, please consider making
the Junior Lab Class 3 credits instead of 2! The Junior
Lab class is valuable, but it also requires just as much
time, if not more, than any other physics class. In order
to remain a full time student, many of us have to take five
classes during the semester we take Junior Lab (four
3-credit classes and Jr. Lab). This makes for a stressful
semester, because many students are also taking a Mechanics
class and E&M at this time, in addition to two other
classes.
3:BMAJ Most professors are very available to give extra
help for their classes. Some professors would even
schedule additional meeting times to hold homework sessions
or exam reviews. If a student is willing to put in the
time and effort, professors will do their best to help them
succeed.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F The academic path for my major (physics)
was clearly spelled out on the department homepage, and
each semester I could consult this information along with
the registration handbook to make sure I was taking courses
that would count toward my degree. Also, each semester I
reviewed my schedule with an advisor from my major to make
sure I was on the correct path. When I ran into a problem
of conflicting required classes during my senior year, my
department was flexible about the elective classes I could
take for my degree.
481487 1:GOALS-SOME I would like to qualify my answers; I am very
neutral or reserved about answering many of these questions
positively or negatively at this point. I am a senior
because I've done considerable prior course work, but I am
not nearly finished with my university experience. I am
willing to answer this survey because you've offered me
money as a possible reward for doing so, though I've only
actually been at CU as a student for a semester and a half
now. Much of my previous college experience, including my
degree work for my first (two) degrees was completed at a
different institute and I have a very significant amount of
transfer credit (enough to make me a senior) going into a
degree program here at CU. I do not believe I yet have the
experience as a student here at CU to speak with full
honesty about the degree program in which I am currently
enrolled, though my experience has been positive thus far.
2:WMAJ I would make it a Bachelor of Science rather than a
Bachelor of Arts
3:BMAJ I like what I'm doing there.
4:DODIFF I'm still deciding;-)
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS I am a career student, I like learning.
I hold a position as a research technician on campus, and I
can fund my desire to learn without external assistance.
I've already taken longer than four years and I put no
limit on when I should stop. In fact, I strongly question
the values of a society that thinks learning should end and
monitary production should begin the instant one leaves
school. If I can continue to learn and grow my whole life,
I will consider myself accomplished.
497089 2:WMAJ better faculty
3:BMAJ physics is interesting and it makes me sound smart
to have that degree
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I wanted a social life as well as an
academic life. Plus, I recieved a teaching certificate so
that added a semester.
523922 1:GOALS-DEF I learned physics.
2:WMAJ I would not require students to talk to a mentor
every semester before they could register. This was phony
and a waste of time.
3:BMAJ I thought all requirements and services were
exceedingly good. The best thing is the amazingly
competent and brilliant professors. They always had time
to help me understand the material and were patient and so
smart!
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have two majors and a minor and took a
semester off to ride horses.
577804 1:GOALS-DEF i enjoyed having available the geophysics
core classes for the PhD program, which i took as my
physics electives. i also enjoyed taking other relevant
graduate courses. however, these were the academic
experiences that gave me the background necessary to get
into graduate schools, not the content of the undergraduate
major by itself.
2:WMAJ i would not allow K. T. Mahanthappa to teach
undergraduate courses. i had him for electromagnetism II. i
got an A in the first semester, and enjoyed the course
content. sorry to say, K. T.'s attitude spoiled my
experience of the second half of the sequence. he was
impatient, rude, and unwilling to try to understand our
questions, and where the breakdown of understanding might
be happening. he almost universily would assume whatever we
were asking was a low-level algebra or geometry problem, as
opposed to something newer and more complex in the math we
were learning. he was as unhelpful as he could be in terms
of preparing for tests. i have heard that one-on-one it is
not so impatient and frustrated with students, but in the
undergraduate classroom context, he was a nightmare.
3:BMAJ i appreciated the flexibility of the program in
allowing me to pursue any relevant material to my goal of
going into geophysics, when it came to taking upper
division electives. i also appreciated the multiple options
in terms of focusing the physics major, since choosing
option 2 (astrophysics) allowed me to opt out of upper
divistion coursework that is less relevant to geophysics
than the graduate level classes specific to that subject.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F i added a second major (physics) after
two full years of schooling, with my major at that time
being only sociology. in addition to double majoring, with
a minor as well, and in addition to starting physics after
two years, i decided to give myself adequate time to focus
on every class i've taken, and so have taken only 12 credit
hours per semester for the last four years. hence, 7 years
as an undergraduate, with four summer sessions in there as
well, allowed me to explore many dimensions of higher
education, as well as focus fully on the classes i was
taking and still have time to do research 10-20 hours a
week for the last three years.
613515 1:GOALS-SOME I was pleased to final get a position with a
research team, but they are not readily available...one
really has to work and be vigilant in order to secure one.
I don't feel like I was required to obtain the computing
skills that I will require to suceed in my field of work.
I was hoping for smaller classes and more peer/faculty
interaction in upper division classes.
2:WMAJ More group work with computers and more faculty
interactions in class other that lecturing at the board.
Inviting questions and using concept questions much more
often in upper division classes.
3:BMAJ Prof. Charles Rogers
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I was able to manage more than 15
credits a semester and I was able to take summer school to
get ahead.
673213 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T i changed schools, as well as majors,
and i was unable to take classes that i wanted to when i
wanted to due to time conflicts.
679636 3:BMAJ Challenge and undeniable interest.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T Because I changed my major the end of
sophomore year from undecided to physics and because I
studied abroad.
684768 2:WMAJ My advisor
3:BMAJ The Fauculty
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T that is how long it takes to self
support through work and simultaniously earn a degree.
717958 2:WMAJ The text books, and some material for crutial upper
division classes should be looked at more closely. The
course work in certain areas was most certainly inadequate
for preparation for the GRE.
3:BMAJ There is an enormous ammount of opportunity for
research, you just need to know where to look.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F i worked hard
779111 1:GOALS-DEF Program challenged me and prepared me for
admission to competetive graduate schools.
2:WMAJ I wish that it was less stressful.
3:BMAJ interaction and encouragement of faculty
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I worked hard to finish two majors and a
minor in that time and I came in with 27 credit hours from
advanced placement.
789857 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I was able to.
818972 1:GOALS-NO -The method of teaching needs substantial
work. While mathematical formalism is the key to physics,
it does not aid in the first steps toward learning physics.
Many courses could do with professors explaining exactly
how certain mathematical constructs relate to phenomenon.
Many courses could do with instructors demonstrating why
course material is important. -The introductory physics
honors program should either be completely overhauled or
abolished. Few of the students that took the honors courses
remained on physics, which is a shame. A lot of talent left
physics because of the inability of the instructors to make
course material accessible and interesting. -More
demonstrations should be done in class. All of these are
important to my educational goals of being a professional,
since the failures as listed above inhibit my abilities to
teach the subject matter to others and to have an overall
good understanding of physics in order to conduct valuable
research.
2:WMAJ -Keep only the professors that have a desire to see
students succeed and that attempt to keep students in the
physics program. Many faculty could care less about the
students, as long as they get paid for their research. The
majority of the professors here see teaching as an
obstruction that keeps them from doing their research. They
feel that if they just write many equations on the
chalkboard and do not explain them, that they can avoid
working with the students and questions from the students
and then they can get through the class period easier. But
the core of science consists of questioning phenomenon and
our understanding and this is reinforced by wonder and
amazement. It is unfortunate that both of these are being
destroyed by the majority of the faculty. These professors
have caused not the formation of the next generation of
innovative scientists, but the formation of a generation of
parrots who repeat what they have dutifully learned,
without being able to understand the material well, or
build upon it to make new discoveries and inventions.
3:BMAJ -There tend to be many research opportunities.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I found my experiences in physics
lacking and I am looking at studying other fields of
science. I started out doing physics and worked hard at it,
but I found it hard to learn from the professors here.
They are so concerned with their research that they have
little time to perfect the art of teaching. You would
expect that a university that has received two Noble Prizes
in physics to transfer this research skill to the students,
but that is not the case. The professors have trouble
explaining things so that the majority of students can
understand the material. The material as presented is
boring and uninteresting. Professors are stumped by the
simplest questions and are unable to answer why certain
expressions appear in equations or how the mathematics
relates to physical processes. I wish I would have
recognized these facts early in my academic career and then
considered studying science in other fields. Anyway,
hope to speak with you later CJ. Thanks for reading this
far...
918409 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T Few of my transfer credits applied
correctly
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-PSCI 128740 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I've changed majors or educational
intentions a number of times.
141493 1:GOALS-SOME There was too little emphasis on developing a
good background in political science as a whole.
Restricting students to a total of 45 credits from their
major field is not a good way to have them effectively
prepared for their field work...a good overall education
yes, but I was here to be trained more than I was in
Political Science, not natural science.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T that is when my money for higher
education will run out.
183965 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T and I am ok with that.
243200 1:GOALS-SOME I feel that there are limited opportunities
for internships and research positions in this field.
Additionally I feel that some of the core requirements have
too few classes which satisfy them.
2:WMAJ There is definatly a liberal bias among the
professors in the political science department at CU. Most
try to present both sides but some present only the liberal
side of issues. I feel that these professors need to find
another line of work.
3:BMAJ Conversely, I really liked the rest of the
professors I found them to be fair and very knowledgeble. I
really enjoyed learning from most of them.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I feel that it is important for future
employers to see that you can set goals and achieve them. I
fee this is an achievement because the CU campus has many
distractions. One, as you may be aware of, is its
reputation as a party school. CU is a HUGE party school
however if you manage your time and are responsible it is
possible to graduate in 4 years. I would also make the
reccomendation that you stay on top of your academic
record. The advisors are not very helpful so it is
imperative that you keep abreast of the graduation
requirements yourself and not rely on anyone else to look
out for you.
251405 2:WMAJ more law classes
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I took many college classes in high
school
264105 1:GOALS-SOME I'll be attaining the degree but aside from
regurgetating information I don't think I learned much
2:WMAJ More emphasis should be placed on current national
and international issues. A lot of the classes I took were
an extention of history classes that didn't tie well into
the present.
3:BMAJ It allowed me time to start looking into other
majors
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F That's about as long as I can handle to
be in Boulder. It's such a different place than anywhere
else I've ever been. There is far less diversity of race
and thought than I probably would have found at many other
equivalent institutions.
269171 1:GOALS-DEF I took the courses I wanted to which made it
self-directed
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I want to finish with college and move
on to the rest of my life
279851 1:GOALS-SOME I have learned the facts or content and
theories that are most important for my area of study,
however, not to the greatest degree possible: *greater
initial exposure needed *better methods for
supporting/encouraging retention of
knowledge *application to the real world (more credits
allowed for interships, more flexibility in matching UCB
(required and/or core) courses with UCB study abroad
programs, less paperwork/administrative discouragement to
apply to study abroad and then come back and have your
courses counted).
2:WMAJ MORE REAL WORLD APPLICABLE EXPERIENCES: more
credits for internships, greater opportunity to research
with faculty, greater flexibility with accepting credit
from a UCB study abroad program for MAJOR requirements
(encourages people to get the experience/doesn't hinder
people from considering it)
3:BMAJ Prompt response from academic advisors
4:DODIFF Triple check everything I ever bit of academic
advice I ever got in writing about whether a course I was
planning on taking abroad on a UCB Program would count for
core, my majors, or my minor.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I came in with credits from High School
and I'm going to stay on track for the time that I am here.
295511 1:GOALS-DEF realizing that many intro courses arent very
interesting or pertinient, once i got into my major i have
started to learn a lot about information i find interesting
and pertinent in my life
2:WMAJ instead of having to take both econ 2010 and 2020,
we should only have to take one
3:BMAJ there are some great professors in the poly sci
department who i have learned a lot from
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F it is more important to find something
that you are intersted in and take a little longer than to
be stuckin a major that you do not enjoy and graduate in 4
years
337381 3:BMAJ good advisor, Laura Coooper. really great upper
division professors with interesting classes good
internship opportunities
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I added a second major at the last
minute.
384407 1:GOALS-SOME I learned the base of knowledge that I'd need
to work in foreign policy and to understand motivations and
mechanisms of how people interact.
3:BMAJ Classes can be very interactive, and upper division
courses often deal with current and real issues. For the
field of politics, I think this is very important since the
application of what's being taught in lower levels needs to
be realized at higher levels, especially apparent in real
issues, policies, and conflicts.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I took 18 credits several semesters in
order to stay on track with two majors.
391250 1:GOALS-SOME As an in-state student who has to work to pay
the bills, the poli sci intern program sounded great but
was unfeasible.
2:WMAJ The lower division classes scare too many
interested kids away.
3:BMAJ Thad Tecza
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F It was what was right for me and my
educational experience
405280 1:GOALS-SOME The program was at times too broad, some
classes seemed extremely easy and as if the professor did
not care about the learning expereince of the student. The
two most caring professors have been Fitch and Baird.
Overall my experience within the Political Science
departmanet has been positive, there needs to be a more
challenging curriculum and classes need to be either
expanded or multiplied, in order to be able to take the
classes student's need.
2:WMAJ I would offer classes that are more technical, that
are more challenging than what is currently being offered.
I would also offer incentives for students to go out and
experience politics in the real world. I would offer more
guest speakers.
3:BMAJ the best thing about my major was the amount of
information I learned. I beleive that with the education I
received at CU i will be able to achieve many goals and be
able to lead in the future. Certain professors stand out
in my mind, Fitch, Baird, Svein, Little.
4:DODIFF I would not have decided to go for a minor in
business. It seemed the BCore classes did not add anything
to my academic experience.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am a non traditional student, I am 28
years old and have two kids, this has made my academic
tenure slow at times, but the time it has taken for me to
get my degree is well worth it. I am able to look at my
kids and truly convey to them that they can do anything
they set their mind to. I am able to look at myself and
know what I am capable of, that I am a person who can set a
goal and go for it.
411604 2:WMAJ The poitical science department seems to offer many
different classes but once the class is taken it appears to
be the same as other classes I have taken. More of a
variety in content of classes would be more motivating it's
hard to put the necessary effort into something you have
already done.
3:BMAJ Some of the professors are truly exceptional in
there insight and their ability to convey new ideas and re
structure old ones.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T longer than four years because there
might be a need on your part as I did to experience
volunteer work such as Americorps to gain a clearer insight
as to what your life objective may entail. You can learn a
tremendous amount from books and professors but to
experience the real life issues of society you need to
expereince them first hand.
456810 1:GOALS-SOME I wish that when we study political science,
that it was broken down into more focus areas such as
political theory, International relations etc. I feel that
it is too broad as currently structured. If I could do so,
I would not really need to double major in International
Affairs.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I have transferred between three
university institutions, switched majors twice, taken a
semester off waiting for acceptance to new school, and now
am double-majoring. I have eight more classes until
graduation...I just think of the fifth year a MY VICTORY
LAP!!!
457499 1:GOALS-SOME I had the ability to work in the field of my
study through an internship in the political science
department. Generally, the classes were good. I would
liked to have taken a few classes that I was unable to sign
up for at the time.
3:BMAJ I really liked taking economics as part of the PSCI
program as well as comparative and international
political classes.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F There is no need for me to stay any
longer at school. I am fully capable of getting my degree
in 4 years so to spend longer time at school I
would feel like it would be a waste of time and money.
481310 1:GOALS-SOME I feel that I have a much stronger grasp of
the world and the events that have shaped and continue to
shape it. Political Science demands a lot of reading and a
substantial amount of writing, but there was seldom
adequate feedback regarding writing style and quality.
Grading was based too heavily on content as many
instructors seemed to care little for quality writing.
There absolutely needs to be more attention paid the
incoming freshmen and sophomores and their ability to
write. WRTG 3020 is FAE too little FAR too late!
2:WMAJ I would rid the program of professors like Peter
Gries who routinely begin class by saying, "I don't know
much about..., but here's my argument to you." Look, I
want a HIGHLY educated argument presented to me, not one I
could come up with on my own. There need to be more high
quality professors who are generally concerned about their
students abilities to write, learn, organize, etc. We need
to provide some sort of insentive to lure more high quality
professors like Michaele Ferguson to our school.
3:BMAJ My major is in the news everyday. What an exciting
time to study political science. DOWN WITH BUSH!
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I took three years off between my
sophomore and junior year to enjoy my youth and make sure
that when I returned to school I knew exactly what I wanted
to do.
490710 1:GOALS-SOME graduating with a diploma from a respected
university
2:WMAJ smaller classes
3:BMAJ the focus on current affairs
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am working on three majors at the same
time.
502881 1:GOALS-SOME I think that there were few opportunities to
have leadership training without being in the leadership
program. I was not able to take an internship class and
felt that there was not an outlet for me in any other
classes. I feel like the professors in my upper division
classes did a great job at highlighting controversial
issues and challenging the class to tackle them. Those are
the professors I will reccommend my friends to enroll in,
but their classes are full already...
2:WMAJ I would like to see more seminars. I learned the
most from my professors that enganged a small group in
discussions. I feel like the undergraduate professors did
very little to motivate the class and the large groups made
me feel like a peanut packed in with all the rest. Smaller
classes that are more challenging would imporve the program.
3:BMAJ I love the subject. I think the upper division
professors did a great job enganging the intellect of their
students. Especially Dennis Eckert.
4:DODIFF I would have spent a whole year abroad instead of
only a semester and I would have chosen a more scientific
major.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I carefully selected my classes and have
finished my major requirements a semester before I
graduate. Now I only have to finish off some electives to
graduate on time. I did however have a problem when my
advisor told me I had to take certain classes for credit
that I did not actually need to take. I was studying abroad
and registered for these classes that I did not even need.
The end result was that I took classes that I was too
qualified to take and wasted my credit hours on something
useless to my education.
532377 2:WMAJ More classes.
3:BMAJ Upper division faculty
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transferred and changed majors.
555705 1:GOALS-SOME I would have liked to been able to take more
political science classes, I think having a maximum limits
the choices you choose.
2:WMAJ I could have taken more classes in my major
3:BMAJ great professors for the most part (especially
Dennis Eckart); also my program dealt with real world
issues at real time
4:DODIFF I would have liked to study abroad but I didn't
have the time or money
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I wasn't sure what I wanted to major in
at fist so i took time off and changed my major a few
times. I also got married and had my second child while at
CU.
561472 1:GOALS-NO I found the program way too general, and way
too broad. I found most lower level instructors to be
lacking in the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to
effectively teach the subjects they were responsible for.
Also, I found there to be a widely and radically broad
range of expectations for what is considered "A" work or
"F" work. It is very disconcerting to have to essentially
learn what is expected of you in every single course. It
seems as if there is little or no consensus among the
faculty on an array of key factors such as presentation of
class materials, expectactions on attendance and quality of
work, and overall themes or theories. Basically, the
Political Science department seems to be in lack of a
mission statement or any real coherent idea of how to teach
Politics. Worse, it seems that many instructors simply
don't care about teaching at all. Many of my professors
made it seem like teaching a class was a nuisance or
disturbance to them, and that my presence or attention was
far from their concern. The insane class sizes in lower
level classes, the long waitlists for upper division
classes, and the general incompetance of the advising staff
gives the entire program the distinct feeling of apathy. I
know CU is a public institution and that standards are
lower than prestigious private schools, but as a life-long
Colorado resident and taxpayer I feel cheated and saddened
that my expectations were not met at almost all levels.
2:WMAJ Hire instructors and professors who actually know
how to teach and have a desire to do it, not just show up
and tell you what they know.
3:BMAJ As bad as it sounds,if you don't like the prof. you
can go to class only on the day of the midterm and the day
of the final and count on getting an A or B.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F Any longer would be an inexcusable waste
of my time, emotional strength, money, and would only
further offend my sense of moral and ethical decency. The
entire University seems to be dissolving into a mess of
scandal, budget crises, and general malaise.
563580 1:GOALS-SOME My educational goals were a little more
ambitious, I think the biggest dissapointment I had with
the university in this capacity was that the instruction
seemed to be lacking any veritable direction...
2:WMAJ Fire some of the bleeding hearts...
3:BMAJ The delusional bleeding hearts; they take up
ridiculous causes that have no rational goal or end in
sight.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F This school is easy...and if you simply
show up to class and take notes there is no reason why you
shouldn't be getting two degrees in four years like I am.
566632 1:GOALS-DEF The program fulfilled all of my expectations,
and had practical real-world applications.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I have a family, and work part-time.
598197 1:GOALS-DEF I wanted to get a broad liberal arts
education that taught critical thinking. I also wanted an
education that would prepare me for grad school.
611186 1:GOALS-SOME I feel that my education here has helped me
to think more critically about our world and to express
arguments and ideas more clearly. However, I feel that much
of my education is hard to apply to situations that I will
be dealing with in my future career.
2:WMAJ I decided to choose my major because I was told
that it was necessary to go through this program if I
anticipated going to law school. I later learned that law
schools loook for more diverse candidates in terms of
majors. In the end, I feel that this major may not have
been the right choice for me. Perhaps informing high
schools that poli sci is not the "per law" major would be
helpful.
3:BMAJ I have challeneged myself a lot by choosing tyo
complete this program. In addition, I have had an
outstanding experience with many of the faculty. Having a
well experienced and knowledgable staff has enriched my
experienc in the poli sci department.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I took classes in high school for credit
and participated in summer classes. In addition, I planned
ahead to make sure that I would be fulfilling my
requirements in a timely manner. ni fact, I will only be
taking 6 credits of coursework in my forth year at CU,
which I could easily complete during the summer as there
are many course offerings. However, I have chosen to stay
another year in beautiful Boulder.
613031 1:GOALS-SOME While I gained a good amount of information,
there was a lack of options in the classrooms to work on
the process of applying what we learned. The courses
available however are diverse in subject matter and provide
a good number of opportunities to learn about both the
'Western' and 'Non-western' world.
2:WMAJ Have the introduction courses taught in a more
organized manner by the professors.
3:BMAJ The fact that the classes I took introduced me to
knew ways of thinking and increased my awareness and
appreciation for the world around me.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I decided to take on a second major in
my junior year of school.
686304 2:WMAJ more choice in classes to take
3:BMAJ some of the profs
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I want to get out of here as soon as
possible.
690452 1:GOALS-SOME their has been little emphasis on
non-traditional students who have other experience. These
students work differently than traditional students.
Programs are to seperated. some consolidation would do well
for this university.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am a male single parent with
teenagers. I have a disability and the focus is on single
mothers and not men with disabilities. I would like to be
able to continue into a masters directly and even that is a
fight. I am very concerned with the lack of state funding
and how that will be impacting the possibility of other low
income people to obtain better education. The president is
very persistant on making this a private college and that
is very scary. The culture does not promote unity for
studiing purposes or colaberation.
697700 1:GOALS-NO The program that i participated in was not
very structured
2:WMAJ The core requirements are absolutly useless. they
do not pertain to anything and have not made me a more
enlightened person as far as i can tell.
3:BMAJ Taking classes with Michael Kanner as the professor
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I picked up a second major.
706764 1:GOALS-SOME Some classes are just to large and that can
make learning quite difficult.
2:WMAJ Have a more diverse set of classes.
3:BMAJ I really have enjoyed the internship program.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F about five and a half because I was not
very focued on academics my first couple of years, then I
switched my major a few times. I am perfectly fine with
taking extra time because I have growen a lot since my
first couple of years and I have finally picked a major
that I love.
723980 1:GOALS-SOME Lots of the topics in political science were
either extremely general or too specific. Also, the
program mostly focuses on Western Politics, for example in
Comparative Politics the only non-western country that was
studied was Japan. Also, I think that the American
Political Science classes could use more structure in
giving students the basic fundamentals for this major.
2:WMAJ I would like to focus more on other political
systems, rather than simply western democracies. Also, I
think that current political situations must and should be
talked about - i.e. 9/11, the war with Iraq, etc.
3:BMAJ The professors are the best part of this program.
Steve Chan, Thad Tezca, Jay Kaplan (economics), Sheri
Rucki, Prof Kanner, and others deserve credit for making
this an awesome program. I thank each and everyone of them
for helping make my college experience challenging,
educational and valuable.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am graduating in four years, but I am
coming back in December to defend my thesis.
761259 2:WMAJ Advising
3:BMAJ Faculty
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I want to go to graduate school and
start my career.
820827 1:GOALS-SOME The faculty was of very little help in making
career choices, and gave very little encouragement to
students. Some classes had a well thought out curriculam
and others felt like the professor lectured on whatever
they had dreamed about the night before. Very
disappointing.
2:WMAJ I would require a couple more prerequisites in the
lower division area before taking certain law based classes.
3:BMAJ Most of the students within the program are serious
about working.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I would like to explore my options for
my future sooner rather than later.
834575 2:WMAJ Less political bias in the classrooom.
3:BMAJ I think the PSCI Internship with Professor Tecza
has really been a good experience so far.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I would like to graduate on time and
either get a decent job or get started on Graduate School
early.
836097 1:GOALS-DEF The courses provided a good range of insight
into american, global, and specialized aspects of politics
and economics.
2:WMAJ more small group projects in polisci, more classes
related to global and asian politics/affairs
3:BMAJ very good instructors
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F because I planned ahead and got a lot of
the core required classes over with first.
856990 1:GOALS-SOME not enough study of foreign politics and
counter political theories to that of america, mostly
focused upon american politics
2:WMAJ more foreign political classes required
3:BMAJ the flexibility within the required sections
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F tuition is too high to stay an extra
year while entering the job market or grad school has
greater benefits than the extra year
871822 2:WMAJ Expansion of circulum.
3:BMAJ Faculty were great, I enjoyed my professors.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I had additonal Ap credits from high
school. Additonally, my adviosr kept me on track of what
classes to take. I also did not take any "fun" courses, I
only took the ones I needed to graduate, I could only do it
this way since I changed my major and picked up a minor.
877123 1:GOALS-DEF The language requirement is silly. Not all
students will need the skill to speak another language.
This requirement should be something that is applied to
majors who will certainly use it, not someone who may or
may not use it.
2:WMAJ Language Requirement and improvements to the
website; making it easier for students to track their
degree progress.
3:BMAJ The faculty
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T The language requirement has been
difficult for me to solve, while trying to balance other
course work.
886506 1:GOALS-SOME I do not feel like I have a set of skills
that are marketable to the public without pursuing an
advanced degree first. This degree seems to be a nice
starting point for the rest of my education. I do not
believe that I would be successful in the job market if I
entered today.
2:WMAJ I would like to have smaller class sizes to allow
better interaction with faculty.
3:BMAJ It covers a huge range of topics so it's not the
same basic classes over and over.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I became interested in more than one
major and so had more coursework than someone with a single
major.
895845 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F classes weren't offered
916667 1:GOALS-DEF Great research opportunity with individual
prof and an internship for credit - wide range of
experiences and opportunities available if seek them
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I took many AP classes in high school so
once I was at CU I was able to focus on my majors rather
than core courses. I added a second major part way through
freshman year but never changed my first major. Therefore,
I will graduate in four years and actually could have
graduated a semester early.
921027 1:GOALS-SOME I spent too much time on needless core
classes when i could have been studying things pertinent to
my future job.
3:BMAJ The ability to do an internship in government, and
write an honors thesis
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I applied myself to adequately meeting
the requirements for a 4 year program. It's not that hard,
I also played rugby, worked and took a full class load and
still graduated on time.
939728 1:GOALS-DEF Until I took the internship class with Thad
Tecza there was little opportunity for me to apply what I
had learned. Some professors just want to stand in front
of the class and preach to you, however, the classes that
are most affective are the ones where you are encouraged to
think.
2:WMAJ Laura Cooper was not very helpful. I would go in
for an appointment and all she would do is tell me that the
classes I selected were okay and met requirements. She
could never answer other general questions about grad
school, when to take the GRE, etc. and would refer me to
someone else or tell me to look on line. She said that the
good thing about her job is that she could never get fired,
which I also heard from other students as well. She was
not my only advisor while I was at CU, so I feel that I
have a fair basis for comparison.
3:BMAJ Some of the faculty like Dennis Eckart, Mike
Kanner, and Thad Tecza were my favorite parts of the
program. They really challenge you to think critically and
motivate you to research a subject further.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F that is how long it worked out to be
with required credits and because I took summer classes as
well.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-PSYC 134788 1:GOALS-DEF The psychology teachers are excellent and I
feel cover a broad variety of material within their class
subjects. They all present different perspectives, next to
standard ones, are all very personable and willing to help
students, and create overall interesting classes
2:WMAJ Honestly, I can't think of anything...I didn't
really like the required lab course, maybe if they were
offered in more subjects than cognitive or social
psychology...
3:BMAJ I had excellent teachers...they were all
knowledgable, interesting to listen to, answered questions
well
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I came into college with almost a full
semester of credits anyway, and took a full amount of
classes for a few semesters.
145312 1:GOALS-SOME The psychology program met my educational
goals by giving me the opportunity to volenteer in my
community, to better grasp my understanding in people with
mental disorders, beyond just reading and studying mental
disorders in a book or lecture. I think it is helpful for
teachers, such as mine, to get out in the field and
experience what we are studying.
2:WMAJ 1001 classes are so big and hard to pay attention
with the numerous students. I do feel though that for the
amount of money that I pay, I should have gotten a great
education, opposed to a good one. With all the money I
have have paid, I will get a BA in psychology and Fine
Arts, but have a label with a poor reputation with all of
the negative things that go around here. I also feel
that the university is not as diverse as it claims to be,
nor does it strive to become more diverse as it says. I
would expect for a college to be diverse, it would have
equal opportunities for all students in all majors, when it
is obvious that such schools, as the art school, lack
equallity and have been put on the backburner. For
example, the school of art still has the old engineering
sign above the doors, not to mention the lack of
maintenence, it is almost to the point of being unsanitary.
. I also feel like I should have the opportunity to take
a survey on the university as a whole, not just one of my
majors.
3:BMAJ All of the classes are really interesting, and I
have learned a lot about psychology that pertain to myself
and the world. I have had amazing teachers that are
interested in both the field and thier students. I will
never forget some of these teachers such as scott brown,
donald weatherly, joe berta, and jen schwartz.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F this school is extremely expensive and
too much money to stay for more than four years. Watch
out, and plan out what you want to do before taking a lot
of classes that you don't need. Don't feel pressured to go
to college if you are not ready yet. I reccommend working
in BOulder to get in state, and figuring out what you want
to study, and have a plan.
170011 2:WMAJ More acutal science programs offered thru Psych
dept (ie neuroscience courses) or move that field entirely
to another dept and offer more courses in parallel with
that dept. Less social, clinical classes since many of CU's
professor's actually perfirm research in fields other than
these broader topics.
4:DODIFF spend less time taking classes I could have done
without
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T of interests other than that of my
specific major, premed courses, research opportunity
208098 1:GOALS-SOME The professors overall were really great at
teaching but there is too much emphasis put on testing, and
not enough on acutally learning
2:WMAJ I acutally really enjoyed my major program
3:BMAJ Most of the professors are awesome
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I didn't know what I wanted to do (major
or not)
213803 1:GOALS-DEF I was able to take classes that were of
interest to me and then the classes taught was I was
expecting to learn
3:BMAJ The instructors and the research faculty that I
work with (Dr. Yuko Munakata)
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I had some credits from high school but
I am also taking pre-med courses which are primarily
lower-division, and I need the upper-division credits to
graduate. Plus I am doing an honors thesis and want to
allow enough time for that
284812 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I had to take a lot of hard classes and
couldn't fly through college like many people do.
343440 1:GOALS-SOME I wish that there would have been more
experience in the lab pertainging to psychology, meaning
actually doing experiments. I feel as though I will be
expected to do so in graduate school, but little to no
opportunities were present in my undergrad experience.
2:WMAJ Have advisors that actually know who you are and
what you are working towards. Also, that they would be
less busy, so that I could easily get in contact with them
without waiting a few weeks.
3:BMAJ The faculty are all very friendly, professional,
and eager to learn from the students as well.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I believe that a student can achieve the
education in four years and have a life outside of
academics as well. Taking longer, without double majoring,
is just a waste of time and money.
344197 1:GOALS-SOME I would have liked the ouportunity to take a
broader range of cources outside my major.
2:WMAJ I think it should be manditory for every psychology
student to take women and mental health. Women make up
more than half of the patients in mental health fields and
are often ignored or stigmatized in research. This course
was the best thing that I have taken at CU.
3:BMAJ The professors
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T College costs money and I don't want to
waste money when I can easily graduate in four years
410003 1:GOALS-DEF I was able to complete a double major in four
years and still gain experience in volunteer positions due
to the organization and clarity of the psych program and
its publicity of outside opportunites. The classes were
challenging and allowed me to have many options to create
my own specialization, if you will, with research and
critical thinking classes, as well as electives. I would
say I was able to achieve more than the initial goals I had
when I began at Boulder.
2:WMAJ I would make sure to give students more hands on
experiene in their choice of areas in the field. One of the
most helpful things I have done was volunteering at MHCBC
as a youth advocate. This experience made me able to narrow
down my interests in psychology and focus more on what i am
interested in. I would like to go on to get my doctorate in
the field and it is so broad, it is necessary to have these
experiences before applying or getting into a graduate
program doing something you will untimately be dissatisfied
with.
3:BMAJ It is an amazing field and the lower division
classes give you a great overview so that you may make
decisions on what upper division classes to take and where
to go next.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I have stayed focused on my academic
career at all times, and took the necessary classes as soon
as I could. I would like to go on to get my doctorate but
do not want to be in college for the rest of my life. If
you are able to plan effectively and stay on task, it is
easy to get your degree after four years. I had a double
major, volunteered in the community and in research labs on
campus, and participated in theatre productions during my
time here. Even doing all this I could go skiing almost
every other weekend, visit family and friends out of town,
and attend many sporting events. Go Buffs! Sometimes it was
tough but it was well worth it.
428367 1:GOALS-SOME I would have rather had a more science-based
program that led to a bachelor of science in psychology
instead of a bachelor of arts, although I knew that was not
an option when I applied here.
2:WMAJ ???
3:BMAJ Most of the psychology faculty is excellent. I have
truly enjoyed learning from my professors.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered here and lost some of my
previous credits.
434378 1:GOALS-SOME Basically, my degree is worthless without
pursuing a graduate degree in psychology. Luckily, I
recieved a certificate in the INVST Community Leadership
Program, which set me up for seeking a job in the real
world. If the INVST program did not exist I would be very
disatisfied with my educational experience. Not that I
didn't learn alot of basic knowledge with my degree in
Psychology. A bachelor's degree simply isn't enough, and I
truly did not realize that until my junior year. INVST
should definitely recieve more funding from the University.
2:WMAJ All the advisors except Devin Nordberg were awful
to work with. He is a godsend and the others should be
fired. Please give professor Vic Ryan a raise and
encourage Martichuski to offer more papers for grades since
the only reason I recieved a B in her course was becuase
she was sick and had to cancel one of her ghastly tests.
Thank the Lord, otherwise I would have recieved a D which I
didn't deserve because I studied hard.
3:BMAJ What you learn is interesting
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I didn't know what I wanted to major in
during my first semesters of college and becuase I joined
the INVST Program which took alot of time and energy as
well as 16 more credits then I had originally planned, and
I was in the Education Program and dropped out midway.
439839 1:GOALS-SOME I am very unhappy with the UROP/URAP program
and availability of research positions. I tried several
times to work in a lab and was never given a project of my
own or even one to contribute towards. I was given tedious
lab procedures that required no thought, and I do not feel
that I was taken seriously. Very disapointing experience.
2:WMAJ Researchers at CU should communicate to interested
students what is going on in their labs, and to offer ways
of gaining research experience. Start paying advisors so
they will work.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I developed new interests and new goals
to pursue.
494625 2:WMAJ less lab courses more specific knowledge, less
repetition and general information
3:BMAJ advisor- laurel amsel
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I changed majors and joined the
education department too late so it is taking me an extra
semester to complete ed classes and student teach.
512249 1:GOALS-SOME I would have liked there to have been more
discussion and information about how one applies the
knowledge being taught in the class in a real world,
non-academic job.
2:WMAJ More information about jobs for people with only a
ba in my field
3:BMAJ It's damn cool matterial and a cutting edge field
that could go in any direction any time in the near future.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I was able to take care of all of the
core and major requirements after transfering from another
school and still take a couple classes for fun.
530828 1:GOALS-SOME They did not explain that a bachelor's degree
in psychology does not really get you a career. They did
however give an accurate amount of work for the degree
given.
2:WMAJ More career advising.
3:BMAJ The work load.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I worked hard and had difficult class
loads. My family could not afford to send me to college
for longer so I took AP classes in high school to get
college credit.
533933 2:WMAJ I feel the academic advising dept really needs
improvement - Also the fact that one can't easily get into
required courses as a junior/senior is extremely frustrating
3:BMAJ the clinical based courses are great - excellent
professors
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I added a second major (elementary
education) and then later decided to simply graduate with a
psychology degree. I will walk in May (Four years) but have
to take three summer courses to complete my required
courses.
564271 1:GOALS-DEF there was not much on what comes after
undergrad work. i feel i had to do all the work for
understanding what comes next. a lot of what is needed to
get into grad school for psych. is not offered upfront or
talked about much. you have to dig to figure things out,
and it's up to you what you find out.
2:WMAJ more info up front about how to get into grad
school.
3:BMAJ the faculty is amazing
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F i have decided to take some time off to
figure out exactly what i want to do. i plan on living and
providing for myself in every way possibly to help me grow
and learn before i enter school. that way, i will really
want to be at school to learn, not just for the environment.
576198 1:GOALS-DEF Classes were too large. Should have more
one-on-one time with the instructor.
2:WMAJ Get rid of some of the not needed core classes
(ie., history). And, spend more time interacting with the
instructor and other students rather than all lecture.
3:BMAJ Very interesting. Some great instructors.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am a double major; and I love Boulder.
577742 1:GOALS-SOME I enjoyed the majority of my courses and I
was impressed with the faculty in my department. They were
all very well informed and intelligent.Unfortunately,
although I tried, I was not given very much information
about different internship and/or job opportunities related
to my major.
2:WMAJ I would like more internship opportunities. Or at
least some sort of hands on experience besides the research
opportunities that are available.
3:BMAJ The substantial breadth of courses available within
the psych department.
4:DODIFF Given my interests today I would have not chosen
a psychology degree. Although I have immensely enjoyed
psychology as a subject and have done very well within my
major, I've realized there's not much one can do or qualify
for with a degree in psychology unless one's goes on to get
a Ph.D in psychology.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I will take a substantial amount of
credits each semester in addition to taking advantage of
academic advisors who will help me plan for each semester.
578747 1:GOALS-SOME I was hoping to learn more about how clinical
therapy works and the methods used to help people, but I
guess they save teaching how to do therapy until grad
school. I thought it was a good mix overall of psychology
along with the hard sciences and I'm glad there was a large
scientific base and that a wide variety of classes were
offered.
2:WMAJ Some of the teachers were not an enjoyable
experience at all, while some were absolutely exceptional
so I wouldn't change the good ones. Many of the teachers
though I would want to change their attitudes to have them
seem like they actually wanted to help us learn and succeed
instead of making things so difficult to succeed in. It is
easy to pick out the teachers who are truly there to help
you learn and succeed.
3:BMAJ Incorporating many fields of study and choosing
from a wide variety of classes.
4:DODIFF maybe choose a minor and have more help
integrating both fields of study into one schedule, or take
honors classes. I do not feel like I heard about the
option of graduating with honors until it was too late.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T although I transfered and was open
option until junior year, a lot of my classes transfered
and I had taken a lot already that applied to the
Psychology major requirements. Since I took all of the
core classes my first couple of years I was able to piece
together the upper-division requirements in the last two
even after deciding on a major so late.
581258 1:GOALS-SOME I am finished with my degree in psychology,
however, I am now going to apply to pharmacy school. I
tried working in a lab, but the grad student was very
unreliable and often did not show up to meet with me. I
got bored with some of my psych classes, which is part of
the reason I decided to go to pharmacy school. I only
finished my major because I had very few classes left to
complete.
2:WMAJ offer more hands on labs
3:BMAJ my advisor, Laurel Amsel, was extremely helpful and
very nice to talk to
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F ...I am only given money for four years.
I also want to be finished with undergraduate school and
start working on courses (in pharmacy school) that will be
career oriented. I am sick of doing prerequisites.
732553 1:GOALS-SOME no
2:WMAJ I would have more advisors
3:BMAJ it's a fascinating field
4:DODIFF I would have gotten more financial aid earlier,
because the xxxx weren't there for me when I actually
needed it.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I have had life happen. It is
impossible to do school in 4 years and have a life outside
as well.
756880 1:GOALS-SOME I didnt have any exact goals to come here
besides to learn as much as a could in an area that
interested me.. That area was psychology..
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T My parents cannot afford another year as
a result of me F'in up in school...
788139 1:GOALS-SOME My educational goals were met although it
required me to go outside the university for some aspects
that were important to me.
2:WMAJ Psychology @ Boulder is a program with a very
narrow view of the world. Still, gender is being seperated
unnecessarily for research, and race, and class issues are
being ignored for most studies.
3:BMAJ Some of the professors are experts in their fields
of psychology. Hernandez made biopsych a good class and my
TA, Greg Webster for Judgement and decision making is a
very skilled statistician.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T that is the average at CU. I wasn't
able to take classes in a desired ordered b/c of full
classes and not enough class offerings. Most of my classes
were too large to get any attention so it would have been
difficult to take a heavier course load
816417 1:GOALS-SOME Because I came in as a transfer, finding
upper division courses for which I had the pre reqs for
became more important than finding classes related to my
interests and career goals.
2:WMAJ I'd want to be able to take more courses in the
field
3:BMAJ The faculty was great
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I couldn't afford the tuition for four
years, so I started at a community college and received my
AA. Financial aid wasn't helpful, because even though my
parents were not supporting me, I had to claim their
income, and it made me ineligible for aid
817353 2:WMAJ Professors! Not that they were bad teachers, I
learned very much but think they left something to be
desired when it came to social skills and interaction with
students.
3:BMAJ Class selection
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I was a transfer student my starting at
the begining of my junior year, so I lost credits and had
to refocus my classes strongly around CU core and major
upper division requirements
825618 1:GOALS-SOME As someone with a double major I am having
difficulty differentiating my experiences in regards to
psychology specifically or overall. I am extremely
displeased with the advising program in the psychology
department. I understand that psychology is a popular
major and that there are few advisors for many students,
but this is no excuse for the quality of service provided.
I have been fortunate to find a time to meet with my
advisor and she has never been of any help. She never
answers my questions. She consistantly focuses on topics
that I did not intend to meet with her about. So overall,
she has been a complete waste of time to both me and those
other students who are having trouble scheduling
appointments with her. I have also had difficulty with two
of the professors in upper level psychology courses. They
have little regard for their students and do not teach a
substantial amount of material compared to what should be
expected. I have not experienced this sort of difficulty
in any other department.
2:WMAJ More advisors. Advisors also need to LISTEN to
what the student is trying to figure out and not just
assume that they know the problem just by looking at
student records.
3:BMAJ Although my focus is on neuroscience, the courses
are still relatively easy.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T it seems reasonable to me that adding
one extra semester is acceptable considering that I have
two science majors, a minor, and a certificate.
833561 2:WMAJ more class selection
3:BMAJ available resources
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I plan on getting two BA's before I
graduate
839233 2:WMAJ There would be less of an emphasis on the clinical
aspects of psychology.
3:BMAJ The experienced and understadning professors.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am actually finishing in 3 1/2 years
because I came into school with a major in mind and college
credit.
884649 1:GOALS-DEF I feel that I am prepared to go onto what
lies next for me. I am ready for either the work force,
grad school, or whatever else. CU put me throught all of
the proper training and instruction that I need to continue
on in life.
2:WMAJ Make an internship mandatory
3:BMAJ Once you get past the initial general psych
classes, most classes are small and allow you to become
very familiar with the teachers and fellow students
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have a double major with Advertising.
Because Advertising and Psychology are in different
schools, I have to complete 150 hours, instead of 120 hours.
907319 1:GOALS-SOME It gave me the basics and the theories of
psychology. But it was way too theoritically based and
there was NO classes to help me with clinical situations
and applying theories to everyday experiences. Also, none
of my psychology course addressed issues of class, race,
sexuality, gender identity, religion, etc. and related
topics to oppression and privilege adequately. This should
be in every class and it was addressed in very few of my
course and usually no addressed comprehensively.
2:WMAJ That it was more comprehensive and more clinically
and practically based in the curriculum. I thought there
would be some opportunity to learn more about being a
therapist and less about theories (which are important but
not repeated every year in most classes). There was little
if any mention of oppression issues and how class, race,
sexuality, gender, etc. and this was disappointing. These
are elements that must be considered in the field of
psychology and particularly clinical psych. I picked up
sociology as a second major to adress these issues, but
these issues shouldn't be excluded from psychology
3:BMAJ I did learn a lot and I know way too much about
Freud and other theorists. Overall, my professors were
really good and did a great job of teaching what they are
supposed to teach.
4:DODIFF I would of put more time into deciding what i'm
doing when I graduate. I"m graduating in 4 weeks and I have
no idea what i'm doing..get on the ball with this!
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I found a major that I was happy with
and didn't change major just added one on. I didn't fail
any of my classes, put academics high on my priority list,
took responsiblity for my actions and knew that it was my
responsibility to get my school work done. I think it was
pretty easy to graduate in four years (with two majors)
because if I went to class, did my reading and studied. I
stayed on top of everything and that's why I'm getting a
bachlor in two studies by age 21.
939650 1:GOALS-SOME I was taking too many classes I did not want
to be taking because nothing else was offered
2:WMAJ less hours of core and more hours in my major
3:BMAJ Joe berta
4:DODIFF I am not satisfied that I chose psychology as my
major. I would like to do the media arts program instead
because that is what I would love.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am unsure what I want to do with my
future so I will take some time off, transfer, and change
my major.
940581 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I studied a variety of subjects and not
all of them counted toward my major.
941952 2:WMAJ Accepting psychology classes from the applied
physiology department
3:BMAJ The teachers
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Because the athletic department will pay
for an extra year and I can get a second major in that time
953018 1:GOALS-SOME Perhaps this is because I double majored, but
I feel that especially by the end, there were not many
opportunities to learn about topics outside of my fields.
Not only was I not able to take other classes, but I feel
that the classes I did take were not interdisciplinary and
did not borrow from knowledge and traditions of other
fields. I felt that the theoretical focus was too Western
and Euro-centric, which does not fit in with my aducational
and career goals.
2:WMAJ I would have liked for it to be more sequential.
Most classes only had general psych as a pre-req. I think
if there were more emphasis on taking classes in a certain
sequence, there wouldn't be so much repeated material
between classes.
3:BMAJ The professors, especially for Upper Division
classes were REALLY good! They all seemed really
enthusiastic about teaching and were very welcoming and
accessible during office hours.
4:DODIFF I would have liked to do a minor.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I earned over a semester of credit in
high school through IB. This essentially gave me an extra
semester that allowed me to accomplish academically what I
wanted to (i.e. double major, do an honors thesis).
983877 1:GOALS-SOME Overall, I am most disappointed at the
professors at CU. Although I have had some outstanding
professors, most have been mediocre or horrible. It would
help to meet my educational goals if I had more invested
and enthusiastic instructors that engage the class and are
available for help at other times. Also, the lower
division classes in the psychology department are too easy
and do not prepare you for some of the upper division
classes. It has also been disappointing to take upper
division classes on topics I'm interested in and have them
run like a lower division class. I do appreciate the few
instructors that actively engage the class and apply it the
outside world.
2:WMAJ Better Professors....they make or break the class.
A professor who is a good teacher, engages the class, and
is enthusiastic about what he/she is teaching makes all the
difference. I wish the school would hire more people who
want to teach and enjoy it, rather than those who provide
good research for the university.
3:BMAJ The best thing about my major is the few professors
that have taken the time to teach interesting and diverse
classes. I appreciate it when a person comes to CU to
teach his/her specialty. It also helps with having an
array of different classes on numerous aspects os
psychology. Also, those professors that allow for great
volunteer and research opportunities.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I have worked hard to get all my
requirements done even though I have changed majors. I
have always taken at least 15 hours each semester until
now. I also have taken summer courses. It has been
important to me to graduate in 4 years, therefore I made it
a priority.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-SLHS 461020 1:GOALS-DEF I feel that CU-Boulder got me prepared to go
into the real world and find and employer that is involved
with my field of study.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am going to transfer from Metropolitan
State College after two years and will lose some credits
when I get to CU-Boulder.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-SOCI 130287 2:WMAJ class sizes
3:BMAJ great professors
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F i was able to transfer college credits
from the ap classes i took in high school to get nearly a
year's worth of credit hours.
145419 1:GOALS-SOME I feel that my major in Sociology was very
interesting and highly beneficial, but fear it will lead to
little direct application for career positions. The
knowledge that I've obtained in my field is substantial,
but I think the Sociology department needs to re-establish
credibility to attract more majors.
2:WMAJ BETTER ADVISING!!!!! My advisor, although very
nice, was NOT very knowledgeable about academics.
Consequently, it cost me the opportunity to apply course
forgiveness to a class that I had re-taken. Also, there
needs to be more clubs or social activities within the
major to create a sense of community.
3:BMAJ I just love some of the teachers and the
mind-bending classes.
4:DODIFF Choose another major
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F my freshman year was about exploration,
and consequently it lengthened my schooling. Also, I
declared my major in the Spring of my sophomore year, which
postponed my graduation date as well. My advice? Take
your time and enjoy it!
151417 1:GOALS-DEF did: rigorous course requirements,
interesting and engaging courses, intelligent and
well-versed professors all helped create a positive
learning environment.
2:WMAJ Wider variety of subjects; include more queer
theory/womyn's studies/ethnic studies within the curriculum
of sociology. Also, make classes smaller!!
3:BMAJ There are so many wonderful things about the
sociology program- brilliant professors (mostly),
fascinating subject matter- it's impossible to name just
one!
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I completed my core requirements within
the first two years and almost all of my major requirements
within the first three years, so in my senior year, all I
had to do was catch up and take electives.
179890 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F i have had a difficult time dealing with
my mental illness.
185796 1:GOALS-SOME I would have preferred more individual
attention and in many cases, not just being a number in a
class or department
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I majored in Sociology and then also am
getting my elementary ed. licesense and you cannot apply to
the ED. until you are a junior. So, even though I was
right on track it took a total of 5 years.
215879 5:DEARCJ-4YRS T That is all I need
307425 1:GOALS-SOME Courses were enlightening and
thought-provoking but perhaps a bit too easy. Theory could
have been more thouroughly discussed as opposed to the
practical real issue applications. Real world application
as far as internships or other employment opportunities
were entirely lacking
2:WMAJ More internship programs and applications for our
academic knowledge
3:BMAJ Great professors when they actually teach the class
instead of Grad students.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F because I have selected to do a double
degree between the business school and school of arts and
science which requires me to stay here for an extra year.
328823 1:GOALS-DEF I wanted to get a stong understanding of
sociological concepts by taking a wide variety of classes
within the major. I feel this was accomplished for me, and
I feel confident about my sociological knowledge.
2:WMAJ I wish the sociology program would advertise/offer
more internships related to the field that students could
participate in during the summer or even during the school
year.
3:BMAJ The sociology faculty REALLY cares about it's
students, and I never felt like a stranger when I was in
the SOCY office or speaking with professors. It is
genuinely a GREAT staff of people and the university is
lucky to have each and every one of them. Their passion
for teaching and for the subject matter is highly apparent.
4:DODIFF I think I would have picked up a minor in either
Psychology or Anthropology
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I actually am getting my BA in 3 years,
thanks to the Internation Baccalaureate program I did in
high school.
345708 2:WMAJ better advertisement for students on careers in
socy field.
3:BMAJ The curriculum in upper-division level classes and
Annjannette-Rosga as my teacher who provided the most
interesting and worldwide information out there.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F because I expect to do well and finish
in four years.
346278 2:WMAJ More hands on opportunities, eg. internships.
3:BMAJ Wide range of courses that are applicable to all
aspects of life.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F Because I can not afford to pay for any
extra years.
361918 2:WMAJ That all sociology classes seem rather redundant.
3:BMAJ The professors have been interesting, entertaining,
and informative.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F this school is way too expensive for out
of state students.
408333 2:WMAJ Add more variety to the classes. It seems as though
the majority of the classes are all end up being about the
same topics.
3:BMAJ It's easy and it relates to real world issues.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T college is very expensive. Also, i
really didn't like it here and i couldn't wait to get out
of here.
440824 1:GOALS-SOME I worked at an emphasis in criminal justice
and I found that after 1st semester junior year I had taken
all of the available courses in criminology. I had to beg a
sociology professor to let me into his graduate crim.
class...so I guess offering more classes within certain
sections would be great and keep me enthused about my
emphasis.
2:WMAJ just as I said before, I would offer more
criminology classes. Other than that, I have had a great
experience with the sociology dept.
3:BMAJ great professors!
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I was able to switch my major early in
my sophormore year, which allowed enough time for me to fit
in all of my requirements. Also, I took summer classes one
summer which really helped me stay on track. Last, my
parents would be very upset with me if I took more than 4
years because out-of-state tuition is absolutely
ridiculous! CJ, just imagine what I could do with $100,000+!
506757 1:GOALS-SOME This campus is not a diverse place to be in
terms of class, race, gender expression, and sexual
orientation. I would not recommend this campus because it
is not a good experience for minority students. After
trying Engineering, Architecture I only found support in
Sociology and Ethnic studies to discuss diverse issues. I
think it is tragic that the University does not value
diversity enough to provide MA and PhD programs in Ethnic
studies. Furthermore, I am not a student of color, yet I
feel I have been cheated by this university for not
providing a place where diverse expereinces and identities
and values can exist.
2:WMAJ More professors of color, women etc.
3:BMAJ It is the one major that has any diversity on this
campus.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F five years. I began my experience at CU
in the School of Enigineering. Although I found the work
to be most interesting the environment was horrible for
women, glbt students and people of color. I was going to
quit school when I decided to change my major to sociology.
I have really enjoyed the sociology department, however,
this University lacks diversity in all contexts. Many of
the classes I took my freshman year would not transfer over
to Arts and Sciences, thus, I will be here for an extra
year. As a student with a 3.7 cum gpa, coming out of
highschool ranked #10 out of 340 students I would not
recommend CU if you are looking to expand your mind and
encounter diverse points of view. I have not, and I will
not, look at CU for a graduate program.
537165 2:WMAJ I would suggest that Criminology was actually given
major status and I would also suggest adding classes that
are more hands on, or that take abstract theories and show
how they are applied in practical situations outside of the
classroom.
3:BMAJ The criminology professors that are teaching at
this school.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F It costs too much money to take five
years, and I hope to attend graduate school in the near
future. For me, it is important to graduate in a timely
manner, so I can move on to graduate school, or to life in
general. It may be beneficial to take longer, if one is
unsure of their interests and believes time would change
this.
554865 2:WMAJ I would make it more hands-on. Either conduct
activities in class or go to a location during class time
to get a feel for how it fits into society. I also beleive
that Sociology should offer a class on leadership.
3:BMAJ I don't know, it was okay. The best class that I
have taken is Army ROTC. ROTC beats all of the classes I
have taken combined. It will also provide me with one of my
two jobs upon graduation.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am lucky. A lot of my friends have to
take another semester or full year. The school is not
efficient enough and it is focused on making money (not
timely education)...the longer you stay, the more money
they make. If the school would get it together they would
have 80-90% of students graduating in four years. There is
obviously a failure in the system somewhere.
584302 2:WMAJ More concrete application to real life situations,
rather than so many theoretical perspectives I will never
remember. Also, a few of the professors might need to be
reconsidered...
3:BMAJ It is interesting, and not extremely difficult to
get through.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I want to finish college and move on
with a better focus on what I want to do. Also, being that
my major has little or nothing to do with what I plan to do
in the future, I would simply like to get my college degree
because it is important to have.
601504 1:GOALS-SOME i feel that the scope and breadth of
available knowledge was limited, and the expectations(of
professors) of engagement were low. granted, this is
largely due to the students apathy but i feel like many
ideas and subjects could have pushed a little harder to
force people beyond their comfort zones.
2:WMAJ i think that everyone in the university should have
to take some sociology courses to increase their
awareness!!! Sociology should not be considered a 'default
'major an longer; its importance in our world is invaluable.
3:BMAJ I like the sense of community that I feel within
the major, the sense that we are all in to major positive
changes in the world, and the sense of hope that pervades
most of our classes.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am working on a double major, and have
completed a two year certificate program as well.
624815 1:GOALS-NO This university claims to be a place of
higher education. However, this could not be more removed
from the truth. The politics both inside and outside the
classroom, and the one-sided presentation of opinions of
the faculty and students is truly nausiating. I did VERY
well here, so do not attempt to say that I am disgruntled
because of a 2.0 GPA. I am active in Student Government,
the Department of Housing, and other student groups, so I
would advise that the University take this into account
when they read this survey. I AM NOT AN OUTSIDER. I have
been treated like garbage by the univeristy and ultimately
wish that I had attended another school. The ciriculum was
sub-tandard, and did not foster ANY intellectual
development.
2:WMAJ Not choosing it.
3:BMAJ Getting a totally worthless degree that prepares me
for the graveyard shift at Starbucks... thanks alot CU!
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F Becuase I am not lazy and dont enjoy
wasting my money.
625222 2:WMAJ The Reseach Methods program. Qualitative or
Quantitative, I feel that we need to be taught how to
conduct these projects properly, rather than it being left
up to us to "figure it out." Give us a project and show us
what to do, I hate being tossed to "the lions."
3:BMAJ The professors in the crime and gender areas have a
lot of experience, and share their knowledge.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F the four year track is outdated and
become unrealalistic for many students, especially students
that work full time.
647755 1:GOALS-SOME I wish there had been more classes in areas
such as comtemparary theories. a class that delt in some
degree with people with disabiliti9es in society. offered
a class on writting research perposals, grants and ohter
types of writtig required for a job in the public serviece
sector
2:WMAJ I have alreayd said what I would add when answering
what esle should be offered
3:BMAJ It gives me a good backround to go into policy
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T H I would recomend taking five years
to findish school. You will get more out of your classes
if you take four instead of five a semester. Aso if you
have to work to pay for school it will very very diffeicut
to get everything done if you are taking five classes as
semester which you need to do in order to finish in four
years. Although saying this I would recomend faking some
summer classes. thaey are a good way to get credit hours
done quickly
667113 2:WMAJ Better, more clear advising. Knowledge of other
programs or direction for those minoring in another area.
3:BMAJ The teachers are phenomenal!
672447 1:GOALS-SOME There should have been an intership
requirement, just to get your feet wet.
2:WMAJ I would make an intership a requirement so we know
what it's like out there and make informed decisions about
after school is over.
3:BMAJ Some great and inspiring teachers -----> Dr. Mike
Haffey comes to mind. Altough some of the younger student
instructors were teaching classes and seemed hugely
overloaded and stressed.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I will take longer than 4 years because
I will putting myself through school and working full time
as well.
738492 1:GOALS-SOME The department(s) that I interacted with did
not actively search for the benefit/satisfaction, but did
give their suggestions when necessary.
2:WMAJ The knowledge that a requirement could be used as
an elective if another requirement class was chosen for
fulfillment (i.e. SOCY 2011 and SOCY 3301 require the same
category, SOCY 3301 should be counted as an upper-division
elective).
3:BMAJ The interest, experience and knowledge attained in
all my classes.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F It would be beneficial for me to
graduate four years and have to avoid answering the
question "Why did you take more than four years?" when
applying for graduate school or a job.
747368 1:GOALS-DEF in my major the profs prepared me for the
real world through interaction..my part-time job as aided
me in a variety of ways
2:WMAJ i wish more small classes were offered
3:BMAJ the profs
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F i'm ready for the real world
749606 1:GOALS-SOME I learned a lot about the world and other
perspectives. The teachers were very enlightening of other
viewpoints.
2:WMAJ Less writing papers and more tests.
3:BMAJ The teachers are understanding, nice, interesting,
and very informative.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I'm getting a double degree in business
and sociology
761868 1:GOALS-DEF I often see professors from past semesters
that still remember my name...makes me feel significant in
such a large school! With the exception of survey methods,
I was excited each and every day to go to class and learn
something new. Michael Lynn and others in department
office always friendly and very helpful with any type of
administrative questions.
2:WMAJ Survey Methods! Hated it!
3:BMAJ That the teachers are unafraid to open the eyes of
the students to what is really going on around the world
and show them how to make desired changes.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have considered adding a seconf major,
English, and would require a longer stay at CU. Also, this
time has gone by too fast and I don't feel ready to leave
yet!
762586 1:GOALS-NO The social action internship offered to
sociology students was cancelled in the fall of
2003...instead of notifying the students and attempting to
help them find a new internship, the university simply put
up a notification on PLUS leaving the students, many of
which were counting on this internship to provide them with
more knowledge of what jobs will be offered once they
graduate, were left to rush and sign up for whatever
available socy classes were left...which wasn't much. i
love this university as a whole but i believe that the
sociology dept. needs to contribute a little more to the
students. the only advice ever given to me from a sociology
professor was go to law school because you won't get a job
otherwise...what if i can't afford to go to law school or
don't want to be a lawyer? what other alternatives do i
have...i am leaving this college feeling very lost.
2:WMAJ i think that i have said enough...do more for the
students who will change the world.
3:BMAJ the teachers and the diversity of the courses
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F i am paying a load of money on this
school and i would be on food stamps after i was finally
done finishing paying off all of my loans. Plus, my parents
will be happy.
823864 5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I took enough credits every year and I
took AP classes in high school to prepare me for college.
I have always expected to graduate in 4 years or less.
830934 1:GOALS-SOME I am not at all sure that I have gained the
skills and knowledge that will be required for me to get
into or succeed in graduate school. I think if I was not
going on to graduate school I might feel more positively
about this. However, given the competitive nature of
post-graduate education, I am a bit concerned about my
preparation.
2:WMAJ I would not try to squeeze all of classical (or
modern) theory into one semester. Each of these should
really be a two semester long series, in order for students
to come away from their experience feeling really
comfortable with the theories that are central to
sociology. I feel that sociology majors should be able to
give a good explanation of our main theories in the same
way that we would expect a biology major to be able to
explain Darwin.
3:BMAJ I love sociology, I think it is the single most
important discipline in all of academia. Every time I go
to class I am aware that everything I am learning has real
bearing on the world around me.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I have taken three breaks of one or more
years because I have had three children in the course of my
undergraduate study. In addition to the breaks, it will
take me longer because I cannot carry huge credit loads and
still meet my responsibilities as a mom. I have only
usually taken 12 credits at a time.
864622 1:GOALS-SOME I think there could have been more classes
for a criminalogical background
2:WMAJ more classes with an emphasis in criminology
3:BMAJ Michael Haffey he made my learning experiences fun.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I did not want to take summer classes
due to the fact I have no idea of what i want to do after I
graduate
898789 1:GOALS-DEF I participated in a variety of academica
communities that provided a rigorus balance, which enabled
me to grow theoretically, personally, and intellectually.
2:WMAJ Smaller Classes
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I was able to complete my degree and it
is financially unwise to stay on.
909100 2:WMAJ I would have liked more information from my advisor
about certificate programs, the honors program, and any
other ways to get more from my major. What little I
received, was too little too late.
3:BMAJ The professors are engaging and passionate.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transferred from another school and
changed my major.
909390 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I have found that if you put your mind
to it you can graduate with multiple degrees in four years
973426 1:GOALS-DEF The Sociology Department has some of the
finest professors I have ever studied under. They are
amazing. Other than that, theres not much I was impressed
by.
2:WMAJ the class sizes and students
3:BMAJ the professors
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I'm the fastest in the world!!!!!!
978787 1:GOALS-NO Cu was a joke. The classes were horrible.
Everyone was a repeat of the last one. The teachers were
terrible. One of my teachers should have retired a decade
ago, but continued to teach even though he showed
absolutely no interest. I am disgusted by the Cu program in
general. As an out of state student I feel bad my parents
had to pay for this buls#@*!
2:WMAJ i would fire about half of the teaching staff. I
would also cut about 80% of the classes, because for they
are extremely redundant. i would add new and exciting
classes that had a real life basis.
3:BMAJ it was easy, so i had a lot more time for social
activities. Sociology is a joke here.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I cannot wait to get out of Cu. I
despise Cu as an educational center. if you want to come
and get drunk and ski it is a great place. I f you want to
walk away with some sort of knowlege go elsewhere.
981392 1:GOALS-DEF I was actually an "Individually Structured
Major"- and this program was IDEAL for making a large
university into a small university. I had three faculty
members with whom I worked closely and benefited from their
expertise, experience, and networking resources. My
happiness about my major is because I could create my own
major.
2:WMAJ I would want more people to do the Individually
Structured Major program- it's more work for the students,
and just a little more work for the faculty. But the
benefits for the student are HUGE.
3:BMAJ As I narrowed down the title and purpose of my
major, I was learned about the complexities of social
justice issues as related to Education. I talked to
phenomenal community members and nationally-renowned
faculty that I otherwise wouldn't have considered meeting
with. I have a level of understanding about education on
par with most graduate level students- and that gives me a
huge head-start for grad school and the job world. (My
Major is called Educational Transformation). I think this
would be a great way to market the Univeresity better- this
is CU's chance to have a greater emphasis on teaching and
learning instead of just research.
4:DODIFF I just wanted to take this opportunity again to
say how important the Individually structured major is.
Plus, The Presidents Leadership Class is what drives me to
be active in the community and what has inspired me to be a
change agent in the world.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I didn't study abroad during the school
year, nor did I do any significant switches in major. I
went during the summer and found it worked well for me. I
was ready to get into the "real world" and college is
expensive. I do support the people who work hard and it
still takes them more than four years. But, I am irked by
the people who are just lazy and don't care about taking a
long time because it is their parents' money.
982554 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I want to move on to the next step in
life as soon as I can.
985544 1:GOALS-SOME I felt that getting taught by graduate
students was extremely inefficient and condescending.
About half of the courses I took, including upper-division
were taught by graduate students as overwhelmed as the
students were. I did not feel that they had enough
experience or expertise to give me the education I paid
for. Nor were they trained as instructors in the
motivation of the students or in instruction or teaching
techniques. So not only were they inexperienced, they were
untrained teachers as well. This is not only in the
sociology department, but it is a campus wide phenomenon as
well.
2:WMAJ We need more contemporary theories to study and
give them the same amount of emphasis as the older
foundational theories. We get stuck in the past too often
and spend a lot of time in class reviewing theories that
are very old, albeit somewhat still applicable.
Contemporary theories are as varied and complex as the old
ones.
3:BMAJ The variety of theory and the social issues it
addresses.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T it will take me longer than four years
to figure out all of what it is that I want to do. I want
to have a broad based education and dabble with all of the
academic fields out there, to get a sense of what it is
that I want to earn as a degree.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-SPAN 103007 1:GOALS-SOME Because CU is such a large school, it is
sometimes hard to find internships or positions as an
undergraduate. Although these opportunities may exist,
there needs to be a better way of advertising them.
2:WMAJ As a Spanish and Portuguese language and culture
major, I would really like to have upper division
Portuguese classes offered at CU. I feel that availability
of these classes would be a wonderful and essential asset
to the program.
3:BMAJ I really enjoyed my professors in the Spanish
major. Leila Lehnen, Juan Pablo Dabove and Ester Brown
were not only amazing professors, they were people whom I
could relate. They were without a doubt, the best things
about the Spanish major program.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I spent a year and a half on different
study abroad programs. Although it will now take me five
years to graduate, I feel that my experiences abroad were
critical in my education. I would highly recommend study
abroad even if it requires you to stay at CU for another
year.
112037 1:GOALS-DEF The Spanish program helped me to gain a more
thorough understanding of both the culture and the
language, as well as the literature and other important
aspects of Spanish-speaking countries. I feel like this
understanding is important when communicating with
Spanish-speakers, and I feel like CU has provided me
valuable background knowledge through the Spanish
Language/Literature program.
2:WMAJ I genuinely liked the Spanish major program. I
feel like it helped me to gain a more thorough
understanding of the culture, language, literature, ways of
life, and other important factors of Spanish-speaking
countries. I feel like I got a chance to improve my
communication skills, which I feel is very important. I
understand that professors and instructors are encouraged
to give each individual student a chance to speak
individually in front of a class, but I feel like too many
of them do this-- individual presentations, while helpful
sometimes, just become frustrating when there are five or
six of them in a semester. I understand that this helps
students to develop better verbal communication skills in a
foreign language, but I would change this aspect of the
major-- maybe encouraging (or requiring) less individual
presentations in-class.
3:BMAJ Lesley Socash is the best advisor I've ever met
with. I came into CU as a business major and have also met
with political science advisors, among other academic
advisors. So, I DO know something about other advisors
on-campus. Lesley is always incredibly well-prepared, able
to answer any questions that I have, and is friendly, fun,
and gives you the full length of your scheduled
appointment. She has a genuine concern for students, and
is a wonderful person. I feel like she helped me greatly
in getting through my years at CU, and I genuinely
appreciate her.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I'm actually going to take less than
four years, because I received much AP credit at CU from
having taken the AP tests in high school. Additionally, CU
offers a wide range of summer courses-- even major-specific
classes, not just basic core classes.
155399 1:GOALS-NO i don't feel that CU-Boulder has truly
prepared me for what i will encounter in my future. i
wanted to leave college a more rounded individual, but i
don't feel that i am. yes, i now know spanish, but i
learned most of it in mexico, not boulder. i also feel that
the spanish department is overlooked and
underfunded...coming from a state w/ a spanish-speaking
population of over 20 percent, cu-boulder's spanish program
should be one of the best in the country...but it is very
far from it.
2:WMAJ i wouldn't have as many silly requirements, like
for example, spanish phonetics....i feel that that is
useless information which no one would use unless they were
working in some sort of phonetics related field. i would
also spend more time making sure grammar was learned
properly. i think students are all too often given decent
grades when they have a fundamental lack of necessarily
skills and knowledge in their particular fields.
3:BMAJ peter elmore is a fantastic teacher.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F it took me a while to realize what i
wanted to study in school, and to be honest i'm still not
sure WHY i'm a spanish major, but i am and i don't have any
regrets. i feel that if i had spoken to an advisor BEFORE
registration i may have had a better idea of what core
requirements were, and what MAPS deficiencies were, but one
was not available to me...or at least, i didn't know how to
access their services...
158478 1:GOALS-SOME I think CU is an excellent school. I expected
a lot from CU, educationaly. I have had some excellent
teachers in the Spanish program, and I have had some
horrible teachers. There was no in between, they were
excellent or horrible. I expected more from CU than
extremly sub-par teachers.
2:WMAJ Just becuase someone fluently speaks Spanish, DOES
NOT mean he or she can teach it!!
3:BMAJ Having teachers that are not American. It is
interesting to hear their oppinions of our country.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered from another school and not
all my credit transfered. Also, I started taking my classes
for my major late, so I am behind-in the sense that it will
take me longer to graduate than 4 years.
194954 1:GOALS-SOME I feel that, as with many programs and
projects, the Spanish program at CU caters to the lowest
common denominator - meaning that there was little
challenge or innovation. Additionally, "advanced" courses
seemed to be little more than a review of previous lower
division courses (above all with the "grammar" classes),
and I believe that the average student studying with a
Spanish major would leave with only an average knowledge
and intermediate ability to speak the language.
2:WMAJ I would have liked it to be more of a challenge,
more of a competitive program that pushes it's students to
excel. Spanish is an interesting thing to learn, as is the
literature and history, but the faculty (many, not all)
seem complacent and only somewhat content to drag
themselves into their classes each day - Specifically on
the courses - much better, stronger, more specific grammar
courses on the intricacies of the language.
3:BMAJ some of the professors were wonderful.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T actually fewer because this is my second
undergraduate degree from CU.
224996 2:WMAJ I would ask that more variety of courses be offered
because some courses I took were because they were the only
ones available and not because I was completely interested
in the subjet matter. I also tried to get into a grad
course, but the professor refused to have an undergraduate
in a graduate course without even considering my ability.
3:BMAJ The professors are overall very good and are
passionate about what they teach. That made it helpful and
much easier to care about a class and give time to it when
the professors were passionate and challenging.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am ambitious academically and it is
important to me to challenge myself and take college
seriously. I am graduating with two majors in four years. I
can't imagine for myself personally not graduating in four
years because it has been relatively easy for me to
complete my coursework in a timely manner. However, many
people are not so ambitious academically and take longer
because they either switch majors as they try to figure out
what they want to do, or they take lighter class loads than
I do. I took at least 16 credits for every semester I was
here, except my last semester, because I wanted to
challenge myself and complete two majors, as well as take
some additional classes that weren't requirements for my
majors to expose myself to different things. I managed to
do it in four years, and soon it will be graduation!! I
can't wait!
268262 2:WMAJ More freedom in choosing class especially with
respect to the linguistics requirement. Although
interesting to some, I personally found SPAN 4430 to be
completely and utterly useless.
3:BMAJ The faculty, each semester I had someone new and
exciting which made my personal time here more exciting. I
felt the classes were small enough that you could really
get to know one another if you put forth the effort.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I feel that four years of college is
ample in deciding a major and completing said requirements.
Unless a students makes a drstic major change there is no
excuse to take longer than four years especially at The
University of Colorado. I personally transferred schools
and made a major change and still managed to graduate on
time.
287090 2:WMAJ I would work it out so that people could also minor
in Spanish at this university. I know a lot of students
would like to do that, but won't major in Spanish in order
to keep learning.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am getting a double degree, and
Spanish requires more hours.
293692 2:WMAJ i wish there was a major for speaking spanish and
constantly improving the spanish speaking and comprehension
skills rather than being forced to choose literature or
spanish business. in most of those classes there is not
much opportunity for speaking and learning more about the
language and improving the actual speaking skills.
3:BMAJ Prof. Landeira is the best spanish teacher i have
ever had. also, the best thing is that it is in another
language. learning another language opens one up to another
culture and many other opportunities.
4:DODIFF try to do study abroad more than once
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T there are too many other things to do in
life. im glad that i got a college education, but now i am
ready to go out into the world and experience life for the
first time without school being there at the same time.
307608 1:GOALS-DEF The majority of teachers that I have had in
the Spanish department have been excellent. It is
difficult, however, to know what one wants to pursue after
graduation with a degree in Spanish.
2:WMAJ Less of a focus upon literature. I think it would
be helpful in our society to discuss other issues as well,
such as the current immigration issue between Mexico and
the US.
3:BMAJ The majority of my professors have been wonderful,
as is Lesley Socash.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F although I have two majors I came into
CU with 23 outside credits. By managing time wisely it is
possible to finish in four years.
412757 1:GOALS-SOME It claims to be the department of Spanish and
Portuguese. But the chance to study portuguese is very
minimal. Furthermore the offerings for courses focusing on
Latin America are dismal.
2:WMAJ More portuguese and more of a focus on Latin
America.
3:BMAJ This goes both ways but the falcuty especially
three of the newest falcuty members were extremely helpful
and encouraging
4:DODIFF I would go to a school that offered more of the
programs that I am interested in. And that showed a
commitment to encourage diversity (racial, economic etc) on
campus.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I took many AP classes in High School
and recieved a years worth of college credit before
arriving on campus.
439996 1:GOALS-DEF I am now fluent in Spanish and very
comfortable speaking, understanding and writing the
language. I am also very comfortable analysing literature
and making connections between literature, culture and
current affairs. Going abroad was the most important part
of my educational experience, it allowed me to understand
the language and culture of Spanish speaking cultures in a
way that never would have been possible had I stayed in
Boulder the whole time. The most disappointing part of my
experience was that all my credits didn't transfer as I had
hoped and expected. This means over the summer I will be
taking 3000 level conversation courses merely to fill
requirements. The courses will not benefit my Spanish
learning in any way since I am far above that level at this
point. It is frustrating that I went abroad and learned
and experienced as much as I did but not to have that apply
to CU. My educational goals NEVER would have been met had
I not gone abroad, and now I feel as though I'm being
punished for it.
2:WMAJ Get a new head of the Spanish Lit. department. It
is a "people person" job and he is clearly not a people
person. I have never felt so intimidated by an advisor, or
disliked. It seemed he never wanted to actually help, but
rather blame me and make rude comments to my face, in
emails and in letters. I never felt I was being advised.
I was being attacked.
3:BMAJ There are amazing professors in the Spanish
program. I feel I have encountered some of the most
intelligent people in this manner and they are so willing
to share their knowledge, opinions and experiences.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I went abroad and the head of the
Spanish department refused to see this experience as the
high value that it was for me. Based almost entirely on
course titles, classes are transferred to CU in related
manners and two of mine did not transfer in the manner that
I needed them to. Therefore, I am taking two courses this
summer that will not truly benefit my learning but happily
CU will get more money from me.
550178 2:WMAJ It would be for the university to accept more core
course work from my bachelors degree so that I could get a
second degree from CU in SPAN, as it is there is way too
much core requiered for me to get a degree so I will have
to get a cert to teach on my first BA with a SPAN
equivalency in order to get onto teaching spanish as a
second career.
3:BMAJ studying spanish!
4:DODIFF I would have finished my spanish degree instead
of just getting a minor in it.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T non-tradtional student, second career
684525 1:GOALS-SOME i do not feel that the spanish literature
degree has given me enough experience to work in a
professional job as a translator. I would have appreciated
more focus on translating as it will be something required
of me in any bilingual job on the market.
2:WMAJ the requirements for core while currently pursuing
a second major from a different college, ie. school of music
3:BMAJ studying aborad in spain for a year.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am a double major in Music and Spanish
and the two are from seperate colleges on the CU campus.
It was frustrating that the core requirements of the Arts
and Sciences school were so demanding. I think that if a
student is going to double major with two seperate schools
they should be able to petition not taking all of the core
requirements, such as science and math. If it weren't for
these excesive core classes I would have been able to
finish in four years as desired.
705696 1:GOALS-DEF As an aspiring Spanish teacher, I feel as
though the program provided me with many outside
opportunities to volunteer and to further educate myself in
my subject area. I feel that I recieved the amount of
support that I needed and am satisfied with what I learned
throughout college.
2:WMAJ I would make it required for all language students
to study abroad; I find that many of my peers are not a
level of proficiency needed.
3:BMAJ I have enjoyed all of the faculty support. In
addition I enjoy the wide reange of classes.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Because I feel that it was vital to my
major to study abroad and to use the resources on campus to
make that happen. As a result I have to continue on another
year to finish classes and recieve my teaching license.
742539 1:GOALS-SOME There aren't very many orgganized
opportunities for the Spanish major outside the classroom.
2:WMAJ I think there needs to be a person in the head
chair position who deals with transfer and study abroad
credit who is more effectively and patiently able to
communicate with the students. It was so incredibly
difficult for me in transferring credit from just even
CU-Colorado Springs and a well-known/used study abroad
program! Some days you feel like not one administrative
person wants you to graduate!
3:BMAJ My advisor is patient and helpful. My Spanish
literature upperdivision classes have been good because of
the well-knowledged professors and the overall course
goals. Prof Landiera and Prof Dabove have challeneged us
and helped us learn not just about a story in a literature
book, but an overall wider perspective that includes
history and present day issues.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F it still is possible despite the rising
numbers of people taking longer than four years to
graduate. I want to graduate as soon as possible
especially as tuition rates are rising rapidly. Although
in reality, it depends on many things such as the person,
if you know what you want to do, if you would consider
summer school if necessary, etc. I think it is totally
doable to spend four years in college and have a
well-rounded experience.
757272 1:GOALS-SOME I am a spanish major and I wanted to graduate
and to be fluent in spanish and I do not beleive I have
acheive my goal. I wish I would of had more speaking
opportunities.
2:WMAJ more conversation clases
3:BMAJ learning a different language
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am ready to start working, I am ready
for a real job with real hours.
764620 1:GOALS-SOME I felt that for my Spanish Degree, the amount
of speaking classes was not enough, also there are not
enough electives in the Spanish major, and I have not seen
enough sections of classes, there should be a restricted to
Spanish majors on upper division classes. Also there were
never any internships or volunteer opportunities besides
service learning, which I was hoping for more of.
2:WMAJ more variety of classes
3:BMAJ most of the teachers are highly qualified
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I have planned on graduating in four
years since my first semester as a freshman, and have
planned my schedule in the right way so that I can get done
on time. Also, my parents won't be paying for college for
more than four years, so I need to finish up on time.
851435 1:GOALS-SOME I enjoy the program though I wish there were
more opportunites to speak
3:BMAJ Professors are awesome
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I will take longer than 4 years because
I switched majors late in my academic career
900255 1:GOALS-SOME Needs more opportunities for Spanish Major.
Not just for the Honors studnets.
2:WMAJ Easier and cheaper avilability to tutors!!
3:BMAJ The wide range of studies.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I do not feel that I must finish in four
years. I have a major, minor, and a certification. I am
also working full time. I think this has been a great
experience for me. I have held the same job all six years
and have kept steady grades. I told you you do not the help
of your parents to go to college. There are others out
there willing to help. Good Luck, Kelly
926589 1:GOALS-DEF I got the broad liberal arts education that I
was seeking.
2:WMAJ Improve the study abroad advising within the
department. For instance, it would be great if students
knew before they left what sorts of classes they could
likely get Spanish credit for.
3:BMAJ Probably the people.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F of illness and to have more time to feel
ready for the "real world."
932124 3:BMAJ I like the people I have class with and I do like
the professors and the ability to pracitice Spanish on a
consistent basis.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T because I am a double major and it was
impossible to meet the requirements of both majors in four
years without doing summer school or taking a very heavy
courseload.
987861 1:GOALS-DEF I am highly satisfied with the level of
Spanish I have attained.
2:WMAJ More departmental social gatherings would have been
excellent. I rarely had a chance to use my spanish in a
social setting, apart from coworkers.
3:BMAJ All of my teachers have had amazing memories, they
remember faces, names, and even handwritings. They are a
fabulous faculty.
4:DODIFF Study abroad is extremely expensive, and if I
didn't have to work to go to school, I would have done it.
Also, I would have liked to go to college elsewhere, but
comparatively it was my best choice.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F It's very expensive to pay for an extra
year when four will do it just fine. If I were unsure as
to what I was in college for, I would probably stay longer.
But I am in college to be of better use to society. And I
cannot be a good member of society if I am dicking around
in college for an extra year.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-SPPR 223905 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T it is quite expensive to live in Boulder
and go to school. The rent in the Boulder area is
ridiculous, and the CU Administration and the government
make questionable financial decisions (like which
building/stadium to remodel as opposed to funneling the
money toward financial aid and lack of funding for higher
education / TABOR) which result in tuition increases.
This, along with the fact that the government expects my
parents to be able to support a good chunk of my education
despite the fact that they are not, requires me to work
full time and overtime. Therefore I am not able to come
close to following the four-year schedule.
226350 1:GOALS-SOME I am not as proficient in Spanish as I had
hoped I would be, but I also think it is a program where
you get out of it what you put in, so it is more my fault
than the program.
3:BMAJ Lesley Socash was the greatest part about my
Spanish major, she was an amazing advisor and I recommend
her to every Spanish major student.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Because I am graduating with two majors
and a minor, so that adds time to my studies. I also
studied abroad which added a little more time.
229266 2:WMAJ I would like to see the professions program changed
and have more classes offered so that this option does not
take two years to complete. I would also like to see the
college of arts and sciences and school of business have a
partnership so you don't have to run all over campus to
find an answer to your major program
3:BMAJ It includes a minor in business
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F because I want to have a well-rounded
education and have back up plans in the event that one of
my career choices does not work out. I have chosen to
persue a two degrees instead of one with an area of
emphasis.
235165 1:GOALS-SOME My major did meet my educational goals, but
my overall academic experience has been very disappointing
concerning availability of activities, lack of funding for
education, too much emphasis on athletics here, poor
administration.
2:WMAJ Co-requisits with Business programs while in SPAN
3030 and 3040 to better understand the concepts in Spanish
and English
3:BMAJ ADVISING--our advisor is attentive and concerned
with our education and experience
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F of poor academic advising my first two
years. The classes fill up very quickly leaving younger
students little to no options to fill requirements. I now
have to take 9 hours of summer school and give up study
abroad to finish in 4 1/2 years. With tuition increases
due to lack of funding, I couldn't afford to stick around
longer to do a study abroad.
345836 2:WMAJ nothing.
3:BMAJ The social interaction involved, which is vital to
any level of "Higher" education and to any profession.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I transfered in about 70 credits from
the junior college level. I would probably recommend taking
several courses at the junior college like, for instance
Front Range Community college because several classes here
have a reputation for being "weed out" courses. Not
necessarily all due to the curriculum either. Particularly
if any of our classmates are considering any engineeringg
professsion. There are several professors there that have
developed egos larger than the field of engineering itself.
I think the college of arts and sciences in a great college
here at the university. The faculty actually act as if they
are concerned about your success in their college, much
like the attributes of the community colleges that
understand some of us are over thiry years old and have
been out of school for over 12 years, and actually teach
beginning courses to be a foundation.
354139 1:GOALS-DEF i wanted to gain as many tools possible that
would help me along in the future. My program of study gave
me many!
2:WMAJ It seemed like I had to jump through many hoops to
graduate. for example, I had to take an Aisian music
class that really had nothing to do with my major.
3:BMAJ it prepared me well. I cant wait to be done and
see what I can do with what ive learned
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered into CU and I had to make
up a few Core classes that didnt transfer
354215 1:GOALS-SOME Well, even after studying abroad, I feel like
I can speak spansh very well, understand it, translate it,
but I am still not completely fluent. I don't think that it
is so much a problem of my program, because learning a
language is very difficult, but I could have been
challenged more.
2:WMAJ Well, up until this year I thought that my two
majors were great and they would help me get a good job,
but once I started looking for jobs, and especially with
the career fairs and internship fairs, no one is looking
for wither of my majors which is really disappointing to
me, so the thing I would change is to offer more
post-graduate job options, other than teaching. It seems
that if you are a spanish major then everyone just assumes
you will be a teacher.
3:BMAJ I really enjoy my specific spanish classes. I
learn so much, and they are really beneficial in more of a
post-graduate level than academic. They get us geared for
the real world whereas most of my classes do not.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I started my major as a freshmen taking
junior level classes, and instead of taking lots of core
classes, I only focused on those that I needed and my
major classes, plus I had some AP credit from high school
and I did one year of summer school.
367171 1:GOALS-DEF Although I have a very good internship, it is
unrelated to my field of study. It gives me good overall
experience, but does not help me apply the skills I learn
in class. I have only been able to find volunteer positions
that apply my skills as opposed to actual internships or
jobs. I also felt that some courses were too simplified,
particularly in the core areas and specifically in my BCOR
classes. I know that core are meant to be an introduction,
but in a few of my classes I do not feel like I learned
enough to apply it in real life.
2:WMAJ I think the Spanish department should require at
least a short study abroad for all students. You can
pretty easily identify which students have been to a
Spanish-speaking country based on their skill level, and it
helps solidify skills learned in class. I myself would not
feel comfortable speaking Spanish in public if I had never
gone abroad, and I think the cultural experience it offers
is important for all students, particularly in a field of
study related to cultural relations.
3:BMAJ I think the one best thing is the faculty support
that students receive....both from instructors and from
advisors.
4:DODIFF I would have done my study abroad a bit
differently. I loved the experience I had, and I learned a
lot, but if I did it over again, I would either stay longer
or go on more than one program. The leading factor that
determined the program and length of stay I chose was
finances, and I would have liked to extend my time abroad.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I received excellent advising in my
department. All of my requirements were clearly explained
to me once I declared my major. I met with my advisor
every semester before I registered for courses and was
continuously in contact with faculty in the department.
When I chose to study abroad, I received excellent advice
regarding what courses to take and how they would apply to
my degree. I have never had big problems registering for
classes I need, but have occasionally had to take classes
at times I didn't prefer or have had to take my alternate
choice class. In general I have been very satisfied with
my program.
401103 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F i took classes during the summer, came
in with some AP credits
433317 1:GOALS-SOME I learned how to translate better, I
definitely improved my Spanish speaking and writing skills,
and I gained a strong overall educational base in a wide
variety of fields. However, I didn't get much experience
in using Spanish while at CU. My biggest experience came
studying abroad, which did indeed help, but in Boulder, not
many opportunities existed.
2:WMAJ Require an internship or volunteer experience.
3:BMAJ Variety of Spanish offered, from grammar to
conversation to business classes, etc. etc.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I will graduate with two different
degrees, meaning I have to complete 150 credits (five
years) instead of the "normal" 120 credits (four years). I
am currently on target to finish my two degrees (and one
minor) in those five years.
449494 1:GOALS-SOME Too much information was presented in too
little time. Because of this there was no time for
anything to sink in, and thus I don't remeber very much.
2:WMAJ Slow things down so information can actually sink
in.
3:BMAJ The history.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered universities and changed my
major.
542806 1:GOALS-DEF The spanish for the professions major is
probably one of the most useful majors a school could offer
these days. Sra. Haynes is an absolutely wonderful teacher,
and I am glad that I had the opportunity to have the same
teacher for several classes.
2:WMAJ more opportunities for independent online study
3:BMAJ Sra. Haynes, usefulness of my knowledge
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS I am pursuing 2 degrees and also own a
business.
840950 1:GOALS-SOME I feel the professors on this campus are too
liberal. I would like to see more conservative staff in
the Arts and Sciences School.
2:WMAJ You should create a Masters or PhD program that
includes both Spanish and the business world. I am very
interested in Accounting and Finance and feel that Latin
and South America offer many opportunities for success.
3:BMAJ Lesley Socash
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F a few more months and finish at the end
of the summer. Thank God.
896985 1:GOALS-SOME I feel that study abroad should be a
requirement for a foreign language major, and that the
program should assist with fundraising ideas to help
students have the opportunity to study abroad.
2:WMAJ I would suggest that experience outside of the
classroom is critical with learning a foreign language, and
I feel that the program should make this more available.
3:BMAJ I loved the class size of all my spanish classes,
and I really enjoyed the professors
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am planning on attending law school,
and I would like to finish my undergraduate studies as soon
as possible.
919686 1:GOALS-DEF I have learned to speak Spanish, I have
learned to use my Spanish in a professional environment. I
have another year of study left, so I'm hoping to continue
that learning next year, and plan on having an internship
this summer to learn how to use the language in a less
structured environment.
2:WMAJ The rigidity of the courses. The main courses are
only offered once a year, it would have been nice to have
been able to take them on my own time, not as decided by
the department.
3:BMAJ The small classes. No class has more than 30
people.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I worked very hard throughout my college
experience. It's difficult to graduate in four years with
multiple majors, but I entered school with about 25 credits
and that made things easier for me, also.
951035 1:GOALS-SOME When I first applied for this major there was
not an opportunity for a spanish minor which seemed
perplexing for a university of this size and caliber. Once
in the program there were courses that advanced my
understanding and compentence but also courses that did not
serve me well.
968863 4:DODIFF I would have choosen my two majors at the
beginning of my college career instead of changing it four
times before I finaly decided.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-TBFA 281264 1:GOALS-SOME I was hoping for a classical education, latin
and the great works of Milton etc, required by all
students. Instead, what I got was a few core requirements
that were absurd.
2:WMAJ I would solidify the curriculum so that it does not
change every year and implement discipilinary actions that
could be utilized in order to keep other students on track
and working as oppossed to slacking off and dragging the
rest of us down with them.
3:BMAJ The sense of community between faculty, staff, etc.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F in order to complete a Bachelor of Fine
Arts degree in addition to completing all core requirements
is too much to fit into four years unless you are willing
to go insane or have no job.
288813 1:GOALS-DEF Met my goals in that I am leaving here with
enough knowledge to either continue my education further,
or to find a employer who sees that I am experienced and
could do a good job. Gave me the opportunity to explore my
major and the many different facets that could be included
in the theater design area. I have had 4 real life theater
design experiences that I have learned a great deal from
and will continue to learn from. I could not have asked
for more experiences, and I have been asked. I also love
being in a program which is small enough for one on one
teacher student conversation.
2:WMAJ More structure, I kind of felt it was you get
thrown in the pond and you either sink or swim. obviously
i made it to shore, but I definitely doggy paddle quite a
lot, and became frustrated many times becasue of the high
level of stress putting on a production that people pay to
experience. Although when I signed a BFA contract I knew
what I was getting into.
3:BMAJ Small classes, lots of experiences, small teacher
to student ratio.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F i cannot afford more than four years.
Tuition is high, rent is high, excel and qwest are money
grubbing corporate martha stewarts. I came in freshman
year saying i will get a BFA in four years and that is what
i am doing. The only part of leaving CU at Boulder and not
staying another year are all of the beautiful women on
campus. I am proud to say that I will leave in four years
without owing money to anyone other than that forty five
dollars I owe my sister. I worked hard and advised and
prepared myself enough that I made it possible to graduate
in four years. I think I am one of the few in my major
(Design and Tech in Theater) who will have graduated in
four years, and still have received the experience I need
to be somewhat successful in the arts. I'm not saying I
will have money when I get out, half of this is George
Bush's fault (one term president) but I will be confident
that i will be able to survive. That is all I ask "to
survive" and meet many beautiful women.
323602 1:GOALS-SOME Major: Too competitive. I'm paying for an
EDUCATION. This should be a learning environment. Should
have opportunity for practical application of what's
learned in class - the department should not have shows
that only give certain students the opportunity to do this
(and often, the same handful of students over and over).
Also NO advising/guidance whatsoever for help going into
the professional world. I feel totally unprepared for my
chosen career. Also, the BFA mus. thtr. program is too
broad and not intensive enough. CU overall: too much
money goes to sports and science - lack of funding for the
arts makes such programs suffer. Also, my advisor (Rick
Seydel) was horrible, didn't know anything about my major,
gave me incorrect information, and cost me an entire
semester's worth of credits I don't need.
2:WMAJ I would change the layout of the program. I would
include more dance classes and the same studio acting
classes that are available to BFA performance majors. I
would also allow the BFA mus. thtr. majors to study with a
professor in the music dept. (not TA) after two years, just
like every other voice major. As it is now, being a BFA in
Musical Theater means you get less opportunities from both
sides (school of music & the theater dept.)instead of more.
3:BMAJ The best thing about my major program is the
teachers. Of all the classes I had that were major
requirements, I didn't ever get a bad teacher (except maybe
one). All of the teachers were very knowledgable and
skilled.
4:DODIFF If I had it to do over again, I would not come
here at all. The BFA Mus. Thtr program really needs
improving. Students are supposed to be part of BOTH the
dept. of theater and dance and the college of music, but
instead are part of NEITHER. My experience here has been
very disappointing. I suppose I might still come to CU and
just change my major to a BM with a concentration in music
theater, but most likely, I would attend a different school
altogether.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T Luckily, I have been able to transfer a
lot of required credits. Also, I've taken summer school
and always had at least 15 credits a semester, if not more.
In fact, I'm taking 21 credits this semester, so I can
graduate! I've worked very hard, and I'll be very glad to
move on.
411810 1:GOALS-SOME The BFA Musical Theatre program needs
attention, in courses and advising.
2:WMAJ More interaction with the candidates who are in the
program
3:BMAJ The professors
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered and got into a specialized
degree program
439428 1:GOALS-xxxx The University has no Directing major, and
while it provides a decent general education, it severely
hampers my abiity to specialize and learn about the field I
am interested in. As well, I often feel that not attending
my core classes (especially lower division) will merit me
the same grade as attending them.
764767 1:GOALS-DEF Coming into college I had no idea what I
wanted to do with my life, so I guess my only educational
goal was to figure out what I wanted to do. In that
respect, my program completly met my educational goals
becuase now I know what I want to do.
2:WMAJ Stop making the students fight to keep it! At
least once a semester I was asked in a class to come up
with all of the reasons that CU should have a BFA and a BA
program, instead of just a BA program. True, it taught me
to fight like hell for what I want and love, but after a
while you start feeling like the red headed step-child that
everyone hates, when you repeatedly have to keep fighting
to keep the program that you love and devote your entire
life to.
3:BMAJ It teaches you what it's like to devote your entire
life and being at an art. It helps you discover just how
invested in theatre you really are and in turn that helps
you realize whether or not theatre is the right career
field for you.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I planned out my own college career
instead of relying only on the advice from my advisor.
Also, now that I know what I want to do with my life, I'm
tired of spending time doing stuff that doesn't interest
me, for example core classes, and want to spend more time
doing the stuff that I love. Therefore, I have made sure
that I can get out of here as soon as possible!
796577 1:GOALS-SOME My program was limited because I wan't a BFA
and was therefore unable to take many of the courses that I
believe would have benifited my education.
2:WMAJ I would have focused more intently on exactally
what I felt i needed to learn instead of taking what I felt
I was supposed to take.
3:BMAJ Flexiabiltiy, but it is also the worst thing.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T To learn all of the imformation that is
required to be successful in todays society and to acheive
a level oa maturity ot effictivley use those skill, I
believe, takes more then four years.
916338 1:GOALS-SOME I recived basicaly the trianing i need but
the faculty could provide a much better, more positive and
more constructive environment if they wouod be more
perfesional and play less personal games with passive
agressiveness and control issues
2:WMAJ The involment of the Production manager(instructor)
Steven McDonald. His behavior has been consistently
inappropriate and disruptive to the learning environment.
Academically his classes are sub par and generally a waste
of time and resources, he is difficult to meet with,
immature in dealing with personal relationships with
students, has control/power issues, sexually harasses and
makes inappropriate comments and plays passive aggressive
games with people who are on his "bad List" . He fosters a
work and academic environment that feels hostile,
unsuportive of some students and largely unproductive. He
also has access to department funds and equipment and
utilizes both for his personal use. In general I feel he at
the least sets a poor example for students and at the worst
has bullied some students out of pursuing theatre and
caused others to play stupid politics games to keep on his
"good side" in order to get what they need for their degree
done.
3:BMAJ The design faculty, Janice Benning, Bruce Bergner
and Ted stark are supportive of the students, are invauble
as advisors and are excited about helping students learn
and grow as artists and theatre professtionals.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T Because i transfered from another school
in my freshman year and my program of study (BFA) requires
more credits than a BA degree.
996850 1:GOALS-DEF As a theatre major, I developed skills in all
aspects of theatre; from performance, to tech, to writing.
I was satisfied by the education attained in the theatre
department of this university.
2:WMAJ I would have liked for the university to have
adequetly funded the theatre department and give some sort
of incentive for veteran faculty members to remain teaching
there.
3:BMAJ The dedication and talent of the BFA faculty and
the quality of the student work.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transferred into this school from CSU
after my Freshmen year there. I then picked up a major
that couldn't be completed in less than four years.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-THTR 134756 1:GOALS-SOME I feel the program met my needs with in the
field, but i have decided to go in a different direction
after graduation.
2:WMAJ I was fairly unsatisfied with the advising side of
the theatre major. I actually changed to journalism
because I was so frustrated with the advice I got about
classes and was not even told until my senior year that
they discontinued the theatre minor. I almost did not
graduate on time because of changes in the faculty and
class changes in this department.
3:BMAJ I enjoyed almost all of the faculty I worked with.
They are passionate about what they do and are often very
inspiring.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I took a maymester course and a couple
semesters of 18 credits...but I had to do this because I
changed my major three times.
178331 1:GOALS-SOME Didn't have specific areas of interest for
me. Specifically analytical.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I studied abroad in a program not
connected to CU and credits weren't transfered as initially
thought
231931 1:GOALS-SOME The program met my education goals very well.
I came to learn how to be a teacher and a performer and I
did.
2:WMAJ Less practicum hours.
3:BMAJ The directing class.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F because I am going through the teaching
program and I also had to work during college so I couldn't
take as many classes.
465808 1:GOALS-SOME I was pleased to have the opportunity to
volunteer in the theatre as a technician and performer. My
volunteer experience allowed me to learn skill acquisition
through hands on experience; I was able to learn how all
the aspects of the theatre work together (i.e. lighting,
costumes, acting, etc.).
2:WMAJ I wish more funding would go towards the arts.
Thousands of dollars are spent to promote football, and
other sports, while the arts still suffer financially. If
the university is worried about a return in profit, they
should try advertising for the theatre productions and art
shows on campus, and watch ticket sales sore. Then the
university will get their oh so desired return, while
programs that inspire orignial thought and creativity on
campus can make an impact on our community.
3:BMAJ That students are taught all aspects of the
theatre, and how they function. I believe this knowledge
will give students the skills they need to land a job in a
professional theatre after graduating.
4:DODIFF I would have liked to work for a double major.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F when I was in high school, I started
college early. I graduated high school in 2002, and will be
graduating college this Fall (2004). xoxo Tiff
771013 1:GOALS-SOME having no real goals i don't know how to
answer. i just go for interest. something to do.
2:WMAJ the major
3:BMAJ teachers aren't bad
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS not allowed to work for some reason and
need to fill the days.
923340 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I have a Bachelor's degree in Music
Performance already, that did take only four years to
complete, and am now pursuing theatre here at the
undergraduate level.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS-WMST 641739 1:GOALS-SOME I love the Women's Studies program, but I
wish there had been more course offered, a more diverse
teacher body, and more overall funding for my Major. As
well, I think that a lot of what I learned should not be
delegated only to the Women's Studies dept. It applies to
many aspects of our classes, and due to this major I found
myself much more equiped to deal with a lot of issues and
had more information than most of my class mates.
2:WMAJ I would get more proffessors, and a more diverse
group through out the entire department. Also, I would
love to have harder classes. By the time you reach the
end, if feals like a lot of repititon. What about
diversifying the curicula- including theatre, inlcuding
econonmics, etc?
3:BMAJ I love what I study. I love most of the teachers I
have had. I am glad I have been a part of this major.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I chose to study a year abroad, have a
double major and a minor, and had little academic advising
on how to best manage my time. There is also a very poor
system for transfering credits from a year abroad, and I
did take a semseter off when I started.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BU-ACCT 196207 3:BMAJ Concurrent Option!!!!!!!!
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am concurrently reciving my Master's
in Accounting
198188 1:GOALS-DEF 1. Advisers always ready to help and to
recommend which classes to take, which definitely will be
useful in pursuing a future career. 2. There are many
programs and opportunites for students on campus,which will
be very useful to take or to be a part of them, regardless
of his/her plans for his/her later career. 3. Career
offers. A huge chance for students not only to talk with
various firm's representatives and to know more about the
particular company in which he/she is interessted in, but
also to get a job offer.
2:WMAJ To value one's interest in different fields of
education, namely to give the students the opportunity to
develop their own core curricula, regadless of the major.
3:BMAJ A lot of useful experience, namely professors give
the real life examples during the lectures.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T Dear Anna, I am going to take Graduate
school, because it will widen my outlook, not only about my
major, but also in different fields of education. I
think that every person should be knowledgeable in every
subject that is of any interest to him/her, because no one
knows where he/she will end up working or what kind of job
he/she is going to pursue in the future. Nowadays, it is
really hard to rely on somebody while running your own
business. No one wants to be responsible for one's mistakes
or unethical decisions. Therefore, it is a useful tool to
be well-informed in all the operations that occur in one's
business. It will not harm anybody to take from one's
education as much as possible if he/she has an opportunity
to do so. By raduating from the graduate school one will
has an advantage in getting a more prestiges job.
Sincerely, Ksenia
220609 1:GOALS-DEF I learned what I came here to learn and will
be able to use it when I am working.
3:BMAJ I get my master's degree and only have to go to
school for one extra year.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am in the concurrent degree program
and will be receiving my bachelor's degree and master's
degree at the end of five years.
227479 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F im a motivated student wanting to get in
and on with law school.
236564 2:WMAJ advising for undergraduate studies needs to be more
in depth. I found that once I applied for the 5 year
concurrent Masters Degree program in accounting and I was
able to use Nancy Stec-Helstad for advisement I received
much more help.
3:BMAJ I believe the best thing about my major is its
versatility within the business community. I will
hopefully be able to select from a wide range of job types
once I graduate.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I planned my schedule so that I would
take a full course load each semester in order to graduate
in 4 years
283490 1:GOALS-DEF I feel I got a very good education that has
prepared me for the future
3:BMAJ Most of the teachers have real world experience, so
they teach us stuff we will actually use.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I've been accepted into the Accounting
masters program
291690 2:WMAJ The budget cuts ultimately affected the students in
a negative way. It is difficult to learn in an environment
with large classes. In addition, the library seemed to
close a lot - on the first day of finals (fall sememster)
the library was open until 5:00pm, which is unacceptable.
The printing initiative was a huge inconvenience to me
also; my classes required quite a bit of research and as a
result, I have had to spend a lot of money to be able to
complete my assignments. It just seemed like there were a
lot of cuts that impaired my ability to learn, and it
really was not fair to me.
3:BMAJ I met a lot of interesting people.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am pursuing a masters degree in
accounting. The extra year is a good opportunity for me to
attain the higher education necessary in today's business
world.
350594 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F every student here can complete their
degree in four years with a moderate academic track. If
you take longer than four years, you aren't pushing
yourself to full potential each semester.
373523 2:WMAJ Better advising then the current one person
contact. A concrete published degree plan.
3:BMAJ Small amount of students involved with a very
caring faculty.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am in the master's five year program
for accounting. I am still graduating in four years due to
minimal summer work and entering credits. Full load taken
every semester while working.
385506 3:BMAJ The amazing profesors in the accounting program,
particularly with their real world experiences.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I took the required courses in a timely
manor and didn't deviate from my plan of graduating in four
years
407348 2:WMAJ course availability
3:BMAJ very knowledgeable professors
436837 1:GOALS-DEF Wanted a solid business backgroung,
accomplished that
2:WMAJ More information on the 5-year accounting program.
very limited internet resources.
3:BMAJ Proffessors all had real world experience
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I want to keep my cost for college as
low as possible.
456698 2:WMAJ The accessibilty of the professors and interaction
with them.
3:BMAJ The quality of professors experience and
qualifications
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have worked pert-time to full-time
while going to school.
459940 1:GOALS-SOME Some accounting classes spent too much time
focusing on nonaccounting issues and ethics, you can't
teach someone to be ethical.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am in the concurrent degree program
for accounting
474567 2:WMAJ This has more to with what I would change about the
school, and that is that the Library in the business school
is one of the worst on campus. I also believe that tuition
is too high considering how hard it is to get into classes,
and how large the classes are, we get very little
individual attention. I believe the school should
concentrate on paying for top professors for the smaller
classes, and for the large classes; hire grad students or
other less experienced teachers. The large classes are
usually introductory classes which are basically taught
straight from the textbooks.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F When I needed to switch majors, I
couldn't get into the required classes that I needed to
change. I had to wait list at least once, just to get into
the classes, this meant that I took at least a semester of
classes that didn't count as anything. I also am taking
more time because I didn't want to spend more time in a
school that cost more money.
486642 2:WMAJ Make sure people are aware of the CPA requiremtns
to graduate. It the the accounting major should require 27
hours of accounting.
3:BMAJ The professors.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I planned well even after changing
majors and schools. I had to complete my education in four
years becuase that is all I could afford.
538474 1:GOALS-SOME After all my course work, I feel I am only a
little familiar with what I have supposedly learned. Also,
I still feel that class sizes are too big for effective
interaction.
4:DODIFF Lived in dorms and in apartments rather than with
family.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I feel that your educational experience
should be thorough, and if that means taking a lighter load
each semester to learn more effectively then I am happy to
do so.
593733 1:GOALS-SOME Not all of my professors have been great,
only 2 classes of all my accounting professors have been
bad, but they were really bad. However, these professors
were still very accessible and easy to talk with outside of
class.
2:WMAJ Having more courses offered both semesters. It was
hard for me to take the extra accounting courses I wanted
to take because many were only offered in the fall or
spring semester. I also wish that they would bring in more
professionals to talk to us in the classroom, instead of
only through clubs or career services.
3:BMAJ The professors and their level of genuine concern
about our academics and how we are doing. Most of my
accounting professors have been very easy to talk with
about either the class I am in or about future
possibilities in the real world.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I studied abroad in Spain for a semester
and also have two minors. I also need 27 hours of
accounting to qualify to take the CPA and therefore will
need to stay an extra semester in order to fulfill these
requirements.
594118 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F sometimes it's hard to decide what to
major in and it's alright to take an extra semester to be
sure you've made the right choice.
606858 1:GOALS-SOME Did- Basic understanding Did not-
'automatic' knowledge (i.e. not enough problems to memorize
for life)
2:WMAJ More classes (instead of meeting just twice a week,
meet three or four times a week for a little less time in
order to really learn the material through repititon.
3:BMAJ The passion of the professors.
4:DODIFF I wish study abroad had more long term programs
that taught business students foreign languages (from the
beginning) while giving them hands on business/class
experiences.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F that is what is expected of me.
607980 1:GOALS-DEF The Leeds School of Business has given me
100% of the experience, confidence, and knowledge to
dominate in the current work world. I hope this school
continues to be the great institution it is today.
2:WMAJ I would reward Fredrick, Stec-Helstad, Jacobs,
Marlatt, Burns, Rock, McFee and Selto for being such
all-stars. Also I would get some new blood to replace a
retiring older professor. I have a second emphasis
(operations). Luftig and Vossen are absolutly amazing and
should both get $100,000 extra for just being here.
3:BMAJ See above. The quality of Professors is the best
thing in this program. They go way above what they are
required to helping with everything from employment help to
CPA review. They are the driving force behind my future.
I thank everyone in the Leeds School.
4:DODIFF I would take ACCT 5420 Pass/Fail like my employer
suggested. Too bad I was lied to by advising and told that
was not possible.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I believe the more hours you take per
semester, the less you retain later. When I (dreamed
about) taking 21 hours I learned close to 50% of the
material. When I (dreamed about) taking 18 hours (several
times over) I learned around 80% but when I (dreamed about)
taking 12-15 hours I learned 95% and was able to use it
regularly. My dream consisted of working all five years
and my dream concluded with a 3.4 GPA and a job making over
$40,000 out of college plus a great bonus. Thank goodness
my dreams always come true.
636337 2:WMAJ Not sure.
3:BMAJ That it offers a concurrent degree program.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I decided to do a concurrent degree
program so I can receive my master's degree in addition to
my bachelor's degree.
657403 1:GOALS-SOME It didn't offer enough hands on experience. I
can sit and read a textbook all day, but not learn as much
as if I were in the real setting.
2:WMAJ More emphasis on getting internships.
3:BMAJ David Frederick, best prof. I've ever had
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I worked extremely hard to finish in 4
years.
663297 1:GOALS-SOME I would have liked more opportunities to grow
in interpersonal/communication skills, especially with
faculty and others older.
2:WMAJ I would change the course curriculum for a BS in
Accounting so that you will be able to sit for the CPA
exam. I needed 8 more credits in accounting courses to sit
for the exam and I did not know until my last semester.
3:BMAJ the faculty and the option to do the 5 year
concurrent degree program
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I see no need to stay longer.
Initially, I was going to be apart of the 5 year concurrent
degree program for accounting, but since I'm not entering
into an accounting career after I graduate, I do not need
to stay another year to sit for the CPA exam.
676632 1:GOALS-SOME did not meet my educational goals in the
sense that i am not eligible to sit for the CPA exam upon
graduation. i have to take night school next year to be
eligible. you should adjust your accounting program so
that students are eligible to sit for the CPA upon
graduation.
2:WMAJ make sure that all students are eligible to sit for
the CPA exam upon graduation
3:BMAJ the new informational sessions offered by Nancy and
Cathleen - those sessions are going to make a world of
difference for a lot of accounting students in the future
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I think that receiving an undergraduate
degree in four years is an attainable goal. I do not think
that longer than four years is necessary.
688603 2:WMAJ Smaller class sizes
3:BMAJ Abundance of job opportunities
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am getting my MS at the same time as
my BS.
694543 2:WMAJ More accounting classes offered and more practical.
It's too hard to get into classes right now.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I want to be done as soon as possible so
that I may enter the workforce and start applying the
things I have learned at school.
701451 1:GOALS-SOME There was not a large opportunity to do an
internship while in school without having to hold down a
full time job, also the positions were limited in
availibility and scope.
2:WMAJ More opportunity to get real world experience and
hands on work in application programs
3:BMAJ Small class size and large elective availability
4:DODIFF I would have done something different than go to
summer school and rush through in three years. I would
also study abroad in Italy.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I actually am taking three years to
graduate because I came in with AP credits and prior
college lanaguage classes and I completed a few summer
sessions.
703653 1:GOALS-DEF 90% of the Accounting Faculty are EXCELLENT.
They are terrific people, and very good teachers. My goal
is simply to be prepared for the CPA exam and understand
enough accounting to be comfortable starting my own
business; I'm confident that my area of study met those
goals. My reservations about CU are unrelated to the
Accounting department - it has been the one aspect of my
career here that I'm completely satisfied with.
2:WMAJ I'm worried that the program might be worsening.
The newest teacher hired into the program is very poor
compared to the person whose job he filled, and in the two
semesters he has taught here it's become common knowledge
that his classes are a joke. I'd make sure that whomever
is doing the hiring makes better choices from now on - to
keep the program excellent.
3:BMAJ The faculty actually get to know the students, and
they care what we're doing after college.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F It's more realistic if you factor in the
internships, clubs, and extra classes you'll need to take
just to get a good job when you graduate from CU. I've
noticed most people who do 4 years or less are simply one
of the pack, they rarely stand out from it.
711482 2:WMAJ Class size is often way too large in general
throughout entire campus
3:BMAJ Professors seem to care about you and your
oppotunities for the rest of your life
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I will be graduating with my masters and
by bachelor degree in a total of 5 years
719549 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F because I went abroad and have chosen to
persue a double emphasis in the business school as well as
take classes in entrapenurial business. I could gradute
this summer but I am taking my time and have chosen to
graduate next december
744410 1:GOALS-SOME Interpersonal skills play a major role in
professional setting. I've yet to encounter any CU sponsor
activity that promote such skill development.
2:WMAJ Accounting concurrent program should not be
strictly control by Stec-Helsted only. The large amount of
students who are in the programs combined with their
counselling need, Stec-Helsted is simply unable to handle
the tremendous amount of demand. The work load should be
spread to other professors as well.
3:BMAJ Few truly devoted professors who really care for
their students have given me a very different and fulfilled
learning experience.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I'm in the concurrent program that
requires a semester longer.
753614 1:GOALS-NO The program was to theoritical. I never knew
what I was going to be using in the real world, so I would
just cram for test and then forget the material.
2:WMAJ Make it cost less, the business school is too
expensive.
3:BMAJ Most the classes are in the business school which
is close to where i park.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am in a program that alows me to get a
masters and batchlors in 5 years
818997 2:WMAJ put some internship program with credit to help
students to experience some real world.
3:BMAJ faculty's quality
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T i take classes in summer also to
graduate early.
857179 2:WMAJ More informational sessions about the Masters
Program and better advising from the advising office.
3:BMAJ The professors are very knowledgeable and very
helpful.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I was a transfer student and I did not
have all of the MAPS Requirements when I came to CU.
857365 1:GOALS-DEF It helped me to obtain an accounting related
internship for most part of my junior year and I am hoping
to acquire a full-time position immediately after
graduation. My education at CU did and is helping me to
find a job.
2:WMAJ Smaller classes.
3:BMAJ The teachers were awesome.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I never failed any courses here at CU.
Also, what is critical in a public school is that you as a
student must make the initiative of seeking guidance from
an academic advisor because they won't come to you if
you're off track. Because I did well in all of my classes
and sought critical guidance, I am able to graduate in four
years.
880889 1:GOALS-DEF The one area where I fell behind my peers
during my Big 4 accounting firm internship was in computing
skills. BCOR 1000 alone is simply not enough to prepare an
accounting student for the real working world. While I am
aware that CU offers an Information Systems Accounting
course, it did not fit into my schedule and I strongly feel
it should be made mandatory or at lease strongly
recommended.
2:WMAJ Again, I would have taken another computing course
in addition to BCOR 1000 in order to improve my computing
skills, especially in Excel.
3:BMAJ The ability to finish two degrees in 5 years and
sit for the CPA exam.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F CU offers a great concurrent degree
program in accounting. I'll be graduating with both a
Masters and a Bachelors in only five years! Best of all,
this educational track is enabling me to sit for the CPA
examination before I even start working.
917784 1:GOALS-DEF I feel that I have had excellent accounting
professors and therefore have solid accounting skills.
2:WMAJ The fact that you can't double major in Finance and
ACcounting...I think you should be able to!
3:BMAJ The quality of the upper division faculty.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have switched my major four times! I
started off in Engineering, didn't like it, switched to
Architecture, then Math, and then Accounting. I also spent
a semester in New Zealand and lost some credits in the
transfer.
933488 2:WMAJ Make the different courses content aware. Many
students have no idea what a course will be like
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F stupid teachers that grade way too
difficult
961874 2:WMAJ more internship opp.
4:DODIFF take more credit hrs per semester
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F double major
965776 1:GOALS-SOME We need to have a cours on how to use various
types of accounting software such as quickbooks, peachtree,
taxpro, etc. The Accounting Infor Systems class DOES NOT
COVER these things and when we get out into internships and
jobs, employers are frustrated when we don't know their
software.
2:WMAJ Every time we go to Nancy Stec-Helstad for advising
on what to take and when to take it, it is likely that we
will get a different answer. Many people have become
frustrated over this and were told two different things
that ultimately affected their graduation date. Since she
is the only one who can register us for our master's
courses, everyone has to go through her and it seems like
she either doesn't care, or is just too busy to really get
to know people and their goals for their coursework at CU.
I think an advisor, especially at the Graduate level should
be more connected to her students and make sure that her
contradictory advise doesn't delay their graduation!
3:BMAJ The option to participate in the concurrent degree
program is awesome! It also helps to boost the reputation
of the business school.
4:DODIFF I would study in Spain for a semester
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am in the 5 year concurrent degree
program.
989946 1:GOALS-SOME CU Boulder is not specialized in my field of
tax accounting in the same respects as DU. My job
opportunities for going in to a Big Four firm to be on the
tax side are limited because that school has a better tax
program. I understand that the university at Boulder cannot
specialize in everything so it is really not the program
that did not meet my goals it is that I was unaware of the
lack of credit given to the program when compared to DU.
This is my fault for not realizing in time before I had
completed my studies and gone in search for a job, if the
program does want to be better however, maybe the program
model should be closer structured to that of specialzed
schools.
2:WMAJ Allow the 5-Year students to have both degree's
saying "accounting" I have been informed that even though
I am taking exactly the same classes as the MBA students in
the actual graduate program, their degree will say MS in
accountancy and mine will say MS in Business
Administration. This makes me extremely unhappy with CU
Boulder.
3:BMAJ Offering great services from Career Services and
the huge amounts of career fairs for the business school
with a big emphasis on accounting. My absolutely number 1
best thing.... all my professors are extremly educated and
experienced in the field of accounting. I have had many
other classes that are non-accounting where the teachers
were less than good. With these teachers I almost want to
ask for a refund of my tuition.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I decided to transfer from another
school and lost some of my credits. On top of that I joined
the 5-year Master's Program at the Business school to get a
MS in Accounting.
999241 2:WMAJ change income taxation professor
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BU-FNCE 143766 2:WMAJ more networking with non-colorado firms
3:BMAJ I found the instructors to be helpful and very
knowledgable
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I want to go out and make some money,
and have taken all my classes
144737 1:GOALS-SOME The way that my education did not meet my
goals is in the value of my degree. I am not an educator
and can therefore not make recommendations on programs, but
I do know that the value of my degree is high enough to get
me an entry level possition at a large company but
regardless of my GPA, investment banking firms spit on my
resume when they see I went to CU. It is my goal to improve
the credibility of the Leeds School of Business in the
future, but until then, I hope that whoever reads this
realizes and takes comfort in the fact that there are some
of us here that care.
2:WMAJ Finance is one of the few majors in this university
as a whole which is not an absolute joke. Almost every
class I have taken outside the business school has been a
pathetic waste of money. Many professors on this campus do
not deserve any respect for their teaching skills and
knowledge. I praise the professors and admisitrators in my
degree for their harwork and integrity. It is unfortunate
that the weight of my degree does not accuratly reflect my
education. I hope that the overall reputation can increase
in the future.
3:BMAJ The one best thing is the fact that I am
challenged. Finance has not been easy which makes me feel
like I learned something and my money was well spent.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F it is not a challenge to leave in four
years. Boulder and CU is expensive, and I could live my
life in a similar way but get paid instead of paying. My
classes and workload overall makes wonder why it takes some
people so long. I could have graduated in 3 and 1/2 if I
chose to. I hope to see you soon because it has been too
long. How is your mom? Are you still dating
Jesica? Sincerely, Alfonse
179486 1:GOALS-SOME Did not have enough exposure to enough
hands-on in the field activities, would have like to seen a
Profiles-like program for upper-class who had speakers at
exec. positions that are applicable to our majors come in.
This would have been more helpful at an older level where
we know what we are looking for.
200439 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I took some time off after high school.
210757 1:GOALS-SOME I would look for more hands on, career
oriented work that would help seniors enter the work place
confident in their skills.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am taking a 5 year double degree
program
232141 1:GOALS-DEF I thought that the finance program was very
well structured with basic knowledge of all areas of
finance from corporate finance to personal investing. I
would have liked the added push for more intense math
oriented classes becuase I fell that my math ability is
what I lack most.
2:WMAJ I would have the professor stress what is really
important in each profession and leave material out that is
unlikely to be seen outside the classroom.
3:BMAJ The all around knowledge about the economy and how
it effects the world, our country, and evidently myself.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I feel that if it has taken you more
than four years you have slacked off or either you weren't
paying for school yourself.
242417 1:GOALS-SOME I signed up for classed that I thought would
cover material that they did not cover and the lack of
options available left me with classes that I did not want
to be enrolled in. I did not get to cover material I had
wanted to cover. There is not enough emphasis on computer
literacy and training in computer programs related to the
field.
2:WMAJ CANCEL the financial markets and institutions
course, or get someone experienced to teach it! I could
have gained so much from that class, yet I wasted time,
money, and sacrificed valuable points on my GPA. Do not
make profiles a core class as there is very little to gain
from the experience.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I feel that it is socially responsible
not to spend my parents' money on an education for more
time than is actually necessary. I want to be independent
and progress academically as quickly as possible.
307122 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T this is a party school. Enjoy your life.
311148 1:GOALS-SOME I still do not know what will be expected of
me in a job after I graduate. I can only hope my selection
of courses will be what is wanted by my future employer(s).
2:WMAJ I would add more interaction between students and
people who work in the field. Perhaps an ungraded seminar
or optional talks by professionals, like "Profiles" for
finance and accounting majors. I would also like to have
taken some hands on classses in using spread sheets and
data bases. All of the computer classes seem to have the
wrong emphasis.
3:BMAJ I like that most of the professors/instructors have
worked in the field they are teaching. This is important
for business majors.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS I have returned to school after deciding
to change careers. The numbers of semesters I will have
attended by the time I graduate will add up to more than
four years, but since I returned in Fall 2002, I will have
taken three year to graduate.
408270 1:GOALS-SOME Not enough hands-on applications or variation
in teaching styles (too much lecture, needed more
discussion)
2:WMAJ A more diverse group of students
3:BMAJ I thought it was what I wanted to do
professionally, and I was right.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F Mom and Dad said so. They're the ones
writing the check, so I do what they say.
408901 2:WMAJ More guest speakers from the industry. More case
studies of real world events.
3:BMAJ Challenging, great professors, great classmates.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I worked extremely hard to do so and
staying an extra year would have been less stressful, but
more costly.
415714 1:GOALS-SOME I would have liked to have found a way that
was through the school to get involved with internships
before I graduated. If there were ways, they were not
pushed or clarified to me. I felt like I had to go and do
it completely on my own. So much more is leared through
experience that it should be incorporated into the
curriculum.
2:WMAJ A wider variety of courses with more oral
communication skills stressed. It seems like there are few
classes to choose from.
3:BMAJ I feel like a got a good background on the
technical aspects of finance. Going into the working world
I will be ahead of many people who come in with less
specific majors.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I have been pressured by my parents and
financially to finish in four years. Finishing in four
years is fairly easy to do as long as you know what you
want your major to be.
449166 1:GOALS-SOME The only problem I have with my educational
goals, is learning material that i will, in fact, use in my
future. A lot of finance material is equations and what
not, but I worked at a company this summer where I learned
a lot. I feel there are better ways to teach students real
life situations/information, etc.
481049 1:GOALS-SOME I would have liked more emphasis on writing
skills. While I believe my writing skills are adequate, I
have seen the poor quality of writing of many of my peers.
2:WMAJ It would have been nice to take more Finance
related coursework. I often could not get into classes that
I would have like to get in. I had to settle for several
MKTG and MGMT classes that did not interest me.
3:BMAJ Business classes do not meet on friday's.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I attended summer school for the last
two summers. I completed over 15 hours during that time
becuase I switched majors and had to play catch up.
557935 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F i am smarter than the university
605805 1:GOALS-SOME it wasn't challenging enough
607482 1:GOALS-DEF It was a diffacult and arduous experience and
I feel that I have certainly gained a significant amount of
knowledge while at CU.
2:WMAJ I would hire more professors with real world
experience rather than someone who has only been in
academic situations
3:BMAJ My major is very broad and can be used in a number
of different fields, as well as being useful for my
individual finances.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am going to an extra bonus semester of
college since I have not quite met my degree requirements
and I want to go to an extra season of football.
609767 1:GOALS-SOME Good selection of courses. There weren't any
rigid course requirements, which allowed for flexibility
and study abroad.
2:WMAJ Add a couple new courses.
3:BMAJ I like the material
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I have a lot of Advanced Placement
credits and won't fail any classes.
625259 1:GOALS-SOME The advising center doesn't seem to be up to
date on all that is going on with the different B-school
programs. I hear classes that are seminars through friends
or clubs, but not advising. I think they need to update
themselves on what is going on. Plus, career services
offers no help in what classes to take to prepare you for a
career you're interested in.
2:WMAJ The semesters that courses are offered really
dictate your schedule. Only FNCE 4030 is offered in the
fall and only FNCE 4040 is offered in the spring. I would
have rather taken these classes together. There are also
some seminar classes, all with the same course name FNCE
4820, that are only offered either fall or spring, not
both. I would like to see a better course selection
year-round.
3:BMAJ Assuming I get into it, FNCE 4820 that focuses on
Investment Banking sounds like the greatest thing they have
to offer. This is a career I'm really interested in and it
is a great opportunity to find out if I'm going to like it
or not, as well as make connections and have my resume sent
around to investment banking firms.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I changed majors. I went from Electical
Engineering into Business Finance. The intra-university
transfer into the Business school was a real pain in the
butt. They take no consideration of your background, your
class standing, or steps you have taken to help yourself.
It is completely cut and dry, either you have a 3.0 or not,
which I think is crap. Also, engineering doesn't require
the A&S core classes, so I'm behind on all of those as
well. Now that I'm in the B-school though, I'm trying to
experience as much as possible. I'm a PTA for Profiles in
Business and Society, I'm also involved in two different
business organizations, and I want to be on the Dean's
Cabinet. Another reason I'm taking longer than 4 years is
because I want to give myself the opportunity for
internships through the summer and during the school year.
If all goes well, I should be out of here by May 2006 with
a great job.
627677 1:GOALS-DEF The only part of the University that I had a
bad experience with was the Business School advising
center. Everytime I go in there, they are very rude and not
very helpful. I think the advising office should take a
step back and look how they are treating students. They
should focus on customer service just like every other
business.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transferred from the University of
Northern Colorado to CU Boulder, but the transfer was worth
everything. I will now graduate from a better institute.
645158 2:WMAJ More real world information. Finance is an applied
study and there is too much foccus on classroom learning.
3:BMAJ The knowledge and the ability to get a job.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I was unsure exactly what degree I would
foccus on.
675531 1:GOALS-SOME I have found that, for the most part, the
Business school has a lot of slackers. What is more
concerning than this fact, is that the teachers and
administration don't do anything about it. The classes are
far too easy and students are the only way that teachers
use to find out if the students are learning is through
tests. Although tests are a good way of judging what the
students are learning, in my opinion, CU has not found a
good way to test whether or not the students are applying
their knowledge to real world experiences.
2:WMAJ Let hire some profs who actually are interested in
the subject that they are teaching!!! They seem to know
what they are talking about, but they have no passion for
it. For the most part, the teachers that I had all talked
about finance as if it were some abstract issue that they
understood, but could care less about. I am driven by
people who are driven. I think that CU lacks teachers who
truly inspire students to go further in life and career.
Hire some people who hold the attributes and ability to
inspire their students.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I came from out of state, Minnesota to
be exact. CU has a program that they call MAPS
deficiencies. What this means is that when you either
applied to CU as a senior in high school or graduated from
high school, or both, you hadn't finished all of the
requirements that CU has for its incoming freshmen, as goes
high school preparation, i.e. english, science, social
studies, etc. For Minnesota schools, I had enough acedemic
requirements, but for CU I didn't. Because I started
taking foreign language in 7th grade and finished in 9th
grade, CU only recognized one year of high school foreign
language. This being the case, even though I was at a far
high level than their two year requirement!!!! I also had
MAPS in geography, this being because they didn't count
Advanced Placement European History as a high school
geography course, even though it fullfills the requirement
in Minneosota Colleges. Because of these deficiencies, as
they call them, I am going to be at CU longer than two
years.
693519 1:GOALS-DEF I was able to gain a sophisticated
understanding of finance (particularly financial markets,
derivatives, fixed-income, investment banking) that most
people my age don't have.
2:WMAJ I would have a more in depth fixed-income class.
I've taken the FNCE 4820 fixed-income siminar and it didn't
get into anything complex like convexity or duration.
3:BMAJ I think our derivatives class is one of the best
anywhere
4:DODIFF I would have liked the opportunity to study
abroad, but my dedication to the greek community forced me
to stay here all four years.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F because I've worked hard, and I think
everyone who doesn't is a reject.
698178 1:GOALS-DEF study abroad helped greatly, internship
openings found through classes, in-depth understanding of
market and current issues addressed
2:WMAJ Most of my opportunities through CU (internships,
study abroad, writing/speaking work) did not come through
the my major program. Instead it came through other areas
on campus or through own instigation (President's
Leadership Class,etc). I would suggest you continue to
look through ways to bring this into the program. Had I
not found these things on my own, I think my educational
experience would have suffered. I'd like to see more
effort placed into teaching students the importance of
networking (how to establish relationships with faculty in
a 200+ person class, how to establish business mentors in
the professional community, etc)
3:BMAJ I look back and two things really stand out for me:
the Profiles Program (I was a PTA) and the Applied
Business Finance Course with Nelson. By far the two most
important things that stirred the most growth and
opportunities.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I stuck with my initial major, enrolled
in 7 credits of summer school, and often took heavy loads
throughout the semester (never under 15 credits).
721581 1:GOALS-SOME I think a more practical current method of
using text books in conjunction with current books, such as
the ones Warren Buffet suggested, and analyzing real world
issues with a text book to break the cases down. I think
doing more individual case studies with lots of focus in
certain areas from the text would be nice.
2:WMAJ All books should be on reserve. You should be
able to double emphasis if you complete all recommended
classes if you are able to schedule your courses without
guarantees and you meet the requirements.
3:BMAJ It has lots of interesting upper level classes.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I switched my major 3 times and a lot of
my credits were wasted because they didn't meet very
specific requirements it was difficult to understand why so
few exceptions are allowable.
739439 1:GOALS-SOME I would have like a well rounded education
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F my parents told me they would only pay
for four years
756199 2:WMAJ To make sure students that graduate understand and
are able to apply the financial principals learned in
class. There are many important concepts that I just
learned for the test and forgot immediately after. When
applying for jobs these skills are necessary and I wish
they had been more ingrained into my head.
3:BMAJ The variety of courses. I enjoyed learning about
everything from financial markets to firm valuation and
everything in between. I also think that the London Finance
Seminar was one of the most valuable experiences I have had
both for my education and myself.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F That is the amount of money I am
prepared to spend and I plan on staying on track with my
major.
818677 1:GOALS-SOME Some teachers simply didn't want to be here.
Some failed in real life, so became teachers, and now
practice those findings they failed upon.
2:WMAJ Recommendations of courses and teachers who teach
each course. Requirements before signing up for each
program to see what you will learn and how it will pertain
to your future.
3:BMAJ Teachers are very competent with real world
experiences. Most can explain situations in multiple
different manners so people with different thought
processes can all understand.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I didn't need more time
830636 2:WMAJ class sizes smaller
3:BMAJ teacher interaction
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F i studied abroad, took a semester off
(only 7 credits) and changed my major
846740 1:GOALS-SOME I think some of the professors lacked real
world experience (grad students)
899458 1:GOALS-SOME It gave a broad overview of the field of
Finance and then allowed for more specific learning.
2:WMAJ To have smaller classes with more long term
investment projects that last multiple semesters.
3:BMAJ Everything that I leanred that I didn't have any
clue about before.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T of how I started my post secondary
eduction.
903158 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F It costs too much to study for longer.
904168 1:GOALS-SOME I found some professors to be disappointing.
For example,Finance 3020, taught by Sousan Urroz-Korrori,
was a disappointing course all around. Because the course
is a requirement for all finance majors, I thought I would
learn more. The most disappointing aspect was the
professor. She was very knowledgeable and well rounded,
but seemed to have no regard for student's requests or
concerns. She gave A's to two out of 100 students. Many
other professors did much more to facilitate learning and
the overall educational experience. I have cautioned many
people from taking her classes.
2:WMAJ The one thing I would change would be to remove
Sousan Urroz-Korrori from the University. Although I had
specific problems with her, I know many of my peers have
dealt with the same or similar problems. A friend of mine
change her major from Finance to Management after Ms.
Korrori's class. The most education I took from that
course was from a group reserach project. She was
unwilling to listen to students concerns/requests and kept
a very ambiguous grading policy. She actually commented to
me that she didn't know why students thought they needed to
be so aware of their grades. She said when she was in
school, the students just trusted the professors. This
incident amoung countless other things put a very negative
impact on my experience in the Finance department. And
after speaking to the chair of the department I only felt
more frustrated.
3:BMAJ I must also comment that some professort were
particularly good. Chris Yung did an excellent job of
teaching Finance 3010. He prepared the students well of
future courses and taught real world ideas and shared
experiences. He listened and seemed to be teaching for all
the right reasons.
4:DODIFF Although I don't think I could have afforded to
study abroad, I think it would be a great experience.
There are many different areas I am interested in and
sometimes I wonder if I should have pursued a more
scientifically based area of study. There are some
problems I've come across with professors and members of
the business department that have given me concerns about
the ethic standing of people in the business field.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T the financial consequences of spending
four years in college are too high for me. ALthough I love
the educational experience, not all students have parental
support and the opportunities to have a ton of fun during
their university years. I hope to someday further my
education, but at this point in time, I feel I can teach
myself about subjects I want to furter explore.
937010 2:WMAJ More classes that focus on applying what we were
taught. Upper division classes seemed to be trying to cram
way too much information into a short period of time,
without ever giving students a chance to see if they could
apply what we they had been taught.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I'm in the concurrent degree program and
will be staying an additional year to get my masters in
accounting
945142 1:GOALS-SOME The business curriculum is skewed way too far
towards only business. Business students should be
required to take many more arts and sciences core
curriculum classes. The world is much more than business
and business electives.
2:WMAJ Nothing - the Finance major program here is
excellent.
3:BMAJ Bob Donchez - Finance professor
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F even though I recieved crappy advising,
I still busted my butt and took summer school to make sure
I got through in 4. Any more than that and I would in the
poor house because of the obscene out of state tuition.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BU-MGMT 115453 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F less than four years because i worked
really hard both in high school and here at cu to get the
credits that i needed.
126738 1:GOALS-SOME meet my goals because i will get my
degree. did not meet my goals because, i have aprove
classes without take my books not even an hour in home. i
have pass classes with knowledge acquiered in a prior
university. i did not share artificial gauss curve in exams
2:WMAJ I will go to a university where the school set the
standard not students. curving system allow low performance
students not only to slow down the class but also graduate
and go to the labor market bringing the name of the
university with their poor knowledge.
3:BMAJ the library, you can learn additional subject not
seing on classes by your own.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T i transfered from a university where
Business was 6 years, i did 5 and i have to finish the
remnaining time in CU Boulder.
143750 1:GOALS-DEF Although I was able to obtain two internships
on my own, the Business School made it extremely difficult
to receive any type of credit for them. They should
encourage internships and allow students to receive credits.
2:WMAJ Allow an internship to receive credits towards
degree.
3:BMAJ The community feeling.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am majoring in Management and it is
set up to take all the necessary credits in four years.
167067 1:GOALS-DEF I feel that some of the people teaching the
classes were not real teachers and this made it difficult
to learn from them. Most of them were just there for money
and not to help the students. The real teachers did an
excellant job and I found their knowledge very helpful.
2:WMAJ I felt that a lot of the HR classes were redundant,
I found that many teachers don't know what is taught in
other classes and spent way too much time repeating things
I had already learned.
3:BMAJ Group projects. Not only did it allow me to meet
people from school, since I never lived on campus, but it
also has allowed me to Network and I now know many people
who I can work with in my future.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I worked full time while I was in
college and was unable to take extra classes to graduate at
year 4. I found it a great experiance and I feel I am
probably more prepared for the "real world" than other
students who did not have to manage so many hours at work
and school.
195074 1:GOALS-SOME There could have been more interaction both
in class and with professors in lower division classes.
The big lecture halls made it very hard to differentiate
myself from fellow students and made the transition to
upper division classes much harder. Also the material was
not very challenging most of the time.
2:WMAJ The interaction with faculty and in class
discussions.
3:BMAJ The comradory with my fellow students.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F The school is increasingly and
exponentially too expensive for the type of education you
receive. Also, the rest of my family graduated from their
respective colleges in four years and it is expected of me
to accomplish the same.
212420 2:WMAJ in a nicer (newer) environment
3:BMAJ instructors/professors
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F that is how long i wanted it to take.
256070 1:GOALS-SOME The HR management courses were all very
similar. In comparison to marketing, HRMGMT courses seemed
to repeat the same material for all 3 required classes.
2:WMAJ Add more information surrounding HR MGMT. I learned
the same material 3 times in 3 different classes. Perhaps
add more emphasis on ethics in these classes or dealing
with employees.
3:BMAJ The classes were relatively easy to comprehend and
the subject matter was interesting on how to deal with
legal, economical, and financial issues. One last thing
which is sort of related to my major BCOR 4000 in MGMT,
Larry Plummer is the best professor at this university.
After 4 years I finally had the best class and professor at
CU and he is by far the most talented individual and
willing to give his time to help students. Future
professors should be modeled after his work ethic.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F the course load to graduate in four
years is not tough. If you follow through and continously
study there should be no excuses (besides financial) not to
graduate in 4 years. Be effeicent and plan your time well
and college should take an even 4.
262547 1:GOALS-SOME Good overall experience in all aspects of
Business
2:WMAJ needs to be more exciting?? how?? I dont know??
3:BMAJ Good overall experience in all aspects of business
4:DODIFF Get out of the busness school
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am not ready to graduate
342076 1:GOALS-SOME There wasn't as much real world application
as I would have liked to have seen in a program with as
many real world connections as the Leeds School.
2:WMAJ There should be more real world application, since
it seems that good number of classes teach many of the same
concepts. The time could be spent more efficiently with
some real world applications.
3:BMAJ It has improved my social/communication skills.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F this school is insanely expensive and
taking more than four years would be crazy.
354055 1:GOALS-xxxx The CU programs are geared more to putting
people out in the business world to get jobs. However,
business courses do not impress success upon its students.
Rather it simply provides a means for individuals to only
try hard enough to graduate. That mentality follows
students and ultimately leads to thier short comings in
their future professions.
362230 1:GOALS-SOME I did not focus much at all on my operations
management emphasis. Instead I chose to pursue the real
estate certificate and that is where I was able to gain
experience through internships, the real estate club,
TA-ing. I was also involved with the LBSG and Dean's
Cabinet, this had nothing to do with faculty encouragement
or management teachings, it was my choice to become so
involved with CU's Business School.
2:WMAJ I would have like to learn more about Business
career options as a freshman in order to chose an emphasis.
I blindly chose operations management. Also I think that
some of the certificate programs need to be re-evaluated.
The real estate certificate is 21 credits, which is just as
much as an emphasis.
3:BMAJ I love the real estate center; they have made my CU
career worth while. I don't even know where the management
services are in the Business school. Katie Mrazik in the
real estate center has basically been my academic advisor
instead of the counselors in the academic advising office.
I think that the counseling services in the Business school
are severely lacking in their level of quality.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am going to take four years because
that is all my parents will pay for and I can't afford out
of state tuition on my own!!
363777 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I took the oppurtunity to do other
things I was interested in such as doing three majors,
study abroad, and working.
392415 1:GOALS-SOME not much help getting into mgmt type
positions-internships or @ career fair
2:WMAJ The amount of people in the program and how easy it
is compared to other majors in the business school. Plus I
don't know if I'm really ready for a job in MGMT even
though I am getting a degree in it here shortly.
3:BMAJ The professors and their desire to teach, it seemed
like they really enjoyed the subject matter. They
encouraged me to look deeper into some of the issues.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T why rush, your only in college once!!!
397655 1:GOALS-NO I have no interest in corporate business, and
not including the entrepreneurship classes, every single
business class offered was geared soley towards corporate
business.
2:WMAJ The classes overlap, and they are so specialized in
topic that they seem to be a waste of time beyond 6-8 weeks
of instruction.
3:BMAJ It's easier than my former major, Finance.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have to take one summer school class
after my 8 semesters in order to gradumatate.
413620 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F double degree
440268 3:BMAJ The faculty is amazing - very knowledgable and
pasisonate.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I did not take advantage of advising
474075 1:GOALS-DEF i met my goals by getting my degree. i think
that the school should work more one on one with the
students.
2:WMAJ The use of expensive books that do not provide
furthure insight into the program. Do you think that it is
strange that i graduated in four years with a 3.2 GPA and
only bought 3 books my senior year?
3:BMAJ Eric Wiseman
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F i had transfer credits from high school,
and had to financially
546125 1:GOALS-SOME Overall, CU-Boulder gave me a solid
background. However, as with any educational experience, I
found most of my education to be somewhat inapplicable in
job experiences.
2:WMAJ More classes with real experience, not classes like
Critical Leadership
3:BMAJ Environmental Operations with Tom Dean...I would
suggest that to ANY business major
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F ...I am ready to step out into the real
world and start the next phase of my life.
557677 1:GOALS-SOME This school has provided me with a general
overview of a college education. I felt I spent too much
time outside of my major and the business school to get a
solid business education. Furthermore, most of the classes
in the upperdivision did not do as much hands on or real
world application of the course material. Read the
textbook and spit it back out on a test. There was little
application of class material to real world issues.
2:WMAJ make a clear definition between operations
management track and systems track. Too many classes have
been confused and even my counselor does not know if I will
come out with a degree in systems or management.
3:BMAJ The professors are the best in the school. They
are the only group of teachers I have had that give you
practical knoweledge and skills to apply in the business
world.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T four years and a summer session because
prereqresites for some of the classes I needed to take were
not available.
570363 1:GOALS-SOME My program is very broad in focus, perhaps
learning a little more hard skills would be beneficial. I
believe public debate and speaking skills are very
important in business and i would have liked this to be
focused on more.
2:WMAJ I think the recent addition of systems is an
excellent idea. However, it came a little late for me
which is unfortunate. I would like my program to focus
more on computer related management tools and international
management.
3:BMAJ The opportunity to work almost anywhere in any
field. This is the reason i picked my major.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Not because i can't graduate this year
but because I enjoy college and would like to take a few
extra classes to further my degree.
583072 2:WMAJ More diversity in the teaching staff
3:BMAJ Professor Wiseman and Payne, they were very
dedicated and passionate in their profession.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I want to
594995 2:WMAJ There is too much overlap in management classes, I
would work on eliminating this.
3:BMAJ The professors that have real life experience and
are working in the real world have a lot to offer a
business student.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I planned ahead and checked with my
advisor to make sure that I was on the right track to
graduate on time.
615224 1:GOALS-SOME The program allowed me to take a broad look
at the management field. However, I felt that not enough
connections were made between the content in class and real
world examples.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transferred twice in my college
career. As a result, not all of the credit from previous
colleges was counted by the Leeds School of Business
advisors. I should have been done in four, but they wanted
more of my money and time.
619550 4:DODIFF If I had planned better, I would have loved to
study abroad. I think it is a good experience, and it
helps a person to grow and understand a different culture.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I could not transfer into the Business
School even though my business GPA was high, my overall GPA
did not meet the requirements.
630909 2:WMAJ I would get better teachers. Tracy Jennings
(MGMT3010) is a wonderful person, but she is a terrible
teacher. There are a lot of bad professors in the business
school who only care about their outside job. They don't
put in the time and effort. Another suggestion is to keep
professors focused on the course matter. Sanjai Bhagat
does not teach Entrepreneurship he only teaches Finance in
my Entrepreneurial Finance class. He wants us to go out
and use Finance skill to get a job for a big company. This
not ENTREPRENEURSHIP. So the one things I would change
would be to get better professors. If they are rated
poorly on their FCQs PLEASE LISTEN!
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F because It costs so much money to go
extend my time in school to double major.
682899 1:GOALS-SOME I feel like they are taking away the
operations management major and changing into systems
classes. There was not a variety of classes offered and
the degree requirement changed on me every year.
2:WMAJ Make more classes available and stop chaning the
requirements becuase it gets really confusing. It would
also help if you always saw the same advisor.
3:BMAJ Everything is easy to find in the Business school.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I am going to go to school in Denver and
I wanted to get my degree before I went to a different
school again.
719324 1:GOALS-SOME Felt as if there is not enough hands-on, real
life experience, too much text book...the most influential
courses were those that allowed us to apply to real life
situations...
2:WMAJ I would change the high amount of people in entry
level courses, and request smaller classrooms with more
personalized faculty attention
3:BMAJ It is fun, the other students are what makes it all
the worth while
4:DODIFF Recommend, everyone study abroad, wonderful
expierence
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F of many reasons, A) That is what I can
financially afford, B) There is no reason it should take
you longer, as long as you are motivated, well organized,
and plan ahead!!
731431 2:WMAJ Change course curriculum so there isn't so much
overlap between courses. For example, there were 3
Management courses I took that were supposed to be very
different in content, but it turned out that for the first
5 weeks or so, all 3 classes taught the exact same
material. Seemed like a big waste of money and time to
learn the same thing in 3 classes.
3:BMAJ The one best things is that there are some AMAZING
professors in the Business School, who have very
eye-opening experiences (both life experiences and
work/business experiences). It's from these few professors
that I actually feel like I learn something, and that I've
actually gotten something worthwhile for the money and time
I've put into getting an education at CU.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I want to pursue a double degree, with a
5 year BA/MA concurrent degree for one of the 2 degrees.
However, CU is not very lenient about the courses required,
and because there is very little overlap between the two
degrees, I will have to take a bunch of classes (which I
might add are not value adding to my educational
experience) to fulfill credits requirements. Of course,
there is the rule that I cannot do a BA/MA concurrent
program unless I drop my other degree, which means I had to
petition and request that I be allowed to keep both degrees
(seems ridiculous to drop one degree that I had already
almost completed). Though the school has allowed me to do
so, I must still complete all the coursework (that is, for
both degrees, one under a BA/MA program...essentially 3
degrees) within 5 years. No one can tell me what happens
if I don't meet the 5 year deadline, but as of now, I plan
to take longer than 4 years, but no longer than 5.
741202 1:GOALS-SOME I believe that there is a gap between the
business and organizational skills taught in the business
program, and those expected by potential employers. I am
currently in an internship and have worked throughout my
college experience. I believe that the business school
does a superb job of presenting concepts and theories,
formulating analyses, and beginning to think critically -
but does not emphasize or give students the ability to
enhance those skills required in the work place.
Undergraduate students entering the business world are not
prepared for concise, and multifaceted communications
skills.
2:WMAJ More hands-on experience. Currently I am
conducting a needs assessment in my Business and Society
Writing class. My team is proposing a more rigid
communications program which may include a work placement
program. I am graduating with a degree in operations
management - maybe a greater opportunity to network within
this field while you are an undergraduate student.
3:BMAJ I love what I'm studying. The professors I have
had are extremely knowledgeable in this field, and have
made the learning experience fun and interesting.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transferred from a different school
and changed my major in the process. Further, I had
difficulty registering for the core business classes in my
first couple semesters at CU.
744150 1:GOALS-SOME I just do not feel prepared for a real world
experience
2:WMAJ Knowing students and not stats. For instance,
y'all should know that I have not taken any business upper
division classes.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am a double major.
816011 1:GOALS-SOME I am happy with my education at CU Boulder. I
was very dissappointed in the university my first semester
after transfer i was waitlisted for all 5 classes and only
got into 3 of them... leaving me behind for the rest of my
college education.
2:WMAJ Less group work, I've done little group work in my
previous years here, suddenly this semester i am into my
major and slammed with outside of class group work.. the
outside of class meetings are almost too much.
3:BMAJ I like the smaller class sizes then my earlier
BCOR's & Gen Ed's. The professors are willing to help and
easily accessible.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T at CU it is hard to get all of the
courses that you need in the spring and fall unless you are
an upper classman. I ended up being waitlisted for many of
my courses and did not get into many of them. So I am
graduating in 4.5 years, with a full Summer schedule (15
credits) my senior year.
873720 1:GOALS-SOME lack of development of communication skills
overall. not enough hands on experience. Too many scantron
tests. Classes for core are too large.
2:WMAJ GET RID OF MATH MODS! scale down the size of
BCOR classes. Fire Steven Engel, he does not respect his
students.
3:BMAJ The overall excellence of professors
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I only took minimal classes each
semester and required one extra semester to complete, it is
well worth my time!
927176 1:GOALS-SOME There are some professors who are just there
and do not seem to care about the content of their class-in
particular I had one very bad experience. However, most
professors within my field have been passionate about what
they do. Those that are passionate about their job have
exceeded my expectations of educational goals.
2:WMAJ 1. It is very difficult to register for classes
that are needed to keep one on track to graduate in four
years. 2. Fewer group projects-we are all so busy with
work, school, and outside activities that it is often very
difficult to find time for all group members to meet and
then one person does more than their fair share of work.
3. Professors who are sincere about the class topic they
are teaching.
3:BMAJ A couple of professors who have believed in me.
The smaller class interaction allows one to more one on one
time with these professors.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I entered CU with an Undecided major in
the College of Arts and Sciences. Not only did it take a
year+ to meet the requirements to transfer into the
business school, but I was denied admission until the first
semester of my fourth year. I will only graduate one
semester after four years, because of a study abroad
program I was accepted to this summer that adds 6 hours of
business electives to my remaining slots.
934942 1:GOALS-SOME I don't think the elements of my education
we're put together. Everything feels very segmented and
not a congruent learning experience. I do feel I have
learned a great deal here but I do not feel prepared to go
into the workforce and hit the ground running. I also
think we spent a lot of time learning principles but those
principles were not explained as to what part they will
play in the "real" world.
2:WMAJ Academic advising. I was given a solid piece of
advice on my orientation day- track your own credits and
requirements. I am a double degree student and have
intened to be such since my arrival at CU five years ago.
I went in before my freshman year to make out my five year
plan and was told it didn't matter because I wasn't
graduating. I've felt unsupported by that department every
other time I've gone in there. My senior audit was wrong
and didn't account for the double degree credit requirement
when I went to check on it and make sure I was correct I
was told it was in fact wrong and it was okay becuase there
were only a handful of us double degree students. Ater
showing an advisor my planned schedule for this semester
(my last semester) I was told I could take any of those
classes pass fail so I took one pass fail, only to find out
later it was classified as a business elective and I needed
a grade to graduate. Considering the advising department
is there only to advise and make sure students accomplish
their degree I have found it to be the reason I am off
track in more than one occasion. The people have always
been very nice just not particularly effective. I feel
really bad that my review of that particular branch is this
negative but it has been consistantly negative for five
years. So I think it needs to be said.
3:BMAJ The ethics class offered by Luftig was amazing. I
learned a lot and view things differently. It's one of the
only classes I've taken in five years that made me think
about it outseide of the classroom or outside of testing.
I think a class of that format and calibur should be
required for all CU students.
4:DODIFF I came in with an idea that I would do both
psychology and business and have stuck to that. I have
been very strict in the classes I've taken as all of them
fall into a required slot. I would have liked to sample
more majors and perhaps pick something more fitting for my
values and what I'd like to do with my life.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am working towards two separate
degrees. I will graduate in May with a BS in Business
administration with an emphasis in HR Management and a BA
in psychology. Hope you are well and talk to you soon.
949832 1:GOALS-NO I feel like all I have done junior and senior
year in the Management program is work on tedious group
projects. There is not much individually challenging
coursework or opportunity for academic growth.
2:WMAJ Joseph Rosse and Management 4020: Hiring &
Retaining Critical Human Resources. This class was a
complete nightmare. We spent all classtime looking at
powerpoint presentations with information from his books
that we were already assigned to read and the out of class
time working on a horendous, semester-long project.
3:BMAJ The entrepreneurship program (except for
Entrepreneurial Environments which could be condensed to
two classes)
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F that is all the time I needed to
complete the requirements.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BU-MKTG 118681 1:GOALS-DEF It was challenging all for 4 years, but not
unbearably overwhelming.
2:WMAJ Ability to have both completed areas of emphasis
printed on my diploma.
3:BMAJ Well-structured.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I'm ready to get in the workforce and be
financially independent.
199460 1:GOALS-DEF I wanted to cover the basics for sales and
marketing and I felt that CU did that
2:WMAJ I felt that some of the teachers that were almost
mandatory were terrible. It seemed like they did not enjoy
teacking and made me wonder why they were even here.
3:BMAJ I like the diversity of the classes. I took a few
classes that I really enjoyed and feel will benefit me in
the world of work.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am on financial aid and that I would
like to leave school as soon as possible to save money
237043 2:WMAJ I would make the undergraduate classes
smaller-especially the profiles course where students watch
the lecture on a TV monitor.
3:BMAJ The upper division classes and the focus on working
in groups and class interaction.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I do not have the money to continue my
education, I have also completed all of my degree
requirements. While I would love to stay because I love
the school, there is no logical reason for me to continue
spending the money.
289301 1:GOALS-DEF When i came to boulder i didn't know what i
wanted to get into. After i chose Marketing, however, i
have learned a substantial amount about marketing and feel
that i have a solid background in it. the program also
offered courses of interest including the international
courses.
2:WMAJ change a professor or two: Engel maybe offer
more options in marketing - because i will have taken every
marketing course offered by the time i graduate
3:BMAJ i think the capstone class is beneficial and
depending on the professor it has the potential to be
really great - I had Liz Hafer and it has been a great
experience for hands on learning and application of the
knowledge.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have decided to get 2 degrees, which
requires me to take 5 years of school. I am getting my
degrees in Spanish and in Marketing. I feel this is the
best option because Spanish is becoming so important in the
field of business.
314392 1:GOALS-DEF Did, to a degree, but the general ed. that is
received during a 4 yr degree is a great general start,
however, grad. school is where students and professors are
more serious.
2:WMAJ Marketing, for the most part was a "by the book"
currilculum in my classes. More "real-life" experiences
would be beneficial.
3:BMAJ I have a much more insightful understanding of the
media and popular culture and it's influence on people and
their beliefs.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I have to personally finance my
education and living expenses and need a full-time job to
do so.
318751 1:GOALS-SOME I got the basic knowlege of marketing and
what it consists of. From marketing research/analysis,
product mktg, international mktg, sales, and applying what
I learned to real life situations (case studies).
2:WMAJ Hire better Marketing Professors! Have speakers
come into our classroom who actually work in the field of
marketing! Group presentations get OLD!!! Make Students
(individually) go out into the field (real world) and write
about what they learned or accomplished, i.e. sales
project, marketing project, etc! ((For the most part, there
are many students who don't do there share of the work in
group projects, but still end up passing the course))
Therefore, offer more individual assignments, i.e. REAL
3000 offers students an individual project they have to
turn in **This is a great idea and you actually learn about
real estate info!!****It's very beneficial for us in the
future!!! Other courses should focus on this type of
project.
3:BMAJ All the different types of marketing classes you
can choose from.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F it took me awhile to decide on my major
and figure out what I was really interested in. I also had
no sense of direction my freshman year and was put on
probabation. After taking a year off, I realized that I had
to finish my degree in Business Admin. in order to get a
decent job that would pay better than those offered to H.S.
graduates. It doesn't matter how long you take. Make sure
you're interested in the classes you take so that they're
worth taking. You can spend each semester taking classes
you don't like and feel like you're wasting your time and
MONEY. Therefore, Really find out what subjects your're
good in, as well as interested in too and do your best in
them. The more you learn about a topic (mktg, mgmt, fine.,
or acct), the more you can apply it to a real job.
342403 2:WMAJ better b school advisors. some great teachers in
b school...also some weak teachers
3:BMAJ fellow students, content
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F it is easy to graduate in 4 years
346518 1:GOALS-SOME I felt that some courses were much more
beneficial to my learning. Like the Advertising and
Promotions Management class where we actually tried to
position a product. Where as the class like Marketing
Research was more like a statistics class than learning
about how to be a moderator. I also really enjoyed
teachers such as Mr. Macaluso and Dr. Lopresti who came
from real jobs (in UPS and Sun respectively). I felt like
they gave a much better perspective on what the real world
is like and hence better prepared us. I believe there
should be more of an emphasis on hands on work, learning by
doing instead of learning how others do it from a book.
2:WMAJ The way certain classes are taught like the
Marketing Research class. I plan to go into marketing
research and have already had some experience. The class,
however, was a real turn-off as it was mainly a stats
class. I feel like more hands-on experience would be much
more beneficial
3:BMAJ The courses where we got to DO things and the
ability to get close to our professors.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I came in to CU with 30 credits from IB
and I've taken 16 credits or more for the first 2 years.
366843 1:GOALS-DEF Broad knowledge base in many areas.
Preperation for leadership interaction after school.
2:WMAJ better professor at the BCOR MTKG level (engel)
3:BMAJ teamwork and group interactions, leadership
preperation
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I continued a continous course load each
semester, applying myself as fully as possible.
375203 1:GOALS-SOME i don't really feel prepared for a job in
Marketing, but I feel as though everyone feels this
way...regardless of their education
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I studied hard and applied myself. I
was able to balance my time effectively, both socially and
scholastically. I am also only receiving one Degree, as
opposed to multiple.
434630 1:GOALS-SOME I find that the information given to me in my
marketing classes is very theoretical and broad. Most
students go into these classes with the expectation of
learning material for the multiple choice questions and
then forgetting it all. There seems to be very little
practical application to the knowledge being learned, and
very little incentive or motivation to really learn and
apply the material.
2:WMAJ Focus more on sales and interpersonal skills.
Build critical thinking into the course material more than
just knowledge to be memorized. I haven't been challenged
to think critically my entire time here.
3:BMAJ My classmates. They are all outstanding people and
would excel in an environment where critical thinking is a
large part of the program.
4:DODIFF I would spend more time finding a major that
would actually teach me a useful skill. Marketing seems to
be much too abstract to apply in a practical way. I would
also have spent more time in a language program.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I didn't switch my major and I took a
large credit load my first two years of college.
454178 1:GOALS-SOME I felt that while I was learning a lot of
applicable things, there is a lot more to marketing than
selling and the program seems to emphasize selling. I
think that there are a lot of opportunities that students
miss at CU because when they are looking for internships
especially in todays market it is often very difficult to
find paid positions and the Leeds school seems to punnish
students with that.
2:WMAJ I would change the availablity of internships, I'm
not really sure if this has to deal with the program or the
school, but I have to say that I'm very irritated that I
work around 30-40 hours a week for an internship that has
helped my studies emensely and I only recieve 1 credit that
doesn't count towards graduation, I honestly think that is
stupid. If they are going to encourage that we go out and
get internships then they should support the internship no
matter what the reward for the internship. I would also
like to see if there is a way to have more opportunities
where the class rooms work with companies on projects, I
think this allows students the opportunity to finally put
everything they've learned into practice.
3:BMAJ I think that the professors are great, they have a
lot of experience and allow students to pick their brains
about anything.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F actually I'm taking 3.5 because I was
able to come into school having a lot of general
requirements done thereby allowing me to graduate early.
Also I've had several job offers which persuade me to
graduate early.
471085 1:GOALS-SOME The limited availability of certain classes
has not allowed me to experience different courses. These
classes are often very full with ridiculous amount of
students. This is also a recurring problem in that every
semester, the same courses are very filled.
2:WMAJ I would have used my business elective credits to
fulfill a minor degree.
3:BMAJ The information I receive is very consistent with
each course.
4:DODIFF Sign on to my second major sooner than I did.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I feel that my major has not explored
all the aspects that I feel will be crucial to my career
development. I have found my second major to be very
imperative since I utilized the majority of those skills to
fulfill my marketing classes any way.
530223 1:GOALS-SOME My educational goal was to get a profound
understanding of marketing to be able to apply it in the
business world.
2:WMAJ Less team projects and more individual projects.
3:BMAJ The knowledge I obtained from my Marketing major
will be very useful in any profession.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T Four years because I feel that I am
ready to get out of school and start applying my
theoretical knowledge in the real world. Four years is
enough to get a good well-round education if you are
working hard.
538049 1:GOALS-SOME Some professors were not suited to be
teaching and subjects could have been better without these
professors. I would desire more hands on experience. A
wider variety of marketing classes would be good. More
encouragement for pursuit of experience in lower division
would be good to have.
2:WMAJ I would eliminate bad professors that will
ultimately frusterate the students and cause them to
question if they like a certain major. Professors should
have real world experience to be effective in their
teachings. Some professors that I have found ineffective
are Ned Cooney and Bob Taylor.
3:BMAJ Certain professors are extremely effective and
encouraged me to pursue further interest in a topic. Off
of the top of my head some effective professors were Moyes,
McFee, and Pat Long. The real world type experience that
these professors provided was great. Some of my most
memorable/ impressionable experiences were guest speakers
that were generally CEO's of successful companies.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I went into college having no idea what
I wanted to do. I didn't realize at the time that I would
have to make a decision eventually and I should have taken
more advantage of activities on campus that might have
helped to guide me. It would have also been better if I
had considered planning more.
546403 2:WMAJ I didn't take some marketing classes due the bad
reputation of Ingle. I wish the University would actually
do something about it, because I took summer classes at CU
Denver to avoid him. I also missed other classes, because
I did not want to be his subject.
3:BMAJ The Honda Element project in Meg Cambell's class.
Great hand-ons experience.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T Get in and get out, while having as much
fun as possible and learning in the process
564165 4:DODIFF i would like to major in computer graphics, which
is not available at CU, or in Real Estate as a major, again
not available, or I would like to get a minor in Art, not
available, or in psychology, again, not available. see my
issue?
652032 1:GOALS-DEF As a marketing major it be useful to be able
to take some graphic design as well as other media courses
to make students more marketable in the future to employers.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I decieded to become a marketing major
when I applied to CU. I recieved 28 credits from high
school through IB which gave me flexibility to take a
lighter course load and also work. Mainly staying on track
with my plan made it very easy to graduate on time.
719981 1:GOALS-SOME There is a lit of emphasis on case studies,
especially in upper division classes, however, I do not
feel that a case study is always the best way to learn.
One of the best classes that I took was Advertising and
Promotion in which we worked on an advertising campaign for
the Honda Element, and currently my MKTG 4800 class in
which we are working on a marketing strategy for a real
company.
2:WMAJ Just more hands on experience with real life
situations
4:DODIFF I would take advantage of a study abroad office,
and I would take classes that interest me or ones that I
know that I would enjoy.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I don't want to have more financial aid
than I already do, and because I am ready to start my career
733607 2:WMAJ better advising
3:BMAJ awesome professors
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F it's always been a goal of mine.
734460 1:GOALS-SOME I was looking for more teachers/upper div.
classes to have internship opportunities - even career
services lacks a good amount of internships. They are all
quickly swallowed by the many grads and undergrads.
2:WMAJ Have more classes that get your foot in the door to
different companies around the Boulder area.
3:BMAJ The diversity of classes available.
4:DODIFF I would have liked to study abroad, but most of
the last minute options i quickly tried to look at were too
expensive.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I came into college with some credit
already and have been sure to take the right amount of
credits each semester in order to graduate.
747901 1:GOALS-SOME Boulder didn't offer any options in Marine
Biology.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I don't believe the cost of staying an
extra year is worthwhile, and I would rather gain real
world work experience than spend any more time in classes
which often do not pertain to realistic workplace
situations.
756648 1:GOALS-SOME I felt that the core classes in business were
horrible. No one can learn calculus well through math mods
=== WHAT A JOKE!!! Also, BCOR 1000 is another JOKE.
Students would probably understand accounting better if the
school offered a better foundation in mathematics. The
business school charges outrageous tuition, yet cannot hire
enough faculty to truly TEACH students!!!
2:WMAJ I would change the core. I feel that core is
integral to the development of a business mind. CU fails
in its core business program. Math mods are awful.
3:BMAJ I have been lucky to have supportive faculty who
take the time to help me if I simply take the time to ask.
4:DODIFF I would definitely try to study abroad if I had
my academic experience to do over again. Yet, it is so
difficult to afford, I do not know how I would finance the
trip.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T CJ, don't worry about taking longer than
four years, it's common and okay. I use to feel left
behind because I will graduate later, yet now I think of
extra time as extra time for learning, internships, and
self-development. We all finish college at our own pace.
820487 1:GOALS-SOME hard to explain...
3:BMAJ Covered all aspects of marketing thoroughly
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F that is truly all you need to take the
courses you need to graduate on time.
915759 1:GOALS-DEF I took several great marketing classes that I
use in my jobs and internships everyday. I really
appreciate the knowledge that professors have to share with
use and the methods inwhich they deliver their lessons.
2:WMAJ More Marketing options. There were not enough
courses to chhose from in this major. A course in sports
marketing would be nice. Also more unison with the
Journalism school would help us take advantage of courses
offered on campus.
3:BMAJ The professsors have great experience and
knowledge. They are the best.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am mojoring in Marketing and
receiveing my international business certificate. I am
also only takin 12 credits in some semesters.
925183 1:GOALS-SOME Creativity is essential to a students
education. This is why I chose marketing over Finance.
Even the Marketing program was too structured for the
corporate world. I never had the opportunity to take a
creative marketing class except for through the Journalism
school. The Marketing courses were not creative enough,
possible offering a guerilla marketing course would have
fulfilled this necessity. Also, I expected more guest
lectures in my marketing classes as well as help or even
notification of job/internship opportunities with in the
field of marketing. The Real Estate center is a primier
example of a program that directs students into the job
world.
2:WMAJ Emphasize creativity and smaller class (Core class
are too large).
3:BMAJ The certificate and business electives offered
through the Leeds School of Business. The professors that
teach at the graduate level as well.
4:DODIFF Take more electives from different shcools within
CU. Focus on one subject within each semester and stay
away from taking unrelated courses within the same semester.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F It is about your experience at the
University. If you want to take your time, you should.
This will help you find what you are truly interested in.
Don't be afraid to take time off. There is so much to
offer, within four years, you will have barely experienced
half. The lower division courses are horrible, so bare
through it and take your time.
954939 2:WMAJ More class interaction and less group work. It is
too hard to coordinate with people who work full time, go
to school full time and have other things in their lives.
3:BMAJ The range of experience from professors.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F actually 3 years because I came in ahead
of the game and want to finish early instead of lagging
around and wasting time.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BU-SYST 126535 1:GOALS-SOME too much time on arts and sciences, stupid
MAPS requirements
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F the process of switching majors is
completely backwards and wasted years of my time at school.
170031 1:GOALS-NO Course structure was not structured. Every
class used a different programming language - thus we never
built proficiency in any one language. SYST 3020 (Database)
was taught by an instructor who didn't know anything about
databases (Jim Marlatt - Fall '03). After talking to many
adminsitrators about my concerns, nothing was changed and I
was blown off. The same professor still teaches the class
and I continue to hear the same complaints about the
quality of the course. Most of my classes end up with
teachers who aren't interested in students and therefore
they teach very little relevant information that an
information systems student would use in the real world. I
would love to talk with somebody who cares about
this...everyone I talk to does not care about undergraduate
thought. 303.641.5094 - Ryan Roth
2:WMAJ I would request faculty that desired to teach
classes with passion. I would request faculty that taught
more abstract principles - but could actually tie them real
world events (Kai Larsen is great at this).
3:BMAJ My fellow students are passionate about
technology/information systems. Together we learn valuable
things and work on valuable projects outside of class.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F If I were to remain at the Leeds School
of Business any longer - I feel that I may forget the
valuable information that I learned in high school. If I
could get out of here quicker, I would. Everything at CU is
wonderful except the education. For me, that is frustrating.
202466 2:WMAJ Eliminate programming classes from the cirriculum.
3:BMAJ The fact that I will earn a business degree that I
can use in any business-related field.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I chose to abstain from summer classes
and fell 6 credits short.
290947 1:GOALS-SOME I really wanted to get into the digital
aspect of broadcasting--for example, HDTV, webcasting, and
streaming video. I kept hearing that the ATLUS program
MIGHT be able to help, but then when I followed through, I
found it was basically a digital arts class. Kai Larson's
networking class covered some of the aspects, and I
could've extended my time and gone through the HUGE
headache of trying to get some of the journalism classes
written into my degree program, but that was about the only
options offered. Digital broadcasting is going to be a
huge part of telecommunications, especially with the advent
of HDTV. I was really surprised to see my options for
learning the technology so limited.
2:WMAJ That there are more options for students interested
in learning technology and how it affects business. I
would like to see more topics available, rather than
programming, network admin, or ops management.
3:BMAJ The faculty. CU faculty are by far the best thing
going for CU. They do their best to work within the
constraints CU puts them in, but they still manage to do a
fabulous job.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I have a hard time staying in the
program long enough to finish. I have found that as I work
and go to school, my needs change and I realize more about
myself. Getting a college education does not mean that is
what you're going to "be" for the rest of your life, but
there is definately alot to be said for focusing one's
interests and tailoring a college education around things
that stimulate you.
304528 2:WMAJ I would have changed my major altogether. I
believe some of the professors in my major were incompetant.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am not sure what I want to major in,
when I enter college.
309143 1:GOALS-SOME Needs more hands on and more technical.
402859 1:GOALS-SOME I like the fact that Systems split into two
tracks...this helped out those of us who didn't want to go
in to the technical/programming side of systems.
2:WMAJ More practical application rather than just
"checking the box"
3:BMAJ Having instructors that come from the IT world with
real-world experience
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T while college prepares you for
interaction in the world of professionals, the best
experience is gained from actually living it.
422956 1:GOALS-SOME Overall good. I was enrolled in the INFS
program when they decided to make it two tracks, operations
and IS. Had this come along when I started the program, I
wouldhave been more satisified--I would have taken more of
the other tracks, etc. While most of my IS classes were
very realavant I feel there were ocassional extreneous
situations where I feel my satisfaction was not met at all.
One time at the last minute, the professor who was supposed
to teach a class was swapped due to some actions on his
behalf. The replacement however, had no experience teaching
it. I feel I gained very little out of that class. Most of
the learning was done on my own, which was fine, but the
class itself was rendered useless. It was not the
replacement professors fault--he did not have the
qualifications to teach this class.
2:WMAJ My Database class would have been better (see my
earlier comment about the prof being thrown in). More class
based interaction with outside firms (not simply group
projects where it is up to us to seek outside firms).
Visits to IBM, Sun, speakers. Also, mandate another INFS
programming course.
3:BMAJ The variety of courses you can take to fulfull the
requirements and also usually lots of hands on work.
4:DODIFF In stead of spending so much time taking foreign
language courses, I would have used that time and credits
to persue another passon and a second degree/major.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I really wantedo to go into business and
computers but initally couldn't get into the Business
School, but eventually got in. That is not real problem
however. The TRUE reason is because I had to take a total
of 18 hours, paying out of state tuition, to take Spanish.
I had taken some years in H.S. but apparently this was not
enough. They did not care that I didn't plan on using it,
did not enjoy taking it, could not get out of it, or had no
plans or desires to speak it. It is really hard to learn
something when you don't want to be there and don't see the
need. That is a entire semester, probably about $12,000 or
so not including living expenses that I was here for that
got little out of it. I still speak at the same level I did
in H.S. It's all I care to speak.
423928 1:GOALS-SOME This overall degree requires too few classes
within the information systems emphasis itself. Too broad,
expose students to many different areas of information
systems, but makes it difficult to gain knowledge and
specilize in one area. Too much emphasis in
management/operations and not technical aspects. Group work
is a bit too much-- does help interpersonal skills in real
life, but lessen ability of all students to learn to full
extent (some group members learning more than others, etc).
18 hours Business electives should be less, with more hours
required for 15 hours emphasis.
2:WMAJ Get rid of Systems Operations track and leave that
under the Management major, while give more specialized
tracks in the information systems emphasis
(Analysis/design, networking, web, etc), so students can
get more in-depth knowledge and be able to apply for jobs
that need those specific requirements.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Change of majors three times required
switching between colleges within CU boulder. The Business
school held too many requirements for intra-university
transfers to get in, which took a long time for my
admission to be official. Wasted a lot of credits taking
unneeded electives while waiting to get in. Had to delay
taking upper division courses in my "new" major until fully
enrolled in the college itself.
425121 1:GOALS-SOME BCOR was a waste of time, the entire series
should be elimiated. All the 3000 level classes review the
same material anyway. Plus the class sizes are rediculously
large for a learning environment. I enjoyed most of my
upper division classes in accounting, finance and
information systems and found them to be rewarding as well
as educational. BCOR was by far the worst educational
experince of my life and a waste of time. My academic
performance should not be based upon a long, pointless
multiple choice test over a wood plank in the Coors event
center. I cannot begin to stress how dissapointed I am with
the BCOR curriculum. The solution is to make it all
available online like BCOR 1000 so we don't have to go sit
in a huge room where I cannot even see the board. I think
you would find a majority of students interested in this
option.
2:WMAJ I think that every major should be required to take
the systems database class and the design class.
3:BMAJ The best thing is that I was able to apply my
knowledge of systems to other areas of emphasis like
accounting and finance.
484856 2:WMAJ More time in real life situations.
3:BMAJ learned a lot from upperclass teachers.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F That's the amont of time I need to
complete all of my coursework.
508696 1:GOALS-SOME I feel that there should be more hands on
experience or internships
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered and took some time off
during that period
544227 1:GOALS-SOME I learned a lot in IS, but probably not
enough to get a good job right out of college even with a
bachellor's degree, but the overall background in other
aspects of business is valuable.
2:WMAJ Restructure the programming courses, they're
entirely too difficult as is. C# and VB are not for
beginners as they say they are, too much is required in
those courses. I never did good at all, Romine just graded
easy cause he was sympathetic. What good does that do when
you get nothing out of the course?
3:BMAJ The instructors.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I didn't have to work full time to pay
for college, I went to school full time all semesters.
571451 1:GOALS-NO The information systems degree, while having
the potential to be an excellent degree, was not acceptable
at all. I am not sure why it was discontinuted, but if it
was for this reason it is understandable. I DO feel that
I.S. in Business is a VERY valuable degree if implemented
properly. I feel that my education was less than
satisfactory in my degree area since the classes that I
experienced were poorly taught. Jim Marlatt cannot and
should not be teaching database and possibly other classes.
It amazes me that he would even be considered for teaching
database. Matt Romine, while he excells at giving great
real world projects and is a very smart individual, cannot
stay on one thought for very long and therefore is not an
effective teacher. Professor Jintae cannot even answer a
question unless it is asked three or four times, and when
he finally understands the questions he cannot convey the
answer in any type of understandable manner. I only had
one class from Jintae, 3510, and it was possibly the worst
class I have had at CU, right behind database.
2:WMAJ if I could change one thing, it would be to bring
in teachers that can teach.
3:BMAJ The best thing about my major is that it is over
and now I can learn from people who know more than me.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I took a semester off and transferred
schools. I only was delayed a semester so I don't feel it
impacted me much. talk to you soon CJ!
583277 1:GOALS-SOME I think that the Math Modules program is a
joke. I went to my previous college to transfer in credits
that I was so unhappy having to teach myself. There is no
reason I should have to just sit in the tutoring center to
do my homework, or pause a lecture tape to take notes. I
was also really unhappy that there were only 5 credit hour
classes with an instructor that would satisfy those math
requirements.
2:WMAJ Have some alternative professors for the classes in
the Systems track... especially the programming classes. I
like the staff as a whole, but I don't like the way we are
taught to program.
3:BMAJ There is enough theory taught so that the degree
won't go obsolete... but it'd be nice to have some more
hands on labs or something.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transferred in to CU from the
Metropolitan State College of Denver. All of my classes
(except for one) transferred in, but I would have taken a
little longer than 4 years because I wasn't taking a full
load due to a part time job. When I got to CU, I
couldn't complete the Math Modules classes due to a
conflict with the way the Finite Math and Calculus classes
are taught here. In fact, they aren't actually taught at
all, and you're forced to teach yourself the classes with a
beat and demagnetized VHS tape collection, and if you don't
understand, you need to go to the tutoring center, which
will become a crutch to learning the stuff. So, I had
gotten a few false starts with the calculus, lost my
tuition over it, and had to go back to Metro State to have
someone teach it there. Unfortunately, there were no
substitute classes that wouldn't result in a 5 day class
week and 2 extra credit hours that wouldn't count for
anything. Anyway, if you choose CU Boulder, I'd probably
avoid anything math-intensive unless it doesn't involve the
Modules, and see if you can save up some cash before coming
here, becuase the town is hella expensive, and the upper
division systems and business classes are available at the
strangest times, so it's hard to have a pert time
job. Ian M.
600097 1:GOALS-xxxx It meet my educational goal and help me in
getting in master program right away.
2:WMAJ Some Teachers
3:BMAJ Give overview of all aspect of stuies lines so we
can follow in any one of the lines for our future master or
Ph.D studies.
600416 1:GOALS-SOME i feel that the program at CU for IS students
met my goals somewhwat; I wish there would have been a
stronger emphasis in analytical thought and a little more
structure in programming courses. I feel that there is a
growing need for the understanding and proficiency in
object oriented programming, and the Business School does
not offer enough courses on the topic.
2:WMAJ I would like to offer a more rigorous programming
track for IS majors so that we are better equipped to
compete against CS and Engineering majors upon graduation.
I feel that a stronger technical background paired with
business skills is the ideal product of the IS program. I
want to have more structure and more OOP experience.
3:BMAJ The best thing about my major program is the
ability to combine the technical and business skillsets.
The fact that I have a BCOR foundation is extremely
valuable.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F i can't afford to continue to pay the
high tuition and housing costs associated with this
university. While I wish I could extend my educational
experience at CU, it is not financially possible, and my
financial position is such that I do not qualify for
financial aid, but am still having a lot of difficulty
meeting my minimum standard of living.
618668 1:GOALS-DEF I felt that the lack of advising, or personal
attention by advisiors was most lacking in the overall
experience. During my several office visits, the advisiors
were only able to pull my records on the computer, and tell
me what classes I needed. I know how to use a computer, I
can do that. What I wanted was some advice, or opinions.
2:WMAJ I would more fully integrate classes. It seems
like all of the professors work independently from each
other, and I think that the major would benefit from
integration and a more focused approach where each class
links in woth all the others.
3:BMAJ I feel that the content is very up to date, and is
leading edge.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I paid attention to my business, and
didn't waste my early years.
619274 1:GOALS-SOME NOt focused, Too broad in the approach
2:WMAJ More emphasis on skills and knowledge that are in
demand in the industry today
3:BMAJ It is continously evolving and hopefully would
improve
658283 1:GOALS-SOME Instructors. Get rid of them. We need more
full time and better paid associate and assistant
professors. While some instructors are great, some are
completely worthless and the students end up teaching the
class (those who are knowledgable). We need a more
structured selection process for instructors. At least hire
people who have taught before. I'd even take someone who
taught at a vocational school. I've taken a few classes
with instructors who have a great schedule and plan for the
class, but end up letting the students take control of the
class and teaching it. Either that, or they are not as
knowledgable in the subject as they should be. I was
also disappointed in the curriculum of the Systems major.
Granted, it is better now with the consolidation of the
Operations and Information Systems Tracks, the Systems IS
track should focus more on analysis and design AS WELL as
programming. I've heard rumors of eliminating programming
altogether. That would be a great disservice to IS
students, current and new. In order to be successful in the
IS field, whether it be in managing IT audits to being a
Business Analyst, one needs a logic background. I did
Operations Management as well. Great track, perhaps better
structured than IS. It put strategy and business process
design into context, whereas the instruction given in my IS
track was sub par. The only reason I benefitted even
remotely from my IS track is that I had already known every
piece of the curriculum before even coming to CU.
Otherwise, that track would be essentially worthless. The
IS track should follow a route similar to this: 1.
Systems Thinking 2. Intro to Programming (C#, VB.NET,
Java) 3. Intro to Relational Database Design 4. Intro to
Systems Analysis & Design 5. A Course on Business
Information and Decision Making Systems (Data Warehousing)
6. Upper Division Systems Analysis & Design 7. Systems
Design / Usability 8. Systems Integration 9. Advanced
Programming Methodologies 10. Software Project Management
11. Business Process and Software Integration 12. Capstone
Senior Project
2:WMAJ Curriculum. I'd change it as mentioned previously
on page 10 or so. I would follow that curriculum and offer
more courses that are realistic of the positions out there
in Operations Management and IS such as procurement
management, supply chain management, business analysis,
systems integration, project management (software),
consultancy, development. I understand the program has to
have an academic focus, but business is not all about
theory, it's about applying your business accumen and
solving complex problems. I would like to see more
opportunities to get professional certifications while in
school to be more marketable in the subsequent job search
such as Project Management Certification, APICS
certification, Programming and Development Certifications,
etc. More corporate relations within the IS department.
Senior projects and awards.
3:BMAJ Some of the projects we've worked on are quite
unique. Additionally, the curriculum's recent changes are
for the better, but they still need to approve upon them.
We need courses that focus on Business Intelligence and
Business Information and leveraging technology to create
those BI systems.
4:DODIFF Not take classes which are a waste of time and
take the good classes I failed to take.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I'm actually going to try to take less
than four years and try for an advanced degree in four or
four and a half years. There are too many core courses here
at the university that are quite difficult while only being
intro-level. This hinders many students and many end up
having to repeat a course, even though they have no
interest in them. Additionally, due to the rigor of such
core courses, many students lose sight of the purpose of
the courses -- to introduce various topics within a
specific field to the student. Many students end up not
being interested in the classes and cram the night before
and subsequently fail. Then after they finally pass these
classes and move on to their major classes, they begin to
get straight As. But due to their rocky past in the core
courses, their GPA suffers and does not accurately depict
their performance in subjects they are interested in.
Finally, they suffer when entering the job market and are
beat out by good testers who aced core courses but who are
clueless in their field. Amazing. Four years is much too
long to be in school, so take some co-op courses with your
local school to get transfer credit. Three years is just
right, unless you want to persue an advanced degree in
conjunction with your BA/BS. Make sure you try to choose
the easiest core courses. This will help keep your GPA up
and avoid having to retake classes because some professor
wants to make an intro-level course harder than more
specialized major courses.
677980 1:GOALS-SOME Often times too theoretical with little
opportunity to apply the knowledge. Sometimes an entire
class that was theoretical without even examples of
pratical applications of the theory. SYST 3000 as a good
example.
2:WMAJ Smaller classes (of course). Profiles in Business
and Society should not be a required class. I can see the
benefits that it provides for underclassmen/freshmen. As a
senior, although the speakers are interesting, the class
provides little to no benefit for me. All the activities
are geared towards underclassmen and yet they say it is a
great class for seniors. In addition, the text book treats
students as though they were ignorant, and I quote from an
assignment, "List and describe a minimum of three recent
strategies your company has implemented. Strategies are
what the company is planning to do in the future." Is that
right? I am glad someone finally told me what a strategy
was. I have gone my entire life without knowing and
somehow got into college. Either that doesn't speech
volumes about the course, or about the students that are
taking the course. Either way, it makes me feel really
bad. And that is just one example. If you thumb through
the text book, it is rife with other eye opening examples.
I'll stop with that now. Just watch out for all the red
tape in the school. It is bad news.
3:BMAJ Finally getting a class about business ethics. And
Ken Kozar. There is a teacher that really cares what
students have to think. I have never known any other
teacher anywhere, that asked and thoughtfully read
comments, critiques and criticism about his class from each
of his 50+ students, each week. Good job Ken.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I transferred from computer science in
the engineering school to information systems in the
business school. The bureaucracy and red tape that
surrounds the business school and the advising office in
the business school is impenetrable. Why should I have to
take pre calculus if I have already passed Calculus 1 and
2? Why do so few of my credits transfer? Why, if I take a
business school class before I am admitted to the school,
will I not get it counted towards my major when I am
accepted to the school? Of course it should take me a
little longer to graduate but the tape is just so thick.
Anyhow CJ, that's just my opinion but watch out for it
because that is the general consensus surrounding that
college.
678126 1:GOALS-SOME I consider myself significantly advanced in
my area of emphasis comparative to that of my peers and
their understanding of the curriculum for in my area of
emphasis, Systems. Unfortunately, the majority of the
students were at this introductory level and the
matriculation was consequently a review instead of a true
intellectual advancement.
2:WMAJ Allow students to bypass and/or test out of the
courses which they already have a large basis of
understanding in. This holds particularly true in computer
courses where the students can often times be more
familiar/advanced than the instructor teaching the course.
3:BMAJ I did marketing and information systems, and found
the marketing curriculum to be a great way approaching a
situation with a marketers mindset. It taught me to be
very analytical and look at the "angle" they were trying to
take in reaching consumers.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am taking a concurrent MS/BS degree
program which is near impossible to finish short of 5 years.
682328 1:GOALS-NO My goal coming in to Info Systems was to be
better prepared for the work environment by being confident
that I could effectively mangage in a high-tech workplace.
Coming out of the program, I feel that the lack of academic
vigor, incredible lack of quality faculty and generally
undevoted students have led me to waste a lot of my time at
the university. Quite frankly, most of my high school
classes were more rigorus that at CU, and offered many
times over more opportunites for improving writing and
presentation skills.
2:WMAJ GET EXPERIENCED FACULTY THAT CARE ABOUT WHAT THEIR
STUDENTS ARE TAKING WITH THEM AND AREN'T AFRAID TO
CHALLENGE THEM! I still can't believe that in my whole
time in CU undergrad I was taught by exactly 3 faculty
members with a Ph.D. in my major, and far fewer than half
of my total classes. The few that did have Ph.D.'s seemed
to have little experience in what they were teaching.
Faculty often didn't want to deal with grading papers or
complaining students, so they just gave everyone A's.
Honestly, if I had spent all the time I did at CU listening
to professors spoon-feeding answers to multiple choice
tests (which do NOTHING to help students learn, but are
really easy to grade so they are VERY overused) at the
library reading, I feel I would posess much more knowledge
than I do right now.
3:BMAJ Dr. Kai Larsen, the best teaching professor I have
had in any undergrad class at CU. He knows his stuff,
cares about what his students learn and is not afraid to
chalenge them.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am enrolled in the Telecommunications
5-year Bachelors/Masters degree program.
751463 1:GOALS-xxxx A lot of the BCOR I found to be useless and a
waste of my time. The professors didn't take the class
seriously so neither did the students.
2:WMAJ Inform the Business advisors more about the Systems
major and the correct sequence of classes.
3:BMAJ A lot of real world projects.
753876 1:GOALS-SOME No hands on learning in almost all classes.
For a Systems major this is critical. Obviously CU is not
a technical institute (eg ITT), but more hands on would
have been beneficial. Teachers have said that they are not
supported to do hands on and one teacher paid for a hands
on workshop for the class out of his own pocket.
2:WMAJ Fewer changes in professors, especially in freshman
and sophomore levels. These teachers are always changing
and it takes away from the learing opportunity. In higher
level courses, the professsors often seem ocuppied with
other duties besides teaching (such as research and
publishing). There should be more emphasis on teaching
undergraduate degrees than on research and publishing in
major journals.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I received my Associates Degree from a
two-year school. While this was a great opportunity for
me, it has caused me to take longer than four years to get
my degree. Another hangup for me was class availability at
CU. There were a couple of semesters where I was unable to
apply for the courses I needed in order to move on in the
program. I hope you are more succesful than I at finishing
your degree in four years. Best Regards, Student
765117 1:GOALS-SOME I wish if CU would require more classes in
the Systems area of studies, which are a little more
detailed, and which help students be more competitive in
the job world. My experiences in some classes was having a
teacher who was not qualified to teach the class. Also, for
some classes CU didnt have any prerequisite listed as
something students should have knowledge or take before
taking the class, I would have benefited a lot from the
class if I knew what I was getting into before I signed up
b/c I would have prepaired myself. So, I highly think that
CU should not make us take unrelevant classes like history,
literature and etc... and offer and make us take more
classes related to IS. Thanks for giving me the option to
say something.
2:WMAJ I would want CU to offer more classes related to IS
with teacher who are qualified to teach the course. In
addition those teacher are not pressured by the university
to give certain amount of A's, B's, and F's, b/c when that
happens usually some students end up with a grade that they
didnt deserve ---- it happened to me.
3:BMAJ Some teachers are very cooperative and are very
helpfull and never let you down if you show your efforts.
--- I love that.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I want to graduate and go to grad
school. Then I would like to go find a job and be a good
competitor that companies want.
772059 1:GOALS-NO University emphasis not on education but on
a) extracurriculur activities, b) alumni/fundraising, and
c) athletics. Leeds School of Business puts great emphasis
on finding quality employment after graduation, which is an
extremely helpful and important benefit they provide.
However, I felt the Systems major as a whole did not
provide enough programming and networking courses, but
spent more time on theories/concepts.
2:WMAJ More emphasis on practical programming and
networking classes taught by professors who have people
skills, less on fulfilling unnecessary electives like
Shakespeare and cultural diversity classes.
3:BMAJ Outstanding professors and Leeds school
administrators.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T CU has so many forced electives that it
takes you nearly 30 credit hours to simply get them all
done, an entire school year, which reflects their desire to
make money off of me as opposed to providing me with a
quality education.
785621 2:WMAJ A unified curriculum!! Everyone on the IS track is
absolutely sick of having to learn a different programming
lanugage for every single class. I've had to learn VB,
Java, ColdFusion and C# over the span of two years, and it
feels like a huge waste of time when everyone in the class
has to relearn how to do everything that we could easily do
in one of the other languages.
3:BMAJ Please put Dr Monarchi back into a full teaching
capacity as soon as possible. He is by far the brightest
mind that I have ever worked with and is a great resource
for everyone in my class.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T even though a lot of my transfer credit
from my old university did not count for anything except
"general credit" I have gone through my major courses fast
enough to stay on track.
842660 1:GOALS-SOME The systems program seems to miss the ball
when it comes to hands on lab expieriences in classes such
as networks. The fact that almost all of my skills and
knowledge in the field have been learned through
internships or outside expeirience is also quite
concerning, especially because these internships dont count
as credit towards my major. I really do think that the
systems programs is quite pathetic, in my syst3510 class we
used cold fusion 4.5, a technology that is by far out of
date. In a class like that the teacher could just as easily
teach PHP or ASP.net in its place and students would then
have something worthwhile to put on their resumes or skill
lists. I also feel that the lack of hands on lab
knowledge the the netoworking class (a little) is a true
downfall. Also as a systems major I have never seen UNIX or
Linux (till this semester) within the classroom. I could
go on and on and have attempted to talk with the
deptpartment head a few times however have never heard
anything back.
2:WMAJ Everything! Ideally, look at CS and IS (Systems)
and align the majors more approprietly. They are different,
yes, but there is a lot of overlap and no one seems to
recognize that. Also, focus on getting Systems students
hired into the workplace. We graduate with some technical
skills but it is difficult to find a job if there are no
opportunities, MAKE SOME!!! I am moving home before I get a
job as well, becuase there are very few ways in which I can
apply from CU to jobs in SF, LA, San Diego, becuase our
career services focus on local Denver jobs only.
3:BMAJ Group projects.
4:DODIFF For the money I pay as an out of state student
this place is a complete rip off. I am pretty sick of
subsidizing in-state students because the state of Colorado
can't budget enough for the in state students to get a good
education while keeping the facilities up to date. For
nearly $30,000 a year I think I could have gone to many
places where my money spent would be reflected in my
education.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I was able to structure my classes in a
manner that allowed me to get out with a dual empahsis in
Finance and Systems and also with a certificate in
technology arts media. During that time I held executive
positions within my fraternity, IFC, and UCSU. Its all
about time management and organization!
866262 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I did not want to graduate in 3 1/2
years so I added a second degree in another school at the
beginning of my junior year. The additional A&S core
requirements for the second school are the only reason I am
going to be here longer.
925122 1:GOALS-SOME Many of the classes were either extremely
useless, or the teachers had no idea what they were doing.
As I near graduation, I have realized that I have learned
almost nothing at CU. Some of the upper division teachers
were great, but other teachers were either teaching
something they had no understanding of, or they had no
structure to the corse whatsoever!
2:WMAJ PLEASE GET TEACHERS WHO UNDERSTAND THE MATERIAL AND
KNOW HOW TO TEACH IT!!!!
3:BMAJ There was really nothing THAT good for me to be
able to brag about.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I lost a lot of credit when transfering
from Metro.
938191 1:GOALS-SOME In Systems, there needs to be more of an
emphasis on learning the technologies that will allow for a
student to get a job. While this was received to some
extent, to a large extent, the technology that I learned
would do very little in getting me a job. The program
NEEDS to work more closely with industry to get input on
the curriculum. This will bring to the attention of
faculty the trends in technology of which learning could be
the difference in me getting a job versus a student that
went to CSU in a similar program.
2:WMAJ Please do something to get involved with
industry!!! You have all of these great companies that
want to be involved with the Business School, yet
administration does little to take advantage of that for a
program such as the systems program. For example, IBM is
right down the road. It is one of the largest employers in
Boulder county and probably the leading technology firm in
the world. In the systems program, we don't even use any
of their technology? WHY?? I currently work there and
they would be happy to provide the resources that we need
to make this happen. This is going to have to happen, or
else our degree will be worthless. We Systems curriculum
needs to be focused around what the majority of companies
out there want. When I went through it, many of the
classes did not have this.
3:BMAJ I think that the faculty was great. There was a
lot of industry experience that added to the overall
offering of the major. They were a tight group that really
got to know the students well.
4:DODIFF Challenge myself more with harder classes that
will give me more experience in the field that I want to
enter.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I chose to further my education and
complete a Masters of Science Degree along with my
Bachelors of Science degree in business because I felt that
my undergrad degree would not give me the technical
background that I needed to land a job right out of
college. This will only tack on one year, which I felt was
definitely worth the extra time.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EB-EDEL 128862 1:GOALS-DEF I've still got a year to go. Some of the
professors are excellent and others are mediocre; I feel
that they say what the department wants but don't really
agree with it. Also, I'm frustrated that we have no real
choice in our practicum placements. They seem arbitrary to
individual pre-service teacher needs.
2:WMAJ I'd want more say in my practicum placement and A
CHOICE ABOUT WHO IS MY MENTOR. I think it's ridiculous to
call them that. Mentors are someone who you choose to work
with, not who you are assigned to.
3:BMAJ Shelby and Brian's class and the people enrolled in
the program.
4:DODIFF As far as choosing a different major-- I'd stick
with E. Ed., but change Japanese to Linguistics. I'm so
interested in Spanish and French as well and I just don't
have time for them now.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I'm a double major in Japanese and
Elementary Ed. In order to study abroad and finish all my
Ed. requirements I have to go five years. It's my opinion
though that the Ed. program was stronger when it was a post
bac. program and I'm sorry to have missed out on that. I
feel extremely lucky to have been grandfathered into being
able to keep my majors with all those ridiculous cuts.
497039 1:GOALS-DEF I've learned most everything from the courses
I have taken and have applied it in the classroom.
2:WMAJ I honestly can't think of a thing.
3:BMAJ I believe the school of ed has taught us most
everything we need to know in order to become effective
teachers. I'm very pleased.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I'm going to take longer because I
changed my major a few times.
530643 1:GOALS-SOME I wish that we had more time to spend in the
classroom. I feel like I learned the most from observing
and interacting with classroom teachers and I think that I
would feel more comfortable entering my student teaching
and the teaching profession if I had spent more time in the
classroom.
2:WMAJ I would like classes that address classroom
management and teaching students with special needs.
3:BMAJ The faculty in the School of Education and the
feeling of community.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have to go an extra semester for
student teaching. I wish that I had been advised more
about about how to obtain a teaching certification in 4
years.
612833 1:GOALS-SOME i feel prepared to go out and be a teacher.
i feel like i have the knowledge and practice to be
comfortable in a classroom and how to deal with prevalent
issues. i would have liked to focus on schools outside of
the US too, such as teaching in international schools, but
i know that that is not a part of the program
3:BMAJ the professors are great, the best.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am going to take longer than four
years because I am enrolled in the School of Education. I
studied abroad my junior year and thus started education
classes a year late.
651137 1:GOALS-NO A lot of my educational goals were lost or I
just gave up. The financial aid put a stress beyond just
getting my education and there is NO ONE at CU that is
understanding and easy to work with. It seems as though
everyone hates their job and they treat you as if your just
another student with the same excuses. NO ONE ever stopped
to think that maybe they are not excuses, maybe this is
what happens to MANY students. TO CU I was just another
number...at no time did I feel like an individual student.
I gave up in about my sophomore year and just got through
it instead of making it some great experience. In the 5
semesters I was there, I switched primary major adivsors 3
times and when I tried to go to my secondary major advisor
she was useless...I had no one to help guide me to reach my
academic goals. In fact I was so frustrated that I learned
to hate teaching (which I have always loved) and ended up
quiting my senior year just because of the faculty.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I wanted to get it done as soon as
possible. I worked hard and went to school full time so
that I can graduate in four years. My goal comming out of
high school was to take four years or less.
695367 1:GOALS-SOME I would have liked to have had more hands on
experience in the classroom. I feel that practicum
experience is the best way to learn and that more time in
the classroom would have been beneficial.
2:WMAJ I would give more credits for practicum work. I
feel that time in the classroom setting is the most useful
and practical for aspiring teachers. It would be
beneficial for undergraduates to have more classes in
education in which they are in the actual classroom.
3:BMAJ Most of the instructors are dedicated to providing
you with a quality educational experience and want the best
for you.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am pursing my teaching licensure which
takes more time. In addition, I am only taking 12-14
credits a semester in order to give 100% in my classes
which puts me behind other students. However, I feel that
this is okay. Erin Maxwell
931860 1:GOALS-SOME I am in my last semester of classes in
Education and I am somewhat disappointed in the quality of
instruction. Some of the professors seem disorganized,
unsure about what they are trying to teach us, and give us
too much busy work at the expense of working on projects
that would be fulfilling and provide the necessary training
for our careers as teachers. There also seems to be a lack
of respect for the opinions and concerns of the students.
Earlier classes were extremely beneficial and educational,
with excellent professors who modeled teaching methods in a
way that was encouraging and enlightening.
2:WMAJ I would make it more practical. We learn all these
theories of pedagogy and then we learn that because of
preparation for CSAP exams and mandated curriculums, we may
not be able to construct our classroom environment or use
the teaching methods that we are learning at CU. We need
more guidelines on how to incorporate the wonderful new
theories we are learning into a real world classroom.
Also, it would be great to have more instruction in the
basic, practical aspects of teaching such as where to buy
supplies, how to set up a classroom, how to maintain
classroom management, etc. Perhaps we will learn all this
information during student teaching. I certainly hope so.
3:BMAJ The community we are developing in the School of
Education with our classmates and faculty. They will be
wonderful sources of support and ideas for solving problems
in our future career as teachers.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am a nontraditional student returning
to college after many years. I originally thought I would
be graduating at the end of the Fall 2004 semester, but my
history advisor was uninformed about the requirements. I
recently found out from the interim advisor that there are
two more required history classes, which I will be taking
as correspondence courses this summer. I will now graduate
May 2005.
934248 2:WMAJ Some of the teachers don't seem confident while
they are teaching and this I felt was a problem at times.
3:BMAJ I absolutly loved my Children's Lit and Social
Studies block class. Shelby and Brian were such awesome
teachers. I learned so much from both of them that I will
take with me after I graduate! I loved that they cared
about what we really did and didn't just go through the
motions of teaching.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F because each year schoool tuition rises
and I don't want to have to keep paying more and more
money. Also, I came to school to come to school and since
I knew this ahead time this has helped me stay on track to
graduate when I would like to.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EB-EDEN 108023 1:GOALS-DEF I had the opportunity to work with tremendous
professors who allowed my the flexibility to learn my own
way. Many of the classes will benefit my future endeavors
by incorporating multiple teaching strategies.
2:WMAJ A greater emphasis towards smaller class sizes,
athough they were pretty satisfactory.
3:BMAJ Great professors!
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F of my desire to take my academic skills
- acquired at CU - and use them in the work force. Also, I
am frustrated with the current environment at CU - i.e. No.
1 party school - and would like to graduate while my degree
still has some stature behind it.
325397 1:GOALS-DEF I've had the opportunity to synthesize and
apply (make practical use of) much of my English Literature
education through my Education and Teacher Education
program - so, I've really been lukcy in the sense that my
endeavors have been so complimentary.
2:WMAJ I was really frustrated with some of the course
offerings. For example, I never was able to take Bible as
Literature because it was usually offered every other
semester and I was working with two majors - very tricky
scheduling. I regret never being able to take this class
not only becuase I consider the topic to be very
interesting subject matter, but because I appreciate Tom
Lyons (faculty) as an intelectual in the department.
3:BMAJ While there were some courses I wasn't able to
take, the ones I did take were quite wonderful.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F while I value the academic integrity set
forth by each individual college (arts and sciences, etc) I
also want to use this time in my life to pursue some
personal education and learning goals.
471766 4:DODIFF Worked harder to find scholarship money to Study
Abroad with. The Study Abroad office should send out
informational e-mails, or have a means of contacting
students.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I was able to complete my required hours
in English and gain my teaching certificate during this
time.
474696 1:GOALS-SOME lack of course availability, rigid CORE
requirements disable students from learning what they
really want/need to learn, large class size, and fairly
easy courses.
2:WMAJ I think English Literature should be offered as a
Minor option, and I would offer more course sections of
mandatory classes, and have smaller classes. I would also
place more of an emphasis on multicultural literature, or
at least hire more diverse teachers. I feel like most
professors in the English department are white and male.
3:BMAJ I had some great teachers, namely Dr. Katheryn Rios
and Mark Winokur.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I chose to get my secondary teaching
liscence my Junior year. So even though I will be done
taking University classes within four years, I will take an
extra semester to complete my student teaching requirement
so that I have a certificate to teach. But, my
undergraduate degree in English Literature took only four
years.
506664 1:GOALS-DEF I am an English major and am also in the
school of ed. The school of Ed. provided many practicums
to prepare me for teaching.
2:WMAJ I would like to have had more oppurtunities to
study ethnic literature. I also think that English majors
should take more writing classes.
3:BMAJ I really enjoyed my professors. They knew their
content well and offered an array of interpretations of
works.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am interested in becoming a teacher.
As an education student I have to take some education
classes and student teach a semester after all of my course
work is completed. I'd rather take my time with school
instead of rushing. Your Friend, Nicole
586186 1:GOALS-DEF my educational program (secondary education)
does not address the needs of low achieving students as
well as i would like, and it could use some re-arranging of
courses.
2:WMAJ Education: more thought about courses, more
organized department and classes. Linguistics: nothing!
3:BMAJ Education: The volunteer
programs/practicums Linguistics: David Rood
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I have been a college student for the
last 7 years, have earned a degree in another field, and
focused on another major earlier in my career. I am a very
dedicated student with a very wide spectrum education. I
have now discovered my passions in linguistics and
secondary education.
631597 1:GOALS-DEF As a future teacher I feel prepared to
present the material in a fun and confident manner. As an
English major I feel my education was lacking in some areas.
2:WMAJ I've had four English advisors in less than four
years, each one was ill-prepared, ill-advised, and
completely unaware of the program requirements. CU should
make an effort to have an advisor that is willing to
educate themselves about the registration process and
different program requirements. There is absolutely no
communication between the program advisors and they
sometimes would completely contradict each other.
3:BMAJ Some professors went above and beyond the
requirements and made a personal effort to help a student
succeed in his/her classes.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I decided to take several years off
between high school and college to work, travel, and find a
career that I love.
878287 1:GOALS-SOME I don't feel like a lot of teachers in the
English department care too much about the quality of
student writing. Many times I recieved grades that were
higher than what I deserved.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T College is expensive and energy
intensive. It is not a good idea to spend more time than
necessary on purpose because the temptation to quit will be
high.
881657 1:GOALS-SOME I want to work with "at risk" secondary
students in a lower soci-economic area. A more cultured
and diverse area. I wasn't getting the exposure i needed.
And often had to ask for special circumstances. Half of
the teachers were unsure of what to do with practicum
students. They need to be more prepared and informed. i
also wished to incorporate drama, creative writing and
literature into a solid curriculum that would further
envoke my students and submerse them from different angles
into language arts. however CU doesn't specifically have a
system set up for the creative writing/secondary ed,
nevermind any drama courses helping to analyze and create
dramatic presentations. Its really too bad.
2:WMAJ i would have a more rounded upper divison secondary
ed/english program. and i mean specific. Advisors should
work with individuals to create a specific learning
strategy for thier individual pedagogy. i don't believe
that a Creative writing student should have to take an
upper division writing class. that is all we do is write.
I do believe that students should be able to seek out more
philosophy, humanities, sociology and fine arts courses to
round out and create a more dynamic teaching ability.
3:BMAJ the community that has developed between my peers
and i. There is a certain closeness between english
majors, and creative writing majors and education majors.
it is a great support network that the teachers have helped
to build.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T i am a non traditional student. i am
older and dealing with a pretty hectic outside life that
includes children. i am on my 6th year of college and i
enjoy taking my time and really learning the material.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EB-EDLT 919116 1:GOALS-SOME I have had great success in learning about
classical studies and what you do in classical studies from
the Classics department. However, I have been given little
or no opportunities to work in high school Latin
classrooms, which pertains very much to my future career in
teaching Latin in secondary schools.
2:WMAJ I would like less emphasis put on partying and more
emphasis put on discussing pertinant issues in our field of
study (as far as the students are concerned).
3:BMAJ The professors are always willing to speak to and
help students, plus it's the best subject matter one can
encounter.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F if I need to take longer to find what I
want to do with my life, then that is how long I will take.
But if I find what I want to do and am able to graduate in
four years or less, then that is how long that I will take.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EB-EDMA 346737 2:WMAJ The teachers. In applied math they are HORRIBLE!
3:BMAJ I enjoed it for the first year and a half
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I didn't decide on Math until later in
my studies.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EB-EDMU 330436 1:GOALS-DEF Lots of opportunities to interact with
students and really try my hand at the career I've chosen
for myself.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transferred from a different college
and I lost some credits in the transfer. i had to make up
those lost credits.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EB-EDSP 567961 1:GOALS-SOME I am training to become a spanish teacher and
while I have had some good teachers, I am suprised at my
difficulty in speaking professional spanish after getting
A's in most of my grammer courses. What is more
discouraging is that I feel like I'm one of the most
advanced students in my classes. I think that the teachers
need to ask a lot more of its students. We need to be
professionals when we graduate. Additionally, I'm
disappointed in CU's system because it fails to take a
systems theory view of worlds problems and how to solve
them. An old mind would say, "Things haven't worked before
but lets try doing the same old things again anyway." A new
mind says, "Things haven't worked before so let's stop
doing those things and look for substantially new ways of
thinking." CU has an old mind. Yes, there are certain
professors who are questioning and researching good things,
but they aren't solving the worlds problems, nor educating
their students to do so at any substantial rate.
2:WMAJ I would have the teachers offer more intensive
language courses. Although we were proficient in our
language, we were excellent. We need to speak
professionally when we graduate.
3:BMAJ I loved exploring Spanish Literature. It was very
worth while and it was an education that I wouldn't have
been able to find anywhere else
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Because there is a lot more to learn
than college has to offer. It's good to go out into the
world and see it before, during, and after college. That
way you stay motivated during the years and can make
connections from your classes to the real world.
908820 1:GOALS-DEF Spanish Culture class only focused on Spain
and was mostly about history. Other history and cultures
are important and I would have liked to have a class based
on other Spanish cultures such as Latin and Central America.
2:WMAJ Less literature classes and more grammar and
speaking classes
3:BMAJ I have only had two teachers which I was unhappy
with.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F even though I do not know my major going
into college I will take classes that will still count
towards useful credits so that I do not have to worry about
those credits later when I am working towards my major.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EB-EDSS 543532 1:GOALS-DEF I feel that I have been well prepared to go
into the field of historical studies.
2:WMAJ I would have one single advisor. I have had four
different advisors at CU and only one of them was of any
help. The others were indifferent to my concerns and some
even mislead me as to what I was required to take, forcing
me to stay and extra semester at CU. I was very displeased
with my advising experience.
3:BMAJ I love all of the professors in the History and
Education dept's. They were all very well informed in the
subject they were teaching, and made class fun and
interesting.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I have chosen to also major in education
which takes an extra year. I also feel that it is
beneficial to take less credits, giving more time to fully
understand the material, and giving a better chance to
complete the class, and come out of it with a greater
understanding of the subject at hand
630998 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I decided my major to far into my
schooling and all classes I needed didn't work at the
appropriate times.
986288 1:GOALS-SOME I am in education and classes can prepare you
only so much. Teaching requires experience to improve.
The education classes teach many methods and variations
that can be used when teaching but some of the curriculum
is busy work because the professors have not spent enough
time in a classroom below the college level and are trying
to standardize the field.
2:WMAJ I would change how it is subject to politicians'
actions. Teaching is too often effected by these people
who have never been in the classroom. I understand we are
a public institution but this is an area that should be
left to those who know it. For example, the tests required
to student teach (PLACE, PRAXIS) are changed too often and
inconveniently.
3:BMAJ The practica that give one a very substantial
amount of experience before they enter the teaching field.
It's one of the few programs tht dies that on campus.
4:DODIFF I would have studied more to learn and less to
get a grade, I've found that grades generally turn out
better when I take that approach anyway. Stress over
grades is unnecessary and can wreck one's experience.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am here to become educated, become a
person and solidify my views. What I'm not here to do is
get out when others think I should or get a job(probably in
a cubicle) with a decent paycheck right away. My advice to
you would be to pursue knowledge and not what others tell
you to. You'll know when to stay and when to go, just as I
did.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EB-PRBA 587601 1:GOALS-SOME at times advising was somewhat confusing,
seemed to be too many students for small amount of time
2:WMAJ less amount of practicums
3:BMAJ the great instructors
4:DODIFF take a semester and study abroad and add another
major.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F i have to finish the required school of
education requirements, psychology requirements and the
maps deficenies. My advisor for psychology was not very
helpful at first for planning my schedule.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EB-PRED 183886 1:GOALS-SOME I never felt very challenged or that there
was diversity in my education
2:WMAJ Not so specialized and technical
3:BMAJ Broaden the program, well-rounded teachers are a
good thing
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am going to get a teaching certificate
in addition to my bachelor's degree, which takes a little
longer.
296082 1:GOALS-SOME I expected more... I know this is a liberal
arts college, and maybe that was my mistake. I wish the
education and learning had been more classical. I know this
is vague, but although I'm listed in this experiment at
Pre-Education, I am actually an English major. I've taken
some Education classes, and was pleased with them. However,
as far as English, I wanted more concentration on writing
mechanics, some classical readings rather than the
teacher's/professor's (or the too often grad student's)
interpretations, and inconsistency.
2:WMAJ I wish I had had more feedback about the courses
before I enrolled, or some guidance as to what would be
good for my strengths and interests for the future, not
just taken the available class. I would have spent more
time getting to know the educators in my program and spent
more time with them so that they would know me better to
grade me more fairly. With a school this big, I've never
liked being given a grade blind, by number. I think that
getting to know a student, you can understand their
background, strengths and weaknesses, and all of that can
often be considered when assessing a grade.
3:BMAJ The variety of classes available so that students
(with proper research) can find courses that play more to
particular interests and strenghts.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F that is all that my dad said he would
paid for. That's what he told my sisters too. Loran never
graduated, so whatever courses she takes now will be her
bill. Patricia actually graduated a semester early (yes,
it's possible!) I'm going to graduate in FOUR years because
I'd like to go to Graduate school after this, and I don't
want to put off my dream of teaching for too long. Good
luck to you my friend!
420693 1:GOALS-DEF I wish course availability was better. There
were some courses I really wanted to take that were in
another major that I could not take.
2:WMAJ course availability
3:BMAJ some of the professors and the research
opportunities
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F four years because its so expensive, but
I wish I could stay longer!
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EN-AMEN 477027 2:WMAJ More opportunities to take courses in liberal arts.
3:BMAJ The ability to take courses outside of engineering.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I came into college and took courses
that would apply to several fields, so when I changed
majors it did not hurt me. I also made the most of
advanced placement opportunities I had in high school.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EN-AREN 410958 1:GOALS-DEF Got degree in a useable field
3:BMAJ Faculty
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F it is too expensive to stay any longer
than that and I am able to do it in four years
415782 1:GOALS-DEF breadth of topics, knowledge of professors
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F i'm in a co-current degree program, and
i will have finished a bachelors and a masters in five years
502387 1:GOALS-DEF When I started school, I was doing it because
I wanted to have a career in the engineering profession.
My experiences with CU engineering has opened my eyes and
broadend my purpose. So my answer is yes, my program meet
my goals and even further.
2:WMAJ I would encourage students to learn a second
language, maybe let it appy towards humanities credit.
Also I would allow students to take other skills courses
such as writing and debate. I believe these are all skills
that engineers lack and would be very helpful in their
carrers!
3:BMAJ The faculty are awesome. I feel that I can go to
most of my professors if I have a problem, and they will do
what they can to help.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have chosen not to take the recomended
course load for some semesters. I belive that it is
important that if you can, to give yourself time for
extra-curricular activities, and invest you time and energy
in things that are not related to your one area of study.
I also think that if I had taken the recomended loads every
semester, I would not have developed the deep understanding
in my courses.
509307 1:GOALS-DEF It basically provided many different options.
Whether or not I chose to benefit from those options was
up to me. So the opportunity was there; it was my decision
whether to take it or not. (that's good)
2:WMAJ I think it's fine the way it is. Really.
3:BMAJ My program allows for real-world experience in
exactly what a student studies while in the program.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I first went to another university
before transferring here, then spent some time in the
mountains, then decided to participate in the BS/MS
Concurrent Degree program with takes 5 years.
541561 1:GOALS-SOME Architectural Engineering met some of my
goals including learning about some topics that I'm
interested in and teaching me skills required for a
technical. The expectations were typically high and the
work was challenging. However, there are more topics that
I'm interested in which I was not really given the option
to study in undergraduate architectural engineering. I
have a second major to help me meet some of educational
goals. The curriculum in architectural engineering is
already quite full of important courses for learning about
the different aspects of the profession. The continuous
refinment of the curriculum is an improvement to each
incoming class. I think.
2:WMAJ I think that the architectural engineering program
could benefit from adding a five year option were you could
gain alittle bit of experience in topics such as
architectural design, sustainability and other areas of
interest not currently included in the curriculum.
3:BMAJ It is a well respected program and highly rated
among other architectural engineering programs.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F not only do I have a double major, but
each major is in a different school. As a result, there is
little overlap between my classes for each of these majors.
Additionally, I received little academic advice as to the
best way to pursue an education in the subjects that I'm
interested in. I've had to figure out most things for
myself.
578473 1:GOALS-SOME There was not enough time in four years to
take classes outside of the major that I was interested in.
2:WMAJ More time to take other classes.
3:BMAJ Some of the teachers are great.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I was in another program that required
mandatory classes.
741686 1:GOALS-DEF My education at CU surpassed my goals by
allowing a lot of hands on experience and many ways to get
help if it was needed.
2:WMAJ Take some unneeded classes out of the curriculum to
allow more time to take other classes that interest me or
will allow me top excel in my degree field.
3:BMAJ The quality and availability of instructors, and
also the amount of time spent with others in my major doing
work, getting help, etc.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am enrolled in the BS/MS program so
that I can obtain a Master's degree in Architectural
Engineering. I feel this was a great opportunity to go
ahead and do this so I do not have to come back to school
later in life.
972206 1:GOALS-DEF I got a degree
2:WMAJ Give the students an opportunity to expand their
creativity at the same time as get an engineering degree.
Should be able to take art classes etc.
3:BMAJ The facilities and faculty (some)
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T it will give me the chance to develop my
snowboard interests at the same time as going to college.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EN-ASEN 101148 3:BMAJ Faculty
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I want to graduate and be done with
school.
102189 1:GOALS-DEF I feel i will be well preperd to enter the
work force
2:WMAJ More Felexability for students; Higher accademic
expictations
3:BMAJ One of the best programs in the country
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F Because I want to enter the work force
109328 1:GOALS-SOME To be honest, my educational goals were quite
vague going into the ASEN program. I was shooting in the
dark as far as determining a direction, and then just stuck
with it by default. Hence, my experience in the ASEN
department was more based on what happened to me than what
I made happen.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F if I have the financial resources, the
quasi-epicurean lifestyle that the college existence allows
provides for extreme personal growth.
227934 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I plan to recieve a master's degree.
240978 2:WMAJ Less technical writing. I estimate having spent
about half my time in my core courses writing lab reports
full of, in the exact words of a TA, "Pointless and asinine
requirements." While I understand that the purpose of this
is to get a student used to "The pointless and asinine
requirements you'll be facing in a job," I do not believe
that this should be a major focus of the educational
curriculum.
3:BMAJ The best thing about aerospace engineering is the
range and detail of topics covered. I feel as though I
have learnt the better part of what is necessary to
generate and produce a new vehicle design in the field,
which is quite a lot. What's more, I've had experience
applying this knowledge in both theory and practice. In
all, it's a great program, if a little rushed.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F The suggested four-year curriculum for
an aerospace engineering is just too darn tough. 17 and 18
hour semesters jam-packed with some of the hardest courses
in the university is a recipie for suicide. What's more, I
have declared two minors, and I do not believe a four-year
graduation plan to be physically possible at this point.
243659 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am going to go into the BS/MS program
in Aerospace Engineering.
244724 1:GOALS-DEF I've learned how to progress through the
engineering process from concept to a finished product.
I've also learned how to work effectively with other
engineers and make a project succeed.
2:WMAJ Reduce the difficulty of the APPM math courses.
They are so prohibitively difficult that taking them
concurrently with ASEN classes is nearly impossible to do
successfully because of the time restraints involved. As
far as the Aero courses themselves are concerned, it would
make more sense to get into electronics useage and design
earlier than 2nd semester Junior year, as this is a very
critical area for most ASEN projects. Also, we don't have
the opportunity to work with other engineering degree
programs on our capstone projects, which is very
unrealistic. THis is primarily a problem with the other
departments, who seem uneager to share with Aerospace. In
any case, many of the aerospace projects could surely
benefit from the presence of other engineering majors. In
addtion, when we graduate and hit real jobs in industry, we
will be expected to work with computer science people,
chemical engineers, civils, and what have you.
3:BMAJ The emphasis on hands-on design and building is
great. The senior projects class is very nice, especially
in that we are allowed to seek sponsorship from industry
supporters, which allows us to go as crazy as we feel like
doing the work for.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T engineering, especially aerospace
engineering, is a very difficult and involved program.
While it would be possible to finish it in 4 academic
years, one would need to take a very heavy courseload,
which in my opinion is not conducive to either good
performance or a good time during college. Therefore, to
help my grades and my sanity, I'm taking 5 years to finish.
248680 1:GOALS-DEF Covers a broad range of studies within
aerospace, which is what was most important. However,
there's not much outside of that.
2:WMAJ I know its an aerospace program, but I would like
more emphasis on aeronautics and less on space.
3:BMAJ Some professors (Argrow, Gerren), and advising
(Kalahar).
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I came into college with 26 credit
hours. Otherwise, I'd be here longer.
260564 2:WMAJ not so much work
3:BMAJ hands on activities
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I was thinking about changing my major.
262536 1:GOALS-DEF Senior Projects, and working in a Machine
Shope
2:WMAJ I would have choose a different major if I wanted
to learn what I love instead of choosing a major for the
amount of money I make when I graduate.
3:BMAJ The hands on experience
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F Do not want tremendous debt to pay back
when I graduate.
317000 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am double majoring
321825 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F AFROTC required me to take an extra
semester.
337704 1:GOALS-xxxx My goals are to get a job, it seems that for
those of us with a GPA < 3.0 it is very difficult to get
internships which would help us get jobs. More emphasis
should be place on finding internships.
4:DODIFF I feel like I have been here forever. I would
like to get out in the real world and make some money.
Instead I am stuck here though not having any
responcibilities besides classes is nice.
340551 1:GOALS-SOME When a topic needs to be taught, please
layout what we need to understand, then teach it. Rather
than beating around the bush with theory and conceptual
things. Teach students what they need to know and why. Not
what we don't need to know.
2:WMAJ The way professors teach students
3:BMAJ Hands on experience
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I want to get on with my life.
344711 1:GOALS-DEF Did not weed out enough of the non hard
working students. They were carried through.
2:WMAJ Smaller classes. Taking people that don't belong
out.
3:BMAJ Faculty.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I want a job before i get too old. And
i want to go to graduate school.
350422 1:GOALS-DEF I have a very good understanding of the
aerospace science. The aerospace department is very strong
and has supported me through everything.
2:WMAJ Lower the enrollment or alter the curriculum to
accommodate the recently higher enrollment. I feel the
current students in the sophomore and junior aerospace
classes are not getting the same quality education as I did
because there are just too many. The department needs more
funding to support the necessary graduate teaching
assistants, which would help with the extra students.
3:BMAJ I can't name just one! I love the department,
faculty, staff, curriculum, resources, opportunities... I
could go on and on. Go aerospace!
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am getting a congruent degree in
Aerospace. So basically I get a BS and an MS degree in
five years!
415498 1:GOALS-DEF There was a variety of opportunities to get
hands on experience in course work, student projects, and
internships. I was blown away by all of the different
opportunities that were available to me as an
undergraduate. Most of these opportunities were provided
by CU sponsored projects such as Colorado Space Grant and
Senior Design Projects.
2:WMAJ I would add more opportunities to use knowledge and
methods used in completed courses in upper division classes
so that knowledge learned will not be forgotten as quickly.
More mentoring on career path planning and preparation
would be very useful. This could be advising students on
which classes to take to compliment their career goals and
how to prepare for beginning a career.
3:BMAJ The knowledge base of all of the aerospace
engineering professors was very good. Help was easy to
find most of the time and all of the professors were very
helpful and approachable. The university also provided a
large amount of opportunities to learn and get practical
experience outside of class at different organizations such
as Colorado Space Grant Consortium. Senior Design was also
an awesome opportunity to get practical experience with
engineering projects.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F my sophomore core classes were very
difficult and I didn't want to take too many credits in
order to have a good chance at getting good grades my
sophomore classes. Because I didn't take enough credits my
sophomore year I will take one extra semester to graduate.
423865 1:GOALS-SOME I feel that I learned as much as I could with
out doing it for real, and that is satisfying.
2:WMAJ Make the courses more difficult. Too many people
get through that should get the degree.
3:BMAJ Learned a lot of cool stuff.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F Aerospace has a rigid course schedule
that allows you to finish all of your requirements as well
as take some other courses and graduate in 4 years.
462671 1:GOALS-SOME More paid hands on experience would be
better. Even with financila aid, I can't work for free.
2:WMAJ More hands on experience in class.
3:BMAJ Great professors, well respected program.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I took time off due to the pressures of
school and not attaining high enough grades the first time.
Now I have about a 3.6 GPA and I attribute that to being
wiser and more prepared.
463763 2:WMAJ The time required for some classes. If that much
time is required to succeed in the class, the number of
credit hours received should be increased. I feel as an
aerospace engineering student I have put in 5 times as much
time as non-engineering majors (and I know I do because my
roommate and friends are not engineers) and don't receive
more credit for it but I do know that I'll get a job and
they won't and that I've actually accomplished something in
college besides an easy ride.
3:BMAJ Senior projects is a great experience and I feel
that the almost all of my curriculm is towards my major and
not a bunch of bunk classes (like CORE for A&S). My field
has been covered by a lot of different subject matter. The
professors have been readily available, especially senior
year.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F my parents are paying out-of-state
tuition and I want to get out into the work force as soon
as possible. My major has required grueling work that most
I have enjoyed but I'm ready to move on from school.
524326 1:GOALS-SOME The Aerospace curriculum is very intensive
and hands-on. The objectives are tailored to the
engineering professional environment, including technical
ability, cooperation, and project management. The
curriculum is almost too practical though, in that some
areas of fundamental understanding are glossed over and
concepts are not always understood from first principles.
Overall, the curriculum is incredibly applicable and has
thoroughly prepared me for the future.
2:WMAJ A little more theory for certain fundamental
concepts would be nice. The propulsion and materials
classes NEED to be improved. I feel that these were by far
the two weakest classes in the curriculum.
3:BMAJ The rigorous curriculum including all the hands-on,
team oriented work, especiallly the senior projects program.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I came in with some AP credit and have
been able to stick to the specified aerospace curriculum,
which is very regimental and is allowing me to finish in
four years.
537425 1:GOALS-SOME It gave me a broad outline of many possible
experiences I could transfer over to related jobs in my
field. It doesn't seem to have the "WOW, you graduated CU
with an aerospace engineering degree? You're hired" aspect
I expected
2:WMAJ Allow more open time slots for required classes.
Give students more of an option to create an optimal
schedule for themselves instead of forcing them to come at
one set time. If they would provide more choices of when
to take classes, students would be able to set both their
school and work schedule to create a more effecient weekly
schedule.
3:BMAJ I know that when I graduate, my degree will raise
eyebrows whenever I turn in an application.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I'm also obtaining a minor in
"Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences" and I want to enjoy
my college experience as much as possible.
608908 1:GOALS-SOME I spent the last 5 semesters of college
studying Aerospace Engineering. It is time that I consider
fairly well spent, but I do not think I will continue to
study ASEN. I found the program to have excellent
academics in the areas of Math, Science, and Computing; but
I did not care for the atmosphere of the program. I now
plan to study Astrophysics in A&S. Seems someone in ASEN
might have noticed I had left by now.
2:WMAJ smaller program. More interaction with profs, like
in research.
3:BMAJ math science comp sci basics are great.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have decided to change majors.
650171 1:GOALS-SOME Not a broad enough education, make more
requirements of things that are outside of the technical
aspects of the major.
2:WMAJ Better advising, although the school is large this
is one area where students are left out. Also group
projects are good but perhaps too heavily relied upon in
terms of grading.
3:BMAJ Lots of resources and many areas of study within
the major.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I have completed everything in that
time. It was not difficult to do so but I may stick around
a little longer to take some more classes.
679921 1:GOALS-DEF It provided me with a educational foundation
that will be very useful for work in engineering fields.
My work ethic and time management skill have improved
drastically. I feel very comfortable working in groups,
and my oral communication skills are satisfactory.
2:WMAJ Teachers that are more motivated and beeter at
teaching.
3:BMAJ The different subject matter is broad yet the
respective material is relatively in-depth
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am getting a minor in economics as
well as a degree in Aerospace engineering.
719641 4:DODIFF I would take more fun classes across campus (such
as those dance classes for non-majors)
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I worked hard at every class. I took 16
to 20 credit hours each semester and even took a couple
credit hours each summer.
757005 1:GOALS-xxxx The only way it did not meet my goals was
pratical experience. Labs in the Aerospace classes try to
adress this issue, but I still feel I learned way more
practical knowledge from my work at a Astrphysics hardware
lab.
2:WMAJ Too much emphasis on labs that are mostly busy
work. More interaction between the classes and with grad
students.
758503 1:GOALS-DEF My educational goals were met by submitting a
lot of hard work. I was forced to learn the very difficult
theories behind my major and found my aerospace professors
to be the best at CU. The professors in this department are
the best I've had. The WRTG and GEOG departments have been
subpar on the level CU is.
2:WMAJ I would not emphasive coding in MATLAB as much as
they do. If they believe it is that important they should
require more specific MATLAB classes before the programming
comences in the department.
3:BMAJ I like the professors. Most of them do a great job
of teaching some of what I believe is the hardest
information ever, except for K.C. Park. He was the worst
professor I have ever had. He repeatedly called the class
"lazy" when we were spending so much time on work that I
was not able to sleep one night a week to get caught up.
4:DODIFF I would have liked to take study abroad. CU has
great programs. I would have liked to have all the classes
that I needed to take laid out in front of me so I know
exactly what I need. For the first two years I just knew
what I needed to transfer into engineering and did not know
I could have pettitioned to get into ASEN classes.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I received bad advising help when I was
an open option freshman. I knew I wanted to transfer to
engineering the first day of orientation, but they told me
to take 8am spanish 2 everyday. They never told me that I
did not need any more spanish in the engineering school.
They also never told me that I could have taken Spanish 3,
which is only 3 credits, even though I tested into spanish
2. I would not have received a sub 2.0 GPA my first
semester and my college life would have been much easier.
The open optino advisors should recommend that you speak
with an advisor from the school you which to transfer to.
Mr. Kalahar has been a great help to me.
767748 1:GOALS-DEF I learned the skills I will need in industry.
Courses were well worth the time and effort because they
were in depth and interesting.
2:WMAJ Less emphasis on group work. There are a number of
lazy and incompetent people who are graduating with a
degree in Aerospace engineering. This devalues my education
and makes me question what these people will be doing in
industry.
3:BMAJ Highly structured and a wonderful faculty to meet
these standards.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F The structured ciriculum of the
Aerospace department gave me semester goals to meet and I
was able to accomplish all that I needed to at CU.
793019 1:GOALS-SOME I think that some of the professors in
aerospace really have no experience teaching, and even
though they are very intelligent they still cannot teach. I
would recommendation to them that they should take
education classes. There was too much theory and not enough
examples. The basics are very important, but when they are
not taught well then we get a weak background, and that
weakens us in the upper division courses as well. I would
recommend more experienced teachers, with at least some
educational background. I did like the fact that there was
a lot of hands on work and experiments.
2:WMAJ Get proffessors with better educational experience.
3:BMAJ Hands on activity
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I can do make it in four years and maybe
go on to get a masters.
804558 2:WMAJ More emphasis on combing the basics of all the
sciences studied.
3:BMAJ Hands on experience with aspects of Aerospace.
4:DODIFF I would try to also take a minor.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I took all the required credit hours
even though it gave me a high course load.
812849 1:GOALS-DEF After completeing my undergrad degree, I felt
very confident about entering industry. However, as I chose
to complete grad school first. I do not feel that the
aerospace undergraduate curriculm provides the necessary,
rigorous mathematical background expected in graduate
courses.
2:WMAJ More faculty interested in teaching the material,
instead of going through the motions.
3:BMAJ The inertchanging groups in sophomore year. I met
so many people in my department and made so many friends
that the long hours of homework and lab rolled into social
time.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I completed my BS/MS. I completed my
Bachelors degree in 4 years and my Masters degree in 1
year, so I will graduate university with my masters in a
total of 5 years.
860539 1:GOALS-SOME There is a very strong emphasis on aircraft
and very little given toward space - I am more interested
in space. The program is also not condussive toward
interships or coops.
2:WMAJ Switch the corriculum around so it is better suited
to what students need to know. Switch the order of dif eq
and calc 3, put the writing course earlier in the academic
plan (freshmen year), and put a strong emphasis on space
earlier in the corriculum.
3:BMAJ The hands on learning and labs.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am considering getting a masters
through the MS/BS program.
866478 2:WMAJ less humanity credits
3:BMAJ the variety of different courses
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T longer than four years because I
transfered in and had to take certain classes to get a
bachelors in my major
891097 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered and changed majors
942410 1:GOALS-DEF ASEN program provided a basic engineering
foundation and skillset from which I can continue to
develop on my own.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T Procrastination is a killer... and so is
a full time job.
953032 1:GOALS-DEF it allowed me to learn how airplanes fly, and
gave me confidence that i can learn anything put in front
of me.
2:WMAJ i would have more females in the major, or place
the engineering building closer to the middle of campus.
3:BMAJ i know that my professors know what they are
talking about, and they dont just make things up based on
opinion.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F i wasted time taking classes that did
not challenge me for two years. i was not interested in
arts and sciences, and it did not provoke thought the way
that the engineering school does. also, once i decided to
be an engineer, i had a specific line of courses in order
to graduate. therefore, i am graduating in five years.
979521 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I want to take my time and take some
extra classes
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EN-CHEN 108786 1:GOALS-DEF The Co-op program started after my sophomore
year was excellent. The department also offers many
research opportunities within the department.
2:WMAJ I would offer more information about fellowships
available for graduate school and other scholarships to
earn or research money to be paid for research during my
time here. Also more flexibility in the core classes for
the degree. Currently, they are only offered once a year,
so if you miss the time it is offered, as I did when I was
working at my CO-op position, you have to wait a full year
to take it, thus delaying graduation by a year. Also, I'd
offer more electives in Biochemical engineering.
3:BMAJ The atmosphere is very cordial. Most of the
professors are very friendly and leave their doors open to
talk/ask questions to. Also the emphasis on team work and
verbal communication skills is excellent.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have worked as a Co-op employee at a
local Biotech company for four different semesters full
time. This was a great experience as I was able to apply
my knowledge to practical applications.
109484 1:GOALS-DEF I have had the opportunity to apply a
multitude of skills learned during my undergraduate
education to real work problems with a great deal of
success.
2:WMAJ A stronger emphasis on internship and co-op
experience for academic credit. The opportunity to apply
that which I had learned in class completely changed the
way I approached my undergraduate education.
3:BMAJ High expectations. The entire department was really
focused on making sure we got the most out of the program
as possible. I acheived more than I ever thought I could.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have participated in over three years
of co-op, internship, and research opportunities during my
undergraduate education, in addition to completing a double
major (chemical engineering and biochemistry).
129625 1:GOALS-DEF Effectively taught all the skills that
employers require of us.
2:WMAJ Get rid on the professors that everyone knows xxxx
but will do nothing to remove them because they have tenure.
3:BMAJ The several professors, such as Weimer and Clough,
that really care about the program and do everything to
make sure it works properly
4:DODIFF My brother did study abroad and REALLY enjoyed
it. I'd want to see Europe.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I want to do sports and travel aside
from school work.
157086 2:WMAJ make more bio-related courses available
3:BMAJ professor interaction
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am very hard working
166973 1:GOALS-SOME It met my educational goals in the fact that
I took the requirements and that is it. there was really
nothing to make me strive for more or want to learn more
about individual subjects.
2:WMAJ I feel there should be more of a variety of times
to take certain courses instead of only one time.
3:BMAJ I really enjoy the professors and there interaction
with the students.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I was advised wrong in my freshman year
here at CU and got stuck with an extra year.
193326 1:GOALS-SOME I wanted to study biochemical engineering and
now CU has that degree. I wish they had it when I started.
I could have graduated with a degree in chemical and
biological engineering. I wanted the chance to work with
faculty but faculty don't let anyone aware that they are
willing to have students work in their labs. Now more than
ever, research experience of any kind is key to getting an
internship and an internship is key to getting hired. Thus
if no one lets you know of the research experience
opportunities then it's very hard to get a job in the
future. This is a problem within the department. In
addition, one professor, Robert Sani, should not be
teaching. He is very inteligent but none of his students
learn anything unless they learn it on their own. He
should not be teaching students. Students pass the class
and remember nothing from the class. This is a problem in
future classes when the knowledge is expected to be
retained. I am very dissatisfied with this particular
professor. Unfortunatly, I have had this professor for two
of the main, important classes in chemical engineering.
2:WMAJ I would have the better teachers teach our classes.
There are professors that I have had only once, but were
great teachers and I feel that I missed out on other
classes that could have been taught by them. I also feel
that some of us were deprived in some of our classes by the
teachers that we did end up having. These teachers, Robert
Sani, and Fred Ramierez, should not be teaching. They are
super smart people, but they don't do very well at
connecting with the students on their level of learning.
Robert Sani even told us that we were deprived for having
him for a class. This is not a very good thing to tell
your students. I feel that some teachers who are in the
department don't get enough opportunity to teach us and we
don't get enough opportunity to have the good and great
teachers and are left with the teacher who is cohersed into
teaching a class. This is definatly not fair to the
students and should be dealt with. Janet Degrazia, Ted
Randolph, and David Clough should be teaching more and
unfortunatly we haven't had them but once in my college
career. I changed my major because of Janet and after
having her the next semester I had Robert Sani which made
me question my choice to change majors. This is definatly
not how things should be going.
3:BMAJ That it is small. It is a small department. I
like that I know almost everyone in my class, although it
is hard to acttually get to know them. That is mostly my
fault, but i wish there was a little more forced
interaction between the students.
4:DODIFF Would have chosen Chemical Engineering and
graduated in 4 years instead of 5.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I changed my major from Molecular
Biology to Chemical Engineering. Transferring from Arts
and Sciences to Engineering caused some of my classes to
count as elective and thus took me longer to graduate.
204516 1:GOALS-DEF I feel that I have been adquately prepared
for a profession in my major.
3:BMAJ The Departments's focus on interaction with
undergraduates, in both teaching and providing research
opportunities.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am getting a double degree in Chemical
Engineering and MCD Biology.
218665 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F i am on a 5 year full athletic
scholarship.
221998 1:GOALS-SOME I would have liked to take more classes
outside of my major.
2:WMAJ Time to take courses outside of my major.
3:BMAJ The faculty of the Chemical Engineering department
is wonderful!
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am involved in the co-op program.
224547 1:GOALS-DEF I got everything that I expected out of my
education here.
2:WMAJ Let lower classmen take more part in research and
hands-on experiences.
3:BMAJ The best thing about the ChemE program is the
faculty's willingness to take time out of their schedule to
help and advise outside office hours and advising times.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I'm right on time. I know my major.
253384 2:WMAJ What's up with the biomedical thing? I came for
CHEN, not CBEN!
3:BMAJ Prof. David Clough.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I got screwed in class scheduling
because they changed a pre-req without grandfathering me
in. I had to take one year longer to graduate!
275049 1:GOALS-SOME no comments.
2:WMAJ have required classes offered during the "off" term
as well as during the summer.
3:BMAJ Faculty is very concerned with students and their
progress in the major.
4:DODIFF none.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T When I first began college I decided on
a major, but later realized that was not not what I wanted
to do. I changed my major a few times and it took me a
while to finally decide on my current major. Also, I have
moved around a lot and transferred to several schools.
Because of certain school requirements, obtaining my degree
took longer than four years.
282048 1:GOALS-SOME I think that my major, chemical engineering,
was too specialized. I learned quite a bit about chemical
engineering but nothing about other disciplines of
engineering nor other majors in general. This has made it
more difficult to really decide what i am best at and what
i want to do for a living. i have received a very good but
narrow education.
2:WMAJ too many classes, not enough variety. It helped me
to learn a lot about chemical engineering and very little
about much else. It is a good think i lived with non
engineering majors, or i wouldn't know what was going on in
the world. I feel as though, it hasn't helped me learn
about any other discipline (including within the
engineering school). I don't know how prepared i feel for
the real world since i don't know anything but this
specific narrow field. I felt like i wasn't even told
exactly what a chemical engineer does for a living. the
only knowledge i've received about life after college is
what i've learned from other students, my parents etc. I
also think that a class should be offered and maybe
required that deals with real life issues that we face
after college. By this i mean, everything from how to find
a job, what everyone (even other than engineering) does, to
how to manage finances after college (investment plans,
taxes) what to look for in a job offer. these are
questions that i think everyone has and we would be a lot
more prepared for the real world if we didn't only learn
basic concepts of chemical engineering.
3:BMAJ The majority of teachers are extremely smart and
seem to really care about the students. They will talk to
us almost like they are our friends. They know our names
and most of them are always willing to help.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have to take two summer courses in
order to graduate in august 2004. The reason for this is I
studied abroad and because i am engineering i couldn't take
all the classes i needed to while i was down there.
Engineering has a lot of required classes and they are all
sequencial, making it very difficult to stay on a four year
track with any variation at all.
307193 1:GOALS-DEF I fell confident in my knowledge of the basic
priciples of Chemical Engineering.
2:WMAJ Less busy work.
3:BMAJ Good research opportunities.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I worked hard.
350599 1:GOALS-DEF The program provided a broad range of
experiential learning and covered a thorough overview of
chemical engineering. The exposure to computer porgrams and
uses of programs has been extentensive.
2:WMAJ There is so much work incorporated into
engineering. I understand the need to cram all of it into 4
years, but yikes!! I wish there were more time to enjoy
school and an increased ability to take classes for
enjoyment(this in particular might be due to the double
major, PLC, and study abroad I did, but still...)
3:BMAJ It is small enough that you can have a relationship
with your professors. You can interact with professors and
staff, get to learn, listen, and befirend them, and enjoy
who they are.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I studied abroad in Scotland and am
double majoring in Chemical and Environmental Engineering.
I would highly recomend studying aborad if you get teh
chance. About double majoring, the environmental major was
not an acreditted major when I started 5 years ago. Due to
the past circumstances, an option of getting a seconf
engineering major was possible with only requiring another
semester of courses. So, it seemed like a good idea. Be
warned though, chemical engineering is a real bitch of a
major and has seemed to lightly take over my academic life.
362896 1:GOALS-SOME Overall solid program
2:WMAJ Get rid of CHEM 4541 as a course requirement - not
a particularly useful course.
3:BMAJ Opportunities for research
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I want to spend some time on a Study
Abroad program.
383355 2:WMAJ More personal skills need to be taught such as
networking
3:BMAJ learning oportunity
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I took full advantage of a CO-Op
experience at CU and was able to get real world experience
in the Chemical Engineering industry.
391854 1:GOALS-SOME I would like to persue a career in business
with a chemical engineering background, but there are no
engineering courses that include business and economics.
There is also not technical business option in the school
of engineering.
2:WMAJ An emphasis on economics and business as an option
besides doing a double major or a minor in one of those
fields.
3:BMAJ Some of the professors are really good and they
care about their students, not just their research.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I did a co-op in Boulder to get work
experience, which added a full year. It will also take me
an additional semester because the work load in chemical
engineering is far too heavy to squeeze into 4 years,
without seriously stressing one's self out. The
engineering classes are very hard, and the work load very
heavy without having to take 16-18 credit hours per
semeter. So I have tried to take 12 to 15 credit hours per
semester to reduce the work load slightly and retain my
sanity.
398419 1:GOALS-xxxx Couldn't find internships for the life of me,
even though i tried. Professors were great teachers.
2:WMAJ More internship and advertised research
opportunities.
3:BMAJ Counseling and availability of professors and TA's.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I'm right on schedule and am ambitious
for work.
467811 1:GOALS-SOME I felt that my education was worth the time
and money spent to receive it, however it is still
difficult to get experience in a field which was also
important to me.
2:WMAJ Experience is hard to get which makes getting a job
more difficult. The department doesn't help much with this.
3:BMAJ Profs are usually willing to drop everything and
help you out on hw or any problems you are having.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I worked really hard taking on average
17 credit hours per semester and took summer school once
just to make sure I would graduate in four years...any more
time would be too expensive.
494671 1:GOALS-SOME I wanted a minor in Business. However, unless
one is a Business major, one cannot register for them until
about a week before classes start. When almost all of the
Business class are full, with a long waitlist every
semester. In Chemical Engineering, there is one
professor, Robert Sani, who does a very poor job teaching.
However since he has lost his research grants, he teaches
way too many classes. I feel this has left a huge gab in my
education in the classes he has taught.
2:WMAJ Better professors like Will Medlin and John
Falconer.
3:BMAJ Computer applications.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F of the AP credit I earned in high school.
511469 1:GOALS-DEF Taking advantage of undergraduate research
brought much of the theory I learned in classes together in
a pratical sense.
2:WMAJ More emphasis on undergraduate teaching, and more
out-reach freshman year.
3:BMAJ The advising comes from the professors, and they
are always available for help.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I failed out freshman year and went on
academic suspension.
522738 1:GOALS-SOME I wanted to participate in research, and
there wasn't any opportunities for me and the faculty
weren't really willing to help.
2:WMAJ Have more labs related to the option that we
choose. For example, someone with the Bio option should be
offered a lab in that option as well as the general
chemical engineering labs.
3:BMAJ The broadness of the degree. You could go into
petrochemicals, sales, or even biotechnology or medical
school. Very wide range of choices after and during college.
4:DODIFF I would have spent some time involved in the
theatre department if I had more time.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I was fortunate to enter as a sophomore
will 35 credits from AP/IB courses. These credits allowed
me to take lighter loads each semester and still fulfill
all requirements for my major. Also, I have worked
throughout all of my college, and I would not have survived
if I had to take 17-18 credits a semester to graduate in
four years.
552376 1:GOALS-SOME Not much clarity was given as to the
relationship between what I learn and how it will be
applied when I graduate. The university charging 10 cents
per printed page is idiotic given the importance of
computers in my field.
2:WMAJ More real-world application.
3:BMAJ Some of the professors are excellent.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I worked extra hard to finish required
classes over the summer after my transfer from another
university.
572052 2:WMAJ I would change some of the professors teaching the
undergraduate classes. As an a student with so much going
on, it is hard to learn as much as possible when you are
given a crappy teacher. I feel that we would get a better
education if certain professors didn't teach the classes.
3:BMAJ It is very easy to interact with the chemical
engineering faculty. They are very willing to help even
during non-office hour times.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I was able to transfer in many AP credit
hours and I also knew what I wanted to do when I first came
to college.
623112 1:GOALS-SOME Overall this program seemed comparable to
other ChE programs in the US, with the exception that a
little more time could be devoted to economics. The two
semester long design course, with two design projects, is
an excellent idea.
2:WMAJ Add an economics course. We went through the stuff
too fast in design, and since it was largely unfamiliar
material, most of us are still pretty confused. Also, if
it were possible it would be nice to have internships or
practical experience planned into being part of the
curriculum. Also, advertising study abroad opportunities
after freshman year could allow students to see that study
abroad and engineering are not mutually exclusive. As so
many companies are operating globally now, it would benefit
us to spend a little more time with our minds outside the
engineering center.
3:BMAJ The advising, individual attention, and personal
support of the faculty for the students is excellent. We
also appreciate the leftovers from lunch meetings being set
out for us.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F My academic program is well mapped out,
and despite some disturbances and unforseen circumstances
revolving around study abroad and class availabiltiy, my
professors were flexible enough to make the proper
arrangements for me so I could graduate on time.
631928 2:WMAJ The amount of time spent on homework. The strict
prerequisite sequencing.
3:BMAJ More prepared to work than other majors.
4:DODIFF Better sequencing of courses and sticking to a
curriculum plan. Less time partying M-Thurs.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F LONGER than four years because I changed
my major and then switched back to my original major and
spent my first three years of undergrad unsure of what I
really wanted to do.
659358 1:GOALS-SOME My internship was in a field different from
Chemical Engineering.
3:BMAJ There is plenty of help if you need it. Teachers
are always/usually willing/available for help.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I changed majors after my freshman year.
722637 1:GOALS-SOME lack of choice and applicability to careers
of upper division electives in major
2:WMAJ less homework. I can learn material in 4 hours,
not 12!!!!!!!!!!!! The amount of work is ridiculous and
makes people like myself hate engineering, not have time to
relax and interact with friends, and not have time to look
for internships and career opportunities.
3:BMAJ It teaches you to be disciplined and achieve your
goals.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am getting a double degree in Geology
and Chemical Engineering. I am also getting a minor in
Chemistry. All of the classes needed to complete these
degrees and minor take longer than 4 years.
730543 1:GOALS-DEF The faculty in my department are very
well-qualified for teaching and leading research groups. I
am extremely pleased with the way they have organized and
conducted the education process. My educational goals were
additionally met by my position as an undergraduate
research assistant in a lab in my department. Overall I
have no complaints with the methods in which my education
goals were met. However, I must emphasize that to ensure
the fulfillment of my educational goals, much determination
and motivation was required, particularly since my major
requires a high level of discipline and time management.
2:WMAJ If my department (Chemical and Biological
Engineering) offered the core classes (Heat Transfer,
Thermodynamics, Separations, etc.) both semesters I would
be able to graduate a year earlier than I am currently
expecting. I know of several other people that have the
same complaint about this as I. It would be very
beneficial to offer many, if not all, of these courses in
both the spring and fall semesters.
3:BMAJ The best thing about my major is the faculty and
how they are willing to devote as much of their time as is
necessary to ensure that their students understand the
material, even if it means spending time with them after
regular hours (i.e. at night).
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T My first year of college I was an
English major and took all literature-oriented courses.
Sophomore year I transferred to a different school out of
state and changed my major, resulting in me essentially
starting over as a freshman. Furthermore, I picked up a
second major, which added an extra year to my schooling. I
will graduate with six years of education instead of four,
but only because I have the desire to obtain a much broader
education and learn as much as possible while I can.
742910 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I had a problem with the dean of applied
math and she made it her mission in life to screw me over
for something that I didn't do and she knew it, even after
letters from group members said that I didn't do anything.
811358 2:WMAJ The opportunities for the graduating seniors and
working in the field, although this is highly dependent on
the economy. This goes hand in hand with a more thorough
education on the general arenas in which graduates can work
(ie, process development, research, etc.)
3:BMAJ The faculty are extremely motivational and take a
genuine appreciation for their students.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have endured many hardships and family
experiences in life that have made my life more rewarding
in all aspects by not forcing my education into four years.
817723 1:GOALS-SOME There was not as many hands-on experiences
(labs) as there could be. Also, it would be nice for the
department to help find career opertunities for students.
2:WMAJ The scheduling for most every semester was very
early (8 o'clocks every semester. I would have the
earliest class time be 9 o'clock so that students are more
awake and can/ will participate.
3:BMAJ It is hard and not everyone wants to be a Chemical
Engineer.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T longer than four years. My degree
program has a very rigid structure and I started on my
ciriculum late. Peace, James
824545 1:GOALS-SOME I think a lot of my lack of opportunity was
due to my own academic maladies... still though, there were
a number of technical elecctives that looked interesting
that were never offered.
2:WMAJ Make exams worth less relative to homework
assignments and/or in-class workshops.
3:BMAJ The size of the Chem. E community is small.
Everyone gets to know eachother very well, and the faculty
do care.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F the engineering curriculum is extremely
rigorous, and missing/not passing even one course will
likely throw off your graduation date for a year. The
guaranteed 4 year graduation statement is nice, but unless
you're willing to give up most of your social life, and
devote a majority of your time to locking yourself in the
engineering center or ITLL, you won't get out in 4 years.
834807 1:GOALS-SOME I feel that I learned what I needed to learn
in order to be a successful engineer. I was unable to
broaden my education through elective courses, because so
much of my four years was already laid out for me by the
department. Many times I wanted to take elective courses,
but coudl not because they conflicted with my engineering
courses, and I could not move those since they are only
offered once a year( at one time).
2:WMAJ more opportunity to take elective courses. Also
less penalty for going abroad. That causes students to be
delayed by an entire year since courses are only offered
one semester or the other. That was my main reason for not
studying aborad.
3:BMAJ a lot of team work, and development of
interpersonal skills.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I missed out on the opportunity to take
classes I would have enjoyed because I was forced into a
highly rigid curriculum by the engineering department.
Although I am happy I will be done in four, I wish I would
have been able to take other elective classes to expand my
education without sacrificing an entire year of engineering
courses.
839753 1:GOALS-SOME It did not provide ways to integrate into
internships, assistantships, etc. as a transfer student.
It was difficult to get involved coming in after the fact.
I did not know what was available
2:WMAJ Less emphasis on group work.
3:BMAJ The accessibility of the professors, and the
closeness of the program. It almost feels like I'm
attending a small university.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T because I need more time to decide what
I want to do.
840867 1:GOALS-SOME More of the theoretical courses could use
more hands-on projects (ie. thermo, fluids, heat transfer,
separations), and all of these courses should have
recitations to help students understand the concepts.
2:WMAJ To have all juniors (before they enter their last
year), have their courses taken/courses needed audited to
make sure they are on the right track for their last year.
I have a fear (although probably just paranoia) that when
the advisors do this in JUNE, a month AFTER I've already
walked in the graduation ceremony, that they will come
across something that should have been caught a year
earlier.
3:BMAJ How involved the professors are with the students.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T For most people, it takes 5 years to
graduate in engineering. If you try to do it in 4 you will
have to take high credit hour semesters and will most
likely end up with health problems relating to stress.
Also, if you take 5 years to graduate you have the
opportunity to have 2 summer internships, since most
companies don't want to hire interns until they have had at
least 3 years of college courses.
842776 2:WMAJ More of an emphasis on biomedical applications and
more electives offered in this field.
3:BMAJ The friendliness of the professors, it makes
learning easier.
4:DODIFF Travel during my sophomore year to another
country for a semester abroad.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I will be going on to medical school and
I need to get started on that as soon as possible.
867729 2:WMAJ Some of the professors are less helpful than others.
3:BMAJ Some of the professors are very helpful, educated
and informative.
4:DODIFF I would have liked to study abroad, but did not
see too much information about programs offered in
engineering.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I will participate in the Chemical
Engineering COOP Program.
878286 1:GOALS-SOME did meet: broad knowledge of background and
newer topics (i.e. bio)
2:WMAJ did not like some of the faculty- teaching styles,
old, uninterested
3:BMAJ faculty interaction and level of organization
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F i worked hard every semester to graduate
on time.
886379 1:GOALS-DEF I became an independent thinker and learned
to analyze problems much further. It did not meet my
educational goals in particular classes due to some poor
instructors.
2:WMAJ That there would not be soo many labs and that I
would have begun my first year of college at CU.
3:BMAJ My fellow students and the teachers dedication.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I can be done in that time and I don't
want to spend extra money.
888636 2:WMAJ The professors that consistently get low marks on
FCQs would have fewer teaching responsibilities.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I have chosen to pursue numerous
internship opportunities throughout the school year.
Additionally because I did not speak to an advisor before
starting school at a different campus and then transfering
to Boulder I lost a great deal of credits. I would
recommend to you that if you are thinking of ending your
college career at a different location than where you
started, go talk to an advisor and understand what classes
will transfer and what is the recommended schedule of
classes.
896768 1:GOALS-DEF I participated in the ChemE co-op program,
and had the opportunity to gain work experience, network
for potential future employment, and learn technical
writing (from work) at a level that is not currently taught
in the ChemE program.
2:WMAJ Math and writing required classes (especially
technical writing) would be taught withing the College of
Engineering, in small classes, by real professors.
3:BMAJ The Chemical Engineering Department has an
outstanding faculty. Almost all of the professors invest a
great deal of effort in their relationships with the
students, and know all of them on a first name basis. They
are very concerned about the wellfare and futures of their
students.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I dropped out of school to raise
children several years ago. I have returned to college
(and am attending CU this time) to finish my degree. Many
of the degree core requirements are different from the
university I attended before (ASU) so I am completing
several requirements that were not required at ASU.
958521 1:GOALS-SOME I think that the freshman year is very
overwhelming and should be structured differently. It seems
as though the engineering program is designed around the
'weed out' plan. So many professors administer tests that
the entire class fails and they laugh. This is not the way
to teach. Also, test count for too much of the final grade.
I have found that generally the people with lower grades
know the information better than those with higher grades.
This is because those students focus on memorizing rather
than understanding. I think this applies to most majors at
this university and not just engineering.
2:WMAJ Offer summer positions to us not students from
other schools!
3:BMAJ We are a small program, which makes it very
personal.
4:DODIFF I would complete a double major.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F 4.5 years because I decided to complete
2 minors before leaving.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EN-CSEN 104760 1:GOALS-SOME none..
2:WMAJ better faculty
3:BMAJ interesting courses
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T im in the combined masters bachelors
program in computer science.
126380 2:WMAJ I would really like the CS major to be more open
and allow students to choose a curriculum matching their
area of interest, be it Windows application development,
e-commerce applications, games, user interfaces, embedded
systems, or whatever. Believe it or not, everybody in the
CS world doesn't go on to write command-line C and java
programs for the rest of their lives. Other than senior
project, you'd never know this from the curriculum. It's
sad how little "real world" programming is done. Also,
there is a serious lack of emphasis on architecture and
software engineering. Most companies do not have trouble
churning out code - they have problems designing software
to be reliable, maintainable, and scalable. Just look at
Windows. Do you think the developers at Microsoft need more
people who can program hash tables in the middle of the
night, or people who have insight into how to roll out a
stable release, integrate with other operating systems,
understand customer needs, and work well as a team? Think
again about where the CS curriculum emphasis is versus the
real-world software development needs. Finally, the
advising is truly horrible. Nobody had a clue what my major
requirements were or what I should take, much less any
actual suggestions or insight into the courses. I'd just be
referred to the website or a printout of the major
requirements.
3:BMAJ Many of the instructors are truly wonderful to work
with. There are several exceptions where everyone knows the
instructor hates teaching and is just doing it to get a
pass for more research (hint: those who don't do their own
homework or grade their own tests and consider
"preparation" bringing a piece of chalk to the lecture).
However, most make coming to class a really good time, even
if the material isn't always glamorous or relavent.
126617 1:GOALS-SOME not enough real world experience, real world
applications, i think they need to implement real world
applications of the theoretical material
2:WMAJ more real world applications. more software
projects, from start to finish.
3:BMAJ senior project
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T i changed my major a few times, and am
also a transfer student.
164754 1:GOALS-SOME There are many skills, that I think would be
of benefit to me that had little coverage or were never
covered at all (such as GUI programming and design, Windows
programming, software docuementation, etc.) I feel as
though I am coming away with a basic foundation upon which
to build, but there were classes that I didn't really feel
related to my interests or had any relevance to the work I
will be doing. It would be nice to have more computer
science electives.
2:WMAJ I would have more choice in the specialization of
what topics to study within Computer Science.
3:BMAJ It provides me with a skill set that is applicable
to the field I will be working in, and a strong analytical
foundation from which to approach problems.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I had a substantial amount of A.P.
credit which helped me with my credits. However, I didn't
get to experience as many electives as I might have liked,
and I couldn't have graduated any ealier because of my
major's prerequisite structure.
232201 1:GOALS-DEF I learned many things.
2:WMAJ Better advising.
3:BMAJ Some of the faculty is really good.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I came in with lots of advanced
placement credit.
291236 1:GOALS-SOME More practical experience
2:WMAJ More group work.
3:BMAJ Class choices
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I took the required classes (and I chose
a major and stuck to it).
305448 1:GOALS-SOME Software engineering methods and Senior
project really helped give a taste of real world working.
Overall, most of the job requirements for recruiters was
met with the curriculum taught here.
2:WMAJ teach Java instead of C++ or C
3:BMAJ We don't hate the teachers like the Mechanical
Engineer's do. In our department they are mostly competent.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I'm taking two majors and want to take
as much time as possible before I go into the real world.
348427 1:GOALS-SOME First of all I think I didn't quite meet my
own goals and slipped through the cracks early on. However
when I did get serious I felt that I still had to learn a
lot of things on my own, such as languages like Java and
networking, and web development.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I took a year off after freshman year. I
was suspended for low GPA.
354440 1:GOALS-SOME My program met my educational goals because
it has prepared me for a job in the real world and has
taught me how to learn the things I need to know for a job.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I want to get out of this crappy school.
The hippies in Boulder xxxx and I want to be done.
376770 5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I want to finish it earlier so that I
can spend more time to take care of my kids.
393618 1:GOALS-SOME Course expectations varied significantly from
one course to another. Some topics were taught from a very
theoretical perspective while others were taught from a
much more applied perspective. It would be nice if there
were some kind of a balance that was consistent throughout
the various classes (obviously some classes are much more
theoretical in nature than others, but among classes that
are similar, I think there needs to be a better
balance). Too many professors just don't care if students
learn. Their lectures are tremendously boring and don't do
a good job of showing how specific lectures relate to the
course.
2:WMAJ The undergraduate advisor in CS is TERRIBLE!! He
seriously seems to know less than I do, and I get all of my
information from the CS web page. The graduate advisor is
much more knowledgable, but she just might be the meanest
person and the least concerned with helping students that
I've encountered.
3:BMAJ Computer Science is cool. I really love my major,
and I had a wide variety of elective class topics to choose
from (although realistically, based on the reputations of
the professors that taught the majority of these classes, I
only considered taking a couple of the many classes that
were offered).
4:DODIFF I checked nothing on this whole page. I think I
found a really good balance among all of the things to do
while in college, and I'm very happy how I spent my time.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F that's all it takes to finish an
undergraduate degree. Even if you only take four years,
you'll have plenty of free electives to take classes in
other areas that interest you. Although I will be staying
a fifth year to participate in the BS/MS program, but I
will graduate at the end of the 5 years with both my
bachelor and master's degrees.
398992 1:GOALS-NO My educational goal was to learn the theories
and to be able to see it in use in the future. However, I
find that some of the courses are not practical, I did
learn the theories, however, I didn't see the relation of
it for my future career.
2:WMAJ If I can change one thing about my major program, I
would make Computer as Components not a required class for
Computer Science majors. I dont see any correlation between
knowing how to write code in assembly language to coding in
C++, scripting, or the other programming that we do in the
upper division classes. I heard the instructor said that
know assembly language helps you code better, I personally
think that is bs.
3:BMAJ The best thing about this major program is the
professors. Some of the professors are really good. They
know their materials and they were good teachers. I learned
alot from them.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F my academic advisor was not helpful. He
was a bad advisor. He does not communicate with the
students and he does not ADVISE the student..i.e. he
doesn't care if the students take 5 tough classes at once
even though he knows the 5 classes are hard classes. And
because of that, I'm got off track and now it takes me
longer than 4 years to graduate.
408486 1:GOALS-NO Some of the higher-level courses were very
interesting, informative, and entertaining. The majority of
courses however were taught by professors that really don't
seem to understand what they're doing or what they should
be teaching.
2:WMAJ Most of the professors
3:BMAJ A good selection of upper-division courses on
topics like machine learning and computer vision
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I came in with a lot of credit from high
school and the IB program. I might have been able to
graduate in 3 years, but I started out as an EE major and
switched to CS recently. I don't regret that- there's a lot
of overlap, and I learned a lot in the EE courses. It's
looking now like I'll take 4 years total, but I'm still not
sure as I haven't been able to get a straight answer on
what exactly my IB credit counts for.
423400 1:GOALS-SOME Most of the classes in CSCI department are
based on theory alone. This seems to be a college that
prepares students for graduate school. There are key
knowledge bases that graduating students are exected to
know when they graduate by employers. We were only exposed
to c++, where are all the other modern languages like java?
There are a number of courses that were a waste of time.
The courses do not expose students to knowledge that will
help in the field. The core courses are supposed to
provide a well rounded education. I suppose that is what
they did. However, all the math that we were required to
take I believe to be a waste of time. All the natural
sciences, are up there as well. At such a low level as the
1200 level astronomy, I learned more from watching
discovery channel. Drop so much core requirements, and
offer students courses that will help them in their field
once they graduate. Especially for engineers.
2:WMAJ Take out all the BS theory courses. I understant
they are necessary, but so many?!?! How about more
practical courses, and in the practicals, more practical
work and less memorizing definitions. THis is engineering
for crying out loud. Senior project is good, but other then
that... Where are the other languages and real world
aplications. COM objects, Java, .NET?
3:BMAJ Senior project.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I came here with a years worth of
credits tansfering in. I know of people who graduated in
2.5 years. People who take longer are idiots and party too
hard. Unless you have a completely unrelated minor, or
another major, there is absolutely no reason to take longer
then 4 years. You have to be an alcoholic or some how
otherwise distracted. THe univeristy provies every
oportunity to finsih in 4 years, and you are stupid if you
do not take them. You might not get every class you wanted
to take due to the requirements tree, and the times they
are offered, finishing your degree is not a problem.
461972 1:GOALS-NO Curriculum was often outdated and assignments
were trite. Many times the instructor put little effort
into the class and it showed. Sometimes the instructor
wouldn't even show up to class at all.
2:WMAJ The curriculum.
3:BMAJ Clayton Lewis.
4:DODIFF It's quite simple. The other places that I have
attended had better curriculum. I would have gone there
instead.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T of poor academic advising. It's gotten
significantly better over the last year but it's a couple
of years too late for me.
482578 1:GOALS-DEF Learned a lot about programming and systems.
Too much theoretical stuff, not enough programming
2:WMAJ Less theory and more practical application
3:BMAJ Teachers/students are all smart and hard working
making a great environment to be learning in
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered schools two times!
519530 2:WMAJ There are too many courses which aim to teach
practical experience required for a computer scientist -
eg. UNIX familiarity (in the software engineering course).
However, many of us already have a large amount of
experience in this area, and bundling these topics into
required courses makes otherwise useful courses (such as
software engineering) into drudgery.
3:BMAJ Higher division courses with capable professors
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I'm doing a double major.
551398 1:GOALS-SOME Advising seems absent.
2:WMAJ I wasn't very proactive about counselling, but I've
only met with an advisor for my major once! I would have
appreciated regularly scheduled meetings, or some interest
by the department in my progress.
3:BMAJ Some of my upper division classes were the right
size: small.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F it's important to me to take more time
to learn better, and to develop responsibilities and
experiences not directly related to the university.
554586 1:GOALS-SOME To some extent, I felt somewhat 'swept away'
with the current of students who seemed to completely
understand every concept being presented. I didn't feel
completely supported in asking 'stupid' questions or
learning concepts that most other students seemed to
already be comfortable with.
2:WMAJ I feel that the Computer Science program simply has
no heart. This is what will ultimately result in me
leaving this major for another. Perhaps if things were run
more according to the ideas of Professor Clayton Lewis, I
would be happier with the program as a whole. I liked his
tendency to break from traditional methods of education.
3:BMAJ I don't know. Donuts with the Dean.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I haven't been able to choose one course
of study and stick with it. I think this is partly because
I'm not clear about which types of careers are associated
with each course of study and what those careers entail.
Also, to some degree, I've taken courses that I didn't need
to take, only because of confusion as to course
requirements...ie, where to 'plug in' courses for different
requirements in order to make it all work out smoothly and
minimize my time spent in school.
557439 1:GOALS-SOME I thought the program was too theoretical and
didn't focus on practical matters that would help when
students go into the working world.
2:WMAJ The courses required in the Applied Math
department, the teachers were awful.
3:BMAJ The best thing is that i will be done soon.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F you have a much larger workload in
college and its not easy adjusting to college life.
575594 1:GOALS-DEF I have learned the skills set for a software
engineer
2:WMAJ Make the senior project less amount of work, or at
least make the juniors be aware of the astronomical amount
of work we have to deal with, so that they can opt out for
the indep study. Since a lot of seniors have a job
somewhere between part-time and full-time, it is really
hard to maintain both. On one hand, you want to do well at
the job, so that the company will consider hiring you after
you graduate. On the other hand, you have to deal with the
senior project, which homeworks are kept piling up. It seem
more to me I am having two nearly full-time jobs at the
same time.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Because I am probably going to do a
BS/MS degree if I cannot find a job, which is quite likely
that I won't find a job
656713 1:GOALS-SOME I believe that my program adequately prepared
me for work in the industry, but I do not feel that I was
able to learn everything I wanted to learn when I started
as a freshman. Some classes that I would like to have taken
were not offered when I was able to take them, more lab and
project work would have been nice.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I cannot afford the out of state tuition
for longer than four years and I am ready to graduate from
the program and get some real world experience.
671366 1:GOALS-DEF my primary major is computer science. i have
been very pleased with almost all aspects of the cs
program. my only criticism pertains to lack of web-based
programming experience. considering the major role of
internet/network in all aspects of computing, i think that
web-development is somewhat underemphasized in the cs
curriculum.
2:WMAJ teach more emacs.
3:BMAJ structured, well organized, course schedules and
syllabi. (i dread having to take classes in the art/science
school)
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F ive taken time off and been involved in
a good bit of "extracurricular" stuff. as an engineering
student, i think an attempt to graduate in four years would
put quite a damper on college life.
695868 1:GOALS-DEF The theoretical emphasis is very nice; I
appreciated it a lot. However, it would be nice if more of
the comp sci courses offered a bit more in the way of
currently "in demand" technical skills: programming in
current languages (java, web development), etc.
2:WMAJ More flexibility in requirements for the major.
3:BMAJ The faculty quality is very high. Professors are
intelligent, well versed in their fields, good teachers
(for the most part), and willing to help students outside
of class.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I decided to pursue a double degree plus
a minor. It took five years, and it was worth it.
719238 1:GOALS-SOME Course content was great, but very linux
focused. I learned alot about design, but I don't feel
very "sellable" as far as technologies that I should know
(aside from what I have learned on my own). There needs to
be a lot more breadth in the program both in tools used and
languages used. There needs to be more web based design
and distributed application design, as well as development
on multiple platforms.
2:WMAJ Application of coursework towards more problems
more realistically found in the workplace (in core classes).
3:BMAJ I really enjoyed Data Structures with John Gillett.
He was very involved with the students, and gave
applicable examples.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I was able to complete my coursework in
four years. I may go to graduate school or get a full time
job, but I don't need to spend anymore time in my
undergraduate program.
726854 2:WMAJ More group work.
3:BMAJ Flexible class choices.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am a overachieving nerd.
729839 2:WMAJ More diversity of classes.
3:BMAJ The faculty is outstanding. I've never has a
Computer Science course that I didn't enjoy and I believe
the professors have alot to do with that.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I cannot afford to be here any longer.
I'm able to complete my degree in four years and I see no
point to staying here any longer, accruing even greater
debt.
735098 1:GOALS-xxxx Going into the teaching profession and
technology coming such an important aspect of schools.
There was nothing in CU-Curriculum that taught teachers
about computers and how to teach. Computer Science has me
outstanding to computer knowledge compared to other peers
in my education class. But they far outweigh that with
their writing, reading, and speaking abilities which the CS
program didn't really provide.
2:WMAJ I think they have changed it due to other surveys
and have given the students more flexibility into picking
courses that interests them. The MAJOR THING I WOULD
CHANGE IS ALLOW COMPUTER SCIENCE TO BE ON THE ACCEPTABLE
DEGREE LIST TO ENROLL IN THE EDUCATION TEACHING LISCENSE
PROGRAM. Currently I'm doing the POST-BA method and it is
very annoying having to re-register.
3:BMAJ I would say the BEST THING about my major program
is for me it is enjoyable and have learned the ways of
programming. Hopefully, I will take out of the computer
science field and develope educational software to use in
the elementary school classroom.
737169 1:GOALS-SOME In general, the computer science program
taught me what I need to succeed after graduation.
However, the program required classes that won't impact my
career, and also didn't offer classes that could have been
very beneficial.
2:WMAJ I would reduce the number of humanities credits,
and allow students to take more upper level (5000-above)
classes.
3:BMAJ I learned enough to get a great job
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I can effectively learn what I need for
a BS in four years.
769131 1:GOALS-SOME I know it is very time consuming, but there
should be more focus on how to write good code. When
working with groups, I see a lot of really poor code. My
favorite class was Object Oriented Programming where we
used Java to create real applications, and our code was
reviewed for good structure.
2:WMAJ More code review and critiquing.
3:BMAJ Excellent professors and teaching assistants.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I worked full time and took classes part
time.
786336 2:WMAJ Software Engineering methods/Computer
Organization/Digital Logic would not be required courses in
the Computer Science proram. The reason is that I felt like
I learned nothing in Software Engineering Methods, I got
stuck with a group member who was graduating and didn't do
any work at all so I ended up getting a bad grade in a
class that I personally believe is one of the easiest and
worthless classes in all of the Computer Science program.
We learned things that was common sense and some software
engineering guidelines concepts that would differ from
company to company. If this class was to stay a requirement
then it should be a lower level course since I also felt
that I should've been taught those things much earlier in
my program not later on after I've got enough idea about
programming that the whole course seemed useless to
me. As for Computer Organization. The class is not much
programming, its interesting stuff don't get me wrong, but
as a Software Engineer I do not see why I need to go so
much into detail about computer architectures when what I'm
doing has nothing to do with computer circuit design. We've
gone over all these things in good detail in digital 1 but
then digital 2 and 3 seemed so unecessary and a waste of my
time. I learned about caching/virtual memory/critical
sections/8086/ in digital 1 on a very low assembly level
and I thought that was as close as we had to get to
hardware. Again the classes are interesting, but they
should not be required.
3:BMAJ There was a lot of programming involved in most of
the classes I've taken and I think pratically applying
concepts and theories is the best way to learn, there was a
lot of theory of course but not too much. I think it would
a good idea to add another algorithms course and get rid of
one of the digital 2 or comp org courses as requirements.
790300 1:GOALS-SOME Dave Smith is an awful advisor, he cares very
little about the actual students & I have almost no
interaction with him - Furthermore the dept of CS is very
unorganized & in debt
2:WMAJ the labs would have windows, study table, and there
would be faculty student interaction
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I had credit comming in
792442 1:GOALS-SOME I felt like I was being taught old technology
instead of the new...
805576 1:GOALS-SOME I did not get to learn very many different
programming languages. I was expecting to be able to use a
few different languages, but C/C++ was the only one that
was really concentrated on.
2:WMAJ The amount of emphasis put on just exams. More
emphasis should be put on programs or other homework than
an exam because you could have a bad exam day and it could
destroy your grade.
3:BMAJ If you make it through the program, there are some
good paying jobs that you can get.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I do not take exams well, and in a
couple of core classes, exams count for a substantial
amount of my grade. I do not feel it's fair that one exam
can hurt your grade so much, but that is how it is here, so
I had to retake a couple of classes due to performing
poorly on an exam in the classes.
808146 1:GOALS-SOME Program need to be tied more to real world
needs: a direct connection between what is covered in class
and how these knowledge may be applied after graduation.
2:WMAJ More focused academic advising!
3:BMAJ Some top notch professor; however most are not
great teachers.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I came in with substantial advanced
placement credit and financial resources dictate that I
finish in four years.
823076 1:GOALS-SOME There was to much computer science focused at
an area of computer science that does not interest me or
many other students. The CS degree here focuses alot on
lower level computer programming and not on higher level
programming which is often used in the real world and to
accomplish large goals. The programming here is very
scientific and math based not very business or creatively
based.
2:WMAJ allow for more variation in computer science
classes. Require Less electrical classes. People that want
to focus on optimization and compiler design want the ECE
classes and low level programming. People that want to
focus on GUI design and webapps will want to take higher
level programming classes.
3:BMAJ I am learning something usefull and sought after.
That there are many very good research and udergraduate
working activities. These probably teach you more than the
classes do.
4:DODIFF Spend more time looking for housing and working
on getting dorm housing that i want. I didn't want to live
on all male floors both years i lived in the doors and that
really screwed me.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Because i didn't want to ruin my life by
taking 17 to 18 engineering credits a semester that would
keep me so busy that i never got to go out.
871880 1:GOALS-SOME The program allowed me to significantly
improve my knowledge of and skill in computer science, but
I would have liked to have more opportunities for more
in-depth study.
2:WMAJ I would like to see more challenging coursework.
3:BMAJ The flexibility to focus on the areas in which one
is truly interested.
4:DODIFF Because of the financial aid fiascos associated
with doing a combined bachelor's/master's, I probably would
have completed my bachelor's degrees and then proceeded to
a normal graudate program.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I'm doing a combined BS/MS in addition
to a double major in a separate college, which is going to
take me an extra year.
891155 1:GOALS-SOME The biggest problem with the comp sci major
is that over the course of four years, there's something
like five classes where you actually program. That means
out of 128 credits for graduation, about 15-20 of those
actually have you writing code. I understand the importance
of theory in the major, but I think instead of individual
classes dedicated to strict theory, theory should be
coupled with classes wherein more physical programming
actually occurs.
2:WMAJ I would include a lot more courses on the various
aspects of the computing major, i.e. courses on video
games, more courses on A.I., in general, more of what is
offered in the electives rather than the cores.
3:BMAJ The C.S. major does have a pretty outstanding
faculty barring a few exceptions.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F the C.S. major is not incredibly robust,
meaning there are less classes that I need to take in order
to round out what is offered to me. Also I came to the
school with 23 transfer credits from high school and AP
courses, thus putting me about a half semester ahead of
everyone else.
934790 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I took summer school and way too many
classes my freshman and sophomore year.
969484 1:GOALS-DEF After working in on real time projects I came
to know about the fields on which I lack a knowledge. CU
helped me acquiring that knowledge through different
courses.
2:WMAJ more of programming assignments than quiz, which
will help us in understangding issues in languages of our
choice and also how to implement the concepts in real
world.
3:BMAJ Good coverage of courses.
4:DODIFF Do major in new language
975492 1:GOALS-SOME Job opportunities are requiring specific
experience and knowledge that the program here is ignoring.
2:WMAJ Less restrictive requirements, particularly
prerequisites for the senior project. It is very easy to
do one thing wrong and end up spending another year in the
program.
3:BMAJ Some very excellent professors.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I have taken extensive summer classes
each year. I am exhausted, but am almost done.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EN-CVEN 103620 1:GOALS-NO Not enough practical information
2:WMAJ more options for classes
3:BMAJ the proffesors
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I had to. I don't have enough money to
stay longer.
140367 1:GOALS-DEF Availability of internships, or real world
experience.
2:WMAJ Allow more room for non-engineering classes.
3:BMAJ the chair of the department is amazing
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I'm from out of state, and tuition is so
expessive that my father won't pay for 5
149996 1:GOALS-SOME I found that I learned much more on the job
than in school. In classes I took, we would not always
apply the work to real world situations and I feel that
this would help students stay focused and help them in the
working world.
2:WMAJ I would change what courses are offered during the
fall and spring semesters. The choice of this semester's
courses was small compared to the spring semester.
3:BMAJ I feel that the instructors are very interested in
what they do and want the students to feel the same way. I
feel encouraged to continue learning.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I want to get a job as soon as possible.
153764 1:GOALS-SOME Hoping for setup intern ships through the
university.
2:WMAJ offer more of the higher division classes in both
semesters no only in one semester
3:BMAJ the constant advisor checks we do before each
semester
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F of the well structured block diagram the
civil department has provided for me upon entering the
university.
274641 2:WMAJ More of an emphasis of the importance of
internships during annual advising. With this I would also
like to see lists of internships and other sources made
more available.
3:BMAJ Knowledgeable professors
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T Attended community college for a few
years, taking classes off of a transfer guide for CU
thinking they would all transfer. The majority of those
classes did not apply to my major so I basically had to
start at the beginning.
285242 1:GOALS-SOME I would have liked to take more classes
outside of my major. There were too many required courses.
2:WMAJ Way too specialized. It should be possible to get
a general degree or a specified degree depending on level
on interest.
3:BMAJ I will be employable (hopefully)
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I had advanced placement credit. If I
hadn't had advanced placement credit I wouldn't have been
able to graduate in four years.
325686 1:GOALS-DEF I feel like the civil engineering progam
(Water resources and environmental track) has prepared me
to do well in the career world and has provided ample
opportunity to get a good education.
2:WMAJ I would like to see more opportunities to do
practical projects.
3:BMAJ The faculty is great
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am working on a combined BS MS program
where I am doing both degrees at one time and I won't get
my bachelor's degree until I finish my mater's.
333993 1:GOALS-SOME My major failed to give me a well rounded
education. I lack basic knowledge in art and literature
that people should have.
2:WMAJ I would make the degree program more hands on. I
would take students into the field to see the actual jobs
they could have with the degree. I would require the
teachers to be in class more often. Since choosing CVEN as
my degree I have had more teachers miss class than any
other time at CU.
3:BMAJ There are always new ideas being put into
production.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F completing an engineering degree takes
over 4 years. It can take considerably longer if your
advisor makes mistakes.
358140 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am ready to begin acareer and can dit
my deucation into 4 yrs
472848 2:WMAJ The school was great when I first got here, but the
budget cuts are starting to really affect the opportunities
and education at CU. CU needs to get more funding or apply
more of the funding to the education.
3:BMAJ Most of the professors really seem to care about
the students and know more of the students thanwhat i've
seen in other majors
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I'm going to take about 6 years because
I am in the MS/BS program.
487095 1:GOALS-DEF All the classes apply to what I want to do
2:WMAJ That everyone doesnt have to follow the block
schedule. It gets confusing if you miss one class. I also
would not have the surveying class or I would inpove it. I
would get new machines and use the old machines only one or
two times.
3:BMAJ I enjoy my construction classes, they are
interesting and the teachers are always willing to help.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F all my classes didnt fit into my
schedule. I will be 3 class short, I could have taken them
in the summer, but to take 3 classes in the summer is close
in cost for another semester.
510101 2:WMAJ I would like to have teachers who care about the
students and are excited to teach. Having teachers that
can be easily understood would be nice too!
3:BMAJ The broad range of things you can do with and BS in
CVEN
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I want to figure out what I want to do
since I will be paying for college myself; I don't want to
waste money on getting a degree and then changing it after
several semesters.
511125 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered from another college and
was behind from the start.
560961 1:GOALS-SOME I have become familar with the theory and
mathmatics behind engineering. Via internships and some
courses the applicability behind this theory was learned,
but more could be involved in ALL courses. I would have
liked to do more cite visits and had more hands on
experience. I did have this opportunity during internships
(one of which was with the universtiy.
2:WMAJ Make sure a more personal relationship between
advisor and student is made.
3:BMAJ The organization of the program.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F my program had a very clear outline of
what I need to take to graduate in 4 years.
597003 1:GOALS-SOME I feel that I can not answer this question
until I start working in my field
2:WMAJ That faculty would help students to find
internships early in school.
3:BMAJ A major that made me work so hard will be very
rewarding when I graduate. I feel prepared to take on
challenges in the future because of my accomplishment.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I changed majors several times and
transferred between three universities
610820 1:GOALS-DEF the program prepared me for my career and
allowed me to specialize in my interests
2:WMAJ get rid of antiquated courses that have little
relevance to my area of interest (ie. engr. drawing for
water resources)
3:BMAJ the professors
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T because I transferred and changed my
major which added some time.
614033 3:BMAJ The interaction with the faculty.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am getting my BS/MS degree.
623421 1:GOALS-SOME The program taught me how to think
critically, but did not encourage enthusiasm for the
subject matter.
2:WMAJ Have TAs and Professors who speak decent english.
I have had several ta's especially, who could barely
communicate, which did not encourage me to make use of
them. Also, the majority of my professors and ta's have
not given me the impression that they care about me either
personally or even academically. The few that have shown
that they care about me demonstrate all the more clearly
how lacking most professors and TA's are in this area.
3:BMAJ Getting to know and be able to work with a close
group of fellow students. And there are a few excellent
professors: Hari Rajaram, Hyman Brown, and Ross Corotis.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F the academic load is too heavy to allow
for any uncertainty in major or to retake courses.
634873 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I could not get the classes I wanted at
the right time
648023 1:GOALS-SOME In my major some of the water classes felt
like they were not supported by the staff. I have had
several adjunct professors in major classes that were not
nearly as good as full time professors.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F It is difficult to know what degree you
want when you begin. In engineering if you get behind or
start late it is nearly impossible to catch up.
649954 1:GOALS-SOME I wanted more classes in Construction
Management and less classes in engineering. Also, I was
miss led when picking my school by the CU advisors. I was
told that CU ranked 12th in the nation for Constuction
Engineering Management, but wasn't told that this was CU
grad school program and not the undergrad program that I
was obviously asking about, being as how I was a
highschooler at the time.
2:WMAJ It would give more oportunity to pick desired
courses.
3:BMAJ It's not that great
4:DODIFF I would go to CSU or ISU because they have a
better Construction Management Program.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am going to take eight semesters.
661457 1:GOALS-DEF Gained a lot of useful knowledge needed for
my future career.
2:WMAJ Include a public speaking class.
3:BMAJ Overall effectiveness, usefullness of course
material
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I started at a different university and
not many of the classes I took pertain to my new major.
This is going to make my college degree take about 6 years.
708395 2:WMAJ I really enjoyed my advisor, Scott Summers. He was
always so encouraging and helpful. Participating in the
Herbst Humanities program was also one of the highlights of
my college experience. I would recommend it to everyone!
3:BMAJ Professor Angela Bielefeldt. Her classes are
really hard, but I have learned the most from her. She is
also always available if you need help.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I was advised my freshman year not to
take 18 credits. I had to take a class for a scholarship,
which put me behind schedule. Looking back, I would like
to have taken more credits earlier in my college experience.
807123 1:GOALS-DEF The college of engineering has started me on
the path to becoming a professional engineer.
2:WMAJ The addition of a transportation department.
3:BMAJ The diversity of the learning experience.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I got a lot of AP credit in high school
and engineering is a four-year program anyway.
825695 1:GOALS-SOME i issues with CU is not its education, but
the poor planning of the President and the student
government. since i have been here, all i have seen is
tuition go up, and i have not seen anything the explain
why. the price for football games has gone up and we arent
good enough for a price increase to be justified. The news
shows that Hoffman is backrupting the school and all she
can do is raise the cost of everything from pay-for-print
to tuituion across the board. the student government is
too concerned with protesting(the back sale and the UCSC
president putting up signs and counter-protesting) to
actually do some good. What they are doing (Source) raises
cost for everyone and only affects a few, and from what i
read and heard, it isnt even justifiable what they voted
for)
2:WMAJ teachers that speek english. it is hard enough to
follow the material of the classes, it is tough, some what
abstracted and taxing on the brain. adding another
variable such as being taught by a teacher fresh from
Tehran, or china is unfair to the paying student if he
cannot understand fully what the teacher is saying.
3:BMAJ the experience that most of the professors bring
with them after they have worked in the industry for as
long as most of them have.
4:DODIFF i wish i had done study abroad. my frineds have
done it and i like what i hear from them. it seams like a
very usefull tool for students to expand their horizons and
global awareness
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F i want to preform well in my classes and
not be under too much of a burden from other classes.
Taking longer that for years is nice because it also lets
you experience the non-academic side of college better and
lets you see more of the world and reality(maybe not real
reality in boulder)
924325 1:GOALS-SOME I think that the Civil Department needs to
put more empahsis on CAD related coursework. Many of the
positions that Civil Engineers will persue will have large
amounts of CAD work associated with them.
2:WMAJ More time with computer applications, especially
CAD.
3:BMAJ Diverse coursework.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I wanted to make sure the major I had
selected was what I wanted to persue.
927083 1:GOALS-SOME There seems to be minimal focus on developing
a person's interpersonal communication skills.
2:WMAJ The courses that are required. I would suggest more
writing and presentations with increased emphasis on public
speaking.
3:BMAJ The people.
4:DODIFF The key is balance. A balance between school and
social functions.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I made mistakes my freshman year that I
have to live with the rest of my life. My advice to you is
to stay focus on the task at hand and don't let the
temptations of being a freshman control your life.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EN-ECEN 104293 1:GOALS-NO Course Cancellations, Huge Classes, Bias of
instructors and TA's made my undergraduate years at CU very
unsatisfactory
2:WMAJ Biased\Whimsical Grading
3:BMAJ The 'unforgettable' Experience
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T 1) Bad advice from CU prior to
transfer 2) Engineering School has 'different'
guidelines than the rest of CU - leading me to lose almost
2 semesters of coursework credit 3) Course
Cancellations, Reschedules, Rigid Time Conflicts
122436 2:WMAJ More Computer Engineering and less Electrical.
3:BMAJ Looks good in comparison with schools accross the
country.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am pursuing a double major.
368972 1:GOALS-DEF I obtained a lot of hands-on experience and
general knowledge applicable to the real world
2:WMAJ I would have Keith Julien not teach DFQ. Not only
is he a horrible teacher that pushed me away and
disinterested me from engineering, he is also a jackass
with no concern for his students. He made a semester of my
education absolutely miserable.
3:BMAJ I had wonderful professors and lots of friends to
work with.
4:DODIFF Engineering was probably not the right major for
me
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I'm a double major with Finance
384853 1:GOALS-SOME I can understand theory but I don't know how
to apply it.
2:WMAJ I hope instructors attitude toward students change.
They can arrange more office hours to talk with students.
As less as possible it uses part time instructors.
3:BMAJ The instructors can explain verything in detail. No
just follow the text books.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I need to learn more and do very well in
academic areas.
391465 1:GOALS-NO The lower division courses teaching the
basics were fine. The problem with the curriculum is that
there are definitely not enough classes in actual computer
engineering and I do not feel like I'm ready to enter
industry with the amount of knowledge I need.
2:WMAJ Option to replace theory classes with actual
computer engineering classes
3:BMAJ Builds a very good foundation for my major
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I'm entering the BS/MS program.
465671 1:GOALS-SOME Coursework provided a good basis for my
future in industry.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I came in with nearly all of my
humanities credits from high school and I worked very hard
taking more than 15 credits nearly every semester. I also
was lucky to register for all of the classes I took without
a waitlist.
531862 1:GOALS-SOME I felt that a lot of the classes were a
little too focused on theoretical and mathematical aspects
of the major. I did not gain very much practical real
world experience until capstone. It would be nice if every
course could somehow incorporate a project of some sort to
help students use the skills that they learn during the
course. They try to do this with lab work, but often the
labs are focused on applications in a theoretical world,
and it's hard to see how they apply to what I will be
really doing in a job.
2:WMAJ Less Theory, More hands on practical. Also, put
more emphasis on selecting a specific "sub-field" such as
Embedded Systems, Communications, Power, etc. and have the
ability to focus classes more on those fields
3:BMAJ Captone is very usefull
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T It is very difficult to finish an
engineering degree in 4 years, especially if you have 2
outside jobs and you're very involved in a lot of
extracurricular activities such as I am.
543022 1:GOALS-DEF I learned the very things that interested me.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T the junior college I went to before I
came to CU told me all 64 of my credits would transfer and
when I transfered to CU I found out that only 32
transfered. So because of that I must go for another year.
550283 1:GOALS-SOME Quite a bit of the information presented is
either outside my area of specialization or is theoretical
with little relavent practical experience with my
speciality.
3:BMAJ The ability and willingness to help from some of
the professors.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I have incorporated graduate work in my
undergraduate degree through a concurrent program.
568767 1:GOALS-NO Did not provide the practical knowledge
needed to start a job in industry during school.
2:WMAJ Get better instructors as in more caring for the
students and thus better lecturers
3:BMAJ none
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T it allows you to take other (non-major)
classes that I may enjoy.
571703 1:GOALS-SOME I feel that the program spent more time on
theoretical problems rather than practical problems, which
may or may not help at a real full-time job.
2:WMAJ The advising.
3:BMAJ Some of the Professors.
4:DODIFF I would take more time off to travel (anywhere).
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I would like to take my time.
603736 2:WMAJ Slightly less predetermined curriculum
3:BMAJ Good professors
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F That is the suggested track, and I don't
need any extra time to fulfill the requirements.
664508 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I have a prior degree and am attempting
to get an Engineering degree. Only a crazy person takes
more than 15 upper-division technical credit hours at a
time.
731887 1:GOALS-SOME I have learned a ton, but there were some
classes required for my major that definately did not
interest or motivate me to learn more.
2:WMAJ Allow a bit more choice in the different classes
(possibly different specializations for example).
3:BMAJ The classes that I like are REALLY fun and engaging.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am hoping to do a 5 year masters
program so it will take more than 4 just because of the way
my credits work out to complete both degrees.
743321 1:GOALS-SOME I feel I missed out on some more of the
classes I would like to take from my dept. because of the
Humanities requirements.
2:WMAJ Less Humanities.
3:BMAJ Capstone Lab
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I was activated by the Colorado Army
National Guard in support of Operation Noble Eagle.
781369 1:GOALS-DEF I was not too sure exactly what my goals were
to begin with. The program here helped me figure that out
and set myself on the right path. It allowed me to
experience a wide variety of subjects in my field and
figure out what I'm interested in.
2:WMAJ I would have the deparment listen closer to FCQs
and make sure professors understand what the students said
on them
3:BMAJ Our capstone was the most amazing class I have ever
taken.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F it is not possible to actually finish my
degree in four years if you actually want to learn
something. You can force yourself to finish in four years
but it would be pushing the limits. If you take four and a
half or five years you can really get something from the
program and not lose yourself to stress and still have some
ability to relax every now and then.
784341 1:GOALS-SOME The Engineering program does a good job of
preparing students to effectively work as an engineer. It
hasn't helped me with connections into the industry at all.
2:WMAJ They should explain earlier what possibilities or
type of work I may be doing so I could have prepared better.
3:BMAJ Electrical Engineering has prepared me to solve
difficult problems effectively.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T because I'm studying Electrical
Engineering which requires much more work than other majors.
812134 2:WMAJ Maybe a little more standardization in what is
taught in each class. I found that taking a class that
built off of a prereq with a teacher that I didn't have for
that prereq and some of the other students did have, put me
at a dissadvantage.
3:BMAJ Great professors. 24/7 lab access and student
lounge access.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I switched majors and schools a few
times.
830495 1:GOALS-SOME At times I was forced to take classes that
will not help me at all in my career at the expense of
classes that would help me. For instance, in my final
semester I am taking freshman level geology and a freshman
level linguistics course for no reason other than I have to
to graduate. If I didnt have to take them I could have
taken another ECEN class and received a certificate in
Embedded Systems.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I worked ridiculously hard for 4 years
and don't want to be here anymore.
832075 1:GOALS-DEF I thought the teachers were very helpful and
focused on the students. Sometimes I felt the workload was
too much. I even thought about switching majors, just
because it was so much work. I'm glad I stuck it out.
2:WMAJ Somehow make less work load for some students: I
honestly felt so overwhelmed at times that I wanted to
quit. I don't know what to do to make it better but have
the advisors warn against taking too many classes. I want
to take funner classes - such as art or gym or floral.
3:BMAJ I loved how friendly the teachers were - they were
always willing to help.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F Actually less than 4 years because I had
so much AP credit already. I thought this was VERY helpful
and I plan now on getting my BS/MS in ECE.
851741 1:GOALS-SOME I feel like I have a good basic understanding
of ECEN, but there have been companies asking me if I have
skills in certain areas, that I didn't even know were
important. These skills are required to get some of thoes
jobs, and I am just now finding out I don't have them.
2:WMAJ I would give more information to students about
what kind of career paths there are out there, and what
classes would be good to take to go down thoes paths.
3:BMAJ There are a few professors who I feel are really
good and care, and become the best part of being in ECEN.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I planned to only be in college for that
long. I am glad I did because I am starting to get burned
out and I am ready to move on.
924194 1:GOALS-SOME In my experience, some professors don't take
the time to listen to student concerns. Others take the
time, but don't actually listen to complants. Most
professors and lecturers don't have this problem, but the
few that do make life difficult for their students. This
problem manifests itself in students not getting
information or help that they need and would have gotten
with a different professor.
2:WMAJ I would choose undergraduate professors based on
their affection for teaching rather than the research
they've done.
3:BMAJ The professors that are teaching because they like
to teach.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F the program in which I am enrolled is
well structured to fit in four years. While it is
challenging, it is perfectly reasonable suggested schedule
for a student to follow.
941715 1:GOALS-SOME There are plenty of challenging and practical
courses in ECE, including many technical electives in
particular, but the embedded systems courses ought to be
required or better advertised in the department.
2:WMAJ Make Embedded Systems a pre-requisite for Capstone.
3:BMAJ Compiler Construction.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am capable of completing my degree in
four years.
947880 1:GOALS-SOME Not enough explanation of how to seek out
resources that were available to the students.
2:WMAJ More orientation materials so that we know what
programs available to us are.
3:BMAJ I liked the subject for the first two and a half
years.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I don't need any more time to complete
my major.
977805 1:GOALS-DEF My primary goal in majoring in ECE was to
understand how computer chips worked, with the intent of
designing them for a career. Digital Logic, Semiconductor
Physics, and Computer Organization have provided all the
fundamentals of this field, and while certainly there is
much more to be learned, my goals have been met.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am a double major in Applied Math and
Electircal and Computer Engineering, with a concurrent
Masters in the ECE as well. As such, it will take me 6
years to complete, which is only wo years per degree, and
not bad at all!
987066 1:GOALS-NO At the end of day so to speak, the knowledge
is only cursory at best comparted to the things we need to
know in the real world. I am a decent student and have had
internships and except for my own personal efforts and
taking extra classes that are not normally part of the
curriculum, I would have no real world skills coming out of
college. What gets taught in the undergrad program might
be useful background for all other things in the feild, but
that is all that it is, background. No student coming out
of this school would have any useful skills in industry in
my opinion. You don't start learning anything that gives
you marketable skills until you start taking graduate
classes. I also felt as though I was unable to
explore what I thought my interests in the field might be
because the curriculum is so restrictive all the way
through being a senior that you have no ability to take
classes that might give you a sample of the sub-displicines
within the field. In terms of material and freedom,
graduate school looks far more promising than the
undergraduate program is. That is still no excuse for the
dismal shortcomings of this undergraduate program though.
2:WMAJ Changing one thing about the major is not a very
fair question....There are so many things that I think are
wrong with this program I could write you a good length
paper on it if I wanted to spend the time. So instead you
get two things instead of one. Consider yourself lucky I'm
only telling you two, it could have easily been 10 to
15. Allow Computer Engineering classes for ECE
students senior theory and lab. EE classes only for senior
theory and lab is bullxxxx for ECE because if we wanted
just EE we would have been EE students. There is too much
EE work for the ECE curriculum as it is. EE students can
take both EE and ECE classes for their senior theory and
lab, but we can't. I'm not the least bit bitter by the
way. (-_-) Second, ECE's should be allowed to get CS
minors. Here's why: 1) It would only take one more
class. 2) Claims that ECE is an EE degree with a CS
minor is not how it works in my mind. To be overly breif,
CE is hardware design, CS is programming. Therefore having
an ECE should not confer to others that you have any
ability in CS beyond the most rudimentary skills(which is
what you have after 2270 if you look at all that CS can
entail). If the department really views this an EE degree
with a CS minor, change the degree to EECS, not ECE. It is
very misleading. 3)Not that taking one more class in CS
suddenly will make you a guru, but the choices for that one
class needed to get the minor will make a significant
difference in your understanding of CS, because they are
the first classes beyond the basics(ie- operating systems,
algorithms, etc.) 4)Having the CS minor will make us
look better when we are looking for jobs.
3:BMAJ Space grant is neat and lets you learn some
real-world stuff. Oh, wait, thats not part of the
program... ...Allow me to get back to you on that one.
4:DODIFF Although I don't know how, I would have also made
sure I knew about the fact that many of the cool looking
classes that are listed in the guides are infact not
offered, and that a lot of classes are only offered on
certain semesters(both of which no one tells you upfront
and you inevitably find out late which makes taking classes
and changing what you planned on difficult)
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F Write a fake letter? That's just
retarded. Whoever came up with that grand idea should be
fired. Why not just ask to say why you are going to take
'x' amount of time to graduate? And don't forget a handful
do graduate in less than 4 years. On to the next page.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EN-EEEN 102626 1:GOALS-SOME My program met a few goals that I now realize
I need and will use throughout my life. By completing this
curriculum I can now asses, and solve problems in a
systematic efficient manner. These problems do not have to
pertain to engineering which is the most useful tool I can
say I learned here at CU. It is vital for any student
wanting to succeed in the world of business in the US to
know how to asses and solve problems as efficiently as
possible. I feel that CU did not come close to meeting
some goals that I am working on completing myself.
Presentations, business skills and product development
skills are not offered to engineers at all. They are not
mentioned or encouraged and that is a disappointment to me.
An engineer with a sense of business, a confident speaking
voice, and product development skills are sought after in
industry. If CU had a program that combined business and
engineering in one program that lasted 5 years, not 4 and
truly focused on the needs of business in the US it would
be provide students with invaluable life tools that could
be used later in life to make large impacts in a variety of
work environments. It is my opinion that CU needs to
restructure their engineering curriculum and realize that
industry has changed. Business students are not as useful
as they once were, and engineers are not either. It is a
combination of engineering, critical thinking and people
skills that make industry move forward and lucrative for
members of these industries. If you are interested in
more student feedback or ideas on how to structure a
program I would love to be involved and provide any help
that I can. CU is a great school that just needs to evolve
with industry and provide every tool students can use to
exit school and be as useful as possible.
2:WMAJ Offer more real world experiences, INTERNSHIPS/COOPS
3:BMAJ I know how to solve complex problems
4:DODIFF I would take more business classes that are
related to product development and business growth.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I cannot complete the electrical
engineering curriculum in four years and successfully learn
everything being offered in the courses.
112245 2:WMAJ Extend the number of credits for several of the lab
classes. It is ridiculous to spend the amount of time in
several classes(ie components, linear...) needed perform
well.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I decided that taking an extra semester
would facilitate a more productive and less stressful last
several semesters. I felt that although expensive, taking
my capstone class all by itself would be the most rewarding.
301619 1:GOALS-SOME Some courses did not emphasize what would be
needed later, and others assumed previous courses had
taught things that they did not, making later courses quite
difficult. This orginization seemed especialy lacking in
the core math classes, and core circuit classes.
2:WMAJ The ammount of graduate students that are teaching
the high level courses. Though they are good because they
had been through them recently, they dont have the
knowladge that a full professor does.
3:BMAJ I know alot about electrical engineering, and how
much work has to be put into it.
4:DODIFF Im not sure that EE was the right major for me,
but only realized this tward the end, so I might as well
finish it out, and then see whatelse I want to do. There
was not enough flexibility in the major to explor any other
areas, all time had to be devoted to it.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F The workload for getting a electrical
engineering degree is too much to bear when you have to
work outside of school, so I had to take a few less classes
a few semesters. I also failed one class due to the
workload I tried to take on in attempt to graduate in four
years. If you want to graduate with an engineering degree
in four years, don't plan on doing anything else.
610702 2:WMAJ Can't think of anything currently.
3:BMAJ It is a intensive but well worth it educationally
major.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am also getting a business minor while
at CU.
620748 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Because it took me about a year to
decide what major i wanted to try for.
736140 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am a double major and am taking extra
classes outside both my majors, like language and arts
classes.
796362 1:GOALS-SOME some teachers could be a lot better, because,
the basic things that we learn, depends on the future
classes and if there was some things that were not taugh
very well, it will affect, us in the long run
2:WMAJ I would have to say, teachers!! Because the future
depends on them
3:BMAJ MEP program, it got me as far as i wanted.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Well it is engineering, and on top of
that i transfered from Arts and Science college, ;)
811529 1:GOALS-DEF Academic coursework very challenging. Had
exposure to a broad spectrum of fields in EE, yet each was
specialized enough to fully understand concepts and
practices.
2:WMAJ Departmental administration. Courses not offered,
yet still appear in catalogs semester to semester. Vague
academic advising; told one thing one semester, then
something different the next. Caused me an extra semester
at CU that wasn't necessary.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I'm in no rush to start a career, and my
coursework is challenging so I want to take my time with it.
812901 1:GOALS-DEF Taught me how to use computer programs that
are useful--Matlab, Mathematica, Spice, etc. Labs gave me
familiarity with what to expect in the real world.
2:WMAJ As a transfer student with a previous degree, it
was surprisingly difficult to get accepted into the
Engineering School without 3 semesters of classes that I
had already taken similar equivalents to.
3:BMAJ Instructors are available and eager to help the
students.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T Longer than four years because I have a
previous AAS degree, and my transfer status required me to
essentially start again from scratch, including taking some
classes that incoming freshmen don't necessarily require.
852400 1:GOALS-NO many of the classes that are advertised are
not really offered and/or have not been offered in years.
Many of the professors are not willing to tutor students,
or help them or answer questions in class or in office
hours. There are many professors who are never (and I do
mean NEVER) Available because they are so wrapped up in
their research, so if you are having trouble in a class
than you are just out of luck. The class materials were
never set up to show students what these conciepts are used
for in the real world, so I often find my self
"re-inventing the wheel" because I didn't know such a
product already existed.
2:WMAJ 1)I would have made sure that there was better
academic counciling. Many of these classes would have been
do-able if I was only taking one difficult class at a
time. 2)I would have got a double major, so that I could
balance out the hard classes with easyer classes 3)I
would have planed from the beguining to take 5 years, so
that I would have taken it a little slower and been more
sucessfull. 4)I would have set aside a lot more money
for tutors, because since the professors don't help with
questions than a tutor for every class from the start of
each semester would have been a good idea.
3:BMAJ The research that the professor are doing is pretty
state of the art, so if you want to learn about what they
are doing you could.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T six years because I don't get any help
in my classes from any of my teachers and there is just too
many question to ask during class to get them all answered.
I frequently don't understand how to do my homework and
there are no tutors for these Engineering courses and the
professors won't help so I kept geting bad grades and
frequently had to re-take classes. Also the academic
counciling I got here was terrable! The department just
deligated "Counciling" to all of the professors. The
professor that was assigned to me told me that she didn't
take this classes at this school so she had no idea how
they were structured and twice she recomended I take 15
credit hour semesters that were such an over load I failed
almost all of my classes. I was only able to see my
assigned counciler twice in the six years that I attented
because she was always to bussy and I coul'd not get into
contact with her. The two times I did meet with her she
only had 20 minutes to speak with me. NOT HELP
FULL!!! Many times I ended up taking two KILLER classes
in the same semester which usualy ment that I would fail
one of both of them. In retrospect I really shouldn't have
taken them together and I wish someone would have been
there to tell me that.
861427 2:WMAJ More special topics courses
3:BMAJ The professors are intelligent and approachable
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I was diligent about meeting degree
requirements, and I had AP credits coming into college.
887049 1:GOALS-SOME I think the engineering school should gear
more of its education to practical issues. It focuses a
lot of its time on teaching the theoretical issues within
the field.
2:WMAJ I would include more applications that are geared
to life after graduation.
3:BMAJ It offers a wide variety of options within in my
major.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I entered the university with 20+
credits. These credits eliminated most of the humanities
in my schedule and allowed me to take more classes
dedicated to my major.
892944 1:GOALS-SOME I feel the Engineering Program focuses
primarily on theory, but does not focus enough on the
application of these theories to "real-world" applications
(abilities needed in employment).
2:WMAJ More focus on "real-world" applications and use of
theory to accomplish job-skill-type tasks.
3:BMAJ I have a wide variety of skills in varying fields
from Linguistics to Physics to Education.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am pursuing additional studies: a
minor outside my primary field.
991101 1:GOALS-SOME I didn't learn enough in CSCI 1300, so my
programming skills are not good, and I spent a lot of time
on courses that didn't relate to later courses
2:WMAJ less time spent in lab in the lower division classes
3:BMAJ good professors
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I planned poorly and I took some
semesters where not enough of my classes applied to my major
992351 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered schools halfway through my
college career and CU did a very poor job of making the
credits transfer. I lost about 2 semesters worth of credit
due to transfering to CU.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EN-EVEN 145910 1:GOALS-SOME none
2:WMAJ n
3:BMAJ n
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F engineering is hard
396421 1:GOALS-SOME I felt like some classes were lacking as far
as instructors go. The classes had interesting and
relevant material, but the instructors were terrible, and
made it very hard to take much away from the class.
2:WMAJ Better quality of teaching in some undergrad
courses.
3:BMAJ Great material--I am learning about one of my
passions in life.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I stayed on top of the recommended
curriculum. I also came in with 12 credits from passing AP
tests.
637844 1:GOALS-SOME I feel like advisors are generally unaware of
academic requirements and no one knows anything about other
departments...requiring a lot of the student during
registration. I also feel that the course loads get
extremely ridiculous toward the end of school, which makes
it difficult to work (or, for that matter, do anything)
except school. I pay for myself and am dependent upon a
full time job to get through school...and I wish courses
and teachers were more compassionate about this.
2:WMAJ More opportunity to take "fun" classes, ie: NON
ENGINEERING AND NON TECHNICAL CLASSES. I have completely
forgotten all about my creative abilities, because only my
mathematic abilities are being looked at. I think students
are put at an EXTREME DISADVANTAGE in Engineering because
we know nothing but Engineering; it is unrealistically
specialized.
3:BMAJ I feel like I have met some really awesome people,
certainly some of the most intelligent. Any of my
professors could easily compose a textbook of their subject
and be praised for it; I respect that.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transferred from Colorado School of
Mines and then took a semester off before resuming my
education at CU Denver, eventually ending my education for
my undergrad at CU Boulder. Undoubtedly, I lost credits
and time in the process. I will graduate in 5 years.
722196 1:GOALS-SOME For the most part my program did meet my
goals- there were just a few certain classes that were
strongly disappointing (e.g. Computing), and some that were
not beneficial at all (Separations).
2:WMAJ I would eliminate separations from the curriculum.
It is largely for oil refining, the text is outdated, and
the current professor is ineffective.
3:BMAJ Getting to study things I am interested in
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I did not know exactly what I wanted to
study when I started college, and took some time to figure
that out.
964090 1:GOALS-DEF CU expanded my knowledge of science and
engineering greatly. It gave me many unbelieveable
opportunities, but lacked an expansion of my writing
abilities, and ethical issue analysis.
2:WMAJ The professors would be more attentive to students,
and more reasonable about their assignments and verbal
comments to students, without taking the challenge out of
it.
3:BMAJ I now know how to limit polution and anaylize
environmental problems really well.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I took the initiative, and had the
strong will to take an engineering progam head on.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EN-MCEN 156166 1:GOALS-SOME I am now in graduate school, and professors
are assuming I know certain things that they deem standard
undergraduate information, and I do not know it. It was
never taught in my undergraduate classes, so the school has
not met standard educational criteria.
2:WMAJ 1. Professor's that value their teaching skills as
much as their research skills. I have had to many
professors who don't want to teach a class but must to
continue their research. 2. A more real-world approach to
engineering, in contrast to the current theory based
teaching which prepares you for research interest. 3. A
larger empahsis on using computer technologies. As an
engineer, the main portion of work is modeling, and I only
had to take one semester of computer modeling. 4. Better
communication among professors for sequential courses. I
took material 1 in the fall and know am taking materials 2
in the spring. I would hope the teachers would have at
least talked to see what we learned in materials 1, but
they didn't so the materials 2 professor is not building on
previous coursework, basically just doing what he feels is
necessary to learn.
3:BMAJ 1. Professors for the most part are always
available and happy to answer questions. 2. My coursework
path for graduation was very clear and easy to follow. 3.
The computing facilites are aboundant and always in good
order. 4. Grading policies for the most part are fair and
equal.
4:DODIFF Check out career services as a freshman or
sophomore to see if the jobs in my choosen degree are
something I want to do.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F to finish a undergraduate mechanical
degree in four years requires 3 or 4 semesters of 18
credits. Taking 18 engineering credits is possible, but
not much fun. Also, spend some time finding an area of
interest and find possible work in that field to see if its
for you. No need to rush through school in something you
don't like.
213563 1:GOALS-SOME internship opps. are lacking and difficult to
obtain
2:WMAJ more english speaking TA's
3:BMAJ Ken Gall
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F The mechanical engineering major
requires huge work loads to graduate on time
223764 2:WMAJ No physics 3
3:BMAJ Good paying jobs. Understanding how and why things
work.
4:DODIFF Not take so long to choose a major.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered from the University of
Texas to the Arts and Science program at CU and then
transfered into the Engineering school.
231599 1:GOALS-SOME The program was great, but personal choices
limited my success and achievement of educational goals.
2:WMAJ Provide a more diverse selection of courses to
fulfill the graduation requirements.
3:BMAJ ITLL, and other hands on experiences. Senior Design
Project.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F that is what is paid for. The school
accomidates and guarantees a 4 year degree as well.
302632 1:GOALS-SOME By using faculty as staff of a department the
profs' spend less time with students. It is especially a
problem when the profs' are more interested in research
than the students educational needs. Thus the aspects that
professors are not available or interested to teach me when
i am paying for it, is very dissatisfying me.
2:WMAJ If i could change on thing about my major it would
have been to utilize the travel abroad programs to see
Australia. I think that i would have been a life changing
experience for me to travel to another culture country and
school to study for one year.
3:BMAJ The one best thing about my major is that when i am
done acquiring all of my planed education i will be able to
do just about anything would like. This is a rewarding
factor, and an inspiring one as well. I have made great
friends with the faculty, staff and co-students which is a
rewarding aspect as well.
4:DODIFF I would do something to be recognized with in the
college of engineering by faculty, or industries that would
put a mark in the history books.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T It took me quite some time to realize
what i wanted to study and what i was good at. I am also
going to say and acquire my master and so ill be in school
a bit longer. See you soon and good luck with your next
steps in life.
307744 1:GOALS-SOME It did not have enough application...projects
etc.
2:WMAJ more projects
3:BMAJ biomedical option
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am studying abroad for an extra
semester
345901 1:GOALS-SOME I believe a wider variety of technical
electives should be allowed for Mechanical engineers. For
example, financing should be included as a MCEN elective as
it may be pertinent to future work. Also, technical and
special study should be approached earlier in the
cirriculum, or emphasized more, so that engineers can
develope a clearer sense of what they wish to do, in work
or future study.
2:WMAJ I would allow more freedom for course besides
engineering.
3:BMAJ Taught me time management and ability to solve
problems.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I took one year off.
402540 1:GOALS-SOME I wanted some more noise control classes and
they stopped offering them when I was ready.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F the required classes in the curriculum
is far less than the number of hours you can take.
Therefore four years is sufficient, as long as you don't
change majors.
408081 1:GOALS-SOME not enough opportunities to take humanities
of my choice. felt some of my graduation requirements were
irrelevent to what i wanted to do with my mechnical
engineering degree
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I did studay abroad, i'm in a difficult
major and i've held at least a part time job throughout my
educational career.
429761 2:WMAJ more tech electives
3:BMAJ people in it
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F out of state tuition is too high, need
to get a job to pay off student loans
460724 1:GOALS-SOME Did - Taught mechanical engineering skills
Did not - Taught too much theory, not enough application
- Class sizes too big - Most professors are disinterested
in undergraduate eduication
2:WMAJ Lower Student to staff ratio!
3:BMAJ The few individuals in the department that truly
care about student eduication and welfare.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I made a personal goal to graduate from
college in four years.
542684 1:GOALS-SOME I got expieriance in a wide range of topics
in the mechanical engineering field. Now I have a better
understanding of what type of work I could be doing,
depending on the road I choose to take.
2:WMAJ I wish we could choose more of what type of
mechanical Engineering we would like to focus in. They
cover so many different aspects of Mechanical engineering
that most of it we will not ever use again. Especially
since depending on your career, one will most likely only
use a certain aspect of Mechanincal engineering.
3:BMAJ Since there are a lot of people in my major, I had
the opportunity to meet and work with a large variety of
people
4:DODIFF I would really like to study abroad..however when
in Engineering is doesnt allow for many opportunites to
those that wish to graduate in 4 years. I wish they would
do something to change this!!!
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F It costs a crap load to attend the
University of Colorado if you live out of state. Also, the
amount of knowledge you will gain in four years is the same
as if you took an extra year just to get better grades.
Grades are important, but getting real world expieriance is
worth more than spending more time paying for school.
553770 1:GOALS-xxxx Did not prepare me for an engineering career
- merely taught me engineering fundamentals with NO
practical application.
568033 1:GOALS-SOME Courses are well conducted. Too little
encouragement or oppertunities for
research/jobs/internships etc.
2:WMAJ Less focus on Thermal concepts (Thermo, Heat
Transfer, Thermal Systems)
3:BMAJ Broad engineering topics covered
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I plan on getting two minors, and it is
very rigerous to take the prescribed junior/senior course
loads.
582823 1:GOALS-SOME For mechanical engineering, advising is not
very good, many key courses are taught by instructors who
do not care or are not prepared to teach, and there a few
post-graduation/internship/research opportunities.
2:WMAJ Improve teaching/coursework of some of the
embarrassingly badly taught classes.
3:BMAJ Some VERY good faculty.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F that's when I stop getting my
scholarships!
588931 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T BS/MS program
596559 1:GOALS-DEF * Met my academic goals with specialized
programs like the Presidents Leadership Class, which is
very strong in synthesizing critical thinking, applied
service, advanced internship experience, and most
importantly, leadership *I am fairly disastisfied with
the mechanical engineering department. Communication
between instructors/faculty is lagging. Instructors teach
as if they are only going through the motions. Only 3 of
my many engineering professors have inspired me, or
challenged me to want to think in new ways. I would
greatly appreciate a strong focus be committed towards
inter-department communication, and evaluating faculty who
have a passion for what they do.
2:WMAJ I would like to see faculty that are student
focused and not research focused.
3:BMAJ The degree is top notch, and most of the facilities
are very nice.
4:DODIFF I would have spent more time fostering my desire
to get involved with creative writing. As an engineer, we
are permitted very few humanities courses, and I filled
those with PLC coursework, which I do not regret. However,
between PLC, engineering, and a few business courses, I was
unable to take any history, literature, art, theater, or
english courses that I would have liked to take.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I planned accordingly, took a summer
course, and packed my schedule with 18 and 19 hours some
semesters. Engineering is difficult to finish in four
years, some are able to do it with minors, it is nearly
impossible to do it with double majors. However, a vast
majority of my friends are finishing in 4.5 years, some
even 5 years.
601623 1:GOALS-DEF I felt that several very valuable subjects
were looked into, but felt that some courses would have
been much better if they had included a lab (fluids most
notably).
2:WMAJ Many classes aren't engaging, so people tend to
slack off and not pay attention because they don't need to.
3:BMAJ Honestly, my favorite thing about MechE is Larry
Monke, our undergraduate advisor. He has been
indespensible.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I'm a double major in Aerospace and
Mechanical engineering. I will graduate in four and a half
years.
634967 2:WMAJ Courses could be offered more frequently. Often
times, I want to take a course but have to take others
because if I don't I fall behind and cannot catch up.
Therefore, if required courses as well as some electives
could be offered more often, that would be great! Even if
they could just tell students when courses will be offered
in the future so they can plan to take them at another time
(mainly electives), this would help.
3:BMAJ The BS/MS program is very good for motivating
students to continue education and pursue a masters degree.
That is what I am currently enrolled in and I am enjoying
it.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I switched majors during my freshman
year and I transfered to CU during my Junior year.
Therefore, I lost some credits and started behind when I
began my studies of Engineering.
671042 2:WMAJ The ability to choose any electives, not just ones
that fill humanities requirements.
3:BMAJ Senior Design Project
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I changed my mayor three times during my
freshman and sophmore year.
675908 2:WMAJ Measurements lab wouldn't take 7 hours a week just
in class attendance.
3:BMAJ no comment
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I had plenty of AP credits.
697911 1:GOALS-DEF I do not feel that I understand any of the
current technologies being used, or what types of positions
are available. I feel as though I'm unaware of what most
engineers do. I will rely on my internships and not CU to
understand these things.
2:WMAJ smaller classes
3:BMAJ knowledgable professors
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I switched majors a year and a half in.
722604 1:GOALS-SOME Hard to answer this until I get into a job
and find out if I know enough to do the job.
2:WMAJ Reduce the credit hours needed to graduate. Maybe
fewer elective requirements.
3:BMAJ The instructors are excellent. Most are very giving
of their time.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T 16 to 17 credit hours every semester in
order to graduate in 4 years is unrealistic. But I realize
it should take longer to get an engineering degree than a
liberal arts degree.
728602 1:GOALS-DEF gave me what i needed to know, so when i go
out there, i am prepared to rock.
2:WMAJ get rid of the teachers that can't teach, and the
students don't like
3:BMAJ program is very doable
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F i can, and school costs a lot of cash,
so why not graduate in 4.
731573 2:WMAJ I would have liked to have a few better teachers
who cared about teaching and the success of the students
3:BMAJ teachers like Ken Gall and Jean Hertzberg
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have studied abroad and am obtaining a
minor in business
745552 1:GOALS-SOME I planned on getting more field experience
and more industry related knowledge that I can take to the
job market and be a step up on people with degrees from
schools like CSU. There are classes that are way too
theoretical and need to apply the theory to real world
problems that we would possibly see in the working
environment.
2:WMAJ It would be the effort the department puts into
preparing students for the FE Exam. Other departments offer
and require a 1 credit class that uses guest lectures from
the professors in the department that taught the lower
level classes. This would be a big help in student
preparation and study time. The department scores would go
up. It's a no brainer to me!!!!
3:BMAJ It's breadth and depth. It gives us a broad
background in the engineering sciences and that will be
useful when we graduate.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I don't want to overload myself with
credits each semester. The required credits during the
Junior year are a little much for me and I will take an
extra semester to finish up the classes and be able to
enjoy my time in college.
749178 1:GOALS-SOME technical electives were sometimes offered
only once, so I did not have the opportunity to take these
classes if I had a schedule conflict Herbst Humanities
courses can substitute for UWRP requirement for engineering
but not for arts and sciences (I need UWRP for both because
I am a double degree student)
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I chose to study abroad and take a
double degree. I also recieved some advising my freshman
year which got me started on the wrong track and so I took
a semester of courses that don't count towards either
degree (bummer).
763306 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T opportunites to work as an intern during
a semester may extend my college career. Also, I feel that
I learn more when I take 4 classes a semester instead of 5.
774795 1:GOALS-SOME Do the nature of an Engineering Degree, I was
limited to engineering classes. Unfortunetly, I was unable
to broaden my education as much as I would have liked...
but that's OK.
2:WMAJ I would add specialization tracks: Power
Generation, Micro-machanics, etc... Stuff like that, I
think the feild of Mechanical Engineering is too broad
already.
3:BMAJ Definetly the design experience, Mechatronics,
senior design, Thermal Systems Design, and Component Design
Project all force you to practice useful design techniques.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F My parents said I should, and I can
continue study in the future if decide that I am
interested in something.
784187 1:GOALS-DEF I would have liked more hands-on learning,
and also more emphasis on practical application rather than
pure theory.
2:WMAJ Less theory, more hands-on experience.
3:BMAJ The sense of community!
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I came into CU with 20 credits.
Otherwise, I would surely take longer.
810291 1:GOALS-SOME I would like to have more experience using
the machines in the itll. I think that a manufacturing
class that deals with making items on the machines would be
valuable. The intro class to the itll doesn't teach very
much. A class to learn the CNC machine is needed. I had to
learn to use some of the machinesuy wathcing others and
just trying them, can be very dangerous.
2:WMAJ more classes with hands on maufacturing
3:BMAJ lots of classes to choose from
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I messed around a lot my freshmen year
and wasn't as prepared for college as I thought.
822493 1:GOALS-SOME Class size in core upper-division courses
were way too big. Forty people in a design class would have
been a very good experience with the class able to interact
with the professor. With 100, the course turns into a
monlogue by the professor since he/she does not have time
to answer many individual questions. This reason alone
would be why I may dissuade potential students from
choosing CU.
2:WMAJ Smaller class sizes. Summer ME courses. (sorry they
were both important)
3:BMAJ Larry Monke. He is fantastic.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I chose to gain practical work
experience so that I could make a more decisive decision on
my major.
834190 1:GOALS-SOME Some faculty in the engineering school really
do not care about how much the students suffer, be it with
loads of homework, average tests scores of 30/100, or
whatever else they deem appropriate to a cutthroat academic
environment. Also, it tends to be these professors who
just teach over the majority of students heads, and when
questions are asked to clarify material, a snub of sorts is
given instead of a real answer. And the actual
teaher/student interaction is rather limited. Smaller
classes in upper level requirements would solve this
problem.
2:WMAJ Smaller upper level classes; its just like the
anonomous core requirements in terms of student/professor
interactions
3:BMAJ Learn neat stuff
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I took some time off, and have to now
play catch up.
841283 1:GOALS-SOME I am still undecided as to what I would like
to do in the future, so it is difficult to say what
educational goals I have. Therefore even more difficult to
say if the goals have been met.
2:WMAJ It is a very demanding schedule to graduate in four
years. Numerous classes overlap topics, and in some cases
very simple topics. I think it would be possible to
combine numerous classes in order to shorten the
curriculum. I pay out of state tuition, and now as a
senior who is still looking at a full fifth year, college
has been a much bigger investment than I initially planned.
3:BMAJ Very good professors
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F when I came to college I was unsure of
what major I would pursue. I didn't feel like I had enough
background to accurately choose a major when April of my
first year(the month that open option engineer's had to
declare a major.) So, partially due to poor advising, I
picked Computer Science engineering, which I later
discovered was not for me.
859022 1:GOALS-SOME You have no nuclear engineering program
2:WMAJ allow more possibilities for upper classmen to
study abroad and still graduate in 4 years.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F my dad won't pay for any more than 4
years
882755 1:GOALS-SOME The mechanical engineering department was not
very helpful in helping students locate internships. Also,
the classes are so large and there is so much to learn that
it is hard to get to know the professors in order to begin
making connections or even getting experience by working
wih them.
2:WMAJ More teacher's and smaller class sizes, or makee
engineering a mandatory five year program with some current
classes split into two semesters.
3:BMAJ The students
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I took 18 credits several semesters, and
worked extremely hard to graduate on time.
907844 2:WMAJ There would be more chance for a bit of
specialization within the major. Elective classes that
aren't as broadly focused as all of the required classes.
3:BMAJ some of the faculty are good
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I took a year off to get residency so
that I didn't have to pay ridiculous amounts of money for a
mediocre education
918938 1:GOALS-SOME The mechanical engineering program in general
does a poor job at leading students to specific aspects of
mechanical engineering. For instance, Civil Engineers
specialize in water, stuctures, and so-forth, while
mechanical engineers can gain an "option" in mechanical
engineering that is still extrememly general. Also, I feel
like the program is severly lacking in terms of helping
students gain industrial experience such as research or
internships.
2:WMAJ I wish that toward the end of my schooling that I
was learning about and working toward a specific aspect of
mechanical engineering.
3:BMAJ I feel like with a few exceptions that the faculty
in mechanical engineering is very skilled.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I wanted to take additional classes
outside of my major because currently I don't know if I
want to continue engineering outside of school.
919821 2:WMAJ Too many requirements. I took plenty of technical
classes outside of ME, but still had to do their entire
list to graduate.
3:BMAJ Lot of variety.
4:DODIFF Not start in the engineering school as open
option.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am graduating with 2 degress.
962742 5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I don't mess around
977260 1:GOALS-DEF I have broad view of mechanical engineering
but unsure of how it is going to help me get a job
2:WMAJ offer classes every semester. More projects in
lower division coarses. And make a machine shop coarse
mandentory. As an engineer knowledge of machining is
critical and would help us all.
3:BMAJ I enjoy it
4:DODIFF I would have persued the environmental option for
mechanical engineering
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transferred my junior year from U. of
Houston. And the Mechanical engineering dept. only offers
coarses one semester and not the other. This has been
annoying for ever student in the program to work around.
Also there are no summer coarses offered on campus.
993260 2:WMAJ get rid of useless classes ie measurements lab
3:BMAJ derek reamon
4:DODIFF get in-state tuition faster
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F i did not know what i wanted to do when
i got here
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JR-ADVT 127680 1:GOALS-DEF I feel as if I have a thorough understanding
of how an agency works and my role within it. I also feel
as if I will be ready to compete in the job market for
jobs. However, my program had little emphasis on improving
my writing. As my desired job is as a creative copywriter,
this is a major fault.
2:WMAJ A certain faculty member in the school of
Journalism. To be specific, David Slayden. For the first
time in my college life, I feel as if I was robbed of an
educational experience by my unfortunate unrollment in his
creative class. His class, copy and layout, is the
introduction to the creative sequence. The work completed
throughout the semester composes an application to the next
step in the sequence. Luckily, I was granted admittance
into the intermediate creative classes but David was of
little value in this achievment. Now, in intermediate, I
feel as if my classmates who experienced a differnt
instructor for their copy and layout classes are one step
ahead. They have simply been exposed to much more and it
shows through confidence in their superior work. David
rarely prepared any sort of class lesson plan and
consistently failed to show up for student appointments and
his regularly scheduled office hours. When we were somehow
cornered him in his office, the time wasn't spent on our
work nor how to improve it. It was David's storytime, as
was class. Unfortenatly, the stories had little relevance
to the class. During class, critism from David was rarely
shaped in a constructive format. It was often degrading
and placed a good laugh far above the students self esteem.
David Slayden obviously did not want to be teaching my
class, which was clearly demonstrated to the students
though methods such as those outlined above. He will
remain the largest black mark on my education at the
University of Colorado and is a poor representative of the
otherwise exceptional school of Journalism.
3:BMAJ The real-world experience all of the professors
bring into the advertising sequence. The fact that they
all worked at agencies truly helps prepare students for e
mployment after graduation and helps prepare us more
adequetly.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I have an intense desire to move beyond
the college life. Although I'm only spending four years in
college, I took a 'break' for one and a half years and I
learned quite a bit about life outside of college. College
is great and I enjoy learning, but I am eager to apply my
knowledge and learn more in real-world environment (where I
feel I learn best).
154852 1:GOALS-SOME I wish my sequence would have provided more
social theory. For example, a class on women in
advertising, or minorities in advertising.
2:WMAJ more emphasis on under represented communities!
also a bigger emphasis on technical/computer skills and
programs like Photoshop and Excel.
3:BMAJ The faculty are wonderfully ecclectic, they are
very cool people.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I cannot afford to stay here longer!
177974 1:GOALS-SOME My program needs to start earlier on in one's
educational career. I think you should be able to apply
from high school. I would have loved to have done
creative, but was restricted becasue of core requirements
and time issues with getting out in 4 years (I am dependent
upon my scholarships for school, which can only support me
for 4 years). My time was wasted with coursed like
electronic info strategies.
2:WMAJ Make it bigger with more resources. Take time and
money away from courses that no one gets anything out of,
such as electronic info strategies and consumer insights.
The J Shcool could really be something. Resources taht are
already existing just need to be re-prioritized. Kevin
Moloney and the photojournalism angle needs more credit.
His course was the most educational and informational, but
by the time I could take it, it was too late to make that
my focus. Bill Weintraub should be asked to teach more
classes. He is phenomenal and one of the very few teachers
in the school that do not pick favorites.
3:BMAJ Brett Robbs. I love that man.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I am supporting myself through college.
I would love to stay another year, but my scholarship money
will run out before then and tuition keeps rising. I don't
think that the more money being paid is actually making the
quality of education better. I have also found that
networking is just as valuable as the education itself, and
the networks I have made without the school's help have
been the most valuable. I see no reason to stay other than
for parties, which I've had my fair share of. It's time to
move on.
206799 1:GOALS-SOME I feel that the professors (many, not all)
have been out of the business for so long that their views
and teaching methods of Advertising have become outdated.
Yet, I do understand it is difficult to teacher a major
that is very opinion based and hands on. More work in a
studio or on computers would be much better
2:WMAJ MOre hands on work in the computer labs, less
theoretical work discussing ads. Different professors who
care more about the students. I have had some who seem to
not care at all about the students, who are very
unprofessional, show up late for class then hold us late,
and do not put real effort into helping us excel.
3:BMAJ The free use of the BLUR lab with all the programs
used in the real-world, and the required internship
4:DODIFF Take electives that interest me
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F This university is so over-priced that I
feel guilty having my Dad pay for more than four years. I
wish I could take a bit longer because I have taken no
electives in order to graduate in time.
239695 2:WMAJ The program is way to particular and snoby when
allowing people to get in. I had to apply to get into the
dept., then i had to apply to get into classes, etc.. what
happens to people are trying to be normal college students
and find subjects they like? if i hadn't picked a major
right away i would never graduate! there is not enough
room for experimentation which is what college is supposed
to be all about.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am a double degree student
353525 1:GOALS-SOME I found that I received a solid educational
foundation from the Journalism School and the Advertising
Major specifically. I learned a good deal from my
professors and courses. However, I found the advising
department of the J-school to be extremely understaffed and
lacking resources. They had no part whatsoever in helping
me find any of my 3 advertising internships and have often
failed to provide me with any useful information regarding
jobs or my plans after graduation.
2:WMAJ I mentioned the lack of advising help regarding
internships and job openings at the Journalism School. I
also felt very pressured to stay within the advertising
field despite interest in broadcast and news/editorial
journalism. I wish I would have had a chance to explore
other options before totally committing to advertising.
3:BMAJ I constantly get to think creatively about solving
problems in the business world. I also enjoy the large
amount of project oriented work (not necessarily group
work) that I get to do.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I took a normal credit load and focused
my energies toward graduation. If you don't change majors
several times or fail a ton of classes it should be
possible for everyone to graduate in four years.
460846 1:GOALS-DEF CU has allowed me to obtain the knowledge
necessary to get started with my career. So much so, I
already have a job lined up for after graduation! However,
as far as career services in the j-school, they were very
unhelpful. The main career services for the campus was much
more helpful in finding a internship/job.
2:WMAJ The one thing I would change about the advertising
program at Boulder, is that an internship is required to
graduate, yet there isn't much assistance to help you find
one. For the news-ed track, they automatically place you in
an internship; the same should be down for advertising
majors.
3:BMAJ My Campaigns class was amazing. I learned a lot
from my professor, Kendra Gale.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F for me that is taking my time, since I
could have pushed myself to graduate in three. I didn't
want to miss anything about college and felt I would have
been cut short had I graduated early.
511033 1:GOALS-DEF There was a point where instructors lost
interest in my individual progress and put their attention
to selected students in class, which left me feeling
abandoned a bit. However, their overall lecture
material/instruction was beneficial to everyone in their
class.
2:WMAJ Make sure some of the classes aren't repetitive in
course material (ie Advertising Research and Advertising
Media and Campaigns).
3:BMAJ The amount of diverse experiences and influences
within the program. The instructors impressed me greatly.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F there are many opportunities that exist
for college students (ie Disney internships, abroad study
possibilities) that do not give full-time credit for the
semester/year, but do provide valuable experience and
growth prior to graduation.
563337 1:GOALS-SOME I was able to learn throught the requirememnt
of an internship what the account side of the advertising
world looked like and determined that it was not for me
which in my opinion is as valuable as learning that
something is for you.
2:WMAJ Make it more true to the real world, get more
people with current experience in there teaching how it
really is, more projects, higher expectations, more
presentations and more chances to imporve your computer
skills with presentations, projects etc.
3:BMAJ Small school, feels very familiar like a family.
Teachers are laid back and more broad in their thinking.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I did not waste my time on classes that
would not count for anything. I met with my advisors and
determined the path to get started on to switch my major
and make use of my classes until I was accepted into that
school and I took at least 15 to 19 units eeach semester.
625165 1:GOALS-SOME I wished I had more hands-on "real-world"
experience.
2:WMAJ I would like to know more about the specific
careers involving advertising. I don;t really know what
every position in the field entails, which makes it hard to
apply for jobs. I would also like more experience and
teachings from people who have had real-world experience in
the advertising industry.
3:BMAJ I like ow by at this point, I know a good majority
of the people in my classes...it's is a very close-knit
school.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I will have to pay for any schooling
after that by myself
825774 1:GOALS-DEF Did meet my goals b/c I will be graduating
confident and educated in the area I will be pursing work.
2:WMAJ I wish that more emphasis wuld have been put on
which career path in advertising I should and would follow
(i.e. creative versus accounting). Other than that, I
have mostly had a wonderful experience. I think the
Journalism school has the best faculty who genuinely want
to help and are looking out for my best interest. Compared
to my roommates and friends, I feel that I have had the
best experience and best assistance in my college my career
becaue I have been in the Journalism school.
3:BMAJ The professors.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F it was a goal I set for myself and I
also knew that is what my parents (who are suppoting my
college career) would like to see happen.
956006 1:GOALS-SOME My advising xxxxed. They need to take more
time and walk you through what it is you need and don't
need.I did how ever enjoy all of my advertising classes. I
think the forign language requirement is crap. For students
not interested in learning and using a forgin language it
is both a waste of time and money, other classes you are
taking may suffer at the hands of a forign language class.
2:WMAJ better facilities and equipment
3:BMAJ i enjoy it.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I've been in school for five xxxx
years man! It's cool though, The way the job market is now
I am better off still in school.
979655 1:GOALS-SOME Did- provided a good general overview of
major areas of concentration
2:WMAJ Have a larger group of classes for Advertising
majors only
3:BMAJ Good general look at the entire
journalism/Advertising industry
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Double major 4.5 years
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JR-BCNS 274758 1:GOALS-SOME Although many internships were offered, it
wasn't clear when I needed to start or how many I needed.
I found out too late (my senior year) that the more the
better. I wish there was an easier way to get internships,
and more structure with the internships. I would have
liked the program to start with me my sophomore year in
encouraging internships, instead of leaving it to me to
find them. Also, I feel that there wasn't enough
emphasis on real-world experience in my program. To get
anywhere in journalism you need real-world experience, not
necessarily more time in the classroom.
2:WMAJ Better advising on career and future plans. Also,
more involvement with the internship process.
3:BMAJ NewsTeam
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I want to truly experience college, not
just 'turn and burn'. I wish I would have had time (and
money!) for study abroad as well as other college
experiences. I went through college too quickly because of
the pressure to do so. Take some time, slow down, and
don't rush it!
346228 1:GOALS-NO CU did not meet the expectations I had coming
in. I thought through teachers and schooling, I would have
a chance to hone my skills as a Broadcast News Major. What
I have found out is that through four years of schooling, I
will have had two opportunities to practice my craft in the
classroom setting. That is not acceptable to me. I feel
like there is no way I'm ready for a real world job as a
broadcaster. I have to teach myself, which is fine to some
extent, but I came to school to receive guidance and
direction from established professors. I feel I've been
cheated of that.
2:WMAJ Start students in Broadcasting right from the
start. If you wait until the last semester of senior year
they won't have time to change there mind. Get
teleprompters. How are we expected to be prepared to be
broadcasters if we don't have the proper tools that
broadcasters use? I think its ridiculous. Have mandatory
one on one counseling with professionals. Teachers can be
included in that. I have a teacher that is a former
sportscaster/newscaster for 9news. I would have loved
individual critique sessions with her.
3:BMAJ Sophomore writing class with Mike Anderson and
Junior Writing class with Vicky Sama. I wish that I could
have had these two phenomonal teachers more than just once
in college. They have made me so much better in such a
short amount of time. Everytime I write I think of them.
4:DODIFF I think I would double major. I rediscovered
music my last semester at CU. I think could have been a
Piano Major and a Journalism major and it would have
diversified my life at CU. I typically don't socialize with
music majors, as I'm more drawn to athletics and people who
play sports. I think it definitely could have helped me out
as far as dealing with people who I'm not accostumed to
interacting with. I think sometimes by being put in
situations that you're not comfortable with, it really
gives you an opportuity to create your own identity and
become an individual.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F it's tough to say that in four years,
from the point of high school graduation that I'll be ready
to work for the rest of my life. It takes time to develop
as an individual and gain the skills necessary to become a
successful professional. An idea that many people don't
understand is the concept of professional. We're all trying
to be successful to be a professional at something that
takes initiative, hard work, and an understanding of
yourself. Through four years of college it seems like you
could be on the cusp of being the man or woman you want to
be for the rest of your life, but through maybe five years
you'll gain more maturity and time to prepare, both
socially and academically for the real world
417780 1:GOALS-SOME My particular program did not provide enough
experience that would be necessary to get a job in my
field. Without my internship, I would be lost and I have
little hope of finding a job in my field.
2:WMAJ Teach students how to edit from tape to tape!!!
This is not taught.
3:BMAJ The professors.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I took classes during the summer and
came in with college credit from high school. I will
actually be graduating in three years.
608410 2:WMAJ The lower division classes were worthless, it
wasn't until my senior year that I really began doing what
my major was. Start us out in our field sooner!
3:BMAJ The small class sizes allowed for a lot of
individual instruction.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I stuck with the same major from my
freshman year and knew what courses and requirements I
needed from day 1. The school I was in (journalism) was
very concerned with making sure I got the classes I needed
to graduate on time.
623757 1:GOALS-DEF I learned a great deal of information about
the news industry and what it takes to be successful.
2:WMAJ I think the academic advising could be better.
3:BMAJ In this major I have had the opportunity to work
hard and get ahead in my studies. I am taking this "senior"
survey because I am a senior according to the amount of
credit that I have earned. I am actually only a third year
student and therefore I will graduate with more credits
than I need in May 2005. I don't want to graduate early
because I want the opportunity to take more electives and
enjoy my time in college.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I planned my schedule accordingly. I
planned my schedule in advance each semester to make sure
that I was taking the correct courses to enable me to be
able to graduate in 4 years. Planning ahead and not
changing my major was my ket to success.
782160 1:GOALS-SOME Broadcast News is very practical major so
it's hard to place it in an purely academic setting,
however the classes required in the journalism school allow
for theoretical explainations and ideas. Sometimes there
was help and sometimes I felt very alone. It depends on the
professor and the class overall.
2:WMAJ More critique and professional help. I need someone
to say, that is not good and no news organization will hire
you or the opposite. I basically don't know where I stand
in my talents and what I need to improve upon to really be
marketable. There is a feeling, it seems, that even though
they definately have an opinion about news stories I have
done that they can't tell me that it will get me a job or
won't...keep in mind these are professionals who know what
works and what doesn't. I guess I'm looking for Honesty not
Courtesy.
3:BMAJ That it is very practical and we learn so many
skills, like web design, editing, photography, writing,
computer programs and law. It's just an overall great
program and seems like there are alot of ways to go once
you graduate.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I had a really good high school
experience and they taught me how to budget my time when I
was younger (freshman and sophomore) so it really helped me
plan out the four years properly. I also studied abroad and
was able to register first as a sophomore for some classes
that traditionally fill up with seniors.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JR-BCPM 410967 2:WMAJ Wish they didn't focus on maps requirements in high
school because high school is high school and college is
college. What you missed in high school shouldn't be what
you have to take in college.
3:BMAJ it helps me to communicate to others and open up to
people and expand my character ultimately
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T It's difficult to work full time and go
to school full time at this point I want to be done with
school, the work and stress change a person with school and
work.
424227 2:WMAJ more options
3:BMAJ training
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am planning to double-major
470870 2:WMAJ better equipment to use
3:BMAJ hand on work
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F that's all i can afford.
908624 1:GOALS-NO I received no guidance from my counselor.
Most of my years at CU I didn't even have the opportunity
to meet my advisor and explore the options available to me.
I had no mentorship and later learned about scholarships
and programs after the fact.
2:WMAJ I'd request an advisor that would've taken the time
to inform me of my options and opportunities available to
me.
3:BMAJ Nothing.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I'm pretty sure I know what I want to
major in, and I feel four years is a reasonable timeline in
which to complete my degree requirements.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JR-MDST 192064 2:WMAJ The structure of academic advising. Hire more
professors.
3:BMAJ The general attitude in the department is
supportive and fosters cooperation.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am a "non-traditional" student. There
is nothing wrong with gaining real-world experience prior
to finishing your education. In fact, if more CU students
had more experience in the greater global community,
perhaps we wouldn't have so many campus and off-campus
problems because of immature behavior.
305837 1:GOALS-SOME I felt that the school of journalism was
completely disorganized in its curriculum, and I felt I was
taught some things over that I didn't need, and wasn't
taught things that should have been give to me. Also, as a
media studies major, I wish I had been required to do an
internship or hands-on work in the media field.
2:WMAJ The classes need to be more organized in the
curriculum, and structured more hierarchy so students can
actually learn one thing and apply it to something else
down the road.
3:BMAJ I learn how the media system works, theoretically.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I can't afford to stay here longer, even
though I would change my major and receive a minor if CU
wasn't so expensive.
536153 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I was unable to enroll in a class this
fall that is required for my degree and ONLY offered in the
fall. Thus, I will be done with both of my degrees at the
end of this year, but must attend in the fall for this one
class!
596442 1:GOALS-SOME The final courses for the Media Studies Major
began to all blend together. While there were specific
topics, the overall feel of each class made it seem like we
were repeating courses. Only recently has there been some
sort of support for the MS major. :) But, I do like the
fact that it's a small major, it feels more like a family.
If only we did more stuff with each other.
2:WMAJ If it had a few more classes to teaching about more
hands on things towards the major.
3:BMAJ SOme the teachers have been AWESOME!! To have a
such a wide range of professors is fabulous.
4:DODIFF If I could've mananged to add in some extra
majors, I totally would have!!
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am working towards obtaining a double
degree. One degree will be from the School of Journalism
and Mass Communication and the other one will be from the
College of ARts and Sciences. :) (I also have a minor).
940376 2:WMAJ I don't know how to change others' interest levels,
but I would hope that my peers would be more interested in
their feild, and especially interested in changing the
feild for the better.
3:BMAJ The professors have precisely the level of
enthusiasm that I would hope for.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transfered from a school where I did
not take academics seriously. I went to school in order to
keep my parents from getting too upset, and I spent every
other semester travelling on my own. I am actually very
happy that this is the case, as it is just recently that I
have become interested in school for my own sake. I am
just now to the point that I am ready to make the most out
of my college education.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JR-NSED 180884 2:WMAJ I wish they didn't limit the amount of courses you
can take in your major. I would have loved to take more
sociology hours and they wouldn't let me.
3:BMAJ My marketing internship for the J school. With
reporting you get to meet a lot of people and learn great
interpersonal communication skills.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I'm going to take four years because I
had some AP courses and was able to get 150 credits total
and graduate with two degrees.
249959 2:WMAJ The Reporting 3 class needs to be changed. Right
now I put in over 16 hours of work per week at my
internship (unpaid) and an additional hour for the class
itself. I am doing way too much work for the amount of
time I am spending on the class itself. Also, I woud
really like more editing classes. I feel like my degree is
focused on reporting, and doesn't explore the other
optinions within journalism
3:BMAJ I really loved some of my instructors (Joe
Prentice, Doug Cosper, Dean Colby, Janice Peck, Trager).
They made the experience great.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F It is too expensive to stay here any
longer. My parents expect me to be done in four years.
272425 1:GOALS-DEF The School of Journalism is very oriented to
each individual and helped me to gain all the skills I will
need in my future career, along with giving me a background
in other areas that might be applicable at a later time.
2:WMAJ Small group projects should not have one grade for
the whole group--either grade each person individually or
allow the option to do a project individually rather than
in a group.
3:BMAJ Faculty attention/interaction.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I had to take a year off for health
reasons.
275932 1:GOALS-SOME I have graduated with two majors. Journalism
did a bang on job with everything, in terms of the basic
levels of journalism and channeling me into internships.
History, on the other hand, was too esoteric in some ways
with teachers relatively unconcerned about the students in
class.
2:WMAJ More and more concentration in putting kids into
pratical experiences. It is almost there.
3:BMAJ The small class size which allows students to meet
with each other.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F because I will graduate with two degrees
from CU. It was tough, but well worth
it. Sincerely, (Name withheld)
346783 1:GOALS-DEF Internship senior year helped, foriegn
language study abroad helped (Spain), political science
classes were mostly excellent
2:WMAJ More classes for design students, not just writing
in the news-editorial major. Also, more classes offered for
copy editing, advanced editing and magazine layout and
design. Less emphasis on just reporting and perhaps another
PR class offered. J-school should be open on Sundays too.
3:BMAJ Small classes, feedback from teachers outside of
classes.
4:DODIFF I could have finished a second degree if I
planned ahead- but I didn't. I also wish they offered
Spanish minors because I have 18 credits of Spanish and
nothing on paper to show for it!
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I planned ahead, got into the Journalism
school early with automatic admit status and passed my
classes. I also have 9 AP credits coming into college and
took 6 credits one summer, allowing me to easily finish and
4 years and not even have to take a full load (15 credits)
every semester- I am lucky!
394405 1:GOALS-SOME my internship experience this summer was
essential, and has made my overall experience twice as good
at CU
2:WMAJ some of the lower division courses are really
useless...
3:BMAJ the mandatory internship... its a huge plus
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T i dont want to waste time, and my
parents are only helping with four years of college.
513425 1:GOALS-DEF The journalism department provides hands-on
opportunities for students to get in the news room before
graduating and the staff are willing to help you furhter
your interests if you have certain goals in mind.
2:WMAJ Some of the lower dividion courses that are
mandatory are not very stimulating. Maybe we could have
smaller, more interactive classes or at least some livelier
presentations of material.
3:BMAJ The internship opportunities!
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F because I took a year off of school, two
different semesters. However, I will have only attended
the university for 8 semesters total.
529159 1:GOALS-SOME The campus media is disappointing. The
journalism school should offer more"real world" experience
within the campus media. But, overall, I think the j-school
does a good job of balancing both theoretical and practical
classes.
2:WMAJ Better or more experience with campus-based media.
3:BMAJ It's a major that is important to society and it's
exciting to learn about media.
5:DEARCJ-xxxx F Actually, I've taken three years to
graduate from CU. CU recognized all of my International
Baccalaureate credits from high school and I took summer
school and a large credit load every semester.
581465 1:GOALS-SOME The training in my field was very intense,
but also very brief. It might be helpful to add one more
required course, rather than trying to cram all of the
information into a few courses.
3:BMAJ It's very small, and the faculty seems dedicated.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS T I don't want to be in college for too
long.
836903 1:GOALS-SOME I would like more opporunities to write for
magazines to learn more about how they operate, not just
newspapers.
2:WMAJ Much better academic advising would be helpful. It
is not fair to place everything on Jeanne Brown.
3:BMAJ Kirby Moss is the coolest and most helpful
professor, so his class Reporting 2.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I will have fulfilled the requirements
and will have accomplished all that I wanted to by this
time. However, my education will not be complete because I
will go on to get a Master's in graduate school.
Furthermore, I do not like Boulder, the university is
acceptable, but I do not particularly like the student body
and some faculty.
935610 1:GOALS-SOME Much of my experience came from employment,
not my school. Professors in the J-school are often overly
abstract and completely disconnected from the world of
working journalists. Furthermore, I felt a pressure to do
things in a voice and style dictated by the professors
during core classes, anathema to the concept of a creative
writing environment.
2:WMAJ A stronger emphasis on design elements for people
interested strictly in editing or page design instead of
reporting.
3:BMAJ Excellent faculty, experienced in the field and
often helpful. Some have just been in academia too long and
have lost sight of what the professional world is like.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I took a lot of time off in between
sophomore and junior years. Also, the transfer process from
my original community college and CU was downright draconic
in that many of my credits were eliminated. CU clearly
wants me to pay the maximum amount of tuition to their
school, even at the expense of credits already earned at
another school.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MB-MUSA 295842 2:WMAJ Back when I was a freshman and sophmore I had an
associate dean of music called Tanya Gille. She was the
worst advisor ever. She gave me incorrect information
causing me to direct my classes and time here ineffectively
and ultimately giving me an extra semester of classes. She
was mean and I believe she got fired (politely of course).
The one thing I would change about my major program was to
never have met her because she screwed up a perfectly good
double degree program that I had to haul my own behind out
of.
3:BMAJ The close interation you get with your private
teachers. You can learn faster and grow more; not just
academically speaking.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I'm doing two undergraduate degrees and
my master all concurently. Three degrees in 6 and 1/2
years, not bad huh?
353170 1:GOALS-NO I went for a broad degree with the idea that
I could take a multitude of courses I was interested in and
would enjoy. The reality of my education is that I could
not take many of the courses I wanted because they were
limited to majors, or I was too busy obtaining core
requirements that will never be valuable to me. For
example, a writing course in which we only wrote 4 papers
the entire semester... I had better instruction in High
School. Also, I tried continually throughout my time here
to get good advising and was sent in the wrong direction.
I was advised to take classes I didn't need or want. The
flexibility of my particular degree is a joke. At my
graduation check out, I was told that with the class
schedule I was registered for, I would meet all of my
graduation requirements, but upon further investigation, I
found on my own that this was not the case, but by the time
I realized this, I was well into the drop add period and
ended up with a class that would fill the requirement, but
will hurt my GPA because I do not enjoy the class and will
likely end up with a poor grade. When I confronted my
advisor and requested that the requirement be waved or
changed (as I had more credits than I needed to graduate) I
was told that it would be impossible and that I would have
to deal with the bad class. If this had been the first
time I had gotten bad results I would not be so upset, but
the fact is, that because of poor advising and other
problems in the school, I will recieve a degree that is
less then helpful in my future endevors. Overall, I am not
satisfied with the education I recieved here at CU.
2:WMAJ I would make the major program open to change. It
is a Bachelor of Arts in Music, yet there were more
non-music requirements than music requirements. Having the
option to take more classes in my field of interested would
have been good. Along the same lines, it would have been
nice to be able to take fine arts classes. I am a
studio/hands on kind of person. I like the arts and crafts
type of classes, but I was not aloud to take them because I
was part of the school of music, not the school of fine
arts. The funny thing is, I thought music was one of the
fine arts!
3:BMAJ I can't think of a single thing
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I made sure that my classes would work
for my degree. DON'T RELY ON YOUR ADVISOR! I could tell
you multiple stories about multiple people who have been
ill advised in their college experiance. Thank goodness I
will have finished in four years. I did take a year off to
work and gain residancy (let me tell you what a joke that
was) but over all I was only taking classes for four years.
I should add that summer classes made it possible to get
done in the amount of time I wanted.
382627 3:BMAJ Dr. Walter is incredible. So is the
ethnomusicology programs (especially, and I can't stress
this enough, Kwasi Ampene).
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I transferred from the University of
Northern Colorado and added a second major. All that
considered, I'm still graduating in only 5 years.
438596 1:GOALS-NO My advisor was my private lesson instructor,
and only told me to take classes that were fun to benefit
my bass-playing -- I have so many elective music classes
that they don't even count as electives. I'm only
graduating with this degree because I wasted three years
earning it.
2:WMAJ Better advising, easier major/school changes
3:BMAJ the professors were excellent in their fields for
the most part (though not always helpful in other areas)
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I was poorly advised, and not easily
able to change majors/colleges. As a fifth year senior, I'm
starting my second year finally doing the major that I
wanted to do all along. Thank god my parents are still
giving me money.
498907 2:WMAJ make it easier for classes to transfer over to
other majors
3:BMAJ small class size
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I changed my degree program in my junior
year
544558 1:GOALS-DEF I entered the music program as a B.A. because
I have no intention of making music my primary field of
study, and do not intend to make a career in the field of
music. I, however, love music and wanted the opportunity to
study at a professional level, both in performace and
academics. I am very satisfied with my experience because I
had the same experience a professional musician would have,
and all of the opportunities afforded to them. I really
enjoyed having to take the music curriculum outside of
performance very seriously in order to get a full degree in
music, and like the fact that a minor is not offered in
music. The faculty throughout the music school are amazing,
and my studio professor, Prof. Myer, has been a great
inspiration in my saxophone playing.
2:WMAJ I would like to see more interaction between the
music and fine arts departments.
3:BMAJ I really enjoyed the flexibility the program
allowed me. I am earning a degree in physics and in music.
I conducted research (both field and lab, and all funded)
in high Energy Physics and in ethnomusicology. If the music
program had strict requirements on classses to be taken and
exactly when it had to be done, I would not have been able
to complete all of this. I really enjoyed being able to
participate in any of the music schools activities and
classes (jazz band, Jazz improvisation class, symphonic
band), and was able to get an education that prepared me
for a professional career in music, while being able to
conduct my research in supersymmetry in physics. The only
limitation that was placed on what I could experience were
my personal motivation, and consequently, the hours in the
day, not any institutional restrictions.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I have decided to pursue a degre in
Music and a degree in Physics. I understand that this is a
five year program, but I believe it to more than worth the
time and effort.
628868 1:GOALS-NO The faculty of the college of music failed me
when I needed their support most of all. I encountered a
serious bout with depression during a semester, and after
the Dean suggested and approved of a mid-semester
withdrawal because of my situation (and because of the
exceptional work I had done up to that point: 3.6 GPA,
Dean's List, Scholarship), I had teachers who questioned
the validity of my illness, and some who completely ignored
my attempts at contact to get their approval for the
withdrawal. Because of this response and my symptoms, I
did not get the paperwork in on time and received all F's
for the semester, except for one clueless instructor who
gave me a B, even though I wasn't there from March through
the end of the semester (a sickening comment on the value
of grades). Subsequent appeals to the new Dean and the
professors were ignored again and denied. The entire
faculty is in need of some depression sensitivity training.
I have not finished one final attempt to appeal the
decision, but I am trying to accept this as a learning
experience, and forget that the ignorance of the faculty
combined with my struggles with depression to ruin years of
hard work. One semester has come to be the defining mark
of my college career, instead of all the other semesters in
which I never received so much as a B-. Therefore, I am
extremely disappointmented in my experience at CU, and I
fear for students in the future who may experience similar
battles with depression, only to have the people who should
be giving them the most support, turn their backs on them.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I had to put myself through school, so I
worked throughout. I also transferred to a better program
and lost a lot of credits through the transfer.
638263 1:GOALS-DEF This was my second major, my other being
journalism, and I wanted to have a major that helped me
learn how to keep up with my hobby, singing.
2:WMAJ Take out Latin American music, the teacher is the
worste professor I have ever experienced.
3:BMAJ The personal attention
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F that is what my parents have alloted for
financially. I figure that I can do it in this time and
have fun too.
712333 1:GOALS-NO I was not given an advisor, not told what
classes I needed, told NOT to sign up for orchestra (which
I did need.) The music eduaction program did not at all
prepare me for classroom teaching. The advisor I was given
was not willing to work with me, and she told me not to
have a part-time job (even though I pay my own tuition and
rent) because it might interfere with music education. The
dean requested that she work with me one-on-one so that I
could emphasize my degree on pedagogy, and she refused. I
wanted to study pedagogy, and all I got were crash-courses
in how to teach outside my field. The atomsphere at the
college of music is catty and unprofessional. I feel very
burnt out on music, to the point where I cannot even bear
to listen to it anymore. The only high point of m
experience at the college of music was studying with
Professor Lehnert. In general, music classes seemed
ridiculously easy. The program was not very compatible with
the fact that I have to work for a living. Convocation was
another huge problem for me. i would take off work to
attend recitals, and there would be no proctor present, so
I would recieve no credit for attending. Students who are
better musicians are given blatantly better treatment: some
get more lesson time per week, and some professors have
even cancelled lessons in oredr to give the time to the
more "talented." to me, that is very unprofessional. The
theory professors were good, because they were not more
interested in promoting their own musical careers than
teaching. I regret completely my decision to elect music as
my major.
2:WMAJ I would not have Dr. Berg as an advisor. She is
disinterested and unwilling to help.
3:BMAJ violin lessons with Prof. Lehnert.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I did not get proper advising as a
freshman transfer student, and I have to work in order to
pay tuition. It is too hard to work and take 16 credits per
semester.
813265 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I am a transfor student.
864359 1:GOALS-DEF Dan Silver, my applied lessons teacher, was
very understanding of my personal goals and their
relationship to the BA-music degree. He was flexible and
communicative and as a result, I feel comfortable about the
utility and value of my education here. The musicology
faculty, furthermore, have been resoundingly willing to
discuss my future plans for graduate school and have been
nothing but supportive, generous and inspiring.
2:WMAJ For my history major, I would ask that more
seminar-setting classes be required. ONE IS INSUFFICIENT!
My seminars were the only history classes where I felt
students both connected with the professor and had an
opportunity to participate in genuine intellectual
discussions.
3:BMAJ For my music major, I loved the diverse
requirements that ensured a well-rounded musical and
liberal education: theory, history, performance, aural
training, required performance attendance, private lessons
and the Arts and Sciences core. It really is a valuable
rubric.
4:DODIFF I would have attended more guest lectures; CU
invites some wonderful intellectuals and I've missed nearly
all of them.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F it is not worth the rising tuition/fees
costs and decreasing credit loads (to qualify as a
full-time student) to stay any longer. Take as many
classes as you can handle and go to fewer parties. Your
education here is largely self-motivated, so four years is
plenty of time to build a solid educational foundation if
you keep your wits about you.
924500 1:GOALS-SOME I was under the impression that the music
technology department could prepare me for a job in music
technology. The only class that did specifically that was
Visual Media technology with Drumheller. Andrew May is (in
my opinion) literallly insane and a horrible teacher. He
knows his material, but cannot express it. All the other
classes were either too specific on one program or too
vague and all-encompassing to be useful in the future.
2:WMAJ Better advising. Period. I have never taken less
than 15 hours per semester. I have taken summer school,
and I transferred in with credit. Still, somehow, I need
17hours to graduate on time!!!! Had I not taken 9 hours
that were completely worthless to my degree I might not be
in the mess I'm in now. Better advising would have solved
it. The college of music has no advising to speak of.
Claire and Victoria know more than our so called dean
advisors!!
3:BMAJ John Drumheller, Michael Theodore, Jeremy Smith.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I can't afford to go any longer!
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MB-MUSC 196765 1:GOALS-DEF I've improved my skill on my instrument
2:WMAJ A more well rounded education, including typical
core classes in science and math
3:BMAJ Many of the faculty members are top-notch
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F my scholarship ends in 4 years
208550 1:GOALS-DEF Put simply, my program, Music Composition,
prepares students for pursuing academic music in either
composition or theory, and there are really no careers this
program addresses. Personally, I have been accepted with
stipend to an excellent graduate music theory program,
therefore, my educational goals have been met.
2:WMAJ Make the core composition classes more acedemic and
less based on the professors conversational predilictions.
Cancel Instrumentation and Orchestration and other classes
whose education components could be learned reading a book
for less than an hour.
3:BMAJ I have been very happy with the high level of
scholarship in the theory department at Colorado.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F my scholarship that has enabled my to
attend colorado out of state for no tuition runs out in
four years.
276012 1:GOALS-DEF The music program is very thorough in giving
the students a very well-rounded education while focusing
on the main points each student wants to address and
allowing the freedom to take classes "just for fun."
2:WMAJ Specialize the program a bit more.
3:BMAJ The availability of the faculty.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am a double-major student on a
six-year program.
289194 5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F 2 programs
305012 1:GOALS-DEF I was able to study with a world-class
flutist for four years...that was all I was really
concerned about.
2:WMAJ Theory and Aural Skills need to be taught by
faculty members, not graduate students - as a freshmen,
having a bad grad ta teaching my aural skills class set me
up for failure in the following three of them!!
3:BMAJ My private lesson teacher, Alexa Still - I've
learned heaps and she's become a good friend.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I want to find out what being a musician
is like in the real world and I need some perspective on
that before I decide to go to grad school or not. That,
and apart from my private lessons, I'm really sick of
taking classes that don't necessarily apply to what I want
to do!!
321385 2:WMAJ do away with the sophmore proficiency... it causes
too much stress... i would be in favor of a sophmore
reciatal instead.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I was injured and have been slow to
complete my performance requirements as a result of my
injury.
345145 2:WMAJ Requirements for ensemble credit.
3:BMAJ All of the faculty and their assistance are
exceptional.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T Transfer student with some difficulty in
transferring previous coursework.
361687 1:GOALS-DEF My educational goals were met and in some
cases exceeded mostly through the advice and support I
received from various faculty memebers.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I switched majors and colleges.
445397 1:GOALS-SOME Most practical experiences and inspiring
classes have been with other colleges within CU, other
organizations, or through own initiatives. The college of
music offered less opportunity and real-world preperation
than I desired. I found such opportunities and experiences
on my own, for the most part. Other than the
extra-curricular opera program, I found little inspiration
or motivation within the college of music. The class
intruction is dated, too theoretical, and is usually tought
by those who clearly do want to be teaching. To be honest,
I feel that the opera program (and maybe music in general)
should be structured like the football program. Students
can come to focus on Opera or music for all hours of the
night and on weekends, but would probably be better off
getting a real degree like the football players do. I feel
that the skill sthat I have learned in the music classroom
are utterly useless. I am just glad I got a business
minor...something that was also a hassel due to the
inflexible and impractical requirements structure of the
bachelor of music degree. I had little faculty guidence in
my early, formative years at CU...a little more would
probably have helped me choose a better track of study.
2:WMAJ I would have chosen a different major, the BA in
music, so that I could double major with business. The
lack of academic advising led to many mistakes in class
registration.
3:BMAJ No one thing sticks out about my actual major.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F Lack of knowledge by counseling faculty
member (DMA applied teacher)in early years led to uneeded
classes. Later, the inflexibility and general lack of
support/encouragement to study business led me take a fifth
year in order to complete a minor, thus ensuring at least
some practicality in my degree.
550388 1:GOALS-xxxx Coming into CU, I had full ambitions of being
a professional musician. I am going to leave CU without
meeting that ambition; HOWEVER, in my time here I have
realized other interests that I will be pursuing
professionally. Plus, my time here qualifies me as an
outstanding amateur musician.
4:DODIFF Pursue a degree in the music school and the A&S
school.
580244 1:GOALS-DEF I do feel fully prepared to go to graduate
school, that within the rather large subject of my major I
am well-rounded.
3:BMAJ Faculty
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I've been happy here but,
professionally, am ready to move on.
663529 1:GOALS-DEF I feel like I had plenty of opportunities to
perform solo works, but no work at all in ensemble pieces,
which I think is a vital part of my major.
2:WMAJ more small ensemble work made available
3:BMAJ the number of performance opportunities
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I think I know what I want to do, but am
not really positive. I am going to take a year just to make
sure music is what I want to be doing.
683448 1:GOALS-xxxx it would have been nice if my program would
have allowed me a little more time to persue other
interests more in depth, i.e. poetry, and take it as a
minor without having to add on core classes not required
for my major.
3:BMAJ personal interaction with/availability of music
faculty
5:DEARCJ-xxxx F i came in with a lot of elective credit
and took a lot of classes my first year.
690658 1:GOALS-DEF having teachers with high expectations for me
in my degree has helped me realize how much further I can
and will progress towards mastering the degree.
2:WMAJ 4 years of Aural skills, Theory, and recitals.
3:BMAJ high level of expectation for the students, Most
professors will not settle for anything we put out but
demand the best from us.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I am completing two degrees that usually
take 4 years each
695505 1:GOALS-SOME The flexibility of professors when it comes
to allowing students to miss class for real-world
experience is unacceptible.
2:WMAJ More professional orchestral experience!
3:BMAJ Lessons
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I stayed within the designed parameters
and didn't fail any classes.
731917 2:WMAJ Improve the facility - more and better spaces to
practice and rehearse
3:BMAJ The Director of Jazz Studies: Dr. John Davis
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F that is how long my scholarship lasts.
859033 1:GOALS-SOME I feel most of my educational goals were
achieved.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I stayed on task and was aware of my
degree requirements
875768 1:GOALS-DEF I want to be a musician and the best thing
(right now) is to just get better at my instrument. CU
offered alot of opportunites for that. Although, I did find
the theory classes really easy and wish I could have taken
more advanced music theory.
2:WMAJ Aural Skills. This is such an important part of
musical training, but it is handeled poorly in the College
of Music. Many units seemed to serve little purpose and the
teachers (TA's) were often difficult to work with.
3:BMAJ Working with my studio professor. Tom Myer is a
great teacher, knowledgeable, and his door is always open.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS T I switched into the College of Music and
the program is very structured with alot of requirement
only for music majors. Although I will take more than 4
years, the structure and classes offered are very necessary.
948828 2:WMAJ More A&S requirements
3:BMAJ Private instruction
4:DODIFF Essentially, I had no idea what I wanted 5 years
ago. If I were to do it again with the experience and
knowledge I have now, I'd go out of state without any
hesitation. This isn't to say that my experience at CU has
been unsatisfactory, however.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I feel that the extra year is necessary
to solidify the skills of playing the piano. Granted, my
study of the piano will go on even after graduation, but
the extra time with top-notch instruction is indispensable
to my career as a teacher and professional pianist.
968395 1:GOALS-DEF All the course work was relevant and
practical for obtaining a job. The two areas I feel there
could be improvement is with finding a job after graduation
and providing excerpt classes for all instruments.
2:WMAJ I would have liked to experience more classes
outside the College of Music but was limited by the amount
of required degree requirements. I think music students
could afford to be more well-rounded by leaving the
building once and a while!
3:BMAJ My applied music professor, Daniel Silver is the
best thing. I probably would have not attended CU if he
wasn't teaching here.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I have finished my degree requirements
and am ready to move on.
976723 2:WMAJ We need more experience with internships. I would
also like to see an orchestra that non music majors can get
in to without having to audition.
3:BMAJ My private teacher, Erika Eckert, and the unity of
the faculty and students in the music department.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I didn't want to waste money on an extra
year.
Senior Survey 2004: Open-Ended Comments by College/Discipline - Major Group
Group IDnum Comments ordered by Student ID - Question Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MB-MUSE 115432 1:GOALS-SOME The structure of the music education program
is far too rigid to allow for an individualized education.
I've taken an extra semester and I still feel that I am not
where I wanted to be. Music students in general are
largely unaware of what goes on outside the music school
and while there is certainly a great deal of
accomplishment, I feel that this disconnect is
disconcerting.
2:WMAJ Excise certain lower division classes or make the
program five years.
3:BMAJ Working closely with very knowledgeable teachers.
5:DEARCJ-GT4YRS F I wanted to take extra classes in order
to be more competitive when applying for grad school.
517404 1:GOALS-DEF Having decided upon a career outside of the
area in which I will get my degree, I feel that my program
could have provided more opportunities to develop skills
that could be applicable outside of such a specialized area.
2:WMAJ Broader scope - more opportunities to explore and
learn about things outside of music
3:BMAJ Wonderful interaction with faculty and closeness
within the students in the program
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I planned well. However, I will be
going back for another year (plus?) to finish pre-med reqs.
568032 1:GOALS-SOME four years is just too short a time to learn
all the things nessicary to be at the level I want to be
musicially or to have the confidence I want as a music
teacher.
2:WMAJ More guided learning in applyed area.
3:BMAJ Gives a comprehensive approach.
4:DODIFF because of the cost of attending here I did not
have many choices.
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F the price of tuition is much too great
to be able to afford any more tuition payments, otherwize I
would have liked to attend for another semester and have a
more compleate education
618087 1:GOALS-SOME My goal was to learn about different teaching
methods and how to conduct myself in a classroom. I believe
that the music education program helped me with this.
However, the classes that I took relating purely to
education with no music involved I felt lacked good role
models.
2:WMAJ More flexibility with scheduling
5:DEARCJ-4YRS F I took the maximum amount of credits
that you are able to take almost every semester, I also
took a couple summer courses, and I did not take any
courses that were not required for my major.
Last revision 04/07/05
PBA Home | Strategic Planning | Institutional Research & Analysis |
Budget & Finances | Questions? Comments?
15 UCB, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309-0015, (303)492-8631
© 2001, The Regents of the University of Colorado