Boston University - Academics

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

As with any university, the nature of the classes is largely dependent on the particular professors teaching them. Everyone seems to agree that the best way to choose a class is by first learning about the professor’s teaching style from other students. While some professors fall into anonymity after the last day of class, some directly influence the course of your education. Don’t get frustrated with your 100-level introductory classes—they are universally described as “a waste of time,” “boring,” and “impersonal.” Get through your requirements, but keep in mind that the best classes are the upper-levels.

You can be so inspired by a particular professor that you may even decide to switch majors—only to find out later that it was the individual professor, not the field, that held your interest. Those types of professors, while few and far between, are certainly present and available to any student who seeks them out.

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Students Speak Out

BULC says: Boston University 2014 Math and Statistics

Some of the teachers are... Some of the teachers are wonderful, but there is nothing worse than being in a class with a bad teacher. If you want to get good grades, you must put in a lot of effort. It seems like I'm always working. It depends on your major and your intentions, though. 12345 Academics: February 25, 2009 Report

BUJH says: Boston University 2014 Education

The teachers are fine. Most of... The teachers are fine. Most of them are more interested in research than teaching, and the ones who actually care about their students are well known. However, within the School of Education, almost all of the professors are looking out for the well being and success of their students. 12345 Academics: February 21, 2009 Report

BUAS says: Boston University 2014 Physical Sciences

Some teachers are really good—they... Some teachers are really good—they want to get through to their students and teach them something, and they try to learn everyone's names. Other teachers are just there for research or their own work and take teaching less seriously, which can be really frustrating when you're trying to learn the material. Overall, the workload is manageable. 12345 Academics: February 15, 2009 Report

BUJC says: Boston University 2013 Social Sciences

It's college, so it's hard. We... It's college, so it's hard. We have grade deflation. If you're a B student, be ready to be a B- or C+ student when you get here—it's ridiculous. We have a pretty good College of Communication, and our School of Management is in the top 50 in the world. 12345 Academics: February 23, 2009 Report

BUSM says: Boston University 2013 Engineering

It depends what school you are in,... It depends what school you are in, but for Engineering, the professors are generally very good, but there is a very high workload. Other schools, such as COM (Communications), pretty much have no work to ever do. 12345 Academics: February 24, 2009 Report

Facts

Did You Know?

The Core Curriculum Program is an option for the top candidates entering the College of Arts and Sciences, and an excellent opportunity for those of us lacking specific direction or major. Core consists of eight historically-based, integrated courses providing an in-depth study of classic works in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. While Core does emphasize a higher ability for analytical thinking, and certainly requires higher levels of writing and reading comprehension than other programs, it allows students to pursue a coherent interdisciplinary approach to literature, art, music, social, religious, scientific, and philosophical thought, therefore enabling you to sound extra-intelligent at social gatherings and heated debates. Core lectures are always accompanied by small seminar discussions and labs, so get ready for a rocky time at registration. Beware, scheduling around Core classes can prove to be difficult.

BU Was the First to:
• Open all its divisions to women (1872)
• Open a college of music in the United States (1873)
• Admit women to its medical college, the School of
Medicine (1873)
• To award PhDs to women in America (1877)
• Offer a college degree in public relations (1947)
• Open a graduate school in dentistry (1963)
• Combine cancer research and a teaching laboratory (1965)

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