Denison University
- Academics

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Denison University - Academics - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.85

Academics

Quick Stats

Student-Faculty Ratio 10:1
Full-Time Student Population 2,237
Part-Time Student Population 30
Full-Time Instructional Faculty 213
Part-Time Instructional Faculty 53
Total FT Faculty 213
Faculty with Terminal Degree 100%
Average Faculty Salary $68,980
Full-Time Retention Rate 90%
Graduation Rate 81%
Programs/Majors Offered 50
Average Course Load 4 courses
Academic/Career Counseling? Yes
Remedial Services? No
Class Sizes
  • Fewer than 20 Students: 59%
  • 20 to 49 Students: 41%
  • 50 or More Students: 0%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Academics at Denison are challenging, which is generally the basis of Denison’s appeal. The students are largely in agreement that the professors at Denison are excellent. Obviously, every department has one or two professors that students shy away from, but generally, all professors are understanding and try to help students in any way possible. Most are pioneers in their field, whether they are world experts in vaudeville or researching possible cures for cancer. Honors classes are open to anyone, and the coursework is not merely a more difficult version of basic subjects; rather, the topics are specialized. Recent offerings have included the Art of Mathematical Thinking, Fabled Lands, Imaginary Places, and Biosocial Dimensions of Behavior.

Unlike most universities, the different departments are not decentralized, and there is no real hierarchy of majors. Although the humanities are the most popular majors, the sciences are a close second. Furthermore, several majors are cross-disciplinary in their setup. A major like East Asian studies will require you to take classes in literature, language, history, religion, and art. This approach allows students a really well-rounded approach to their disciplines. This is not to demean the more specific majors, such as biochemistry. The fact remains that no matter what major you choose, you had better be prepared to work hard at Denison University.

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Denison Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Academics at Denison University

Chicpead

'15

Philosophy

5.0
A+

I LOVE my classes

I graduated from an extremely rigorous high school so I expected work at Denison to be pretty chill; however, classes at Denison turned out to be very challenging and academically stimulating. My classes were very demanding as well as exciting! All of my professors were interesting and the small class size made clases very engaging. The professors all really care about their students and their classes; one professor, who use to teach at Georgetown and Northwestern, told us in class one day that he decided to teach at Denison because he saw that all the professors at Denison actually liked their students. In large universities, many professors teach classes as a side-job since they mainly focus on their individual experiments and projects; however, Denison professors are genuinely focused to teach and interact with students at a liberal arts institute. That particular professor has been teaching for more than 10 years at Denison now, which goes to show that Denison academics ROCKS.

Jan 08, 2012

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Report as inappropriate/inaccurate

Academics at Denison University

Chicpead

'15

Philosophy

5.0
A+

I LOVE my classes

I graduated from an extremely rigorous high school so I expected work at Denison to be pretty chill; however, classes at Denison turned out to be very challenging and academically stimulating. My classes were very demanding as well as exciting! All of my professors were interesting and the small class size made clases very engaging. The professors all really care about their students and their classes; one professor, who use to teach at Georgetown and Northwestern, told us in class one day that he decided to teach at Denison because he saw that all the professors at Denison actually liked their students. In large universities, many professors teach classes as a side-job since they mainly focus on their individual experiments and projects; however, Denison professors are genuinely focused to teach and interact with students at a liberal arts institute. That particular professor has been teaching for more than 10 years at Denison now, which goes to show that Denison academics ROCKS.

Jan 08, 2012

Comment actions: Rate
Report as inappropriate/inaccurate

Academics at Denison University

denidoo14

'14

Political Science and Government

4.6
A

Surprisingly Challenging

I expected Denison to be challenging, but there is always work to be done. But it's not always such a bad thing. Sometimes you get really passionate about a subject in class and are actually excited to read/write about it or talk about it with your professor. Professors love talking to students outside class for the most part. Denison boasts some of the best academics in the country and I have been challenged to think like I never have before.

Jul 30, 2011

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Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate your school’s professors on the following topics

Rate your school’s academic environment on the following topics

Facts

Instructional Programs Occupational: No
Academic: Yes
Continuing Professional: No
Recreational/Avocational: No
Adult Basic Remedial: No
Secondary (High School): No
Special Credit Opportunities Advanced Placement (AP) Credits: Yes
Dual Credit: Yes
Life Experience Credits: No
AP Test Score Requirements Placement only for scores of 4 or 5
IB Test Score Requirements Possible credit for scores of 5,6, or 7
Degrees Awarded Bachelor's degree
Most Popular Majors
  • Biology and Biological Sciences: 5%
  • Economics and Econometrics: 7%
  • Mass Communication: 5%
  • Psychology: 4%
Special Study Options Study abroad
Best Places to Study
  • Bandersnatch
  • Library
  • Slayter Hall
Did You Know?

It’s a Denison tradition that students do not step on the Denison seal in front of Swasey Chapel. According to superstition, a student who steps on the seal will not graduate on time!

Students that take an astronomy course will attend class in Denison’s very own planetarium. The planetarium projector is a Zeiss ZKP-3—a specialized projector for smaller planetarium installations. It is one of about 12 of this type of projector in the United States.

Every year, Denison hosts “Vail Artists in Residence.” Artists in residence teach specialized classes, from playwriting to traditional Chinese theater.

Denison’s campus boasts three Doane buildings: the Doane Dance Building, Doane Administration, and the William Howard Doane Library.

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Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at Denison

Name: Heather Fishel

Hometown: Unknown

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