Old Dominion University - Academics

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

ODU has a penchant for genial professors—professors who don’t mind taking the time out of their work schedule to meet with students and talk with them about pressing issues such as grades or the due dates of future projects. Professors make it very clear what their expectations are so that students have a clear understanding of what they need to be doing in classes. Because of this, there is no aggressiveness in a class, and most courses are extremely laid-back—in fact, most students work together on assignments and help each other ad nauseum.

Without the pressures of making the best grade in a course, student-teacher relationships are far more relaxed. However, with several debutante teacher’s assistants leading classes instead of actual professors, a few courses at ODU can be much more difficult or annoying than they would be if a professor led them. Students often complain that TAs (most of which are still students themselves) are teaching courses without any past experience. Fortunately, those courses are few. Each of the colleges at ODU is equipped with professors who are well-read in their fields. Although ODU is mostly renowned for the degrees and majors it offers in the science and business fields, it too has a burgeoning College of Fine Arts and Education, providing for a dynamic dualism between the colleges on the campus. Without the hassles of competition, classes just flow more easily at ODU.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

The teachers I have had have been... The teachers I have had have been both informing and helpful as far as the materials that they present in class. Only a few have been able to take the dullness out of courses that disinterest me, however. 12345 Academics Report

Anonymous says:

Most professors are understanding... Most professors are understanding and considerate, and a lot of them are very intelligent and respectful. There are an occasional few where . . . I just don’t know why they’re here. 12345 Academics Report

Anonymous says:

The hardest teachers I’ve had have... The hardest teachers I’ve had have been in math or anthropology. But the anthropology teacher was just an idiot. 12345 Academics Report

Anonymous says:

I don’t really feel a need to... I don’t really feel a need to compete with anyone in my courses. It’s a very chill atmosphere, which I’m not used to because I went to a high school that was very competitive. I am much more laid-back here, and it’s much easier for me to coast through my classes. 12345 Academics Report

Anonymous says:

If you have a smaller class, the... If you have a smaller class, the professors are pretty easy to talk to. But the larger the class, the harder it is to get into contact with your instructor. 12345 Academics Report

Facts

Did You Know?

Old Dominion University was established as the Norfolk division of the College of William & Mary in 1930. In 1962, it finally became an independent institution.

Interested in environmental justice, our dangerous, ever-changing global climate, or sustainable development? If not, get ready to be. In 2005, Old Dominion University began the NewPAGE (New Portals to Appreciating our Global Environment) course. A requirement of all freshmen,
the course has stirred controversy amongst incoming students who have blamed professors, and the course in general, of agenda pushing, and find it to be a complete waste of time. Even so, there is no sign of it going away.

In 1999, Old Dominion University agreed to work with American Maglev to construct a maglev system on campus. It would connect either sides of the University campus and eventually bridge Washington DC to Hampton Roads. Other universities had been chosen for the project as well, but they all declined due to the concerns regarding the project’s cost and its safety. Because of inadequate funding, the maglev remains unfinished, and its original 2007 completion date continues to be pushed back.

Old Dominion University is one of the largest providers of distance-learning degree programs in the country via its Teletechnet initiative. More than 3,000 students have graduated from Old Dominion via distance-learning, including Navy personnel who took classes while being deployed around the world.

Need some time away from studying and classes? The Lady Monarchs are the University’s best-known sports team and, having won three national championships, provide for some excellent entertainment.

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