The University of Alabama Top Questions

Challenging, but accessible

Most professors I've had have made some effort to know my name. They are particularly friendly in Honors classes and in the Spanish Department. The math department is largely foreign is leaves a lot to be desired. Honors Students study decent amount but probably less than at a lot of universities. It also depends on a person's major. Class participation really just depends on people. I've taken Honors classes with little to no participation, and non-Honors classes where everyone has something to say--- all in the same department. The University is so big that there's not really a need for students to be that competitive, those that are are kind of shunned. Everyone an find a place. Many students are pre-law or pre-med, so the departments those people would fall into are excellent. The business school is also very good. However, a lot of classes seem to be oriented more towards getting a job or preparing for other classes in the major than actually learning.

all great!

I'm happy with it.

No, alot of the professors do not know my name unless it is a very small class. My favorite class is Art History. I would recommend taking it. You do have to study at Alabama...probably about 2-3 hours a week without a test and more when you have a test that week. I am in Public Relations and I think the communications department is great. They will set you up with internships and help you with any questions you have about your career and classes.

Classes vary in size from only 10 up to about 200, so in the smaller classes of course the teachers know your name but generally not in the large classes. Students study most during the week Monday through Wednesday and a lot during exam week. The Honors College is great for those who want more of a chance to get to know their professors and others that are more competitive academically.

At least one of my professors does know my name and he's my Math 112 teacher; which happens to be my favorite class--I study a hell of a lot--for the most part, yes it's common--I have PLENTY of intellectual convos, in and out of class--I'm competitive--my major is TCF--no not really, I talk to all of my teachers in class

The professors at the University of Alabama are good across the board. I have had maybe two teachers that I would say were not up to par during my tenure at the University. They work with the students to make them successful. My favorite class this semester is Intro to Political Science. Probably the least favorite would be Math 100. Students study fairly often. It is not neccessary for a majority of the courses, but a lot of students are committed to academic success.Class participation varies on the subject matter and the teacher also. The Journalism department is great. They have a listserve that feeds you openings of internships and job opportunities. Experience is highly accessible. You can do anything from tv to radio with just an application. The education at UA is geared at preparing you to be a viable candidate for a position in the workforce.

It depends on the class size as to whether or not the professor knows your name, and whether or not you ever talk to the professor outside of class. If the class is small (below 30 or so), then the professors usually know your names. If the class is large (above 100), then it is kind of hard to know all the students unless you make an effort to get to know the professor. One of my favorite classes that I took at UA was Personal Finance through the Honors Department. The teacher was great, and the information was really pertinent to my life. I would say that you get out of the classes what you want to get out of them. If you want to learn a lot, then you definately can, but if you don't really care if you learn anything, then you probably won't learn much. You're are in college, so you should be responsible. Therefore, it is your decision to see how much you get out of the classes.

Not all my professors know my name. That is more of my choice, but a lot of classes are small so if the professor doesn't know your name, he/she knows your face. My least favorite class had to be any literature related course. I HATE literature. Professors asking you to analyze writers who have been dead for centuries, but you do it because you have to. It is a requirement so there is not too much complaining. I hate to say it but that depends on your major. Science and math based majors are usually the students you see at the library until it closes at 2AM. But in general, most people don't study towards the beginning of the semester but as the semester progresses that changes dramatically. A lot of professors, use class participation as a part of the grade so you have to participate. But I would definitely recommend it, this sometimes will affect if you get a B or C in the class. Intellectual conversations happen more than you think, but lack at the beginning of your academic career. As you get more knowledgeable about current events and your own personal beliefs, they increase. In my experience, students are competitive based off of their friends. Most unique class would have to be tennis. UA has a lot of "leisure" classes students can take so you can get exercised in to your classes and get a grade for it. It doesn't weigh that much on your grade but it might help on a rainy day. The accounting department has been awesome, they have been very helpful with helping me succeed and meeting the right people. We have internship opportunities and top accounting firms in America look very hard at our program to pull for people as their next employees. I meet with my professors outside of class about 7 times a semester, but that depends on the class and difficulty. UA's academic requirements are increasing as you read this. It is good for our school because they want their graduates to be the cream of the crop. Education at UA is definitely geared towards getting a job. There is always talk about interning, cooping, career fairs that are always going on at our campus.