Question for University graduates... - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

flip · 02-03-2009, 05:26 PM

What is the standard amount of 500 level courses?

My degree doesn't really stipulate how many I take. In fact I have filled all requirements for my degree, have 10 classes left, and have yet to take a single 500 level course.

Now while all my requirements are met, the other requirement is that I get 20 full course equivalents and right now I have 30/40 classes. Keep in mind I started in 03 so the requirements are different than those who started in 07 and beyond as the U of C changed the standards.

So my question is: How many 4th year courses should I take? I obviously want to take a few, I was thinking 2 each in my final semesters for a total of 4. Is that enough? Does it matter? I want to make sure I get everything I can out of my University education so I don't just want my last 10 classes to be filler and GPA boosters, but I don't want to take so many that I can't pass them all and do well.

I'm a Poli Sci major if it matters.

enthused · 02-03-2009, 05:36 PM

Personally, I enjoyed my 500 level courses a lot more than any other ones. More specialized, interesting topics and small classes, so it always felt more like a discussion group. I'd much rather take the 500 level classes.

But then again, I am sure it varies by degree.... so I don't know.

Kybosh · 02-03-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enthused

Personally, I enjoyed my 500 level courses a lot more than any other ones. More specialized, interesting topics and small classes, so it always felt more like a discussion group. I'd much rather take the 500 level classes.

But then again, I am sure it varies by degree.... so I don't know.

Agreed, I took as many as I could that were focused on my area. I think I took something like six 500's but I can't remember. . . it was too long ago

. I felt like my fourth year was when everything started coming together and really making sense.

CubicleGeek · 02-03-2009, 05:47 PM

I'm pretty sure that it varies from faculty to faculty as to how many are required. I would recommend checking with your faculty to make sure all your pre-requisites are met.

As for difficulty level, I found that difficulty was more a function of subject matter and who delivered the course. I have taken some 500's that were significantly easier than some 300's or 400's. I had to redo a bunch of courses, since I did not complete them the first time through due to some personal issues causing me to withdraw from my courses halfway through the semester and one of the pre-requisite 400 level courses not only completely changed from the first time I did it (content and instructor), but was significantly easier.

There was also a prerequisite 400 level course that was so difficult, 25% would have garnered you a C on the final. I think I walked away with a B- on the year, virtually bombing the midterm and scoring something crazy like 58% on the final. Many people complained to the dean afterwards and I actually believe they found a different instructor the following year.

Most importantly would be meeting your pre-requisites. Then I would choose courses based on interest and not worry so much about the level they assign to it. I would illicit feedback from those who took it before you to get their impression of the course content and the instructor, as some courses that sound great on paper either really suck in reality, or are poorly delivered, or both.

jjbouma · 02-03-2009, 05:48 PM

I've taken 10 500 level courses but I'm in Engineering so it's probably a whole different ballgame.

onetwo_threefour · 02-03-2009, 05:54 PM

In my Psych degree, the highest level courses were far and away the most interesting courses. The profs tended to care about the subject matter because it wasn't intro drivel, the other students in the class were generally motivated and interested, and you got a much better feel for what grad studies might look like and ideas for directions. If I hadn't gone to law school, I would totally have gone to grad school with some pretty specifc research goals in mind from my upper level courses. (I'm saying upper level, because I think at the time Psych courses only went up to 400's, but there was a large variety of them)

REDVAN · 02-03-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjbouma

I've taken 10 500 level courses but I'm in Engineering so it's probably a whole different ballgame.

I am not quite at 10, but I am in geoscience. We don't do "discussion groups" or any of that hokey BS. But, yeah, if you like your subject, take a few 500's. For me, there are certain ones that are required.

I'm sure they are required, but I don't know how many. I have also taken optional 500 level courses, but would not recommend doing that unless you have to.

flip · 02-03-2009, 06:27 PM

So something between a few and 10? Any specific accounts of how many roughly people took?

CaramonLS · 02-03-2009, 06:37 PM

I took 1 500 level course and 6 400s.

Yep, that is all I needed. It really doesn't matter at all unless your degree calls for it. Really, no one is even going to give a crap about it on your resume either.

Superfraggle · 02-03-2009, 06:44 PM

I took one 500 level course, as well. It wasn't harder so much as a different style of course. That may have just been the prof, though. Just depends on your program, I think.

Agamemnon · 02-03-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enthused

Personally, I enjoyed my 500 level courses a lot more than any other ones. More specialized, interesting topics and small classes, so it always felt more like a discussion group. I'd much rather take the 500 level classes.

But then again, I am sure it varies by degree.... so I don't know.

I got a poli sci degree from U of C, I definitely found the above to be true. 500's were often a lot more participation/discussion oriented, with a lot of your mark basically coming from your verbal contributions. Maybe one paper, one presentation, and thats about it. 400's (imo) tended to have a bit more reading assignments and lecture-style format... boring and technically more work required. I'm sure it depends on the prof.

Agamemnon · 02-03-2009, 07:08 PM

I suppose the one thing I might add is that if you DON'T really like participating and discussing in a small/medium group setting, 500's might be tougher. I think the more you participate (especially in a 'smart' way) the higher your arbitrary mark from the Prof. If you're not a talker, or aren't confident in 'sounding smart' in front of the class/Prof (ie, making a contribution), a 400 might guarentee a better mark. I found people who were really into talking a lot got the A's for participating. Different strokes for different folks though.

Rathji · 02-03-2009, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

I got a poli sci degree from U of C, I definitely found the above to be true. 500's were often a lot more participation/discussion oriented, with a lot of your mark basically coming from your verbal contributions. Maybe one paper, one presentation, and thats about it. 400's (imo) tended to have a bit more reading assignments and lecture-style format... boring and technically more work required. I'm sure it depends on the prof.

I am in Comp Sci and this holds true for the classes I have taken. That said, I will take anything that sounds interesting since what I take isn't am imporant as when the classes are scheduled ( due to family and work stuff).

enthused · 02-03-2009, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flip

So something between a few and 10? Any specific accounts of how many roughly people took?

I think I have taken 5 so far. My last semester is in the fall and I am able to take whatever I want. I'll probably end up taking a couple 500 level courses related to my degree, as opposed to a bunch of random 200 and 300 level courses in other faculties.

If you're interested in what you're studying, you'll probably enjoy the 500 level classes.