University of Connecticut |
Frequently Asked Questions - AcademicsFor students who have not made career choices, what type of guidance is available?The Department of Career Services is the place for a student to go if he/she is not sure of a career choice. As a freshman it is not too early for a student to explore his/her career options. If students are undecided about their school/college or major they can go to the Academic Center for Entering Students (ACES). ACES works with undecided/exploratory students during their first two years at UConn, during which new students take a variety of courses to see what interests them. Will I receive my son's/daughter's grades?Grades are not sent home to parents, nor can parents/guardians ask for them without their son’s/daughter’s written permission. It is up to the student to discuss his/her grades with parents/guardians. It is always good to keep communication open between you and your student. For more information, read “Why Can’t I Receive My Student’s Grades?” What type of help is available if my son/daughter has difficulties with a class?Usually students receive a syllabus on the first day of class or they access a syllabus on HuskyCT. This document lists the books required for the class, assignments due and exam dates. This syllabus also lists the professor and/or Teaching Assistant’s office hours and phone numbers. The best place a student can go for help with a class is directly to the professor and/or Teaching Assistant. "UConn Connects," a program coordinated by the First Year Programs Office, is a valuable resource designed to help students succeed academically. The program pairs each student with a staff or peer facilitator who will guide him or her through the semester by meeting to review academic progress and course work. UConn also has a Writing Center that provides students with one-on-one help with their writing. The tutoring locations are in the CUE building room 124, the CLAS building room 159, the Homer Babbidge Library room 132, the School of Family Studies Building (FS), Suite 123, and in the School of Agriculture. The Writing Center provides students one-to-one help with their writing and work with writers at every point in the writing process. For hours or to schedule an appointment, please visit the Writing Center website. The Quantitative Learning Center, (Q Center), helps students with their "Q" courses. Q courses include mathematics, physics, and statistics. The Q Center provides tutoring at several locations on campus throughout the semester. Students can visit the Q Center website. How do most students get to class since the campus is so large?UConn’s Storrs campus is basically designed with academic buildings in the center, surrounded by residence halls, parking lots and local stores. Most students walk to class since the academic buildings themselves are fairly close together. Students have 10 minutes between 1-hour classes and 15 minutes between 1-1/2 hour classes, which is sufficient time to reach any academic building on campus. There is also an extensive shuttle bus system that is free to students, faculty, staff and visitors. However, most students walk to class. Where will my son/daughter be able to study?A variety of different locations conducive to studying are available to students. Approximately 7,000 to 8,000 students use the library each day. In addition to the library the University has several academic buildings, residence hall lounges, dining halls, cultural centers, and religious buildings/houses of worship that have areas for where students can study. Many students even study in their rooms. Study location preference differs for each student. What is the average class size?The average class size is approximately 27 to 34 students; however, there are several introductory classes that are in large lecture halls, with as many as 125 to 350 students. These classes have weekly discussion sections in which 20 to 35 students meet with either the professor or a Teaching Assistant to discuss the subject and answer any specific questions. Usually when students enroll in courses specific to their major, class sizes get smaller. How does my son/daughter get a Early College Experience course added to the college transcript?Early College Experience courses are designed to provide an opportunity for academically talented high school students to take on course work at the university level. The courses offered by some Connecticut high schools are equivalent to those offered on the University campus. These courses are available in all traditional undergraduate disciplines depending upon what the high school chooses to offer. The grade for an Early College Experience course is automatically put on the UConn transcript without the student requesting to do so. How does my son/daughter get an Advanced Placement course added to their college transcript?Advanced Placement Courses, or “AP Courses,” require that the high school student take the Advanced Placement Test given by the College Placement Service. These tests are administered throughout the year; however, most high school students elect to take them in May after the completion of their AP courses. Students taking an AP test need to check the UConn Catalog for the minimum score the University will accept for the course. When the student receives the score, he/she needs to contact the Admissions office and have a university staff member evaluate it by the end of the first semester. AP scores are usually received four to five weeks after the exam is taken. If the student already preregistered for classes at summer Orientation, he/she can go through the Add/Drop process in August to pick up or drop a course. What are the required courses and how many electives can a student take?Every student must meet University-wide requirements, but certain requirements vary depending on one’s major. More specific information regarding requirements and electives for particular majors can be found at the General Education Requirements website. |