Re:Proof School
by dnautics on Sunday August 25, 2013 @02:54AM
(#6271196)
it's funny, I was thinking just today, if I could restructure undergraduate science education, but strictly to cater to students with elite science potential, how would I do it?
1) Students must take an online entrance exam prior to arriving, there are two very difficult 20 minute questions in select fields (mechanics, e&m, wave mechanics, molecular bio, cell bio, chemistry, logic, algebra, calculus, theoretical CS) that test cognitive potential (not straight facts), e.g. for chemistry chemistry, "imagine that electrons could have spin state +1/2, 0, and -1/2. Describe some chemical properties of the first twelve elements." You must pass 2/3 non-math categories and logic + 1 math category.
2) Upon arrival, there are no seminars. Students must attend classes for subjects they did not pass. Classes consist of weekly close readings of relevant historical papers, group study encouraged (this would be good for the professors, too). Deficiencies can be corrected by online resources and getting help from friends (co-teaching). Professors would be encouraged to coordinate topics so that material would be repeated from week to week.
3) First year students would be required to apprentice in the labs of subjects they are NOT interested in studying. I.E you declare "ochem or bio", and spend your first year apprenticing in physics or pchem. Second year students begin apprenticeships in labs they might want to work for, and in third and fourth year students work full time in lab.
4) School runs an enrichment math-and-science focussed 'prep boarding high school' exclusively for underprivileged students. Classes are primarily taught by undergrads and grad students with supervision from professional educators.
5) Other courses required: philosophy of science, a half year of literature, a half year of history, and two years of practical computer programming (which could be exempted by a gruelling proficiency exam).
6) students are required to (and given a stipend to) achieve mastery in one non-scientific pursuit. This could include: literature, foreign language, social or artistic dance, visual arts, etc.
7) professors would be required to take the exams, allowed to fail any of the exams, except those in their own subject, when they start but, would be required to attend one class a year to be able to solve an exam previously failed. They get three tries.
1) Students must take an online entrance exam prior to arriving, there are two very difficult 20 minute questions in select fields (mechanics, e&m, wave mechanics, molecular bio, cell bio, chemistry, logic, algebra, calculus, theoretical CS) that test cognitive potential (not straight facts), e.g. for chemistry chemistry, "imagine that electrons could have spin state +1/2, 0, and -1/2. Describe some chemical properties of the first twelve elements." You must pass 2/3 non-math categories and logic + 1 math category.
2) Upon arrival, there are no seminars. Students must attend classes for subjects they did not pass. Classes consist of weekly close readings of relevant historical papers, group study encouraged (this would be good for the professors, too). Deficiencies can be corrected by online resources and getting help from friends (co-teaching). Professors would be encouraged to coordinate topics so that material would be repeated from week to week.
3) First year students would be required to apprentice in the labs of subjects they are NOT interested in studying. I.E you declare "ochem or bio", and spend your first year apprenticing in physics or pchem. Second year students begin apprenticeships in labs they might want to work for, and in third and fourth year students work full time in lab.
4) School runs an enrichment math-and-science focussed 'prep boarding high school' exclusively for underprivileged students. Classes are primarily taught by undergrads and grad students with supervision from professional educators.
5) Other courses required: philosophy of science, a half year of literature, a half year of history, and two years of practical computer programming (which could be exempted by a gruelling proficiency exam).
6) students are required to (and given a stipend to) achieve mastery in one non-scientific pursuit. This could include: literature, foreign language, social or artistic dance, visual arts, etc.
7) professors would be required to take the exams, allowed to fail any of the exams, except those in their own subject, when they start but, would be required to attend one class a year to be able to solve an exam previously failed. They get three tries.