This is Nancy Lloyd Miller here, from the Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising, alerting you to a rare opportunity to snag a seat in one of the classes that can be hard to get into during the regular semester.
Right after the July 4th holiday weekend, UMBC's second summer session gets under way with 4-week and 6-week classes that can really help you get a jump on the fall (or repair GPA slippage from Spring...)
I told you my name right up front because I am going to give you my own personal suggestions of classes I know to be excellent, professors I know are outstanding and sought after, and classes that students struggle to find seats in during the regular semester.
TOP PICKS TO CONSIDER FOR SUMMER SESSION 2
- Anything taught by Prof James Thomas (Philosphy Dept) who has put UMBC on the national Rate my Professor leaderboard--he is teaching both PHIL 100 Intro to Philosophy (AH for general ed) AND INDS 330 and INDS 330H Ways of Knowing...(Writing Intensive...) UMBC PHIL alum Greg Ealick is also teaching 2nd session and is excellent.
- ANTH 211 Cultural Anthropology taught by charismatic Professor Bambi Chapin--fabulous opportunity to take a course that counts for AH or C and is guaranteed to be both lively and enlightening.
- MATH 100 Intro to Contemporary Math taught by rock solid instructor Sam Riley (meets the Math general ed requirement); highly recommended for students heading toward majors in arts and humanities fields.
TERRIFIC ON LINE CLASSES WITH SEATS OPEN
- POLI 170 Politics and Culture taught by Shady Grove POLI Prof Sunil Dasgupta (super Culture course for POLI and HIST types)--open to students at both campuses
- GWST 290 Issues and Phases in Women's Health taught by Kerry Cleaver
This is just a sampling. There are many other gems. Search the Summer 2015 Term in the on line Schedule of Classes, plug in the "Session" as "Four Week--Second" or "Six Week--Second," check the box "Show Open Classes" and Voila! You will see many, many green circles signifying that there is still space available for classes beginning July 6.
FIVE OTHER GOOD REASONS TO TAKE A SUMMER 2 COURSE
- The campus is quiet and peaceful. It's a whole different vibe. Absolutely no lines for anything. PARKING IS A BREEZE!
- If you live in MoCo, you can take a course at Shady Grove even if you are a "main campus" student (and vice versa).
- For many students, the ability to really focus on one topic, one course, one set of readings and assignments is quite helpful.
- If you earned a grade lower than you hoped for in a Spring class, repeating it in Summer gives an immediate boost to your GPA, your morale, and your ability to move on to the next course.
- If you take a Summer 2 four-week course, you will finish up by July 31 and even with a six-week course, you will finish up no later than August 14. That leaves a good chunk of time for R and R before fall classes get started August 26.
THE MECHANICS OF SUMMER SESSION
For an ongoing UMBC student, summer session is a snap. For all the details, see the:
FINAL TIP: WORD TO THE WISE
If you take a summer 2 course, you will have excellent access to offices that stay open all summer, such as The Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising, the Career Center, Financial Aid, Student Business Services, and many others. The library is open and the Retriever Learning Center too.
ANY QUESTIONS? If so, please use the Comments section below. We'll get back to you with answers!
