Insane8914

How are the sciences and math at Georgetown? I know it's definetly not a focus of the university but what opportunties, namely in research, are available to students? I also know that there is a new science building opening up and I was wondering if you guys had any idea when that would be happening? I'd love to hear experiences for math/science students at Georgetown (not necessarily majors, but anyone interested in them)?

Insane8914

bump (10 chars)

JSimons

Yes I have a similar question. I have to decide between JHU and Georgetown and am focusing on the sciences. Besides the new research building that will make interdisiplinary research (esp. biophysics, bio, and physics from what I have read) a lot easier (If you take a look at http://physics.georgetown.edu/undergrad.htm you will see that Georgetown offers two "kinds" of physics: The popular choice of doing physics for the sake of becoming a structured thinker (later: med or law school or manager) or for the sake of physics itself: The opportunities there are, to my knowledge, http://physics.georgetown.edu/ (see science for public interest) society oriented in this case, especially at Washington with the government in the neighborhood.
So far about Physics. If anyone knows more about the sciences at Georgetown and postgrad options in the sciences with a GTown degree I would be more than happy to read about that. Right now, the decision between JHU and GTown drives me crazy because I am pretty sure that the environment at GTown is a lot healthier than that at JHU but I am not well informed about any academic sacrifices the decision to go to GTown would cause.

So I hope that I was of a little help and will hear some additional info. As I am a German it is not possible for me to visit the campi.

kornpopz

JSimons.....are you doing pre-med?

By the way, I agree that the social/academic atmosphere at JHU is cutthroat competitive.

CATennisPlayer

Read this article:

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister...le_1582392.php

Casey2889

Despite the competition, anyone interested in maths/sciences should go to JHU over GU. GU is a great school for social scientists and humanities type individuals, but its programs are just not as strong in those areas. They are definitely aware of this and are trying to improve those departments (as you can see in the new construction, etc.) but they are probably a few years away from being competitive in those fields. JHU is a better bet. The competition is overrated and it will only make you better at whatever it is you are studying.

jp26

I'm a sophomore biochemistry major and have taken Human Biology and General Chemistry and I am just finishing up Organic Chemistry and Physics. These 4 classes have been lectures with between 100-200 students each. They are taught by professors for 3 hours/week and will have lab components with TAs at other times during the week (the TAs are Ph.D. candidates in their fields.) The TAs have been both challenging and helpful for the most part because the departments make it clear to them that their role as TAs is integral to the success of the undergraduate program in the sciences.

In terms of research opportunities, I know of GUROP, a research program specifically for undergraduates that is paid. You can also put that research toward an honors thesis in the major to gradute with an honors chemistry major, for example. I know that all bio majors have to complete a thesis to graduate, so all bio majors would be doing research as early as the first year.

I considered staying at school this summer to work in an organic chemistry lab. The opporunity was found by simply emailing my professor who teach 150 other students in the class, asking for a position. He told me a little about his research and offered me a position on the spot. My roommate had a similar experience with the Chief of Pathology at the Medical Center and he will be leading his own research projects over the summer in the Pathology dept.

Georgetown Sciences does not carry the same name has JHU science and it doesn't claim to. But the environment is completely different. I know people who are miserable at Hopkins because it is so cutthroat. At Georgetown, our orgo exams are graded completely on a curve...my grade depends on the performance of the rest of the class. That doesn't stop everyone from helping each other in the library the days before the exams. There is none of the sabotage or trickery you might find at one of the super competitive schools, and our students have a 90% admit rate to med school. There are good chances you'll end up at the same place anyway and will not have been made miserable by the time you get there.

JSimons

Thank you very much for your report. No, I am not a premed but a physics major (prospective so far).
@jp26: Could you possibly link me with some of the students at JHU that really suffer from the atmosphere? Because I am really dependant on a nice environment. Please feel free to PM me when the JHU students are OK with that.

Mamalumper

This is an old thread but I was thinking it would be a good idea to get it started again. Any college putting the kind of money into a science building that Georgetown has must be commited to the program. In addition they are not strangers to having a top notch program (ie SFS) so I am thinking they are looking to catipult their science programs. They have a separate nursing and health sciences school as well. Anyone have anything to add or any thoughts. My S is stuck on Georgetown as his first choice and I am looking for opinions on our thought process.