Graduate quality vs. undergraduate quality

jkeil911
Sun, 26 Jan 2014 20:44:04 +0000

In general, I think tk21769 is correct. I think of the great researcher who’s also a great teacher of large classes of undergrads as the exception to the rule. You might find two in a department, maybe three. What you may also find is a lot of intro classes taught by grad students who are still learning whether or not they like teaching let alone how to teach. They, too, know they will graduate and be hired based on the quality and potential of their research not their teaching. However, some of the best undergrad instructors people have are grad students. If you find yourself at a mid-size on up research institution, search out what you can about the teaching skills of potential teachers. What LACs offer is a higher ratio of researchers invested in teaching. Try to avoid schools where the researchers are also teaching 4 courses per semester or even 3/4; those cats may be tired all the time. But even at the best LACs, you will find teachers carrying 3 courses per semester. Granted, the classes usually are not over 100.