<p>“Perspectives on Science is a lecture and discussion course designed to supplement the standard academic program of a selected group of freshmen who have unusually strong backgrounds in science and mathematics. It explores a broad range of topics and exposes students to questions at the frontiers of science. It also highlights the interdependence of the various fields of science and raises issues about the relation between science and society. Participants attend biweekly lectures by distinguished members of the Yale science faculty.” -<a href=“Yale College”>Yale College;
<p>I hear a lot about Directed Studies, but I don’t think I’ve seen any mention of Perspectives on Science beyond Yale promotional materials. I’d love to do it if I get in; is anyone else interested?</p>
<p>By the way, what do they mean by an “unusually strong” background in science and math? I’ve done what’s offered in my school (self-study calculus BC, A+'s in AP Physics, AP Comp. Sci. A, and AP Stats) but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t count as “unusual” if I got into Yale. :(</p>
<p>Yeah, I got admitted SCEA, and I’m definitely interested! It sounds like a really good introduction to research, which I plan on doing at college.</p>
<p>I was admitted SCEA and I am also highly interested. Biology and Chemistry are two of my favorite subjects! But, I agree with findis, what is “unusually strong?” I have taken 6 science classes and am in IB HL Mathematics, but what does that mean in context with everyone else? I have no clue what to expect from Yalies, but I can’t wait for more awesome classes like this one, even if I don’t get in.</p>
<p>I am a freshman in perspectives on science this year. It is definetely one of my favorite classes at yale. We’ve had lectures on angiogenesis, drug discovery with vesicles, dark matter, and other areas as well that I am having trouble thinking of right now. I have never had any experience with any of these and found all of the lectures really satisfying. You are given readings online usually the monday or tuesday of a lecture week and then the monday of the next week you are emailed a problem set, which usually covers a lot of the readings, which are research papers that the professor’s lab has written. Some problem sets have been pretty easy, and others hard, but overall it has been a really good introduction to research at Yale and sciences that I had not been exposed to. </p>
<p>Don’t worry about your lack of “unusually strong” science background. Mine was just AP chem and bio in high school and science fair my freshman and sophomore year. And most people are somewhere around there. A few people have done some sort of research but overall if you like science you should apply and you will probably get in.</p>
<p>Two questions:
Are you at some sort of disadvantage if you are not chosen for the course and hoping to pursue a career in the sciences?
Or, rather, are the remaining science courses at Yale less in depth or simply less focused on the problems challenging the frontiers of science than the above course?</p>
<p>ooooh science. will definitely apply. thanks for the words of encouragement goolsci. I have taken and received A’s in ap calc bc, ap physics c, ap stats, advanced chem (it’s like a watered-down organic chemistry class) and i study ap bio in spare time. in addition, I am captain of my school’s science olympiad team, so i hope that helps me out.</p>
<p>IndiaRubber, I doubt you’d be missing depth if you pursued a science major but didn’t take Perspectives on Science. You’ll go pretty in-depth in your major – in fact, I doubt a freshman course <em>can</em> fully equip students to tackle problems at the “frontiers of science.” I think the thing is that PoS provides a great experience for freshmen in a variety of topics.</p>
<p>Just a guess, I’m not a student or anything.</p>
<p>You won’t be at a disadvantage if you don’t take perspectives on science in the long run. The difference is that most classes are taught along with a text book, meaning that you have to cover certain material (ie organic chemistry) and you may talk about some of the experiments used as key discoveries of the topic, but you won’t spend an hour and a half hearing about research that is going on right now.
also, don’t worry about being chosen. If you aren’t chosen and still want to take the class, if you go to the first meeting and talk to the professor you should be able to get in. </p>
<p>another great thing about this class is that the summer after your freshmen year you have a stipend to do research in a lab at yale. So you just have to email a professor and meet with them and [from what i’ve heard, i’m still in this process now] lab’s would love to have you (especially since they don’t need to pay you themselves). </p>
<p>there are other ways to get research over the summer (STARS for example is another freshman program at yale) but it is a good way to make it into a lab early in your studies.</p>