Science at Tufts: Information for Students

TWOJumbo2007
Mon, 30 Mar 2009 10:47:48 +0000

Regarding the strength of Tufts’ bio department compared to others, I have to second what guildsman said. I think the greatest strength of our department is our size. It is large enough to have more classes than you could ever have time to take (for the woman whose daughter is pre-med, I highly recommend Gen Physiology I and II) but class sizes are still small and there’s a lot of interaction with professors. I know personally, as a former bio major who applied to grad schools this year, that by the time I graduated, nearly every faculty member in the department knew me on a first-name basis. Sophomore year when I was looking for a lab to work in, I e-mailed three PIs and was offered spots in 2 of the labs. I think what Tufts has as an advantage over bigger schools with bigger-name PIs is the focus on teaching and training undergrads.

On studying abroad: Though Tufts does have extensive liberal arts requirements, if you took any AP classes in high school, they’re not hard to fulfill. I was done with all my requirements before my senior year, and though I can’t speak for engineers, I don’t know anyone who studied abroad and wasn’t able to graduate in 4 years. I didn’t want to leave my lab for an entire semester, so I took advantage of the Tufts in Talloires program over the summer and it was incredible.