What is College: Definition and 1000 Discussions

A college (Latin: collegium) is an educational institution or a constituent part of one. A college may be a degree-awarding tertiary educational institution, a part of a collegiate or federal university, an institution offering vocational education, or a secondary school.
In most of the world, a college may be a high school or secondary school, a college of further education, a training institution that awards trade qualifications, a higher-education provider that does not have university status (often without its own degree-awarding powers), or a constituent part of a university. In the United States, a college offers undergraduate programs; it may be independent or the undergraduate program of a university, it is generally also used as a synonym for a university while in some instances a college may also be a residential college. A college in francophone countries—France (see secondary education in France), Belgium, and Switzerland—provides secondary education. However, the Collège de France is a prestigious advanced research institute in Paris.

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  1. Pengwuino

    College physics: Labs vs. Recitations?

    Have there been any studies done as to which is more effective as supplements to teaching introductory physics courses, labs or recitations? I've been having discussions with a fellow grad student who has never taught a intro physics lab about their effectiveness and also with a professor who...
  2. F

    Schools Great physics college with good financial aid?

    Alright, I live in GA and I'm studying to apply to Caltech as a transfer. This is a great reach but with hard work who knows? I'm a freshman at some lower tier college and I think I can get a 4.0. I'm also applying to GATech for a safety. I need some colleges to apply in between these extremes...
  3. E

    Schools College freshman (pre-med) Chem advice needed

    Alright. I'm a pre-med so my science classes are really important. Unfortunately for me, I'm taking 18 credits and Bio + Chem. I'm not really used to the college system and the whole taking notes thing. Especially for a math based science like Chem. I feel like words aren't that important. So I...
  4. I

    Schools College questions, electrical engineering questions, and more

    Hi, I'm currently 16 and am very passionate towards electricity, always have been for a few years been focused on becoming an electrical engineer. Though I have hit a bit of a wall, I also found my self really getting into particles, and plasma. Right now I am in a electrical engineering...
  5. 7

    Schools Attending community college, chance at Caltech?

    I am currently a student at a community college in Baltimore, Maryland, and I'm wondering what my chance of getting into Caltech is. Here's my story: I attended two high schools simultaneously. One was a technical high school, where I majored in Industrial Technology. The second was a public...
  6. K

    Schools Question about college major and minor

    Im planning to attend Drexel University next year and was wondering if taking Physics as a major and Astrophysics as a minor was a good choice. Im very interested in learning about the Universe and astronomy with the application of mathematics and computer programming. I hope to specialize...
  7. A

    Schools Starting college soon, planning on Aerospace Engineering

    For my entire life I've had this very strong interest for all things space. When I was younger I wanted to become an astronomer but found out several months back that there literally aren't any jobs for an astronomer. This is understandable, it's something I could do in my back yard and make new...
  8. E

    Freshman in College Looking for Advice on Electrical Engineering

    Hi, I am a freshman in college trying to decide what to study, and what sort of long-term plans I should have. I like math and love physics, and for a long time I thought I would become a physicist. But lately I've been thinking that I would rather do something more practical and that has...
  9. K

    Engineering Going into engineering for college, have questions

    Alright so I am wanting to go into Mechanical Engineering, however I have looked at the average pay for a ME and its only about 65k...to me that is pathetic, especially if I am at least going to get my Masters, if not a PHd. If I spend that much time in school I am going to expect some decent...
  10. E

    Schools Academic Success After Community College?

    Well I am finally finishing my time at a community college majoring in physics. I've completed the calculus series as well as physics I and II. I begin fall semester at a regular university. How many of you started at a community college and then had success with the rest of your university...
  11. E

    Is a Master's Degree Necessary for Teaching at a Community College?

    I have been thinking of teaching remedial math at a community college (I'm in the US). But I don't have even a master's degree in math. My education and work experience is kind of odd: - bachelor's in math and music - master of engineering science degree in computer science (this was an...
  12. G

    Schools Useful languages to learn in college

    Hey everyone. I'm a freshman starting college this fall, and I was just wondering what the most useful language to learn in college would be. I'm not required to take a language with the degree plan I have, but I was thinking it might be useful to learn one anyways. Another reason I thought it...
  13. N

    Exploring Career Options After College: A ChemE's Peace Corps Journey

    I'm about to enter my freshman year of college, and naturally I've been thinking a lot about what I want to do after college. I'm going into chemical engineering, and I really want to work with environmentally friendly means of production. Ideally I'd like to work with the research aspect of...
  14. U

    Schools Good College for Physics: Advice for Low GPA Student

    Hey, I am sure you guys get this thread all the time but i need some person specific advice. You see, i don't have the best grades, and i don't have all that much extra curriculars, I am not a star student and i don't really stand out. But i have an amazing passion for physics. Two teachers...
  15. X

    Schools Double majors, undergrad research, best college worth it?

    I have several questions. I'm working to earn a BS in electrical engineering, and I will finish before four years. Now, I have scholarships that pay for my education for four years. 1.) Should I pursue another degree to use the free education? It'd delay my transition to graduate school, and...
  16. A

    Schools Navigating Community College Math: From Homeschooling to Engineering Transfer

    So, I'm in community college because homeschooling screwed my education over. I'm trying to transfer into Texas A&M, but it's beside the point at this stage. Due to my inadequate homeschooling, I had to take the equivalent of algebra I, algebra II, and precalculus in community colleges. Now...
  17. M

    Schools How to prepare for a college atractive highschool career.

    Hello everyone. I need some help. I'm a about to start 9th grade and I want to graduate with 4 years of grades that will atract all of the best colleges. I read somewhere that taking all the AP classes I can, will help. Next year I'm going to take honors English. But I wonder what else can I do...
  18. W

    Schools Rising college freshman, physics major?

    Hello. I'm a recently graduated high school senior who is attending an Ivy next fall (I don't know if there's a forum decorum issue about naming which one). I need advice on what career path to take. I'm currently planning on majoring in physics, since I feel that physics and chemistry are...
  19. D

    Schools Is College Really About Learning? Evaluating My Goals as a College Junior

    I'm wondering right now if my undergraduate education really is for the purpose of learning about the world and myself, or if it's some pre-X feeder in which I'm supposed to work in order to attain certain credentials, and use those credentials to enter another feeder program whether it be...
  20. G

    Schools About college, research, and living on your own. I

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  21. M

    Career guidance for a community college student

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  22. J

    Good job while in college. Looking for advice

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  23. S

    Using Slackware in College: Is it a Good Idea?

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  24. thrill3rnit3

    Schools Undergrad math at Williams College?

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  25. C

    Schools Maximizing College Time: Majoring in Physics/Astronomy in 5 Years

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  26. B

    Serway's College Physics vs. Halliday, Resnick, Krane's Physics?

    Which of the following books is the greatest physics book at the basic introductory level? College Physics, 7th edition Serway Physics Vol I and Vol II, 4th edition Halliday, Resnick, Krane Physics, 5th edition Giancoli
  27. R

    College Math Analysis study guide?

    Hello everyone! I just graduated from high school and now moving on to college. I want to get my bachelors in Computer Engineering, as a transfer student to CSUFresno. I saw in the academic courses that you have to take Math 76, 77, 81. which is mathematical analysis 1-3. Now math has never been...
  28. K

    Schools City College or Hunter College

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  29. S

    Schools Any Canadian engineering college for International student

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  30. J

    Schools Is an Astronomy or Astrophysics Degree Worth Pursuing for Future Careers?

    Hi, I am new to the Physics Forums and I would just like to take this time to say thank you for the opportunity to present my questions to you. I would like to thank everyone in advance for any help you are able to provide me, I appreciate it! I am still finishing up my high school career...
  31. T

    Struggling With College Math: Advice Needed

    I’m taking college level math, and I’m worried about my progress. I took my first test in that class last week, and I did terrible. I have always done well in math, but the score I received was the lowest score I’ve ever received any type of test. Our test was “write the question and answer...
  32. T

    Trying to explain college math :\

    Ok so I'm tutoring for a class this term which is supposed to be an intro to mathematical proofs. One kid asked me how to understand sentences like "Let x and y be real numbers then x = y or x =/= y.". I'm over simplifying, between - it's the use of anonymous variables that seems to bug them. I...
  33. U

    Schools Seeking some guidance about what to study in College.

    Hello Everyone! I'm still in High School and I guess its a bit early for me to ask such a question but I wanted to be a bit more sound about some things. I'm in the 11th Grade and I'm studying Physics, Chemistry, Math, Computers and English. I'm confused about what study in college. I'm...
  34. N

    Schools The summer between high school and college

    I'm about to graduate, but school is basically over for the summer for me. :) I am going to attend a university to study chemical engineering in the fall, and I want to get a head start on some of my classes. I have 3 textbooks to use...Spivak's Calculus, a Physics for scientists and...
  35. G

    College Year 1 Physics/Chemistry?

    Can someone recommend me some good books of those subjects? EDIT: Sorry, I meant calculus, not chemistry.
  36. T

    Schools Getting college credit for online learning?

    Anyone have any experience in converting online physics learning into college credit? I know of a few accredited universities that will grant undergraduate degrees based on credit by examination and online learning (i.e. Charter Oak, Thomas Edison State College, and Excelsior), but I'm...
  37. 0

    Schools Senior level college student thinking of switching to Industrial Engineering.

    I'm a 4th year college student who has studied 2 years of sociology, and 2 years of film. With summer studies, I could graduate this fall with an SOC. degree, but have little interest in doing this other than that I would have a B.S. to mark up my resume. I have been thinking long and hard, for...
  38. L

    Schools Skipping College Algebra: Is it a Good Idea for Intermediate Algebra Students?

    I'm currently in Intermediate Algebra. Before Calc I was planning on taking Trig. But I read that I should take College Algebra first. Is is possible to skip it and go straight to trig before calc?
  39. O

    Schools Sophmore in College needing advice for Physics

    Hi, my name is Greg and I recently decided I wanted to choose a science for a major rather than business or the like. When choosing a science it helped that I took a philosophy class to discover that I like theory and working with what is unseen. I also like the creative aspect I can incorporate...
  40. S

    Schools Which college should I choose?

    Hi, I'm an international undergrad student having major in Physics. I've got the offer to transfer my credits to: 1. Hong Kong University of Science & Technology. (Annual costs approx. 19000 USD) 2. University of Manitoba, Canada. (Annual costs approx. 21000 USD) 3. Louisiana Tech...
  41. C

    Schools Are Community College Classes Considered Weak?

    I know this may be a naive question but here is my situation. I'm going back to undergrad this fall for a 2nd bachelors degree in Physics, so I'm planning on getting a head start by taking Calc II and Physics I with calc at a community college this summer. I plan on applying to grad school in a...
  42. G

    Undergrad Real Analysis video course from Harvey Mudd College

    There is a Harvey Mudd College first semester real analysis course posted at http://www.youtube.com/user/Learnstream, based on the classic text Principles of Mathematical Analysis (Baby Rudin), by Walter Rudin. Professor Francis Su, who delivers these lectures, does a great job helping to tie...
  43. P

    Recent college grad question about job market

    I'm a recent college graduate with a B.S. in electrical engineering and another B.S. (in june) in computer engineering. I've noticed in a lot of my searches that: software is the big thing in demand beyond all else, and below that companies want hardware people who will write software. I've been...
  44. A

    Schools How well does this course prepare me for college math?

    I'm currently enrolled in A-Level Further Mathematics (the most advanced math course available to us) and have completed pretty much everything, having more difficulty in the technical and complicated algebra involved rather than understanding the topics. I just wanted to know how knowledge of...
  45. D

    Which Electives Should I Take for My Engineering Degree?

    I'm currently in a transfer program at my local college. I have a few choices on what electives to take for my engineering degree, and I'm looking towards mechanical engineering (I'm fairly sure it will be mechanical but it's possibly I may go for electrical in the future). I was wondering which...
  46. H

    Schools Undergraduate college Name Recognition - Graduate School Admissions

    If I go to Arizona State University to major in Physics w/ an Astronomy minor, get good grades (GPA ~3.0 to 3.3), do some research, and get good letters of recommendations, do graduate schools look at what school you went to for the admissions process? In other words, do astronomy graduate...
  47. Q

    Schools General college guidance questions and 5 year BS/MS programs?

    It's been a while since I've posted here, but since my last post I've become more entrenched in the terrifying mess that is late junior year/early senior year, and the college hunting and decisions that come with it. I realize there are tons and tons of threads about this stuff, but I have some...
  48. T

    Schools Advice on College Physics for Math Struggling Students

    Hello, I have a question, maybe more then one. I love learning about physics, I read what I can when I can all the time. So when I was looking into degrees, I thought I would look into Physics as a choice. Let me give some background on myself, then ask my question. I never did go high in math...
  49. A

    Schools Can You Get a Physics Doctorate Without an MSc in Quantum Physics?

    Hello, I was wondering if a person majoring in physics takes quantum physics classes too, and if a person with a BSc in physics get a doctorate without having an MSc in physics. Thanks for the help. :D
  50. S

    Second Hand College Texts Online?

    Hey dolls and guys, do you have any good sites to buy cheap college texts second hand on? I was lucky enough to get the two volume Introduction to Calculus and Analysis by Courant/ Fritz for 17 dollars second hand and, wait for it, Boyce/DiPrima 6th edition Differential Equations and Boundary...
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