Academics
Reading Period Reimagined
On Jan. 6, the Committee on Undergraduate Education discussed a proposal [LINK 1] to change the structure of reading and exam periods. Under the proposal, assignments such as final projects and papers would no longer be due during reading period, and instead on specified dates during exam period. As Harvard examines how this would change the last weeks of each semester, Flyby took a look around to see how some other schools handle it.
Gaining Scope, Finding Focus Far from Home
Despite the unique experience offered by study abroad, many undergraduates are still reluctant to leave behind aspects of college life—extracurriculars, friends, and House culture—in order to start anew in a foreign environment.
Book Your Flights!
By the way, you can now book your flights home for the summer, because this spring's final exam schedule has been released online. Check out your classes' exam dates, and commence panicking if your tests are all in a row.
Off of Laptops, On Task?
As Harvard embraces digital learning with the launch of online education platform EdX, professors in traditional Harvard classrooms are asking undergraduates to keep off of laptops and on task during class, hoping to eliminate the temptation to surf the Internet.
Smaller Concentrations Receive Highest Satisfaction Ratings
The humanities reigned in the latest round of concentration satisfaction ratings, followed closely by the social sciences and life sciences. As was the case in previous years, smaller concentrations generally outperformed larger ones in the survey, which is taken every spring by graduating seniors.
Concentration Satisfaction Surveys
In general, seniors last year gave smaller concentrations higher ratings than larger ones. Women, Gender and Sexuality, which yielded the most satisfied graduates, boasted only nine concentrators in the Class of 2012.
CS Leads Concentration Growth in SEAS
The computer science concentration has nearly doubled in size in the last two years and continues to drive growth in Harvard’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, according to new data released by the SEAS Communications Office.
Studying the Uncommon
In the seventeenth century, Harvard students were required to take three years each of Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, and Syriac as well as demonstrate fluency in Latin as part of their graduation requirements, according to The Crimson.
UT Austin Announces 2013-2014 EdX Offerings
On Tuesday, the University of Texas at Austin announced a roster of nine edX courses to be offered in the 2013-2014 academic year, with topics ranging from globalization and energy to pharmaceutics and music.
Procrastination Playlist: An Audio Guide to Your Typical Night of 'Studying'
Now that the semester has begun in earnest, long hours at Lamont and nights when you "meant to go to brain break for 15 minutes but stayed for three hours" are just around the corner. Fortunately, Flyby has compiled a study playlist to help guide you through your most unproductive evenings.
In 1953, Harvard Tuition Was Hiked to $800
Every week, The Crimson publishes a selection of articles that were printed in our pages in years past.
Faculty Members Take Home Lessons from Scandal
The week after Harvard made an announcement intended to put to rest its largest cheating investigation in recent memory, faculty members said they need to do a better job communicating course expectations to students and laying down the groundwork for academic honesty at a time when technology is blurring the lines of right and wrong.
Proposal Could Eliminate Assignments Due During Reading Period
Final papers and projects will no longer be due during reading period if a proposal discussed at Wednesday’s Committee on Undergraduate Education meeting comes to fruition.
Startup Connects Students to Research Resources
Project Lever, a startup founded by recent Harvard grad, aims to facilitate student searches for thesis advisers and research opportunities. The project joins the growing movement to digitize Harvard’s archives and resources.
Stat 104 Emerges As Harvard's Top-Enrolled Course This Spring
With 642 students enrolling, Stat 104 has become Harvard’s biggest course this spring. Stat 104 narrowly beats Ec 10's enrollment, which drew 627 students.
Few Hit Jackpot In Course Lotteries
As the number of interested students in some already oversubscribed classes continues to grow and Pre-Term Planning data at times fails to accurately predict student interest, professors face the dilemma of how best to accommodate students while still maintaining the quality of their classes.
Professors and a Student Think Outside of the Box
Speaking on topics ranging from Romans to breast milk, six faculty members and Harvard Thinks Big’s first student speaker had a packed crowd, alternatively roaring with laughter and questioning conditions of humanity.
Students To Create Modules for ChinaX
The students who take Chinese History 185: “Creating ChinaX—Teaching China’s History Online” will produce work that will be used by thousands of online learners across the globe.
"The Human Organism" Through the Years
The world of science and Harvard's undergraduate curriculum have both seen tremendous change since Harvard School of Public Health Professor Joseph D. Brain first taught "The Human Organism" in 1971.
The Brain Behind the Human Organism
Professor Joseph D. Brain stands before a chalkboard in a photo taken between 15 and 20 years ago, by his estimate. Brain will teach his course "The Human Organism" for the final time this spring.