For many students, deciding on a major is a difficult task that can require taking a wide variety of classes in the process.
But now, instead of chewing up credit hours, undecided students have another option.
This semester, undecided students are being given a helping hand by Trends in Arts and Sciences, a class designed by the College of Arts and Sciences to help undecided students by bringing in a variety of department speakers and giving students a small taste of every major UB offers.
Listed as CAS 101, the class is a two-credit course offered for pass or fail grading. According to Tyrone Georgiou, who teaches it, the class is primarily intended for freshmen, but sophomores and even a handful of juniors are taking it as well.
"The course has always been envisioned as a way for undecided majors to find out the possibilities in college, to find out majors and career possibilities," said Georgiou, associate dean for the College of Arts and Sciences.
So far, the course seems to be doing its job.
"When something like the music or English department comes in to speak, it holds my attention, but I don't have any questions about it," said Michael Schwinger, a sophomore undecided major. "The geology or biology departments hold my attention more, but when any of the social sciences departments come in, that truly interests me."
"(CAS 101) is helpful in giving me a more general idea of what I want to do," Schwinger added.
To give the students the widest possible array of subjects, and to help them understand the in-and-outs of the majors offered at UB, the class brings in a variety of presenters from different departments to speak about opportunities and what students can expect in each respective profession and department. Many speakers take the time to share their own personal experiences with the students.
"It exposes students to issues and directions available in the disciplines that they may never have thought existed," Georgiou said. "As a university experience it is like a lecture series in a way. It provides lots of information and broadens the students' horizons."
Because the class functions as a lecture series, not only is the role of the course different, but Georgiou also doesn't play the part of the traditional teacher.
"My role is one of organization and acting as a moderator," he said.
While some students taking CAS 101 still haven't decided on a major, many like Michael Schwinger said it has helped them to find some direction.
Sovann Tes, a sophomore undecided major, said he would recommend the class for future students.
"There's 16 weeks of majors. There are so many different people who come in, that by the end you get a better understanding of what is offered here," Tes said. "When I came in, I had no idea."
Georgiou echoed the sentiment that the class succeeds in offering something for everyone.
"I think the class is what it is. Certainly some presentations are quite stirring and some are duller. It really depends on one's interests," he said. "It is more of a personal read, and I think that is true for the students as well."
Because there are so many speakers, students are graded based on attendance and homework, which includes writing a one-page summary of the presentation that is not actually graded, but instead turned over to the presenters.
This semester is the third consecutive semester that the course has been offered. Georgiou explained that the class was originally designed to be broke up over two semesters so that students would earn one credit each semester.
The College of Arts and Sciences decided, however, it would be better to put CAS 101 together as a two-credit course offered only once a year. It will be offered again in Fall 2005.
