The classes I’m taking are:
- Biochemical Sciences 99 – Thesis. Don’t ask (me how it’s going because I’ll get really upset and I) Don’t tell. I just hope to not fail.
- Historical Studies A-51: The Modern World Economy – The final core class (general requirement) is a class taught by Professor Jeffrey Frieden, who writes the course’s textbook Global Capitalism. The book itself is a fun read, Frieden is a good lecturer, and it was also the class with the fewest readings that I could find in Historical Studies A that I actually wanted to take.
- Applied Math 111: Introduction to Scientific Computing – Professor Zhiming Kuang is not the best lecturer, but you can tell that he’s a nice guy and that he actually wants to be (a star for effort!). The class, however, seems relatively painless and teaches concepts which are important for me if I want to do mathematical studies that require computation.
- Statistics 171: Introduction to Stochastic Processes – Professor Sammy Kou is extremely repetitive — meaning its a good class to have in the morning — even if I’m still somewhat groggy or if my attention slips, I won’t miss very much because he really drives the concepts into your brain.The course subject matter is also not particularly difficult , but its useful for trying to understand not only the mathematical biology stuff that I’m interested in but also daily life. The class is not quite as painless as Applied Math 111, but it doesn’t look like it will overwork me.
- Chemistry 161: Statistical Thermodynamics – Professor Xiaowei Zhuang (wow, I’m really big on the Asian teachers this semester — didn’t notice that) teaches a subject that I have some exposure in but no real formal training. I feel a little out-of-place in the class given that I have not taken Quantum Mechanics (and currently in the midst of a quick perusal of Eric’s quantum textbook), and given that everyone else in the class seems to not only be younger than me but also a whole lot more stressed about the class.
Not the easiest Senior Spring, I’ll admit, but I think I’ll learn a lot.