Grad classes

[Kitkat]

So at my school they recommend that if you want to go to grad school, you should take a grad class before you graduate, and specifically optical mineralogy. I am wondering how useful this would be, or just taking grad classes in general taking grad classes before going to grad school really is for the geosciences, and if it is, should you go for ones that you would be taking if you were doing what you want to do.

[ScreamingHairyArmadillo]

I'm not in geoscience nor did I take any grad classes as an undergrad. However, I think if you can find the time next semester, go ahead and take something you think/know would be relevant for your future work. Once you get to grad school, everything you don't know is going to hit you like a ton of bricks, so any background knowledge you bring in with you will be helpful. I wouldn't, however, go overboard in the next semester and take only grad classes.

[UnlikelyGrad]

So at my school they recommend that if you want to go to grad school, you should take a grad class before you graduate, and specifically optical mineralogy. I am wondering how useful this would be, or just taking grad classes in general taking grad classes before going to grad school really is for the geosciences, and if it is, should you go for ones that you would be taking if you were doing what you want to do.

Hmmm...at MyU, optical mineralogy is an undergrad class...

Would you be using optical mineralogy in your grad work? If so, it's a good idea to get it out of the way now.

[Kitkat]

Hmmm...at MyU, optical mineralogy is an undergrad class...

Would you be using optical mineralogy in your grad work? If so, it's a good idea to get it out of the way now.

They offer general mineralogy as an undergrad here, but not the more specific optical unless you do the grad class. I am not entirely sure that I would need that class for what I would want to do. But then there is the question, is there any good point to taking grad classes before getting there. I am not saying that I am going to load up on them now, but would it help me in any real way?

[newms]

They offer general mineralogy as an undergrad here, but not the more specific optical unless you do the grad class. I am not entirely sure that I would need that class for what I would want to do. But then there is the question, is there any good point to taking grad classes before getting there. I am not saying that I am going to load up on them now, but would it help me in any real way?

I think it could help you to get a good score in a graduate level course. The admissions committee will see it on your transcript.

[UnlikelyGrad]

Generally speaking, it's good to have a grad-level class on your undergraduate transcript. Does it have to be this one? If you're going into geobiology, I might try something different, if possible, something more related to geobiology. My school offers a grad-level ecological microbiology class which dabbles in geobiology, for example.

I agree that for general geology, optical mineralogy is a good choice. (In fact, as I mentioned earlier, it's considered undergrad level here--all geology majors are required to take both regular and optical mineralogy. Geological engineers only have to take the former.) But you're hardly doing general geology, are you?

[Kitkat]

Generally speaking, it's good to have a grad-level class on your undergraduate transcript. Does it have to be this one? If you're going into geobiology, I might try something different, if possible, something more related to geobiology. My school offers a grad-level ecological microbiology class which dabbles in geobiology, for example.

I agree that for general geology, optical mineralogy is a good choice. (In fact, as I mentioned earlier, it's considered undergrad level here--all geology majors are required to take both regular and optical mineralogy. Geological engineers only have to take the former.) But you're hardly doing general geology, are you?

No I definately have a specific focus. What I was thinking that I might take one or two grad classes that are more oriented to what I want to do in grad school. It looks like I will probably be able to fit that into my schedule, but it does depend on what I can take. I will probably talk to my adviser about that.