Class Sizes at IUB

The question no one ever knows while walking to class on the first day of classes – how many students will be in this class? Of course, the observant student will notice the “Total Enrollment” of each course in their schedule, but what does that number really mean? Will 400 students equate to a classroom the size of my gymnasium in high school, or a square box with 395 seats, all of which are slightly larger than a sheet of paper? Honestly, it’s hard to tell during your first few semesters on campus, but depending on the class, you can typically expect the following arrangements. 

For most general education classes, including economics, psychology, and most 100 level math courses, classrooms will typically have room for 250 to 400+ students. Also, many popular classes that are required for admission into specific degree programs, Chemistry for example, will also be in large classrooms to accommodate the largest number of students possible.

Other introductory courses, communications classes, and classes that may have other alternatives will be held in much smaller classrooms throughout campus. Classes in these settings will often seem reminiscent of high school in many aspects. The most notable of these similarities will be the fact that you will actually know everyone’s name before the end of the semester, as will your instructor (strongly encourage you to attend these classes).

As one continues to move up into more advanced courses, elective courses, and courses not immediately required for admissions or labeled as prerequisites for other courses, most students will find that class sizes will typically not exceed 50 students. Also, as these classes begin to fill one’s schedule, the locations for these classes will also become for unique as they can often extend to the corners of campus or inside residence halls.

Taking pictures of an actual class proved to be quite difficult (impossible actually), so hopefully these pictures will help to illustrate the types of classrooms that you will see as your academic career at IUB progresses.