What is up with this? No Arabic studies as well? A University of this size, a research power house and no Arabic offered. I would really want to take an intro to Arabic.

Their course selections are severely limited. I was surprised to know they didn't offer Zoology of all things, despite being so science oriented.

the language department is virtually non-existent due to funding cuts :(

With the amount of tuition they charge us they have shortcomings in funding? :/

Originally Posted by nanotech471

With the amount of tuition they charge us they have shortcomings in funding? :/

Humanities and Soc sci have funding shortages. Since mac is known for their science and engineering, that's where the bulk of the money goes.
Example: in a soc sci elective class that I took, they would not allow the ~200 person class to use scantrons for their two tests because there wasn't enough money for them. The TAs had to mark the MC and T/F by hand. In a biochem class that I took, on every single Friday, each person in the class of ~200 was given a fresh scantron sheet, to complete five questions.

But yeah, there are ALWAYS funding "shortages". Money is the limiting factor.

I agree, Mac's course selection is scant and limited. Even for sciences, we don't have that many interesting and different courses or well even streams for that matter. But other departments do have a lack of attention as well funding. lol, jokes apart, York even offers a course called "gambling" ahah now that's boss.

The difference between my time before coming to Mac and after is that I went from being eager to hating it. Their PR is good.

I think the difference is in engineering we have to pay fees like a laboratory something fee (we get a $100 tax receipt every year) since it just goes towards equipment. I am not sure if the other faculties do that.

All in all, I am still very happy I came to Mac and I would defintley do it again if I had to choose

Originally Posted by nanotech471

With the amount of tuition they charge us they have shortcomings in funding? :/

Salaries and Physical Plant are bigger costs than most people realize, plus restrictions in tuition increases and usually decreasing or stagnant government funding.

Biggest issue IIRC is that Universities are sitting on millions in deferred maintenance (stuff that didn't get fixed) that gets in worse shape and often becomes more expensive to fix in the long run, for lack of funding.

Also foreign language courses are expensive. For the most part 1 prof for relatively few students. Plus you have to consider demand. How many people who don't speak arabic want to take an introductory arabic course? Probably relatively few compared to other courses Mac offers.

Yeah no bashing can be done against the Engineering faculty for the "funding" we receive. Anyone who complains that we have better courses or more equipment, just take a look at the tuition we pay and compare it to your programs, nuff said

This might sound very harsh and rude, coming from a ChemBio student who lavishes himself in the funding, but McMaster is not ranked internationally for its "Arabic Studies" or its "Literacy and History". If you want to study languages and unique forms of literacy, go to York. Not as an insult! Just due to the fact that they have the capital and support to offer and invest in those courses. Recall, McMaster is A LOT smaller than many universities around here in population size so yes, capital is limited.

We have a hospital, a research co=op building (Mohawk), a life sci building, MDCL, the Burkes Sciences building, a NUCLEAR reactor, John Hodges lab and research facilities.

So if you're wondering why Mac doesn't have Arabic studies, its because it doesn't flow with its progress and its reputation or significance of international ranking. According to QS World rankings, McMaster was given 39th best med school in the world. Soooooo....yeah...... .

Originally Posted by sam_akbari

According to QS World rankings, McMaster was given 39th best med school in the world. Soooooo....yeah...... .

Because that's where the VAST majority of its money goes into, education wise.

Probably should have looked into the courses offered by McMaster before accepting your offer if you wanted to take a course that is not common to all universities.

I agree, and there should be more sections for all the language courses in general. I doubt they cost much to maintain, considering they don't usually need any equipment.

Most of them only have one section, even though they have high demand.

Even if McMaster is a science/tech oriented school, they should offer a decent range of electives to choose from.