Hi everyone! My name's Daniel, and I'm a 25! I'm from Orange County, California and Seoul, South Korea. I'm hoping to major in Biomedical Engineering and Anthropology Modified with Global Health. If I'm not under my sheets watching a new Netflix series, you'll find me spending time at Still North Café or at the engineering building. I hope you learn something new about Dartmouth today!
Academic Program
Biomedical Engineering and Anthropology Modified with Global Health
This class had an emphasis on really learning the material, rather than mindless regurgitation. Every class lecture truly excited and interested me, and readings were thought-provoking, The final was also a project instead of an exam, which was very fun to complete. I could tell Prof. DeSilva was also very passionate about the class materials as well!
As a "seminar" course, we focused on enjoyable discussion-based lectures. Each and every one of Prof. Kangas' lecture topics were engaging and intriguing, constantly pushing me to think. While we had reading assignments, they weren't necessarily linked to graded discussions/quizzes, which allowed me to feel more relaxed and stress-free (I didn't need to go crazy and write notes in-class). All in all, I loved learning about Pompeii!
A classic pre-med requirement course. This class has a basic structure of problem sets, two midterms, labs, and a final. I thought the points were well-distributed and the exams were fair. I personally enjoy problem-solving, which allowed this class to be more exciting personally. I'd suggest you pick the right professor for you as each professor has a different way of teaching!
This class is taught by Prof. Shipley, a professor who teaches mainly during summer terms. It was very different from the previous anthropology courses I've taken –– we had a filmmaking component as well as a collaborative project. I enjoyed this class because the assignments had a very broad, overarching outline and allowed you to explore your interests very freely. For example, for my final project, I created a podcast that delved into the educational inequity in South Korea.
My first sociology course at Dartmouth. It goes very in-depth about the macro immigration policies in-place in America and how it relates to different immigrants' experiences. I found it intriguing because I'm an immigrant myself, and I also was able to analyze and develop a different outlook on my family's experiences as well. We had interesting projects such as immigrant interview assignment, immigration policy brief, and in-class discussions.
Another first - my first Asian Societies, Culture, and Language (ASCL) course here at Dartmouth. Essentially, through a 3-hour class block each week, you watch a Korean film that provide insights into the different aspects of South Korean culture –– from Korean independence of Japan to modern economic disparities. Very interesting discussions and minimal work: the course focuses a lot more on student learning than testing!
I know what you're thinking: no way this guy liked MATH 13 the best out of his classes. I was thinking the same going into the class, but I enjoyed the problem-solving aspects. Math was one of my favorite subjects in high school, but I didn't get a chance to take any courses here at Dartmouth until I changed to an engineering major which made MATH 13 a prerequisite. All you do is solve problems, practice, grasp concepts, and take exams. But, after a bit, you get the hang of it.
One of my favorite, favorite courses throughout my whole time at Dartmouth. If you thought you know medicine and health, think again –– evolutionary perspectives open up a completely new spectrum of thinking. Have you thought about institutionalized racism in BMI indexes? How about adolescent growth differences between women who give birth in birth centers versus hospitals? Conversations you've never thought of within the medical realm happens in this class. Highly recommend it!
I've decided to take only two classes this term, as I took on a four-course term during the summer! Here are the two classes:
CHEM 51 - Organic Chemistry I
Just your typical pre-med class –– inarguably one of the hardest. For my pre-med fellows out there, there are fall-winter and spring-summer organic chemistry iterations at Dartmouth, as "orgo" consists of two classes. I decided to take the fall-winter iteration as I'm not entirely sure about whether I'll be on-campus during sophomore summer taking classes. Despite the preconceived notion around orgo, I actually find this class very interesting! The class is a good mix of conceptual thinking and analytical calculations. The lectures definitely move very fast, which forces you to be hyper-focused for hours, but also very rewarding because I always walk out of them with something new learned. Prof. Sandford is an amazing lecturer — he's clear, straightforward, and understanding.
SOCY 48 - Immigration, Race, and Ethnicity
This is my first SOCY class at Dartmouth! The course focuses on seeing how the U.S. immigration policy has evolved over time –– from the Chinese Exclusion Act to the Hart-Celler Act. I find this class very interesting because I also immigrated to the States when I was a fifth grader, which was a pretty big transition for me personally. Our first assignment is an "Immigration Life Story Interview" assignment, which entails interviewing someone we consider an immigrant and bringing their story to life by interweaving relevant policies and laws during their time. I've decided to interview a family member, and the process has been a big learning experience so far! I recommend this class to anyone who is looking for a semi-relaxed third course or wants to learn more about immigration and race.
MUS 50 - Chamber Music I
MUS 50 is a 0 credit, three-term-long course, where I join to play in a clarinet chamber with other clarinetists at Dartmouth! We practice weekly with an instructor and hold one grand recital at the end of the term. I hope to continue this until spring term, which will be exciting. I haven't played the clarinet since eighth grade — this is sort of a new "challenge" for me.
I hope that with two classes this term, I will be more focused on my extracurriculars and personal development. If you ever need this for yourself, I say go for it! Dartmouth, with its 35-credit requirement for graduation, allows for one 2 course term throughout the four years. Make use of it!
At Dartmouth, there is an undergraduate requirement for language; after all, it is the liberal arts! Fulfilling this requirement looks different for various people and I will focus on my experience.
Traditionally, Dartmouth students take three courses during a term, but I decided to take four courses this term! Learn about course load and the academic system at Dartmouth.
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