QUANTA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How will QUANTA differ from regular classes?

QUANTA is a small, nationally recognized learning community that combines several traditional courses under a common theme. This offers students the challenge of seeing and exploring the relationships and ideas between seemingly unrelated subjects.

You will participate in groups with other students to share ideas and explore a multitude of viewpoints.  This sense of community will help you to develop a greater sense of involvement with other students and your professors, while the group skills that you gain will be invaluable to you later in the workplace.

• QUANTA provides a convenient schedule due to its unique nature.  You will register for three distinct classes (an English course, a humanities course and a psychology course), which meet from 9:00 -12:00 noon on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Unlike a regular class schedule, you will not move from one class to another.  Instead, the three classes are integrated into one, holistic learning experience with a common theme.  For example, during the fall semester the theme is "Identity and Power: the Quest for Community", where the courses jointly focus on the human journey to discover who we are and how we relate to others in society.
• "Community learning is most important because it is when we are in groups that we learn the most. And we are allowed to be creative."   (Missie Martinez, QUANTA 2001-02
• "All three of these classes are connected throughout QUANTA for the students' benefit." (Amber Cerio, QUANTA 2001-02
• "In QUANTA you will learn and experience more than you would taking all separate classes." (Dalton Thyberg, QUANTA 2001-02)
• "You will make more friends in QUANTA than in normal classes." (Nick Murphy, QUANTA 2001-0

How do the QUANTA classes differ from Honors classes?

Although QUANTA is not designed specifically for Honors students, many of our QUANTA students are members of the Honors College. The slightly higher reading and writing scores required by QUANTA insures that students can often do both programs. QUANTA students can apply to the Honors College at any time provided they meet the qualifications and requirements of that program. The class structure is different in the two programs, however, because QUANTA classes are team-taught and combined around a theme while Honors classes follow the traditional format of a single teacher and a separate class. Many students find that it is especially beneficial to combine the "learning community" experience of QUANTA with the traditional courses in the Honors College.

What courses are included in QUANTA?

There are two Semesters of QUANTA

There are no QUANTA classes held during the summer semesters.

Will all the QUANTA class credits count toward my degree?

QUANTA courses satisfy general education requirements for ALL majors in Associate of Arts (AA) degree programs.  If you are planning to transfer to a college or university to earn a 4-year degree, all of your QUANTA classes will count toward the A. A. degree that you will earn at Daytona State.

Is QUANTA more work--or harder--than other classes?

In college, students are expected to study about 2 hours outside of class for every hour in class. In other words, a student taking QUANTA should plan to study about 18-20 hours per week outside of class. This would be the same expectation if the student were taking 3 separate college credit classes at Daytona State. Students who are prepared for class on a daily basis often report that they think QUANTA is easier than separate classes, and that there is actually less work because assignments in one course often count for the others.

• "The three classes work together as one so you don't have a lot of assignments due on the same day. This would happen if you took three classes separately." (Jay Johnston, QUANTA 2001-020)
• "The most important thing about QUANTA is that the assignments seem to matter; they are not busy work." (Landon Smith, QUANTA 2001-02)
• "QUANTA is not a class for those who want to hide!" (Rose Howell, QUANTA  2001-02)
• "It's very hard work but well worth it. This class teaches you a great deal about dealing with people, which is necessary in all walks of life." (Sherika Shropshire, QUANTA 2001-02)
• "It's a great first step into college. Working as a group lessens the burden of schoolwork on yourself. It teaches you skills you will use throughout college." (Kim Flatt, QUANTA 2001-02)
• "You will need to stay on top of things and not fall behind, or you will not be able to fully enjoy the QUANTA experience." (Chandler Zimmerman, QUANTA 2001-02)
• "It will be easier on you (in terms of integrated course content) to take QUANTA than to take all 3 classes separate from each other. Because the workload is combined, it seems as though there's not as much work. Also, you voice your opinion about course content instead of reiterating facts from a textbook." (Nicole Milchak, QUANTA 2001-02)

What is the class size?

QUANTA accepts the first 22 students who qualify by test score on the CPT, SAT or ACT for each of the three classes.  There are a total of 66 students in the QUANTA Learning Community.

Should I take other classes while I am taking QUANTA?

Because QUANTA students are busy being intellectually stimulated and challenged most students will only sign up for a math course in addition to the three courses in QUANTA. This strategy gives them a nice balance in subject matter, while maintaining a full time course load.

Because QUANTA students often carry their class conversations over into their lunch break, it is suggested that you schedule your additional course(s) at 1 p.m. or later in the afternoon (Monday, Wednesday & Friday), or on your non-QUANTA days (Tuesday & Thursday).

If you are preparing for a Math/Science type college major, you may need to sign up for at least one Science course in addition to the Math.

A counselor/advisor can help in suggesting a course load that is right for you. He or she will consider your desired major, academic history, current workload, family/relationship responsibilities, and consult with an expert on yourself (you).

Will I be able to do well in QUANTA?

ARE YOU:

• A passionate thinker?
• Friendly, creative, open-minded?
• Bored by lectures and row-by-row classrooms?
• Shy and ready to make friends?
• A good active listener?
• Dedicated and have good study habits?
• Willing to do the work necessary to experience intellectual stimulation within a fast moving community?

DO YOU:

• Like to have fun?
• Yearn for a creative outlet in college?
• Enjoy taking subject matter one-step further and analyzing it?
• Have a strong sense of commitment to making a difference in the world?
• Like to discuss ideas with other students?

If you answer "yes" to many of these questions, you will probably do well in QUANTA

Are the classes fun?

Most students find the QUANTA classes to be more fun than traditional classes because of the variety of learning activities, such as group discussions, creative projects, role plays, etc. Every day is different in QUANTA:

• "It gives you a chance to work and learn together in a new and exciting way." (Jason Thompson, QUANTA 2001-02)
• "QUANTA is truly a learning community. You will end the year with   lifelong friends and knowledge." (Joisha Martinez, QUANTA 2001-02)
• "It will change your life!"  (Jo Michael, QUANTA 2001-02)

What if I don't need all of the classes?

QUANTA sometimes allows students in special circumstances to take only 2 of the 3 classes as long as the student commits to staying in QUANTA for the full class period from 9AM until 11:50AM. This is especially a good option for students who have Advanced Placement credit (AP) for the English course. Students should speak to QUANTA facilitators concerning this possibility.

Is it all one grade? Will I get the same grade in all 3 courses?

You will receive a separate grade for each of the 3 classes.