"Chem 10 lectures were abysmal," Levy says. "Lab reports were really tedious and not very creative."

Nadol says the attitude of the students themselves was part of what discouraged him from continuing in the sciences at Harvard.

"It's overcompetitive," he says. "People worry more about grades than learning. They just want to get into medical school."

But Martin says such attitudes may have a lot to do with the way the courses are designed.

"The deficiencies are not with the students, but with the courses," Martin says.

Nirav R. Shah '94, a biology major, says he enjoys his science classes but has reservations about the quality of the teaching fellows.

"TF's are often of varying expertise," he says. "One section may be significantly better than another."

Normal Changes

Some administrators say they believe it is only natural for students to realize they have interest outside science the begin taking courses at Harvard.

Assistant Dean of Admissions Marlyn McGrath-Lewis '70 says that approximately one third of Harvard student pick a concentration different from the one indicated in their Harvard application.

"People usually don't change concentrations because of negatives," says McGrath-Lewis. "They are exposed to things they never thought about."

McGrath-Lewis says that students may also be reacting to the discovery that "it takes more time to concentrate in science and it is less flexible."

In addition, said Rotch Professor of Atmospheric Science Michael B. McElroy, harsh grading the sciences in a turn-off for many prospective concentrators.

"Average grades are significantly lower in the sciences," says McElroy.

One area in which administrators say some progress has been made in that of bringing more women into the science at Harvard.