Since I am a comp science student and I will be taking some unix classes soon I would like to get familiar with linux.
I ordered another TB HDD since my current one is about full, and I want to partition off some space for a dual boot linux distro.

What is a good distro to get started on, and how much space does a linux partition need?
Any advice or help sites would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

System depends on your preferences. As you're going to study Linux at Uni, it's better to install same system on your PC. Or have a look at my blog... there are articles with my own experience of different distros.

Disk split advice usually differs... SWAP is size of your memory (or double), /boot is optional, but rather small, / - 10Gb should be more than enough (even double-triple of "enough"). /home - as much as you like.
I personally do not have separate partitions for /boot and /home, keep everything in one partition, and feel comfortable with it.

If you want to learn Unix like linux go Slackware. If you want to learn common linux go Ubuntu.

If you really want to learn Linux, I would go for one of the distributions that are not so "hand-holding". I would recommend Slackware, Arch, Debian or one of the Red Hat clones, like Cent OS or Scientific Linux.
If you have a Unix-class (not Linux), may be one of the BSDs would also be good.
Best would be, as recommended above, to ask your professor and use the same OS as your course.