What should I ask engineering students about experiments and reports?
Ask how often experiments take place and how long they usually take, whether the work is individual or in groups, and how much preparation is expected. Also ask about report formats, submission frequency, time needed to write them, grading criteria, and feedback. It is useful to ask how busy students become when experiments overlap with lectures or exams, and what support is available if an experiment does not go as planned.
Key points
- Check the frequency, duration, and individual or group format of experiments.
- Ask how much time is needed for preparation, data organization, and report writing.
- Ask how reports are graded and whether resubmission or help from instructors or teaching assistants is available.
- Ask about workload during periods when experiments overlap with lectures or exams.
Things to check
- Experiment and report practices and workload vary by university, faculty, year, and course, so also check official syllabi and course guidance.