Are smaller engineering classes necessarily better than large lectures?

Not necessarily. Smaller classes can make it easier to ask instructors questions, receive individual feedback, and take part in practical activities such as experiments or design work. Large lectures can be effective for learning foundational knowledge in a structured and efficient way. The better format depends on the course’s purpose, teaching approach, instructor, and the student’s way of learning, so class size alone should not determine the choice; course content and available support also matter.