The best part of this course was getting hands-on experience with concepts learned throughout the semester. The negative aspects were the long lab reports and lack of guidance from TAs. Students suggest better training for TAs so they are well prepared for labs. Students considering this course should know that there is a lot of time and work required. You need to start early on lab reports and make sure to meet often with your group and the professor.

Students enjoyed getting hands-on experience and working in groups. The negative aspects of the course included the TA and professor’s lack of knowledge on using the lab equipment. Students also said that there was little guidance from the manual or the TAs. Suggestions for improvement included a better lab manual and more guidance on procedures. Students should know that the course is a lot of work and lab reports can be very time-consuming.

Students praised this course for engaging students’ critical thinking skills and for giving them the hands on experience with the equipment and methods they would use in future careers. Students issues with the course varied, but some students felt that the course repeated information taught in earlier courses. Other students had issues getting equipment to work because the equipment was old or malfunctioned. Suggestions for improvement included getting additional preparation before performing labs either by having a session to review the concepts behind the lab, or by having some opportunity for students to get further guidance from the instructor. Prospective students should know that the course required a substantial effort and a large time commitment.

Students’ favorite aspect of this class was the opportunity it gave them to gain real world experience in the laboratory. They thought the course’s greatest deficiency was the schedule which they believed could have been more consistent in terms of workload. Students felt the course could have been improved with more guidance for assignments, particularly lab reports. They thought it was important for people considering taking the class to know that the course was challenging and that a substantial time commitment was necessary for completing lab reports.