The best aspect of this course included the helpful pre-lab handouts, the opportunity to apply one’s knowledge to lab work, and the level of intellectual rigor expected from the students. A few students felt the instructor’s expectations were, at times, unclear. One student felt the time commitment was excessive. Suggestions included adopting a less-intense grading system and providing students with more feedback. Prospective students should know that the work required for this course is time-consuming.

Hands-on experiments, instruction in various instruments and techniques, and freedom to work as independent groups were the best aspects of this course. Many students noted the intellectual challenge of the class as an additional positive. However, students overwhelmingly cited the lack of feedback on work as the worst aspect of the course, with many students mentioning that only one lab report was returned leaving many to wonder if they were completing the rest correctly. Suggestions for improvements centered on having work returned more promptly and reducing the workload. Prospective students should know that the workload in this course can become overwhelming depending on how many people are in a group, and expectations for lab reports are often unclear.

Students enjoyed the hands on-application of concepts and relevant lab techniques that corresponded to and reinforced what was taught in other courses. Students felt that the lab reports were tedious and time consuming, the professor was not accessible and dismissive, and the feedback from graded assignments was not returned in a timely manner. Suggestions for improvement included timelier feedback on assignments and clearer expectations for lab reports listed in the rubric. Prospective students should be prepared to dedicate a significant amount of time to group lab reports, and be aware