With the improvement in economic status, studying abroad is no longer an unreachable goal for many families. Many people aspire to study abroad, but what are the classroom modes and graduation methods in U.S. universities? Let’s share some insights on this topic.
- Lectures
Lectures are typically conducted by one or more professors or lecturers to impart specialized knowledge, theories, and recent academic developments. This is the primary method for building a theoretical framework in the field. Classrooms are often tiered or spacious rooms, and teachers use slides, multimedia, and other tools for presentations. Students take notes, record lectures, ask questions during class, and towards the end of the session, teachers allocate time for student questions and provide clarifications afterward.
University lectures typically last from 1 to 3 hours, delivering a substantial amount of information at a relatively fast pace, requiring students to quickly digest the material. Teachers usually assign pre-reading tasks, discussing questions from the reading materials during class. Therefore, pre-class reading is crucial; otherwise, students may feel overwhelmed.
This mode is not vastly different from Chinese universities, but there are distinctions. For instance, Chinese teachers often specify which pages will be covered in class, and students tend to skip pre-reading, thinking they can catch up during the lecture. However, in the U.S., failing to prepare beforehand can leave students feeling lost because a single lecture might cover half a textbook, leaving unprepared students bewildered!
- Seminars
Seminars typically last between 30 minutes to 1 hour, with around 10 to 20 participants. Led by a professor or sometimes a doctoral student in the same field, seminars are relatively informal. Participants sit in a circle or form small groups to discuss specific questions or cases proposed by the teacher. After the discussion, the teacher listens to each group’s conclusions, or the group selects one or more members to present their findings. The teacher then assesses the discussion process and outcomes.
- Workshops
These are less common in theoretical studies but prevalent in practical-oriented disciplines. Most of the time is spent in laboratories, computer rooms, or journalism studios. Workshops may involve learning auxiliary software, designing models, conducting experiments, etc. Classes are smaller and the duration varies, with the teacher’s presence not always required. Students work individually or in groups, following guidelines from the course materials, and may be required to submit experiment reports or project presentations.
- Tutorials
Each student is assigned a personal tutor, usually a teacher or research staff member. Tutors periodically engage with students to discuss their progress, including advising on and monitoring the process of their thesis from the early stages of topic selection to research methods, implementation, and final composition. Each teacher opens their tutorial schedule, allowing students to book appointments. During these 15-30 minute sessions, students can discuss any course-related issues with the teacher.
U.S. university teachers are not on campus daily, so during their limited office hours, they can only accommodate a limited number of students. Therefore, as soon as the tutorial schedule for the week is posted, students must immediately sign up.
Graduation Methods in U.S. Universities
- Field Trips
U.S. universities often organize field trips, such as for architecture, archaeology, urban planning, etc. Students visit different countries or cities to learn on-site. Programs like engineering, medicine, and journalism also visit industry companies or factories for observational visits, providing students with insights into real business environments and workflows.
- Presentations
One or more students present their findings on a topic using self-made posters or computer slides, typically lasting 10-20 minutes. Afterward, both the teacher and classmates can ask questions. This skill is crucial for future work, as the ability to convincingly present oneself is vital when pitching a product or presenting a plan to a board of directors.
- Essays
The most critical error in writing essays at U.S. universities is plagiarism. When quoting others’ views, sources must be clearly cited. Regardless of length, every essay must include references at the end, written in a standardized format to aid future scholars researching your work. U.S. universities strictly enforce deadlines for essay submissions, usually requiring both a printed and electronic copy. If unable to meet deadlines, students must apply to and seek approval from the course teacher.
- Exams
If suspected of cheating during exams, severe consequences await students. In serious cases, students may receive zero points for all subjects and expulsion.
- Reports
Reports differ from essays in structure, requiring a higher level of organization. Major headings may nest multiple subheadings, varying across disciplines in writing requirements and formats.
- Portfolios
Professions emphasizing practical skills compile multiple assignments and projects throughout the semester into portfolios. An art design portfolio may consist of a stack of manuscripts, an architecture portfolio of rolls of drawings, and a film portfolio possibly a compact disc.