Post 5 - Changes to my study programme

 

Write about some changes that could be made to your study programme (carrera).

Think about:

·  The curriculum (the subjects you have to study)

·  Workload and length of studies

·  Faculty facilities (buildings and infrastructure)

·  Use of technology

·  Teaching methods

Make comments on 3 of your classmates’ posts and your teacher's blog post.

Word Count: 230 words

Have a look at my model answer below.

For my undergraduate degree I studied Psychology in the Humanities and Science department at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, USA. I found the curriculum to be good mainly because it was quite flexible. The first two years were focused on a general foundation with classes like: biology, philosophy, intensive writing, sociology, anthropology, and of course some psychology courses. Whereas the final two years were much more focused on my major with classes like: applied statistics, experimental psychology, personality, perception, child development, practical work, etc. We also had a lot of electives to choose from. 

Because of this flexible curriculum I feel like I received a well-rounded education. However, I would have liked more practical work. I took two semesters of practical work at a street centre for homeless people, which later became a part-time job. But I felt there was a lack of connection to my course work. I also received credit for working with a professor on a study, but I also felt like this was not very well structured. 

I felt that the workload was adequate. However, I was working part-time during the last two years, so I had to take less classes which extended my programme by a semester. The facilities at the university were excellent for that time. In those days we didn't use much technology, but we had access to a computer lab in the library. As for the teaching methods, with the exception of the lab classes, I think they could have been more project based. I found that most of my courses were lecture based and boring. Nevertheless, I did take a seminar course my first year that was a weekly workshop class that combined some of the content of the foundation courses. 

As a conclusion, I believe I received a good education in my undergraduate study programme, however I think there could have been more project based courses and structured practical work that could have bridged the gap between the theoretical and practical studies.