Most of my professors know my name. I am in communication classes, however, not engineering. My class size is about 20-50 students per class. I know engineering classes are much larger.
My favorite and least favorite class was COM 408 Newsmagazine Production. It is a lot of work. You put on a news show every week. During the week, you shoot and edit field productions that will run in the show. Because there were only about 13 people in the class, you become really close to your classmates. The instructor is also really helpful and kind. It is fun because you get to learn a lot about what is happening at Purdue. The class had its high and low moments, but I recommend taking it.
The amount students study all depends on their major. I study about 2 hours a day, but again, I am a communications major. My boyfriend is a senior in Mechanical Engineering, and he can spend up to 6 hours studying a day.
Class participation is pretty common in my classes. I am in a class now that discusses racial and ethnic diversity issues. Sometimes, the entire period is a political debate about affirmative action or race-sensitive college admission. It depends on how the class is structured.
Most students do have intellectual conversations outside of class. There is a lot of discussion about politics.
Students are competitive in engineering. In communication classes, the competition is less. Competitiveness increases with seniority.
The most unique class I have ever taken is Mass Media Effects Research. The class is taught by a world-famous researcher in this field, Glenn Sparks. We discover how all types of media affect body image, obesity, perspectives, fear and much more. It is really interesting.
My major is Communications, however, there are concentrations within this major. Some of these concentrations are organizational communiation, mass media, public relations and a few more. We do not have a journalism major, but those interested in journalism take the mass media concentration. It is good because you learn all parts of the media, but it bad because there is a limited amount of journalism classes offered.
I occasionally spend time with my professors outside of class. While in COM 408, all of the class would come down during lunch hour to edit and hang out. So, we would have lunch with our professor and chat, while getting some work done. A few weeks ago, a group of classmates and I went to see one of our professors play in a band. I speak to my journalism professor about my online portfolio and job opportunities. They are always there to speak to you after class if you want.
Purdue's academic requirements are fair. I've never had a problem with them. You can retake classes up to 3 times. You also have the option of redlining, or dropping class grades that are not needed by your major. Also, you can take classes Pass/Fail, which means you get credit, but not a grade if you receive 70{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} or higher.
The education in engineering is geared toward gettng a job. They have great co-op opportunities for engineering students, which allows them to work for a semester and then go to school for a semester. For Liberal Arts, it is more for learning or its own sake.