Some classes may consist of discussion sections where students will discuss or review the material presented in the lecture. Class participation is important, if you are not confident enough to discuss a topic, at least be prepared to answer certain questions on the topic. In independent studies or research courses, students study a topic under the direction of a professor, but with no classroom instruction. These types of courses are generally for graduate students. Such a course would require a lot of reading or laboratory work.
Examinations can consist of short answer questions or essay based answers.
Some professors use multiple choice exams where you will be asked to record your answers on a machine-readable form. In such cases, make sure you know how to mark the answers on the forms. Students have been known to fail tests because their answers were put in the wrong place. The homework assigned in a course depends on each lecturer's mode of teaching. Students should become familiar with using the research facilities of the library and the American style of writing.