Good Grades for Engineering Degree: Job Impact?

[Cyrus]

no, but if I thoroughly understand the derivations then generally I need to do very little memorizing.

I think this is good to a point. From your lab post, it seems like your wasting too much time on theory and not enough on applications of theory, which is what your tested.

What's there to memorize? You are typically given a formula sheet, but not always. No one, and I mean no one, is going to memorize all the heat transfer equations nor derive them. It would be a waste of time.

 

[Cyrus]

I usually find the homework problems more challenging, but that's generally because I'm just learning the material. I usually do the homework completely over at least 2 times, 3 times if I have the free time.

This is a very, very, very, very good habbit.

I do the homework over to cement the general procedure for solving the problems and to reinforce my ability to spot any algebra tricks that pop up in the problems.

YES!

I've found that most professors put enough problems that are of similar difficulty to the homework on the test so that anyone who is reasonably prepared can earn a C or B. At the same times, there are always 1 or 2 problems on the test that really test your understanding of the material and your ability to go beyond what you learned in class and the book. The ability to solve these kinds of problems are what usually separate the B student from the A student.

You sir, know how to study.

 

[Data]

Particularly in physics, most of our professors try to make test problems particularly challenging (there have been some exceptions, however - our "Modern Physics II" course, for example, is always taught by the same guy with very similar tests between years). Usually either previous tests are not available or they bear no similarity between years.

On my third year thermodynamics final, for example, the class mark distribution going into the final was C+'s and up; after the final, there were only four (out of 11) students above that level, and only one >B+.

Mathematics is a similar story, with a perhaps a slightly higher propensity for simple calculations problems. My ODE and mathematical methods classes were essentially completely based on remembering how to solve specific types of problems, without any real need for understanding of anything. Of course, in any of the other subjects this is not true: it is very rare for anyone to actually finish an analysis final around here (and it's not because there are just a lot of problems!).

The difference between physics and mathematics courses here, though (at least in my experience), is that usually the mathematics courses with tough exams will also have very difficult assignment problems. Often in physics they'll try to lull you into a false sense of security with slightly more straightforward assignments (and the courses with tough assignments will have easier exams!) .