A Laboratory Practical Exam in Chemical Engineering

Authors

  • James Findley de Regt University of California-San Diego, United States
  • Aaron M. Drews University of California-San Diego, United States

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18260/2-1-370.660-141178

Keywords:

Laboratory, Assessment and Evaluation

Abstract

The design, operation, and assessment of a laboratory practical exam in a junior-level chemical engineering course is described. The station-based exam evaluates three categories of performance: plumbing, wiring, and coding. Steps to ensure academic integrity in light of both staggered exam times and repetition across academic years are described. In a post survey 80% of students agreed or strongly agreed that the exam increased attention in preceding labs. Faculty, staff, and student feedback are discussed.

Author Biographies

James Findley de Regt, University of California-San Diego, United States

James Findley de Regt is a Research & Development Engineer at the Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering at UC San Diego. He joined the university in 2019 with a focus on undergraduate laboratory classes and now serves as the Lab Manager for the Chemical Engineering degree program. He earned his MS in Experimental Physics at Universiteit Utrecht.

Aaron M. Drews, University of California-San Diego, United States

Aaron M. Drews is an Associate Teaching Professor at the Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering at UC San Diego. He joined the university in 2014 with a focus on hands-on educational experiences in chemical engineering and is the author of An Introduction to Chemical Reaction Engineering with MATLAB, an undergraduate text for quarter-based reaction engineering courses. He earned his PhD in chemical engineering from The Pennsylvania State University.

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Published

2026-07-02

Issue

Ahead of Print (Articles ASAP)

Section

Manuscripts