| In my undergrad, engineering seminars were required zero credit pass/fail courses taken each semester during freshmen and sophomore years. I guess in general, it focused more on professional development than anything else. Topics included things such as licensure, sustainability, life-long learning, career development, stress management, presentation skills, speaking skills, etc. Though four semesters may sound like a lot, we only had one hour sessions five to ten times per semester.
In my grad school, it's an optional zero credit "course" where only grad students attend. It is set up much like aibaar's description, though I didn't like it as much. Maybe it's because I didn't like how the speakers presented their research. Many presenters, particularly those who were current students, assumed everyone were intimately familiar with their field of study, and that was not true. The audience was pretty diverse, so the material was usually over the head of many people if the topic isn't their area of expertise. Presenters who are professors tend to be better of course.
Just make sure your engineering seminar isn't required for graduation. I wouldn't worry about missing these classes. |