University students' expectations of geography, chemistry and biology courses with special reference to students' perception of geography

First year students in geography, biology and chemistry indicate many similarities in their expectation of university courses. There are some interesting differences when categories of expectations are considered in isolation and when students are allowed to choose in the ‘final four’ expectations test. Expectations of geography are quite definitely science oriented if one assumes that a ‘practical’, ‘problem solving’ approach is inherently scientific. If these orientations are a consequence mainly of experience, and this would seem to be very likely, then one needs to consider carefully the appropriateness of these orientations. There are aspects of these results which should be of interest to curriculum developers and educators interested in a broad evaluation of student goals. Student's expectations emphasize knowledge, thinking skills, experimental work and related skills, as well as long term goals and attitudes. There is certainly an element of general balance which must be heartening to those who might have had doubts about the motivation of new university students. Students have expectations which indicate that they are aware of and presumably value all four categories of goals.