While some people argue that university students must take their courses based on their preferences and interests, others think that universities are entitled to choose the subjects for students based on their usefulness. Although I think offering a rigorous course list by faculties to prepare students for the future is an appropriate idea, However, some optional courses can be considered in that list to keep students motivated during their education process.
On the one hand, the most significant aim of each university is to prepare students for the future of industries and societies. This goal is unapproachable without compelling students to pass strict and carefully designed courses. For instance, it is impossible for a chemical engineering student to become a highly skilled process engineer, unless he has learned the principles such as material and energy balance or knowledge of gas behavior. In addition, passing some advanced subjects due to the interests without the basic knowledge contributes to a futile effort of students, showing the importance of having a planned course list. For example, a medical student may tend to study a specific subject about the arteries of the heart immediately after attending a medical university. This fruitless effort, however, leads neither to learning the arteries of the heart nor to learning medical principles.
On the other hand, students should be kept motivated and passionate about their field of study, and this goal is unattainable unless faculties provide students with optional courses, which could be selected by students based on their preferences. These optional courses must be selected carefully to keep students motivated while maintaining them on the path to the most significant goal which is preparing highly skilled experts for industries and societies. For example, offering courses such as biology and environment can be beneficial for chemical engineering students, because there’s a certain link between these fields and chemical engineering.
In conclusion, in order to prepare experts in universities, it is necessary to establish a careful course list which consists of essential subjects, however, keeping students enthusiastic about their studies is also achievable by offering some optional courses.