2009 National Survey of Student Engagement
North Carolina State University
First-Year Students by Discipline
Frequency Distributions (Academic Engagement Items)

Asked questions in class or contributed to class discussions	NCSU1	Arts	Biological Sciences	Business	Education	Engineering	Physical Sciences	Professional	Social Sciences
Very often	19.8%	48.8%	16.1%	20.4%	11.6%	18.8%	19.0%	26.3%	28.7%
Often	34.5%	20.9%	37.1%	44.2%	32.6%	33.3%	31.0%	21.1%	34.8%
Sometimes	42.5%	27.9%	43.5%	35.4%	53.5%	44.6%	45.2%	47.4%	33.9%
Never	3.2%	2.3%	3.2%		2.3%	3.3%	4.8%	5.3%	2.6%
Total (N)	1,138	43	124	113	43	276	42	19	115

Made a class presentation	NCSU1	Arts	Biological Sciences	Business	Education	Engineering	Physical Sciences	Professional	Social Sciences
Very often	4.8%	9.3%	5.6%	5.3%	4.7%	4.0%		21.1%	4.3%
Often	17.3%	30.2%	14.4%	23.0%	18.6%	11.5%	7.1%	15.8%	23.3%
Sometimes	66.5%	51.2%	71.2%	63.7%	60.5%	69.8%	64.3%	57.9%	64.7%
Never	11.4%	9.3%	8.8%	8.0%	16.3%	14.7%	28.6%	5.3%	7.8%
Total (N)	1,138	43	125	113	43	278	42	19	116

Prepared two or more drafts of a paper or assignment before turning it in	NCSU1	Arts	Biological Sciences	Business	Education	Engineering	Physical Sciences	Professional	Social Sciences
Very often	22.4%	38.6%	19.8%	30.1%	22.7%	18.4%	26.2%	15.8%	28.4%
Often	36.6%	34.1%	37.3%	35.4%	38.6%	39.7%	23.8%	36.8%	31.9%
Sometimes	27.1%	20.5%	28.6%	25.7%	27.3%	26.4%	38.1%	31.6%	24.1%
Never	13.9%	6.8%	14.3%	8.8%	11.4%	15.5%	11.9%	15.8%	15.5%
Total (N)	1,141	44	126	113	44	277	42	19	116

Worked on a paper or project that required integrating ideas or information from various sources	NCSU1	Arts	Biological Sciences	Business	Education	Engineering	Physical Sciences	Professional	Social Sciences
Very often	36.3%	45.5%	41.3%	44.2%	38.6%	29.3%	28.6%	52.6%	42.6%
Often	45.8%	38.6%	44.4%	44.2%	45.5%	50.0%	40.5%	42.1%	43.5%
Sometimes	16.9%	13.6%	13.5%	11.5%	15.9%	18.5%	28.6%	5.3%	13.9%
Never	1.0%	2.3%	0.8%			2.2%	2.4%
Total (N)	1,142	44	126	113	44	276	42	19	115

Included diverse perspectives in class discussions or writing assignments	NCSU1	Arts	Biological Sciences	Business	Education	Engineering	Physical Sciences	Professional	Social Sciences
Very often	19.7%	40.9%	12.7%	21.2%	29.5%	14.9%	14.3%	10.5%	24.6%
Often	41.1%	38.6%	46.8%	47.8%	34.1%	37.0%	40.5%	47.4%	46.5%
Sometimes	32.7%	18.2%	35.7%	26.5%	31.8%	39.5%	35.7%	31.6%	25.4%
Never	6.5%	2.3%	4.8%	4.4%	4.5%	8.7%	9.5%	10.5%	3.5%
Total (N)	1,140	44	126	113	44	276	42	19	114

Come to class without completing readings or assignments	NCSU1	Arts	Biological Sciences	Business	Education	Engineering	Physical Sciences	Professional	Social Sciences
Very often	4.1%	11.9%	1.6%	5.3%	2.3%	4.0%	2.4%		1.7%
Often	15.6%	16.7%	9.5%	9.7%	20.5%	14.1%	21.4%	5.6%	17.2%
Sometimes	59.5%	61.9%	57.9%	57.5%	50.0%	60.5%	61.9%	72.2%	65.5%
Never	20.8%	9.5%	31.0%	27.4%	27.3%	21.4%	14.3%	22.2%	15.5%
Total (N)	1,141	42	126	113	44	276	42	18	116

Worked with other students on projects during class	NCSU1	Arts	Biological Sciences	Business	Education	Engineering	Physical Sciences	Professional	Social Sciences
Very often	9.8%	11.4%	8.7%	10.6%	9.1%	11.5%	7.1%	5.3%	13.0%
Often	34.1%	38.6%	29.4%	36.3%	27.3%	33.1%	33.3%	42.1%	27.0%
Sometimes	47.4%	40.9%	55.6%	43.4%	56.8%	46.4%	45.2%	52.6%	53.9%
Never	8.7%	9.1%	6.3%	9.7%	6.8%	9.0%	14.3%		6.1%
Total (N)	1,144	44	126	113	44	278	42	19	115

Worked with classmates outside of class to prepare class assignments	NCSU1	Arts	Biological Sciences	Business	Education	Engineering	Physical Sciences	Professional	Social Sciences
Very often	14.7%	14.0%	11.9%	9.8%	11.4%	20.9%	21.4%	10.5%	11.2%
Often	35.3%	20.9%	34.9%	36.6%	25.0%	40.4%	31.0%	47.4%	29.3%
Sometimes	44.8%	58.1%	47.6%	49.1%	47.7%	37.5%	31.0%	42.1%	52.6%
Never	5.1%	7.0%	5.6%	4.5%	15.9%	1.1%	16.7%		6.9%
Total (N)	1,143	43	126	112	44	277	42	19	116

Put together ideas/concepts from different courses when completing assignments/class discussions	NCSU1	Arts	Biological Sciences	Business	Education	Engineering	Physical Sciences	Professional	Social Sciences
Very often	14.7%	25.0%	14.3%	17.0%	11.4%	14.9%	16.7%	11.1%	17.4%
Often	38.3%	34.1%	41.3%	35.7%	45.5%	39.5%	21.4%	44.4%	37.4%
Sometimes	42.4%	36.4%	38.9%	43.8%	34.1%	41.7%	59.5%	44.4%	42.6%
Never	4.6%	4.5%	5.6%	3.6%	9.1%	4.0%	2.4%		2.6%
Total (N)	1,071	44	126	112	44	276	42	18	115

Tutored or taught other students (paid or voluntary)	NCSU1	Arts	Biological Sciences	Business	Education	Engineering	Physical Sciences	Professional	Social Sciences
Very often	5.6%	4.5%	6.5%	1.8%	4.5%	10.1%	9.5%		2.6%
Often	13.3%	4.5%	12.1%	10.6%	11.4%	18.8%	28.6%	5.3%	6.9%
Sometimes	39.1%	43.2%	39.5%	39.8%	40.9%	43.0%	33.3%	31.6%	31.9%
Never	42.0%	47.7%	41.9%	47.8%	43.2%	28.2%	28.6%	63.2%	58.6%
Total (N)	1,075	44	124	113	44	277	42	19	116

Participated in a community-based project as part of a regular course	NCSU1	Arts	Biological Sciences	Business	Education	Engineering	Physical Sciences	Professional	Social Sciences
Very often	2.6%	9.1%	4.8%	2.7%	11.4%	0.4%	2.4%		4.4%
Often	8.5%	6.8%	11.1%	7.2%	6.8%	7.4%	4.8%		7.0%
Sometimes	26.1%	18.2%	46.0%	26.1%	22.7%	18.0%	4.8%	31.6%	21.1%
Never	62.8%	65.9%	38.1%	64.0%	59.1%	74.3%	88.1%	68.4%	67.5%
Total (N)	1,068	44	126	111	44	272	42	19	114

Used an electronic medium to discuss or complete an assignment	NCSU1	Arts	Biological Sciences	Business	Education	Engineering	Physical Sciences	Professional	Social Sciences
Very often	34.2%	40.9%	38.9%	29.2%	36.4%	36.1%	45.2%	36.8%	26.7%
Often	28.1%	13.6%	27.8%	31.0%	25.0%	29.2%	26.2%	5.3%	29.3%
Sometimes	29.6%	31.8%	27.8%	29.2%	27.3%	27.8%	14.3%	42.1%	32.8%
Never	8.0%	13.6%	5.6%	10.6%	11.4%	6.9%	14.3%	15.8%	11.2%
Total (N)	1,075	44	126	113	44	277	42	19	116

Used e-mail to communicate with an instructor	NCSU1	Arts	Biological Sciences	Business	Education	Engineering	Physical Sciences	Professional	Social Sciences
Very often	48.0%	62.8%	50.4%	52.2%	54.5%	42.4%	52.4%	36.8%	53.4%
Often	35.9%	25.6%	29.6%	36.3%	34.1%	41.4%	21.4%	47.4%	34.5%
Sometimes	15.8%	11.6%	20.0%	11.5%	11.4%	15.8%	26.2%	15.8%	11.2%
Never	0.3%					0.4%			0.9%
Total (N)	1,075	43	125	113	44	278	42	19	116

Discussed grades or assignments with an instructor	NCSU1	Arts	Biological Sciences	Business	Education	Engineering	Physical Sciences	Professional	Social Sciences
Very often	17.5%	18.2%	24.6%	18.6%	20.5%	18.1%	14.3%	21.1%	19.8%
Often	31.5%	29.5%	30.2%	36.3%	18.2%	31.4%	35.7%	26.3%	36.2%
Sometimes	44.5%	47.7%	38.9%	39.8%	54.5%	43.7%	40.5%	47.4%	41.4%
Never	6.4%	4.5%	6.3%	5.3%	6.8%	6.9%	9.5%	5.3%	2.6%
Total (N)	1,076	44	126	113	44	277	42	19	116

Talked about career plans with a faculty member or advisor	NCSU1	Arts	Biological Sciences	Business	Education	Engineering	Physical Sciences	Professional	Social Sciences
Very often	14.5%	25.0%	17.6%	16.8%	15.9%	9.4%	9.5%	5.3%	19.0%
Often	26.3%	18.2%	26.4%	32.7%	45.5%	21.4%	33.3%	47.4%	24.1%
Sometimes	45.4%	40.9%	50.4%	38.9%	20.5%	48.6%	45.2%	36.8%	44.8%
Never	13.8%	15.9%	5.6%	11.5%	18.2%	20.7%	11.9%	10.5%	12.1%
Total (N)	1,075	44	125	113	44	276	42	19	116

Discussed ideas from readings/classes with faculty members outside of class	NCSU1	Arts	Biological Sciences	Business	Education	Engineering	Physical Sciences	Professional	Social Sciences
Very often	4.9%	9.1%	4.0%	5.3%		5.8%	4.8%		6.0%
Often	12.9%	15.9%	8.7%	10.6%	9.1%	13.0%	19.0%		13.8%
Sometimes	38.2%	43.2%	42.9%	36.3%	43.2%	36.6%	35.7%	52.6%	36.2%
Never	44.0%	31.8%	44.4%	47.8%	47.7%	44.6%	40.5%	47.4%	44.0%
Total (N)	1,076	44	126	113	44	276	42	19	116

Received prompt written or oral feedback from faculty on academic performance	NCSU1	Arts	Biological Sciences	Business	Education	Engineering	Physical Sciences	Professional	Social Sciences
Very often	16.7%	30.2%	16.7%	23.2%	15.9%	14.0%	23.8%	10.5%	13.0%
Often	40.3%	30.2%	40.5%	42.0%	29.5%	42.1%	33.3%	26.3%	49.6%
Sometimes	36.7%	37.2%	34.9%	30.4%	50.0%	39.2%	33.3%	47.4%	29.6%
Never	6.3%	2.3%	7.9%	4.5%	4.5%	4.7%	9.5%	15.8%	7.8%
Total (N)	1,046	43	126	112	44	278	42	19	115

Worked harder than you thought you could to meet instructor's standards/expectations	NCSU1	Arts	Biological Sciences	Business	Education	Engineering	Physical Sciences	Professional	Social Sciences
Very often	18.1%	25.0%	22.6%	24.1%	11.6%	16.4%	21.4%	15.8%	20.0%
Often	38.0%	31.8%	39.5%	41.1%	44.2%	38.2%	28.6%	52.6%	37.4%
Sometimes	36.5%	29.5%	33.1%	32.1%	30.2%	36.0%	45.2%	26.3%	36.5%
Never	7.5%	13.6%	4.8%	2.7%	14.0%	9.5%	4.8%	5.3%	6.1%
Total (N)	1,042	44	124	112	43	275	42	19	115

Worked with faculty members on activities other than coursework	NCSU1	Arts	Biological Sciences	Business	Education	Engineering	Physical Sciences	Professional	Social Sciences
Very often	4.4%	9.1%	4.0%	5.3%	11.6%	2.9%	4.8%	5.3%	6.1%
Often	10.2%	13.6%	13.6%	10.6%	11.6%	7.9%	4.8%		7.9%
Sometimes	26.5%	25.0%	29.6%	23.9%	27.9%	26.4%	33.3%	26.3%	26.3%
Never	58.9%	52.3%	52.8%	60.2%	48.8%	62.8%	57.1%	68.4%	59.6%
Total (N)	1,043	44	125	113	43	277	42	19	114

Discussed ideas from your readings or classes with others outside of class	NCSU1	Arts	Biological Sciences	Business	Education	Engineering	Physical Sciences	Professional	Social Sciences
Very often	22.4%	38.6%	24.6%	27.7%	27.9%	18.0%	31.7%	36.8%	27.0%
Often	37.4%	38.6%	41.3%	30.4%	37.2%	39.6%	51.2%	36.8%	40.0%
Sometimes	35.1%	22.7%	31.7%	35.7%	25.6%	36.3%	17.1%	26.3%	30.4%
Never	5.1%		2.4%	6.3%	9.3%	6.1%			2.6%
Total (N)	1,046	44	126	112	43	278	41	19	115

Had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity than your own	NCSU1	Arts	Biological Sciences	Business	Education	Engineering	Physical Sciences	Professional	Social Sciences
Very often	24.4%	36.4%	28.0%	23.0%	22.7%	23.5%	35.7%	31.6%	29.6%
Often	29.8%	34.1%	33.6%	28.3%	25.0%	27.8%	31.0%	47.4%	28.7%
Sometimes	34.0%	22.7%	29.6%	40.7%	36.4%	33.9%	26.2%	10.5%	29.6%
Never	11.9%	6.8%	8.8%	8.0%	15.9%	14.8%	7.1%	10.5%	12.2%
Total (N)	1,047	44	125	113	44	277	42	19	115

Had serious conversations with students with different religious beliefs, political opinions, personal values	NCSU1	Arts	Biological Sciences	Business	Education	Engineering	Physical Sciences	Professional	Social Sciences
Very often	27.7%	45.5%	31.7%	23.0%	25.0%	27.2%	50.0%	31.6%	30.4%
Often	30.5%	22.7%	26.2%	31.9%	34.1%	31.2%	14.3%	42.1%	29.6%
Sometimes	33.1%	25.0%	35.7%	38.1%	36.4%	31.2%	31.0%	15.8%	31.3%
Never	8.7%	6.8%	6.3%	7.1%	4.5%	10.5%	4.8%	10.5%	8.7%
Total (N)	1,047	44	126	113	44	276	42	19	115

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Endnote:
1. "NCSU" results include a small number of students whose major did not fall into one of the eight fields or who did not indicate a major.

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