Originally Posted by
Genghis the Engineer
That is generally the objection that I've heard - however the OU (for example) manages to run degrees in biology by distance learning, so I'd regard it as a problem to be solved rather than a showstopper. The difficulty then is to find somebody with both the resources and will to solve the problems! So far, I've failed miserably in that.
G
If I recall the degrees OU run which do have some elements of practical work, the OU run intensive style experiment weeks at various Universities around the UK to allow the students to go in and knock all the experiments required in a short time.
I personally cannot see why this can't be done on a larger scale with a wider selection of courses. For example, our undergrad teaching labs go unused from July-October. A great opportunity to get some distance learners in! Although the majority of academics in my group see July-October as their intensive research period where they do not have to suffer the interruptions of students.