University disappointment

[barbarianoftheuniverse]

DS18 in week 3 of uni (don't really want to say where yet) studying environmental science has just got his full timetable. Course was described as 12-12 hours lectures + up to 15 practical per week. His time table for first semester avarages 5 lectures per week ie 5 hours + 4 hours practical.
He is very disappointed.
Is this how unis really run? Have nothing to compare it with. Would be very grateful for any help/advice, since this course was started with very high hopes and is being financed with difficulty.
Thanks.

Has he got his reading list for the term? This might be a good opportunity to start reading around in preparation for the rest of the year, making sure he's reviewing his notes from lectures, etc. They may just be starting them gently

My first year chemists (RG uni) do 14 hours lectures/workshops/seminars plus 6 hours of labs a week. This can vary week to week as some lecture courses have different slots for things. He should query it with his personal tutor but I don't think environmental science is as contact heavy as some other science subjects since it has a basis in geography and some work will be reading.