We present a unique and innovative course, Biostatistical Literacy, developed at the University of Minnesota. The course is aimed at public health graduate students and health sciences professionals. Its goal is to develop students' ability to read and interpret statistical results in the medical and public health literature. The content spans the…

College students receive countless messages about "following passion" and "doing what you love" (DWYL). What happens when these repeated messages ultimately do a disservice to some students? Although pursuing one's interests is strongly encouraged, the author explores the limitations of the DWYL advice at all costs, including…

The Capstone Sales course is the final in a sequence of five required courses in a 15 credit Professional Selling program housed in the Marketing Department at St. Cloud State University. The course is heavily focused on experiential learning activities for senior-level sales students. In this paper details of the course design, instructor and…

A one-semester, introductory chemistry course is described that develops a primarily qualitative understanding of structure-property relationships. Starting from an atoms-first approach, the course examines the properties and three-dimensional structure of metallic and ionic solids before expanding into a thorough investigation of molecules. In…

Where do students find out about courses they might take? Potentially, from just about anywhere: friends, bulletin boards, department Web sites, advisors, e-mails, or flyers posted in the halls. Of course, some of these sources are more trustworthy than others. Where should students go to get reliable information that can help them make wise…

Three faculty members from three different professional disciplines outline strategies to engage first-year students in a team-taught, multidisciplinary first-year experience course. The theme of the discussed section is titled food for thought...and action. Assignments are grounded in theories of cooperative and experiential learning. Tentative…

This paper discusses the problems associated with mathematics anxiety, and provides detailed information on the history and structure of the Mathematics Anxiety Program at the University of Minnesota. The seven parts concern: (1) the Continuing Education for Women Program, (2) the development of the Math Anxiety Program, (3) the symptoms of…

This publication describes over 100 activity-oriented programs in which students learn through a combination of direct experience and associated instruction or reflection. Students are involved in cross-age tutoring, community services, on-the-job work experiences, foreign or domestic travel with an organized group, political campaigns, field…

Describes the development of a topics course offered jointly by the chemistry and biology departments at Macalester College (Minnesota). Outlines the syllabus for the course. Discusses teaching and laboratory methods used. (CW)