It has been shown that active learning strategies are effective in teaching complex STEM concepts. In this study, we developed and implemented a laboratory experiment for teaching the concepts of Boolean logic gates, molecular beacon probes, molecular computing, DNA logic gates, microRNA, and molecular diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, which…

Many countries use national-level surveys to capture student opinions about their university experiences. It is necessary to interpret survey results in an appropriate context to inform decision-making at many levels. To provide context to national survey outcomes, we describe patterns in the ratings of science and engineering subjects from the…

Increasing the number of students who complete advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields is a compelling national interest. Although college science and engineering degree completion rates have improved considerably over the past few decades, significant gaps persist among women and students of color. Gaps…

This project was directed towards exploring issues in undergraduate engineering education and presenting recommendations for future activities in engineering education at two universities. The report includes 14 recommendations pertaining to engineering education in areas such as: practical training, course structure and organization, teaching…

Describes the introduction of microprocessors into the Weapons and Systems Engineering Department at the U.S. Naval Academy, including planning decisions, implementation, procedures, uses of microprocessors in the department, and impact on the Systems Engineering major and curriculum. (SK)

This study examined Draw-a-Scientist-Test (DAST) images solicited from 212 undergraduate students for the presence of traditional gender stereotypes. Participants were 100 males and 112 females enrolled in psychology or computer science courses with a mean age of 21.02 years. A standard multiple regression generated a model that accounts for the…

Reports on a study which investigated the effects of having students analyze circuits in the laboratory compared with troubleshooting from homework problems. Results indicated that laboratory experiences provide a richer learning experience than lecture and homework alone. (TW)

Addresses the status of engineering education for women. Discusses the changes related to both the image of women and the engineering profession over the past 15 years. Assesses how computer-aided engineering has made engineering attractive to women today. (TW)

The pre-college entrance variables of freshmen computer science majors (N=256) were reviewed to determine which variables were related to persistence in the major. Students who persisted in computer science, engineering, or another science differed from those students who left for an academically dissimilar goal in their SAT-Math and SAT-verbal…

Discusses starting salaries for graduates with various degrees in computer science and electrical engineering. Summarizes the results of a recent study by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) which provides salary estimates for graduates in different specialties and in different geographical locations. (TW)

Traces the history and function of State, Operator, And Result (SOAR), a general-purpose artificial intelligence program for solving problems. The SOAR can "chunk" the result of a subgoal and learn from previous experiences. The SOAR could be applied to various expert systems. (YP)

This publication is a source book of detailed statistical information on science and engineering (S/E) degree production for the period 1950-1980. Data used in the report cover earned degrees in the aggregate United States, which includes the 50 states, District of Columbia, and its outlying areas (American Samoa, Canal Zone, Guam, Northern…

Questions the differences between computer science and computer engineering. Reviews the body of knowledge pertaining to both fields. Asserts that they are essentially the same, and that computer science is a genuine intellectual discipline. (TW)

This report presents nine case studies of Industry/University Cooperative Research (IUCR) projects supported during 1978-1980 by the National Science Foundation. The intent of this document is to provide readers with a qualitative picture of cooperative science as practiced under the IUCR program. The information presented in this report is…

At the present time, Florida ranks fourth among the states in volume of high-technology industry, which includes information processing and computer-oriented activity. For this reason, a statewide review of computer science programs underway at the nine campuses of the State University System (SUS) of Florida was recently conducted. This report…