Written scientific communication, such as laboratory reports, are important components of undergraduate education within the sciences. Since most Horticultural Science majors offer lecture- and lab-based courses, students often write laboratory reports for many courses across the curriculum and these reports comprise a large percentage of the…

We present the most recent steps undertaken to reform the introductory algebra-based course at The George Washington University. The reform sought to help students improve their problem-solving performance. Our pedagogy relies on didactic constructs such as the" GW-ACCESS problem-solving protocol," "instructional sequences" and…

Sophomore liberal arts and engineering students enrolled in a course to learn and practice some basic chemical engineering side by side. The course was developed around the theme of indigo dyeing, which has an interesting history, fascinating chemistry and is accessible to all students. The students participated in a variety of active learning…

Many undergraduate institutions are dealing with less-than-prepared students entering the biology major. When the biology department at College of Notre Dame of Maryland analyzed data from five past cohorts of prospective biology majors, it was evident that there was a significant correlation between their success in the introductory course in the…

According to Carl Sagan (1987), "Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge." Field studies and undergraduate research provide students with the best opportunities for "thinking" about science, while at the same time acquiring a body of knowledge. Natural History of Tropical Carbonate Ecosystems is a…

Describes a remedial course that uses an experiential approach. Presents the major topics in the course, outlines the subsections and modules used in the first unit, and explains the method used for student evaluation. (GS)

Describes an introductory astronomy course at Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Blacksburg, in which the Keller Plan (personalized system of instruction) is used. Course evaluation results and typical student comments about this self-paced program are provided. (JR)

Describes an organic chemistry course designed as a modification of the Keller plan; lists the basic assumptions of the course design; outlines how the course was conducted; and compares the grade distribution to that of a traditional class. (GS)

Describes a self-paced, learning-for-mastery course in undergraduate fluid mechanics. Includes the method of course assessment, method of student evaluation, and a description of the instructor's role and work load. Summarizes aspects of self-paced instruction considered favorable and unfavorable. (GS)

Describes a preservice physics course designed for elementary school teachers. Design considerations included the philosophy of teaching elementary science, the content needs of elementary teachers, and six competency-based instructional strategies. Presents course content, sequence, and method of student evaluation. (GS)

The paper presents a teaching regime and evaluation criteria for a general education course in biology. The purpose of the course is to provide students with biological information to help them understand problems facing humans and some of the social and ethical aspects of these problems. Using input from students concerning what constitutes a…

Describes the engineering education program at the Aalborg University Center in Denmark. Details the aims of the program. Outlines the programs and multidisciplinary departments of the university. Explains how students are grouped around projects. Reviews the evaluation process. Examines the attitudes of students in the program. (CW)

With less time to spend with individual students, teachers of large classes may need course materials that augment texts and lectures. The author discusses what criteria such materials must meet and gives examples from a course in statics. (Author/DS)

Presented is a report on a course for undergraduate students which is designed to increase their intellectual abilities early in their college careers. The report gives the characteristics of concrete thought and formal reasoning, followed by an explanation of the process involved in data collecting and the data itself. The authors suggest that…