Despite their technological savvy, most students entering university lack the necessary computer skills to succeed in a quantitative analysis course, in which they are often expected to input, analyze, and plot results of experiments without any previous formal education in Microsoft Excel or similar programs. This lack of formal education results…

Today's biology educators face the challenge of training their students in modern molecular biology techniques including genomics and bioinformatics. The Dolan DNA Learning Center (DNALC) of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has developed and disseminated a bench- and computer-based plant genomics curriculum for biology faculty. In 2007, a five-day…

Computers have been installed in the General Biology laboratory at Purchase College and incorporated into the laboratory curriculum for all biology majors at the introductory level. The goal is to ensure that all students become familiar with general computer applications in the biological sciences and are comfortable enough to use them regularly.…

Explains the use of the microcomputer as a multipurpose analytical instrument which frees students from the mechanics of science and allows for more active learning involvement. Provides the typical data acquisition configuration, advantages, disadvantages, and a brief summary. (RT)

Reviews the goals of laboratory education as identified by the National Science Teachers Association. Describes an Apple II system for the lab. Concentrates on hardware and connections. Stresses the advantages of student-microcomputer interaction in the laboratory setting. (CW)

Provides the executive summary of the final report of the Quality of Engineering Education Project of the American Society for Engineering Education. Addresses the preparation for teachers of engineering, faculty development, the use of educational technology, and the improvement of undergraduate engineering laboratory experiences. (TW)