Described is the history and use of computers in all phases of liberal arts education at Dartmouth College. Included are surveys of computer use by students, by instructors, and as an integral part of courses. (SL)

The genesis of individual computing devices, some of their applications, and the market for personal computers are reviewed, including discussions of electronic mail and computerized music. (JN)

Examines issues involving the use of on-line databases, magnetic and optical data storage, digital telecommunications, and microcomputers on college campuses. These issues include access to computers and computer networking, and educational uses of the computers. Examples of efforts at four universities are included. (JN)

Discusses several areas of artificial intelligence and research in this area, focusing on natural language understanding. Indicates that language is more than words, that "meaning" depends on context, and that "understanding" requires a vast body of knowledge about the world. (JN)

To determine how hard it is for computers to solve problems, researchers have classified groups of problems (polynomial hierarchy) according to how much time they seem to require for their solutions. A difficult and complex proof is offered which shows that a combinatorial approach (using Boolean circuits) may resolve the problem. (JN)

Reports the rapid advances made in computer technology in China in recent years. Discusses the role of the institutes and universities, computer manufacturing, components, computer architecture, programming and applications, and the growth of computer technology. A table summarizes the principal characteristics of selected Chinese computers. (JR)

Discusses the social responsibility of computer scientists arising from the development of computer systems and their use in model building and testing, particularly in the social sciences. (AL)

Discusses ultrafast phenomena that may influence device performance and describes new experimental methods utilizing short optical pulses to investigate materials and device structures. (JN)

Advances in factory computerization (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) are reviewed, including discussions of robotics, human factors engineering, and the sociological impact of automation. (JN)

Discusses computer uses in higher education, libraries, publishing, and in generating concordances and dictionaries. Computer networks, videodisc technology, and machine-readable text are also examined. Indicates that the earliest and still most prevalent use of computers in the humanities is the compilation of concordances. (JN)

Recently medium-sized computers have begun to play an important role in scientific research involving small groups of investigators, especially in the health sciences. Discusses computer applications in some of the projects at the National Institutes of Health, and applications in the fields of medicine and mental health. (JR)

Advances in electronics and computer science have enabled industries (pulp/paper, iron/steel, petroleum/chemical) to attain better control of their processes with resulting increases in quality, productivity, profitability, and compliance with government regulations. (JN)

Suggests a way to make use of the benefits of compact computers avoiding unwise use of data or not reflecting on implications and evolving hypotheses. (EB)