The purpose of this report is to publicize some worthwhile experiences enjoyed by the author in a small school with a limited budget. (DF)

A discussion is presented with the following purposes: (1) to evaluate the types of students desiring and/or needing to study this course; (2) to evaluate the type of course that can be designed for them; (3) to describe a course developed for the needs of both geology and liberal arts students; and (4) to share the ideas and experiences of the…

Describes course for both science and non-science majors who have had introductory geology. The course is presented in three parts: lecture, laboratory, and field project. Students are involved in measuring a stratigraphic section, collecting samples, lithologic descriptions, fossil cleaning, and sample identification. (PR)

Summarizes changes in paleoecology during the past few years (focusing on those influencing the way the subject is taught) and changes in the concept of what paleoecology is (focusing on the impact of the changing concepts on course content). Includes predictions about the future of paleoecological studies. (JN)

Describes possibilities for breaking a semester course into a number of minicourses. Emphasizes the utilization of teaching assistants as minicourse leaders, and reviews current minicourse college programs. Minicourses can produce positive student attitudes and interests by providing students more choice and self direction. (PR)

Describes the development of a month-long interterm course which involved a field trip to East Africa. An account of the field trip showing travel itineraries, costs, and other details of the trip is presented. (CP)

Describes geology teaching in a penal institution, considering class offerings, teaching structure, teaching schedule, security, cheating, student characteristics, women prisoners in geology classes, and outside field trips. Sample laboratory schedule is included. (JN)

Describes a course which developed as a result of student requests for practical experience in environmental geology. Students have gained insight into the interaction between geology and human activities. (DF)

Describes a course for non-science majors in gems and gemstones developed at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. (SL)

Discusses rationale for, goals/organization of, and problems related to geology minicourse program. The program provides a framework for students to construct a tailor-made, individualized course in which a "walk-through" (poster session) replaces the traditional final examination. Includes results of course evaluations and listing of minicourses…

Describes a college-level multidisciplinary course dealing with the difference between the scientific and biblical accounts of the origin of earth and life. Student evaluation indicates the course was successful in achieving the objectives. (MA)

Thin-section photomicrographs are used to introduce the introductory geology laboratory classes to many of the optical properties of minerals. Evaluation by questionnaire suggests that the study of thin sections has a positive effect on the enjoyment and understanding of rock identification and classification by introductory students. (Author/MA)

Describes an informal experiemnt designed to compare an eighth grade earth science class in an open learning environment to traditional classes. "Open environment" students gained about the same number of points on an earth science cognitive test as the "traditional" students. The individual activities of students in the open class and the…