Quantum mechanics is an integral course for physics students. An understanding of quantum concepts is imperative for enrollment in physics graduate programs, participating in research within physics fields, and employment with companies developing quantum technologies. This study analyzes 188 U.S. research-intensive institutions' course catalogs…

This viewpoint commentary, written from the perspective of a teacher who has helped to educate students in a wide variety of educational environments, is a reaction to the article published in Anatomical Sciences Education on developing of core syllabuses for the anatomical sciences. After reflecting on the definitions of both curriculum and…

We review the state of genetics instruction in the United States through the lens of backward design, with particular attention to the goals and assessments that inform curricular practice. An analysis of syllabi and leading textbooks indicates that genetics instruction focuses most strongly on foundations of DNA and Mendelian genetics. At the…

Interdisciplinary curriculum development is challenging in the sense that materials from more than one discipline have to be integrated in a seamless manner. A faculty member has to develop expertise in multiple disciplines in order to teach an interdisciplinary course, or the course has to be team-taught. Both approaches are difficult to…

This paper scrutinizes the contribution of Romulo de Carvalho to the development of the Portuguese science curriculum, arguing that it was critically informed by his lifetime inclination to the humanities. It focuses on a particular historical event: the 1948 chemistry programme for the secondary school "Liceus". The paper briefly…

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…

Engineering design graphics courses taught in colleges or universities should provide and equip students preparing for employment with the basic occupational graphics skill competences required by engineering and technology disciplines. Academic institutions should introduce and include topics that cover the newer and more efficient graphics…

This article discusses a systematic approach to designing significant learning experiences, often referred to as the "backward design process," which has been popularized by Wiggins and McTighe (1998) and is included as a central feature of L. Dee Fink's model for integrated course design (Fink, 2003). The process is referred to as backward…

A special chemistry course was designed and written for the nonscience major or non collegebound secondary school student. Both the textbook and the laboratory manual were field tested in two small rural schools of southwestern New Mexico; students from four similar schools served as controls. Student populations involved were of mixed ethnic…

Courses not appearing in Elmhurst's college catalog are offered during an interim period (January). These courses provide students with innovative educational experiences apart from the traditional curriculum. Development and description of an interim biology course in the Caribbean are discussed. Includes texts used, on-campus orientation, and…

Discusses a high school physics course in which physics is developed from something students have seen or experienced rather than starting with physics and applying it to a topic. Instructions for obtaining a sample unit and course outline are provided. (Author/JN)

Describes development of K-12 aerospace education materials. The ninth-grade component, adopted as a pilot program, consists of four parts: history, applications (principles of flight, weather, navigation), spin-offs of research, and careers/organizations. Program evaluation results are reported. (JN)

Evaluates a research paper-laboratory experience biology course developed in lieu of the traditional biology course. Results indicated this course to be of value as a way of showing students exactly how scientists work. It is recommended that this course not be a substitute for tradtional biology but be used to augment the understanding of…

Describes a self-paced, mastery-oriented introductory physics course offered at Cornell University which incorporates aspects of audio-tutorial instruction and the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI). (SL)