Students' negative perceptions of physical chemistry courses are well-known and are likely impacting their learning and performance in this upper-division course for majors. The syllabus can be the first interaction students have with a course and instructor and can be central to the expectations student set for the learning experience. While…

Course syllabi are a required component of college and university courses. Syllabi present both broader course structuring practices, are a valuable "first impression" of what instructors want to offer their students, and are used as tools in course design. While best teaching practices suggest specific recommendations for syllabi…

The purpose of this study was to understand one case of undergraduate inquiry-based instruction through the words and actions of students and instructors. The data sources included fieldnotes from 16 of 29 classes, two sets of student and instructor interviews (beginning and end of the semester), and a collection of artifacts, such as the…

Undergraduate research experiences have been shown to enhance the educational experience and retention of college students, especially those from underrepresented populations. However, many challenges still exist relative to building community among students navigating large institutions. We developed a novel course called "Entering…

A topical approach in astronomy provides greater coherence and meaning for the information presented than does a survey approach. Topics are presented and evaluated in relation to the goals of an astronomy course. (DF)

Describes the rationale for and implementation, content, objectives, and format of an undergraduate toxicology course. Includes criteria required to offer such a course. (SK)

Describes the objectives, study materials, instructional methods and evaluaiton procedures of an experimental course in general chemistry which aims at individualizing instruction. An assessment of the program is presented together with the results of a statistical analysis to determine if there were any differences between the experimental group…

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…

This document reports on a workshop on coral species present in Thailand and on the status of coral taxonomy in central Indo-Pacific countries. The report discusses workshop aims, summarizes field and laboratory studies, provides a tentative checklist of hermatypic coral species from Thailand, assesses the status of coral taxonomy in participating…

Describes general interest courses in physics, discussing enrollment patterns, philosophy and structure of the course, course goals, teaching methods, and student performance. Includes an outline of the laboratory syllabus for the course dealing with physics and the automobile. (JN)

After a brief review of the need for some experience in science for the nonscience major and a listing of what appear to be desirable objectives for that experience, details of a course which has been offered for the past four years are given. (Author/TS)

A one-semester hour laboratory course introduced junior and senior physics majors to assembly language programing and to interfacing KIM-1 microcomputer to experiments. A general purpose interface to a standard breadboard was developed. Course details, apparatus, and some interfacing projects are given. (Author/SK)

Describes a course designed to strengthen a student's background in organic chemistry, demonstrate the interfacing of chemistry and biology, expose undergraduates to graduate research, provide familiarity with instrumentation, and provide a novel field experience. (Author/GS)