Creating critical mass has become a cornerstorne of science policy on both national and transnational levels. It suggests that once a certain size is reached, exponential growth or accelerated change will occur. In reconstructing theories, policies and practices associated with critical mass, the paper traces the image of critical mass as a size…

The Oklahoma IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (OK-INBRE) provides a formalized mentoring program and grant awards to new and early-stage faculty throughout Oklahoma. The OK-INBRE Research Project Investigator (RPI) award program has supported 30 faculty from both research-intensive universities and primarily undergraduate…

NICU follow-up (NFU) programs often experience low service utilization rates. Attendance to follow-up appointments is vital for both the health outcomes of the infants and to ensure continued funding for these programs. Occupational therapists should be aware of factors that put individual consumers at higher risk for nonattendance and take steps…

Discusses educational offerings in polymers within the Chemical Engineering Department at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, including research programs, undergraduate and graduate courses offered, and sources of support for research projects. (Author/JN)

Setting priorities for allocating funding and other resources is one of the central issues of federal science policy. Presented in these hearings are the views of witnesses (government officials, scientists, economists, and industrial personnel) on various issues related to setting priorities for science. Among the issues addressed (in the form of…

Discusses plans to develop and naturalize its scientific and technological capabilities. Areas in which Mexico's National Council of Science and Technology selected to focus a national development program include: scholarships for middle-/high-level researchers/technicians; programs to support research and basic/new industries; government-industry…

Describes courses which involve undergraduate research in chemical engineering at the University of Colorado. Presents the author's personal philosophy concerning such research, motivational techniques to encourage research, forums for disseminating research results, and possible sources of funding including the National Science Foundation's…

Discusses industry-sponsored programs in semiconductor research, focusing on Stanford University's Center for Integrated Systems (CIS). CIS, while pursuing research in semiconductor very-large-scale integration, is merging the fields of computer science, information science, and physical science. Issues related to these university/industry…