In times of economic downturn, college enrollments often increase. Entering students may come from diverse educational backgrounds and bring variable skill sets. In this article, the authors describe a skills-focused course developed to ensure that transfer and nontraditional students returning to education are prepared to succeed in…

Primary research articles discuss aspects of scientific inquiry that are important in understanding the nature of science. Yet, most introductory science courses use textbooks that ignore the scientific process; opportunities for explicit discussion of the nature of science are lost. In Hampshire College's science program, students read current…

Describes the Integrated Science Program (ISP) which provides expanded educational opportunities for gifted science students being conducted at Northwestern University. (SL)

This article describes the recruitment and selection methods, reports how the students handled the course requirements, summarizes the feedback from the teachers, and discusses the successes and failures in achieving the goals of the astronomy master's program for middle school and high school teachers at the University of Arizona in Tucson. (MVL)

Describes the science program, Science Community Year, that focuses on the improvement of science learning of all students by creating a learning community within the college. Discusses program cost, effectiveness, design, and student perceptions. (ZWH)

Reviews a program for teaching chemistry to non-chemistry majors as a liberal arts program. (SL)

Although most educational programs for senior citizens emphasize arts and crafts, model science programs designed specifically for seniors, emphasizing geological science, have been developed at the University of Colorado (Colorado Springs). The programs have been well received and can be useful in integrating or mainstreaming seniors into the…

Described is an environmental chemistry course for nonscience majors at McNeese State University. The course emphasizes consumer chemistry. Topics discussed include prescription drugs, refinery processes, nuclear chemistry and chemistry and the environment. Texts, supplementary materials and a detailed course outline are included. (DS)

This paper describes the efforts of a host community generally referred to as a "Collaborative Community" and comprised of the Biology and Math departments of the University of Wisconsin-Stout (UW-Stout), the Math and Biology Departments of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UW-EC), and the Departments of Math, Biology, and Chemistry of the…

New physics programs in Great Britain include a program with emphasis on mathematics and other sciences, and a joint honors program combining physics with another discipline, such as philosophy, economics, or English. Future programs may include even broader programs, in areas such as energy science or resources utilization. (MLH)

Presents and discusses results of a questionnaire survey of college/polytechnic students (N=213) on their perceptions of and motivation for embarking on a combined-degree physics program. Areas/topics addressed include course structures of responding colleges/students, entrance requirements, student background, reasons behind choice of first year…

Surveys of curriculum changes of (n=163) colleges and universities offering 4-year undergraduate programs in geology found that 77% revised their major geology programs in the previous 3 years and 74% reported that the greatest incentive for change was concern about pedagogy. Includes survey. (MKR)

Presented is a two-year associate degree curriculum for Engineering Technology. Specializations are provided in civil, electronics, and mechanical technology. The civil engineering technology specialization facilitates three major areas of study, and mechanical technology includes design and production options. Each curriculum was designed to…

Described is the course of study for a physics major at Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois. The program varies from the typical physics curriculum in that classical mechanics is taught in the sophomore year rather than waiting until the junior year as seen in the typical physics major's curriculum. (DS)

Explores the issue of physics laboratory work for engineering students and discusses the design, implementation, and evaluation of a laboratory program developed for first year engineering students. (DDR)