Students who engage in undergraduate research experiences acquire many benefits, including an understanding of how scientific knowledge is constructed, recognition that knowledge can be complex and uncertain, and the habit of viewing knowledge critically. This paper describes a first-year two-course sequence that provides multidisciplinary…

This paper reflects upon the development of a multidisciplinary lesson plan aimed at developing science skills for Physics and Astronomy, Geographical and Earth Sciences, and Chemistry students at a research intensive Scottish university. The lesson plan was co-developed with a small group of staff and undergraduate students from these…

The curriculum change for which these projections were made included eliminating traditional distribution requirements in favor of interdisciplinary programs and increased student electives. The plan allowed study of the staffing needs and anticipated effects upon departmental offerings. (Editor)

This article suggests a reorganization of existing school curricula to include a major place for study of the environment and its problems. A Theoretical environmental model is given which incorporates many existing disciplines into a common body of knowledge. It focuses on environmental concerns through a problem solving approach. (LS)

Explains the approaches taken by higher education institutions for instruction of environmental content. These include changes in course content, the development of specific environmental courses, and the development of a planned curricula that emphasizes environmental education. (ML)

To increase a student's awareness of the complexity and comprehensiveness of the man-nature interdependence, the University of Oklahoma has developed an experimental course for engineers. Study is made of a local situation in which man has deliberately and irreversibly altered his environment. Goals, format, rationale, implementation, evaluation,…

Describes the practical problems encountered by one group of people, in one institution, when different disciplines were combined in the production of a course about the theory of curriculum design. (Author/RK)

Discusses the nature and structure of an interdisciplinary course with emphasis on the problem of how the nervous system receives, processes, and transmits information. Included is a description of the course teaching to junior and senior physics and biology majors. (CC)

Describes an environmental studies course for first year high school students and the rationale behind the course development. (BR)

Presented is an environmental education model based on an interdisciplinary curricular structure. The model consists of three two-dimensional matrices organizing objectives, strategies, and content. Each matrix lists environmental concepts along one axis and the disciplines along the other. One interpretation of the model is presented as a…

The article offers the suggestion that interdisciplinary units can be maximized if they include some form of focusing experiences as part of the module and gives some tips on developing such a unit. (Author)

Urges the development of futurology courses to aid students in preparing for rapid changes which the future will bring. (RB)

Author makes the case for starting in high school to improve the literacy and communication skills of students destined for scientific/technological careers. Detailed course program and extensive bibliography included. (PD)

During the academic year 1972-1973, an Introductory Interdisciplinary Course in Natural Sciences, Natural Sciences 101-102, was offered as a voluntary alternative to the traditional separate courses in physics, biology, and chemistry, for a group of 60 students. The method of selection of the students, the organization of the course, and the…