Examines the relative contributions of human and physical resources in the production of private undergraduate higher education. The parameters in the output equation suggest a traditional recipe: a relatively high ratio of quality faculty to good students in a facilitating environment reflected by academic expenditure. Better students are drawn…

Recommendations are made for improving pharmacy education and practice concerning sterile products. Suggestions address curriculum and program design needs for each of these groups: pharmacy faculty; undergraduate and graduate students; pharmacy practitioners; pharmacy technicians; and production technicians. (MSE)

The University of Vermont offers an introductory undergraduate course in developmental disabilities based on the support model of services. Parents and individuals with developmental disabilities play a major role in planning and team teaching the course. The course emphasizes a family-centered philosophy, respect for individuals with…

Discusses an analysis of 10 common introductory psychology textbooks. Argues that the books tend to present psychology as tedious, even silly, and as a canned, multimedia, self-teaching program. Concludes that replacing textbooks with lectures based on the instructor's personal knowledge and experience would improve the teaching of psychology. (SG)

It is proposed that algorithms and heuristics are useful in improving professional problem-solving abilities when contextualized within the academic discipline. A basic algorithm applied to problem solving in undergraduate engineering education and a similar algorithm applicable to legal problems are used as examples. Problem complexity and…

Research support for the Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education is substantial, both from earlier, complex, longitudinal, and multi-institutional studies and from recent, more narrowly focused research. However, the findings raise a number of questions about variability across disciplines, methods, learning styles, and…

Discusses the nature and application of a research poster exercise used in an advanced undergraduate geography course. Describes the research strategies and the necessary oral, written, and design skills required to complete the project. Concludes that close supervision of student work will help improve the project as an instructional tool. (CFR)

This study of 34 baccalaureate programs in social work that lost their accreditation reveals demographic patterns of the institutions and programs, reasons for termination, current existence of human service-related programs, and plans for social work education and accreditation. (Author/MSE)

Examined is the uniformity of curricula and instructional methods used in college biology education in the United States. Areas of special focus include curricula, introductory courses, laboratories, field experiences, faculty roles, undergraduate research, textbooks, ethics and values, encouraging underrepresented groups, capstone experiences,…

The article claims that there are only about 200 true liberal arts colleges left (out of 3,400 colleges and universities). A listing of these colleges by state is provided using the author's definition and the Carnegie Foundation classification of Liberal Arts I and II colleges. (Author/MLW)

Outlines a strategy for using popular films in a sociology course to demonstrate the international nature of selected domestic social problems. Details two films, "El Norte" and "Cry Freedom," in terms of their storyline, preparatory lecture materials, sociological issues, students' reactions, and practical matters of use. (DB)

Surveys psychology majors who graduated between 1967 and 1986 to investigate gender and cohort differences in current perceptions of undergraduate course usefulness, postbaccalaureate education, and occupational achievements. Results provide evidence for the male flight from, and the resulting feminization of, the undergraduate psychology major.…

Analyzed the relative contributions of academic ability, music experience, and musical aptitude to predicting grades in college freshman music theory courses. Found that the best predictor of grades was the mathematics component of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Data analysis revealed five factors that accounted for 78.6 percent of the…

Describes a method of teaching fieldwork in cultural anthropology classes by having students do an ethnosemantic exercise on a card game of their choice. Through this experience, students learn how to do simple forms of fieldwork, the emic perspective, and componential analysis. (Author)

National Science Foundation support for instructional innovation in design curriculum is discussed. Programs that illustrate diverse approaches to teaching design are described. A list of programs given engineering curriculum development awards in 1988 and 1989 is provided. (CW)