This background paper focuses on the end point of educational preparation for science and engineering careers--undergraduate and graduate study. It places the issue of the supply of scientists and engineers in the broad cultural context of changing demographics, labor market adjustments, and intervention policies. The first chapter discusses the…

This paper focuses on the special considerations affecting professional schools seeking to assess the nature, quality and effects of their undergraduate programs. Advocating a comprehensive effort as the most promising means by which assessment can positively influence teaching and learning, the discussion addresses the unique characteristics of…

This report describes student technicians who dropped out of postsecondary education courses before qualifying for the New Zealand Certificate of Engineering (NZCE). The exploratory study describes some of the characteristics and progress of the students who dropped out of NZCE studies and investigates the reasons for high dropout among students.…

Noting that technically competent graduates of professional schools need additional skills to function effectively in an increasingly complex and global society, this paper describes an innovative program in technical writing developed for undergraduate engineering students at the Colorado School of Mines. The paper first provides background…

This study was designed to identify and to evaluate technological changes affecting the careers of the members of the Alberta Society of Engineering Technologists (ASET) at present and up to 1991. Efforts were directed toward identifying those variables affecting employment and recommending courses of action to help technologists remain current.…

The purpose of this guide is to introduce the potential user to the Academic Science and Engineering Statistics Survey Database and to provide detailed information on the data structures and formats of the archival and public-use tapes derived from that database. The guide is divided into eight sections which deal with: (1) overview information;…

These hearings focused on House Resolution (H.R.) 1310, a legislative proposal incorporating H.R. 30 and H.R. 582. This proposed legislation has three main parts: (1) assistance to elementary and secondary levels of education to improve the quality of instruction and achievement; (2) postsecondary education assistance; and (3) a national policy on…

These hearings focused on various topics and issues related to the fiscal year 1985 budget request of $1.5 billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF), which represents a 13 percent increase over the 1984 level, as well as on NSF policies. Witnesses, representing government or scientific and technical organizations not directly part of the…

The Panel on Technology Education was one of four panels established by the Committee on the Education and Utilization of the Engineer of the National Research Council. This panel's task was to investigate the technology aspects of the preparation of engineers in the United States. This report deals with: (1) "The History of Technical…

The nature of undergraduate enrollment in engineering has raised questions about the ability of the United States to retain the leadership necessary to provide for a healthy economy in a technological age. Also, some people are concerned that new graduate enrollments are not keeping pace with the near-doubling of the number of engineering…

Reported are the discussions and votes on issues related to engineering education. Sections included are an introduction to the National Congress on Engineering Education and an overview of the meeting including 79 resolutions related to the four areas of broad-academic issues, faculty issues, curriculum issues, and issues on laboratories,…

To help engineering schools improve their minority student retention rates, the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) undertook a Retention Research Program. The program consisted of two parts. First, NACME funded 11 projects which planned to add to or modify one or more minority student support services. Second, NACME used…

This study explored the moderating effects of academic self-efficacy beliefs on the relationship of scholastic aptitude to academic performance (grade point average) and academic persistence (retention). Subjects, 105 students enrolled in a career planning course for science and engineering majors, were administered two measures of self-efficacy…

Two adaptive psychophysical procedures (tracking and "yes-no" staircase) for obtaining human visual contrast sensitivity functions (CSF) were evaluated. The procedures were chosen based on their proven validity and the desire to evaluate the practical effects of stimulus transients, since tracking procedures traditionally employ gradual…

Predictive models of persistence and success in baccalaureate engineering programs were developed by analyzing five intellective and nine nonintellective variables. The 1984 entering freshman class in the College of Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University was studied. Usable data were obtained from 1,044 students, or 65% of the…