The undergraduate student body in the College of Engineering at the University of South Florida was studied to determine if there were significant differences in the grade-point ratios (GPRs), withdrawals, and forgivenesses of students in several categories. (The foregiveness policy permits a student to repeat a course and have that grade computed…

The transcripts of 8,873 students, representing 7% of the enrollments in the Los Angeles Community College District, were examined to determine course participation and completion rates in science. Six curricular areas were investigated: (1) agriculture; (2) biological sciences; (3) engineering; (4) mathematics and computer science; (5) physical…

The conferences were part of a series on the development of the field of postsecondary education in Britain. Papers of the first conference, on the organization and management of curriculum change, include: present problems of curriculum development (T.J. Russell); the management of curriculum teams (N.C. Clegg, J. Hall, W.P. Jukes, W.T. Jordan);…

This statistical bulletin provides details on the universities belonging to the Federation of Private Universities of Central America and Panama (FUPAC): Central American University, Rafael Landivar University, Saint John's College, University of Santa Maria La Antigua, Jose Simeon Canas University, Doctor Mariano Galvez University, and the…

Reports on a survey of the objective measures of 26 engineering schools. Provides results of the rankings of eight categories, including those pertaining to admission test scores, faculty size, number of students per faculty member, refereed journal articles, and outside sponsored research expenditures by institution and by faculty members. (TW)

Discusses the recent trends in job opportunities for aerospace engineers. Mentions some of the political, technological, and economic factors affecting the overall employment picture. Includes a description of the job prospects created by the general upswing of the large commercial aircraft market. (TW)

Discusses trends in job opportunities for nuclear engineers. Lists some of the factors influencing increases and decreases in the demand for nuclear engineers. Describes the effects on career opportunities from recent nuclear accidents, military research and development, and projected increases of demand for electricity. (TW)

Discusses the need for engineering students to develop good written and oral communication skills. Describes an effort underway in the civil engineering department at Youngstown State University (Ohio) to create a departmental policy that includes the emphasis of effective communication skills. Details some actions taken in developing the policy.…

Differentiates between learning efficiency (enhancing the rate of learning) and learning effectiveness (enhancing the mastery and retention of facts, concepts, and relationships). Discusses some of the contributions of knowledge engineering to metalearning. Provides a concept map for constructing knowledge bases, along with some possible…

Describes the learning style inventory and learning cycle developed by David Kolb. Discusses the learning cycle's four stages as concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. Offers an example from a chemical engineering class in which Kolb's ideas are used in an effort to improve instruction.…

Lists three overarching themes and 12 specific recommendations made as the result of the 1988 report of the Engineering Deans Council Task Force on the Engineering Student Pipeline. These guidelines were developed to help improve the performance and retention of undergraduates in engineering programs. (CW)

Calls for increasing the number of women into science and engineering professions, while improving the competitiveness of the United States at the same time. Suggests that more of the current statistics regarding women in these professions be publicized, and programs be initiated to actively recruit more women into these careers. (TW)

Reports on a study by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) into various relationships in engineering that the United States has with countries that have comparable or superior levels of technology. Discusses competition, cooperation, information flow, symmetry, language and cultural barriers, research opportunities, and professional…

Contains the text of an interview with the director of the Engineering Research Center (ERC) at the University of Delaware. Discusses interdisciplinary engineering research and its effects on traditional academic engineering. Describes the development and progress of the Delaware ERC, including eight recommendations for developing and operating…

Describes recent statistics regarding job opportunities and compensation for female engineering graduates as compared to males. Presents data from the College Placement Council by sex and discipline. Includes several possible explanations for the discrepancies that are shown in the data. Discusses the implications for graduating female engineers.…