Recommends systems subjects as part of college curricula for providing students with broader skills and with background that does not become outdated. Topics included are requirements of a basic examination, cooperation with other professionals, and examples of systems technologies and interdisciplinary research. (Author/YP)

Argues that systems thinking can be developed by experiential learning activities which complement both intradisciplinary projects and technical knowledge inputs. Discusses the development of systems thinking, the form of engineering curricula, and assessment. (Author/YP)

A fund established by the will of Clare Boothe Luce is announced. The 14 university beneficiaries are listed. Other programs which help to promote the participation of women in science and engineering are discussed. (CW)

Describes the historical development and programs of engineering education at the University of Rwanda in cooperation with a Belgium university. Provides lists of courses for electromechanical and civil engineering programs. (YP)

Describes the organization of metrology, standardizations, and testing in the Federal Republic of Germany. Technical assistance programs for developing countries are also considered. (YP)

Applies the concept of entropy to aging, evolving systems, inanimate systems such as corporations, and structural complexity for classroom teaching. Presents many mathematical expressions as well as explanations. Lists 37 references. (YP)

A Monash University (Australia) program to enhance the chemistry and physics preparation of secondary school graduates entering engineering in higher education offers one-semester intensive courses. The first four years of the program have produced encouraging results. Coordination of practical work and theory is seen as crucial to learning. (MSE)

A study of 54 first-year engineering students at an Australian university investigated their critical thinking skills as related to 3 kinds of study strategy: surface strategy; deep strategy; and achieving strategy. Results indicated a negative correlation between critical thinking ability and the achieving study strategy. Implications for…

Compares engineering education in Japanese and Australian universities. Discusses departmental structure, funding, teacher-student ratio, undergraduate and graduate curricula, teaching methods, faculty research, entrance examinations, tuition, and employment potential. (SV)

Discusses the costs of producing durable educational software in an academic environment and describes an optimized software life cycle that has been implemented at the University of Cambridge (England) Engineering Department. Topics addressed include needs assessment; specifications; program design; implementation and testing; feedback; and…

Profiles Jerry Elliott, an American Indian who has taken advantage of both Native American and white cultures to become a successful engineer at NASA. He believes that Native Americans can meet the challenges of a modern world by studying science and engineering without losing their cultural identity and values. (LP)

Describes the Langley Aerospace Research Summer Scholars Program, a 10-week internship program for junior and senior undergraduates and first-year graduate students who are pursuing degrees in engineering or science. The program enables participants to conduct research under the supervision of NASA scientists and engineers. Profiles American…

Questionnaire data from faculty at six engineering schools were analyzed to determine the role of writing in graduate engineering programs and its implications for the design of writing courses. Faculty attitudes and beliefs about the importance of writing skills, and their practices regarding students' proficiency, are discussed. (36 references)…

Described is an integrated framework used to teach engineering, creativity, and management that emulates the working environment of a modern and dynamic engineering organization. This is done through the use of case studies. (KR)

Discussed is the need for professors to be able to obtain updated reliable data regarding the professional requirements of their graduating students. The development and design of a theory that will establish a definitional system for skills and knowledge required for graduation is described. (KR)