Although Newton's laws of motion are well known, studies have shown that many people have misconceptions about the motions of objects. Subjects of these studies tend to follow a theory held in the three centuries before Newton (impetus theory). This theory and studies examining misconceptions about motion are discussed. (JN)

Discusses the importance of teaching students when to seek deterministic explanations and when to seek probabilistic ones, pointing out that there are situations in which each is appropriate and inappropriate. Several examples illustrating the appropriateness of these explanations are provided. (JN)

Describes a chemistry course designed to meet needs of students who score well on Advanced Placement Chemistry examinations but who might experience difficulty if placed directly into a second-term course. The one-semester course includes substantially all work in Chemistry 1 and 2 (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) and features a flexible,…

Presents "Undergraduate Faculty Development in Science: A Report to the Congress by the National Science Foundation," recommending low priority for this program. Although two years old, the issues in the report are of paramount concern to planners charged with improving undergraduate science education. (Author/JN)

Determined whether or not formative evaluation could facilitate goal attainment in a biochemistry course and produce desired learning outcomes consistently by altering course materials and/or instruction. Formative evaluation procedures included two tests administered to subjects (N=64) over a three-year period. Findings supported the formative…

Discusses sources which provide information on data relating to physical properties of materials. Includes a list of seven organizations (six in Great Britain and one in Germany) providing such data. Includes problems in searching for information, suggesting that computer searches may solve some of the problems. (JN)

Discusses advantages of using computer-assisted instruction in a college general chemistry course. Advantages include using programs which generate random equations with double arrows (equilibrium systems) or generate alkane structural formula, asking for the correct IUPAC name of the structure. (Author/JN)

Provides criteria for evaluating microcomputer software. Categories include: (1) features/intent; (2) ease of use (documentation, operation, error handling, flexibility); (3) subject matter content; (4) pedagogic value; (5) student reaction; (6) recommendations for improvement; and (7) a summary section. (Author/JN)

A significant amount of scientific work is done in laboratories with limited ventilation capabilities. To operate at "acceptable risk", an understanding is needed of what ventilation systems can/cannot do. A simple experiment is described which assesses conditions under which specific experiments should be performed and serves to introduce…

Discusses a formal course designed to acquaint students with major sources of chemical information and with procedures for their efficient use. In addition, the place that such a course has in the chemistry curriculum is considered. (Author/JN)

Discusses library searching of chemical literature from an industrial user's viewpoint, focusing on differences between academic and industrial researcher's searching techniques of the same problem area. Indicates that industry users need more exposure to patents, work with abstracting services and continued improvement in computer searching…

Describes an 8-week project involving the synthesis of cobalt compounds. Once synthesized, compounds are qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. Background information, laboratory procedures, and results/discussion are provided for three project experiments. (Author/JN)

Lists 13 producers/suppliers (including addresses) of computer programs in sciences, with brief comments related to chemistry. Also lists three periodicals and a book for pet microcomputer users. (JN)

Directed at the candidate seeking a permanent position in physiology. Reviews qualifications candidate must have and lists sources of information about the present job market and agencies through which the candidate's availability may be made known. (Author/JN)

Describes a model which gives realistic predictions of pulsatile pressure, flow, and volume events in the cardiovascular system. Includes computer oriented laboratory exercises for veterinary and graduate students; equations of the dynamic and algebraic models; and a flow chart for the cardiovascular teaching program. (JN)