Discusses some of the events leading to the development of the theory of plate tectonics. Describes how seismic, volcanic, and tectonic features observed at the surface of the planet are now seen as a consequence of intense internal activity, and makes suggestions about their further investigation. (TW)

Reports on a study designed to elicit detailed views on the subject matter content for a biochemistry curriculum. Includes the questionnaire and mean results for each question, in which respondents were asked to indicate the importance of a subtopic, the actual coverage of that subtopic, and the "ideal" coverage. (TW)

Described is a Monte-Carlo method for modeling physical systems with a computer. Also discussed are ways to incorporate Monte-Carlo simulation techniques for introductory science and mathematics teaching and also for enriching computer and simulation courses. (RH)

Discusses how student journals can be used as a way to incorporate writing into the engineering curriculum. Reports on a study done at Northeastern University which indicated that students responded positively to the journal-keeping requirement. (TW)

Discusses the possibilities of toxins present in medicinal herbs. Describes an experiment in which toxic constituents can be selectively detected by thin-layer chromatography and NMR spectroscopy. (TW)

Discusses a revision and extension of the Mulliken electronegativity scale to consider 50 elements. Describes the calculation of valence-state promotion energies and Mulliken atomic electronegativities and the conversion of Mulliken electronegativities to Pauling units. (CW)

Presents a quantitative treatment of ionization potentials of isoelectronic atoms. By looking at the single-electron view of calculating the total energy of an atom, trends in the screening and effective quantum number parameters are examined. Approaches the question of determining electron affinities. (CW)

Describes a program at the University of Iowa which introduces undergraduate engineering students to the rewards and responsibilities of teaching engineering through cooperative education positions as faculty assistants in introductory engineering courses. (TW)

The number of women obtaining degrees in chemistry has increased and many indicators suggest that the trend will continue. The percentage of women obtaining BS, MS, and PhD degrees in chemistry is also expected to continue to rise. Doctoral women chemists are beginning to be distributed in governmental, academic, and industrial workplaces in the…

Describes an alternative medical school curriculum for the first two years of preclinical basic science studies. Discusses student and faculty selection for the program. Details the format for teaching biochemistry in the Alternative Curriculum, including program structure, content organization and exams. Evaluates the success of the program. (CW)

Describes the use of a computer-assisted teaching system (CATS) for teaching pharmacology to health professionals. The CATS is composed of two parts: computer-assisted instruction and computer-managed instruction. These parts, program objectives (and the Keller plan to achieve them), instructional units of study, and hardware considerations are…

Uses examples from four exercises to show how computer-based education (CBE) is used to teach problem-solving in a physiology course. Screen prints are included to illustrate the exercises. Several benefits of using CBE strategies in physiology are also considered. (JN)

Describes a simple three-dimensional model of Halley's Comet orbit (which is much more informative than a two-dimensional drawing) to illustrate spatial relationships and visualize how the comet moves relative to the earth. Instructions for model assembly are given along with a template which can be photocopied and glued to cardboard. (JN)

Presents two discussions which focus on the rationale for and goals of teaching electrochemistry at high school and college levels. The first is "Electrochemistry" by Ronald Perkins and the second is "Goals in Teaching Electrochemistry" by J. T. Maloy. (JN)

Compared performance in A-level science examinations of students who took an integrated science course (SCISP) with students who studied the separate subjects of physics, chemistry, and biology to 0-level standard. Results show no significant differences between the performance of the two groups. (JN)