After viewing videotaped case studies indicating the relevance of electrical laboratory work to professional engineers, student attitudes showed a positive improvement toward laboratory work. Semantic differential tests, questionnaires, and interviews were used. (Author/MH)

Interviews with doctoral students and supervisors in physics, mathematics, and engineering attending nine English universities investigated student expectations of doctoral supervision, extent to which expectations were met, and the ways in which supervision changes as the doctoral process progresses. Issues in training of PhD supervisors, their…

Describes the Consortium for Distance University, founded in 1984 to establish a distance teaching university system in Italy. The Consortium is comprised of multinational companies, universities, and semi-governmental organizations with support from the Italian Ministry of Education. Discusses its objectives, services, history, learning…

Described is the status of science education reform in 1990. Different groups working on change, demographic trends in the US, student anecdotes, lab operations, the role of Sigma Xi, goals set by the state governors, industry efforts, and programs for the improvement of middle school teachers are discussed. (CW)

Projections are analyzed for the future supply and demand of scientists and engineers. The demographics of the college-age population combined with estimates of the percentage of students who will pursue careers in science and engineering indicate significant shortfalls between the supply and demand for the next several decades. (CW)

Uses a modular approach so the Local Area Network (LAN) can be easily dismantled and reassembled for each class. Notes the course is evolving to keep pace with rapid advances in networking technology although only in its second year. Expands the basic LAN through the addition of second generation personal computers. (MVL)

Discussed are problems encountered when a gas absorption experiment with strong measurement error is used. Notes students either avoid the experiment or report it as defective. Provides ideas to make lab experiments more instructive. (MVL)

Describes a course which has been designed to develop oral and written communication skills appropriate for engineering graduate students and for the demands of their post-graduate careers. Provides course strategy and content. (MVL)

Discusses how, in two three-week sessions, the Terre Haute (Indiana) college offers selected students a hands-on approach to all aspects of engineering from design and lab work to technical writing. Describes a group project requiring students to study and experiment with simple research problems. Lists 20 project ideas. (MVL)

Presents statistical data that reveals the progress of African Americans in postsecondary education. The data cover racial inequality, graduation rates for black students in general, and graduation rates for black athletes in particular, and the black presence in the fields of engineering, performing arts, and fine arts. (GLR)

This interim report analyzed attitudes of 69 practicing professionals (doctors, pharmacists, lawyers, accountants, architects, and engineers) toward professional continuing education in the United Kingdom, particularly as it becomes institutionalized. The study identified some characteristic approaches to coping with unfamiliar demands and…

In an integrated four-course sequence, Colorado School of Mines engineering and science students work on open-ended, real-world problems prepared by government agencies and private companies that interact as clients with student teams. The program fosters intellectual development, teamwork, and communication skills. (Author/MSE)

Analysis of gender patterns in science and engineering degrees and employment suggests that little progress has been made toward gender equity, despite efforts to promote change. It is suggested that, although women have become more comfortable with their image as scientists, they have not adjusted to the reality of work within these disciplines.…

Developed is an examination to determine a student's visualization capabilities. This examination has two versions, both developed to measure visualization ability, time to visualize, and reaction time. This test indicates the learner's ability to visualize complex three-dimensional objects from six principal views. Included are the results from a…

Described is a course that offers students the opportunity to learn the graphics language of computers in conjunction with the traditional engineering design graphics concepts. The course objectives, course description, course administration, and advantages to using the dual approach are included. (KR)