Describes the background of the study and fellowship programs for graduates from the developing countries at the Norwegian Institute of Technology. Discusses some experiences with the programs. Includes a brief description of five courses: (1) "Pulp and Paper Technology"; (2) "Marine Civil Engineering"; (3) "Hydropower…

Two lessons from comparable undergraduate courses in physics and engineering are analyzed to identify content, issues emphasized, and concepts used. Differences reflecting the pure nature of one field (physics) in contrast to the applied nature of the other are identified. Implications for classroom instruction and for research on college teaching…

A course at De Montfort University (Great Britain) in industrial analysis with 111 students was taught using small student teams to research specific industries. It emphasized the relationship between theory, research, and industrial applications. The experiment provided students with insight into effective research methods and cooperative work.…

Evaluates the teaching and learning processes in a computer-supported first-year undergraduate course in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Surrey (England). Students saw the workshop delivery as being more interesting, effective, and efficient than lecture-based delivery; help from the tutor was seen as the most…

Data from a national survey of faculty salaries at baccalaureate and comprehensive colleges are presented and analyzed. Average salaries are presented in tabular form for 46 disciplines for professor, associate professor, assistant professor, new assistant professor, instructor, and all ranks combined. (MSE)

Research on the study behavior of first-year engineering students compared secondary school science study with that for a core undergraduate engineering course. Results indicated that some traditional students begin study as much at risk academically as nontraditional counterparts; workloads force students to adopt strategic approaches to study;…

In a freshman engineering graphics course at Santa Clara University (California), mechanical engineering students learn to solve ill-structured design problems using graphic communication skills. Integration of a critical thinking component has guided the faculty's own iterative, interactive process of designing a more effective teaching method.…

The University of Birmingham (England) Product and Manufacturing System (PAMS) design project is a major engineering design project undertaken by student teams and is spread over three undergraduate years. The project's objectives, open-ended student task, team member selection method, focus on transferable skills, supervision, and peer assessment…

Provides a statistical record of black progress in U.S. institutions of higher education. Data highlight the state of racial inequality, black graduation rates ranked by institution, total grant dollars expended by various foundation grants for black students, and the progress of blacks in attaining engineering degrees. (GR)

A model combining formative and longitudinal program evaluation was applied to two programs (economics/business administration and engineering) at Uppsala University (Sweden) in which students are brought together after two years in regional institutions. Useful features of the evaluation method are discussed and results of job market follow-up…

Presents a fictional look at engineering curricula and hiring practices to suggest ways that mathematics teacher educators can learn from experiences of other professions in preparing teachers and providing beginning teachers with appropriate experiences. (MDH)

A study based on national data found that the average duration of doctoral study was related to departmental emphases on scholarly careers and the resources to implement those emphases. Patterns varied by general discipline area and by specific discipline, suggesting a need for detailed analysis by discipline. (Author/MSE)

A proposition that 3-D CAD provides an array of unambiguous solutions to engineering problems is illustrated. This proposition assumes that engineering problems are conceived in parallel processing mode while they are solved in sequential processing mode. Circle construction analysis, parallel equidistant planes, and solid modeling are discussed.…

An approach to reduce the barrier between two-dimensional computer-aided drafting and three-dimensional constructive solids modeling is graphically illustrated. This process, or some derivative, encompasses a significant portion of the future direction for engineering graphics education. (KR)

Described is a pilot course which includes a designed set of exercises to instruct students in procedures for creating solid models. A detailed description and analysis of students' various approaches used in completing a final design project are included. (KR)