Engineering researchers face increasing pressure to manage, share, and preserve their data, but these subjects are not typically a part of the curricula of engineering graduate programs. To address this situation, librarians at the University of Michigan, in partnership with the Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering Department, developed a…

Instructional labs are widely seen as a unique, albeit expensive, way to teach scientific content. We measured the effectiveness of introductory lab courses at achieving this educational goal across nine different lab courses at three very different institutions. These institutions and courses encompassed a broad range of student populations and…

The physical science curriculum design at Georgia Gwinnett College requires a theme-based course (lecture and group work, and laboratory) for nonscience majors. Increased student engagement is anticipated when science topics are taught in the context of a topic of which students can select during course registration. This paper presents the course…

Active learning is a teaching methodology with a focus on student-centered learning that engages students in the educational process. This study implemented active learning techniques in an orthopedic assessment laboratory, and the effects of these teaching techniques. Mean scores from written exams, practical exams, and final course evaluations…

Distance education has created new challenges with respect to the course evaluation process. This study aimed to determine if the adopted Telecourse Evaluation Questionnaire (TEQ) could be used to effectively evaluate a course developed for multisite distance delivery and taught by a team of instructors. It utilized a pretest and posttest…

The University of Sydney has offered an undergraduate course in particle technology using a contemporary problem based learning (PBL) methodology since 2005. Student learning is developed through the solution of complex, open-ended problems drawn from modern chemical engineering practice. Two examples are presented; i) zero emission electricity…

Undergraduate research experiences have been shown to enhance the educational experience and retention of college students, especially those from underrepresented populations. However, many challenges still exist relative to building community among students navigating large institutions. We developed a novel course called "Entering…

Described is the development of a course that combines subject matter from introductory courses in biology, chemistry, and physics. The syllabus was written by four college science teachers, three of whom taught the course at Portland State College to 32 freshmen and sophomores. To evaluate the course, achievement tests and attitude surveys were…

Describes an introductory chemistry course for non-science majors with poor backgrounds in mathematics and English. The course goal was to develop an appreciation of the importance of chemistry to everyday life experiences and to the major area of the student. (GS)

In this second volume of a three volume study of a collegiate level computer-assisted instruction (CAI) course in undergraduate physics the course objectives are summarized and the learning materials and evaluative instruments used in the study are presented. For a complete description of the project see volume one (EM009605). For the computer…

Describes two approaches used to combat declining enrollment figures in freshman level physics. One approach involved a multimedia format and proved unsuccessful because of faculty resistance. The second approach involved the development of a new course sequence for nonmajors. Outlines the course sequence and presents data on increased enrollment.…

Reported is the second phase of the development of a two-year college core science course for science majors. Materials were combined from introductory college courses in biology, chemistry, and physics. A revised lecture and laboratory syllabus was prepared incorporating improvements suggested after a pilot study of the first year course.…

Described is a course designed to demonstrate the interactions of science, technology, and society and present effective ways to integrate science/technology/societal issues into the curriculum. Included are the course development, goals, content, selection criteria, project impact, course evaluation, and conclusion. (KR)

A research writing course was developed to prepare chemistry majors to conduct and report on their capstone research projects. The course guides students through a multistep process of preparing a literature review and research proposal. Students learn how to identify and avoid plagiarism, critically read and summarize a scientific article,…

Chemistry anxiety exists among nursing students as well as other allied health professions. The causes for this anxiety may be attributed to three variables. Chemistry: (1) is perceived as difficult; (2) involves a multitude of facts; and (3) is not connected to reality. A curriculum with a simulation format has been developed to help Israeli…