Describes an interdisciplinary course on nuclear war offered at George Mason University (Virginia). Includes listing of the technical and nontechnical topics addressed in the course, instructional strategies, evaluation/grading methods, characteristics of students taking the course, and course evaluation. (JN)

Describes a course designed to improve writing ability and ability to use chemical literature, emphasizing course materials, teaching techniques, and effectiveness based on two years of experience. (SK)

Inservice mini-courses using a learning cycle instructional strategy (exploration, invention, discovery) have been developed. A description of the mini-course format (compatible with inservice programs sponsored by school systems), sample outline, and list of courses developed (with themes of environmental science and/or energy) are included.…

Describes a self-paced undergraduate environmental science course focusing on a theme that earth is similar to a spaceship inasmuch as: (1) both possess finite room and resources, and (2) living things are dependent upon life-support systems for continued survival. Includes a list of laboratory and learning activities. (DS)

Describes a three-hour, one-semester graduate course to provide numerical methods and modeling techniques to handle problems in future courses or engineering practice. Includes rationale for topics such as interpolation, integration, and equation roots, among others. Indicates that all problems require computer use. (SK)

States the viewpoints of the Physics Interface Project (PIP) on the core syllabus for A-level physics presented in the May 1980 issue of "Physics Education," including potential problems with the syllabus and its content. Indicates that PIP materials will serve an important complementary function in physics instruction. (SK)

Presents a headmaster's viewpoints and comments on the core syllabus for A-level physics which appeared in the May 1980 issue of "Physics Education," including the necessity for instructional materials, in-service teacher learning, and feasibility studies. (SK)

A university lecturer comments on the importance of adequate detail and individual interpretations of items in the core syllabus for A-level physics presented in the May 1980 issue of "Physics Education." Suggests that the syllabus fails in containing all essential elementary ideas necessary to master advanced concepts. (SK)

Describes a physics course designed for nonscience majors citing some observations, ideas, and methods that were used in teaching the course and in motivating the students. (GA)

Describes an undergraduate chemical engineering course which has been taught by a self-paced instructional method at Howard University, Washington, D.C. The instructional method, course description, and students' grades are also discussed. (HM)

A professor discusses the advantages and disadvantages of teaching a physics class in a large research-oriented university. Various innovative teaching techniques and the ways in which they benefit the students, are presented. (SA)

The advantages of using videoconferencing in engineering education are stressed. Discussed are technological change, engineering practice, faculty development, educational effectiveness, and teleconferencing vendors. An example of a campus-based teleconferencing service is cited. (CW)

Introduces two courses for developing relevant computer use in a civil engineering department. The sophomore course introduces students to a set of problem-formulation methods and computer-based problem-solving tools. The senior course introduces students to representative, professional quality computer-aided engineering tools. Discusses impact of…

Discussed is the idea that scientific illiteracy among scientists lies at the heart of the problems with undergraduate science education. Included is a description of a science literacy course for nonmajors and a proposed list of the most important ideas underlying science. (KR)

Describes a course, "Great Ideas in Science," for undergraduate nonscience major students. The course emphasizes a few key overarching concepts in physics, chemistry, geology, and biology to introduce students to the essential aspects of science without getting involved in the complex vocabulary or rigorous mathematical derivations. (PR)