Presents results of a 1983 survey of engineering students about attitudes behind their decisions to pursue graduate study or seek employment, and what is needed to make graduate school more attractive. Results are compared to a Tau Beta Pi survey on honors students graduating in 1971 and 1982. Conclusions/recommendations are included. (JM)

Encourages use of case studies to introduce "real-life" engineering assignments, suggesting that they should be given in a natural order as a series. Describes three such assignments being used at the University of the West Indies. Description, analysis, and design of an existing engineering system is included. (JM)

Data are presented that indicate Blacks have not traditionally entered many scientific and technological fields. A sub-sample of 79 Black college freshmen was surveyed. Competence in mathematics was a significant factor related to their achievement, and some attitudes seemed important. (MNS)

The difference between educational research and educational program evaluation is discussed, and the evaluation of a German engineering program experiencing high dropout rates is described. Data were gathered through guided personal interviews, written student reports, and student evaluations of lectures. Both curriculum and examinations were…

Describes the design and implementation of a microcomputer-based model active solar heating system. Includes discussions of: (1) the active solar components (solar collector, heat exchanger, pump, and fan necessary to provide forced air heating); (2) software components; and (3) hardware components (in the form of sensors and actuators). (JN)

The author discusses the effect of the rise of technology on the liberal arts. The benefits of liberal arts to society are sketched and ways to protect them from demise are suggested. The liberal arts core curriculum, as introduced at the University of Bridgeport, is described. (CT)

Explored the adoption of 17 projects by industry and whether the origin of the research ideas was a significant factor. Projects were either initiated by industry alone, by universities alone, or by universities with input from industry from the earliest stages of the research. (JN)

The pros and cons of government intervention in technical education, especially that of engineers, are discussed in the context of Ireland's efforts to support technological manpower development by predicting manpower needs, setting up institutions, and giving financial support. (MSE)

Predictions of a severe shortage of engineers are not confirmed by an analysis of defense spending and salary trends. Data are provided and discussed for defense budget, engineering demand, attritions/layoffs, bachelor's salaries in selected industries, effect of research and development pool of engineers, and influence of starting salaries. (JN)

Surveyed college representatives from 100 companies (56 percent response rate) to determine relative importance of communication skills (writing, listening, speaking, reading) to practicing engineers and of individual skills within each of these four areas for on-the-job performance. Listening/speaking skills were rated as most important, followed…

Provides abstracts of papers dealing with various aspects of science, engineering, mathematics, computer science, science education, and other academic fields. Science education abstracts focus on such topics as microcomputers, industry relationships, curriculum and instructional strategies. Program descriptions are also included. (JN)

Described is an undergraduate course of computer interfacing for scientists and engineers which incorporates the use of digital computers and associated interfacing elements with experiments and special projects performed in an on-line environment in the laboratory. (SL)

Discussed are communication considerations for instructors of undergraduate engineering courses designed to teach students to prepare written technical reports. Illustrated are the differences between "real life" technical writing and classroom writing. (SL)

Speaks to the role of vocational education in providing massive training programs to prepare technicians and other service personnel to perform installation and service functions necessary to support architects and engineers designing and developing solar energy systems. (HD)

An experiment designed to train engineering students to two levels of achievement in three-year and five-year programs within a single institution is reported. Organizational and curricular problems created by such integrated schemes are examined. (Author/LBH)