Reviews the background leading to the development and evaluation of problems to examine student ability to do qualitative reasoning, applying concepts rather than algorithms. Describes creation of quantitative and qualitative problem papers, summarizes results, and proposes distinctions based on cognitive difficulty. (JM)

Portrays development of a personal-computer laboratory for engineering majors at Washington Univertsity, St. Louis; reviews issues addressed by the lab including access, security, administration, and standardization of personal-computer configuration; and describes computer-based courses offered by the lab and computer software developed for…

Reviews recent studies on Black Americans in science and technical fields. Identifies participation trends and factors inhibiting participation and performance. Discusses factors that must be addressed to increase the numbers of Blacks in science and engineering and proposes that greater support efforts be made. (KH)

Describes an interactive television system based on fiber-optic communications technology which is used to facilitate participation by University of London medical students in lecture/tutorials by teachers in different hospital locations. Highlights include advantages of fiber-optics, cable manufacture and installation, opto-electronic interface,…

Many states are establishing research centers keyed to universities strong in science and engineering as the Unites States' drive to become more technologically competitive shifts to the states. Initiatives in Ohio are provided as an example of this trend. (JN)

A director of a major corporation outlines his ideas for acquiring more and better trained engineers. (SK)

Describes several National Science Foundation programs which encourage interaction between industries and universities. They include engineering research centers, Presidential Young Investigator Awards, and programs in the Industrial Science and Technology Innovation Division. Indicates that industry's pressing need for solutions often adds…

Experiences at the time that George Mason University launched its first major corporate relations effort with the establishment of the George Mason Institute of Science and Technology are discussed. (MLW)

Assesses the state of applied Japanese studies in American universities, offering suggestions for curriculum improvement, providing data on 15 programs, and describing six programs (including one at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology). Indicates that few science/technology majors take Japanese despite strong present and future needs for…

Discusses computer programs used to teach: engineers to analyze structural stress and strain; salesmen to sell; managers to write memos; musicians to compose; and pilots to use navigational instruments. A list of software on noncomputer subjects is provided; each entry includes title, supplier, format, current price, and computer needed. (JN)

Discusses whether biotechnology commercial application will significantly inhibit the free flow of information traditional in academic environments. Background factors, crux of the concern, assessment, and current options are given. Although little evidence that industry-university collaboration has impaired academic molecular genetics exists,…

Research on the communication demands that local industries require of technicians and the writing responsibilities of the technicians are described. Responses from a questionnaire and information from personal interviews are included. (MLW)

Presents degree and employment statistics on women scientists and engineers, outlining variations through the years and by fields. Several factors contributing to the difference between women's proportion of degrees and their proportion of the labor force are discussed. Also presents starting salary differences and types of employers. (DH)

The importance of technological literacy in liberal arts education, and approaches to teaching the concepts behind systems analysis and artifacts in engineering, are outlined and discussed. (MSE)

Presents a corporate official's 12-point plan for the private sector to provide immediate support for public education in technology. Industry's role in stimulating parents, in curriculum development, and in providing financial support are considered. Other areas/issues considered are upgrading graduation requirements, basic building blocks of…