Suggests that academic departments reshape the intellectual climate for chemistry education as one way to ensure the future of chemistry. Current practices in chemistry and possible benefits which may result if the system is modified are examined. These benefits include better public support and understanding of chemistry. (JN)

Discusses how chemistry departments at three campuses of the University of California (Berkeley, Davis, and Irvine) and at the University of Michigan have fared during the years of lean budgets. Indicates that these universities are helped by healthy research funding, academic strengths, service roles, and selective budget cuts. (JN)

Relates the impressions of science education gained by a physics professor visiting the People's Republic of China. Observations from two universities in Beijing and Wuhan provide information regarding departmental organization, general teacher preparation, preuniversity education, science teacher preparation, specific physics departments, applied…

This article reviews the status of funding of the Department of Defense, presently and in earlier years. A discussion is presented on the increased emphasis towards supporting university research. (SA)

Presents strategic planning designed to help academic institutions. Describes five key elements: situation analysis; mission statement; objectives; creating strategies; and tactics. Discusses the implementation, benefits, and side-effects of strategic planning. (YP)

Describes how the Career Management Series was conceived and developed at the Center for Particle Astrophysics at the University of California at Berkeley, demystifying the job search, differentiating between process and skills, and looking at both the academic and nonacademic track. Describes how this model was then successfully adapted to the…

Describes valuable aspects for the author of a career management workshop which emphasized a broad career horizon that included nonacademic career opportunities. Discusses her own and other people's pursuit of work and career to emphasize that it is both possible and urgent for people in English departments to change how they think about future…

In this article, the authors highlight an issue in science education facing many university and college science departments: hiring faculty who can bring to the department specialized expertise in science education. To begin to address this issue, a collaborative team of tenure-track faculty--all of whom are primarily trained in science and have…

Describes the background of schemes to rationalize earth science departments in the United Kingdom. Discusses the rationale of these schemes and the controversy they have caused in the academic community. (CW)

Highlights an American Chemical Society (ACS) survey of 103 chemistry departments on their instrumentation needs. The 2-year study affirms that instruments used for chemical research and education are becoming outdated because of their age and changes in technology. The survey also reveals how departments plan to use newly acquired instruments.…

Describes the University of Kansas chemistry department's safety program. Comprehensive regulation, undergraduate regulations, safety equipment, handling accidents, inspections, and training are addressed. (JN)

Discusses development of a research program in the chemistry department at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, a regional campus of Memorial University of Newfoundland. Considers both chemical and chemical education research programs and difficulties encountered in their development. Indicates advantages in conducting educational rather than scientific…

Given that the subject department is recognised by subject specialist teachers as the central and immediate unit of organization in secondary schools it is surprising that so little attention has been paid by researchers to the leadership dynamics within science departments. The leadership dynamics within the science departments of two…

Presented is a statement of the need for school science technicians to service laboratories. A formula for determining the minimum level of provision of science technicians in schools is provided. (SA)

The National Science Foundation's chemistry division has begun a year-long experiment to determine if the paperwork and red tape involved in research grants can be reduced, while at the same time increasing accountability for how the money is spent. (Author/BB)