The science and technology advisor to the President of the United States presents the challenges facing Americans today in the fields of science and technology. The major topics focused on are people and development, agriculture, biomass and bioconversion, and regulation. (SA)

Discussed are the needs and objectives that should be evolving in biology education to meet the needs of modern students. Stressed are the principles of curriculum integration, relevance, cultural fitness, and adaptation. Directions for educational reform are described. (CW)

A review of some of the different forms that biological ethics have taken in the past and of issues which are arising suggests that ethics should be taught as a part of biological education within a framework of history, futures study, training in clear thinking, and the development of empathy. (Author/CW)

Just more than twenty years ago, the author had the privilege of directing a National Academy of Sciences panel that issued a report entitled "Scientific Communication and National Security," known informally as the Corson Report, after Dale Corson, the panel's chair and president emeritus of Cornell University. Thus, for him, today's discussions…

Empirical hypotheses about organizational change are compared with actual case studies of change and leadership at the University of California (UC) system. The hypotheses are based on the sociological literature on complex organizations and are derived from three perspectives: (1) rational choice and analytic approaches, (2) cognitive…

The rapid progress in the biological sciences has resulted in many social, ethical, and legal issues. In medical practice, public health programs, research laboratories, law enforcement, insurance, the patenting process, agriculture, genetic counseling, and other fields, legal controversies and public policy debates have developed. Some of these…

Discusses the main objectives of ecohistory and sources of information for this study. Details five themes that are important for students to know about the history of ecology including the history of Earth, fauna and flora, the human species, human civilization, and changes in the human environment. (CW)

A report of a task group on biomedical patents summarizes the context in which technological innovation involving research institutions and industry takes place and the interests and concerns of various participants. Suggestions are given for accommodating these concerns through institutional policies and procedures. (MSE)

Examined are some of the distinctive features of the biological sciences. Discussed are the use of models with case studies, universal principles, and alternative frameworks. (CW)

Directors and faculty members representing undergraduate environmental science/studies, in conjunction with the American Institute of Biological Sciences generated this report on the current status of and future prospects in undergraduate environmental science (ES) education. Despite their varied backgrounds and the diverse nature of their…

Ten papers and four abstracts of papers from the University of South Africa's Conference on Distance Education are presented. They include: "Access to Higher Education and Training in the South Pacific: The Role of Telecommunications and Distance Education" (Som Naidu); "Distance Education in Japan" (Takashi Sakamoto);…

Defines scientific theory. States that life science textbooks often misrepresent theory in their presentations. Presents an analysis of "Prentice Hall Life Science," a textbook adopted by several states including California, and two other popular texts. Criticizes these texts for equating myths, beliefs, legends, and theories, and their…

Until about the 1940s, schools and universities considered observation and direct experience of one's natural surroundings to be a worthwhile educational endeavor, leading to a nature-literate citizenry. Now, lab-based biological studies and environmental education in the classroom have mostly replaced nature study, reducing the possibility of…

Recent developments in graduate programs are discussed in 15 papers from a 1982 conference cosponsored by the Council of Graduate Schools and the Graduate Record Examinations Board. Attention is directed to issues associated with program presentations, program innovations in various disciplines, and industry/university cooperative graduate…

This set of nine papers on special library concerns includes papers presented by participants from Canada, Denmark, East Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Papers are entitled: "The Needs of the Special Librarian and the Library Association," by Miriam H. Tees; "Position and Development of Special Libraries within…