Research experiences are becoming increasingly available for undergraduate science students. Although many undergraduate research programs are designed with assessment-friendly outcomes as stated goals, a more personalized approach in goal setting can help administrators and mentors design fulfilling experiences for their students. Implementation…

The S-Star Trial Bioinformatics on-line course (www.s-star.org) is a global experiment in bioinformatics distance education. Six universities from five continents have participated in this project. One hundred and fifty students participated in the first trial course of which 96 followed through the entire course and 70 fulfilled the overall…

This volume explores the role and implications of collaborative learning for the mission and future of higher education and college teaching. Part I discusses the implications of nonfoundational social constructionist thought for colleges and universities. Nonfoundational notions of knowledge and social relations argue that knowledge has no…

The Environmental Quality Instructional Resources Center in Columbus, Ohio, acquires, reviews, indexes, and announces both print (books, modules, units, etc.) and non-print (films, slides, video tapes, etc.) materials related to water quality and water resources education and instruction. In addition some materials related to pesticides, hazardous…

In order to increase women's representation among quantitative degrees, Berryman (1985) suggested two strategies: (1) increase women's share of the initial mathematical/scientific pool; or (2) reduce attrition from the pool. However, current research indicates that the decision to enter a quantitative field of study for women is the result of a…

Characteristics of competition from an institutional perspective were studied, based on a 1983 field study of the management and performance of four-year institutions. Attention was directed to three concerns: the similarity of competing institutions; the extent to which enrollment competition is structured by characteristics such as institutional…

In an effort to determine success characteristics of introductory chemistry students, 135 enrollees in seven introductory chemistry classes at Oakton Community College were surveyed in the spring semester, 1977. Of the 120 respondents, it was found that 75% had enrolled because of curricular requirements in a career field, and only 8% did so…

In spring 1992, American River College, in California, began a Beacon College project to involve students in the life of the college through the implementation of a Peer Assisted Learning program. In the program, the college established semester-long collaborative study groups in selected math and science classes. Prior to the semester, faculty…

In spring 1992, American River College (ARC), in California, began a Beacon College project to involve students in the life of the college through the Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) program, involving semester-long, collaborative study groups in selected math and science classes. These two reports describe project outcomes for 1995 and as of January…

This monograph describes 30 college and university programs funded by the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education from 1989 to 1991. Each description includes information on program purpose, project activities, major insights and lessons, project continuation, and available information. The first group of 10 are programs focused on…

Research findings on computer designed instruction and testing at the college level are discussed in 13 papers from the first Regional Conference on University Teaching at New Mexico State University. Titles and authors are as follows: "Don't Bother Me with Instructional Design, I'm Busy Programming! Suggestions for More Effective Educational…

Conducted as part of a larger study, this study attempted to describe and compare academic achievement of students who intended to enter selected faculties (education, engineering, arts and sciences) of the University of Regina (Canada) in the fall of 1982 and 1983 and who graduated from Saskatchewan high schools. This group totaled 3,632 of whom…

A project to improve college instruction in the basic and allied health sciences at New York Chiropractic College and the New York Institute of Technology is described. Attention was directed to: the kinds of resources colleges and professional schools provide to improve instruction; motivation of faculty to explore innovative or strategic…

Drawing upon the responses of 268 instructors of randomly selected class sections offered at the Los Angeles Community College District during Fall 1980, this paper assesses the role of the faculty in remedying the underrepresentation of women, minorities, and the handicapped in science education. The paper first summarizes probable causes of this…

A meta-analysis of research on college students in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (SMET) was undertaken to clarify the effects of small-group learning at the undergraduate level. The focus was three broad categories of outcomes among SMET undergraduates: achievement, persistence, and attitudes. Research concerns included:…