Undergraduate students routinely rated science-related courses such as biopsychology as intimidating and very difficult. Identification of factors that may contribute to success in these types of courses is important in order to help increase performance and interest in these topics. To examine what variables are related to performance, we studied…

Explains the organization, structure, and assessment of the undergraduate course entitled Clinical Anatomy and Anatomical Skills. The course aims to refocus, vertically integrate, and revise the subject using problem-solving methods plus testing of various clinically relevant skills recorded in a logbook. This report re-emphasizes the importance…

Eleven years experience with the running of web-based projects for final year undergraduate students of the Faculty of Life Sciences at Manchester University, along with an example of one project, is described. Application of the scientific method was emphasised to students. Technical support workshops were provided for them. Project performance…

A two-part animism questionnaire was adminstered to 200 female undergraduates with extensive backgrounds in science. When students classified objects as "living" or "nonliving," 67 percent gave evidence of animistic thought. Yet when subjects identified statements which reflected their own definition of living, 66 percent…

The scope, form and task of environmental education in Polish universities varies depending on the course of studies and the specialisation. In this paper, models of environmental education in different types of universities as well as their effect on undergraduates' attitudes and knowledge are presented. The most comprehensive environmental…

Discusses the importance of developing bioethics programs for undergraduate students. Two aspects are considered: (1) current areas of concern and sources of bibliographic information; and (2) problems encountered in undergraduate projects. A list of references is provided. (HM)

Described is a research study comparing the achievement of undergraduate biology students in individual investigations with and without written guidelines for problem formulation. The authors conclude that the problem formulation stage is crucial to the success of student investigations. The quality of students problems improved significantly with…

Describes an interactive computer program that simulates the physiological response to graded exercise in healthy individuals. The program presents high-resolution graphic data in a form comparable to that of a chart recorder display. Data are derived from an empirical model that allows users to select parameters to investigate. The program was…

Senior undergraduates in the honors or graduation year with an intention to further their career in science would soon face the real world of scientific research as a junior scientist. It is important to acquaint these students with and adequately prepare them for the key aspects of a scientist's professional life. These include technical…

Reported are the results of a survey of undergraduate students regarding the knowledge and attitudes about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Survey methods, limitations, results, and implications are discussed. Results are compared with a previous survey to assess change over time. (CW)

The impact of introducing computer-based self-assessment quizzes on examination performance was monitored in 5 modules delivered to undergraduate students in the first, second, and final years at university over a 2-3 year period. The patterns of usage were also monitored to determine the extent to which the quizzes were used and whether there…

In this issue, I provide information about an ongoing activity at the National Academies that will be of direct interest to biologists who are working to improve education in the life sciences. I also describe a recently published report and a forthcoming report on the Academies' efforts to help the nation develop a coherent strategy for improving…

Undergraduate recruitment is a significant activity for all universities. This brief report sets out the results of a survey regarding the course and institutional choices of the 2005-06 entry cohort of bioscience students in four universities. The key findings show that enjoyment of the subject and the wish to learn more are the primary reasons…

Some scholars have publicly criticized large research universities for failing to provide undergraduate students with the skills and abilities needed to succeed both in life and in the workforce. One strategy, taken at UCLA, is to use its strength as a research institution as the foundation of curricular reform; for example, by bringing research…

Reported are the results of a survey of undergraduate students regarding their attitudes about the use of animals in science experiments following a presentation of both sides of the issue. Survey methods, results, and implications are discussed. (CW)