This experiment was designed to help students improve the critical thinking skills that are required to analyze and discuss the results of an organic chemistry experiment in an effective manner. The initial objective indicated in the prelab handout for this puzzle experiment was the synthesis of methyl 4-bromobenzoate using the Fischer…

In contrast to most other thermodynamic data, entropy values are not given in relation to a certain--more or less arbitrarily defined--zero level. They are listed in standard thermodynamic tables as absolute values of specific substances. Therefore these values describe a physical property of the listed substances. One of the main tasks of…

This study examined what psychology students know about clinical psychology as most students with declared majors in psychology state that they have career plans to work in applied psychology. A five-item questionnaire was administered to 162 undergraduates in three introductory and upper level psychology courses. The questionnaire asked students…

In 1991, a survey questionnaire concerning undergraduate education in geology was sent to a nationally representative sample of 597 four-year colleges and universities. Of these, 275 had an undergraduate geology department or a department with a geology program, and met the criteria for inclusion in the study. Responses were received from 262 of…

One of the aims of the Women's Studies Program at Michigan State University (East Lansing) is to augment undergraduate major programs by introducing the experiences of women into the various disciplines and involving students in inter-disciplinary studies. The College of Arts and Letters (ATL) offers a special topic course called "Women in…

Describes a summer research experience program for disabled undergraduates. Discussed are some results of the program. (YP)

This report compares fall 2002 enrollment in Texas public community and technical colleges to fall 2001 enrollment numbers at these institution. The data used comes from the CBM001 Student Report, which records students enrolled on the official census, and the CBM009 Graduation Report that records graduates for the academic year. The data is…

Description of Smith College Library's Rare Book Room notes printed book and manuscript collections including the Sylvia Plath collection, Ernest Hemingway collection, and collection of modern press books. Related undergraduate courses in typography and the history of printing, student exhibitions, and student publications are highlighted. (EJS)

Describes using undergraduates as student advisers to free faculty from routine counseling tasks in undergraduate engineering programs at Purdue. Describes how advisers are selected and trained. (Author/DS)

Notes responses to present deficiencies in college introductory economics courses. Discusses the University of Nebraska's ADAPT (Accent on Developing Abstract Processes of Thought) program. The interdisciplinary project, based on Piaget's developmental stages, assists students in acquiring reasoning skills for the highest stage of intellectual…

Describes study which indicates that large class size is not detrimental to retention performance in introductory economics classes. Variables examined include class size, method of instruction, cognitive levels of learning, pre- and post-test scores, grade in the course, class, SAT scores, and student attitude. (KC)

This analysis of the effect of undergraduate law studies on a law school aspirant's potential for admission includes report of a survey of law school admission committees which confirms that admission decisions are based primarily on grade point average and Law School Admission Test scores with little attention to undergraduate major. (JT)

Describes an experiment used with undergraduate students to educate students about plagiarism and paraphrasing techniques. Discusses the procedure used for the experiment as well as results from the experiment and a postexperiement questionnaire. (CMK)

Presents a technique used to understand the anchoring-adjustment heuristic and to integrate the concept with social psychological principles. Explains that students estimated the number of yearly stroke-related deaths that occur in the United States. Reports that the interaction between anchor and familiarity with the heuristic predicted stroke…

Examines the use of reciprocal peer tutoring (RPT) within the field of education through two experiments: (1) students enrolled in five sections of an introductory educational research course at the graduate level; and (2) undergraduate students within four sections of a human development course. Includes references. (CMK)