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This document presents the results of a survey questionnaire of undergraduate education in sociology sent in spring 1991 to a nationally representative sample of 597 four-year colleges and universities. The data from 502 responding four-year colleges and universities (out of 529 eligible institutions) were weighted to provide national estimates about instructional staff, computer resources, course offerings, and issues and concerns in undergraduate education in sociology. Results showed that most of the nation's four-year colleges and universities had sociology programs, and that most institutions with sociology programs offered bachelor's degrees in the subject. Twenty percent offered master's degrees, 10% doctorates, and 5% associate degrees. About half of the chairs of departments with sociology programs stated that the number of students who declared a major in sociology had increased in the last five years. When evaluating components of undergraduate education in sociology, department chairs assessed curriculum and faulty/staff resources more positively than the academic preparation and interest and motivation of students. The academic preparation of entering freshmen was ranked as the most important issue of concern to chairs of departments with sociology programs. Other issues ranked as major concerns were student interest and motivation, computer background of students, recruiting and retention of qualified faculty, and appropriateness of class size for introductory courses. All students had access to campus-wide computer resources, but only 37% of respondents stated their department offered undergraduates access to departmental computers. Full time faculty members teaching sociology to undergraduates were 84% White, non-Hispanic; 8% Black, non-Hispanic; 4% Hispanic; 3% Asian; and 1% nonresident alien. A mean of 82% of the instructional contact hours was taught by full-time faculty. (DK)

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 the 275 eligible institutions. The data were weighted to provide national estimates about instruction staff, computer resources, course offerings, and issues and concerns in undergraduate education in geology. Some of the highlighted results included the following. Almost all research universities (92%) had geology programs, but only 68% of doctoral institutions and much smaller portions of comprehensive (40%) and liberal arts institutions (15%) offered geology programs. Bachelor's degrees were offered by 88% of the departments with geology programs, 42% offered master's degrees, 23% offered doctorates, and 3% associate's degrees. Almost two-thirds (63%) of the departments stated that the number of students who declared a major in geology increased in the last 5 years. In evaluating the six components of undergraduate education in geology, department chairs assessed curriculum and faculty/staff resources more positively than they did laboratory equipment for undergraduate instruction, facilities, student preparation, and teaching assistants. A large majority (80%) stated they offered undergraduate geology students access to departmental computers for undergraduate research and coursework. (PR)

In 1991, a survey questionnaire concerning undergraduate education in physics was sent to a nationally representative sample of 597 four-year colleges and universities. Of these, 475 had an undergraduate physics department or a department with a physics program, and met the criteria for inclusion in the study. Responses were received from 450 of the 475 eligible institutions. The data were weighted to provide national estimates about instruction staff, computer resources, course offerings, and issues and concerns in undergraduate education in physics. Some of the highlighted results included the following. Three-quarters of 4-year colleges and universities had physics programs. Bachelor's degrees were offered by 79% of the departments with physics programs, 25% offered master's degrees, 17% offered doctorates, and 3% associate's degrees. Slightly over one-fourth of the departments stated that the number of students who declared a major in physics increased in the last 5 years. In evaluating the six components of undergraduate education in physics, department chairs assessed curriculum and faculty/staff resources more positively than they did student preparation and motivation. A large majority (85%) stated they offered undergraduate physics students access to departmental computers for undergraduate research and coursework. (PR)

Effective policy formulation depends on an assessment of the current situation and of recent trends in science and engineering participation rates of all segments of U.S. society. This volume, the sixth in a series, is designed to provide such an assessment. It has been prepared for the Congress, the administration, and others who influence the direction of the U.S. science and engineering effort and who are concerned with maintaining equal opportunity and equal treatment for women and minorities as they participate in this undertaking. The chapters in this book are: (1) Women in Science and Engineering; (2) Education and Training of Women in Science and Engineering; (3) Minorities in Science and Engineering; (4) Education and Training of Minorities in Science and Engineering; and (5) Persons with Physical Disabilities in Science and Engineering. (PR)