Daily Bulletin

Primary colours rule, as painters were at work on the Davis Centre yesterday.

Advice for new professors

According to the institutional analysis and planning office, 18 faculty members joined the ranks on July 1 and seven on August 1, with another 18 due as of tomorrow. The teaching resources and continuing education office has produced a Quick Reference Teaching Guide that's meant to ease their way.

"You have many new responsibilities to prepare for in your new position, and one of them is teaching, both in the classroom and as a supervisor," the four-page booklet points out. And immediately it cuts to the chase: "You have most likely experienced a variety of instructional styles as a student, and may have experimented with a few of your own as an instructor. But what constitutes effective teaching?"

Some main answers: "Clearly indicating the value of your course to your students; motivating students to do their best; communicating effectively with your students; having a clear course organization; creating a comfortable environment for learning; showing concern for student learning; genuinely respecting your students; being knowledgeable about course content." Says the brochure: "How you put these characteristics into practice is up to you. There is no one correct way to teach. . . . This pamphlet provides suggestions for when you might benefit from assistance and what services are available to you."

Professors may want help in three broad areas, the pamphlet suggests:

• Course design input: "You may want to discuss your ideas for organizing your course or choosing assessment methods. It can sometimes be challenging to remember what is reasonable to expect from students! You may also want to explore ideas for new teaching methods or refine ones you're already using."
• Course evaluation assistance: "End-of-term course evaluations are administered at UW and used by Department Chairs and Tenure & Promotion committees to assess your teaching. If your results are not what you expected or wanted them to be, you may benefit from talking them over with someone else."
• Classroom management issues: "At times, you may experience difficulties with disruptions in your classrooms. It may be one student or a group who are making it difficult for you to create a comfortable and productive learning environment."

Program in computational science -- by Barbara Hallett

"We anticipate a significant interest," says chemistry professor Fred McCourt, advisor for the program. "There is a demand in industry and in government for people who can do computer modeling of physical systems."

Similar programs are more commonly offered at the graduate level at universities in the United States and in Europe. "At UW, we believe the program could be started earlier." As far as McCourt knows, no other undergraduate program in computational science is offered in Canada.

Among "the computationally intense areas of research", he says, are the study of conformational properties of proteins, flow-through porous media studies in earth sciences, and a number of numerical studies related to the bulk properties of gases, liquids and solids.

With an emphasis on applying computer science techniques to solve physical problems, the four-year honours program will consist of a core of mathematics, computer science and science courses, with upper-year courses allowing students to specialize in biochemistry, chemistry, earth sciences or physics options. In addition, there is a non-specialist option.

"We're aiming for the top students," McCourt adds, "the very bright, highly motivated" high school grads who have averages of at least 85. Admission requirements include the equivalent of OAC calculus, one of OAC algebra and geometry or OAC finite mathematics, OAC chemistry, OAC physics, and at least one grade 11, 12 or OAC computer science course.

Although two or three new courses will have to be introduced for the program, they will not be required until year three or four, "which will give us time to prepare. New faculty positions are coming up in physics and chemistry, and we'll be looking for one or two people with expertise in this area.

"We look upon the program as one that will prepare students well for direct employment or for grad work." While a graduate program in the field is currently not offered at UW, "it's quite possible by the time we get the first students through, if there is interest, there could be a grad program here," says McCourt.

Dance open house The Carousel Dance Centre will hold an open house tonight (6 to 9 p.m.) at its studios in East Campus Hall. "Come discover the art of dance with us!" says a flyer introducing Carousel's training for children (from age 3) and adults.

New services from the library

The library "has recently purchased new micro printers to replace older equipment" in both the Dana Porter Library and the Davis Centre Library, says Mary Stanley of the library office. "These new printers are capable of copying both negative and positive fiche and film without the need for assistance from staff.

"And the best part of all, for a one-year trial, the Library will be providing copying from all micro equipment at no cost to the user."

Also new in the libraries this fall: "Getting library material from Laurier has just been made easier. As of September 1, UW undergraduates will be able to borrow library materials from the WLU Library without visiting it. Students will now be able to place holds on books and articles from WLU and arrange to pick them up at one of the UW library locations.

"This is an expansion of the TUG Book and Article Retrieval Service. This service is heavily used by faculty, staff and students and provided by the Library at no cost to you. Material can be retrieved from the libraries at Guelph, Laurier or the Annex (our off-site storage facility). Staff at one of the Information Desks can provide additional help in making use of this service."

And Stanley sends word of two changes to the library lending policy that take effect September 1:

• The maximum fine for overdue recalled material will increase to $24 (from $15).
• The suspension for four or more non-reserve items which are overdue will be removed.

CAR

Editor of the Daily Bulletin: Chris Redmond
Information and Public Affairs, University of Waterloo
credmond@uwaterloo.ca | (519) 888-4567 ext. 3004
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