Academic maturity of students in an extended programme in mathematics

ABSTRACT

This paper focuses on the students who are registered in the University of Pretoria’s academic development programme, named the Four-year Programme (FYP). The programme was introduced as a gateway for students who are underprepared but have the potential to succeed and then continue their studies into the mainstream science programmes. Our research focuses on measuring the change in the academic maturity of these students. In the theoretical framework that we developed, academic maturity is subdivided into two components namely non-subject based maturity and subject based maturity (mathematical maturity). This paper focuses on measuring non-subject based academic maturity. The survey used for this purpose is called the Student Academic Readiness Survey (STARS), taken at the beginning of the year and after the first semester respectively. The results of the surveys are compared to measure the change in students’ views. Results show that in all constructs there is a surprising decline in students’ perceptions regarding their own abilities over the first semester at university. We use the Dunning–Kruger effect to explain this unexpected decline, in that students seem to develop a more realistic view of their own maturity, which in itself can be seen as a growth in academic maturity.     

Designing an effective federal biomass program

This article addresses two questions: Has the effectiveness of the US governments federal research and development (R&;D) spending suffered from the post-1980 strategic change from freely shared and publicly owned to privately owned scientific advances? What criteria would a federal R&;D program use to design a strategy that most effectively enhances the well-being of farmers and rural communities? Several studies found that the pre-1980 US Department of Agriculture research strategy was very effective. No comparable studies have analyzed the comparative effectiveness of the post-1980 strategy of restricting access to the results of public research. Recent experience and several analytical studies suggest that to significantly enhance the health of rural economies from an expanded use of plant matter as an industrial material, federal policy should channel scientific and engineering research into small- and medium-sized production and processing technologies and should encourage farmer-owned, value-added enterprises.     

西门子全集成自动化理念初探

系统阐述了全集成自动化理念的内涵，指出其特点在于统一的数据管理、统一的编程组态、统一的通讯以及无与伦比的开放性，其中采用WINCC与STEP7两个软件进行了说明，井提出全集成自动化应用将是今后自动化技术发展应用的方向。     

定向能武器技术发展的回顾与展望

本文综合介绍了定向能武器的技术发展水平和未来发展趋势。     

影响有线数字电视机顶盒发展的因素

从用户需求、节目源、价格、资金、行业体制等方面论述了影响有线数字电视机顶盒发展的因素。     

Early Evolution of Gas Chromatography in East Germany. Part I: Beginnings, Instrument and Column Development and Organizations

The early evolution of gas chromatography in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) is surveyed and instrument development is outlined, describing the most important models manufactured in the GDR. The organization of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Gas-Chromatographie (Working Group for GC) is chronicled and its activities are discussed. Subsequent parts of this article will deal with the six symposia organized by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft between 1958 and 1968.     

Roughness reduction in submicron waveguides by low-molecular weight development

Roughness reduction of a submicron waveguide profile in chemically amplified negative resist is here performed by proper selection of an alkali-based developer, taking into account that its smaller molecules lead to smoother resist surface by altering the developing mechanism of aggregate extraction performed with standard quaternary ammonium hydroxide. Roughness is then analyzed by means of classical Atomic Force Microscope inspection; furthermore, a non-invasive line edge roughness analysis approach based on top-down scanning electron microscope acquisition gives comparable results, in terms of standard deviation and molecular aggregate periodicity.     

Duane模型在斯特林制冷机研制过程中的应用

介绍一种实用的可靠性增长模型杜安 (Duane)模型 ,并探讨如何运用该模型来分析、指导斯特林制冷机的可靠性增长试验 ,包括试验前的准备、试验数据的处理、曲线的绘制 ,以及如何对增长过程进行估计和监测     

因子分析在企业竞争力评价中的应用

根据因子分析原理,建立了企业竞争力的规模因子、效益因子和成长因子得分模型。通过现实竞争力和潜在竞争力分析,实现了企业竞争力和可持续发展的评价。     

中国第三代移动通信技术发展概况与战略建议(上)

本文第一部分重点介绍了中国移动通信的现状以及国际3G的现状，并简单介绍了3G通信存在的几个问题。