The ivory sweatshop? (cover story)

GRADUATE students; GRADUATE education; TRAINING of engineers; TRAINING of scientists; RESEARCH; EDUCATION

Focuses on science and engineering education in the United States. Tensions at universities between the demands of research and education; Steps that prospective graduate students can take to ensure a good education; Limitations on courses after the first year; Insignificant laboratory assignments; Funds for travel to a major conference; Where the `sweatshop' problem frequently occurs; How to compensate for shortcomings in a lab; The top schools of engineering. INSET: Specialties.