Skills vs. content knowledge in high-tech curriculum design

The differences between the skills of a graduating technologist and the content knowledge expected on the job are assessed using data gathered from questionnaires. Each questionnaire included about 160 questions regarding skills, theoretical knowledge, and instrumentation items, as well as 30 information-related questions. Respondents were asked to decide whether they would accept or reject a technologist applying for a job in their department, if the applicant failed to carry out a specified task successfully. Implications for curriculum change are discussed