Presented is the initial volume of a three-volume report detailing the evaluation of the National Science Foundation Comprehensive Assistance to Undergraduate Science Education (CAUSE) program, a program developed to encourage the improvement in quality and effectiveness of undergraduate science education in institutions of higher education. Chapter One describes the operation and history of the CAUSE program. Methodology of the evaluation framework is provided in Chapter Two, including a discussion of the elements of the design of the evaluation, i.e., the issues, evaluation framework, data collection techniques and activities, and data analysis. Chapters Three and Four deal with conclusions regarding issues and recommendations, respectively. (CS)