function validate_required(field,alerttxt)
{
with (field)
{
if (value==null||value=="")
  {alert(alerttxt);return false}
else {return true}
}
}

function validate_form(thisform)
{
with (thisform)
{
if (validate_required(title,"Please select a valid title")==false)
  {title.focus();return false}
  if (validate_required(name,"Please enter your name")==false)
  {name.focus();return false}
  if (validate_required(coursedrop,"Please select a valid course")==false)
  {coursedrop.focus();return false}  
  if (validate_required(coursedatedrop,"Please select a valid course date")==false)
  {coursedatedrop.focus();return false}  
  if (validate_required(tutordrop,"Please select a tutor")==false)
  {tutordrop.focus();return false}
}
}