I finally decided on a degree program

[etstudent]

Some of you may remember me as the guy looking for a degree program, well I found the one, and I am already enrolled in it. Its not strictly an Electronics engineering technology program, its more of an electrical maintenance program. Its the direction I really feel comfortable moving forward in. Its a direction I actually would rather go in. Anyway this is the program: http://www.pennfostercollege.edu/industrial-electronics-maintenance/ProgramOutline.html I know some might not like that its a "for profit" school but I like them so far. The education seems very, very good, and in depth. Interesting program so far. The math coming up scares me but I will need to learn it, so I will do my best. I have Geometry, algebra, trigonometry, precalculus, and the metric system. Kind of daunting to me, but I gotta do it. Any thoughts I will appreciate your input?

[Flávio V]

So the metric system is now scary??I would be scared of imperial if i was there....

1 mili-meter is 39.4mils, a meter are 1000 mili-meters, a kilometer are 1 million mili-meters...

Metric system uses the pico,nano,mili,unit,kilo,mega,giga,tera... so a unit will increase of name if is 1000 times bigger...

Much better than:1 "mile"=1760 "yards"
Metric is goody:1k meter=1000 meters=1000k mili meters

[smashedProton]

Check out dave's video on orders of magnitude.  That will set you straight!

[Stiege]

Khan Academy is great for this stuff:



Videos for whatever level you're at. From arithmetic right up to some heavy calculus concepts. Sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Here's the playlist page:

https://www.youtube.com/user/khanacademy/videos?flow=grid&view=1

[EEVblog]

A compulsory Arts and Humanities Elective? 
That's always been a pet peeve of mine. You sign up for a specific specialist course and are forced have to do other stuff. Isn't that what high school is for?
One class for the Fundamentals of Electronics? That's a lot to cover in one class!
It's interesting to see the differences in associates degrees and degrees around the world.
In my course for example we had separate introductory electronics elements - analog, digital, semiconductors, and power.
Although given that this is maintenance focused then that's probably understandable.

Have fun!

Dave.

[EEVblog]

The math coming up scares me but I will need to learn it, so I will do my best. I have Geometry, algebra, trigonometry, precalculus, and the metric system. Kind of daunting to me, but I gotta do it. Any thoughts I will appreciate your input?

Calculus is usually the hardest one to wrap your head around, but a lot of people seem to have trouble with complex number theory as well, which I'm sure you will do also.

The best thing about studying today is that there are countless video and online stuff stuff out there that can teach you this. So the best plan is to go into each class already knowing some basics, then it will be easy.
Not everyone learns the same way, so you might have to try 2 or 3 different approaches to the same topic before you find one where you just go "ah, NOW I get it".

Dave.

[etstudent]

Khan Academy is great for this stuff:



Videos for whatever level you're at. From arithmetic right up to some heavy calculus concepts. Sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Here's the playlist page:

https://www.youtube.com/user/khanacademy/videos?flow=grid&view=1

Thanks I just discovered Khan and they will be VERY helpful in this program. It is awesome that there so many great online websites dedicated to free education. I am amazed actually. There are formulas and calculators for everything math wise and formula wise. Impressive I must say.

[etstudent]

A compulsory Arts and Humanities Elective? 
That's always been a pet peeve of mine. You sign up for a specific specialist course and are forced have to do other stuff. Isn't that what high school is for?
One class for the Fundamentals of Electronics? That's a lot to cover in one class!
It's interesting to see the differences in associates degrees and degrees around the world.
In my course for example we had separate introductory electronics elements - analog, digital, semiconductors, and power.
Although given that this is maintenance focused then that's probably understandable.

Have fun!

Dave.

Thanks Dave, yeah no one hates the "non-career" parts of the degree more than me, but they make ya do it, so I have to do it. Also yeah its a maintenance program. I would like to be a manufacturing/industrial mechanic/technician/electrician. I need very much to learn PLC's for this. They have a PLC program, but I think I will also take a separate specialized PLC program also.
 I am excited about this program, Its gonna be tough doing the school work around working. Also there is a hands-on lab at Penn State U in the 4th semester. I talked to them and I can't wait to get in that lab. I was dreading it, but after talking to the instructor that runs the lab, I can't wait to get onto it. Its packed every minute with hands-on lessons. I loved the sound of it to be honest.
Thanks for all the feedback guys.

[HLA-27b]

MET202 – Drafting with AutoCAD® (3 credits)

UGH!!!
3 Credits for the wordpad of the CAD programs?  You better learn it fast and move on to more serious stuff. I am an autocad user for the last 15 years and I would agree that it is the absolute rock bottom foundation of CAD and you cannot go very far without learning it first. However Autocad has largely stayed still while the rest of the world moved forward, so better not waste too much time with it. Learn Solid Works and even SketchUP (this one looks unassuming but it is a very potent weapon).

[EEVblog]

Thanks Dave, yeah no one hates the "non-career" parts of the degree more than me, but they make ya do it, so I have to do it. Also yeah its a maintenance program. I would like to be a manufacturing/industrial mechanic/technician/electrician. I need very much to learn PLC's for this. They have a PLC program, but I think I will also take a separate specialized PLC program also.

You can learn a lot in a single PLC class.
In practice it all comes down to learning a particular vendors system, kinda like using a PCB or CAD tool.
I wonder if they still teach and use ladder logic these days, or if it's all changed? That's what we did, and learnt on the Allen Bradley gear.

No software/programming stuff? I would have though maybe a Labview program or something at least would have been very worthwhile in such a course?

Dave.

[Bored@Work]

So the best plan is to go into each class already knowing some basics, then it will be easy.

He selected a distance learning program, no classes. Not even the exams need to be taken on site. He can basically name his own exam proctor. National accredited only.

[Stiege]

So the best plan is to go into each class already knowing some basics, then it will be easy.

He selected a distance learning program, no classes. Not even the exams need to be taken on site. He can basically name his own exam proctor. National accredited only.

Yeah, the course does look more like a pre-cursor to more advance study.

[IanB]

Yeah, the course does look more like a pre-cursor to some more advance study.

It's an Associate degree. In other words it's like a vocational training certificate or diploma designed for people looking for a job in a skilled technical trade.

It could be viewed as a stepping stone to a Bachelor's degree, or simply as a qualification in itself.

[EEVblog]

How long is this course?
There doesn't look like enough material and classes to even cover a typical 2 year full time dipoma level course, let alone a 3 year associates degree?

Dave.

[Stiege]

Yeah, the course does look more like a pre-cursor to some more advance study.

It's an Associate degree. In other words it's like a vocational training certificate or diploma designed for people looking for a job in a skilled technical trade.

It could be viewed as a stepping stone to a Bachelor's degree, or simply as a qualification in itself.

Not that I'm in a position where I hire people, but if I were I'd be unlikely to consider an online year long course as being worthwhile training. Especially as it covers "how to use a scientific calculator" in detail, but no mention of an oscilloscope or multimeter until semester 3.

[IanB]

Not that I'm in a position where I hire people, but if I were I'd be unlikely to consider an online year long course as being worthwhile training. Especially as it covers "how to use a scientific calculator" in detail, but no mention of an oscilloscope or multimeter until semester 3.

Doesn't four semesters work out at two years?

I read the course as providing training for an industrial electrician and maintainer of electrical machinery. I don't think it should be taken as training for a desk job. It's for people who will be working on the shop floor, is it not?

(And that being the case, the mix of subjects is odd. What is the possible relevance of music appreciation? But I just take that as a sign the that US education system is screwed up.)

[Stiege]

Not that I'm in a position where I hire people, but if I were I'd be unlikely to consider an online year long course as being worthwhile training. Especially as it covers "how to use a scientific calculator" in detail, but no mention of an oscilloscope or multimeter until semester 3.

Doesn't four semesters work out at two years?

I read the course as providing training for an industrial electrician and maintainer of electrical machinery. I don't think it should be taken as training for a desk job. It's for people who will be working on the shop floor, is it not?

(And that being the case, the mix of subjects is odd. What is the possible relevance of music appreciation? But I just take that as a sign the that US education system is screwed up.)

Yeah I thought 4 semesters would be 2 years... but then the course material seems very light. US education may be screwed, but no more so than many other places I guess. I'm not sure what the "for profit" model is, but I can see that they must be raking in some good coin for actually providing very few resources. Money might be better spent just reading the free stuff online, buying a few text books and some tools.

[etstudent]

#1 guys that is just an outline. The actual lessons within are MUCH, MUCH more than what you see. There are actually two different courses on CADD. #2 this is a full 64 credit program, that is a legit Associates degree, not a certificate. #3 National accreditation is completely 100% accepted by employers, 70% of the time the credits transfer to RA schools. #4 These credits will transfer nicely into a Electronics engineering technology program that I have my eye on already. I probably will not go that far, but I can, I checked. #5 All that stuff that you deem not necessary, and that I would LOVE to skip is what makes this a real degree program. Degree program give you a well rounded complete education, not just career training. Believe me I'd like to skip it, but that is what makes this a "degree program". Thanks for the concern though.

[etstudent]

Also while I do pick the proctor, it has to be approved by the school and there are rules. They can't be related to me, and they have to have at least an associates degree. Libraries are the best place to have a proctored exam. I already talked to my library that does this, and its free through them which is awesome.

[Stiege]

#1 guys that is just an outline. The actual lessons within are MUCH, MUCH more than what you see. There are actually two different courses on CADD. #2 this is a full 64 credit program, that is a legit Associates degree, not a certificate. #3 National accreditation is completely 100% accepted by employers, 70% of the time the credits transfer to RA schools. #4 These credits will transfer nicely into a Electronics engineering technology program that I have my eye on already. I probably will not go that far, but I can, I checked. #5 All that stuff that you deem not necessary, and that I would LOVE to skip is what makes this a real degree program. Degree program give you a well rounded complete education, not just career training. Believe me I'd like to skip it, but that is what makes this a "degree program". Thanks for the concern though.

In other countries a degree (by definition pretty much) is 3 years. An engineering degree is 4 years (as it is an honours degree). A proper engineering degree will be internationally accredited and recognised under the washington accord: http://www.washingtonaccord.org/washington-accord/ .

[etstudent]

Oh well here an associates is 2 years or 4 semesters. A bachelors is 4 years or 8 semesters. Roughly 60 credits for an A.S. and 120 for a B.S.

[IanB]

It's true. An associates degree in the USA is not a degree as such, it is just given the name "degree" to make it sound good. What you are signed up for is something along the lines of what would be called an HNC or HND in the UK.

It's OK if a full engineering degree is out of reach for you; that path is not suited for everyone. However, you should not imagine you are going to reach the same level of study as someone who graduates with a bachelor's in engineering.

[EEVblog]

It's true. An associates degree in the USA is not a degree as such, it is just given the name "degree" to make it sound good. What you are signed up for is something along the lines of what would be called an HNC or HND in the UK.

In Australia, a 3 year engineering course is called a Diploma, Associate Diploma, or Advanced Diploma. We don't use the term "degree" to refer to anything other than a 4 year engineering program. And regardless of the name, that's how it's accepted world wide, an engineering degree is 4 years full time.
There are 3 years "degrees" here, but they are for courses like arts, and I think a few general science ones have it too.

The Sydney Accord recognises 3 years programs at "engineering technologists"
http://www.washingtonaccord.org/sydney/

And the Dublin Accord recognises 2 year programs for "technicians".
http://www.washingtonaccord.org/dublin/

So yes, unless you have done a 4 year program, the term "degree" not not recognised in the industry.

Dave.

[etstudent]

It's true. An associates degree in the USA is not a degree as such, it is just given the name "degree" to make it sound good. What you are signed up for is something along the lines of what would be called an HNC or HND in the UK.

It's OK if a full engineering degree is out of reach for you; that path is not suited for everyone. However, you should not imagine you are going to reach the same level of study as someone who graduates with a bachelor's in engineering.

Oh no doubt I won't be at the same level as someone with a bachelors degree, that's the point of taking an associates degree. Its 2 years of study or I should say 4 semester as apposed to 8 semesters. Its not the same, and I would never pretend it was. I think it will lead to something decent in the industry though, but only time will tell.

[EEVblog]

Oh no doubt I won't be at the same level as someone with a bachelors degree, that's the point of taking an associates degree. Its 2 years of study or I should say 4 semester as apposed to 8 semesters. Its not the same, and I would never pretend it was. I think it will lead to something decent in the industry though, but only time will tell.

Bare in mind that qualifications, in most of the general industry, are only useful for getting your first job. After that, it's what you know and who you know.

Dave.