"Steven O." <null@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:pe1bm1tt9q0elp1c7lmlr1hr1sqsgmdmrn@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> This is a repost, because I am having an unbelievably difficult time
> tracking down a community college which offers the EE class I want on
> a distance learning basis. I'm hoping maybe someone -- someone who
> can point me in the right direction -- might catch the post this time,
> if they missed it the first time.....
>
> I am seeking information on any community colleges, anywhere in the
> USA, that provide distance-learning (that is, Web-based, CD-based,
> self-paced textbook study, etc.), for-credit programs of study in
> electronic engineering. I really need community college based
> cl*****, because costs are an issue. (The community colleges in
> Maryland, where I am based, do NOT offer such cl*****, and UMUC does
> not either. The nearest community college in Virginia does offer such
> cl*****, but I have run through their distance learning course
> offerings.)
>
> I have already completed studies in basics of circuits and digital
> design, but now need cl***** in transistor theory, basic analog
> circuits (amplifiers, op-amps, oscillators, etc.) Please reply in the
> newsgroups, or to the somewhat munged e-mail address below.
>
> I've searched the Web extensively, and it's becoming clear that many
> colleges -- even technically oriented community colleges, and ones
> which have many other programs of study online -- are not offering EE
> programs. I've love to know why. (I thought, maybe, it's because EE
> cl***** often have labs. But in fact, you can have theory only EE
> cl*****; and besides, many of these same schools offer
> freshman/sophomore distance learning cl***** in chemistry, biology,
> and physics -- fields which traditionally also have labs as well.)
Taking engineering courses without doing lab work produces engineers who
don't know which end of a soldering iron gets hot or which end of the
adjustable wrench should be used to pound the ICs into their sockets. That
is probably the one that said, "Spectrum analyzer? Yeah, I saw a picture
of
one of those in one of my books, I think."
>
> I have found, so far, exactly one college offering what I'm seeking,
> Sinclair Community College in Ohio -- but for various reasons, too
> detailed to go into here, their course is probably less than ideal for
> my needs. So, I'm searching for other community colleges offering the
> class that I'm seeking, distance learning style. Direct leads from
> people in the know -- students and engineers -- would be really
> helpful.
Okay, it looks like you have been unable to meet your criteria through
online searches. You may never meet all your requirements (for credit,
distance learning, ee courses, low cost). One avenue you may want to
explore
is to talk with the professors at the colleges/universities that meet your
course offering and cost criteria. You may be able to work out a modified
schedule with them (some have more leeway to make the attendance decision
than others), so you can do the majority of your work outside of the
classroom (you will still have to show up for tests and labs). Assuming
they
have the authority, if you can prove to them that you have the capability
to
work independently and have a very good (legitimate) reason to not attend
all cl*****, they may be willing to work with you.. I have taken many
courses this way (I was also in my 40's and 50's and had a job that
required
me to travel). Of course, many colleges have official policies limiting
the
number of days a student can miss and some do not allow their professors
to
waive this. Others are more flexible.
If you want to attend NO cl*****, you may, as you have discovered, be out
of
luck.
One last suggestion: For the cost issue, check out scholar****ps, grants,
and
financial aid. You can't get any of those if you don't apply. They may
make
the difference that will allow you to take available university courses at
nearly the same out-of-pocket costs as the (non-existent) community
college
courses.
Richard
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