What is Online college courses: Definition and 62 Discussions

Distance education, also called distance learning, is the education of students who may not always be physically present at a school. Traditionally, this usually involved correspondence courses wherein the student corresponded with the school via mail. Today, it involves online education. A distance learning program can be completely distance learning, or a combination of distance learning and traditional classroom instruction (called hybrid or blended). Massive open online courses (MOOCs), offering large-scale interactive participation and open access through the World Wide Web or other network technologies, are recent educational modes in distance education. A number of other terms (distributed learning, e-learning, m-learning, online learning, virtual classroom etc.) are used roughly synonymously with distance education.

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  1. aiswariya

    Quantum Video lecture suggestion for Sakurai quantum mechanics Textbook

    hello! I've been trying to read through Sakurai's Modern quantum mechanics textbook ( My goal is to finish the first 3 chapters and understand the Dirac formulation of QM specifically) but I find myself stumbling at many places. Are there any video lectures on the internet that follows this text...
  2. Curieuse

    Prerequisites to Mathematical methods Mary Boas

    Hello! I'm looking to study Mary Boas' Book on mathematical methods and i'd like to know if the prerequisites can be covered in ocw mit courses or any other open courses. Please do suggest if any. Also are there any parallels that can be drawn with the ocw mit courses for the various topics...
  3. S

    Comparing AI and Machine Learning MOOCs: UC Berkeley vs Stanford

    I am a high school student and an avid learner through MOOCs. This spring, there are two MOOCs coming up which caught my interest- one on AI from UC Berkeley(Dan Klein) and the other on Machine Learning from Stanford(Andrew Ng). Though I am inclined towards the Berkeley course, I wanted to get...
  4. S

    Programs Transitioning military-Degree questions

    Hey all, I am in need of some guidance regarding an engineering degree. I'm currently a Navy Nuke and am set to leave the service in around 2 years. My schedule doesn't allow me to attend a brick and mortar school for the foreseeable future but I'd like to start working towards an engineering...
  5. K

    Programs Math, Physics & Computer Science Online Majors

    Hi everybody,I am a math, physics, and English A-level and will be writing my final exams in October/November. My primary goal is to garner a BSc in math, physics, and computer science, before entering post-graduate study at a good research university in either math or physics, and hopefully in...
  6. 9

    Calculus Confusion: limit of sin(x)/x

    Today was our first lesson in our high school's accelerated calculus class. The class is our school's most second most difficult math (behind multivariable calc), and prepares you for the AP BC calc exam, but material not present on the BC test is covered in class. It is really a college level...
  7. robphy

    TabletPCs for Science and Science Teaching [blog entry from 2006]

    This old blog entry is being reposted here for archival purposes because the blog system is being removed. TabletPCs for Science and Science Teaching (Message originally posted by robphy on May20-06 at 06:45 PM.) Although the http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/default.mspx (see...
  8. G

    New DeVry Student: Exploring Opportunities After Graduation

    Hey folks! I'm new here, and am currently attending DeVry University. (Bear with me here!) I have read through tons of posts around here which looks to be a DeVry rep posing as an interested user making claims about how great the school is, and quickly following are people exposing them for...
  9. M

    Schools Need Help with Advanced (Past AP) High School Courses

    I'm going into Senior year. I live I have taken 9 (3 I paid for so they don't count as dual enrollment) dual enrollment courses and next year I'm taking 4 more. I've reached my limit on college dual enrollment courses yet I have 2 spots in my schedule. I would like to use these to take...
  10. Cosmophile

    Deciding Between MIT Physics Course 8.01 and 8.012

    Hey, everyone! I'm wanting to start doing the online MIT physics course, but I'm having a difficult time deciding which section to go for. I'm wanting a very thorough understanding of Physics, as I would eventually like to have a PhD in the topic. My community college isn't thorough at all, so...
  11. S

    How can I handle a bad situation with course prerequisites?

    Hi physics forums, I'm in a bit of a situation and I was wondering if anyone could offer some advice. I'll start out describing the problem. I am currently a senior in high school but there is this program where I can take two classes at the local university. My original plan was to take calc...
  12. R

    Secondary Physics Certification in Illinois?

    I was recently kicked out of my teacher licensing program at an online university because my host teacher and I were not compatible. I was demonstration teaching at a high school and I knew it was a lost cause when the HT said "It's obvious you're going to have a different teaching style that me...
  13. V

    Engineering Is a MS in mathematics in anyway useful in the engineering industry?

    I am a junior doing a major in electrical engineering, with a minor in mathematics (maybe a double major). The university I am going to doesn't have a masters program for electrical engineering though. I am also a non-traditional student (in that I am in my late twenties, and didn't start...
  14. T

    What to expect in 8-week calculus course 1 summer

    Hello everyone; Starting in a week I will be attending a 8 week-4 days a week calculus I semester course. Here is a course description; MATH 265A - Calculus I Presents a study of analytic geometry, limits, continuity, the calculus of algebraic, trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic...
  15. E

    The career path becomes foggy on which direction to go

    Hey everyone, Last summer I had realized that my interest in science had spiked dramatically, and more specifically, the cosmos and physics, so I decided to research the available colleges around me and decided to start off at a community college to take the entry level courses to see if my...
  16. T

    Which type of class really is harder?

    My college offers both online and offline math classes. I'm to the point now, where the math classes offered online are fewer, I need I believe up to calculus. I like the setup of online because I work like most people, and it gives me a week to complete homework and tests, rather than 2 days...
  17. W

    Differential equation for concentration of gas in the atmosphere

    Homework Statement Hi everyone, I'm currently studying an online course on climate science and am a bit overwhelmed by the calculus. I have studied calculus to second year of college but that was a while ago and I'm very rusty. A few weeks ago I was a question to find the how long it would...
  18. A

    ME Looking to transition to EE, Go for BS or MS?

    I've been working as an ME for approximately 3 years and I'm not enjoying what I'm doing as much as I'd have hoped. I'm currently completing an MS in ME Control Systems, which I absolutely love (2 courses from completion). During my MS coursework I've taken a lot of EE courses on electric...
  19. D

    Get Help for AP Physics C: Struggling Student Seeks Guidance for Future Success

    Warning: I am aware of my careless actions but please help me out Ok, I'm a Jr in highschol, I have a 3.7 GPA I've taken honors math and I'm taking ap calculus next year so I'm good with math. I haven't dealt with physics since about 7th grade and my experience with it wasn't that bad. I was...
  20. C

    General and/or Specific Advice For a Fall 2014 Freshman

    I'm 19, aspiring to go into professional physics, most probably in the astrophysics branch. I'm mostly attracted to gravity (please do not mind the pun), quantum mechanics, string theory, the remote possibility of FTL travel using Alcubierre Drives (or better technology, someday), fusion, et al...
  21. Y

    Master in applied mathematics, MA in math, and Ms in math?

    Hello guys! I really need some help here. I will get my BA in mathematics in two months. I want to get a master degree in math online. However, I'm not sure what should I get. Here are three programs I saw. Master in applied mathematics, MA in math, and Ms in math. I'm not quite sure what...
  22. Ascendant78

    Useful ipad apps for physics majors?

    At this point, I have about $45 credit in my iTunes account from gift cards given to me for Christmas. I was wondering if there are any useful apps out there that I can get for physics? Whether they are good now for while I am in college, good for work in the field post-college, or both. For...
  23. Ritzycat

    Schools Disputing College Paths: Physics, Engineering & PhDs

    Hello everyone. I am a junior in high school right now, and I have been fascinated by physics & astronomy for a few years now. I love math and science in general. I haven't taken a course in physics quite yet (I am taking AP Physics next year). I am considering getting my BS in physics and then...
  24. Rasalhague

    Coursera signature track: worth $50?

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  25. C

    Engineering Cannot decide between Network Engineering and Telecom Engineering

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  26. S

    Looking to round out my [math] classes.

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  27. T

    Schools Community College student,I need some help,feeling depressed.C+in math

    Hello, so I just finished my first semester of community college and I did not expect what was thrown at me. I am 18 and had a 1.8 in high school so I figured now that I am in community college, this was my time to shine. I decided to take hard professors because I wanted to learn a lot, but...
  28. B

    Are there any quality online programs for astrophysics?

    Good morning, I have been researching into a possible astronomy or astrophysics educational plan but my research is not looking too promising. I am enlisted the in the military currently so due to the premise of moving anywhere in the world at any time plus deployments online courses are...
  29. F

    (Elastic collision / shadow problem) I suspect my professor is wrong.

    Homework Statement Suppose that two elastic balls moving through three dimensional space collide and rebound, conserving both kinetic energy and momentum. The balls cast shadows, and these shadows moving over a flat two-dimensional surface come together, collide and rebound. Now pretend the...
  30. cryora

    Would like some advice on class schedule next semester (Chem vs CS)

    I am a community college student with one semester worth of classes away from transferring to a 4-year university as a Physics major. Currently, I'm enrolled in all the classes I need for transfer: Differential Equations - 5 units General Physics (Modern Physics) last of a 4 class series -...
  31. Evo

    How social media can ruin your chances

    As always, you should be careful of what you post online. This is a good article about how an increasing number of colleges as well as employers are searching social media of students and prospective employees...
  32. M

    I Need To Interview a Computer Engineer for My Engineering Class

    Homework Statement Hi, I am currently a high school freshman enrolled in an Engineering program for the next 4 years. I applied for this program because I've been fascinated by Science and Technology for practically my whole life. There isn't a day that goes by where I don't use some sort of...
  33. B

    Programs Advice in pursuing an Engineering Degree online.

    Because of my current financial situation, I must work at least part time while furthering my education. I've been looking into accredited online colleges that offer some kind of Engineering program, I haven't found any. What I have found: Southern New Hampshire University offers a Bachelor of...
  34. Ascendant78

    Good opencourseware resource for Calculus 3?

    Next semester, I need to take Calc 3 to finish my AA. However, our college will not be offering it at that time, though they know of an online course I can take. Since I know an online course is unlikely to provide the support needed to really get the material down, I am looking for a decent...
  35. R

    Programs Need Opinions On Majors/Minors (Update from last year's post)

    First, An update from the post I made last year(Just skip down to the bottom part if you don't want to read) Hey guys, long time, no see. I actually forgot i was registered here until I just did some searching through my email and stumbled across a post I made here a year and a half ago. Back...
  36. T

    Udacity College Algebra Question

    I'm going to be a sophomore in high school this coming school year and I want to major in physics and/or mathematics in college so I am doing the college algebra course from Udacity to further my education. I am wondering; after taking this course will I have all I need to be able to move on to...
  37. J

    Entry Level Computational Science Jobs

    Ever since I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree as a Computer Science major, I have been wanting to get into the field of scientific computing/computational science. I have educated myself a lot by taking online courses like Scientific Computing, Computing for Data analysis, Machine...
  38. R

    Personal enrichment: Self study vs Formal study

    Hey everyone, I want to see if anyone can give me their perspectives on my academic interests and situation. I know up front that this comes down to personal preference, but I want to see if anyone had any thoughts that might push me one way or another. I am a physician who is somewhat...
  39. S

    How many problems/exercises should be done for understanding?

    I was debating between here and "General Physics", but since this is more about learning physics than the actual physics, here it is. I am currently a high school student and am studying physics and math on my free time. Since I've never taken an actual physics course, my general method of...
  40. M

    Schools Transfer Classes, do you send in other colleges transcripts?

    When applying to a graduate program, are you required to send in all transcripts? In my case, I go to a four year university, however I took three classes online during the summer at the local community college, so the credits just transfer over on to my university transcript as a 'T'...
  41. PhizKid

    Schools What happens if I cannot get into college for physics?

    I am currently at a community college, and the only reason I want to transfer out is because the physics department here is absolute garbage. Whenever I have a question for a problem, if I go into the department, walk down the faculty offices and inquire for assistance, 9/10 of the professors...
  42. M

    Schools A physics BS going into ME Grad school

    Hi everyone, So I'm starting grad school in ME in the fall, but my bachelor's degree is in physics. I went to a school with no engineering college, but I think my knowledge on anything related to physics in engineering is sound, with the exception of fluid and solid mechanics (I know the...
  43. Ascendant78

    Information about free online courses?

    I have found sites like coursera.org, and I have also heard that M.I.T. offers free online courses as well (though I have yet to have browsed their site for them). I am wondering how these courses work? I see that you get certificates of completion, but do they have any actual meaning? Is it...
  44. Greg Bernhardt

    Exploring the Depths: My Experience as a US Navy BUDS Trainee

    Greg Bernhardt submitted a new PF Insights post Interview with an Electrical Engineer: Berkeman Continue reading the Original PF Insights Post.
  45. B

    Online Trig: Is it Possible to Ace in the Summer?

    There are currently some changes happening in Texas and math courses are being revamped from Trig on up to cal III at some community colleges. I am in college algebra right now and have a pretty good average thus far this semester. I was wanting to take trig in Summer one and take precal in the...
  46. P

    Schools Get recommendations for graduate schools while not in school?

    I graduated in 2010 with a degree in math. Now I wish to go to graduate school, but I have no one I can think of that I would help me write a academic recommendation. I never build any relationships with professors when I was in college. From reading what I can online, I am told that I should...
  47. M

    Is Accelerating My Physics Degree at UConn a Good Idea?

    I am entering my second semester at the University of Connecticut and am having difficulty with how to proceed. I am a physics major, and came in with 38 AP credits including intro mech and EM. I didnt take any physics courses first semester, and am taking quantum and hopefully an independent...
  48. M

    6 months after dropping out of college - my tips

    It's been six months since I dropped out of college to bootstrap my financial research startup. I had an old thread about this and received a lot of advice against it, then the thread got deleted. Some had come forward to PM me asking how I've been doing since, and I figured it would be useful...
  49. D

    Courses Find Universities w/ Online Math Courses for Graduation

    Hi, I am currently looking for universities that offers Mathematics courses as an online or independent study course. I am only 2 courses short of graduation but unfortunately, so have my college funding. So if it's possible to take them online (which I believe is usually cheaper than on...
  50. B

    Schools Is taking trigonometry and college algebra at the same time a bad idea?

    My professor is advising me against this. Also my friend who is an ME is advising against this as well. I am not sure why. I enjoy math and grasp the concepts pretty fast. A little history, I was a nursing major, but soon realized I wanted more than that. I was then torn between becoming a...
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