Posted on 02/18/2010 8:04:08 PM PST by neverdem
‘Mickey Mouse’ degree courses should be swept away, and priorities in university education and research should reflect the challenges facing the country over the forthcoming decades.
No longer should the government be paying 18-year-olds to start courses on celebrity journalism, drama with waste management, or international football business management. These courses should be kicked into touch, especially at a time when the UK is desperately short of funding research into Alzheimer’s and other diseases of ageing, alternative energy sources and wider, more effective health care provision, all of which depend on leading-edge work in the fundamental sciences.
Massive cuts in the science budget have already been announced in this country at a time when President Barack Obama is seeking $66bn, an increase of 5.9% over 2010 levels, to address the strategic priorities on the other side of the Atlantic.
The number of undergraduates studying chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics here had stayed relatively constant over many decades, and the enormous expansion witnessed in tertiary education was largely in the non-science sector. This sector, too, played a vital role in the development of the country, and our future relies on exploiting the synergies provided by a workforce with a wide range of skills, but we now need some realism over the way ahead.
We need a population with an enduring set of skills, such as an understanding of the physical world around us, literacy and communication, numeracy, how to function and continue to learn in a complex society, and above all creativity, rather than an ability to satisfy some ephemeral demand that in ten years time will be viewed as a curiosity.
To take a leaf out of the US’s book, that means that science must not be cut in the same proportion as other subjects at university, but its central role for the future of this country recognised, and funding effectively ‘ring fenced’, so that in effect it becomes a more dominant component.
This is not a question of pleading a special case; such a move is essential if we are all to enjoy the lifestyle we have become accustomed to, and to ensure that we are prepared for the changes that will affect us all in the future.
Nope, still lame. Try again.
Did you only take college classes that were directly related to your current job?
Or how about the ultimate "Mickey Mouse degree" - - "African-American studies", where the only job you are prepared for is.... teaching "African-American studies".
When liberal arts majors are required to take multi-variable calculus, that's when engineering students should take sociology 101. LOL! GIVE ME A BREAK! This is why engineering majors are miserable, they have to take junk humanities classes to graduate which takes away time from the "real" courses. (The only plus is that you can meet half way descent looking women on the throw away courses)
descent = decent
Yep. But if your kid played football or basketball well...
It has been the same for decades, and more's the pity. Millions for astroturf, not a dime for microscopes.
I may be biased, but at least a basic physical geology course would be a good idea. Especially when there are a huge number of scams which could be prevented with that simple knowledge better distributed in the population.
I don’t think we should throw out anything (I’m a strong supporter of the “Well Trained Mind” approach to the humanities). However, if the govt is going to pay for something, it should be based on objective results so that the taxpayer knows what he is getting for his money.
Engineers should know how to draw but many art schools don’t even teach that....instead of learning the classic techniques of the Old Masters, you have to spend days and years scribbling in front of a nude model. It’s all about emotions.
If you’re still insisting I think engineers are “miserable,” you haven’t read or tried to understand my post.
FYI, liberal arts majors generally ARE required to take math and science classes (at least in schools that actually understand the meaning of “liberal arts”). Not multi-variable calculus, but then again, I’ve never met a math major who was required to take advanced 12-tone theory.
If people want to waste their general ed requirements on throw-away courses, that’s their call. They could also use the requirement as an opportunity to pursue personal interests outside of their chosen field. If someone doesn’t HAVE personal interests outside their chosen field, then “zombie” is already a pretty good descriptor.
By the way, I am by no means a fan of arts and humanities majors who think being an arts or humanities major makes them “well-rounded” and “liberally educated.” If you don’t know a toot about math, science, business, technology or medicine, you have no right to call yourself educated, period.
Proof of which - lip service, scholarships, or retirements?
My child is also being courted by multiple universities in England. One of their recruiting points is you get your B.S. in only three (3) years because you only have to take courses related to your science degree. No forced liberal studies. No feminist studies, no African American studies, no Hispanic studies, no native culture, basically you will not be required to take any course that only qualifies you to teach that course.
For the record, my child who has been a science geek her entire life is into art also. Taught herself to draw, taught herself acoustic & electric guitar, and taught herself to play the piano. Currently teaching herself Japanese and Finnish. Science geeks are not one dimensional.
“When liberal arts majors are required to take multi-variable calculus, that’s when engineering students should take sociology 101.”
Excellent!
The fact that her skin is white doesn’t seem to be helping either. And if you are a TAXPAYER it seems to disqualify you from being a TAX RECEIVER.
My kid was told by one of the colleges that in the next five years half of all government scientists will be retiring, so the jobs will be out there. Sure beats getting a degree in feminist studies!
Given the state of our economy, I would not count on government jobs being out there in 5 years.
You area correct that scholarships exist for science grad students. I have 2 that have had grad assistantships and are moving forward on PhDs Engr. As far as undergrad scholarships are concerned they are out there in varying aounts, but often students have to apply to college departments, and various companies. Unfortunately, often it is the top 5 percent of students that get all the “goodies” as far as undergrad full-ride funding is concerned. I wish your student Good luck!
Thanks & good luck on your further studies!
The professor that told her about the government retirements explained that all of the baby boomers that were hired in the big government hiring push in the 70s and 80s are all retiring in droves. I guess I’ve had some influence on my kid because when she was told that, she said to the professor, “I’d rather be hired by a big pharma to find the newest drugs from the ocean or big oil to come up with affordable bio-fuel.”
Yep. But if your kid played football or basketball well...
It has been the same for decades, and more’s the pity. Millions for astroturf, not a dime for microscopes.
Also, coaches told me they like students to qualify for academic scholarships because then they don’t have to spend as much of their athletic money if a student athlete is getting some academic money.
ummm, well, a liberal arts major might know the difference between ‘to’ and ‘too.’
Of course, academic scholarships are to be preferred. After all, what is the purpose of paying for an education if not to learn?
No, and I resented taking every one of them.
The problem with classes as having some sort of value in terms of personal growth is that it never stops. You could take courses for 20 years and still obtain personal growth.
The problem, though, isn't so much classes. At most public universities, these departments are being subsidized by taxpayers rather than living off of tuition.
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