Swinburne Uni Online Course

[centauri]

Has anyone participated in the online Cert/diploma course they offer and if so what are your opinions of it?

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I doing the Grad Cert atm.

It's horses for courses I guess. If you are not used to doing a fully on-line course then it take some getting used to. I am a teacher and I found it a challenge at first as there is no face to face component. Any questions need to be made by email to your facilitator or posted on the class bulletin board.

You need to be able to commit a lot of time to it, particularly the bulletin board part of the coarse. You are expected to be an active participant, posting at least 2 questions and answers to questions on the subjects bulletin board. The more you post the better your mark for that part of the assessment. All replies have to be referenced as well btw. When I first inquired an estimate of 5 hours per week for bulletin board work. I found that way understated. I spent more like 15 to 20 hours, especially finding answers to the questions posted.

I have found the projects interesting and challenging. But again you have a project coordinator and email is th main contact method and sometimes it can take a few days to get replies to emails, which can be maddening when the reply is crucial to the progress of your project.

Overall though I've enjoyed the experience, the lecturers are understanding of the difficulties inherent in on-line learning which helps when you experience troubles. It is certainly different to attending Uni face to face.

I've just enrolled in my next semester so it can't be too bad

[CoombellKid]

Paul,

What the requirements to apply, and how much does it cost?

regards,CS

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

The cost of each semester varies and then you have the cost of text books as well, but about $1000 for this semester but it was $1100 1st sem last year. And a couple of hundred for text books, though the texts often cover a number of subjects.

Check out half way down the page here for entry requirements, but for the Grad Cert you don't have to have a Tertiary Qual.

They also run short courses but I've not looked at them. You can find all the relevant info here on their home page http://astronomy.swinburne.edu.au/sao/

[DobDobDob (Ron)]

Originally Posted by centauri

Has anyone participated in the online Cert/diploma course they offer and if so what are your opinions of it?

Hi, I did a course on Stars about 8 to 9 years ago, I spent 2 hours 5.00am to 7.00am 5 days per week and all day Saturday and Sunday, plus joined a club because that was worth more marks.

I passed 'unbelievably' and made a couple of friendships with people I have never seen in the flesh which I still communicate with today.

This style of learning is all about you, you can not take it seriously and blow your cash or you can meet every requirement, learn and obtain a sense of achievement. I did the course in my mid forties, and to be frank, did not have much schooling 3 decades earlier.

However I did it and I feel as if this was one of the more significant things I have done, I took it 100% seriously, did every exercise and totally enjoyed it. I was in over my head compared to some people who have better learning, and memory, but because of the do-it-at-home style, no one can judge you as in face-to-face. I was the king of my own domain, and every time I got stuck (often), dozens of class mates were ready willing and wanting to help me.

I thoroughly 100% endorse it, recommend it and if you are bright to begin with and interested in astronomy (and you are because you are reading this), it's a must. I borrowed money to pay for it and believe it is the best money I have ever spent.

[spacezebra (Petra)]

Hi Paul - Thanks for the information.

I have been looking at a couple of online and/or external courses - now that I have finished my degree. The one that captured by attention was through James Cook Uni. I may need to do a comparison.

http://www.jcu.edu.au/school/mathphy...y/doctor.shtml

Cheers Petra

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

The cost of each semester varies and then you have the cost of text books as well, but about $1000 for this semester but it was $1100 1st sem last year. And a couple of hundred for text books, though the texts often cover a number of subjects.

Check out half way down the page here for entry requirements, but for the Grad Cert you don't have to have a Tertiary Qual.

They also run short courses but I've not looked at them. You can find all the relevant info here on their home page http://astronomy.swinburne.edu.au/sao/

[rogerg (Roger)]

A question for those who have done one of these courses: What did you do with the knowledge or what was your reason for doing it? Has it enabled you to use your astronomy professionally or for income at all, or is it simply for better understanding in the amateur astronomy world?

Thanks

[DobDobDob (Ron)]

Originally Posted by rogerg

A question for those who have done one of these courses: What did you do with the knowledge or what was your reason for doing it? Has it enabled you to use your astronomy professionally or for income at all, or is it simply for better understanding in the amateur astronomy world?

Thanks

Mine was for knowledge however like so many other things, if you don't use it you lose it. I had about 7 years away from astronomy and naturally forgot nearly everything, however I must also add, that now that I am back, compliments of Comet McNaught, things are coming back to me. It's probably like riding a horse or bike, you never totally forget it.

[higginsdj]

I'm into my 3rd semester now. I'm doing it to extend my knowledge but, after having done a couple of semesters, I have found that it is improving my research skills. This is the first Uni course I have ever done - I'm 46 so it's been a long time since school

Its not cheap at $990 - $1100 per unit but my aim is to complete the Masters level - eventually. Of course having my own observatory helps when it comes to the main projects for each unit but you don't need any observing equipment - the course does allow for participants to research subjects.

Typically the units consist of full online forum participation (assessed over 3 periods within each semester), a 2000 word Essay, two written exams and a main project. Obtaining less that 35% for any single component will result in a failure for the whole unit so you must be prepared to work the entire period.

Cheers

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I've been doing it mainly for my own interest, but you never know, it could lead to some sort of income

I've thoroughly enjoyed it so far.

[wasyoungonce (Brendan)]

the Swinburne course has had me interested (.... it is also close to me in location) for some time.

I have been doing VCE subjects (as an Adult) in preparation to attempting a course like the Swinburne subject: Maths Methods, Specialists Maths, Physics (all passed with flying colors). This year I'm doing Chemistry units 1 & 2, Next year Chem 3 & 4 and English 3 & 4.

The VCE also has an Astrophysics component but it wasn't offered last year and i had to do it by myself over the Christmas break. I enjoyed the somewhat little taste of it a lot.

All in all i will complete the VCE (some day) but i feel some of the subjects I've done are an over kill, aka Specialists Maths, for the Swinburne course. Maybe i should aim for a science/Astrophysics degree thru Monash, or where ever.

Maybe i should pop on down and talk with Swinburne! Now thats a thought!

[DobDobDob (Ron)]

Originally Posted by wasyoungonce

Maybe i should pop on down and talk with Swinburne! Now thats a thought!

As Yoda said, "but there is another" in this case another way. Rather than speak to them in person, e-mail them and ask if you could sign in as a guest on a temporary account. You need to experience the virtual aspect of the course, not the physical side of it. They (the people) will tell you glowing reports - naturally, but if you could do some older papers, see some older course material etc. you would know more about what it's really like.

[wasyoungonce (Brendan)]

Originally Posted by tailwag

As Yoda said, "but there is another" ....

very wise words and ideas, thanks