Education

I've been to the edge of the world and back throughout my life. That is no different from my college experience. As a result of disliking the current system of education, I have found my way through four different colleges (with a fifth one planned to obtain my bachelors degree). Since I don't have a formal "piece of paper", I will instead list the classes I have taken at their respective colleges along with a course description to better help you, the reader, understand the breadth of my knowledge.

Unfortunately, our education system doesn't allow for easily transferable credits between schools. Although I have taken courses and the knowledge remains, the "piece of paper" has avoided me due to this exact issue. However, I believe that because I have experienced a wide array of teaching styles, philosophies, techniques, etc. I am better prepared than most to face any challenge presented before me.  Consider my education a non-traditional Liberal Arts degree. I tend to think outside the box when presented an issue and that has translated into my education.


Jacksonville University (Jacksonville, Florida):

1) Reading Strategies for College Students-
          "The course will emphasize the teaching of various comprehension/study strategies specifically for utilizing content materials. Strategies for learning vocabulary will also be included. Instruction will be on a small group and individual basis and geared to each individual’s specific needs as determined by various diagnostic-reading measures."

2) Introductory Writing-
          "This course focuses on the development of skills necessary for writing across disciplines: reading analytically and writing clear, accurate, coherent expository prose. It also introduces students to basic research skills, library resources, and documentation systems."


3) Fundamentals of Theory-
          "Skills of note reading, meter and rhythm, intervals, scales, and common chords; correlated harmony and ear training."

4) The Music Profession-
          "Career seminar. Orientation to the music profession, including but not limited to topics such as music research, personal career planning, goal setting for the music student, business issues for the professional musician, promotion and public relations methods, and arts advocacy."

5) Applied Performance Lab-
          "Study of performed literature for the medium. Survey of literature. Observation of individual performances. Examination of performance problems and styles. Continuation of studio instruction."

6) Wind Ensemble-
          "Open to all students who have previous experience with an instrument suitable to the concert band."

7) Jazz Band-
          "Three hours per week. Audition only. May be repeated for credit."

8) Jazz Combo-
          "Ensembles are open to all students by audition or permission of the instructor. Small ensembles such as brass quintet,guitar ensemble, jazz combo, African/Latin hand drumming, drum line, percussion ensemble, string quartet, and woodwind quintet."


Marietta College (Marietta, Ohio):

1) Energy Resources and Utilization-
          "This course is designed to develop a student’s understanding and awareness of conventionally used forms of energy, including fossil fuels and nuclear. In addition to these traditional fuel sources, renewable energy sources including wind, solar, hydrogen, geothermal and bio-energy will be covered. Economic, environmental, social responsibility and ethical considerations will be incorporated in the course."

2) Energy Resources and Utilization Laboratory-
          "Basic experiments and demonstrations are assigned in order to illustrate principles covered in Petroleum 101. Exercises are designed to advance the student’s understanding of electricity, natural gas properties, gas storage applications and other forms of energy sources. Computer applications, significant internet research and field trips are learning tools used. Formal reports are required."

3) Philosophy of Sex and Love-
          "Issues concerning nature, forms, and value of love, as well as its relation to such things as friendship, infatuation, sexual desire, marriage, and family. Selections from writings of prominent thinkers from Plato and Aristotle to Freud and Fromm form textual basis."

4) Introduction to Management Systems-
          "Management Information Systems is the study of how organizations use computerized information systems. It introduces the student to the people, technology, procedures, and controls that together: maintain essential channels of communication; process and control routine business activities; alert management
and others to significant internal and external business events; and assist in strategic business decision-making."

5) Introduction to E-Business and E-Commerce-
          "The goal of this course is to introduce basic concepts of e-business and e-commerce from both managerial and technical perspectives. Through this course, students will gain an understanding and insight on how new technology and media forms have created unprecedented challenges and opportunities for
business. Through individual and team projects using computer-based tools, students will acquire and enhance problem identification/definition, solution development, as well as communication and collaboration skills."

6) Information Systems Security-
          "This course introduces students to aspects of establishing and maintaining a practical information-security program. The security aspects and implications of enterprise information systems, data warehouses, telecommunication systems, and software are examined. Techniques used to assess risks and discover abuses of systems are also reviewed."

7) Symphonic Wind Ensemble-
          "The Symphonic Wind Ensemble provides students with the opportunity to rehearse and perform high quality wind band literature with emphasis placed on both individual and group improvement. Both large and chamber ensemble music is programmed for each concert with the intent of providing members with a wide variety of performing experiences. Instructor permission is required to enroll."

8) Jazz Ensemble-
          "This ensemble provides exposure to high quality jazz literature with emphasis placed on jazz styles and performance practices. Instructor permission is required to enroll."


Washington State Community College (Marietta, Ohio):


1) Speech-
          "Introduces students to both the general principles of communication and the specific process involved in the preparation and presentation of informative and persuasive one-to-many messages."


2) PC Applications-
          "Primary focus on microcomputers using software popular in the business community. Time and practice devoted to the operating system, spreadsheets, word processing, databases and presentation graphics. Students do assignments in each type of software."


3) General Psychology-
          "Introduction to psychology. Survey of topics in experimental and clinical psychology including physiological bases of behavior, sensation, perception, learning, memory, human development, social processes, personality, and abnormal behavior."


4) Introduction to Finance-
          "Introduction to short, intermediate and long-term debt, risk management, financial intermediaries, and valuation of stock."

5) Principals of Microeconomics-
          "Study of the following microeconomic topics: opportunity cost, production possibilities frontier, supply and demand analysis, supply and demand elasticity, price determination, profit maximization, cost analysis, wage determination, imperfect market structures, antitrust and government deregulation of industry."


6) American History Since 1900-
          "Political, diplomatic, social, and economic development of America since 1900. Includes progressive movement, World Wars I and II, prosperity and depression, and problems of the cold war era."


7) American National Government-
          "Survey of all the aspects of our democratic system; emphasis on the Constitution, the three branches of government, civil rights and liberties, and foreign policy."


8) Business Law I-
          "Introduces major points of business law, based on Uniform Commercial Code. Covers ethics, contracts, employment, negotiable paper, personal property, bailments, Uniform Acts relating to specific legal areas needed for a better understanding of business operations."

9) Introduction to Chemistry-
          "Designed for students with no high school chemistry. Provides a background in basic chemistry including the scientific process, Metric System (SI), atomic and molecular structure, chemical equations, states of matter, lab and safety techniques, acid/base concepts and problem solving."


10) Introduction to Mass Media-
          "Survey course examining the structure, history, and operations of mass media. Students will analyze the role and impact of media in a governmental, cultural and societal context."

11) Electronic Media Sales-
          "Study of electronic media sales including examination of the role of the advertiser, media representative, advertising agency, system sales staff, and internet. Course work to include scripting thirty and sixty second spots, developing ad campaigns and understanding the ratings service."


12) Business Writing-
          "Students deal with the principles and techniques of effective writing for non-technical areas of business. Case situations form the basics for the course which covers various types of reports, internal and external, job search, and personnel situations. The student will prepare a resume and study job hunting skills. Writing capstone course."


13) Introduction to Audio Production-
          "Introduces the students with the fundamentals of Audio Production, Exploring functions and use of equipment, recording techniques, audio editing, studio operations, and audio production skills. An emphasis is placed on Audio for Video and Radio Station Operations."


14) English Composition II-
          "Continues improvement of writing skills. Argumentative and expository papers created by evaluating information from multiple perspectives and drawing reasonable conclusions for a final research writing. Writing capstone course."


15) Sales I-
          "Basic course on planning and delivering a sales presentation. Covers preparation of a sales presentation including prospecting, approach, body, demonstration, and close. Course includes a student project to plan and deliver an individual sales presentation."


16) Pre-Algebra-
          "An introduction to algebra for students who have not had high school algebra or need a refresher course. Topics include geometry, metric and English measurement, introduction to real numbers, solving equations, scientific notation, introduction to statistics/probability, and constructing and interpreting graphs."


17) Business Mathematics-
          "Introduces business calculations applied to topics from retailing, finance, banking, and accounting: review of basic arithmetic, percents, trade and cash discounts, mark-up, payroll, depreciation, simple interest."



Wayne Community College (Goldsboro, North Carolina):

1) Principals of Accounting-
          "This course introduces business decision-making accounting informationsystems. Emphasis is placed on analyzing, summarizing, reporting, and interpreting financial information. Upon completion, students should be able to prepare financial statements, understand the role of financial information in decision-making and address ethical considerations."

2) Business Law I-
          "This course introduces the ethics and legal framework of business. Emphasis is placed on contracts, negotiable instruments, Uniform Commercial Code, and the working of the court systems. Upon completion,
students should be able to apply ethical issues and laws covered to selected business decision-making situations."

3) Introduction to Computers-
          "This course introduces computer concepts, including fundamental functions and operations of the computer. Topics include identification of hardware components, basic computer operations, security issues,
and use of software applications. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role and function of computers and use the computer to solve problems."

4) Principals of Macroeconomics-
          "This course introduces economic analysis of aggregate employment, income, and prices. Topics include major schools of economic thought; aggregate supply and demand; economic measures, fluctuations, and growth; money and banking; stabilization techniques; and international trade. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate national economic components, conditions, and alternatives for achieving
socioeconomic goals."

5) Professional Research and Reporting-
          "This course, the second in a series of two, is designed to teach professional communication skills. Emphasis is placed on research, listening, critical reading and thinking, analysis, interpretation, and design used in oral and written presentations. Upon completion, students should be able to work individually and collaboratively to produce well-designed business and professional written and oral presentations."

6) Introductory Algebra-
          "This course establishes a foundation in algebraic concepts and problem solving. Topics include signed numbers, exponents, order of operations, simplifying expressions, solving linear equations and inequalities, graphing, formulas, polynomials, factoring, and elements of geometry. Upon completion, students should be able to apply the above concepts in problem solving using appropriate technology."

7) Principals of Marketing-
          "This course introduces principles and problems of marketing goods and services. Topics include promotion, placement, and pricing strategies for products.Upon completion, students should be able to apply marketing principles in organizational decision making."

8) Advertising and Sales Promotion-
          "This course covers the elements of advertising and sales promotion in the business environment. Topics include advertising and sales promotion appeals, selection of media, use of advertising and sales promotion as a marketing tool, and means of testing effectiveness. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the concepts covered through application."

9) Retail Applications-
          "This course is designed to develop occupational competence through participation in case studies, group work, and simulations. Emphasis is placed on all aspects of store ownership and operation, including securing financial backing and a sufficient market share. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of concepts covered through application."

10) General Psychology-
          "This course provides an overview of the scientific study of human behavior. Topics include history, methodology, biopsychology, sensation, perception, learning, motivation, cognition, abnormal behavior,
personality theory, social psychology, and other relevant topics. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the science of psychology."

11)  Intermediate Algebra-
           "This course continues the study of algebraic concepts with emphasis on applications. Topics include factoring; rational expressions; rational exponents; rational, radical, and quadratic equations; systems of equations; inequalities; graphing; functions; variations; complex numbers; and elements of geometry. Upon completion, students should be able to apply the above concepts in problem solving using appropriate
technology."

12) Principals of Managerial Accounting-
          "This course includes a greater emphasis on managerial and cost accounting skills. Emphasis is placed on managerial accounting concepts for external and internal analysis, reporting and decision-making. Upon completion, students should be able to analyze and interpret transactions relating to managerial concepts including product-costing systems."

13) College Algebra-
          "This course provides an integrated technological approach to algebraic topics used in problem solving. Emphasis is placed on applications involving equations and inequalities; polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions; and graphing and data analysis/modeling. Upon completion, students should be able to choose an appropriate model to fit a data set and use the model for analysis and prediction."


East Carolina University (Greenville, North Carolina):
(In Progress)

1) Introduction to Management Information Systems-
          "Information systems in business and hardware and software tools to implement them."

2) Applied Mathematics for Decision Making-
          "Skills in formulating models for and interpreting solutions to business word problems. Topics include linear and nonlinear equations, systems of linear equations, applications of matrix algebra, and applied basic differential calculus. No proofs included."

3) Strategy First-
          "Investigation of the factors that contribute to a firm’s ability to survive long-term in a competitive environment."

4) Introduction to Sociology-
          "Nature, concepts, and principles of sociology. Society, culture, socialization, groups, institutions and organizations, class system, social change, and social processes."

5) Physics and the Universe-
          "Nonmathematical study of universe from earth to galaxies. Topics include appearance of sky, physical nature of moon and planets, birth and evolution of stars, and galaxies."