[Beowulf] Degree

[Ellis H. Wilson III]

On 10/24/12 09:19, Hearns, John wrote:
> Thing is, I need some kind of degree in this stuff to do the kind of
> work I really want to do. Especially in Germany, organisations
> involved in HPC usually strictly require an advanced degree if you
> want to be paid.
>
>
> In the UK it is quite normal for people who want to gain qualifications
> whilst working to go through the Open University   http://www.open.ac.uk/
>
> http://www8.open.ac.uk/europe/in-your-country/germany

This is actually a really interesting problem to me personally, as, 
despite having followed the traditional degree path, I would have MUCH 
rathered not have paid or attended any classes.  I am 100% a 
book-learner and put zero stock in old-school style lecture formats.  I 
actually set up a number of agreements in undergrad where the teacher 
knew I wouldn't be there except for exams, and achieved some of my 
highest grades for those courses.  This form of learning is far more 
efficient in nearly every way, and allows one to learn at his or her own 
pace.

Does anyone know of any efforts to just establish tests that one could 
take in order to be accredited as having one skill-set or another?  I 
haven't yet bumped into any establishments like that, but I feel like 
they have to be out there.

Such a system would put degrees on the order of a few thousand of 
dollars/euros instead of the current standard (at least here in the US), 
where you're leaving undergrad with tens of thousands in debt and 
graduate degrees generally (masters/etc other than PhDs) leave you with 
hundreds of thousands in debt.

There is no reason for this -- I don't need majestic stone buildings, 
overworked professors, and well-kept greenery to learn.  This is an 
artifact of an older age and in my personal opinion, it's got to go.

Best,

ellis