BA Communications Research:  Course Description

When I think of Mass Communications, it usually conjures up images of journalists typing away at their computers or going before the camera to report the evening news.  Journalism is only one facet of MassCom, though.  There are other aspects to this comprehensive field, and research is one of them.

Why would anyone need to do research on communication?  Let’s take a closer look at the course and the value behind it.

Tools of the Trade

Regardless of which field you specialize in, at least some form of research is in order.  The same is true with Communications Research.  The course branches out into two of research:  qualitative and quantitative.

Thus, expect sub-courses in such fields as statistics, experimental and quasi-experimental design.  You can also look forward to brushing up on different data-gathering methods.  For example, you’ll learn how to conduct surveys, observe things and people, glean info from secondary sources and analyze the data you acquire.

But I’m not a Scientist!

At first glance, a lot of this stuff looks like fodder for hardcore scientists, not MassCom folks.  Believe it or not, there may come a time when you’ll be called to study and assess media, messages or audiences, so it helps to be armed with the knowledge that you can do research as well as any scientist can.

There are other, hidden benefits, besides.  Not only will you be trained to think critically as a researcher, but you’ll also get a chance to polish your presentation skills.  Think of it that way and you’ve got a win-win scenario on your hands.

We live in an imperfect world.  Someone somewhere is likely in need of one form of therapy or another.  Fortunately, there are therapists out there who specialize in treating nearly every form of malady.

I once had the privilege of befriending someone who was well on her way to becoming a physical therapist.  Her training included the study of some interesting subjects, several of which are mentioned below.

Getting Physical

As you might have expected, physical therapy training involves everything you wanted to know about the human body (but were afraid to ask).  That means you can expect a plethora of topics on anatomy, physiology, human development and, of course, therapy.

Now and again, you may run into that occasional “oddball” subject that makes you want to sing the “what does not belong” Sesame Street jingle.  Trust that they are related, even if they don’t look like it at first glance.  Some courses may include psychology, psychiatry and microbiology, among others.

Specialized Knowledge and Wisdom

People of different ages require different approaches, hence the need for such specialty topics as women’s health, pediatric rehabilitation and geriatric rehabilitation.  Throw in some sub-courses on professional development, diagnostics, assessment and research, and you’re set.

Of course, all this knowledge is pretty much useless without the wisdom to guide it.  That’s why the main physical therapy course includes sub-courses on patient care and ethics to aid the therapist in promoting the patients’ greater good.

Even as I write this, I can just imagine my friend helping a US patient recover from illness or injury.  With the kind of training she went through, I’m not the least bit surprised.

It’s said that if you opt to do what no one wants to do, then you’ve got yourself a job.  I clearly remember one of the people whom my former boss hired:  she was an auditor, and she was supposed to help us get our records in order.

I later found out that this auditor had gone through quite a bit of training.  If you’d like a glimpse of the kind of training she went through, then read on.

Show Me the Money!

At first glance, the BS Accounting course may look like a fairly straightforward one.  You’ve got oodles and oodles of subjects with the same name, only with varying levels (i.e. basic accounting, intermediate accounting, etc.).  It’s no real surprise, considering that the accountant’s job is to help provide guidance with regard to financial matters.

Besides the standard issue taxation and auditing sub-courses, some universities may provide “different” subjects that are nevertheless still connected to your major.  For example, you may end up delving into automated accounting information systems, database design and systems analysis.

Changing the Subject

Believe it or not, numbers aren’t the only things that accountants need concern themselves with.  Auditors who can’t express themselves properly via the written word will find themselves at a disadvantage, hence the need for some sub-courses on effective professional writing.

Lastly, a good accountant wouldn’t be complete with out some sub-courses in business law and ethics as well.  After all, it’s one thing to know how to handle numbers; it’s quite another thing to distinguish right from wrong when handling them.

Most of us know what it’s like to work for someone else.  Not everyone likes to work for a boss, though.  There are some people who prefer to be their own boss, which is why they run businesses of their own.

It may be argued, however, that good business leaders are made, not born.  Hence we have a major set aside specifically for them.  Let’s take a closer look at what the BS Business Administration course really entails.

Armed with Knowledge

In a nutshell, the course is designed to equip would-be entrepreneurs with the knowledge they’ll need to run their very own enterprises.  They can expect classes in such fields as marketing, economics, and accounting.

The interesting thing is that, depending on the university they attend, they’ll also get certain “hybrid” business subjects thrown in for good measure.  For example, they may encounter such sub-courses as business law and data processing

The Well-Rounded Business Person

Ironically, business isn’t just about business per se; it’s about relationships.  People are more likely to do business with those whom they like.  Therefore, don’t be surprised to see such subjects as industrial psychology or organizational communication.  Add a course or two on enterprise ethics and you’re set.

There are also a lot of courses available for the business people seeking to specialize in their particular fields.  A number of these include e-business sourcing, employee relations and change management.

At the end of the day, the whole point of the Business Administration course isn’t just to produce an efficient business person, but an effective one as well—that is, a person who does the right thing, instead of merely doing things right.

If you’re interested in pursuing a tech-related career, computer science (CS) and information technology (IT) are two good options.  What if you’re not really into either one, though?  Fortunately for you, a third option exists—that of computer engineering.

If you’re like me, you’re probably wondering what the difference is between all three courses.  Let’s find out.

Engineer is as Engineer Does

Merriam-Webster defines engineering as “managing, constructing, laying or planning” something out.  That’s precisely what computer engineers do.  In fact, if you take a look at their course’s offerings, you’ll see a lot of intriguing subjects on topics like electrical circuitry, analog electronics, microprocessors and even robotics.

Of course, future computer engineers also get to study certain “standard issue” subjects along with their CS and IT peers—programming, operating systems, computer science, and the like.  Throw in some math, physics and engineering science and you’ve got yourself a formidable combination.

Funneling Down

If the computer science major focuses on programming and the IT major focuses on managing systems, the computer engineer’s strength lies in designing and testing electronic products.  This is evident in the kinds of inventions that come out of their practicum:  robots, transportation and VR systems, video game consoles and accessories, and what not.

It’s precisely this attention to detail that makes the computer engineer an excellent complement to the computer scientist and the information technology specialist.  If you want to see what synergy can do, just put all three experts together and watch what happens.

When I think of science, images of a neat, organized system of steps involving computers usually come to mind.  After all, a science is science, whether it’s working with animals or people or machines, right?

There’s only one real way to find out.  Let’s take a closer look at what the BS Computer Science course is really about.

Identical Twins?

At first glance, the curriculum doesn’t seem all that different from the kind of training that IT majors have—a focus on computer technology, software, hardware and networks.  You also have courses on programming and its languages, operating systems, and of course, computer science.

One mustn’t forget the core curriculum courses for variety’s sake, either.  Special courses on ethics exist to arm the technical genius with proper wisdom and guidance.  Technical knowledge is still power, and absolute power…well, you get the idea.

The Difference

Upon closer inspection, however, one can see little differences between Computer Science and Information Technology.  Whereas the latter appears to focus more on the management of systems, the former seems to deal more with algorithms and programming.

This is not to suggest, however, that the course is all theory and no application.  Training also includes actual hands-on lab experience.  Students will be asked to design and develop programs all their own.

Decisions, Decisions…

To go Computer Science or to go IT…that is the question.  Actually, it all depends on what sub-field you’d like to focus more on in the wonderful world of computers:  programming or systems management.

And then, there’s also the matter of BS Computer Engineering to consider, but that’s best left for another article.