Matharu's Rants and Raves » degrees

The fight against woo – a good start to the year

Kulvinder Matharu — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 20:18:48 +0000

DC’s Improbable Science has posted a summary of the fiver-year battle against the nonsense that UK universities have taught. It’s encouraging:

The demise of quackademia. Progress in the last 5 years leaves Michael Driscoll and Geoffrey Petts isolated.
http://www.dcscience.net/?p=4900

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2012

More dangerous nonsense from the University of Westminster: when will Professor Geoffrey Petts do something about it?
Is Professor Geoffrey Petts of the University of Westminster lying?
Complaints and nonsense at the University of Westminster

University of Wales – validation of external degrees

Kulvinder Matharu — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:57:41 +0000

This from Quackometer on The University of Wales:

McTimoney Chiropractic College in Deep Trouble
http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2011/10/mctimoney-chiropractic-college-in-deep-trouble.html

…and this from DC’s Improbable Science where the University’s previous practices on validating external degrees are described as bordering on corrupt:

The University of Wales disgraced (but its vice chancellor is promoted)
http://www.dcscience.net/?p=4766

However, what about the people within the University that promoted this practice? Are they still there to further poison the well of education? And it seems that this disgraceful practice is still undertaken at other universities so I imagine that all those external bogus organisations will get their bullshit degrees validated one way or the other.

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2011

Is Professor Geoffrey Petts of the University of Westminster lying?

Kulvinder Matharu — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 07:02:33 +0000

Read DC’s Improbable Science article and decide for yourself:

Professor Geoffrey Petts of the University of Westminster says they “are not teaching pseudo-science”. The facts show this is not true
http://www.dcscience.net/?p=4683

I’ve said many times, universities such as Westminster don’t care about reputation or quality education. They care about making money. Lots of it.

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2011

Bullshit degrees at Edinburgh Napier University?

Kulvinder Matharu — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 17:22:06 +0000

You bet!

See this enlightening post from DC’s Improbable Science:

Yet more dangerous nonsense inflicted on students by Edinburgh Napier University
http://www.dcscience.net/?p=4188

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2011

DC’s Improbable Science scores again for Science

Kulvinder Matharu — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:04:16 +0000

DC’s excellent article “Hot and cold herbal nonsense from Napier University Edinburgh: another course shuts” scores again for science against nonsense “degrees”.

I laughed when I read this quote from Gerry Webber after he refused to supply information to a Freedom of Information request for details of what was actually taught on one of their “degree” courses :

“On public interest grounds, I have therefore concluded that, in respect of the commercially sensitive information requested, the public interest is better served in withholding the information you have requested than in disclosing it.”

What’s he hiding? Embarrassment, perhaps?

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2010

Homeopathy degrees

Kulvinder Matharu — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 11:36:23 +0000

Apparently there’s an old saying, “Don’t kick a man when he’s trying to apologise”. Or something like that. And so I welcomed the news of several universities dropping “degree” courses in homeopathy. It can’t have been an easy thing to do but I’d like to think that the universities recognised the need to maintain intellectual honesty and integrity over any money grabbing schemes using dishonest degrees.

But the dropping of homeopathy degrees hasn’t been undertaken everywhere as there are still some courses out there. A recent DC’s Improbable Science blog article at http://www.dcscience.net/?p=2747 details examples of where homeopathy is still being taught and also details the lack of cooperation from universities in providing information under the Freedom of Information Act.

Dear universities and other institutions of learning, be honest. Give us the truth…it may hurt right now but you will help to create a legacy that will be admired.

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2010

University of Westminster and bullshit degrees

Kulvinder Matharu — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:40:08 +0000

Say it ain’t so! DC’s Improbable Science provides another great article at http://www.dcscience.net/?p=1812 on what are obviously cash-cows for the University of Westminster. Cash-cows, yes, but also bullshit degrees. IMHO of course!

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2009

Dumb and dumber degrees…it really does get dumber

Kulvinder Matharu — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 11:32:35 +0000

Another interesting DC’s Improbable Science article, this time highlighting the woo-ness of certain “degrees” at Thames Valley University and the lack of critical thinking that is leading to the increase of dumb and dumber “degrees” at a number of universities.

The trouble with most folks isn’t so much their ignorance, as knowing so many things that ain’t so. – Josh Billings

Westminster University, the shame of their sham degrees

Westminster University, the shame of their sham degrees

Kulvinder Matharu — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:44:20 +0000

Thanks once again to the eagle eyes of DC’s Improbable Science, here is his article on the sham degrees that Westminster University is awarding. As DC goes on to explain, this isn’t the only university that is involved in such shambolic practices. And this isn’t just the abuse of science’s good name. I’d call it rape.

I bet Westminster University and other universities engaged in such degrees aren’t the least ashamed. They’re getting lots of money for these Mickey Mouse degrees. My ideas that univesities are there to educate seem to be old fashioned. I despair at the education system sometimes.