Steam, electricity, and automated machines have underpinned fundamental shifts in how people live and work, and each has been the driver behind its own industrial revolution. But while their lasting impact has been substantial, none of these revolutions have been “smart.” That changed with Industry 4.0.
As the “Fourth Industrial Revolution,” Industry 4.0 has introduced intelligent, data-driven, adaptive technologies that have retooled factories for unprecedented efficiency and accuracy in manufacturing and transformed many of our everyday activities.
Below we’ll consider some of the most impactful Industry 4.0 innovations and demonstrate how these translate directly to tools that are making our lives easier. In addition, we’ll introduce two online industrial technology programs specifically designed for those wishing to pursue careers fueled by this bleeding-edge technology.
The cloud, the internet, artificial intelligence (AI), 3-D printing, virtual reality, and advanced analytics. These complex tools and technologies have become household words in recent years. You may not know what they’re doing—or soon will be doing—“under the hood” for you daily, but their reach and impact is significant. Consider this scenario:
You’re 30 miles from home when your phone buzzes with two alerts: one informing you that your window has been broken and another announcing that your doorbell has rung. You also realize you forgot to turn the oven off before you left. You answer the door on your phone to see and converse with your neighbor—who has come to apologize that his child’s baseball went through your window—via your doorbell camera app. You thank him and then, relieved that no one has broken into your home, switch that oven off.
You enjoy peace of mind behind the wheel as you deal with these potential emergencies on your phone because you’re in an autonomously driving car that’s doing most of the work. Once you arrive home, you verbally command your oven to turn back on so you can prepare dinner and then ask Alexa to play your favorite music. A voice confirms your playlist will begin.
As you sit down to relax, your phone reminds you that you have a dentist appointment the next morning to receive a crown on one of your teeth. You’re relieved to know that the process won’t require multiple visits and weeks of waiting, the way it did for your father back in the day, who himself recently had a successful hip replacement via robotic surgery. Your dentist will create a new crown on the spot for you with an advanced 3-D printer.
Your home may already have some smart features, and smart technologies may begin to appear more often in other parts of your life. Like most people, you may not yet have a self-driving vehicle. If you have a late model car, however, there’s a good chance it may already be parking itself or steering you back into your lane when you inadvertently cross onto the shoulder of the road.
You’re experiencing these and countless other innovations in mobile apps and home-based technologies because you’re fortunate enough to live during the Industry 4.0 era! Get ready to witness more amazing strides in your personal and professional life that were not possible before Industry 4.0. (Industry 5.0, with an anticipated focus on ecology, sustainability, and people, is on the horizon and will provide even more career options.) Make sure you’re ready for new opportunities with the required expertise.
If your interest in Industry 4.0 technology is connected to your career goals, The University of Texas Permian Basin has two online, AACSB-accredited degree programs that can help you. Let’s look at what they’re about and how they can benefit you professionally:
Online Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT)
Created to be your first college degree program or a second bachelor’s degree, our BSIT equips you with a practical understanding of core principles and skills crucial for managing industrial operations across any enterprise. Through our curriculum, you’ll develop the proficiency to overcome complex engineering, design, and technical complications effectively.
Get more details, including career paths and salaries related to this degree.
Online Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Industrial Technology (BAAS-IT)
Already earned an Associate of Applied Science? Advance your education by pursuing a BAAS-IT with us. Our curriculum delivers vital management principles, optimization theory, and supply chain management, equipping you with the skills necessary to tackle industrial and technical obstacles within your organization. Elevate your expertise and resume with an optional 12-credit online undergraduate certificate in petroleum technology.
Get more details, including career paths and salaries related to this degree.
We understand that life doesn’t slow down for a university education. These industrial technology programs are available online exclusively at this UT System institution. Our flexible learning platform enables you to balance your professional and personal obligations while completing your degree. With access to our asynchronous lectures, you can complete coursework at your convenience from virtually anywhere worldwide. There are no mandatory campus visits. And our tuition rates are among the most competitive of any accredited university.
Sources:
https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-explainers/what-are-industry-4-0-the-fourth-industrial-revolution-and-4ir
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/revolutionizing-road-safety-how-ai
https://www.forbes.com/sites/technology/article/self-driving-cars/?sh=284c10355e07
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007339.htm
https://online.utpb.edu/about-us/articles/industrial-technology/smart-factories-how-iot-and-big-data-are-revolutionizing-industrial-operations/
While many skills are crucial to us as human beings, mastering a language is perhaps the most fundamental. It provides a framework for the communication skills that students will use throughout their lives. Learning a second language has also been proven beneficial, and bilingual individuals enjoy some unique opportunities and advantages.
Whether you’re currently a teacher or aspire to be one, you have the potential to empower countless students with the foundational skills they’ll need to succeed and fill the gaps in their linguistic abilities. If your students can’t speak English or are working toward fluency, you can guide them in acquiring that “global language” and its corresponding benefits.
Here we’ll outline three key benefits of being bilingual, paying particular attention to English as a second language. As you read, think about how these advantages could impact your own students.
For many students, developing English proficiency is a key advantage that will enable them to live productive, rewarding lives. You can be instrumental in helping them gain access to these benefits by completing The University of Texas Permian Basin’s CAEP-accredited online Master of Arts in Bilingual/ESL Education program. Our 30-credit program encompasses the latest strategies, techniques, and technologies for teaching language in culturally diverse classrooms, and:
Ready to get started? Apply today!
Sources:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-reasons-why-english-global-language-today-lalit-sharma
https://medium.com/english-language-faq/why-did-english-become-the-global-language-9bbc14b532cd
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/english-speaking-countries
https://storylearning.com/blog/english-speaking-countries
Astute business decisions play a central role in bringing a business back from the brink, whether that predicament is due to bankruptcy or scandal. Here we’ll look at a few celebrated businesses and brands that were once in serious trouble but have come back to thrive. We’ll conclude with a discussion of the skills necessary to lead a company out of a crisis and how you can develop them.
Below are some notable instances of companies confronting dire prospects and then clawing their way back to success. See what they were facing and what they did to change course.
It may be difficult to fathom, but Starbucks—yes, that Starbucks—hit hard times in the early 2000s. The ubiquitous, astonishingly popular coffee chain had grown too quickly and made changes that didn’t resonate with customers. After shutting down 600 stores and reestablishing its focus on coffee, the chain pivoted from an immense drop in stock value in 2007 to record profits by 2010.
Known for decades as a comic book and trading card giant, Marvel went bankrupt in 1996 owing to a variety of factors. The company had long been licensing its characters to movie studios, but its decision to go into movie production changed its fortunes significantly. Marvel has had some major successes (and a few disappointments) as a film and TV studio since its comeback, but the enduring power of its parent brand, The Walt Disney Company, is likely to keep it alive for many years to come.
The popular and profitable Tex-Mex restaurant chain took a huge financial and reputational hit in 2020 when the U.S. Justice Department fined Chipotle Mexican Grill $25 million for safety violations—the largest fine to date for a case of its kind. Between 2015 and 2018, more than 1,100 Chipotle customers became ill due to health and safety violations. To avoid criminal charges, the company paid the fine and began a food safety compliance program that included food safety audits and extensive employee training. These efforts must have helped: In 2023 the company saw a 14.3% revenue increase over 2022.
Though its products are loved by children worldwide, the block toy company was saddled with debt by the early 2000s. To turn the situation around, Lego sold off a majority stake in their pricey theme parks; moved production from Denmark to cheaper locales; created specialized Lego sets aligned with major brands such as “Star Wars” and “Harry Potter”; and branched out into movies, TV, and video games.
Many big-box stores struggled under competition from online retailers, and Best Buy—for years the go-to store for audiovisual equipment, computers, appliances, and physical media—was no exception. By 2012, the company was losing billions. To compete with Amazon, Best Buy introduced a price-match policy, incorporated in-store showrooms for well-known consumer electronics brands, and started an in-home technology consultation service.
How did all these companies come back from the brink? In every case, people in leadership positions made strategic and often difficult decisions that helped set a new course for the organization: the very definition of crisis management. Such are the actions of leaders possessing the acumen and vision to reorganize, leverage their organization’s advantages and, when possible, do what the others can’t.
Learn to effectively lead any organization through good times and bad. Crisis management, a core capability of effective business leaders, requires strong strategic-thinking skills complemented with broad business knowledge encompassing marketing, management, finance, and accounting concepts. Earning an MBA is a proven way to build this expertise and put it to use in coveted, high-level leadership positions.
But don’t just choose any MBA program! Here’s why you should consider The University of Texas Permian Basin’s online MBA:
UTPB’s tuition rates are some of the most affordable among accredited universities. U.S. News & World Report has even ranked UT Permian Basin one of its Best Value Schools.
Our College of Business is AACSB-accredited, a distinguished designation awarded to only 5% of business programs worldwide.
Our institution is a proud part of the renowned UT System, a distinction highly valued on a resume.
Our program empowers you to complete your studies on your schedule from nearly anywhere in the world.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data makes it clear: Median annual earnings of master’s degree holders are about 16% higher—roughly $11,900—than those of individuals with a bachelor’s degree alone. MBA holders can work in a variety of rewarding roles and industries. See examples, including where UTPB’s MBA graduates are working, right now.
Master crisis management and other business leadership skill sets. Our online MBA program has what you need. Apply today.
Sources:
https://www.cbinsights.com/research/corporate-comeback-stories/
Technology is harnessed to promote efficiency, accuracy, and accountability in all manner of professions. But even as it introduces new benefits, it can bring a variety of new concerns and controversies. Such is certainly true of the recent technological advances in policing.
Here we’ll discuss a few types of technology used in the modern criminal justice system and outline both their merits and some of the potential problems that have accompanied their implementation.
These devices, also called “body cameras,” are worn by police while on duty and record their interactions with the public.
Pros:
Body-worn cameras increase accountability by helping to confirm whether an officer’s response, e.g., using a weapon, was appropriate to the circumstances. They can also help engender positive attitudes toward police among the community, documenting dramatic scenes that demonstrate their heroism and occupational risks, such as rushing to free a trapped individual from a flaming car.
Cons:
While body camera footage has been instrumental in some legal cases, many suggest these devices violate the public’s privacy and paint an incomplete, biased picture of police incidents. Cost can also hinder their widespread use.
Predictive policing software programs use “algorithms to analyze massive amounts of information in order to predict and help prevent potential future crimes,” a scenario that echoes the 1956 novella (and later film) “Minority Report.”
Pros:
This technology uses real-world data to identify high-crime areas with extreme accuracy. It may make policing more cost-effective and efficient by guiding law enforcement to direct their efforts where crime is most likely to occur.
Cons:
Concerns about predictive policing software range from inadequate transparency from law enforcement agencies to the potential for racial bias influencing police actions. The Los Angeles Police Department is one prominent agency that suspended use of these programs due to complaints.
Facial recognition captures images of faces, often in places such as public streets, and compares them to images in crime databases to identify potential suspects.
Pros:
Facial recognition can be used to identify criminals and terrorists in large crowds.
Cons:
Many people—not just criminals—object to being captured on camera without their consent. Some agencies that use the technology lack policies that protect the public’s civil liberties. Further, facial recognition can be outsmarted by those who know the techniques. And when the technology misidentifies a suspect, the negative consequences can be lasting for the wrongly accused, such as these three men who were jailed.
In use since the 1990s, these gun-like instruments shoot darts that penetrate the skin or clothing and deliver an electric shock to the recipient. They remain on the radar of civil rights advocates in the 21st century.
Pros:
Tasers provide police officers with a nonlethal way to subdue violent or problematic suspects.
Cons:
There have been documented incidents of Tasers harming and even killing suspects, including one man who died of a heart attack. The coroner’s report characterized the cause of death as homicide. In some cases of an individual acting strangely or not cooperating police with officers, the issue is not criminality but potentially a mental health crisis. Yet these encounters can also end in death.
Without question, technology will continue to drive progress in many fields. Balancing the needs of law enforcement and the civil rights and ethical concerns of citizens will remain major challenges.
Technology is just one of the complexities of law enforcement and criminal justice professions in general. Explore many aspects of the field and earn credentials that can help you qualify for new jobs and career advancement in our online programs:
Online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies
Our online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies offers a comprehensive introduction to essential criminal justice principles as well as grounding in a wide range of general education topics. You’ll explore the components and framework of our justice system, theoretical perspectives on crime, and related topics necessary for launching a public service career.
Program benefits include:
See where UTPB’s BS in criminology and criminal justice studies graduates are working.
Online Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
Do you already hold a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field? If so, continue the journey with our online MS in criminal justice administration, where you’ll delve deeply into contemporary issues as you cultivate the expertise to identify problem areas and implement measures to safeguard your agency and the community.
Program benefits include:
See where UTPB’s MS in criminal justice administration are working.
The asynchronous, 100% online format of both our criminal justice programs empowers you to complete coursework on your own timeline from practically anywhere on the planet. You don’t have to visit campus or give up your professional or personal commitments to earn your degree. And you don’t have to overpay, as our tuition rates are some of the most affordable among accredited universities. U.S. News & World Report even named UT Permian Basin one of its Best Value Schools.
Pick your program and apply today!
Sources:
https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/research-body-worn-cameras-and-law-enforcement
https://www.axon.com/resources/police-body-cam
https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/230414.pdf
https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/feature/Pros-and-cons-of-facial-recognition
A former U.S. president. A renowned advocate for racial equality and justice. A popular “sex doctor.” A Super Bowl-winning NFL quarterback. What do they all have in common? All were sociology majors, and they all have names we remember due to their stature and achievements.
Here we’re going to highlight some influential people who majored in sociology. To make this brief lesson even more interesting, we’ve included a few names from popular culture that demonstrate that not all sociology majors focus on government, political philosophy, or activism.
Are you considering becoming a sociology major yourself? The discipline attracts people of widely varying interests, some of whom have gone on to consequential and noteworthy achievements.
The University of Texas Permian Basin’s online Bachelor of Arts in Sociology—online exclusively at this UT System institution—is composed of a comprehensive, diverse curriculum encompassing core sociology courses, electives, and a wide and enlightening array of general education subjects. Our flexible online program provides vital insight on intercultural and intracultural interactions and equips you with the communication, critical thinking, and research skills today’s employers value.
See where UTPB’s BA in sociology graduates are working.
Get started on this versatile, highly marketable sociology degree. Apply today!
Sources:
https://www.asanet.org/famous-sociology-majors/
https://www.thoughtco.com/famous-sociologists-3026648
The city-state Singapore is building a “forest city” where green spaces are prioritized, pedestrian walkways replace roads, vehicles travel exclusively underground, and trash collection is automated. Oslo, Norway, is borrowing methods refined in the oil industry to install water pipes without digging trenches, preserving the land and minimizing traffic problems and disruptions. Charlotte, North Carolina, worked with Microsoft to create a digital infrastructure that will assist in everything from expanding Wi-Fi access in public places to reducing traffic.
Cities around the globe are going “smart” in increasing numbers. A smart city employs “a suite of sensors … to collect electronic data from and about people and infrastructure so as to improve efficiency and quality of life,” prioritizing energy efficiency and sustainability. Planning and managing these cities understandably requires significant data collection and analysis. Providing the tools and techniques necessary to analyze, visualize, and manage spatial data, geographic information systems (GIS) are playing a central role in urban planning and the creation of smart cities.
These are a few of the ways GIS is supporting efforts toward more sustainable and smart cities:
GIS helps in assessing and mitigating risks from natural hazards. City planners can use GIS to identify areas prone to floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes; devise evacuation plans; and implement ways to enhance disaster preparedness and promote resilience following such events.
City planners are using GIS to create and evaluate scenarios for urban development. They can simulate the potential impacts of different land use policies, transportation systems, and infrastructure investments on factors like traffic congestion, air quality, and access to services. This helps them identify the most sustainable and efficient development strategies.
Equipped with GIS technologies, city planners can analyze spatial factors including land use, transportation networks, demographics, environmental conditions, and infrastructure. By overlaying and analyzing these layers of information, they can identify patterns, trends, and relationships that help them make informed urban planning decisions.
GIS facilitates the efficient management of natural resources in urban areas. City planners can harness GIS to monitor and assess the condition of bodies of water, parks, forests, and other green spaces, nurturing biodiversity and enhancing the quality of life for residents.
The planning and design of roads, public utilities, and transportation systems is both critical and complex. City planners can use GIS to analyze existing infrastructure networks, determine deficient areas, and optimize the location and design of new infrastructure projects to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental impact.
City planners can use GIS to continuously monitor and evaluate urban development projects. By tracking changes in land use, infrastructure development, and environmental quality over time, these professionals can better evaluate the effectiveness of planning interventions and adjust them when necessary.
To include the community in the urban planning process, city planners can create interactive maps and online platforms for residents to explore proposed development plans, offer feedback, and even participate in decision-making processes.
Whether you want to help plan smart cities or have another career in mind, mastering GIS and geospatial technologies can change your career for the better. Expertise in this field is becoming essential for an increasing number of professionals as the technology becomes more widely adopted. The University of Texas Permian Basin empowers you to build that acumen quickly and conveniently with our 12-credit online graduate GIS and Geospatial Certificate program.
See program details including courses, requirements, and associated careers and salaries here.
Ready to get started? Apply now.
Sources:
https://earth.org/top-10-smart-cities-in-the-us/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_-v_6snJhAMVeKJaBR0dAQ7IEAAYBCAAEgJwQfD_BwE
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/role-geographic-information-systems-urban-planning-polaris-digitech-1z1bf
https://www.nec.co.nz/market-leadership/publications-media/which-cities-are-smart-cities-5-examples-of-smart-cities-around-the-world/
https://planning.lacity.gov/blog/why-gis-technology-important-urban-planning
https://www.esri.com/en-us/industries/urban-community-planning/overview
America’s system of “winner takes all” elections, big‑party mergers, and regional breakups has made it almost impossible for a third party to stick around. First, our single‑winner voting rules push people into the two biggest camps. Second, whenever a smaller party got popular—like the Whigs or Dixiecrats—their ideas and voters ended up inside one of the big parties. Third, splits between North and South, and other regional divides, have always reshaped who belongs in which party rather than creating lasting new ones.
Below, we’ll walk through how this happened—from Washington’s first factions through 19th‑century party shake‑ups and 20th‑century splits—to show exactly why the U.S. ended up with just two main parties.
Sharp political divisions within the U.S. date back at least to George Washington’s time, when those of differing viewpoints separated themselves into two primary factions: the Federalists, led by Washington and John Adams, and Democratic Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson. While these factions initially lacked formal Senate organization, they played significant roles in presidential elections. During the “Era of Good Feelings,” a decade starting in 1815, the Federalist Party disintegrated, and national unity briefly emerged.
Over time, discord within the Democratic Republicans led to the rise of the National Republicans and the eventual formation of the Democratic and Whig Parties. By the 1830s and 1840s, these two parties began adopting enduring Senate customs—including seating arrangements split by party in the Senate Chamber—and clashed on issues from the Bank of the United States to slavery. The dissolution of the Whig Party over slavery led to the rise of the Republican Party, while the Democrats split along North-South lines, paving the way for the modern two-party system by the time of Reconstruction.
In 1948, southern Democrats who opposed their party’s support for racial desegregation splintered off into their own party, the Dixiecrats. Strom Thurmond ran for president as a representative of that party and scored some electoral votes, but not enough. Thurmond returned to the Democratic Party, but ultimately found the Republican Party aligned better with his views and in 1964 became a Republican. A limited number of fellow Dixiecrats followed suit, while those who remained Democrats continued to oppose civil rights issues, with many voting against the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Most Americans alive today take the two-party system of government for granted, though there are other parties, as well as independent (no party) public officials and candidates. As of this writing, there are two independent members of the Senate. Sometimes independent candidates are able to make the ballot for a presidential election, but for the most part, they’ve had trouble making significant inroads with the voting public. Divisive figures from Lyndon LaRouche to Ralph Nader have run for president under “alternative” party banners such as the U.S. Labor Party or the Green Party, to limited support.
Below, we dive into some of the most common questions about the two-party system:
Get the broader picture of American government from The University of Texas Permian Basin’s online Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Available online exclusively at this UT System institution, this program offers an exploration of the inner workings of our government branches; delves into the dynamics between local, state, and federal agencies; and provides insight into other political systems worldwide. The future educational and professional possibilities for political science degree holders are strong. Some go on to law school or a master’s program. Many find careers in the political or social sciences, government, or education.
See potential jobs and earnings associated with this degree now.
UTPB’s online political science degree provides the same caliber of education as our campus-based program, featuring identical curriculum and the same faculty of esteemed doctoral-level experts in political science. Our online program provides the flexibility to complete your studies from any location, at your own pace, enabling you to balance your academic pursuits with professional and personal obligations. As an online UTPB student, you’ll have access to a range of support services, including academic advising, tutoring, and career services. We’re committed to your success!
Don’t toe the party line—set your own agenda for the future with a flexible, affordable, marketable bachelor’s degree. Apply now!
Sources:
https://www.history.com/news/two-party-system-american-politics
https://www.studentsofhistory.com/ideologies-flip-Democratic-Republican-parties
https://www.archives.gov/files/legislative/resources/ebooks/two-party-system.pdf
https://lithub.com/president-lincolns-republican-party-was-the-original-party-of-big-government/
https://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/06/25/417154906/dixies-long-journey-from-democratic-stronghold-to-republican-redoubt
Other articles you may be interested in:
From Congress to the White House to the Supreme Court, America’s political institutions shape every part of our lives. They decide how much you pay in taxes, whether your vote counts, and what rights you have. But are they working the way they’re supposed to? What Is a Political Institution? Political institutions are the organizations…
When people picture women who reshaped American politics, Ruth Bader Ginsburg often comes to mind first—and for good reason. RBG changed how the law sees gender equality from the inside of the Supreme Court. But here’s the thing: she wasn’t in Congress. Long before women were reliably winning elections—long before it was even legal for…
Ever wonder how elections actually work? The answer lies in electoral systems. Not to be confused with the Electoral College, an electoral system is a set of rules for casting and counting votes and determining who wins. Different countries use different methods to choose their leaders. Some systems can declare a winner with just 34%…
Do you see yourself in management? While the term “manager” and its related duties are broad in scope, many of the same principles apply across a wide swath of professions. Developing your expertise in core management concepts and practices can unlock countless leadership roles. For the ambitious, professional development can be the pathway to more advanced—and more lucrative—job choices.
Many companies offer their staff training opportunities in the form of occasional seminars or webinars. However, some individuals see their best results by enrolling in programs from accredited institutions that confer a recognized credential.
Here we’ll show you why, how, and where to get affordable, reputable professional development assistance.
It’s common for companies and organizations to set minimum degree requirements for hiring candidates, and they may have similar requirements for internal advancement. Whether you’re looking for a rewarding job with a new employer or want to go farther in your existing one, a degree or certificate will bolster your resume and help you attain that new management position. Worried about your time and money? Some certificates can be completed in just two semesters, and competitively priced programs are out there. Need more financial assistance? Another source of professional development funding could be right in front of you.
Tuition reimbursement is a perk included in some employee benefit packages. If approved, your employer will compensate you for some or all tuition costs for a credential that they believe will benefit you and the organization.
While companies may use a tuition reimbursement benefit to remain competitive and attract good candidates, the fact is most employers want to see you grow and succeed while bringing more expertise to the company. They recognize the role that professional development can play in that. Tuition reimbursement availability and amounts vary among employers, so inquire with your human resources department for specifics.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, most management occupations require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, and these roles potentially command six-figure compensation. See sample positions and their pay here.
The University of Texas Permian Basin offers a variety of degree and certificate programs that will help you hone your management acumen and award you with a marketable credential. Here’s why you should consider us:
Establish a solid groundwork for leadership positions across diverse business sectors with this undergraduate degree. Through your studies, you’ll acquire a comprehensive command of practical and theoretical business principles, setting you up for success in your chosen field. Add an operations management specialization to this program at no extra cost!
Healthcare managers make decisions that impact not only livelihoods but lives. This program equips you with the essential knowledge and skills to make informed choices with confidence, ensuring the best outcomes for all who rely on your leadership.
From the heart of the energy industry comes a unique learning opportunity! Expand your energy business expertise to advance in a related field with a stand-alone graduate certificate created by UT Permian Basin and led by industry experts. Complete our 12-credit program with your choice of energy business specialty courses. Bachelor’s degree required for admission.
UTPB and the GIS and geospatial industries have been partners for decades—a relationship that formed the foundation of our 12-credit online Graduate GIS and Geospatial Certificate. Build skills in today’s GIS systems that are applicable across a broad range of industries as you prepare for management and other positions. Bachelor’s degree required for admission.
At all stages of your UTPB journey, you can rely on our career services team for personalized, one-on-one guidance on how to optimize your skills for leadership success. Just reach out.
Want more online program choices? You’ll find dozens of them here.
The 1920s saw tremendous leaps forward in industrial operations. Spearheaded by Henry Ford, factories moved to assembly line production, facilitating the mass production of cars and all manner of consumer goods. Mechanization became widespread and electric power supplanted steam power, both markedly increasing productivity. Factory workers themselves would have to wait for workplace progress, however, as they continued to sweat away in unsanitary, often dangerous working conditions. But that too would change.
While the advances of the 1920s helped build the world we live in and provided the foundation of manufacturing standards for many decades, the 2020s promise to fundamentally change factory operations for all time. Technology, including artificial intelligence, is making operations faster, more accurate, and safer for companies and their personnel in many regions.
Here we’ll take a brief look at the ways the Internet of Thing (IOT) and big data are revolutionizing industrial operations and what it means for manufacturers.
A smart factory is a manufacturing facility that uses advanced technology, interconnected systems, and intelligent automation to improve efficiency, productivity, and flexibility in production. Internet-connected computers are used in conjunction with complex, precise, often robotic machinery to deliver these results. Smart factories are a key component of the fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0, wherein digital technologies are integrated into the manufacturing process.
Factory machines, once operated entirely by human hands, can today gather and assess information and make informed decisions autonomously during the production process. Here’s how smart factories achieve this:
The manufacturing industry faces ongoing challenges to enhance efficiency, productivity, and cost-effectiveness. The IoT has emerged as a viable solution for these concerns. A network of physical objects outfitted with sensors for data collection and exchange, the IoT facilitates the optimization of manufacturing processes and decreases downtime. It also offers manufacturers opportunities to devise innovative revenue streams and business models, strengthening their competitiveness.
Big data refers to information that organizations compile and explore for insights and use in projects involving machine learning, predictive modeling, and other advanced analytics applications. Systems dedicated to processing and storing big data have become commonplace in factories, complemented by tools facilitating analytics applications. Manufacturers can harness big data to enhance their production processes, reduce waste, forecast demand, simplify supply chain management, and plot optimal delivery routes.
Learn the latest advances in the industrial world and build new expertise and credentials that you can use to advance your career in a related field. The University of Texas Permian Basin offers two AACSB-accredited degree programs—available online exclusively at this UT system institution—designed to help you do both:
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT)
Our BSIT empowers you with a functional understanding of fundamental concepts and abilities essential for overseeing industrial operations in any organization. Throughout our program, you’ll acquire the expertise to address intricate engineering, design, and technical challenges.
See a program overview, potential career paths and salaries, and requirements here.
Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Industrial Technology (BAAS-IT)
If you’ve already earned an Associate of Applied Science degree, continue your education with us and earn a BAAS in Industrial Technology. Our program will provide you with a practical understanding of essential management principles, optimization theory, supply chain management, and the competencies required to address industrial and technical challenges within your organization. Enhance your knowledge and resume with an optional 12-credit online undergraduate certificate in petroleum technology.
See a program overview, potential career paths and salaries, and requirements here.
You have a life outside your university education. Our online learning format can enable you to keep your professional and personal commitments while earning your degree. You can log in to your UTPB online program from just about anywhere in the world and access our asynchronous lectures to complete assignments on your own schedule. We don’t require any campus visits. You’ll still be able to connect with faculty and classmates—even in real time—using a variety of online communication tools.
Ready to apply? Start here.
Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/technology/automotive-industry/Ford-and-the-assembly-line
https://www.techtarget.com/searcherp/definition/smart-factory
https://tulip.co/glossary/what-is-a-smart-factory-and-what-it-means-for-you/
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March is Women’s History Month, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t take the opportunity to shine the spotlight on some influential female authors, their written work, and their other distinctions. Here we’ll celebrate 21 names from an ever-growing field of eminent female writers, followed by an introduction to two illuminating online degree programs dedicated to literature, language, and culture.
Shelley is best known for publishing the celebrated novel “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus” in 1818. Though not the first horror novel, it is probably the first to have such a lasting influence. “Frankenstein” predated Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” by 79 years.
Born Mary Ann Evans, Eliot published under a man’s name to be taken seriously and not have her work prejudged by 19th century society. She’s known for the multi-part novel “Middlemarch” and “Silas Marner,” the latter of which is still required reading in many U.S. high schools.
If ever a family were defined by literature, it’s the Brontës: Charlotte, Emily, and Anne. They collectively published a poetry collection under the masculine-sounding names Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell, respectively. As Currer, Charlotte published “Jane Eyre,” a novel which challenged the conventions of society and female protagonists of the time. The same year, Emily (as Ellis) published her sole novel, “Wuthering Heights,” which broke with Victorian decorum through emotionally driven characters. Though lesser-known than her sisters, Anne authored “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall,” which may be the world’s first-ever feminist novel.
Wilson was the first Black person to publish a novel in the United States, albeit anonymously. It’s noteworthy that when her novel was published in 1859, slavery still existed in the nation.
The semiautobiographical novel “Little Women,” penned by Alcott, features female characters who defy traditional gender roles and exhibits other feminist themes. A suffragette and women’s rights advocate, Alcott holds the distinction of being Concord, Connecticut’s first female registered voter.
Author of “Mrs. Dalloway” and “To the Lighthouse,” Woolf was known for a modernist style that broke narrative norms by incorporating narrative devices including stream-of-consciousness and interior monologue.
Christie authored 66 detective novels, including “Death on the Nile” and “Murder on the Orient Express.” Her name remains synonymous with the mystery genre.
Though no friend to feminism, Rand was very influential in individualist thought, and her books, including “Atlas Shrugged” and “The Fountainhead,” feature strong, self-driven female characters.
Rice’s oeuvre runs the gamut from erotica to Christian themes, but she’s best known for her gothic horror stories, including “Interview With the Vampire.”
Morrison was a book editor who eventually decided to write her own books, starting with the highly influential “The Bluest Eye.” Among her accolades are a Pulitzer Prize, a Presidential Medal of Freedom, and a Nobel Prize in Literature—the first to be awarded to a Black woman.
Renowned for her essays and novels, Sontag wrote on topics ranging from AIDS to human rights to war to literature itself. Sontag was also a feature film director and activist. Her works include “Against Interpretation” and “The Way We Live Now.”
Bombeck is celebrated for her humorous novels and nonfiction, with motherhood being a prevailing theme. These include “The Grass Is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank” and “Motherhood: The Second Oldest Profession.” In the late 1970s, she was a staunch advocate for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee for Women.
A seminal work of second-wave feminism, Jong’s “Fear of Flying” shocked readers—and sold millions of copies—with its nonjudgmental first-person account of a female protagonist’s desire for sexual freedom.
Author of the novel “The Handmaid’s Tale”—later a feature film and an acclaimed TV series—Atwood is primarily a writer of adult literary fiction and speculative fiction, often focusing on feminist and environmental themes.
A leading voice in “Spanglish” literature, Puerto Rico-born Braschi has authored absurdist and experimental poetry and novels including “Empire of Dreams” and “Yo-Yo Boing!”
Born to Chinese parents in the U.S., Tan used her experience in an immigrant family as inspiration for acclaimed novels such as “The Joy Luck Club.”
An educator, activist, and bestselling author, Klein has published nonfiction books on topics ranging from politics to business and economic issues to the environment.
As a single mother on government support, Rowling transformed her writing abilities into a multi-billion-dollar business empire with the “Harry Potter” books, films, and related projects and merchandise.
Collins has made a name for herself as a writer of young adult fiction with strong central female characters, including the dystopian “Hunger Games” series.
The success of female authors is important not just as a step toward greater gender equality and representation but because it enables women of all nationalities and backgrounds to be heard. This, in turn, gives readers new perspectives that can ideally result in greater understanding. Most of us would never comprehend, for example, what the life of a young Black girl growing up in Jim Crow Era-Arkansas could be like if Maya Angelou hadn’t written the renowned autobiography of her early years, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”
If you love literature, The University of Texas Permian Basin’s online English degree programs enable you to explore English-language literature by male and female authors dating from the earliest days of the English nation to the present. Both programs provide a foundation for a variety of rewarding roles, including author, teacher, human resource professional, or lawyer.
Online Bachelor of Arts in English
Gain a greater understanding of our world through an array of English and general education courses. Major courses include:
This BA program is available online only at this UT System institution.
Online Master of Arts in English
If you’ve completed a bachelor’s degree, take a deeper dive into English language and culture through our online graduate program’s focused courses, including:
This MA program allows you to choose from four capstone options.
Get more details about each program and apply here!
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/05/books/vanguard-books-by-women-in-21st-century.html
https://bookstr.com/article/womens-history-month-female-authors-of-the-21st-century/
https://reedsy.com/discovery/blog/contemporary-women-writers
https://www.businessinsider.com/harry-potter-is-still-multibillion-dollar-empire-after-two-decades-2021-11
