problem solving course syllabus

Course Syllabus

Course Description

Mastering the Art of Problem Solving: Strategies for Life and Business

Picture this: You're faced with an intricate web of challenges. Some are as towering as mountains, while others seem as trivial as pebbles. Yet, every problem, big or small, demands a solution. Each one begs the question: How can I navigate through this? What if there was a structured, streamlined approach to demystify every challenge, turning seeming obstacles into opportunities?

Enter our meticulously designed course on "Problem Solving Strategies." Recognizing that problems are inherent to the human experience, this course is your beacon, shedding light on the path from perplexity to clarity.

Throughout history, humans have grappled with the same sentiment: I want this problem resolved, and I want it done efficiently. Whether constrained by resources, hampered by external forces, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of the issue at hand, we've all felt, at moments, that the weight of the world rests on our shoulders.

Yet, what if we told you that the world's greatest thinkers, influential business magnates, and pioneering leaders have all faced these very dilemmas? And not only have they encountered such problems, but they've also developed, honed, and shared methodologies that can turn the tide in your favor.

Course Breakdown:

Sections I-VII : Dive deep into the realm of problem-solving. Here, we unearth a treasure trove of tools, techniques, and tactics that have been crafted by experts from diverse fields. From academic stalwarts to savvy business consultants, their collective wisdom converges in these sections, offering you a comprehensive toolkit to tackle any challenge head-on.

Sections VIII & IX : Transition from identifying problems to making informed decisions. Delve into the nuances of decision-making processes that not only seek solutions but ensure they're sustainable, effective, and in line with your goals.

By the end of this transformative journey, you'll be equipped with:

• A structured approach to dissect even the most intricate problems.
• Techniques to harness your innate creativity and innovation.
• The ability to distinguish between short-term fixes and long-term solutions.
• Decision-making strategies that prioritize efficiency and effectiveness.
• An empowered mindset that sees problems as puzzles waiting to be solved.

Problems are not roadblocks; they're merely detours on the path of life. With the right strategies, these detours can lead to destinations even more wondrous than we initially envisioned. So, whether you're seeking to overcome personal hurdles or navigate business challenges, this course is your compass, guiding you towards solutions and success.

Join us, and redefine your relationship with problems, transforming them from adversaries to allies on your journey of growth and achievement!

• Completely Online
• Printable Lessons

• 6 Months to Complete
• 24/7 Availability
• Start Anytime
• PC & Mac Compatible
• Android & iOS Friendly
• Accredited CEUs

Learning Outcomes

• Recognize what problem solving actually is and why it's important to be good at it.
• Describe methods for researching and gathering data needed for problem solving.
• Identify your strengths and available resources for determining the most appropriate problem solving process.
• Utilize the process, tools and techniques you have available to determine the best solution to a problem.
• Summarize methodologies you may use when making tough decisions in the problem solving process.
• Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.

Assessment Guide

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Programmes & Qualifications

Cambridge international as & a level thinking skills (9694).

• Syllabus overview

Thinking Skills develops a set of transferable skills, including critical thinking, reasoning and problem solving, that students can apply across a wide range of subjects and complex real world issues. 

The syllabus enables students to develop their ability to analyse unfamiliar problems, devise problem solving strategies, and evaluate the diverse ways a problem may be solved. During a Thinking Skills course, students learn to put their personal views aside in favour of examining and evaluating the evidence. Students learn how to make informed and reasoned decisions and construct evidence-based arguments. 

These independent thinking skills build confidence and equip students with a toolkit for tackling complex and unfamiliar subjects, essential for successful progression to higher education or into professional employment.

The syllabus year refers to the year in which the examination will be taken.

• -->2023 - 2025 Syllabus update (PDF, 149KB)
• -->2026 - 2027 Syllabus (PDF, 530KB)

Syllabus support

• -->Support for Thinking Skills (PDF, 858KB)

Important notices

For some subjects, we publish grade descriptions to help understand the level of performance candidates’ grades represent.

We paused the publication of grade descriptions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the temporary changes to the awarding standard in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

As the awarding standard has now returned to the pre-pandemic standard, we are working to produce up-to-date grade descriptions for most of our general qualifications. These will be based on the awarding standards in place from June 2023 onwards.

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Example responses, past papers, specimen paper answers.

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Browse Course Material

Course info, instructors.

• Prof. Kip Hodges
• Prof. Rafael Bras

Departments

• Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences

As Taught In

• Environmental Management
• Environmental Science
• Environmental Policy

Learning Resource Types

Solving complex problems, course meeting times.

Lectures: 3 sessions / week, 1 hour / session

Course Overview

Solving Complex Problems is designed to be a predominantly self-paced, active learning experience. There are no lectures and no problem sets. During the first week of classes, students are divided into ten teams, each of which is responsible for some aspect of the overall design. Each team is assigned one or more Alumni Mentors and one or two Upperclass Teaching Fellows (UTFs).

Course Introduction by Prof. Kip Hodges

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Alumni Mentors

Alumni Mentors are former MIT students who volunteer their time and expertise to serve as information resources for students in 12.000. Their role is not to suggest solutions, but to act as a sounding board for ideas developed by the students and to guide them toward appropriate strategies for making well-informed decisions.

Upperclass Teaching Fellows

UTFs are MIT sophomores, juniors, and seniors – typically alumni of 12.000 – who act as coaches for the teams. Their roles are to help the students develop effective teams, to encourage cross-team communication, and to facilitate inter-team coordination.

Course Structure

There are four types of class meetings:

• General Information Sessions are designed to introduce students to critical problem-solving and communication skills. They include sessions dedicated to effective library research, to proper referencing protocols, and to web site development.
• Perspectives Sessions are dedicated to whole-class discussions of case studies germane to the Mission topic.
• Team Meetings are sessions in which individual teams work as small groups with their UTFs.
• Full Meetings are sessions in which the teams get together to coordinate their work and develop presentation strategies.

Based on staff and expert panel evaluations of the final presentation and web site, the entire class will receive a class grade. Similarly, each team will be given a grade based on how well it satisfied its responsibilities, as will each student. The final 12.000 grade for each student will be computed as the weighted mean of the class grade (40%), his or her team’s grade (30%), and his or her individual grade (30%).

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