MIT open course ware is truly a gift to humanity. Although you cannot be granted a degree from the course information on the web, the dissemination of knowlege to anyone who is interested is priceless.
For anyone who is unaware MIT open courseware is Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (yes that MIT) opening of all of their course work, to anyone who wants is, for free. Everything that is posted on the web is the exact same material that students in the classroom receive. There are videos of selected lectures and all syllibi and related notes for each course posted. MIT has been rolling this program out for at least the last year. It is definitely worth checking out.
If you ever wished you could go back and freshen up on a subject from school, now you can do it for nothing and get instruction for the best in the world. They do not allow for communication with the instructors but if you need to just brush up on something this is a fantastic resource.
Many, many other universities are doing similar things with their courses - perhaps in response to MIT's move, perhaps before MIT every did, it's hard to tell. Many engineering faculty websites can be mined for info if you're patient enough to dig.
The Universities of BC (Canada), Wisconsin, Illinois, and Cornell U are good examples I've come across. The University of Calgary (Canada), I have found, is an exception.
"Simplicate, and add more lightness" - Bill Stout
Steven Fahey, CET
