Skills Definition and 214 Threads

A skill is the learned ability to perform an action with determined results with good execution often within a given amount of time, energy, or both. Skills can often be divided into domain-general and domain-specific skills. For example, in the domain of work, some general skills would include time management, teamwork and leadership, self-motivation and others, whereas domain-specific skills would be used only for a certain job. Skill usually requires certain environmental stimuli and situations to assess the level of skill being shown and used.
A skill may be called an art when it represents a body of knowledge or branch of learning, as in the art of medicine or the art of war. Although the arts are also skills, there are many skills that form an art but have no connection to the fine arts. A practice is when the learned skill is put into practice. An art or skill may be the basis for a profession, trade, or craft.
People need a broad range of skills to contribute to the modern economy. A joint ASTD and U.S. Department of Labor study showed that through technology, the workplace is changing, and identified 16 basic skills that employees must have to be able to change with it. Three broad categories of skills are suggested and these are technical, human, and conceptual. The first two can be substituted with hard and soft skills, respectively.

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  1. S

    Which Computer Skills Are Best for Aspiring Physicists?

    Hello, I'm taking a break from college to learn some computer skills that will hopefully allow me to find work and return to school once I have some sort of job as a programmer and I'm more financially secure. I was wondering which are the best computer skills to acquire that are relevant...
  2. Simfish

    The coming data explosion and what this means for employable skills

    http://www.nytimes.com/external/readwriteweb/2010/05/31/31readwriteweb-the-coming-data-explosion-13154.html An interesting book: http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/collaboration/fourthparadigm/ So basically, the two main paradigms used to be experiment and theory. Then in the 1950s came...
  3. K

    Most needed skills in Nuclear Engieering from an Mech Enginneering standpoint

    With the US not building too much at this point it seems like the general theme is to leverage existing assets and patch up what exists for the time being. With that being said for an ME student interested in nuclear energy what area should one focus on, fluid flows, stress analysis, FEA...
  4. C

    Skills of a Physicist: How Important is Visualization?

    I was told the other day that a great physicists would be given a problem and the first thing they would do is to attach it to a real life scenario, creating a mental image. Once they do that they do the math. My questions are: When they say create a 'mental image', is it like a mental...
  5. O

    Experimental Design - test your skills

    There are 14 bottles of wine and one is tainted such that, a single sip of the tainted bottle is lethal. It takes up to 24 hours for full effect of the toxicity. If you have only 4 lab animals to test all 14 bottles of wine; what experimental design might you use, to determine which bottle was...
  6. Shackleford

    Physics Major w/Math Minor: Career Options

    Physics major, math minor I'm not taking any programming courses or computer science courses, and we only briefly did a few exercises in Matlab this past semester in my Diff. Eq. class because we were short on time. I do still have the Matlab book, though. Here's the rest of my program...
  7. R

    Studying Which math skills do I need to brush up before studying Physics?

    So I was wondering what math skills I need to brush up if I want to sucessfully pursue undergraduate studies in Physics. I am namely 6 - 7 years removed from high school and have therefore forgotten a lot of things I was being taught in Maths classes. Another thing is that where I come from...
  8. M

    Using my excellent math to imporve my poor physics skills

    Hello i am new in this forum, and i really apreciate the fact that you guys help. I am in grade 12, I have excellent mathematical skills (especially in algebra and advanced functions), I rank first in my advanced functions class. However i my grades in grade 11 physics are low. In...
  9. G

    Depressing, my math skills have gone to crap

    since graduating from college (5 years ago). Today I had trouble remembering the limit definition of the derivative. To think I was studying Hilbert Spaces and logic my final year in college. If you don't use it you lose it. Come to think of it, I don't remember much from DiffEqs either. I...
  10. R

    Importance of communication skills to an engineer?

    I'm a second year engineering student and as part of my course, am required to do one subject per semester not related to engineering/science/mathematics. First semester I did International Politics and I'm enrolled for another politics subject sem 2, but I've been thinking about changing that...
  11. A

    Tutoring High School Kids: Perfecting My Skills

    Hello folks, This may seem out of topic but I would like to know how to perfect my skills in tutoring high school kids. Just a little introduction. I am a third year Biochemistry student here in Canada and I teach my students Chemistry and Math. Why I am asking the question is that when I...
  12. Link

    Difference in skills and content in mech and electrical engineering

    I got an offer to take up a mechanical engieering degree at university. The degree is a specialised one, with not much room for electrical engineering. I know I want to become an engineer, but am just not very sure about whether I want to be a mechanical or electrical engineer. Hence I want to...
  13. A

    What job skills are necessary for a successful future?

    What are some crucial future job skills? There have been many threads on "jobs of the future" but to me those are highly tentative predictions, but "job skills" seems more useful these days than a particular college degree. I think math/quantitative/analytical skills may become increasingly...
  14. C

    Engineering How do I acquire the skills needed for an engineering career

    How important are the creative problems solving abilities? I'm currently enrolled in an Intro to Engineering course at a local community college. In which, I had huge trouble coming up a creative (or working for that matter) design. Is there any way to improve this skill set? If so, how...
  15. G

    How Can I Enhance My Physics Problem Solving Skills for Competitions Like IPhO?

    Hi, I need to improve Physics Problem Solving Skills. Any book, paper, websites on this? I'm looking for pre to IPhO level. Something like http://www.phys.uAlberta.ca/olympiad/pdf/probsolv.pdf I'm trying to find papers that would be me a edge on solving hard or tricky problems. Plus is...
  16. E

    How to Integrate (r^2 + a^2)^-3/2 using u-substitution

    Homework Statement \int_0^R \! \frac{2rdr}{(r^2+x^2)^{\frac{3}{2}}} \int_0^R \! (r^2+x^2)^{-\frac{3}{2}}}d(r^2) Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution how did you get from line 1 to 2
  17. T

    Confused about Practical Physics Skills

    Hello everyone, I have been on a physics degree course for the past 4 months. This semester we have started a practical techniques module. In my first semester the classes I took were all theoretical. I had very few problems understanding and implementing the concepts covered and things...
  18. A

    Developing Essential Research Skills for Undergraduate Particle Physics

    What are some of the most important research skills to develop as an undergraduate, particularly concerning particle physics?
  19. D

    Improve Algebra Skills: Simplifying (4x^2+1)^1/2 for Tangent Vectors

    How can I simplify (4x^2+1)^1/2? I need it for a Tangent Vector.
  20. I

    Anyone know how we can improve our mental math skills?

    The other day I decided to calculate 1.225 x 36 in my head (this was a calculation in one of my problem sets) and I found that it took me a lot longer than I originally thought. So I was wondering if there was any sort of strategy to gradually improve this skill. Here's a strategy I am...
  21. A

    Combining People & Math Skills: Best Business Jobs

    Hi, what are some of the best jobs in business that require a combination of people skills and math skills? Thank you.
  22. G

    Improve Problem Solving Skills | Solutions & Resources

    Hey! Does anyone know any website, books, or anything that can help improve problem solving skills?
  23. J

    What skills are needed for physics?

    I already know that math skills are required for physics, but what other skills are required for physics? P.S. MODERATORS, DON'T MOVE THIS TOPIC! SERIOUSLY!
  24. P

    What are some examples of challenging logical puzzles and questions?

    Hi all,:smile: I have been around in physics forums for quite some time and have always worked around the homework help section or the science advisory forum.It is after so many days that i find a place to relax and share some knowledgeable things with my excellent colleagues on the forum...
  25. L

    Which Engineering Field Best Models Physical Systems: Electrical or Mechanical?

    I am aware of the very valuable analysis skills physics teaches. A physics major may not be possible for me so with your experience with physics or electrical engineering, would you say you learn how to model physical systems better with electrical engineering or with mechanical engineering? It...
  26. K

    Skills to study computational biology?

    Hi. I just finished medical school and I want to start studying computational biology (and maybe pursue a PhD at systems biology). I have a very good level of physiology knowledge but, as most medical students, I am not good at mathematics. So every time I start reading a book, I mess it up when...
  27. E

    How can I Improve my problem solving skills using my mind only?

    How can I Improve my problem solving skills using my mind only?
  28. H

    Homework strategies to improve problem solving skills

    Just a question... to learn math/physics, is it better to do ~10 medium-challenging problems that invoke some thought, or doing 2-3 really hard problems that require deep thought and lots of time. Up to now I've been doing both, but it just isn't possible to keep up with UT's supplementary...
  29. R

    How can I improve my math skills?

    From studying to the thinking process when solving problems. Thanks for any help and advice.
  30. C

    Medical Improving numerosity skills using magnetic fields?

    http://www.centreforthemind.com/publications/SavantNumerosity.pdf"
  31. W

    What Skills Are Essential for a Successful Lab Internship in Physics?

    I ask because I will in a year be applying for internships doing lab based work in physics, hopefully. Now what can you tell me what are some valued skills in the lab? -How about expierence in numerical analysis software? My uni does what they call a summerfield session for physics...
  32. Evo

    Questionable Skills of Cooking Show Hosts on Food Network

    This channel cracks me up. Could they possibly have more people hosting cooking shows that have no background in cooking? :smile: Bobby Flay, high school drop out that is dating the producer's daughter. This classless idiot has no place in the cooking world. Emeril Lagasee. As his...
  33. M

    This one will tackle your physics skills it tackled mine

    Homework Statement A mass of 5 kg is tied to two strings of equal length, which are attached to a vertical pole at points 2.o m apart. As the pole rotates about its axis, the strings make a right angle with each other. Also, the mass makes 2 revolutions per second. a) the tension in each...
  34. P

    Master Pre-Diff Eq.1 Skills: Calc 1 & 2 Overview

    What are the specific skills from calc 1 & 2 that I should have mastered before taking Differential Equations 1
  35. A

    Improving problem solving skills?

    I'm a 4th year undergraduate physics major and I've realized too much of my college career have I just tried to get to the answer, copy example patterns, and look for a systematic way to solve problems. I realize this will get me nowhere; problem solving is where the physics fun is! What sort...
  36. moe darklight

    Attack of my horrid math skills, pt. 1

    I thought I should start numbering these... anyway, here's another brain-fart where I miss something obvious: in the book the dude uses: \[ f(x) = \frac{1}{{30}}\sqrt {a^2 + x^2 } + \frac{1}{{60}}(b - x) \] later on he continues, using: \[ f'(x) = \frac{1}{{30}}\frac{1}{2}(a^2 + x^2...
  37. I

    Top Marketable Skills: What Employers Look for in Candidates

    theres a lot of talk in the "don't do a PhD" thread about being employable. what skills are employable/marketable?
  38. B

    C/C++ Learning C++: Challenges to Test Your Skills

    I am learning c++ at what I would consider a fast rate. Having took Qbasic years ago everything came into place pretty quick but I'm slowing down in the functions part. I am picking it up though. I know variables, calculations, arrays, logic, and loops. What I am looking for is a website...
  39. Q

    What about you?Is Programming a Necessary Skill for Physics Majors?

    Hi, I'm a Grade 11 student in Canada who wants to go on to study Physics in university. I was just wondering, because I realized I know nothing about programming, is it assumed that I should have any sort of background? If so, what would be useful things to teach myself?
  40. S

    Math skills needed to tackle Goldstein/Jackson

    I'm teaching myself mechanics from Goldstein (2nd edition), and electromagnetism from Jackson (2nd edition). I have an undergraduate-level grounding in both subjects, although completely self-taught. As with all self-taught students, I am sure I have holes and gaps in my education. I have...
  41. Y

    I am amazed by the skills of some people here

    Hi, Guys...! I am new on your site and I am amazed by the skills of some people here... not too sure if this is the right place to be posting this msg Let me introduce myself first : I am Yann, a webmaster and dive instructor, 27 years old. i have many questions about...
  42. B

    Good course in training calculus skills?

    Hello, Where can I find a good course in training calculus skills? Thanks.
  43. A

    Regressing Math Skills: Overcoming Summer Slump

    I think my capacity for abstract mathematical thought has been completely degraded to a point of utter uselessness. I have not touched much rigorous mathematics since school ended. I tried doing some math problems today and I was lost; I had no idea what to do. Does anyone else feel this...
  44. G

    Test Your Logical Skills with 3D Logic!

    http://www.ebaumsworld.com/games/3d-logic.html There are 30 levels to this game and they get a bit trickier at around lvl 16...enjoy :smile:
  45. D

    Condensed Matter; Mathematics/Experimental Skills Needed

    Can anyone say concisely what the key mathematical subjects/techniques one must master for theoretical condensed matter physics are? (To be specific; things like Mesoscopic physics, Nanomagnetism, Semiconductor Physics, and then of course the low temperature stuff) Also, in general what hands...
  46. A

    Improving Practical Physics Skills: Tips for Struggling Students

    any tips on how to improve my practical skills in physics? something seems to always go wrong for me in physics practicals, I am fine in chemistry. even tho i have a whole year (once a week) on pracs i managed to end up with a C in it.
  47. JamesU

    School Firewall: No Match for My Tech Skills!

    My school's computers all have firewalls. I tried to go here real quick, and it was blocked! Not a problem, my school's firewall sucks, and I know how to get past it :cool:
  48. infraray

    My lack of problem solving skills - Mechanics

    I am taking a senior level analytical Mechanics course, which is very math based. I am having major difficulty in bridging the gap between what a given problem is asking for and manipulating the problem to solve it. I have had all the necessary math courses and did respectable, but now I feel...
  49. honestrosewater

    Test Your Name-Remembering Skills: A Challenge!

    What's my name?? Several PFers recently mentioned that they think they're bad at remembering names. I'm wondering how other people do on this test, because I think I'm good with names and performed horribly at first. You 'meet' 8 people. You're shown their picture, they tell you their...
  50. Lisa!

    Is the Internet negatively impacting our social skills?

    It's a long time I hear about the negative effct of the Internet on communication and social skills http://socserv2.mcmaster.ca/soc/courses/soc4jj3_99/stuweb/gp2/effects.htm I want to get your ideas about internet's effects, negative or perhaps positive,on one's social life.Do you agree about...
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