Still, it is interesting to know that search engine optimization is being recognized and taught in the university.

In fact, I think the topics covered by the Rice University SEO course is comprehensive, focusing on the more important aspects of search engine optimization.

Here’s the topics to be covered in the SEO course:

• Researching the competition
• Analyzing and optimizing Web pages
• Submitting pages to search engines
• Monitoring search engine placement
• Reporting and analyzing ranking results
• Developing a reciprocal links list

Is This SEO Course Right For You?

As you can see from the list of topics, seasoned SEO practitioners will find that these quite basic and good for new webmasters and fresh web designers.

In fact, I think the topic on “Submitting pages to search engines” should not be there if they are talking about manual submission. Instead, a more appropriate topic should be submission of sitemaps and generation of sitemaps.

Is Search Ranking Really That Important?

Search engine visibility is not just about getting ranked number 1. Targeted traffic is more important than just getting top ranking by brute force.

Since this is an university course, they might want to give the students a more in-depth understanding of search engine basics and why it is traffic that is important and not just ranking. For example, how the Long Tail concept may be applied to keyword research.

Instead of monitoring and report search ranking, analysis on the quality and report on quantity of traffic will be very important.

Are you looking for a SEO course near you? Singapore?

If you are in Singapore, Malaysia or Indonesia and interested to learn SEO and Search Marketing, I am conducting a SEO Web Design Course at the SIM Management House on the 4 and 5 May 2007.

Go check it out at http://DesignerSEO.com/workshop/