BIO-110-N1/N2 Human Biology

Distance Learning Class Critical Information

Dear Online Student,

Welcome to Human Biology (BIO-110-N) and get ready to learn some new things about the human body.  My name is Mary Ann Sadler and I will be the professor for this semester. I also teach the on campus version of Human Biology.  This course can be a “user’s manual” for you as we study basic biological concepts, cells and the parts and functions we all share.   We will also spend some time examining bioethical issues and current events topics concerning health.  The course will provide opportunities for students to interact online with the instructor and with other students. 

We will be using a learning platform called MOODLE.  We will also be using the website that accompanies your textbook called CONNECT.

Be sure you are prepared to take an online class.  Do you have basic computer skills and the equipment needed to be on the Internet frequently?  Do you have the time to devote to an online class?  Often it is more than the time required for a class here on campus.  The course content is the same but online classes have more interactive requirements than a classroom lecture.  You will need to read your text, listen to narrative PowerPoints and take notes on your own as you complete assignments, quizzes and tests. Deadlines for these evaluations are real and late work is not accepted.  You will need to be organized and discipline yourself to do some work each week.  DO NOT wait until the last minute to finish unit activities.

Each unit will consist of two or three chapters.  There are five units and a comprehensive exam.

Assignments:  For Each Chapter…

• Read each chapter
• Listen to and watch the narrative PowerPoint for each chapter filling in the outline notes
• Complete CONNECT homework for each chapter
• Take the quiz for each chapter (quizzes sum up what you have learned, taken once)
• Email the instructor with questions

Before Completing Each Unit You Must… (watch for dates and deadlines.)

• Read the bioethics case study  or current events question and resource materials
• Post  your position/observations on the discussion forum  including one new research reference supporting your opinion/interpretation with citation
• Respond to at least one other student’s posting saying why you agree or disagree in 50 to 100 words.

Keep reading…

Testing:  Test Covers Unit Chapters… (one test for each unit)

• Take the Unit Test (the test is timed and must be completed within 80- 90 min. of first log-in)
• The final exam at the end of the semester will be online and comprehensive.

Textbook:  Human Biology by Sylvia Mader and Michael Windelspecht, 12^th edition, McGraw-Hill publisher, 2012          

**There is an online version of the book (ebook) available from many Internet sellers.

Make sure the online book includes the CONNECT access. You can buy the access card separately when you register for CONNECT if it doesn’t come with an ebook or used book.

** If you buy a paper book, you will also need an access card for the CONNECT website.

We will be using this website for homework assignments and there are review questions there, too.

If you buy a new book, it comes with this access card.  If you have a used book, you will need to purchase the access card either at the bookstore or at the McGraw-Hill website.

Computer Requirements:

• Internet access
• Windows XP or higher (or MAC)
• Email capability through our classroom platform called MOODLE
• Word processing

There will be NO on campus requirements for the course.  We will get to know each other online and I am looking forward to having more interaction with you this way than I do with my regular lecture classes.  As always, cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses which may result in an “F” for the semester.  We have software programs to check for plagiarism.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with me in any one of the following ways.

Mary Ann Sadler, MS Biology                   
Phone: 636-922-8697
St. Charles Community College               
Email: msadler@stchas.edu
Office: ADM 2442

Or on MOODLE through email.