Course Structure

  Introduction


This introductory biology course is designed to partially fufill the general education requirement in natural science. As such, it includes both virtual "lecture" and "laboratory" sections and requires approximately six (6) hours of online instruction per week. In addition, it includes approximately three (3) hours of weekly reading and writing "homework" assignments. Be sure to schedule regular hours for working on the course. Carefully read the syllabus and logistics for more course information and refer to the course Calendar and Schedule for due dates. Access the lessons by clicking the Course Content link on the BlackBoard Course Menu.

Top  Course Structure

The course consists of twelve (12) lessons divided among six (6) units. Unit One includes lessons one (1) and two (2). Unit Two includes lessons three (3) and four (4). Unit Three includes lessons five (5) and six (6). Unit Four includes lessons seven (7) and eight (8). Unit Five includes lessons nine (9) and ten (10). Unit Six includes lessons eleven (11) and twelve (12). Check the Schedule for the due dates for each unit.

Each Lesson Folder contains six (6) internal folders:

  1. Lesson Page
    • Description of the lesson content.
    • Links to Animations and Virtual Labs.
    • Link to a related Web Site.
  2. Textbook Reading
    • Reading Practice Quiz.
    • Reading Review Slide Show.
    • Reading Quiz.
  3. Animations
    • Links to Four Animations.
    • Animation Quiz.
  4. Virtual Lab
    • link to the Virtual Lab Activitiy.
    • Lab Quiz
    • Lab Worksheet
  5. Essay Quiz
    • Essay Quiz.
  6. Study Help
    • Chapter Outline.
    • Flashcards.
    • Student Learning Outcomes.

Top  Calendar

The Schedule contains all the due dates for the course. It also contains weekly course assignments, due dates, and quick links to animations and virtual labs. You can access the Schedule by clicking the Schedule link in the BlackBoard Course Menu.

Top  Reading Assignments

The reading assignments are required exercises and important preparation for animations, labs, and quizzes. I reccomend that you do them first. They are listed on the lesson page and each lesson covers one chapter. A Reading Review Slide Presentation and Reading Quizzes are located in the Textbook Reading Folder inside each Lesson Folder.

Top  Activities

The animation exercise includes links for four (4) Animation and Video Activities and most include practice quizzes for the topics covered in them. Complete the activities. The information in these activities is very helpful when completing the assessment that follows. The Animation Links and an Animation Quiz are located in the Animations Folder inside each Lesson Folder.
 
The virtual lab exercise includes a link for one (1) Virtual Lab Activity. Complete the activity by reading the instructions, performing the lab exercise, and reviewing the post lab quiz and lab report. Be sure to complete and print the journal and data table embedded within each lab exercise for future reference. The information in the activity is very helpful when completing the assessment that follows. The Lab Link and Lab Quizzes are located in the Virtual Lab Folder inside each Lesson Folder.

Top  Study Help

Study help includes Chapter Outlines, Flashcards, and Student Learning Outcomes to help you review and practice what you have learned from your reading and instructional activities.

Top  Notebook

I recommend developing an e-notebook using your word processing program. Both lecture and laboratory exercises in all thirteen lessons contain information and data that you may want to cut and paste into your e-notebook. The e-notebook entries are valuable when completing the quizzes!

Top  Quizzes

The quizzes cover the material from the reading, animation, and virtual lab exercises.
  • The reading quiz covers the material in your eText.
  • The animation quiz covers material from the animation exercises.
  • The virtual lab assignment covers the lab quiz and lab worksheet from the virtual lab exercise.
  • The essay quiz covers material from the reading assignment, animation and virtual lab exercises.

Top  Communication

Communicating with your instructor is an important part of an internet course. Don't hesitate to ask questions about course content and logistics. Be sure to let your instructor know if you are having any difficulties or if you foresee missing any course deadlines.

Access the announcements, mailbox, discussion board, and virtual office hours from the course menu. Check the announcements and discussion board frequently throughout the semester. Communicate with your instructor using the office hours, mailbox or phone.


Top  Additional Information

Syllabus:
The Syllabus page contains information about course policies, requirements, grades, and grading. To access the Syllabus page click the eOrientation link on the Course Menu and then click the Syllabus link.

Logistics:
The Logistics page contains information about communications, help, and logistics for the course. To access the Logistics page click the eOrientation link on the Course Menu and then click the Logistics link.