How does the online biology course work?

First of all, if you can answer "yes" to ALL the following questions, online distance learning may be an attractive option for your educational needs. If you answer one question "no," you may want to resolve or improve in this area prior to attempting this online course.

• Am I self-directed, highly motivated, and self-disciplined?
• Can I set a personal schedule (set aside plenty of study time of a minimum of 9-12 hours for lecture and 6-9 hours for lab per week) and complete assigned work by the required dates? Note: This does not include time spent on campus in lab.
• Are my writing and communication skills better than average?
• Do I try to solve problems and work through difficulties independently?
• Can I read and follow detailed instructions on my own?
• Am I already comfortable with using the Internet as a means of communication and research?
• Do I own or have access to a computer with Internet access and e-mail?

The lecture will be taken online. We do not meet on campus for lecture at any time during the semester.

The lab will meet on campus on a scheduled day in lab S.1200.We will communicate using e-mail and bulletin board discussions all within a Course Management Software program call Desire2Learn.

• We will use primarily asynchronous communication in this course, which does not happen in real-time. In other words, we will communicate asynchronously without needing to have a common time available for us to meet online. E-mail is an excellent example of asynchronous communication. So are electronic bulletin boards. I WILL EXPECT that you will be logging into the course website and checking your E-mail every day (excluding weekends and holidays) and that your actively utilizing the online resources on the course website. A variety of lecture resources will be available to you including:
  • Detailed Lecture Notes in .html and .PDF formats. Video Lectures of the course content on CD-ROM (by Thinkwell) Multimedia resources with illustrations, animations and video.
    • Media formats include .gif, .jpg, QuickTime, Flash, ShockWave, Windows .AVI, Java, and JavaScript formats.
    • Browser Plug-in's are required to view these resources (see below).
      • Browser Plug-ins Required
        (Free Downloads)
        Adobe Acrobat Reader
        Macromedia Flash
        Macromedia Shackwave
        QuickTime Movie Player
        
  • A Comprehensive Textbook Website with practice quizzes and learning activities for each chapter.
  • Lecture Exams/Quizzes will either be taken in the MCTC Testing Center, online or both.
  • Writing assignments, lab quizzes will be given.

WHAT MATERIALS WILL I NEED TO PURCHASE IN THE BOOKSTORE?

Textbooks can be purchased in the MCTC Bookstore: I encourage you to purchase the textbooks online. It will save you a big hassle of waiting in line at the bookstore.

To purchase your books online, go to the following URL:
http://www.mctcbookstore.com/

Required Textbooks/Course materials

1.)

*Campbell Biology* eText by Urry, Cain, Wasserman, Minorsky and Reece. Pearson Publishing Co., 12th ed., 2021. This eTextbook is integrated into your D2L BrightSpace in the “Content”à”Materials” area. This format is a significant cost savings and is included into your Minneapolis College BIOL 2200 course registration fee.

Campbell Biology eText is now integrated into D2L and will need to be activated via Redshelf eBooks. Students will receive sprecific instructions on how to activate the eText within D2L via Redself eBooks via the students MCTC email account.

An option to purchase a looseleaf 3-ring binder color hardcopy of the textbook is avaialable to students via MasteringBiology (MB).

 

Fall Semester 2023:
MasteringBiology (MB)
*Required

MasteringBiology is now integrated into D2L and will need to be activated via Redshelf eBooks. Students will receive sprecific instructions on how to activate MB within D2L via Redself eBooks via the students MCTC email account.


2.) LabArchives Online BIOL 2200 Lab Manual

Log into D2L for details on registering your BIOL 2200 Online LabArchives Lab Manual. All previous lab manuals will no longer be used / accepted.
*Required

HOW DO I ACCESS THE COURSE WEBSITE?

Login to Desire2Learn (D2L) - Course Management System

• D2L Help
  • How to Login to D2L

HOW CAN I DOWNLOAD / VIEW THE COURSE SYLLABUS?

The syllabus for this course is available in two formats. You can download it in MS Word (.doc), and Adobe Acrobat (.pdf).

M.S. Word Syllabus
http://www.biocasts.com/mctc/syllabi/2200_24_fall_syllabus.doc

Adobe Acrobat
http://www.biocasts.com/mctc/syllabi/2200_24_fall_syllabus.pdf

Get Adobe Acrobat Reader

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

Follow these easy steps to get yourself started.

1. Download and read the course syllabus. Be sure you understand all aspects of the course before you proceed. My expectations of you and myself as your instructor are all discussed in the course syllabus.
2. Purchase the textbooks from the Minneapolis College Bookstore.
3. Navigate the Course Website and get yourself familiar with the online resources that are available to you.
4. Read the weekly announcements on the course website and check your e-mail for specific instructions from the instructor.
5. Read the assigned textbooks pages (See syllabus).
6. View the Thinkwell video lectures (See syllabus).
7. Set-up your MasteringBiology Account using the Access Code Kit packeaged along with your textbook that was purchased in the MCTC Bookstore. MasteringBiology Login