How does the online lab 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 lab will meet online within a Course Management Software program called Desire 2 Learn (D2L).

• 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 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 Lab Notes in .html, .swf and .PDF formats. Multimedia learning 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.
  • Lab Exams/Quizzes will either be taken in the MCTC Testing Center, online or both.

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: NONE

1.) Online Lab materials will be provided on course website in D2L. Students do NOT need to purchase a lab manual. Your instructor has provided the online lab manual to be accessable via D2L free of charge.

2.) Human Biology by Sylvia Mader, 10th ed. or later
(To be used as a reference book only)

HOW DO I ACCESS THE COURSE WEBSITE?

You can also access the course website indirectly through your You can also access the course website indirectly through your Desire2Learn (D2L) account:
https://minneapolis.ims.mnscu.edu/

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 (.pdf) formats.

M.S. Word Syllabus

Adobe Acrobat

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 homepage and check your online e-mail for specific instructions from the instructor.

Support for Minneapolis College Online Students

• eLearning Information