Course Structure

Introductory Biology is a three-credit online course, consisting of seven (7) modules. Modules include learning objectives, study materials, and assignments. Module titles are listed below.

• Module 1: Introduction
  
  
• Module 2: Principles of Cellular Life, Part 1
  
  
• Module 3: Principles of Cellular Life, Part 2
  
  
• Module 4: Principles of Inheritance, Part 1

• Module 5: Principles of Inheritance, Part 2
  
  
• Module 6: Principles of Evolution
  

• Module 7: Ecology and Behavior
  
  

Consult the course Calendar for assignment due dates.

Assessment Methods

For your formal work in the course, you are required to participate in four online discussion forums, complete seven written assignments, and take two proctored examinations—a midterm and a final. See below for more details.

Consult the course Calendar for assignment due dates.

Online Discussion Forums

Introductory Biology requires you to participate in four (4) graded online discussion activities, in addition to an ungraded, but required, "Introductions" forum in module 1. Each discussion takes place in a separate forum on the class Discussion Board.

Communication with the mentor and among fellow students is a critical component of online learning. Participation in online discussions involves two distinct activities: an initial response to a posted activity and subsequent comments on classmates' responses. Meaningful participation is relevant to the content, adds value, and advances the discussion. Comments such as "I agree" and "ditto" are not considered value-adding participation. Therefore, when you agree or disagree with a classmate, the reading, or your mentor, state and support your agreement or disagreement. You will be evaluated on the quality and quantity of your participation. Responses and comments should be properly proofread and edited, professional, and respectful.

For posting guidelines and additional help with discussion board assignments, please see the Student Handbook located within the General Information section of the course Web site.

Examinations

You are required to take two proctored examinations: a midterm and a final. See the Calendar for the official dates of your midterm and final exam weeks.

For both of these online examinations you are required to use the College’s Online Proctor Service. Please refer to the "Examinations and Proctors" section of the Online Student Handbook (see the General Information area of the course Web site) for further information about scheduling and taking online exams and for all exam policies and procedures. You are strongly advised to make your scheduling arrangements for both exams within the first week of the semester.

Online exams are administered in the Tests & Quizzes area of the course Web site.

Midterm Examination
The midterm is a closed-book, proctored exam. It is two hours long and covers material through module 4 of the course (telecourse lessons 1–7 and the associated video programs and textbook reading). The exam consists of multiple-choice questions based on the Self-Quiz sections at the end of each chapter in the textbook and short essay questions from the assignments.

Final Examination
The final is a closed-book, proctored exam. It is two hours long and covers material from module 5 through the end of the course (telecourse lessons 8–11 and 24–26 and the associated video programs and textbook reading). The exam consists of multiple-choice questions based on the Self-Quiz sections at the end of each chapter in the textbook and short essay questions from the assignments.

Statement about Cheating
You are on your honor not to cheat during the exam. Cheating means:

• Looking up any answer or part of an answer in an unauthorized textbook or on the Internet, or using any other source to find the answer.
• Copying and pasting or in any way copying responses or parts of responses from any other source into your online test. This includes but is not limited to copying and pasting from other documents or spreadsheets, whether written by yourself or anyone else.
• Plagiarizing answers.
• Asking anyone else to assist you by whatever means available while you take the exam.
• Copying any part of the exam to share with other students.
• Telling your mentor that you need another attempt at the exam because your connection to the Internet was interrupted when that is not true.

If there is evidence that you have cheated or plagiarized in your exam, the exam will be declared invalid, and you will fail the course.

For more information on scheduling a proctored examination, see the section Examinations and Proctors in the Student Handbook located within the General Information area of the course Web site.