Orientation Letter:  BIOSCI 107:  Molecular and Cellular Biology – Online/Hybrid

Winter Session 73114

Professor: Julie T. Nguyen, Ph.D. / Julie.nguyen@canyons.edu

There is a mandatory first day orientation meeting on campus on Tuesday, Jan 05^th, 8:00am to 8:40am in Room BYKH-211.  After the orientation, we will meet immediately in ALLB-220 for our first lab module (labs are every Tues/Wed/Thurs 8am – 11am).  Please note that if you do not attend this meeting you will be dropped from the class. At our orientation meeting you will receive a complete syllabus and course schedule.  Bring your college ID# and email address to our orientation so that we can get you started!

01/05/09 - 02/04/09
Lab:                08:00am - 11:00am        Tues/Wed/Thurs       Room ALLB-220
Lecture:          100% online

Welcome…

Student Learning Objectives (SLO):
In this course you will learn major topics in molecular cell biology, including bioenergetics, molecular structures and functions, cellular development, and the evolutionary process of different living systems and how they contribute and bring changes in our ecosystems.

Technology - Student will need
Access to a computer with reliable internet access and a valid E-mail account
Access to our virtual classroom for lecture is at COC’s Distance Learning site.  You will find all kinds of helpful information and a link to the log-in page. http://www.canyons.edu/offices/distance learning/BBSupport/BbLogin.asp
If you do not have a computer at home, you can use the computers on campus, either in the library, in the tutorial lab (BONH-209), in the student center in the Student Center-building, or since you are a Biology student, our computer lab in BYKH-211. 
Please note that you will not be able to log-in to the class until the first day of class.  We will talk about this at the orientation.

Text Book and Lab Manual (REQUIRED) - Student will need
            Life: The Science of Biology, 8th edition, by Sadava–Orians–Purves–Heller
            Molecular & Cellular Biology Laboratory Manual by Golbert, M., 10^th edition, (Pink Cover)         

Syllabus and Lab Schedule – To be posted after December 15^th, 2009
visit my website:  http://www.canyons.edu/Faculty/nguyenj

What is different about a hybrid/online class?

The instruction of this class is delivered in a hybrid online format.  This means that the lecture portion will be presented online through Blackboard; our virtual classroom.  The lab portion, and all exams, will be presented “on ground or campus” at COC. Lab sessions will be held every Tues/Wed/Thurs from 8am until 11am in room ALLB-220.  There are advantages to taking a hybrid/online class during Winter session — 4 weeks or 1 month long, little or no traffic, work at your convenience, no nodding off in the back row (at least no one will know if you are!) and actually more interaction with your classmates (via our online discussion board) than you might otherwise have in a classroom setting.  So, if you work well independently and have fairly good computer skills (can send and receive emails, copy and paste word documents, search the web, add attachments, etc.) then online learning is a great adventure.  However, it is important to keep in mind that this hybrid online class is not designed to be easier or harder than a traditional class, just different.  You will need to log in at least once every other day to keep up with assignments, announcements, and postings.  You may also be working in small groups online, and will be required to respond to other’s postings on our discussion board. Student to student interaction is very important; we will miss you if you aren’t keeping up.  If you are not sure if an online class is for you I encourage you to try the online self-assessments and links at

Distance learning access home page: http://www.canyons.edu/offices/distance_learning/BBSupport/BbLogin.asp

Or  http://www.canyons.edu/distancelearning

Online Learning Readiness assessments: http://www.canyons.edu/offices/distance_learning/info/Assessments.asp.

Counseling 070 information: http://www.canyons.edu/offices/distance_learning/info/COUNS070.asp

This link gives beneficial information to students contemplating online learning for the first time.

Any other general questions about distance learning at College of the Canyons should be directed to Renee Drake at 661-362-3600 or visit the COC Distance Learning Web Site listed above. 

I am available via email and will see you each lab modules on Tues/ Wed/Thurs.  I am also available by appointment to meet at other times.  Online learning offers a wonderful opportunity for flexibility and access.  I look forward to meeting you all on Tuesday, Jan 5^th at BYKH-211.

Regards,

JTN