Human Genetics Online

Click here to enter the course and learn more about online courses at Hartnell : http://www.hartnell.edu/ecampus/

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How is this course different from a regular course?
2. How do I register?
3. What do I need to do after I register?
4. How do I contact the instructor?
5. Do I need to buy a book?
6. What kind of equipment do I need?
7. What if I don't have a computer?
8. What if I don't know how to use E-mail or the Internet?
9. How is the course organized?
10. How will I be graded?
11. How much time will I spend on this course?

How is this course different from a regular Biology course?

The content of Human Genetics Online is identical to the content of the face-to-face version of Introduction to Genetics.  One difference is that you will be doing all of your work on a computer rather in a classroom.  Another difference is that you get to decide when you will "go to school".  This is an ideal course for a busy person who is self-motivated.  Otherwise the course is the same and you will get the same chance to interact with your classmates and teacher. You will also get the same credit. 

How do I register?

You register just like you would for a regular course. Click on Online Registration to register online.

What do I need to do after I register?

Send your name, an alternate email address (other than your hartnell student email address), and phone number to your instructor (asteinhardt@hartnell.edu).

How do I contact the instructor?

Instructor: Alicia Steinhardt

E-mail: asteinhardt@hartnell.edu

I will respond within 24 hours.

Due to Spam it is important for you to Tag the subject line in your e-mail as follows:

The letters GEN and one word that describe the Email content in the subject line: For example GEN: Assignment 1.

Phone: 831-662-0631

Please call before 7 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Please don't call between 12:30 and 2:30.

Do I need to buy a book?

Yes, right away.

What kind of equipment do I need?

Equipment Requirements:
PC
Windows 95, 98, NT, XE or 2000
64 Mb RAM (minimum)
1 GB hard drive
Netscape 4.7 or above
or Internet Explorer 4.0 or above
Sound card and speakers

Macintosh
IMAC, Powermac or G3 or better
OS 8.0 or better
64 Mb RAM (minimum)
1 GB hard drive
Netscape 4.7 or better
or Internet Explorer 4.0 or better

What if I don't have a computer?

Computers are available at the Hartnell Library. Computers are also available at the Hartnell open computer lab. Public libraries have computers as well. Click here to learn more.

Hartnell Library hours:

http://www.hartnell.edu/library/hours.html

What if I don't know how to use E-mail or the Internet?

You will need to learn how to do this before you sign up for the course. Visit the following site to learn about the internet: web tutorial.  

All Hartnell have student email accounts. You should check your student email account regularly for important information about this course. For more information about student email accounts visit: http://www.hartnell.edu/students/mail.html

How is the course organized?

Course organization:

1. The course is divided into one-week sections.
2. Each week you have an assigned topic, assigned reading, an assigned virtual field trip, guided practice questions, a short homework assignment, a discussion topic.
3. You will also have two timed quizzes a week - a take home quiz and a proctored quiz (see below for more information about quizzes). The course is divided into thirds. The first quizzes are due by the first trimester of the class. This way you can go to Hartnell tutorial center once a "trimester", sit for about 3 hours and take all the quizzes. Or you can also go every week for 30 minutes. The tutorial staff will sign a paper that says you sat and took the quiz without any assistance. You can take the quizzes anyway you wish as long as you are supervised and complete each section by the due date. If you have questions about the procedure for taking the quizzes please email me and I will help you. 
4. How you do on quizzes, your participation in discussion, and your assignments determine your grade.

Important Deadlines:

Schedule:

How much time will I spend on this course?

You will need to put 6 to 9 hours of time into this class a week.  You should expect to be on your computer at least 5 days a week. 

How will I be graded?

Grading:

Quizzes

A.  30% of your grade is based on proctored weekly quizzes. You must earn 50% of the quiz points to pass the class, no exceptions.  In other words, if you are not passing the quizzes you will fail the course. 

B. The Guided Practice Questions in each unit will help prepare you for the quizzes in each unit. The "Take Home Quizzes" are short quizzes that count toward your grade, but are open book and may be taken at home. The questions are very similar to what you will encounter on the proctored quizzes. The Proctored Quizzes can be found in the section labeled "Proctored Quiz" for each week. The quiz questions are based primarily on the textbook reading for each week. Do not open a quiz unless you are at a location where you are being proctored. Each student gets one chance only to take a quiz. Once a quiz is opened it must be finished in 30 minutes. Failure to follow these instruction will result in a loss of points for the quiz in question.

C.  You can also prepare for these quizzes by visiting your text book publishers web site at: http://www.brookscole.com/cgi-wadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20b&flag=student&product_isbn_issn=9780495554455&discipline_number=22
The publishers web site has flashcards, and practice quizzes that will prepare you for the course quizzes. The most recent edition of your text has a password to additional study materials. The virtual field trips will also help you prepare for the quizzes.

D. Quizzes are due in sets of 6. The first 6 quizzes are due by the Friday of week 6. The second set of quizzes (7-12) are due
the Friday of week 12, the last set of quizzes are due by Friday of week 16. You will need to go to the tutorial center or computer lab to have your quiz proctored. You can go anytime they are open. If you are not able to make it into the Salinas campus, you need to make arrangements with me prior to taking the quizzes to find a proctor at an alternative location. There is a proctor available at the King City campus, but you need to make an appointment first. Refer to the information at the bottom of this section for more details.

Bring a copy of the Exam Verification Form with you for each quiz as well as a photo ID.
Have the proctor fill out the Exam Verification Form and once you have completed a set of quizzes mail it to:

Alicia Steinhardt
Hartnell College
411 Central Ave
Salinas, CA 93901.

You can also just put it in an envelope with my name on it and drop it in the intercampus mail box on Hartnell campus. You can also scan your forms and email them.

King City Campus Proctor Information:
If you are having your quizzes proctored at the King City Campus, please remember to call Ms. Bumbalough to schedule
an appointment to take your quiz.

Paulette U. Bumbalough Director,
Educational Services South County
Hartnell College
831-386-7100

Assignments

A. 30% of your grade is based on assignments. A list of assignments can be found in the assignment section. Assignments are due by 9 pm Sunday of the week they are assigned unless otherwise noted. You must have a valid excuse to turn in late assignments. 

B. All assignments are worth 10 points. Late assignments are reduced 50% for each day they are late. For example an assignment worth 10 points is worth 5 points if one day late and 2.5 points if 2 days late. Your assignments must be done by you and written in your own words. Copying from someone else or the text is not permitted. Anyone caught doing this will get dropped from the course and could face consequences from Hartnell College. Please refer to your student handbook for more information on academic integrity.

Discussion

A.  30% of your grade is based on discussion participation. You must post one time a week when a discussion topic is assigned and respond once to other student's postings. General postings are due by Friday (9 p.m. pacific standard time) of the week and responses to the general postings are due by Sunday (9 p.m. pacific standard time). If you don’t post by the stated due day, you won’t get any points. You are expected to only post quality information that pertains directly to course content. I will create a topic area for you to talk freely, however, this is a way for you to make friends, not gain class credit, and any postings in this area will not be included in your grade. You are expected to be polite and respectful in your communications at all times. I also suggest you spell check your postings.

B.  Each discussion post is worth 5 points, for a total of 10 potential points per week. A discussion rubric will be included in your orientation materials. 

Take Home Final

10% of your grade is based on a take-home final.  You must E-mail your take home final to the instructor by Tuesday of finals week.  This is the official last day of the course.

Feedback:

You will get your quiz scores immediately. Please allow one week for discussion and assignment scores.

You will earn at least an A if you earn 9-10 points/10 points, at least a B if you earn 8-9 points /10 points, and at least a C if you earn 7-8 points/10 points. Discussion and quizzes are  worth 20 points per week  so you need to double the points: 18-20 =A, 16-18 =B, and 14-16 =C.