Human Biology  Course

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 Human Biology 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. What is my first assignment?
12. How much time will I spend on this course?

How is this course different from a regular Human Biology course?

The content of Human Biology Online is identical to the content of the face-to-face version of Human Biology.  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?

1. Check your student email account regularly. All Hartnell students have student email accounts (yourname@student.hartnell.edu). You should check your student email account regularly (everyday once the fastrack session begins) for important information about this course. For more information about student email accounts visit: http://www.hartnell.edu/students/mail.html. This is VERY IMPORTANT. All course communications will be sent to your Hartnell student email account.

2. Send your name, an alternate email address (not your Hartnell student email account), and phone number to your instructor (asteinhardt@hartnell.edu). The first weeks assignment is posted at the bottom of this page.  You can get ahead by a few days if you start your first assignment as soon as you register!  

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 HB and one word that describe the Email content in the subject line: For example HB: Cells.

Phone: 831-662-0631, Please call before 7 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

Do I need to buy a book?

Yes, right away.

Student Companion Website: 
http://bcs.wiley.com/he-bcs/Books?action=index&itemId=0470569190&bcsId=6027

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 students 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. Course is organized into units.  Each unit is to be completed in 1 week.
   
2. Students must keep up with the current unit. This is not a self paced course.
3. For each unit students will:
   1. Read assigned chapter (s).
   2. View a lecture.
   3. Complete Guided Practice Questions.
   4. Go on a Virtual Field Trip (visit websites relating to that unit's topic)
   5. Participate in Discussion (a minimum of 2 discussion posts).
   6. Turn in Assignment.
   7. Complete Take Home Quiz.
   8. Take Midterm.
4. How you do on quizzes, midterms, your participation in discussion, and your assignments determines your grade.

How much time will I spend on this course?

You will need to put 10 hours of time into this class a week.  It is ideal to turn work in early in the week to receive the maximum amount of feedback before taking the quizzes.

How will I be graded?

Grading:

Midterms and Quizzes

A.  40% of your grade is based on the take quizzes, 5 midterms and a final.

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 midterms. The midterm and quiz questions are based primarily on the textbook reading for each week. Each student gets one chance only to take a quiz or midterm. The quizzes and midterms are timed to encourage you to study before taking the quiz. Prepare using the guided practice and you will be able to finsih in the time allotted.

Assignments

A. 30% of your grade is based on assignments. You must have a valid excuse to turn in late assignments. 

B. All assignments are worth 20 points. Copying from someone else or the text is not permitted. Anyone caught doing this will receive a zero on the assignment 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 unit when a discussion topic is assigned and respond once to other student's postings. 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 10 points, for a total of 20 potential points per unit. A discussion rubric will be included in your orientation materials. 

Feedback:

You will get your midterm and 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. 

What is my first assignment?

Read Chapter 1 What is Life? and complete the plagiarism unit in Week 1. Then answer the following questions:

Part A
a. In your own words, explain what plagiarism is and how to avoid it.
b. What is the course policy for those who plagiarize?
Part B
a. In order to maintain life, organisms must maintain a relatively constant internal environment, called homeostasis. How is this accomplished?
b. What is the difference between a hypothesis and a theory?

Assignment Instructions:
a. Write the answer to the above questions in your own words (i.e. don't copy straight out of the book and don't copy someone else's work).
b. Use the dropbox for Unit 1 to turn in your assignment once class begins June 20th.

Week 1 Discussion: You can start writing an introduction of youself to the class which you will post once you gain access to the course site.

Some ideas for your introductory statement include:

Your year in school
Your biology background
Your academic goals
Why you are taking this class
Your work experience
Anything else we should know about you :)