Overview of how this web course works

1. Lectures: The lectures are audiovisual. You view a series of screens consisting of text, photos and illustrations. The audio provides an explanation of the material you are viewing. You listen to the audio files and view the slides using Breeze Presenter. To use the Presenter you will need the free Adobe Flash Player. You can download the most current version of the player at: http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash The computer you are using needs to have a sound card.

Once you have downloaded the free player you can test it and see what a lecture is like by clicking on the link to the Introduction lecture on the ProjectBio course homepage. All the other lectures are only available by registering for the course.

2. Tests: All tests are taken on-line. The tests are password protected so you need a proctor to put in the password for you. If you live near the ISU campus there will be a computer lab open some daytime and evening hours during the week with a proctor present. If you do not live near campus you will need to make your own arrangements to find a proctor (Proctor Forms). 

3. Homework Assignments: There will be a number of homework assignments throughout the course. These will be submitted online. 

4. Pace of the Course: You can go at your own pace to some extent but tests are only available for a limited period of time (about 5 days). There is a test after every 2 weeks worth of material. The Syllabus has a schedule to help you pace yourself and there is an Exam Schedule in WebCT listing test deadlines.

If you are taking the course in the SUMMER session, tests will be available at any time, EXCEPT THAT THE FIRST 4 TESTS AND ASSOCIATED HOMEWORKS MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE NEXT TO THE LAST WEEK IN JUNE.

5. Getting started: This course is taught through WebCT GOLD. If you are registered for the course then you are already enrolled in WebCT and can get into WebCT GOLD as soon as the course is due to start. Simply click on the link to WebCT that appears on the ProjectBio course homepage. Your username for login is your ISU e-mail address (without the @iastate.edu). Your password for login is the password you use to get your e-mail.

Once you have logged into WebCT you will find a link called "Getting Started". Click on that for further instructions.