Biology 111 is a non-majors biology course and is taught as such. Although it does not require the rigor of a majors-level biology course, it can be challenging for many students. You should expect to spend an average of 9 hours per week downloading and reading the learning modules, looking at the Powerpoint presentations, completing assignments and studying. This is the same amount of time that you would expect to spend on a course taken in the traditional on-campus way.
Answer the following questions:
1) Do you have an uncommitted nine hours per week to perform tasks required by this course, or can you free up that amount of time? If the answer is no, and you are taking the course because you think it will take a lot less time, you should not sign up for BIO 111 Distance Learning.
2) Are you interested in biology and the environment? If the answer is no you should not sign up for BIO 111 Distance Learning. We will be looking at the details of how the biosphere, its ecosystems and populations function. If you are not interested in the subject matter and are just taking the course for a 3-hour credit, it may be difficult for you to be motivated to spend the amount of time required. You should take the course on-campus or take a different course.
3) Are you a good, self-motivated student? If you are taking the course because you think it will be easy, please do not sign up for BIO 111 Distance Learning. If you require the kind of interaction and support only found on a face to face basis in the classroom, you would be better off to take an on-campus class.
4) Do you have a good working knowledge of the computer and its use? Are you adept at browsing pages on the internet and with downloading and uploading files and sending email? Do you have a computer at home with MS Word or Wordperfect software, or do you have easy access to a computer with the required software? If you answered no to any of these questions then you need to acquire these skills before taking an online course.
If the answer to each of these questions is YES, then I welcome you to BIO 111 Distance Learning. You should have a successful and rewarding experience.