Bio 109 Online: Genetics and Biotechnology in Society
Fullerton College with Jo Wu

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the course orientation?
Since there are no orientations on campus, you will need to get into the CE6 server on Tuesday, September 7, 2010. Explore the setup of the course, and browse through the Unit 1 course materials.
If you are really having trouble inside the course materials, then write me email with your question and your phone number.... I will either write back or call you to walk you through the process.

Where is the course syllabus page?
http://staffwww.fullcoll.edu/jwu/109/

Where is a list of all course quiz deadlines?  This info is posted at several places.
a) The course calendar at http://staffwww.fullcoll.edu/jwu/109/calendar.html
b) Inside CE6, in Course Info, first line
c) Inside CE6, Assessments (clock icon), shows all quizzes (and deadlines and info)

How do I get into the course server?
Go to Distance Education page at http://online.fullcoll.edu/
(Browse tutorials on this page and HELP line at this page.... when you can)
Hit the yellow box for "CE6".
Hit   "Log in" (if this is your first log in, you must read the info at the bottom and follow those instructions).
Hit  "Check Browser" to check if you need to update your program.
Log in with your "username" and "password" (Directions are given on the log in page).
Select "BIOL-109 F Genetics and Biotech"
You should see a window with course title, my contact info, textbook cover, course info, unit 1, activities, publisher content.

What do I do first?
a) Read the course syllabus at http://staffwww.fullcoll.edu/jwu/109/
b) Put the Unit deadlines into your personal calendar -- as there are no leniency about these dates.
c) Log into CE6 server right away --- if there any technical problems, you need to ask the Help Desk.
d) Inside CE6, read the "Course Info"
e) Go to "Unit 1",  there is a "Required:  Student Learning Styles and Introductions"  (which is not worth any points, but shows me that you want to stay in the class).  You can attach a photo, if you like.

What else must I do this first week?
a) During this first week, even if you do not yet have the expensive textbook.... take the Quiz "Genetics Trivia on Web".  This does not require a textbook -- but gives you an idea of what online quizzes/exams are like.
b) Order your textbook.  You will NOT be able to pass the course without it.... since many questions are taken directly from the book.  More info about ordering textbook below, if you did not see an earlier email.
c) If you did not receive an email from me before Sep 7, then write me an email with your name, phone and preferred email address. I will send class announcements through regular email (instead of using CE6 email).

What should I do every week?
You need to plan your reading and study schedule on your own.  The first unit (which covers Chapters 1,2,3,13,21) is due on  Sep 26 midnight.  So you should plan to do 1-2 chapters per week.
You MUST enter CE6 at least once a week and take a topic/Chapter Quiz or submit Puzzle answers.

Do I have to take every quiz twice?
No, but I would recommend it.  Each quiz has randomized questions from the test bank.  So the more quizzes that you attempt, the more questions you can study for the exam.  
I also recommend that you do each topic/chapter quiz once much earlier than the deadline.... so just in case you run into  computer problems on the deadline date, you will not be panicking about doing 10 quizzes in the last hour.

Where are the answers to the quizzes?
In the book!  I do not give out answers to quiz questions.
But if you searched the book and found that a quiz question was graded wrong, then you should write me the details.
The first person who finds my error gets a bonus point.

What if I am gone on a week-long vacation or business trip?
Then fill out one of the crossword puzzles and take it with you.  Sometime during your trip, get on the internet, enter CE6 and submit the puzzle answers (which would take about 5 minutes).

What if my computer crashes on Sep 26 or one of the Unit deadline dates?
You should need to make arrangements NOW .... about getting alternative access to  the internet... whether a friend's computer, library, school computer lab, internet cafe, etc.
Deadlines will NOT be extended because of personal computer problems.  
Deadlines will be extended for all students if the school server or  CE6 goes down.

Do I need a textbook?
Absolutely! Since you do not hear lectures on campus, you will rely basically on the textbook readings and web tutorials to learn the material.
I have posted enough basic information about cells, mitosis, meiosis.... so that you can get by for 2 weeks without the text. But you would still need the text before the first unit exam.

Which textbook should I get?  
I adopted Human Genetics, 9th Edition by Lewis, Ricki
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, Copyright Year: 2010, pages: 512
It does not matter if you have the US or international version, the print copy or ebook.  If you get the 8th edition, it probably will not affect your overall grade much.... though the newest technology may not be as accurate in details.  Obviously, you can walk into the FC Bookstore and be able to pick up the book.  But you can also order online from lots of places (just do a google search!).   

How do I order the eBook?
The ebook costs $62 for 180 days.
http://www.coursesmart.com/givecoursesmartatry?xmlid=0077280008&__instructor=1279397

Which is the correct ISBN number for the textbook?
These are all supposed to be valid for the ninth edition.    International version may have different # but same cover.
eText ISBN-10: 0-07-728000-8  
eText ISBN-13: 978-0-07-728000-0  
Print ISBN-10: 0-07-352527-8  
Print ISBN-13: 978-0-07-352527-3  
Saleable Print ISBN-10: 0-07-352527-8  
Saleable Print ISBN-13: 978-0-07-352527-3  

Where are the crossword puzzles?  
Posted in many places --- be aware so that you don't print them out in duplicate or triplicate.
a) 16 puzzles were linked at the very bottom of the course syllabus at http://staffwww.fullcoll.edu/jwu/109/
b)  At the top of Unit 1, section 1.5 has puzzles for Units 1 and 2
c)  At the top of Unit 3, section 3 has puzzles for Unit 3 and 4
d) I have also posted individual puzzles just before the Puzzle Answer Submission links in each unit.

Why are there only 16 puzzles on the public website, when 20 puzzles are required for the course?
There are four new puzzles that should be added to the later units.

My book will not arrive for a couple of books.  What should I do?
Go to any public or college library and check out a general biology textbook.  I also gave link to an online biology textbook.
Information for Chapter 2 and 3 should be found in most biology texts.  Chapter 1 and 13 is specific to genetics textbooks. Chapter 21 info is available online if you search lots of hospital and fertility clinic sites.

Where are Units 2, 3, 4?
I only release one unit at a time.  It gives me a chance to look for broken web links, which unfortunately happens fairly often.

What should I do if my computer crashes while I am in the middle of a quiz or exam?
You should get back into CE6 server ASAP and continue with the quiz (even from a different computer).  The CE6 clock will continue to count down as if you had not  been interrupted.  But if your quiz is submitted ("Finished") late, it shows up as red on my side, so I will look at your true time spent on the quiz and decide if you went over the allocated amount of time.  Usually this does not matter so much for a quiz, as you are able to take a second attempt on a quiz.  If this happens more than twice, then I will question your behavior and may not give you credit for those quizzes. .

For an exam, do the same as above.  But if you went over time too long, I would call you to take a proctored alternate open-book exam.  This usually is not a problem, as I give you 2 hours to take a 35-50 question exam.

How do I sign up for the Forensics tour? 
Public tours of the Orange County Sheriffs' Department Forensics Lab (now called OC Crime Lab) are held on the last Fridays from 10am - noon.  This term I will not be taking a group to the Forensics tour.  But if you would like attend on your own, make reservations ASAP directly with Kenny Wong, Senior Forensic Scientist, OC Crime Lab, rd231011@occl.ocgov.com

Is there a lab class associated with this lecture class?
The Bio 109L Biotechnology Lab Techniques course will be offered during Fall 2010, on Fridays 8am-4pm in September-October. But you do not have to take the lab class concurrently. 

You are listed as teaching the Bio 299: Biol Science Independent Study this term.  What is that?  
This semester I am piloting a new weekend research program, doing a recombinant DNA technology project in November. For more information, go to http://staffwww.fullcoll.edu/jwu/299.html
If you are an advanced bio student, you can sign up for one unit credit (must be enrolled by Sep).
If you are a beginner, just come to learn!

What are the Nanotechnology Saturday workshops?
Jan Chadwick (Chemistry professor) has been doing nanotechnology research at UCI this year.  She is offering introductory nanotechnology workshops on various Saturdays to college and high school students at FC.  For more information, go to http://projectgps2.com  and follow the links there.

You are listed as the Science Club Advisor.  How do I get involved in Science Club?
Please write email to me AND to fcscienceclub09@gmail.com
The Science Club should be holding their first planning meeting and an election of officers in late August. In the past, the club meetings were held on first Tuesdays of each month in Room 1009 from 4-5pm. But this may change this term, depending on officers' schedules. Past club activities include:

More information will eventually be updated at http://staffwww.fullcoll.edu/jwu/club.html