Welcome to
Microm 301!
Here's some basic info you need to know about the class
before the quarter begins:
- A course pack will be available
at the UW bookstore. The course pack is simply a
booklet that contains detailed outlines of most lectures; it
also includes small black & white versions of relevant
figures shown during lecture. We continue to make the
course pack available because of the positive feedback
about it from students. As an alternative to the course
pack, pdfs of the outlines are also available in the
"Files" section of the course Canvas site (https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1133619).
In other words, you have the option of purchasing a course
pack from the UW bookstore (probably about $15) or
downloading the individual outlines from Canvas. The advantage of a course pack is that all the
notes are bound together in one booklet, which makes
it easy to study for the exams; whereas the advantage
of the pdfs is that you can follow along on a computer
during lecture (the vast majority of previous students
in the course opted for the course pack).
- Independent study. Some of the most straightforward
information will not be covered during lecture; instead, you
must read certain textbook assignments in advance of lecture
to learn that material on your own. "Independent study"
outlines in the course pack will serve as a guide. Note that the course pack/outlines
includes questions about the independent study material,
and some of those questions will be asked during lecture
as a quick spot-check to ensure that students are staying
up-to-date with the independent study. The questions may
be asked either calling on individual students (by name)
or via Poll Everywhere (a classroom response system).
2 midterms (about 50 points each;
multiple choice, bring a scantron)
final exam (about 70 points; multiple choice, bring a
scantron)
extras: Poll Everywhere questions, Connect assignments, and
LearnSmart (maximum 30 points total; see below)
- Poll Everywhere questions.
Several Poll Everywhere questions may be asked in a single
lecture, but a maximum of 1 point can be earned per day (you
must get at least one question right to earn a point), and
you can earn a maximum of 15 points this way. Because you
have so many opportunities to earn the maximum number of
Poll Everywhere points, missed points cannot be made up,
regardless of the excuse ("I had to be late to class," "my
digital device battery ran out"). Note that we recommend you
attend class and answer ALL of the Poll Everywhere questions
throughout the quarter, even after you've earned the maximum
number of points.
- Connect (digital textbook-based
open-book homework). The least expensive way to obtain
this is to purchase a copy of the textbook (online access or
print copy) that includes a Connect access code (see the
next bullet item for more information). Two types of Connect
homework are part of the "extras," and more information
about them is available on the course Canvas site (https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1133619;
click on "Tour of the Course's Canvas
site"):
- Connect assignments. This is an assignment
system that lets me choose the questions. Each Connect
assignment has about 10 questions and is worth a total
of 1 point. You can earn a maximum of 15 points this way. Because
you have so many opportunities to earn the maximum
number of Connect assignment points, missed
assignments cannot be made up, regardless of the
excuse (i.e. "I couldn't access the web before the due
date," etc.). Note that we recommend you do ALL
of the Connect assignments, even after you've earned
the maximum number of points.
- LearnSmart. This
is the "practice" portion of an adaptive learning
program called SmartBook (it adjusts to what you
know/don't know); be honest when the program
asks you to rate your confidence in understanding the
material addressed in a question, because that honesty
is fundamental to the program working effectively. I've
arranged the assignments so that each should take ~30
minutes to complete. Each LearnSmart assignment is worth 1
point, and you can earn a maximum of
15 points this way. Because you have so
many opportunities to earn the maximum number of
LearnSmart points, missed points cannot be made up,
regardless of the excuse (i.e. "I couldn't access
the web before the due date", etc.). Note
that we recommend you complete ALL of the LearnSmart
assignments, even after you've earned the maximum number
of points.
The course Canvas site (https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1133619)
includes links for "how-to" instructions and videos for the
Connect homework (including how to register for the Connect
site and how to access the Connect assignments and LearnSmart
assignments). Keep reading for more information about
registering for Connect....
- The textbook: Microbiology:
A Human Perspective, 8th edition. IF YOU
PURCHASE A COPY OF THE TEXTBOOK, MAKE SURE IT COMES PACKAGED
WITH CONNECT!!!!!!!!!! There are multiple ways to
purchase the textbook, listed below (read each option
carefully so that you don't make the wrong choice....which
can waste money!).
- Purchase a stand-alone (online)
version of Connect.
Connect is a six-month subscription
that includes access to two forms of an online
textbook (as well as the Connect homework), and
it is quite a bit cheaper than buying a hard cover copy
of the textbook. The two online forms of the
textbook included are: 1) an eBook, which you can
highlight and take notes on, and 2) SmartBook, which is an
adaptive form of the book and is linked to the LearnSmart
assignments.
If you're
considering using the online-only option, consider signing
up for a free trial (aka Courtesy Access) to make sure
that you're comfortable using it (one drawback is that the
online text is not downloadable so you need web access to
read it); once you've signed up for the Courtesy Access,
you can easily convert that to a regular subscription
online (~$85). To sign up for the free trial, go
to the course Canvas site (https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1141025)
and click on the bullet item "Register for McGraw-Hill
Connect." Alternatively, click on "Modules" in the list on
the left side of the Canvas site. Then click on the link
icon for "MH Canvas," which should take you to a McGraw-Hill
site. If you follow the instructions, you should get to a
page that at first glance looks like it requires you to
enter an access code or credit card infoÉ..look at the
bottom right corner of that page and you'll see a button
that says "Courtesy Access." Click on that and you'll be on
your way to using the free trial. If you decide to go
the online-only route, the system allows you to convert the
Courtesy Access to a subscription using a credit card.
If you want to bypass the free trial, you can purchase
Connect directly from McGraw-Hill, using the same steps as
in the instructions above, but enter your credit card number
instead of clicking on "Courtesy Access." You can also
purchase an access code from the bookstore; it might be
slightly more expensive than getting it directly from
McGraw-Hill, but part of the markup can be regained via the
UW bookstore rebate program. You then follow the
instructions above, but enter the access code instead of
clicking on "Courtesy Access."
- Purchase a loose-leaf copy of the
textbook, packaged with Connect. This can be
purchased from the UW bookstore OR directly from the
publisher. The cheapest way to get it from the publisher
is to first register for Connect (see the info above that
describes how to register for Connect); then, after you've
registered, you should see a button that allows you to
order the loose-leaf copy as an add-on for ~$25, shipped
directly to you. Note that shipping the loose-leaf copy
takes some time, but you'll still have access to the
on-line version while you wait. The fastest way to get the
loose-leaf (packaged with Connect) is to buy it from the
UW bookstore. The price might be higher, but if it is,
part of that can be regained via the UW bookstore rebate
program.
Note that one advantage of the loose-leaf over a
hard cover copy is that you can bring individual pages with
you to class, rather than cart the whole textbook around.
The loose-leaf version is also available from on-line
bookstores, but if you choose to purchase the book that way,
MAKE SURE that what you are getting includes Connect (beware
that many students have been burned by websites that say
their offer includes the access code when it really
doesn't). If you purchase a copy of the text that doesn't
include Connect, you'll need to purchase access to the
stand-alone version of Connect for $85 (it's much cheaper to
get the two bundled together). Also, note that "loose-leaf"
is NOT the same as "paperback." Paperback copies are an
"international edition" and won't include the Connect access
code.
- Purchase a hard cover copy
of the textbook, packaged with Connect. I
didn't ask the UW bookstore to carry this (it's more
expensive than the other options, and a new edition is
coming out, so it won't be easy to sell your copy of 8e
once the quarter is over), but you should be able to
purchase a copy from an on-line bookstore. However, you
need to MAKE SURE that what you are purchasing includes
Connect. Otherwise, you'll need to purchase access
to the stand-alone version of Connect for ~$85 (it's much
cheaper to get the text + Connect bundled together). Once
you have the access code that comes with the textbook, go
to the address listed above for the Connect site and use
the code to register there.
- Purchase a used copy (or borrow one
from a friend). Your copy won't include access to
Connect, but you can purchase online access for ~$85. To
do that, go to the Connect website that's listed above to
register.
Attendance and classroom info
Attendance is expected. Because of this, we
always assume that you've heard information mentioned in
class. If you ever miss class, either because you were absent
or came late/left early (regardless of the reason), you must
make sure to get notes/information from a classmate. You
don't need to contact me if you must miss a class (in fact, my
email inbox would appreciate it if you don't contact me about
missing class).
You must not surf the web or check your
emails during lecture, as this is VERY distracting to students
sitting behind you (no matter how much someone is trying to
focus on lecture, their brain will be attracted to the juicy
information on your computer screen). If you do see someone
web-surfing, please ask the person to stop so that you can
focus.
This should go without saying, but please
follow basic rules of common courtesy: turn off or silence
your cell phone, arrive on time, remove your
headphones/earbuds when you enter the classroom, don't chat or
sleep during class, and don't pack up your things until class
is over. If you
must arrive late or leave early, please do so very
quietlyÉ.there's no reason to disturb everyone around you when
you enter/leave.
Course Website
The course Canvas site serves as the course
website: https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1133619,
and it has quite a bit of information about signing up for
Connect and accessing the assignments. It also has a link to
the Connect technical help; please use that if you experience
any technical troubles with the Connect system. Note that the
grading information on the site is simply a repository for raw
scores; it doesn't take into account that only one Poll
Everwhere point can be earned per day, or the maximum number
of "extra" (Poll Everywhere, Connect assignments, LearnSmart)
points that can be earned. The Canvas site also has a link to
the schedule, including the dates of the exams.
To confirm that you've read (and understand!) the information
here, please complete the Catalyst "quiz." If you got to this
site via an email from the Catalyst system, the website for the
"quiz" is at the bottom of that; if you got here via the course
Canvas site, then log in to your Catalyst account
(or try this link:
https://catalyst.uw.edu/webq/survey/bugsda/350047). Note that
you must answer the first question of the "quiz" in order to
avoid getting nagging reminders from the Catalyst system but the other two questions are
optional.
If, after reading the information here and on the Canvas site,
you have additional questions, please direct them to the course
director: Denise Anderson (bugsda@uw.edu).
We hope you enjoy the class!
Denise Anderson
Michelle Reniere