CHS - 6535
Forensic DNA Analysis of Biological Materials
Dr. Jack Ballantyne
Jballant@mail.ucf.edu
We are often spread all over the country, will not meet face to face on a regular basis and to be successful in this new venture we need to set some ground rules for communicating with each other.There are two main ways to do this. We use regular e-mail in which we send messages to each other using e-mail addresses, and we use the Discussion feature on the class main page.
- Protocols Message title
I use a filter to send my incoming e-mail to subject folders. One of the ways it does this is by scanning the title. Please start your message by defining what it is about. You must include the word "Assignment" in the title of all assignments, and please include the word "Urgent" in any message where you must have an urgent response - but do not abuse this by defining relatively every day messages in that way. I will expect that "urgent" also means "important".
Deadlines and dates
Where I ask for something to be returned by a set date, the time and date it is received by my mail server is the one that counts.
Message content
Be brief; think about what you want to say.
Structure
Use paragraphs and use a spell checker to produce an easy-to-read message with no distractions. If your Internet mail program doesn't have a spell checker, prepare your message on your Word Processor first, then copy it and paste it into the mail message window.
Content and style
Remember the front page test - if you don't want to see it on the frontpage of the local paper, don't send it! Enjoy your writing but use humor with care - the written word can be cruel. Be polite and keep personals tuff for where it belongs - person-to-person.
Identify yourself - a signature file with your name, affiliation andcontact points is a good idea (and update it if you move .. please)
Discussions
After logging in to the course you will find a button titled "Discussions". This accesses a threaded bulletin board. The forum will be used as the tutorial medium for the class.
Discussion topics will be posted and replied to on the forum. Points will be given for use of the Forum and these will count towards the final grade (see Syllabus button on course home page, then scroll to Grading).
We do not meet face to face - so you cannot look in to my office and I cannot catch up with you at a class. However, I am available all the time through e-mail and so are you! This rule sets out expectations for time frames of our communications.
Assignments
Weekly assignments which are to be e-mailed to me must be received by my mail server by 11:59 AM on the Friday posted due date. Assignments to the Discussion Forum must be posted by 11:59 AM on the Friday posted due date.
Mail messages
I aim to reply to messages within 2 working days.
ISP
If you change your Internet Service Provider - tell me or you will not get class e-mail!!
Home and office
I use a laptop and am available at all times and no matter where I am (unless I'm out of North America in a place where I have problems with the phone service).
A virus or system crash can cost you dearly. DO NOT TAKE CHANCES. You must use a good anti-virus program.
I recommend that you back up everything. I also recommend that you use a surge protected power source and DO NOT GO ON LINE IN THUNDERSTORMS (unless you're wireless) - a lightning strike could wipe out you and your computer.
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This page is maintained by Dr. Jack Ballantyne and
Techrangers at Course Development & Web Services, IT&R
© Copyright 1998, University of Central Florida
