Course Requirements:
IFSM 498F Requirements: Students must have Internet/Web access and be prepared to maintain a Web Site to participate in this section of IFSM 498F.

Learning and Participation: Learning means being involved, participating, and enjoying the class. Participation is the degree to which a student makes a responsible effort to communicate and makes a commitment to his/her partner or team and contributes to combined efforts. For participation the instructor is interested in quality as well as quantity.

Participation: Class participation - is required. It is the UMUC-ED DE Program Policy that students must participate, that is, read and respond to their e-mail three (3) or more times a week, during the first three weeks of the class. The policy of this Instructor is as follows: students must participate in the Distance Education discussions by reading, responding to the Instructor’s messages, and by posting contributions to the Conference discussions in WebTycho, and by posting assignments on the dates due. Also, the Instructor will advise students, who are not participating as required, to withdraw at four (4) weeks into the term if a student is risking a grade of Fn. Distance Education attendance is directly related to the educational benefit received when discussions, cases, and class assignments are used in the virtual classroom. It is also a prime indicator of a student's interest and motivation. Losses resulting from lack of communication and participation are impossible to make up and almost always result in lower test scores and final grades.

Text Readings: This course will include topic presentations, discussions, and Web assignments. Discussion (participation) questions are designed to reinforce the assigned text, to present additional material and real-world examples. Students are expected to participate by posting their comments to the WebTycho Conference as directed by the assignment and by posting assignments to WebTycho.

Conference Topics: When available, students may want to download Conference Topics to use as guides. Topic discussions are posted by Week, in the Conferences area of WebTycho.

Team Work: Cooperation among students is encouraged, but must be acknowledged and credit given to all team members. Most assignments will be restricted to individual work, however, some assignments may require a group of students working together in cyberspace. Learn to think like a manager; learn to work together as a strong team. All work is individual work unless two to three students want to work together on their project assignment. If so, please seek permission before starting.

Exams: The Final Exam will be administered on-line. It will be based on the text readings and related to the Web assignments. The Mid-Term Exam administered on-line. It will be based on the text readings and related to the Web assignments. Exams will consist of short essay questions or short case discussions similar to those in the text. A make-up exam is given only for emergencies or illness that cannot be avoided and must be verified in writing by a credible source.

Exercises/Assignments: Assignments should be posted on the due date. Assignment details are included on the attached description sheet.

Academic Integrity Statement: Academic dishonesty is failure to maintain academic integrity. It includes, but is not limited to, obtaining or giving aid on an examination, having unauthorized prior knowledge of an examination, doing work for another student, and plagiarism. Academic dishonesty can result in severe academic penalty, including failure in the course and/or dismissal from the institution.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism: First incident: a zero on the assignment, no make-up. Second incident (by the same person): F(a) for the class.

Grading:   A: 90-100 B: 80-89 C: 70-79 D: 60-69 F: <60

Office Hours: If a student has questions or problems with any specific text material or assignments, e-mail the Instructor anytime or discuss them during Virtual Office Hours. Students may telephone anytime during business hours or at home weekdays between 1900 - 2100 and weekends/holidays between 1200 - 2100.

DE Course Announcements and Information: Announcements will be maintained daily, although officially, students should check WebTycho every Monday morning. Conferences will be posted Sundays and throughout the week in response to discussions. All Conferences, assignments, discussion questions, exam study notes, important links, and a variety of information related to this course will be available and kept up-to-date through the IFSM 498F classroom in WebTycho.

Other: All completed exams and assignments will remain with the Instructor once submitted. Remember to keep backups of all submissions.

Please Note: This syllabus and schedule is tentative and subject to change. The Instructor reserves the right to make changes to the schedule and/or the syllabus for the successful progress of this Distance Education course. It is the student's responsibility to know if and when changes have been made to the syllabus and/or schedule by referring to WebTycho's Class Announcements.