OnCampus is the MS State's portal designed to enhance personal productivity by providing customized and personalized access to a variety of university systems and information. onCampus offers single sign on access to such Web services as Banner Web, myCourses, and university email accounts. Therefore, you will be required to login once to onCampus which will provide you access to all university services including online courses.

Course Elements:

Syllabus - The syllabus is your course outline.  You must access the syllabus before you begin navigating within the course.  Assignment due dates, grading procedures, and textbook information are just a few of the items found in the syllabus.

Calendar - This tool allows the instructor to post important dates to all students at one time.  You also have the option of using this tool as a personal calendar.  You may post a private message that only you can see.

Discussion Board - The Discussion Board allows you and the instructor to send, read, and search for messages.  This is a communication tool for the class.  Messages are posted everyday as though you meet for class everyday.  You are required to frequently read and post messages to the bulletin board.

Mail - The mail tool is like a private bulletin board.  You can send a private posting to a fellow classmate or the instructor. 

Chat Room - Chat allows you and other students to have real-time conversations. You will see four general purpose chat rooms and one general forum for the course.

Learning Module - This is where you will go for all class assignments.  The entire semester is broken into four quarters.  You will be required to complete assignments listed for each quarter.  Below is a description of each assignment you are required to submit online.

    * Homework Exercises and Homework Tests

The semester is divided into four quarters. There are 3 units, roughly corresponding to weeks, in each quarter.  Thus the 1st Quarter Homework Exercises support the first three lectures and assigned readings, 2nd Quarter Homework Exercises consist of material supporting lectures and readings 4, 5, and 6, etc.  You may use any resources, including the instructor and your classmates, to assist you in understanding and completing your homework.

You may access and print the homework exercises material.  Once you have completed the homework exercises for the quarter, you will take a TIMED TEST on these exact same problems by clicking the "TIMED TEST on 1stQTR Homework Exercises" link.  Each test is a random selection of multiple choice questions that will ask for your answer to questions that you have already answered in your homework exercises.  Basically, we are grading a subset of your homework exercises.

However, it is extremely important to understand that there is a strict 60-minute time limit on the homework tests.  Therefore, do NOT log into the homework TEST until you are ready to take it. If you log into a quarterly homework TEST and do not submit it within one hour of logging in, you will receive a zero for that test.  You must have the homework tests submitted by the due date listed on the Syllabus. 

    * Quizzes

Each quarter is divided into three weeks.  Each week you will have a reading and DVD viewing assignment.  At the end of each week's assignments, a quiz is due.  They can be opened as many times as you would like.  Quizzes are not timed.  You can print them.  You may also use your books for answers.  You may do anything you want with the quizzes PROVIDED they are submitted online by the deadlines listed on the Syllabus.

    * Midterm and Final Exams

You will have a mid-term exam and a final exam. The exam dates are listed on the Syllabus. You can only open an exam one time and will have 60 minutes from that moment to complete the exam. These exams will be available only during the time period noted on the Syllabus.

Test Results & Grades - Test results and grades for quizzes, homework exercise test and exams will be available after each due date.

Tech Support - You will find a list of frequently asked questions and answers at this site.  You may occasionally experience technical problems while working within MyCourses.  This site offers solutions to most technical problems.  Please read this site before attempting to complete assignments.

Drop This Class - This site contains an online form that you are required to submit if you wish to drop a course.  Without completing and submitting this form, you will not be officially dropped at MSU from a course.  A drop form must be completed and submitted for each course you wish to drop.

Closing a Semester - Once you have completed final exams, information regarding your final average will be posted. After a semester has been completed and classes are closed, all personal information including grades may be viewed via the Portal site.