Welcome, students interested in ANSC 221Y (formerly ANSC 221P), Introductory Animal Nutrition. This course is being offered at Purdue University. A url with the course syllabus is http://www.ansc.purdue.edu/courses/Animal_Nutrition_Online. htm . The course is asynchronous and self-paced; you proceed at your own pace and can work quickly, or we generally allow up to one year to finish (for more, see below). Registration is continuous, but for when the official registration will apply (Spring, Summer, Fall) contact us.

Registration for the course can be accomplished by contacting Dr. Dennis L McElhoe, Distance Learning Coordinator at dlmcelhoe@purdue.edu , phone 765-494-1434. There are two separate aspects of registration: (1) registration with Purdue University for the course, through the Distance Learning Coordinator, and (2) creating an account in Blackboard-VISTA and registering there for the course (instructions will be sent upon registration).

Those who wish to begin the course immediately may do so, but your official inclusion in the course is dependent upon payment of fees. (Exact fees vary according to whether you are at a participating Indiana institution or not, although in-state and out-of-state fees are the same for new students, and the fee for new students not in the IPSE system is $796.80 + a $30 application fee).

One thing you should do early is to find a suitable proctor for your exams. There will be three (3) exams for which you will need a proctor. The exams will be conventional, on-paper exams, about 1 hour in length for exams 1 and 2 and 2-hours for the final (comprehensive) exam. The proctor should be a responsible person such as a teacher, county extension educator, learning center official, librarian, or similar person who is not related to you nor is your employer/supervisor. When you supply us the name and email address of the proctor, we will communicate with them regarding their qualifications and responsibilities. You and your proctor will determine the time of the exam and convey that information to me. This is a self-paced course, so you may begin even before the semester in which you are officially enrolled.

If you register and then decide to withdraw, the Purdue policy is for a graduated refund beginning at 80%. I can allow you to enter the course however, and if you view its contents and decide immediately to withdraw, can void your registration so that you avoid costs. (I hope this situation doesn't arise, of course). You may complete the course and receive a grade in the semester in which you begin (ideal situation), or you may have up to one calendar year to complete the course under normal circumstances. Under some circumstances, up to 12 weeks of the second subsequent semester following the enrollment semester can be allowed.

You should become familiar with the way WebCT-Vista operates and the tools it has, including its internal email. I expect an email message at least weekly from each student, to monitor progress, even if you have done no further study for the week. I expect you to monitor the bulletin board there for discussions and announcements of current issues. I want this to be a meaningful and pleasurable learning experience, and I want you to help me to make that happen.

If you have questions or difficulties, let me know. My email (outside of Vista) is dforsyth@purdue.edu, and my phone number is 765-494-4841.

Welcome aboard,

Dale

ps ANSC 221 (Principles of Animal Nutrition) is also taught in the classroom at West Lafayette in an intensive course (2-hours 10-minutes/day every day) in the first segment of Summer School (Maymester - the last two weeks of May and first two weeks of June).