May 3, 2002 Last Announcement! You're grades will be posted on your grade page later this morning.

April 23, 2002 Ticking away, the moments that make up a dull day.... I hope you're making the most of these last few days. Here are a few more announcements:

• Information concerning your final exam has been updated. Go to your schedule and click on the Final Exam link for more information.

• Please complete the end of course evaluation. A link to this survey can be found under "assignments" on BlackBoard.

• Please contact me if you're having difficulties finding your tree in the arboretum. I would be happy to walk out with you to confirm the tree's location and to confirm the tree's name. I'm in and out of my office during the next couple of days - just be persistent.

April 21, 2002 Four Announcements:

• First... I have posted your updated grades. Head on over to the grade page for your link (and instructions if you need them).

• Second... Change of plans concerning your final exam. Your final exam will be on BlackBoard. I have another trip out of town it will be difficult for you and me to attempt to schedule it in the learning lab or in a classroom. Go to your schedule for more information (click on the final exam link).

• You've got some assignments due... Check your schedule. Place them in the appropriate folder on my door by the deadline. (see images on right)

• You need to complete an evaluation of the class. I'm still cooking up a way that you can do that and remain anonymous. I'll have another announcement for you on this at a later date.

April 16, 2002 Attention Biology 102 students. Shenanigans! Someone has methodically gone through the arboretum and pulled off numbers from many of the trees you're suppose to be identifying. Strange and nasty things will be done to the culprit if I catch them. I'm asking Lisa and Mary (our lab assistants) to go to the arboretum tomorrow morning and re-mark the trees. I will also be in and out of the arboretum confirming the correct tree has the correct number.

April 14, 2002 - I've updated your schedule. I have added a module to your last unit. Click on it an check it out. I will be updating the activity during the next week. I will be making another announcement in a couple of days concerning your final exam.

April 9, 2002 - I'm back! What a long, strange trip. Here's a picture of my bike (fully loaded down) in front of Hotel Roanoke. I've answered questions on BlackBoard (discussion page) and I've posted your tree numbers there. I'll make another announcement over the weekend concerning suggested times to visit Sherando and to identify your tree (the leaves are just beginning to emerge).

April 3, 2002 - I will be out of town for the next few days. I'm not sure if I will be able to respond to e-mail. I will return over the weekend and certainly respond by then :-)

March 27, 2002 - Interested in some extra credit? Check out my Mulch Page. Give me an e-mail indicating when you would like to participate (see the mulch schedule) and I'll sign you up on the master list. 

March 26, 2002 - Hey you guys!!! Get on BlackBoard's discussion group and give me your vehicle description and license plate so you can get into Sherando. Your nest TEST (Plants) will appear on BlackBoard on March 28 and remain until April 5. 

March 20, 2002 - I'm back on-line... but I don't know for how long. The college is switching servers and must have opened up a box of gremlins. 

• If I'm locked out in the future I will just make my announcements on BlackBoard... speaking of which, you should be taking a test on BlackBoard (if you haven't already done so). While you're there go click on our discussion group (under "Communication") and describe your vehicle (including license plate) under the appropriate thread. I need to turn in a list to the Sherando Park Superintendent so that you can get into the park for free when you do your Ecology Field Study at Sherando in April.

• I will be out of the office on Thursday and Friday. I will respond to e-mails in the evening.

• I hope to start mulching in the very near future. It's difficult planning this early in the spring due to changing weather patterns. I'll study the weather channel this weekend and make a decision early next week.

• Keep an eye on your schedule for updated links and changing dates. 

March 15, 2002 - Your Human Biology test has been posted on BlackBoard. You have from today (March 15) until next Sunday night (March 24) to take it. There are 46 questions from the following systems: immune, excretory, endocrine, and ovarian cycle. It's timed (60 minutes). Good Luck. I'll post your plant lecture questions over the weekend :-)

March 15, 2002 - Looks like I haven't made an announcement on here for some time... I'm assuming you're keeping up with the answers/announcements I have been making on our discussion board (on BlackBoard). I'm working up your test later this morning for the end of Human Biology. Look for that to go up by noon.

February 26, 2002 - Your interims are ready. Head on over to the grade page for your instructions.

February 22, 2002 - I look forward to seeing you on Saturday (February 23, 2002). If you haven't done so... go to your schedule and click on February 23 for your instructions and handouts.

February 15, 2002 - Couple of announcements. 

• Check that schedule. I've added lecture questions and the all-important-and-anticipated description of what we will be doing next Saturday. Click on the link for that day to learn more. Do it soon... there are some things for you to complete before coming to lab.  
• The quiz questions have been posted on BlackBoard for your Virtual Cardiology Lab Investigation. You have from today until February 23 to take this quiz.

February 7, 2002 - Alexis posted a most excellent question on BlackBoard's discussion board concerning tests/quizzes. Please go there and read it. I insist. 

February 1, 2002 - Just posted another quiz! I combined the material from the two on-line lab investigations (Population Genetics and Evolution) and made one quiz. It will be available on BlackBoard from February 1 - 11, 2002. It consists of 15 questions and you may use your notes (i.e. assigned questions) for assistance. Good Luck.

January 29, 2002 - I've made some updates to your schedule (labs, videos, test, etc...). Have you taken your test (TEST #1) yet?  The next update (in a couple of days) will include posting two lab quizzes on BlackBoard for the two on-line labs (Population Genetics and Evolution). 

January 25, 2002 - I just posted your first test on BlackBoard (on Genetics). It consists of 35 questions. You will have 45 minutes to take the test. The dates available are posted on your schedule.  

January 19, 2002 - Your first on-lab investigation quiz (Fly and Pedigree Lab) has been posted on BlackBoard. Always check your schedule to see how long that quiz will be posted (hint: January 22 - 28). Since it is your first quiz and I know some of you will have a few problems running the labs, I'm allowing you to use your notes on this quiz. It consists of 19 questions and you have a time limit of 30 minutes. 

As I sit here and look out my window at the snow falling... I just realized something that made my heart sink... there are no snow days in cyberbiology :-(      I suppose I could always create a cybersnow day :-)

January 18, 2002 - I will be out of the office from January 20 – 23, 2002.  I plan on returning late Wednesday (January 23) for my night class. The odds are less than 50% that I will be able to respond to e-mails and make updates to my web pages. I will do my best but please be patient. Please check your schedule page every day. I will be working on those on-line quizzes and posting the quiz very soon.

January 15, 2002 - Your first two on-line labs have been posted. Please note that I will be combining them into one quiz (dates are on schedule). Get started on them ASAP... every semester is a mystery as to how well they work on-line.

January 13, 2002 - Sorry it's taking so long to get your first on-line lab assignment (FlyLab) posted. The Biology LabsOnline people are having some problems with their sever (at least that's my guess). I will contact them on Monday and hopefully post your on-line assignment soon after that.

January 11, 2002 - I'm not hearing much from you guys (i.e. on BlackBoard's discussion board). Is everything o.k.? I'm assuming that everyone has their CDs and is busy listening to the lectures and answering the questions and taking notes. I'm also assuming that you have purchased your Biology Labs On-line booklet. I'm in the process of entering questions onto BlackBoard for your first test (see schedule for approximate date). I'm also writing up the procedure for your first two on-line activities (Fly Lab and Pedigree Lab). If you have questions on the genetics please post it on BlackBoard's discussion board ("Ask Mr. Murray") and I will answer it. 

January 6, 2002 (morning) - So many things to say, so little time to say them all... 

• How about you guys just click on over to the archived announcements from last fall (see link below) and read the first couple of weeks worth of announcements (beginning in late August at the bottom of the page). 
• After you do that I want you to read the FAQ page. 
• Click all over your web page to learn as much as you can about how this course operates (i.e. find and print the syllabus).
• I'm not sure it's worth printing the spring schedule... that thing is subject to change pretty much everyday.
• After you have done all of that, log onto BlackBoard and post a "howdy" to me on "Ask Mr. Murray" and then you may want to do whatever it is that you guys do when greeting your classmates on "Cyberstudent Cafe." Both of these discussion boards are under "Discussion Board" which is under "Communication."
• Two changes from last semester... I won't be posting any announcements on BlackBoard. All of your announcements will be on this page. When it is time to take a test or quiz I will place them in a folder called "Assignments."
• No cyberbiology bags this semester... (a few of you haven't turned them in from last semester), we will mail the Karyotype materials to you.
• And the biggest announcement - the mandatory attendance day is Saturday, February 23, 2002. NO EXCUSES. If you can't make it then drop the class now! 

• Fall 2001