Participation is mandatory. Although attendance itself cannot not be graded for an online course, there will be weekly homeworks (HW) and activities that will be counted as “participation”. Failure to engage in discussions and assignments may lead to a deduction in your overall grade. 

Students are expected to be respectful toward both their professor and their peers. Both verbal and written communication should be professional, positive, and clearly stated. Please refrain from using slang or abbreviations when using written correspondence. Discrimination and the use of profanity or offensive language is prohibited and will not be tolerated. 

Learning Activities

• Assignments (20%): Assignments will include weekly Homeworks and DBPs. These will primarily be completed through Canvas and will be due at 11:59pm of the posted date. These assignments typically require some short answers and brief research and interaction with various online platforms, designed to take approximately one hour.
• Quizzes (40%): There will be weekly quizzes on lecture material. These will be administered on Canvas and proctored through Honorlock, with open written notes and open book allowed. Your lowest quiz score will be dropped each semester.
• Projects (40%): There will be quarterly, "take-home" projects that are more extensive than the weekly Homeworks. These projects are designed to integrate the material that you've learned in a hands-on, applied approach.
  • Project 1 will be a demonstration of a model or activity that exemplifies a cellular organelle discussed in the course.
  • Project 2 will be a short business pitch explaining the science behind and marketability of a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO).
  • Project 3 will be a written essay on an organ system of your choice. You will be required to write ~1,500 words including what you learned in the course regarding this organ system as well as independent research on a disease that affects this organ system. This essay will be proctored, but written notes are allowed.
  • Project 4 will be an artistic presentation of a species and its role in the environment. This can be a physical rendition, like an “Invase Species Wanted Poster”, or an auditory rendition, like a song or poem “Ode to This Species and It's Role in Nature”.

Grading Scale

A – 90% - 100%      B+ – 85% - 89%      B – 80% - 84%      C+ – 75% - 79%  
C – 70% - 74%        D+ – 65% - 69%      D – 60% - 64%      F – 59% or below  

Returning Grades

I will grade most assignments within one week of the due date. For more expansive assignments, I will return them within two weeks. This gives me ample time to provide constructive, useful feedback to help you progress and grow as a student in this course. I strongly encourage you to review ALL feedback, regardless of the score you receive on an assignment.

Rounding Grades

Your overall grade will be rounded to the nearest 1% and assigned to the corresponding letter grade. For example, an overall average of 79.4% will be rounded to 79% and will be counted as a C. Similarly, a grade of 79.5% will be rounded to an 80% and will be counted as a B. This is not negotiable under any circumstance.  

Extra Credit

Extra credit opportunities will be provided at the instructor’s discretion throughout the semester. There will be no opportunity for individual extra credit, and those who are not actively engaged in course assignments throughout the semester may be denied the opportunity to gain extra credit at the end of the year. 

The Wilson S. Rivers Library is located in Building 200 and also includes millions of e-books and articles. The library has more than 70 computers with 50 pages daily of free black-and-white or color printing for students. There are also small and large study rooms available for two hours at a time. Click the link above for more information. Librarians are available to assist with research help, and there are helpful videos on library searching and citation help.

Phone: 386-754-4401
Email: library@fgc.edu 
Ask-A-Librarian text and chat

Fall & Spring Semester Library Hours
Monday – Thursday: 7:30am  – 7:30pm
Friday: 9:00am  – 4:30pm
Saturday & Sunday: CLOSED

Summer Semester Library
Monday – Thursday: 7:30am  – 6:30pm
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: CLOSED

You are expected to communicate in a professional and respectful tone with the instructor and fellow classmates. All written communication (in email correspondence, discussion forums, assignments, quizzes and exams, etc.) must use proper written English. Please refrain from using online and texting abbreviations and language. Oral communications, if applicable, must be made with a respectful tone and body language. Use proper netiquette throughout!

At Florida Gateway College, we value the development of critical thinking, effective communication, and academic growth. To ensure fairness and uphold the principles of academic integrity, any instances of academic dishonesty (i.e., cheating, plagiarism, bribery, misrepresentation, fabrication, unauthorized use of AI technologies, etc.) are not permitted and will be dealt with severely. Students should make themselves aware of the student code of conduct found in the Student Handbook. We believe in your ability to think critically and develop your own unique perspectives. By adhering to these guidelines and committing to the principles of academic integrity, you will not only enhance your learning experience, but also foster an environment of trust and respect within our academic community.

The use of AI technologies to generate or assist in the creation and completion of assignments is strictly prohibited, unless explicitly allowed by the instructor as described in the course syllabus. It is your responsibility to read this thoroughly and carefully at the beginning of the semester.

Your assignments should reflect your own thoughts, analysis, and original work. Florida Gateway College employs the use of AI detection tools to assess the authenticity of your assignments. These tools are designed to identify instances of cheating and plagiarism, including the use of AI technologies. Any submissions that violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the use of AI technologies in your courses, please review your course syllabus or reach out to your instructor for clarification.

Florida Gateway College does not discriminate in education or employment related decisions on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, religion, disability, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or any other legally protected status in accordance with the law. The Civil Rights & Compliance Officer is Cassie Buckles, Associate Vice President of Human Resources, Building 001, Room 116, 149 SE College Place, Lake City, FL 32025, and may be reached at cassandra.buckles@fgc.edu or by phone at 386-754-4313.

The Student Success Center (SSC) is located in Building 008. The SSC offers a variety of resources for students and faculty. Access to computers and limited printing is available. Copies of reference books, textbooks, access to course specific software, and access to tutors for all levels of math and writing are available in the SSC. Tutoring in other subjects is also offered. The SSC provides space for students to study in subject specific learning groups. Stop by or call the Student Success Center to request the most current tutor schedule (386-754-4382).

Fall & Spring Semester SSC Hours
Monday – Thursday: 8:00am  – 7:30pm
Friday: 9:00am  – 4:30pm
Saturday & Sunday: CLOSED

Summer Semester SSC Hours
Monday – Thursday: 7:30am  – 5:30pm
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: CLOSED

If you have any questions, you may contact the center by phone at 386-754-4479, 386-754-4382, or by emailing Kay Hogan at kay.hogan@fgc.edu.

Florida Gateway College has partnered with Honorlock, an online testing proctoring service. If off-campus remote proctoring is required during any course, Honorlock will be the online proctoring service that allows you to take your exam. You DO NOT need to create an account, download software or schedule an appointment in advance. Honorlock is available 24/7 and all that is needed is a computer, a working webcam, and a stable Internet connection. 

To get started, you will need to download the Honorlock Chrome Extension using Google Chrome. You can download the extension on the Honorlock website. When you are ready to test, log into the LMS, go to your course, and click on your exam. Clicking Launch Proctoring will begin the Honorlock authentication process, where you will take a picture of yourself, show your ID, and complete a scan of your room. Honorlock will be recording your exam session by webcam as well as recording your screen. Honorlock also has an integrity algorithm that can detect search-engine use, so please do not attempt to search for answers, even if it's on a secondary device. 

Honorlock support is available 24/7/365. If you encounter any issues, you may contact Honorlock by live chat, by phone at 844-243-2500, and/or by email at support@honorlock.com. If you encounter a Canvas issue, please contact Canvas via the Canvas Help menu or by clicking the Canvas Support link within your course(s).

Instructors may require writing assignments to be submitted to Turnitin when uploaded to Canvas. Turnitin is an internet-based service that looks for similarities and potential plagiarism by comparing your assignment submissions with its massive database of student work (including previous student submissions at Florida Gateway College), the Internet, and its entire archive, books, and journal and reference publications. Turnitin generates a similarity report, which can help you and your instructor determine whether you used sources fairly and ethically, cited correctly, and paraphrased effectively. 

You are encouraged to submit your written work to Turnitin prior to assignment deadlines, whether through Canvas or Draft Coach. If needed, that would allow you time to review the library’s research and help guides or seek writing assistance from your instructor or a tutor in the Student Success Center. 

The mission of Florida Gateway College is to provide superior instruction, nurture individual development, foster career readiness, and enrich the diverse communities it serves through affordable, quality higher education programs and lifelong learning opportunities.

The SSC initiates student progress reports to the entire campus through EAB Navigate. EAB Navigate is an early-alert tool designed to identify students who may be susceptible to falling behind in their course before they actually do.

Twice during the semester, we provide instructors with the opportunity to ALERT students of their course progress. This is done through the FGC Wolves email account. Students may receive an email stating their success may be at risk in a specific course. If you receive this email, DO NOT PANIC. Please contact your instructor directly, your academic advisor, and the SSC. Your instructor’s information is provided in the email.

Navigate Student is a mobile app designed to support students during their academic careers at FGC. Navigate Student is the ultimate student resource that acts as a personal advisor and provides students with the information they need, when they need it. Additionally, students may make an appointment with an advisor, view campus events, be alerted on important to-do’s, view class schedules, explore their major, and much more.

Please do not allow yourself to struggle. We are here to help you achieve success. The mission of the SSC is to help encourage and promote your educational journey here at FGC and beyond.

A student shall not make a recording in class unless the recording is limited to the class lecture, and

1. the recording is made for the student’s personal educational use,
2. in connection with a complaint to the college, or
3. as evidence in or preparation for a criminal or civil proceeding.

Students are not permitted to record in class, through any means over any medium, any academic or other activity that is not a class lecture. A recording of any meeting or conversation between students, or between students and faculty, is strictly prohibited unless all parties have consented to such recording. A recording of a class lecture may not be published without the prior express written consent of the recorded faculty member.

Florida Gateway College has partnered with BetterMynd, an online therapy platform for college students, to offer our students access to free video-therapy sessions with their diverse network of licensed mental health counselors.  Florida Gateway College students can now access free online therapy sessions on the BetterMynd platform with the counselor of their choice. These 50-minute, live video-sessions are private, confidential, and can take place from the convenience of your laptop, smartphone, or tablet. Sessions are available during the day, at night, and on the weekends. 

• To register and get started with a counselor that’s a good fit for you, sign-up here. 
• If you have any questions about these services, you can email BetterMynd at students@bettermynd.com. 
• If you are in the need of additional resources please contact the Director of Student Life, Amy Dekle, at amy.dekle@fgc.edu, or by visiting Building 007.

If a student wishes to file an academic appeal, grievance, or general complaint, please visit the college’s website. Under the Students and the Complaints & Appeals page, information regarding policy, procedure, and forms related to these topics is provided.

A course may be dropped only during the published add/drop period. After add/drop, students must withdrawal from their course. Please visit the College Catalog for more detailed information about the drop and withdrawal process.

Students are responsible for withdrawing by the published deadline. Students must allow sufficient time for the process to be completed. The fully approved withdrawal form is due to Registration & Records by 4:30 p.m. on the deadline posted on the Academic Calendar or it is considered late.

To withdraw from a course, the following steps must take place:

1. The student will log into MyFGC and navigate to the Withdrawal form.

2. First, click the Student tab; next click Registration; and then click Course Withdrawal Form.

3. The student will enter course information, the instructor's email address, and the advisor's name and email address. Once all information is entered, submit the form.

4. The form then routes directly to the instructor for approval and the last date of attendance. Once the instructor has completed their portion, the form will route to the advisor.

5. The advisor will complete their portion of the form and submit.

6. The form then routes to Registration & Records for processing. The student will receive an email notification to their FGC Wolves email account once this step is completed.

7. If the form is denied, the student will be notified by email and should contact the advisor with any questions.

Students are strongly encouraged to begin the withdrawal process the day before the withdrawal deadline to allow sufficient time for the process to be completed by all offices involved (Instructor, Advising Services, Financial Aid, Registration & Records).

It is the student's responsibility to understand all financial and academic implications of the withdrawal. Students are permitted a maximum of two (2) withdrawals per course. Upon the third attempt, a student must receive a grade for the course. Absence from class or merely notifying the professor does not constitute withdrawal. A student who stops attending class without withdrawing will receive a grade from the instructor.

Incomplete grades are reserved for students who are unable to complete a course and the withdrawal date has passed. A student should only be issued an incomplete if at least 75% of the course assignments have been submitted and the student can reasonably complete the remaining assignments within the first three weeks of the next term to earn a passing overall grade. Otherwise, students should be issued the earned letter grade in the course at the end of the current term.

The Incomplete Grade Request Form must be completed and submitted for approval by the FIRST day of Final Exams and BEFORE issuing the "I" grade. The instructor will describe the circumstances leading up to the requested "I" for the course, and list the missing assignments, quizzes, exams, and any other course requirements needed to satisfactorily complete the course within the first three weeks of the next term. The form must be signed by the instructor, student, and the Dean/Executive Director over the program. Once all participants have signed, an approval email will be sent to the instructor for authorization to assign the "I" grade.

The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) is a resource for both students with disabilities as well as faculty. Students with disabilities in need of academic accommodations must first be registered with the OAS to verify the disability, establish eligibility, and determine reasonable academic accommodations. 

After registering with the OAS, students must request their academic accommodation letters be sent to them each semester to share with their instructors. Upon receipt of the letter, the instructor will be available during office hours or via email to discuss the accommodations a student will need during the course.

Students with disabilities who are not registered with the OAS or faculty who may have questions or concerns regarding an accommodation, please contact the office at the following:

In-Person: Building 014, Academic Advising
Phone: (386) 754-4393
Email: Accessibility.Services@fgc.edu

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) provides certain privacy rights to students related to educational records. This information can be found in the College Catalog, at the Registration & Records Office in Building 015 or on the Florida Gateway College website.

Florida Gateway College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate and associate degrees. Florida Gateway College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Florida Gateway College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website.