Overview of the course:

Purpose: This course is aimed at preparing students for careers in industry.

Objectives/outcomes: Managers, technical personnel, and engineers must be knowledgeable about creative problem-solving abilities and other skills necessary for innovation and leadership.

General Topics: Creativity, identifying opportunities, organizational plan, risk, strategies for growth, accessing resources.

Target Audience: Junior

Required for any specific major: Online BAAS in Technology.

Method of instruction: (powerpoint lectures, audio files, Tegrity, discussions, group work, etc.)

This course is aimed at preparing students for careers in industry. Students will develop creative problem-solving abilities and other skills necessary for innovation and leadership. Students will learn to filter ideas and build opportunities, write a business plan, register a business with government entities, trademarks, copyrights, patents, and prepare a presentation for investors.

Policies & Procedures

 1.       Submit Student Information Sheet:

 Every student in this course is expected to complete the student information in discussion 1 at the beginning of the semester.

2.        Course Content Structure: 

The course is divided into 4 parts.

Every part cover:

a.       online homework.

b.      several chapters,

c.       online discussion topics, and

d.      online test.

You should read the textbook chapter first, and then review the online power points provided. The power point will be summaries or elaborations of the textbook, and the homework is administered at the end of each chapter. After you have completed reviewing the power point, you should then log into “Discussion Tool” and post answers to the discussion question (specific to the part) posted by the instructor. You must also read other students’ posts and respond to two other students’ responses. Discussion posts must be made by the due date on the schedule in order to receive full credit. You should also complete the Test/Quiz, by the set dates.

 3. Grading and Feedback:

All the course activities will be graded one week after the set due date. You can check your grades by going to GradeBook. If there is any discrepancy in the grade, you must contact me immediately. I will provide individual feedback or general feedback throughout the course, as it relates to performance in course activities.

 4. Cheating/Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty: 

Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, falsifying academic records, misrepresenting facts, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student such as, but not limited to, submission of essentially the same written assignment for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor or the attempt to commit such acts.

“Plagiarism” includes, but is not limited to the appropriation of, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means material that is attributable in whole or in part to another source, including words, ideas, illustrations, structure, computer code, other expression, and media, and presenting that material as one’s own academic work being offered for credit.

NOTE: Students found plagiarizing or cheating will receive a zero for course activity which could cause failure in the class, suspension and/or dismissal from the college.

5.       Discussion Board Participation:

Each discussion board post is worth 5% of the grade.

For each discussion question, students must firstly respond to the question directly, then secondly, read and respond to other students’ posts and reply to at least two other students’ responses (not optional). You must ensure that the responses to the questions are meaningful, reflective, refer to personal experience and support your course readings. Avoid postings that are limited to 'I agree' or 'great idea', etc. If you agree (or disagree) with a posting, then say why you agree by supporting your statement with concepts from the readings or by bringing in a related example or experience.

You are expected to read all messages. You are responsible for reading all the messages that are posted in the online discussion. Not reading messages is the equivalent of sleeping in class.

Use a person's name in the body of your message when you reply to their message. It helps to keep all of us oriented. It helps us maintain a clearer sense of who is speaking and who is being spoken to. As we begin to associate names with tone and ideas, we come to know each other better.

Change the subject line when you introduce a new topic. The value of this tip will become apparent as the number of messages grows.

6.       Submission and Naming Convention of Course Activities:  

Keep in mind the following standards/practices for naming and submission of assignments:

a.       All course activity files that will be submitted to the instructor should bear the name as follows:

First name + last name + the name of the assignment

Example: Jane Doe Homework 1 or Jane Doe Paper

b.      Be sure to put your name at the top of each page header.

c.       Always keep a copy of all the work you submit so that you won’t need to re-do it if it should get lost in cyberspace.

7.       Make-Up/Late Submission Policy:

All course activities must be submitted before or on set due dates.

8. Accommodation for Students with Disabilities: 

Midwestern State University is committed to providing equal access for qualified students with disabilities to all university courses and programs, and by law all students with disabilities are guaranteed a learning environment that provides reasonable accommodation of their disability.

This guarantee is provided through Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA reads: “No qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subject to discrimination by any such entity.”

The Director of Disability Support Services serves as the ADA Coordinator and may be contacted at (940)

397-4140, TDD (940) 397-4515, or 3410 Taft Blvd., Clark Student Center 168.

9.       Course Incomplete/Withdrawal/Grade Appeal:

All students are required to complete the course within the semester they are signed up. Incomplete grades for the course are rarely given and will only be granted if the student has completed at least 75% of the course with a grade of ‘C’ or better and provides a valid, documented excuse for not being able to complete the course on time and has contacted prior to the scheduled last class to request an extension. The student will sign a contract that includes the incomplete course activities and the new due dates.

10. Netiquette:

         Anything you type in the discussion area is public – which means that every student in this class (including your instructor) will see what you write. Please pay attention to the language you use and adhere to the following guidelines:

1)       Do not post anything too personal.

2)       Do not use language that is inappropriate for a classroom setting or prejudicial regarding gender, race, or ethnicity.

3)       Do not all caps in the postings (it is considered shouting)

4)       Be courteous and respectful to other people on the list.

5)       Do not overuse acronyms like you would use in text messaging. Some of the list participants may not be familiar with acronyms.

6)       If the posting is going to be long, use line breaks and paragraphs.

7)       Fill in the Subject Line

8)       Write your full name at the end of the posting.

9)       Be careful with sarcasm and subtle humor; one person’s joke is another person’s insult.

NOTE: If you do not adhere to the guidelines for any posting, you will lose the points that would have been granted, and the instructor reserves the right to remove your posting and to deny you any further posting privileges.

11.  Attendance and Class Participation:

Regular and active participation is an essential, unmistakably important aspect of this online course. The expectation of the instructor is that students will log on a minimum of three times every seven days. It is critical that you read all of the lecture and assignment materials as well as all of the public discussion materials. Your full participation ON A WEEKLY BASIS is not only a requirement; it is also an essential aspect of the online course process. All students are expected to do the work assigned, notify the instructor when emergencies arise, and make up assignments no later than the due dates.

12.  Tracking:

D2L course platforms have a tracking feature. This feature quantifies how often students access different tools, pages, features, links, discussions, etc. in your course. 

13.  Absenteeism:

All the course activities have set dates to be completed and submitted. After the due dates the activities will not be available for the students. Thus, if you are ill for a prolonged time and cannot complete the activities, you must contact me and update the situation. You are expected to log into the course every week.

If I am going to be out because of ill health, attending a conference, etc you will be notified through email. 

 Absenteeism:

All the course activities have set dates to be completed and submitted. After the due dates the activities will not be available for the students. Thus, if you are ill for a prolonged time and cannot complete the activities, you must contact me and update the situation. You are expected to log into the course every week.

If I am going to be out because of ill health, attending a conference, etc you will be notified through email.  

 Make-Up/Late Submission Policy:

All course activities must be submitted before or on set due dates. 

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Obligation to Report Sex Discrimination under State and Federal Law

Midwestern State University is committed to providing and strengthening an educational, working, and living environment where students, faculty, staff, and visitors are free from sex discrimination of any kind. State and federal law require University employees to report sex discrimination and sexual misconduct to the University’s Office of Title IX. As a faculty member, I am required to report to the Title IX Coordinator any allegations, personally observed behavior, or other direct or indirect knowledge of conduct that reasonably may constitute sex discrimination or sexual misconduct, which includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, or stalking, involving a student or employee. After a report is made, the office of Title IX will reach out to the affected student or employee in an effort to connect such person(s) with resources and options in addressing the allegations made in the report. You are also encouraged to report any incidents to the office of Title IX. You may do so by contacting:

Laura Hetrick

Title IX Coordinator
Sunwatcher Village Clubhouse
940-397-4213

laura.hetrick@msutexas.edu

You may also file an online report 24/7 at Maxient 

Should you wish to visit with someone about your experience in confidence, you may contact the MSU Counseling Center at 940-397-4618. For more information on the University’s policy on Title IX or sexual misconduct, please visit MSU Texas Title IX

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.