Thank you for choosing the North Dakota State College of Science for your online education needs. We want to ensure that your online learning experience is a satisfying and successful endeavor. The links found on this page will help you find information about our online offerings and how online classes work. Be sure to visit all the links on our site to find information about programs and classes we offer online, how to apply for admission and register for classes, how to access online classes, attendance policies, how to get an NDSCS email account, etc.
NDSCS online classes provide flexibility for students who are unable to attend traditional face-to-face classes on campus. They follow the regular Academic Calendar for start and end dates and are not self-paced. Instructors facilitate the classes and set due dates for assignments and exams to be submitted for grading. Students have 24/7 access to classes once the semester begins so they can work around their other obligations to do the class work but should meet deadlines for submitting work to avoid losing grade points. Allow approximately three hours for course work per week for each credit taken. For example, a three-credit class could require about nine hours of your time each week. Use this formula when planning your course load each semester to allow adequate time for all your obligations. Don't think of online classes as being easier. They are just more convenient. Online classes cover the same content and have the same learning outcomes as traditional face-to-face classes so be sure to allow enough study time each week to be successful in your classes.
Computer Information - Students need a high speed Internet connection, a computer and Microsoft Word to do online course work. Books can be ordered for classes from the NDSCS Bookstore. If you don't have high speed Internet, you need to at least find a location where you can work occasional for the parts of the classes that need it. Be sure to prepare for technology problems and have another location in mind to work from in the event that your computer doesn't work. It is up to the student to have a working computer and Internet so you don't fall behind in class. Also log in frequently to keep up with assignemnts and announcements. Students who do not log into classes and submit work for more than ten days could be dropped from the class.
NDSCS has several programs taught totally online, two "hybrid" programs with most classes online but also some classes on campus, and several general education classes. Lab classes (i.e. science labs, pharmacy labs) are taught on campus during weekends allowing students to adjust their schedules to attend the labs. There are no make-up sessions scheduled so students should be sure they are able to attend them all before registering for a lab class. . Students are required to attend all lab sessions to complete the class.
Help Desk Support 24/7 -- The Online Course Helpdesk is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone or email. If you are having technical problems with your online classes, contact them at 1-303-873-0005 or helpdesk@ndscsonline.org. (This is not the NDSCS Helpdesk; it is the heldesk through eCollege in Denver where we host our online classes.) If you don't have free long distance but need tech support for your online classes, call Distance Education and we can transfer you to eCollege (during business hours Monday-Friday).
For additional information, please contact the Distance Education Office by email or call 1-800-342-4325, ext 3-2347.
