OVERVIEW

Internet (on-line) Classes: See the College of the Siskiyous Survival Guide. Take the Study Readiness Quiz. Online courses require students to have access to a computer with an individual E-mail account and access to the World Wide Web. Internet access is available to students in the College of the Siskiyous Computer Lab. Call (530) 938-5325 for more information. If necessary, staff will assist students in software, internet and computer use. All coursework for this class is done online. Fire Technology offered on the internet requires students to register prior to the first day of the Fall 2005 Semester, (8-22-05) in Admissions on campus or by phone. See the College of the Siskiyous' Web Page. Contact the course instructor at (909) 981-6434 or by e-mail.

Instructor: Battalion Chief Dennis Wiskus (ret.)

Contacting the Instructor: It is expected that most communication between students and the instructor will take place by e-mail. Phone or leave a message at (909) 981-6434. Visitors are always welcome!

Course Dates: This course is conducted completely on-line beginning 8-22-05. All assignments must be completed by 12-22-05. Students may complete the course by completing all assignments any time prior to 12-22-05.

Location: The course is found on-line (Login only!).

Course Description: The study of components of building construction that relate to fire safety. Elements of construction and design of buildings. Development and evolution of buildings in relationship to past fires. Prerequisite: Fire 1 (may be taken concurrently). Advisory reading level: 4. 3 Units Acceptable for credit: CSU

Required Texts: Building Construction for the Fire Service, Third Edition by Francis L. Brannigan. ISBN 0-87765-381-x. This book is available on line (item number 1054).

Testing: All exams are conducted on line. They are "open book". You are afforded one opportunity to take each exam. There are 14 quizzes, a Midterm and Final. All questions are multiple choice. Quiz #1 contains 10 questions; all others have 20. You are allowed 90 seconds for each quiz question; 60 seconds for Midterm and Final questions. The posted reading assignments indicate generally where test questions will be taken from. The questions of quizzes 1 through 7 will be placed in a Midterm question pool. The Midterm Pool will contain 130 questions. The Midterm will consist of 50 questions chosen at random, by the computer, from the Midterm Pool. The Final Pool will contain 270 questions from quizzes 1-14. The Final will consist of 100 questions chosen at random, by the computer, from the Final Pool. Maximum possible exam points are 420.

A term project is required. Two 8 x 10 glossy photographs (unmounted), taken by the student, depicting a topic covered in the textbook will be submitted. One typewritten report will accompany each photograph. In the typewritten report you must furnish: your name, course number, title of photograph (taken from either the Table of Contents or Index) and references to the page (s) in the textbook. Explain in your own words how the topic you are depicting would be important to a firefighter. The term project is worth 200 points. The photographs in the reading assignments are examples (do not use them) of the type of photograph required. Your term projects will not be returned. Mail your term project to the Instructor at: 2432 North Campus Ave, San Antonio Heights, CA 91784-8304. Note: Some delivery services may list this zip code as Upland, Ca. In this case, use Upland, Ca. Please remember not to mail it "signature required" mail. It may be returned by the delivery service, undelivered.

Grading: Weekly Assignments/Exams are worth 420 points. The mandatory Term Project (due by 12-15-05) is worth 200 points. There are 620 total possible points.

While this is a self-paced course, you must exhibit progress in the course. You must access the Syllabus ("Start Here!") and take the "Bonus Quiz" found at its end by the "last day to drop" date to remain in the course. If you do not, YOU MAY BE PERMANENTLY DROPPED FROM THE COURSE.

It is the student's responsibility for initiating a withdrawal from the college or from a class. Refer to the COS academic calendar for important dates, such as the last day to drop a course without penalty.

Helpful Links:

Bookstore (530) 938-5236

Financial Aid Office: (530) 938-5209

Library: (530) 938-5331 or on line Get your library card on line.
Access full-text articles from 1000's of magazines and journals, including ones such as Fire Engineering.
Call the library toll free from Gazelle/Grenada/Hilt/Hornbrook/ Montague/Yreka: 841-5331.
Toll free from anywhere 1-888-397-4339, ext. 5331.
Fax: (530) 938-5226
E-mail the library.

Cheating/Plagiarism: The Fire Service is respected for its honesty, and a potential Fire Officer's integrity must be above question. Anyone caught cheating or turning in someone else's work (as his/her own) will be dismissed from the class with a failing grade. You have my permission to make a "hard copy" of any material I present in this course. This material is meant to be a study guide for your individual use. Please see the Academic Honesty Policy information located in your Student Handbook.

Make-up Policy for Missed Work: All assignments are mandatory and must be submitted during the semester. Missing assignments will result in a non-passing grade.

Late Assignment Policy: Late assignments are those submitted after the semester has ended. Late assignments are not accepted.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: If you have a learning or other disability, please contact the Disabled Students Programs & Services so provisions can be made for you: (530) 938-5297 or E-mail

Date and Time of Final Exam: Refer to "Assignments" on the opening page of this course.

Counseling: Counseling Services offers a variety of services to students, faculty, staff and the public. They are located in the Student Center. Their phone number is (530) 938-5353 and can be e-mailed.