Ecampus leaps ahead with firsts
OSU's Online course program adds needed, unique courses, pioneers with chemistry series
Aleks Cherednichenko
Issue date: 5/8/08 Section: News
Students who want to learn more about different world religions or pick up a few common French phrases will want to look into the new courses offered by OSU's Extended Campus.
Extended Campus, also known as Ecampus, offers more than 400 online courses in 60 subjects throughout the year.
"Many of our students are adult learners who are juggling family and work responsibilities, and online learning is the only solution that fits their lifestyle," said Jessica DuPont, assistant director of marketing for Ecampus.
The courses offered through Ecampus have been developed for students who are looking to fill in gaps in their baccalaureate course load or for those who are looking to take an elective class.
"We are always trying to offer new and different courses," DuPont said.
"Not all students have the opportunity to come to campus and we want to provide them with the same quality courses as those who come to OSU," said Emily Higham, communication publication coordinator for Ecampus. "And we like to provide interesting courses for them."
With courses like FR 121: Survival French for Students and Travelers, students will be able to learn how to carry on casual conversations, pick up non-verbal cues and have a better understanding of French culture.
Through Ecampus, OSU is also the only institution in the country that offers a chemistry sequence online. All the requirements for CH 121, 122 and 123 can now be completed online, including the lab work.
Ecampus also offers the organic chemistry series, CH 331 and 332, for pre-professional students who are pursuing careers in science and health related fields.
"From spring 2007 to winter 2008, we had over 6,500 individual students taking an online course through Extended Campus," DuPont said. "Our online undergraduate degree programs saw an 18 percent enrollment increase in the number of degree seeking undergraduates that complete their coursework entirely online and off campus."
Starting in fall of 2008, students will be able to minor in business and entrepreneurship through Ecampus.
The minor will require a total of 28 credit hours and all the necessary courses will be offered throughout the year, including summer session.
"We do market research to find out what are the needs of adult learners," said Lisa Templeton, the interim executive director for Ecampus. "And we knew that there is a need for online business education in Oregon."
Based on the research gathered, the College of Business and Ecampus have worked together to create the new minor.
The courses offered through Ecampus are the result of constant communication between itself and numerous departments at OSU.
"Sometimes departments come to us with ideas for new classes and vice versa," Templeton said. "It's a two way street."
Aleks Cherednichenko, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
Extended Campus, also known as Ecampus, offers more than 400 online courses in 60 subjects throughout the year.
"Many of our students are adult learners who are juggling family and work responsibilities, and online learning is the only solution that fits their lifestyle," said Jessica DuPont, assistant director of marketing for Ecampus.
The courses offered through Ecampus have been developed for students who are looking to fill in gaps in their baccalaureate course load or for those who are looking to take an elective class.
"We are always trying to offer new and different courses," DuPont said.
"Not all students have the opportunity to come to campus and we want to provide them with the same quality courses as those who come to OSU," said Emily Higham, communication publication coordinator for Ecampus. "And we like to provide interesting courses for them."
With courses like FR 121: Survival French for Students and Travelers, students will be able to learn how to carry on casual conversations, pick up non-verbal cues and have a better understanding of French culture.
Through Ecampus, OSU is also the only institution in the country that offers a chemistry sequence online. All the requirements for CH 121, 122 and 123 can now be completed online, including the lab work.
Ecampus also offers the organic chemistry series, CH 331 and 332, for pre-professional students who are pursuing careers in science and health related fields.
"From spring 2007 to winter 2008, we had over 6,500 individual students taking an online course through Extended Campus," DuPont said. "Our online undergraduate degree programs saw an 18 percent enrollment increase in the number of degree seeking undergraduates that complete their coursework entirely online and off campus."
Starting in fall of 2008, students will be able to minor in business and entrepreneurship through Ecampus.
The minor will require a total of 28 credit hours and all the necessary courses will be offered throughout the year, including summer session.
"We do market research to find out what are the needs of adult learners," said Lisa Templeton, the interim executive director for Ecampus. "And we knew that there is a need for online business education in Oregon."
Based on the research gathered, the College of Business and Ecampus have worked together to create the new minor.
The courses offered through Ecampus are the result of constant communication between itself and numerous departments at OSU.
"Sometimes departments come to us with ideas for new classes and vice versa," Templeton said. "It's a two way street."
Aleks Cherednichenko, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Be the first to comment on this story
Comments by registered users are approved by default.