What is BCH 100 Online?

The Basic Course in HERPETOLOGY (BCH 100) is a revised online version of the previous correspondence course. It is a hybrid course with online (asynchronous) and face to face (synchronous) activities interwoven through the course work. The course content is developed by subject matter experts (SMEs). The synchronous activities include online chat sessions with SMEs and field trips. The asynchronous activities include online learning through range of weekly assignments.

What are the benefits?

On successful completion students will receive a certificate in BCH 100 with appropriate grades. Also as the name suggests, the course will develop basic skills required for Herpetologists among the students. The students will gain required knowledge through the chapters, online discussions and field activities. They will get opportunities to interact with SMEs and learn about their works. As an outcome of the course, each student will carry out documentation of local herpetofauna which results into a compilation of scientific publication. Lastly as a group, the students will develop expertise in amphibian and reptiles studies which will be useful in taking up bigger challenges for studying amphibians and reptiles with respect to their life history, behavior, ecology and also contribute to the ongoing herpetology researches carried across the country.

Who should enroll?

Anyone with an interest to learn about amphibians & reptiles and their conservation are eligible to apply. There are three types of learners; Academic, Professional and Life-long, check out which category do you belong? The basic qualification is S.S.C. with or without science background. Other requirements include proficiency in computer operation and internet browsing, willing to dedicate minimum 2 hours every day for the course work. Take a test to know if you could be a Distant Learner:

http://webb.nmu.edu/Programs/OnlineLearning/SiteSections/Technology/OnlineCompatibility.shtml

What is the course syllabus?

The course includes 12 chapters on following topics. The chapters are illustrated and written in simple English. Each chapter is of 30-35 pages.

1. World of Reptiles and Amphibians
2. Jumping Jacks of Nature- Frogs and Toads
3. Amphibia Underworld: Newts and Caecilians
4. Bodybuilder Crocodilians
5. Elegant Lizards
6. Boxer Turtles & Tortoises
7. Spooky world of Snakes
8. New Discoveries
9. Vanishing Herps
10. Man-Herp Conflict
11. Photographing Herps
12. Herpetologists of India and World

What is the course schedule?

The course duration is one year (start date: 1 June 2014 end date: 31 May 2015). The monthly online assignments start on 1st of every month. The monthly field activities are usually held on Sundays if it is day trip or Friday-Sunday in in case of overnight camps. The calendar of events will be made available upon registration.

What is the course delivery?

As a course management system-Lore features will be used which is like Facebook and also Google apps. Student should have access to computer, internet with audio-video facilities and also own a digital camera. In order to orient the students, an overnight course orientation camp will be held at the beginning of the course and a wrap-up camp at the end of the course.

What are the course deliverables?

The details of the assignments are given below:

• Text Reading: Every month one chapter will be made available online for students to read. If required, students can take a print out of the desired chapters.
Presentations: Every month subject specific PowerPoint presentations will be made available online. Students are expected to access it as and when possible during the specified period. These presentations could be downloaded by students.
• Local Day Trips: There are 8 day-trips planned throughout the year. Students are expected to attend 5 trips on compulsorily basis to receive full grades. After each trip a brief report need to be submitted. The format of the report will be provided, if required. Outstation students have a facility to do the day trip at a forest patch nearby their place. However they need to submit the report for the same.
• Field Camps: There are 5 camps organized throughout the year. Out of five camps students are expected to attend 3 camps on compulsorily basis to receive full grades. In these three camps students are expected to attend the Inaugural camp on compulsorily basis. In case of the other two camps students also have facility of attending BNHS membership camps as per their convenience and choice. For attending these camps, BNHS membership is required. A camp report must be submitted after each camp attended. The format of the report will be provided, if required.
• Image Sharing: Students are encouraged to carry out photo documentation of their field trips and camps. We have sessions wherein students can share their images with other students. The SMEs will identify 10 images and everyone will have access to the image folders.
• • Favourite Herpetology News: In order to keep the group abreast of development on herpetology across the globe, every month it is expected every student chooses his/her favorite e-news and share it with others. There are 10 written assignments of which only 5 are compulsory.
• Online Activities: In order to keep yourself updated with research work in the field of herpetology, you are expected to refer to scientific papers online and submit your abstracts. There are 10 written assignments of which only 5 are compulsory. Besides, there are several other online activities which are not graded.
• SME Chats: As per the subject, 5 chat sessions with the SME are planned throughout the year. Attending all 5 sessions is compulsory for receiving full grades. The chats will be planned as per the availability of SMEs.
• Final Project: The outcome of the course experience is to study local herpetofauna. Each student is expected to study their local habitat and herpetofauna. This is a yearlong project and there are deliverables every month.

What is the grading structure?

The course is of 25 credits (30 hours= 1 credit). The grading structure for the assignments is given below:

Based on the aggregate points, students may receive grades ranging from "A" to "D". There is no final exam at the end of the course. Students who are unable to fulfil the course requirements may not receive their certificates.

What is the course fee structure?

The tuition fee is Rs. 9,990/-. The fee includes course orientation camp at CEC and day trips in and around Mumbai. Transport, wrap-up and outstation camps are not included. (Note: The course fee is non refundable and non transferable under any circumstances).

IWC members get a discount of 5% on the course fee and will pay a course fee of Rs 9,490/- only.

Who is managing this course?

The Conservation Education Center of BNHS is managing this course. Dr. V.Shubhalaxmi, Deputy Director is the Course Co-ordinator, Ms. Amandeep Kaur, Education Officer is the Course Executive. The course will be run with help of the SMEs within and outside BNHS.

How to Register?                                

Click on the link below to apply online

Registration form for Basic Course in HERPETOLOGY – BCH 100

In case of queries contact us – with the topic heading  BCH100