By:
Carole L. Jaworski

Source:
Jimmy Cheek (352) 392-1963

GAINESVILLE – Have you ever wanted to take a course from the University of Florida, but job, family obligations or location prevented you from attending? If so, a UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences distance education course may be for you.

A catalog and web site describing spring semester courses are now available, along with information on enrollment, deadlines and fees. To obtain a free catalog, contact UF/IFAS Communication Services by phone at (352) 392-3893; by fax at (352) 392-3896; or by e-mail at mtha@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu. The web site address is .

UF/IFAS distance education courses offered for the spring semester include: Computer Technologies in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management, Human Resource Management in Agribusiness, Writing for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Man’s Food, Horticultural Physiology, Fundamentals of Human Nutrition, and Ecology and Management of Wildlife Invasions.

Delivery of the courses varies, using either Internet, videotape or compressed videoconferencing. Internet and videotape courses may be taken from home. Because compressed videoconferencing courses are interactive, allowing instructor and students to communicate live with two-way audio and video, they require attendance at one of five UF/IFAS sites: Ft. Lauderdale, Gainesville, Homestead, Immokalee or Milton. But even here, classes are held in the evening to make it easier for those with busy schedules to attend.

“In addition to their use in professional development, many distance education courses may also be applied to degree programs or used for teacher certification or recertification,” said Jimmy Cheek, UF/IFAS assistant dean for academic programs.

Pre-registration for spring semester courses must be completed before December 19. Classes begin in January.

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