Course Modalities

Classes

Whether modified in-person or online, we have options to ensure that all students—including those who are unable to be on campus for any reason—​​​​​​​can participate in courses and make progress toward their academic goals. All fall 2020 courses will proceed in one of two formats: 

Modified In-Person Courses

These courses will include in-person activity and reflect SAIC’s commitment to on-campus instruction while adjusting class experiences to promote the health and well-being of our community. Many modified in-person courses will be “hybrid” courses, requiring in-person, on-campus elements, as well as online elements. Modified in-person courses will:

  • Focus time spent on campus toward giving students opportunities to use SAIC's tools, shops, and other campus-based physical resources
  • Schedule students to rotate when they work on campus or remotely to help de-densify campus
  • Include synchronous and asynchronous online activities to augment in-person instruction, such as lectures, demonstrations, critiques, and assignments
  • May have slightly modified start and end times to allow for social distancing, reduced elevator capacities, and traffic
  • Have an online curriculum prepared in advance for students in the event of illness, quarantine, or campus closure
  • Require regular access to a computer and a high-speed internet connection

Modified in-person courses will make up the majority of courses SAIC offers in the fall 2020 semester.

Fully Online Courses

These all-online courses will not include any in-person activity on our campus or elsewhere and will draw on SAIC’s versatile curriculum, faculty expertise, and technology resources to put forward digital learning experiences that take full advantage of the online format. All-online courses ensure that all students, whether they are on campus or not, have the opportunity to continue making, learning, and progressing toward their degree. These courses are also available to any student interested in taking some online courses to complement others they’ll take in-person. All-online courses will:

  • Allow students to take a course from anywhere, provided the student can engage in the asynchronous and synchronous requirements of the course
  • Likely include synchronous participation via video conferencing during the scheduled hours of the course
  • Emphasize direct interaction between students and faculty online. Students should expect to connect with their instructor weekly throughout the course
  • Seek to use materials that students are more likely to have at home or are more easily acquired
  • Focus on making that is more suited to home and non-campus environments
  • Require regular access to a computer and a high-speed internet connection