Online courses are much like classroom courses, except that the delivery of learning materials (lectures, homework, quizzes, readings) and interaction with students and instructors will be through a learning management system, online textbooks, or online homework systems. Students may need to purchase textbooks or access to materials through the Campus Bookstore. Instructors and Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs) lead discussions and are available for feedback and questions. For courses that have a final exam, they are taken on campus or under the supervision of a proctor in the student's local area.
Review the Student Orientation Guide and Who to Contact for Support Guide your Online Program Online Learning Support Specialist emailed you prior to the course start date.
Log on to bCourses. You will need your CalNet ID and passphrase in order to log in. Some classes may also require that you login to a textbook site or external homework materials. Please review and follow the directions in the course Student Orientation Guide.
Select your class from the links under Access Your Online Course. Depending upon the course, you will be directed to the proper login site.
Most classes will use CalNet to log you into the classroom. Some classes may also require that you login to a textbook site or external homework materials. Please review and follow the directions in the course Student Orientation Guide.
For CalNet users: if you are unable to login, receive a CalNet error message, or need to set up a CalNet passphrase, please contact the CalNet office.
For other systems users or if you login and can’t find your course, please contact the technical support number or email provided by the system. Remember you will find details about logging into your systems in your Student Orientation Guide.
Your Online Learning Support Specialist sent the Student Orientation Guide to you in your welcome email. You can also visit the Summer Online Courses page and select a course to find the link for its respective Student Orientation Guide.
First, verify that your computer and software meet the technical requirements detailed in your Student Orientation Guide. If you are still experiencing difficulties, then contact the support number or email provided by the system. Here are some common system contacts:
System: Canvas 24/7 Technical Help Desk
Contact: support@instructure.com or +1 (855) 308-2758
System: MasteringAstronomy
Contact: Student Support
Most systems include tutorials or demonstrations on their functionality and tools, or they provide a Help reference guide. You may contact the appropriate technical support group or look on the support page of your course for more information.
You will need to review the Finding a Proctor Tutorial and submit the proctor application at least one month before the final exam date. If you have questions, you can email your Online Learning Support Specialist.
Note: Students are responsible for all arrangements and fees connected to exam proctoring.
Yes, as long as you have high-speed Internet connection, you can participate fully in a Summer Session online course.
In order to find a proctor in another country review the Finding a Proctor Tutorial and submit the proctor application at least one month before the final exam date.
If you have questions or need advice about finding a proctor in another country you can email your Online Learning Support Specialist.
If you have questions or need advice about finding a proctor in another country you can email your Online Learning Support Specialist.
Note: Students are responsible for all arrangements and fees connected to exam proctoring.
The online learning management system will provide you with some scoring information during the term; however, it is not the grade system of record. In order to see your final grade, you need to access it through the TeleBEARS system.
Instructors and GSIs regularly host office hours, provide feedback on the discussion forums, and are available by course mail. You will find their contact information in the course, on the left navigation menu under Support.
Please see your Student Orientation Guide or syllabus to find what materials are required and how to access or purchase them. Some courses provide free access to materials. If your class requires you to purchase a text or accompanying materials, you can get them through the Cal Student bookstore.
Course schedule questions can be answered by the Summer Sessions Student Services staff. Contact them via email or at +1 510-642-5611.
Course fees and tuition questions can be answered by the Summer Sessions student services staff via email or at +1 510-642-5611. You may be referred to speak with Billing and Payment Services, who can be reached at +1 510-642-3190.
Academic and instructional questions need to be addressed to your instructor and Graduate Student Instructors (GSI).