The CAT program makes it possible for you to take fully accredited college courses outside of the traditional classroom environment. CAT courses are delivered with the assistance of microcomputer and CD technology, which facilitates self-paced, independent learning.

While the instructional methods may vary in each CAT course, each is the equivalent to the classroom-based courses delivered by UMUC – Asia. Successfully completing a CAT course entitles you to the same credit you would have received if you had attended the instructor-based course.

As a CAT student, you may progress through your studies at your own pace, provided that all lessons and assignments are completed within a 10-week session.

UMUC – Asia has decided to offer courses using this format to provide a broader range of educational opportunities to individuals who:

• Are remotely located at smaller facilities and have only a limited number of traditional courses readily available;
• Find they learn more readily working at their own pace or who have work schedules which make attendance at regularly scheduled classes difficult;
• May need a particular course which is not likely to be offered during the current term.

The university’s designated Test Administrator will proctor the examinations and/or written assignments required by your course. A Course Manager will assess your course work and submit a grade.

To be successful in completing your course, you must plan your time carefully. Try not to digest all of the course material at once. Instead, spend at least two to three hours on each lesson. Using all of the course components collectively, complete the lessons in sequence as assigned in the Student Notebook and take time to review your work.

Welcome to the Computer Aided Telecourse (CAT). Unlike a traditional face-to-face classroom or Distance Education course, CAT courses are designed to be completed independently and with minimal contact with your course manager. The role of your course manager is to grade your assignments, tests, and answer any academic questions you may have regarding the material. Before beginning the CAT course you should ensure you have all course materials and required contact information.

When you sign up for a CAT course, be sure to:

1. Verify the beginning and end dates of the course with your local CAT Administrator or field representative. Your course will begin the day you register. You will have ten weeks to complete the course, including all assignments, quizzes, and exams.
2. Check that you have ALL course materials in your packet. The required resources include: the Student Notebook CD-ROM, a textbook, and the corresponding study guide. The optional resource: a complimentary CD may accompany your textbook.
3. Contact your course manager. Let him or her know you have started the class and how to contact you. Provide your course manager with your contact information, including a mailing address, e-mail address.

Please take note of when your assignments are due and factor in the necessary time needed to get the assignments to your course manager. Much of your communication with your course manager will be via the mail, unless you have e-mail access. You are expected to take the initiative in completing your assignments and submitting them to your course manager according to your course schedule. You will not be granted a grade of Incomplete without prior communication with your course manager. Please refer to the UMUC Course Catalog for information on the grade of Incomplete. At the end of the 10-week period, your course manager will submit a final grade to UMUC based on your performance on your assignments and tests.

If you have any administrative questions, please contact your local UMUC Asia Education Center for assistance.

Each CAT course includes a CD-ROM that can be used on any computer with a CD drive. The minimum requirements for using the CAT Course CD-ROM include:

• QuickTime. Quick Time is free to download. Steps to download Quick Time:
1. If you do not have Quick Time, a screen will come up to download the program.
2. Follow the directions verbatim. After completing the directions, you will have successfully downloaded Quick Time.
• Microsoft PowerPoint

All University of Maryland computer labs are equipped with the programs necessary to run the CD-ROM.

Step 1:	Turn on the computer.
Step 2:	Insert the CD-ROM into your disk drive. On your computer there should be an icon called “my computer.” Double click on this icon.
Step 3:	You will then see a list of different drives. Double click on the icon (D:). It should either be the D: or E: drive.
Step 4:	This will lead you to a screen with many folders. Each folder is labeled by chapter (i.e. chapter 1). Double click on the chapter you would like to view.
Step 5:	Double clicking should bring you to another series of folders. Each folder is labeled with the information/activity for that chapter (i.e. chapter summary, learning objectives, etc…). Double click on the folder you want. This will take you to one or more documents. Click on the document that you want.