Course Website Address:
Materials for Quantitative Methods in Agribusiness Decisions, AEB 5516, is located on the NERDC WebCT server, and can be accessed via the Home Page:
http://webct.nerdc.ufl.edu:8910/public/AEB5516/index.html

Required Software and Hardware:
University of Florida policy requires each student to have access to a computer. All students for this class must have access to a computer and the World Wide Web. Personal E-mail is mandatory.

Your computer hardware should meet the UF Computer Requirement and should be configured for multimedia and internet connectivity. You will need the web browser, Netscape Navigator (4.0 or above) to access the course. This browser is available for free download. Information about setting up the browser and configuring it for the course can be found in the UF Gator Guide to WebCT. In addition to the browser, we may be using a number of free "plug-in's" for the course. These plug-ins are installed on your computer, and support multimedia on the web (audio, video, animation, etc). The plug-ins we might need for this course are: RealPlayer 7 and Shockwave for Director and Flash. Directions on how to download and install these free players are available at the product websites - or in the Gator Guide.

Additional software is required for this course. Your computer software must consist of a word processing program, a spreadsheet program and presentation software. We will rely on Microsoft's Office (Office 97 or Office 2000). I have chosen Microsoft's Office since your text provides data, examples and exercises using Microsoft Excel. All files sent to the instructor must be PC (Not Macintosh) compatible and saved as either: (1) MS Word, (2) MS Power Point, or (3) MS Excel files.

Submitting Attachments:
We will use E-mail to correspond and send attachments. All assignments will be turned in via attachment, and should be formatted in one of the software programs described above. (Remember: all attachments must be PC compatible. If you have a Macintosh, please contact Dr. Willett and she will provide an alternate method.) Directions on how to attach a file to an Email message are provided in the Gator Guide. If you have any other questions about the process, feel free to contact Dr. Willett via Email (lwillett@ufl.edu) or phone (561-468-3922).

GatorLink:
As a student you may access GatorLink at http://www.gatorlink.ufl.edu and receive 15 hours of free internet service per month. Graduate students may access additional dialup hours (60 hrs). Your Gatorlink account also entitles you to web space. Check out the range of services available through GatorLink.

ISIS Integrated Student Information System:
ISIS permits access to your academic and financial records (http://www.isis.ufl.edu). Security requires that you provide a social security number and personal identification number (PIN) for access. If you have not used ISIS previously, you may enter your 4-digit birthday (i.e., 0320 for March 20) as a temporary number and then select a permanent PIN.

TeleGator 352-37GATOR (374-2867):
This telephone system provides rapid, easy access to basic services used frequently by students. Access TeleGator from any touch-tone phone. It allows students to check items such as fee information, holds, schedules, grades, grade point averages, etc.

Gator-One Card:
A Gator-One card is needed for the use of on-campus libraries, purchasing tickets to sports games and other on campus events. For more information on how to obtain a Gator-One Card, check http://www.bsd.ufl.edu/idcard/GATOR1C.htm or call Mary Patton at (352) 392-8343.