GRADING INFORMATION

 

LECTURE: On-line quizzes, 2 hourly exams and a final exam: 70% of COURSE GRADE - We will use the +/- grading system.

 

A. On-line quizzes covering lecture information: 10%

 

B. Hourly exams include material from lecture and discussion and consist of 40 multiple choice questions.

First hourly: 15%

Second hourly: 20%

C. The final is cumulative over the entire course and consists of 60 multiple choice questions. Thirty questions will be over the first 2/3 of the course and thirty over the last 1/3: 25%

 

D. No make-up exams will be given for the two hourly exams. If you must miss an exam, notify the instructor in advance if possible. If you are ill, go to the health center and obtain written verification of your illness. All absences must be properly documented and verified. Unexcused exam absences will be recorded as zero. If the final exam is missed due to a legitimate, verified illness, a makeup exam will be administered at another time.

 

Lab: 30% of COURSE GRADE

 

A. Participation: 20%

 

2 points each discussion

0=did not attend
1=present w/minimal participation or coming in 10 min. or more late

2=good participation


B. Course Work: 80%

Fast Plant Proposal

Fast Plant Paper

Pop. Bio. Case Study

Photosyn. Mini-lab

Water Relations Quiz

Points

15

100

20

20

26


 

Resp. Mini-lab

Genetics

GMO Foods Case Study

TA Assigned Work


Points

20

21.5

40

50


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


EXTRA CREDIT: Up to 6% of COURSE GRADE--See Extra Credit web page.


 

 

STUDY STRATEGIES

 

 

We expect you to take an active part in learning this semester. Sometimes preparing for several classes a semester can be overwhelming. If there is anything our staff can do to help you be successful in Integrative Biology 103, please let us know. Everyone has office hours; we expect to use them to work with individual students. Each of us will set a separate time to see you if you cannot make our office hours. If you are still having problems with studying or time management, the Counseling Center in the Turner Student Services Building will see individuals, free of charge on Monday through Friday by appointment (333-3728) to work with problems related to reading speed, comprehension, and general study skills. In addition, the University of Chicago Student Counseling and Resource Service web site has many links to such information. If you have a disability, contact the Division of Rehabilitation-Education Services (DRES) at 1207 S. Oak St., Champaign or call 333-4603 or e-mail at disability@uiuc.edu.

 

Study Strategies that Work

 

1.    Be prepared. Before you go to class, look over the material that is being covered that session. Look at the lecture syllabus or discussion schedule. Print out the lecture outline and bring it to lecture. Read the text chapters before lecture. If you can't read the material thoroughly, take 10-15 minutes to skim thoughtfully through it. Look at the headings, subheadings, italicized words, charts, graphs, and illustrations. You will listen more attentively and take more meaningful notes it you are prepared when you go to class. Bring your text to lecture and find the pages referred to in lecture. For discussion sessions, read the topic pages before you come to class.

2.    Go to class! Attending class is essential and how you attend class is your key to success. Be aggressive. Sit as close to the front as you can. Be on time. Skim through the last lecture/discussion notes to get your mind in a receptive mode. Listen with the idea of what might be a possible test question. Note things that are repeated or emphasized. Key in on examples. Think actively. Answer questions asked by the lecturer.

3.    Review Daily. As soon as possible after lecture or discussion, look over your notes. Make a concerted effort to understand the objectives stated in the lecture outlines or course packet. Think!!! What is a possible test question? What from today's lecture would I like to take into the test as a cheat sheet. With this thought in mind, prepare a concentrated set of the important details from lecture. If you have trouble doing this, see your TA or one of the lecturers.

 

This process is designed to make you an active student and secure long term learning and understanding. The biggest mistakes students make are: 1. Not being mentally prepared for class. 2. Being a passive, half asleep student taking notes in class. 3. Waiting until exam time to review notes. Ultimately, the students who take on this passive role, end up teaching themselves the material at the last minute and aren't well prepared for tests.

Our Policy on Academic Integrity

Academic integrity means being honest about your intellectual work.  In the context of our course, this means that you assert that written work you submit for the course is a product of your intellectual effort and not the work of someone else.  The written materials you prepare for plant biology class are a method of demonstrating your knowledge of the facts and your understanding of the concepts of plant biology.  If you use the words and ideas of another as your own, you are not being honest and you have only demonstrated the other person's knowledge and understanding, not your own.

The University of Illinois has specific policies and regulations concerning academic integrity in the Student Code, Article 1--Students Right and Responsibilities, Part 4. Academic Integrity.   As a student of the University it is your responsibility to become familiar with, understand, and abide by Academic Integrity as defined in this article.  It should be noted that ignorance of these regulations is not a defense in cases of infringement of the rules of academic integrity.

How to learn with others and maintain your academic integrity:



Available Assistance
There are many people available if you need help or want to discuss course material.  Contact your teaching assistant(s) and/or feel free to contact a course instructor.  We want you to succeed in Integrative Biology 103!  Let us know how we can help you.