Integrative Biology 335
Grading Schedule, Spring 2010

We will use the plus/minus grading system. Your final grade (of 100 points) will be determined based on the following:

10 points Lecture Homework Assignments (five @ 2.0 points each)

Take-home lecture assignments must be turned in during the lecture in which they are due. Late assignments (anytime after 10 AM on due days) will receive a 50% penalty, as answers for most assignments will be posted immediately after class. Assignments more than 24 hours late will NOT be accepted. See lecture syllabus for due dates. These assignments will help you prepare for upcoming exams and will be distributed in lecture at least one week before they are due. If you miss class, the onus is on YOU to get the assignment and complete it before it is due.

10 points Surprise lecture quizzes (ten @ 1.0 point each)

Throughout the semester you will have at least one surprise quiz in lecture each week. These quizzes will be short and straight-forward and will cover material discussed in class that day. At least 13 quizzes will be presented, with your ten highest scores used to calculate your grade. So, if you miss a lecture quiz or two, because of field trips in other classes or other conflicts, don't worry. However, If you skip lecture often, you will do poorly on this component of the overall course grade (and likely on other aspects of the course, as well).

10 points First Lecture Exam — see lecture syllabus for date

10 points Second Lecture Exam — see lecture syllabus for date

20 points Final Lecture Exam — see lecture syllabus for date and time

Make up lecture and laboratory exams are generally not given except under exceptional circumstances, such as a death in the immediate family, a serious illness, religious beliefs, observances, and practices, and formal participation in scheduled activities of officially recognized groups such as athletic teams. For any of the latter conditions, the student must inform the instructors of the conflict within one week of being informed of the examination schedule. That is within one week of the beginning of the course as the syllabus was distributed during the first lecture.

If you are forced to miss an exam, let us know in advance if at all possible. Then, provide us with a written statement explaining the reason for the absence and supply supporting evidence. If health related, a notes from your physician is required. If a makeup exam is warranted, a well-researched term paper may be substituted or your remaining lecture and/or laboratory exams will be prorated.

10 points First Laboratory Practical Exam — see lecture syllabus for dates

15 points Second Laboratory Practical Exam — see lecture syllabus for dates

These two mandatory laboratory exams will consist of two equally-weighted parts. One, a station-to-station component where living and (or) dissected material will be displayed and questions asked of this material. This portion of the exam will be carried out in your regularly scheduled laboratory period. Two, a slide component where questions will be asked from projected 35mm slides. These slides will comprise a subset of those shown in lecture and available on Digital Flowers. This portion of the exam will be carried out during your regularly-scheduled lecture the day following the station-to-station component of the exam.

15 points Weekly Laboratory Exercises

Your TA will discuss the breakdown of this grading scheme with you in more detail. You will be graded based on your laboratory drawings, weekly quizzes, and attendance. You are expected to attend every lab and be there for the full two-hour duration.

IMPORTANT! If you have any conflict with these scheduled lecture or laboratory exams, SEE US NOW (that is, at the beginning of the semester). Please don't wait until the exam is upon us to present your conflict.

To request disability accommodations, please make an appointment to see Prof. Downie.

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