Quizzes, Examination and Grading

Grading Policy:

In the Biology Discipline, a course that includes both Laboratory and Lecture is considered as a single course.  Since the subject matter of the lecture and the laboratory are mutually supportive and integrated, the same grade is given in both the lecture and the laboratory final grade report. 

Lecture Portion

Quizzes: (10%) Periodic 10 point quizzes will be given roughly once a week.  These are designed to encourage the student to stay current with the material

Hour exams: (20%) Two 1-hour exams, each worth 100 points.  These will consist of objective and subjective questions.

Final Exam: (20%) The final exam will consist of two parts, one part (100 points) comprehensive and the other (100 points) will cover material since the last full period examination.

Lecture total = 50%

Lab Portion

Quizzes: (10%) Periodic 10 point quizzes will be given for each new lab.  As with the lecture quizzes, the lab quizzes are designed to encourage students to stay current with the material

Lab reports:  (20%)  A total of five (5) lab reports will be completed as a summery of the findings form each lab exercise.  Lab reports should be presented as the results section of a research paper.  There should be text, figures and tables summarizing data.  There are eight labs available for write-up.  Students will determine which labs they wish to write up.  Lab reports will be due roughly one week after the last lab dealing with that unit.  Late labs will have 1 point deducted for each class missed.

Group projects (20%).  An independent group project will be designed, conducted and reported by small (3-4 students) work group.  Projects should not be identical to work done during lab exercises, but may be similar.  All groups should have devised their projects and discussed them with the instructor by the end of lab on 9/25/02.  Groups will present their findings on 11/20/02

Lab total = 50%