Biology 251 Fall '01 Course Syllabus

Resources:
The primary textbook for this course is Asking About Cells by Tobin and Morel. Some additional readings will be provided and others will be available for downloading online or on reserve in the science library. It will be assumed that the reading for a particular topic will be complete prior to the corresponding lecture or lab.

Requirements:
Attendance and participation in lab and lecture is required. If you will miss a lecture or lab for a college scheduled event (such as an athletic trip), you must notify me one week in advance. Absence from a lab without a written verification from the Dean of Student Affairs that the absence was legitimate will result in a deduction of 25 points from your course total.

For lab, you must bring a Sharpie pen and labeling tape. You will also need a bound laboratory notebook and a three ring binder. These items are available at the bookstore.

Student Evaluation:
Your final course grade will be assigned based on the percentage of points earned out of a total of 500 points. Short assignments including quizzes and small writing assignments will be worth 150 points. The midterm (Friday, 10/19/01) and final exam (9:00am Monday, 12/17/01) will each be worth 100 points. Investigation presentations (such as complete papers written in the scientific format) will be worth 150 points.

Grades will be assigned on the following scale. At my discretion the grade may be raised for reasons such as significant improvement during the course of the semester. There is no "curve" and your grade will not be decreased below that designated based upon percentage points earned. For example, at least a B+ will be awarded for a student who earned 87% .

• 90-100% A
• 87-90% A-
• 84-87% B+
• 80-84% B
• 77-80% B-
• 74-77% C+
• 65-74% C
• 60-65% D
• below 60% F

Assignments missed with a verified reason (as delineated for lab absence above) will not be made up; the total number of points available to you will be reduced and your course grade will be determined by the percentage of the available points which you obtained. Assignments missed without a verified absence will be graded as 0 points. Take home lecture or lab assignments turned in after the deadline will be downgraded 5 points for each day late.

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Page last updated on August 29, 2001.