Autumn
2009
FISH/BIOL 340 - Genetics and Molecular Ecology
Grading
Assessment will mainly be aimed at problem solving abilities rather than regurgitation of read material. All aspects of the assessment, from laboratory participation to the final exam will thus involve worked examples, many of which will have been discussed in lectures.
The maximum score you can get is 100%. For an approximate estimation of your decimal grade (DG) from your percentage score (PS), you can use the following equation:
DG = PS*0.063 - 1.6
There is also a gradebook where you can look up the grades on your assignments.
Breakdown of percentage score
- Pre-lab notes - 5%
- Lab handouts contain pre-lab questions which students should answer before the lab. Each student will be required to present answers to these questions to the TA before commencement of the lab. Without such notes, the student will not be allowed to participate in the lab, and no credit will be given.
- Lab notebooks - 5%
- Students are required to keep lab notebooks on each molecular (not computer) laboratory, and hand in those lab notebooks twice during the quarter (midterm and final). Students should keep notes of the labs according to the following guidelines. We will talk more about this during the first lab.
- Laboratory reports - 15 %
- There will be some form of report after each lab. This reporting may have several forms, ranging from short answers to questions in the lab handout, short lab reports or brief sections of the final project report. We will also give points for in lab participation. The exact form of the report will be explained in each lab, so make sure to take notes. Be aware that the material will also be on the exams and is the basis for your project reports. Lab reports are due at the beginning of the next lab.
- Early Quiz - 5%
- There will be an early quiz, which will be a 30 min in class exam, with the primary aim to give you an idea about your performance and the expectations of the class. As an exercise, here are the questions from previous years.
- Mid term exam - 15 %
- The mid term exam serves to give a first insight into teacher and student performance and to identify problem areas. Here are mid term exams from previous years. Note that not all questions may be relevant because the lecture material has changed over the years.
- Project Report - 25%
- Students will write a 10 page (double spaced) report on the results of the laboratory project. This report should be structured like a scientific paper - more details on the format are provided here. There is also a grading key.
- Final exam - 30%
- The final exam will cover the material of the entire class, including required reading material and labs (i.e. the exams are cumulative). Here are the final exams of previous years (MSWord documents).
Policy on Late Work, Exams and Cheating
Assignments and lab reports are due at the beginning of the class period on the due date. After that, 10% of the mark will be subtracted for each day late, and after three days we won't grade it anymore. As it is impossible to fairly assess special circumstances, there won't be exceptions unless a doctor's notice or similar is provided.
Exams: Acceptable reasons to miss an exam are listed in the University handbook. If you miss exams because of H1N1 flu, you need to e-mail or phone (leave a message) Lorenz BEFORE the exam. Make-Up exams may be provided after the exam - these make-up exams will consist of questions different from the real thing, and may therefore be more difficult. No make-up exams will be provided before the class exams, so make sure that you stay in town until the final exam.
Cheating: You may want to check out the University Policies on Cheating and Plagiarism. Both are serious offenses, and may have severe consequences ranging from unreported grades to dismissal.
