- EXAM DATES:
- Exam dates are as listed in the course syllabus. Please check there.
Final exam dates vary by section, so check carefully.
- SCOPE OF EACH EXAM:
The first exam will cover class material and readings listed on the first four weeks
of the syllabus (approximately),
including modules assigned through that date, but stopping before the Origin of Life.
The second exam will cover class material and readings listed on weeks 5-8 of the syllabus (Origin of Life through Cnidaria);
material covered on the first exam will not be covered again.
The final exam will be semi-cumulative. A majority of the exam will cover the final third of the course,
but there will also be review questions covering earlier material.
- EXAM FORMAT:
Questions will be of the following three types:
- Questions requiring a single word or two-word term as an answer, such as a sentence completion
("fill in the blank").
A word bank will be provided for such questions.
- Definitions (in your own words) among a wide choice of terms.
- "Free format" questions requiring explanations to be written in your
own words. Diagrams may help in answering some of these questions.
Free-format questions will have many choices, such as answering two questions from a much longer list;
please read the instructions carefully and take the time to choose wisely.
Samples of free-format questions
from previous years can be viewed
here (for exam 1) or
here (for exam 2) or
here (for the final exam);
some of these questions may reappear in this year's exam.
- I do not take off for spelling, as long as the word sounds right when pronounced.
- WHAT TO STUDY:
- LECTURE NOTES, INCLUDING THE OUTLINES (AND ILLUSTRATIONS) POSTED ONLINE.
- ASSIGNED READINGS IN THE TEXT, with special attention to
the vocabulary words that are printed in boldface or defined in the text.
- In general, my exams tend to emphasize material covered in class more than material in the book.
Of course, anything covered in both places is doubly important!
- If you have any questions about whether a certain topic will or will not be covered, please
feel free to email me.
- STUDY GUIDES:
Study guides are now available for each segment of the course:
- HOW TO STUDY:
Click here for general advice.
- Students who need special accommodations for the exam will receive special instructions via email.
Please make sure that I am aware of your needs.
- If you miss an exam for any reason, it is your responsibility to email me and arrange for a make-up,
which will probably be an all-essay exam. A day for make-up exams will be designated late in the semester.
Students who miss a final exam should expect to take their make-up during the following semester unless other
arrangements are made well in advance.
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