Bio 140 — GRADING for Spring 2020

GRADING PERCENTAGES for Spring 2020:
EXAMS (57% of total):
First exam	18%     (Click here for more Exam Information)
Second exam	18%
Final exam	21%       Note: non-cumulative for Spring 2020
LABS on campus (23% of total)	Note: Labs count approximately 30% if Lab Check-ins are added in.
Weekly lab participation (attendance)	3%       (through March 10 only)
Lab reports first 4 weeks	10%
Group research paper (Fast Plants)	10%
Check-ins (15% of total)	15%       (includes about 7% for Lab Check-ins and 8% other)
Video quizzes (5% of total)	5%       (Click here for information about online video quizzes)
TOTAL:	100%

FURTHER DETAILS ON THE ITEMS ABOVE, AND MORE:

• Lecture exams:   Each exam will be graded on the basis of 100 points.
  These exams must be taken in class on the day indicated, except for students with disabilities as specified below.
  If you miss an exam with valid reason, you will be given a make-up exam approximately ten weeks into the semester. Click here for details.
  Please contact me if you have a valid reason for missing some or all of the final exam.
• Lab participation (attendance):   5 points awarded per lab (4 if you are late). You may miss one lab without penalty; the sum of the remaining labs will be adjusted to a percentage score. It is your responsibility to notify me if you miss a lab and make it up by attending another lab section.
• Lab assignments (homeworks for the first 4 labs; practical exams thereafter):   20 points each, total adjusted to a percent.   Homeworks are DUE at the start of the next lab period (or by 11 p.m. for electronic submissions); penalty of 10% per day late.   Practicals will be given at the start of the next lab period; you must be on time in order to take the practical.
• Group research project and paper (fast plants experiment):   Full proposal, due early in the semester, (check syllabus for the exact due date) must be approved BEFORE your group starts its experiment.  The final paper, worth 10% of your final grade, is due shortly after the second exam (check the syllabus for the exact date), with a 10% penalty for each day late. An optional rewrite is due in class late in the semester (check the syllabus the the exact date); NO optional rewrites will be accepted after the deadline. If you submit a rewrite, the scores for the original submission and the rewrite will be averaged. One joint report is submitted by each group, with the names of all students who shared in doing the work. If a student does not do their fair share of the work, their name should not appear on the report.
• Video quizzes:   Six videos on evolution will be posted for your viewing. After each video, you should take a 10-point quiz based on the video.   The total for all 6 videos is adjusted to make up 5% of your final grade.   To access these quizzes, go to this link.
• "Smart points":   Students who demonstrate excellent engagement with the course and exhibit behaviors consistent with a serious interest in learning, and in helping to create a positive learning environment with their peers may be eligible to receive Smart Points. One rule, however, is that it is forbidden to ask if you (or another student) have earned Smart Points- this question will result in the loss of Smart Points! In addition, any negative behaviors that hinder your learning (such as a high absence rate) or disrupts the learning of your peers may result in the loss of Smart Points. Any Smart Points earned by the end of the semester will be added to a student's Final Exam Grade.
• Interim grades ("my grade so far") will be calculated and posted about a week after the first exam and again about a week after the second exam.
• Due dates for all written assignments end at the scheduled meeting times for paper submissions or at 11 p.m. for electronic submissions.

EXAM INFORMATION: Click here for details.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Accommodations for students with disabilties are arranged on a case-by-case basis in cooperation with the Office of Student Accessibility Services in the Administration Building (first floor). If this may apply to you, it is your responsibility to send me email to make me aware of your particular situation and the accommodations that may be necessary and appropriate.
Worcester State University is committed to providing reasonable academic accommodations for all students with disabilities. If you have a disability and are concerned about the format or requirements of this course, please meet with me to discuss ways to ensure full participation. Students must be registered with Student Accessibility Services in order to receive academic accommodations. Student Accessibility Services is located in the Administration Building, Room 131 and can be reached by phone (508-929-8733) or email (sas@worcester.edu). Please notify me if you need this syllabus in an alternative format.
The Department of Biology makes every effort to assure that risks to students are minimized, including risks posed by laboratory materials. Students with any medical or other conditions, including but not limited to pregnancy, asthma or conditions that compromise the immune system, that may affect use of, or ability to come into contact with these substances, whether airborne or directly, or to safely work in this environment, should consult with their physician regarding participation in any lab and advise the instructor. The Department of Biology and/or the Office of Student Accessibility Services will make every effort to work with students and their personal physician to determine appropriate accommodations.

Individual help is always available for those who need it.

To contact Dr. Minkoff: please e-mail me at eminkoffbates.edu     I am here to help.