Course Policies

·        Class Info

·        Objectives

·        Format

·        Textbooks

·        Attendance

·        Academic Misconduct

·        Grading and Evaluation

·        Lab Safety

·        Disabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Biology 211

Introduction to Cell Biology and Genetics

Buffalo State College

 

Grades and Evalution

 

Grades and Evaluation

 

Evaluation:               Final grades will be based on 3 midterm exams, 10 laboratory quizzes, 10 short laboratory reports, 2 lab practical exams and a comprehensive final exam.

 

Midterm exams:       There will be three midterm exams.  Each exam will focus on the lecture and laboratory material that preceded it.  Each midterm exam will be worth 150 pts.  The three mid-term exams together will account for 45% of final grade.   No make-up exams will be given except under extreme circumstances.

 

Laboratory Quizzes  A brief quiz on the laboratory handout will be administered at the beginning of each lab session.  Each quiz will be worth 5pts.  The quizzes will contribute a total of 50pts or 5% of the final grade.

 

Laboratory Reports:     The laboratory grade will be based on participation and completion of 10 laboratory exercises.  See the lab schedule for dates of the laboratory exercises.  Short reports worth 15 points each will be required for each exercise.  These short laboratory reports will contribute 150 points or 15% of final grade. 

 

Practical Exams:       There will be two practical exams given during laboratory periods during the semester.  Each will focus on laboratory skills and analysis introduce in the laboratory portion of the course.  Each practical exam will be worth 50pts.  The two exams together will account for 10% of final grade.   No make-up exams will be given except under extreme circumstances.

 

Final Exam:              The final exam will be worth 250 points and correspond to 25% of the final grade.  It will be a comprehensive exam and will include material covered during the semester in both the laboratory and lecture sessions.

 

                                    Summary of point distribution for final grade

Mid-term exams

(450pts)

45%

Lab quizzes

(50pts)

5%

Laboratory reports

(150pts)

15%

Practical exams

(100pts)

10%

Final exam

(250pts)

25%

Total

(1000pts)

100%

 

 

 

 

Extra Credit:            There will be no opportunity for extra credit in BIO211.  Therefore, it is important to do well on the exams and laboratory assignments.

 

Final Grade:             Scores from midterm exams, laboratory reports, and final exam will be summed and divided by 10.  The resulting score will determine the final grade using the following scale.  There will be no curve or alteration of the point distribution when calculating final grades.

 

                               

Grading Scale

Points                      Grade

92-100                    A

89-91                      A-

86-88                      B+

82-85                      B

79-81                      B-

76-78                      C+

72-75                      C

70-72                      C-

67-69                      D+

60-66                      D

< 60                        E

 

 

Significance of Grades

 

•         A or B reflects mastery of course material.

A’s indicating excellence

A or B is my goal for every student

 

•         C reflects general comprehension of the material, but with significant gaps in knowledge.

 

•         D reflects major deficits in understanding of course material.

 

•         E reflects comprehension of course material below level to receive any credit for the course.