Grading

 

Your grade in this course is based on 4 exams that will combine material from lecture and readings, on the many components of each of the 3 recitation projects, and on DQs and discussion participation.  You may also complete "Current Topics" for extra credit.  Final grades will be based on a curve, computed at the end of the course, with the mean in the B- to C+ range.  Exceptional improvement will be rewarded, and your active participation in office hours, lecture and lab may also be a positive factor in cases where your final course grade is near a boundary. See the lecture and recitation schedules for all dates.

 

Exercise

Coverage

% of grade

Notes

Midterm Exam I

weeks 1-5

a

Midterm Exam II

weeks 6-9

33

a

Midterm Exam III

weeks 10-15

 

a

Final Exam

cumulative

18

 

Recitation Project I

questions/data

12

b

Recitation Project II

proposal/presentation

20

b

Recitation Mini-Project III

phylogenies

5

b

DQs, discussions, quizzes, clickers

 

12

c

Current Topics

recent press

extra credit

d

Study Skills Seminars

see workshop topics

extra credit

d

General participation

in all activities

fudge factor

e

 

Notes:

  1. Your lowest midterm exam score will be counted as 9% of your grade, and your other two midterm exam scores will each be counted as 13% of your grade.

  2. Points awarded for each project include attendance, worksheets, and final products.

  3. DQs are due by email to me podolskyr@cofc.edu or as a photocopy before the discussion.

  4. For each of the three sections of the course, you may submit up to one Current Topics report anytime before the exam for that section and may attend one of the College's Study Skills seminars anytime during the course.

  5. Get to know your professors, and let them get to know you! Your active participation in office hours, lecture and recitation may be a positive factor in cases where your final course grade is near a boundary.     

 

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