|
Course Requirements and Grades A student's grade in Human
Biology will be based on major tests, a series of short quizzes, a group presentation,
laboratory activities, attendance and participation and a final examination. Major tests and the final examination. There will be six major tests and a cumulative final
examination. Any one of the first five major tests, if missed, cannot be
made up; however, the lowest test grade of the first five will be dropped
and the highest will be doubled. A cumulative final examination, based on the
first five major tests, will count the same as three major tests. Students
who have not been absent more than four times, have missed no tests, and
have a grade average of B+ or better going into the final examination may
exempt themselves from the final examination. Quizzes. There will be a number of short unannounced quizzes
and missed quizzes cannot be made up. The two lowest quiz grades will be
dropped while the two highest will be doubled. The average grade for the
quizzes will count the same as two major tests. Group presentation. Students will work in small groups of three or four
for a presentation concerning some aspect of human health or disease. There
will be a group grade for the presentation as well as an individual grade for
each participating student. The group grade will be based on the overall
quality of the presentation as well as the on
group's adherence to a set of basic instructions. The quality of an
individual student’s work and contributions to the group effort will be evaluated
in several ways: the instructor’s evaluation, peer evaluation, and self-
evaluation. The grade on the presentation will count the same as one major
test. The laboratory. Laboratory grades will be based on a student's performance
during laboratory activities, on individual or group written material
associated with laboratory activities, and on periodic laboratory quizzes.
Missed laboratory work and laboratory quizzes cannot be made up. Attendance and Class Participation. Class attendance and participation involves more
than just being present. Students who meaningfully and actively participate
in the course will receive a higher grade than students who display a passive
or apathetic attitude. Students are expected to attend classes on a
regular basis and to be on time. A portion of a student’s grade for
attendance and participation will be based on being present for class and for being on
time. While emergencies sometimes arise, being late for class or leaving the
classroom before regular dismissal is unacceptable behavior. It is
distracting to students and to the instructor. A student absent from more than four class and/or
laboratory sessions should not expect a semester grade higher than a C. Four
incidences of tardiness and/or leaving the classroom before dismissal will
count the same as one absence. Good classroom deportment is important to the creation of a serious
learning environment. Inappropriate talking or sleeping during class, the
use of cell phones, or any activity that is distracting to the class or the
instructor is unacceptable behavior. Students who exhibit disruptive
behaviors may be asked to leave the class and possibly withdraw from the
course. Grade apportionment. Test, quiz, and final
examination grades, along with the
group presentation will count for 70% of a student’s semester grade. The laboratory
grade will count for 15%, and a general evaluation of attendance and
participation, will count for 15%. |