Course Task Points %
3 Exams (100 points each)* 300 pts 33.5%
Homework (20 @ 5 points each)** 100 pts 11.5%
Lecture Notes (15 @ 5 points each)** 75 pts 8.5%
Scientific Credibility Paper 30 pts 3.5%
Lab Activity Write-Ups (24 @ 10 points each)** 240 pts 28.0%
Daily Cards (20 @ 1.5 points each)** 30 pts 3.5%
Final Exam* 100 pts 11.5%
Total 875 pts 100%
* Drop lowest of these items: one of the three exams or the final exam
**Automatically drop lowest 2 scores
A = 90 – 100%
B = 80 – 89.9%
C = 67.5 – 79.9%
D = 60 – 67.5%
F = Below 60%
Borderline grades are common (borderline is defined as being within less than 1% of the next highest grade, e.g., 89.3% vs. 90%). I will consider bumping up your grade up to the next highest level only under the following circumstances: 1) you earned at least 90% of your homework and lecture note grades, 2) turned in all your lab activity write-ups, and 3) your final exam grade was higher than your overall grade before the final.
You have three options for extra credit. First, you can enroll and complete General Science 90 through the Science Success Center at the ARC main campus. This would be worth 10 points. Another option is to go to a seminar, special lecture, or field trip related to biology and then write a one-page summary of what you learned and how it relates to the class. This would be worth 5 points. It is up to you to propose something to me and please check with me first to see if a specific event will work. Extra credit assignments will be accepted until Friday before the Final Exam.