Your grade in this course is based on consistent participation, effort, and engagement with the material—not your ability to memorize facts for a test. Most assignments are designed to help you stay on track, reflect on what you’re learning, and apply biology to real-world issues.
Category Description %
Syllabus Quiz A short quiz to make sure you know how the course works 2.5%
Weekly Progress Check-Ins Short weekly surveys to track your progress and keep you informed about due dates 10%
Dynamic Study Modules Self-paced review in Mastering Biology. Keep trying until you get it! 10%
Reflective Discussion Boards Personal responses to real-world biology topics + responses to classmates 15%
Perusall Readings Thoughtful comments on current articles tied to class content 15%
PlayPosit Videos Short videos with questions to help you understand major topics 15%
In-Class Activities Activities and questions completed during class (or through alternative Mastering Biology work if absent) 25%
Final Exam Cumulative exam to test your knowledge of concepts explored throughout the semester 7.5%
93-100% A
90-92.9% A-
87-89.9% B+
83-86.9% B
80-82.9% B-
77-79.9% C+
73-76.9% C
70-72.9% C-
67-69.9% D+
63-66.9% D
60-62.9% D-
0-59.5% F
To support both flexibility and meaningful learning, this course uses a rolling deadline system for most assignments. This system gives you time to manage your life while helping you avoid falling behind or rushing everything at the end of the semester.
Most assignments in this course have two deadlines:
Deadline Type What It Means
Recommended Due Date The suggested due date to stay on track. These are usually on Sundays and help pace the course.
Final Deadline (2 weeks later) The last day to submit the assignment for credit. After this, the assignment automatically closes and will not be reopened. No exceptions.
You do not need to request extensions. The two-week window is already built in to provide flexibility.
The following assignments are eligible for the two-week grace period:
Dynamic Study Modules (Mastering Biology)
Reflective Discussion Boards
Perusall Readings
PlayPosit Video Assignments
Alternative Assignments
These assignments are due on a weekly schedule and remain open for two additional weeks after the suggested due date. After that, they are automatically closed in Canvas and cannot be submitted.
The following assignments are due by the posted date with no extensions or grace period:
Weekly Progress Check-Ins
These are quick weekly check-ins and reminders. They are due every Sunday at 11:59 p.m. and must be submitted on time.
In-Class Activity Participation Quizzes
These are completed live in class and cannot be made up. If you miss class, you may complete the alternative assignment listed in that week’s Canvas module instead. Alternative assignments follow the same two-week rolling deadline system.
Final Exam
This will be taken on the date set by the University
To support students through illness, emergencies, or tough weeks, the lowest 3 score will be automatically dropped in each of the following categories:
Weekly Progress Check-Ins (13 assignments will be available. Top 10 will count toward your grade)
Dynamic Study Modules (13 assignments will be available. Top 10 will count toward your grade)
PlayPosit Video Assignments (18 assignments will be available. Top 15 will count toward your grade)
No documentation or request is needed—Canvas will automatically apply the drop the lowest scores. Please note that Canvas will begin dropping the lowest scores as soon as your first score is in the gradebook. This means that for the first 3 assignments, you will show a total of zero points because those first 3 assignments are your lowest. Once you do the 4th assignment, the highest of the 4 scores will show up in your total grade. This will continue each week.
This system is designed to help you succeed while respecting your time and my capacity to manage a large class. You have flexibility—but it's important to stay engaged regularly. Submitting all your work at the last minute won't lead to real learning, and late submissions beyond the final deadline won’t be accepted.
Please reach out early if you’re having ongoing difficulties so we can work together on a plan.