Academic integrity is essential to your success and the integrity of our academic community. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in this course and may result in a failing grade for the assignment or course, along with disciplinary action by the University.

Please review the Academic Regulations and Standards in the University Bulletin to understand the full policy. If you are ever unsure whether something constitutes plagiarism or misuse of sources, ask before you submit—I’m here to help.

Examples of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to:

• Copying text from a source without proper citation (even if you change a few words)

• Using AI-generated content or online tools without instructor permission

• Submitting work created for another class without prior approval

• Turning in someone else’s work (in part or full) as your own

• Paraphrasing from a source without giving credit

Violations may result in:

• A failing grade on the assignment or in the course

• A formal disciplinary review

• Possible outcomes such as probation, suspension, or expulsion
  
  

All coursework will be organized into Modules on Canvas.  Here are the types of module folders you will find on my Canvas page:

• Topic specific modules - You may notice that the names of many of the modules correspond with the column "Chapters Covered" on the course schedule spreadsheet.  These modules will contain links for chapter readings,  PlayPosit video assignments, Alternative Activities, and Dynamic Study Modules.  

• Discussion board assignments modules

• Perusall reading assignment modules

• Weekly Progress quizzes module - This will remain pinned near the top of the page

• Start Here - Basic information preloaded by the University on every Canvas page

• Important Course info - syllabus, schedule, student hours appointment, syllabus quiz, Intro to mastering biology optional assignment

• Fun with AI - some custom GPT's I've built for students to play around with

• Human Happiness Research - Articles and videos I have compiled for students to learn a little about the science of happiness

• Lecture Slide Decks - powerpoint slides for each chapter covered

• For you listening pleasure - Podcast recommendations related to health, science, and well-being

• Bookshelf recommended reads - Book recommendations related to health, well-being, and life skills
  
  

At the start of the semester, you’ll complete a short Syllabus Quiz to make sure you’re familiar with how the course works, where to find key resources, and what’s expected of you.

The quiz covers items such as:

• Course structure and grading

• Technology requirements

• How to access Mastering Biology, PlayPosit, and Canvas

• Where to go for help and support

You can use the syllabus and course site while taking the quiz—it’s open-note and designed to set you up for success from day one!

Syllabus Quiz accounts for 2.5% of your total grade.

Each week you will complete a short quiz about the  week.  You will verify which assignments you completed and talk about how you are feeling with everything.  The purpose of the quiz is to give you a moment to reflect and to verify that you have completed the weeks' assignments.  You will receive full credit for completing the quiz.  Due to Canvas limitations, I have to select correct answers for the quizzes so it may initially mark you  wrong for some questions.  I will go through each week and manually change your score.

Because this is a reflection of the current week, there is no grace period for these quizzes.  I will, however, be dropping your lowest 3 scores.  I understand that there are many circumstances that cause students to miss coursework so I have built policies into my course structure to help minimize the impact these circumstances have on students.

Weekly Progress Quizzes account for 10% of your total grade.

Each chapter includes a set of Dynamic Study Modules in Mastering Biology. These interactive assignments help you learn at your own pace by adapting to what you already know and focusing on areas that need improvement.

You’ll answer short questions, get immediate feedback, and revisit concepts until they stick. The goal isn’t just to get the right answer—it’s to help your brain actively engage with the material and retain what you’ve learned.

Tip: Treat these like a study coach! Doing them early will make quizzes and exams feel easier, not harder.

13 DSM will be assigned this semester.  The top 10 scores will count toward your final grade.  Once again, I understand circumstances make it difficult at times to complete all coursework so I have built built policies into my course structure to help minimize the impact these circumstances have on students.

Please note: Mastering Biology does not allow for late work on the Dynamic Study Modules, so the due date you see on the Mastering Biology platform includes the Grace Period.

Dynamic Study Modules account for 10% of your total grade.

Throughout the semester, you'll complete PlayPosit video activities that guide you through key concepts using short, interactive videos. These aren't just videos you watch passively—they include questions, polls, and prompts that help you stay engaged and check your understanding in real time.

These bulbs are designed to:

• Reinforce complex topics with visual explanations

• Let you practice applying what you’ve learned

• Prepare you for upcoming in-class activities
  
  

Videos are short and can be completed at your own pace before the due date. They're a great way to review and make sure you’re on track.  I have set these to allow multiple attempts.  The questions in the video are not difficult if you are paying attention and taking some notes while you watch, but as always, circumstances may occasionally interfere with your ability to focus on the video when you sit down to watch it, so I think multiple attempts addresses this issue.

18 PlayPosit videos will be assigned during the semester.  The top 15 scores will count toward your final grade.  Once again, I understand circumstances make it difficult at times to complete all coursework so I have built built policies into my course structure to help minimize the impact these circumstances have on students.

Please note: There are some fill in the blank questions that require correct spelling to earn credit.  I have set these questions, along with the "select all that apply" questions, to allow for two attempts.  Multiple choice and true/false questions only have one attempt.  Polls at the end of the video are ungraded, but must be completed.  A score will not be issued until the video has been watched to completion and all questions/polls have been answered.

PlayPosit Video assignments account for 15% of your final grade.

Some of your readings will take place in Perusall, a collaborative platform where you’ll read, highlight, and comment alongside your classmates. Instead of reading in isolation, you'll be part of a shared conversation—asking questions, answering peers, and helping each other understand challenging material.  At the end of each article you will take a short quiz.

For each Perusall assignment, I will provide several article options.  You choose the article that sounds most interesting to you, ignore the others.  I have included a brief description of each article in the module to help you decide.  Once you decide on your article and click on the assignment link, you will be placed in a group of up to 20 students.  You cannot remove yourself from a group once you are added, so please do not click on assignment links unless it is the article you want to focus on.

There are no dropped scores for this category.  You will have a Perusall reading assignment about every other week.  The two week grace period does apply though, so you have ample time to complete the assignment.  

Please note: Canvas will display a grade for ALL assignment options, even the ones you do not choose.  The gradebook is set up to only count your highest score toward your total grade.  Do not be alarmed that you see zeros in the gradebook for the articles you did not work on, they are not factoring in to your total grade.

Perusall Reading assignments account for 15% of your final grade.

Throughout the semester, you’ll participate in a series of online discussion boards where you’ll explore biology in action—how it shows up in the real world and your own life. These aren’t just about repeating facts; they’re about making connections, forming opinions, and thinking critically.

You’ll be given multiple topic options so you can choose the one that interests you most. Some discussions focus on ethical questions, others on evaluating scientific claims, personal health decisions, or social and environmental issues related to biology.

Your role is to:

• Choose a topic that sparks your curiosity

• Share your perspective in a respectful, thoughtful post

• Respond meaningfully to at least one classmate’s post

These are low-stakes but high-value opportunities to develop your scientific voice and learn from others.

For each Discussion board assignment, I will provide several topic options.  You choose the topic that sounds most interesting to you, ignore the others.  

There are no dropped scores for this category.  You will have a Discussion board assignment about every other week.  The two week grace period does apply though, so you have ample time to complete the assignment.  

Please note: Canvas will display a grade for ALL assignment options, even the ones you do not choose.  The gradebook is set up to only count your highest score toward your total grade.  Do not be alarmed that you see zeros in the gradebook for the articles you did not work on, they are not factoring in to your total grade.

Discussion board assignments account for 15% of your final grade.

In class we will be talking about the material in the textbook.  We will do a variety of activities including polls, quiz questions, small group discussions, class discussions, etc.  You will need an internet connected device to participate in the polls and quizzes.  Credit for each session can only be earned if you are in class at the time I administered graded questions.  

If you need to miss class, arrive late, or leave early an Alternative assignment is available to earn points for the day.

Please note: because there is an in-class activity and an alternative assignment for each day of lecture, you will have a zero in the gradebook for the one that you don't complete.  The gradebook is set up to only apply the higher of the two toward your total grade.  Do not be alarmed by the zeros for the option you did not complete, it is not counting toward your total grade.

In-class/Alternative activities account for 25% of your total grade.

If you miss an in-class activity or need to make up participation points, you can complete an Alternative Assignment instead. These are Mastering Biology assignments designed to review the same material in a different format.

Each assignment:

• Covers key concepts from the class session

• Can be completed independently and online

• Should take about an hour to finish

These are a great option if you're sick, have a schedule conflict, or just need a second chance to master the material. You'll find links to each alternative assignment in the Content Module for that day's class.

Please note: because there is an in-class activity and an alternative assignment for each day of lecture, you will have a zero in the gradebook for the one that you don't complete.  The gradebook is set up to only apply the higher of the two toward your total grade.  Do not be alarmed by the zeros for the option you did not complete, it is not counting toward your total grade.

In-class/Alternative activities account for 25% of your total grade.

At the end of the semester, you’ll complete a cumulative final exam that covers concepts from the entire course. The goal is to help you review, make connections across topics, and show what you’ve learned.

The final exam will be:

• Administered during finals week on the university’s scheduled final exam day

• Taken at home through Canvas

• Available for one full day, during which you’ll choose your own 2-hour window to complete it

The final exam accounts for 7.5% of your total grade.