This class is fully in-person. So, lectures will be live. I will try to record the audio (ONLY) from my lectures. This audio will automatically post to a shared box folder. You can access this folder from the Welcome module on Canvas. Please see Other Classroom Policies to review policies on sharing recordings. In short, don't share my recordings or materials without my permission. These recordings should be used for you to study and/or catch up if you missed lecture. If I find out that lectures are being shared without my permission, I will stop providing them for you. 

Please note, that this is a courtesy to you. There may be glitches that prevent recordings from uploading. In those events, it is your responsibility to get the notes from a classmate, just as you would in the absence of a recording. If you want to make your own recording, you must ask me for a recording agreement form, but video is never permitted. 

Additionally, you will be provided with Powerpoint versions of the lecture ahead of class time, so that you can use them for studying/note-taking. 

Lab exercises and assignments will be posted on Canvas with clear due dates. Students will work in groups of about 3-4 throughout the semester. I encourage you to exchange information with one another. 

Lab exercises are designed to give you some experience with some of the simpler techniques in chemical ecology, as well as keeping a good data notebook, data collection, and data analysis. It is important that each member contribute. These labs are really fun, and include working with animals (mostly invertebrates) to gain an understanding of the various ways in which animals communicate with one another. 

We will be using a digital lab notebook this semester. I will have ipads available for this most weeks, or you may bring your own device to lab (laptop or tablet). 

You will work together as a lab group to conduct a research project outside of our normal class time. Each student will write independent research papers. Science is most often conducted as a collaboration between multiple individuals. So, this is good practice!!! 

We will also hold discussions as a part of some lab sessions. These discussions will be lead by the different groups throughout the semester. I will provide you with more detailed information on this on Canvas. 

Late assignments/missed exams:

 You will be given ample time to complete assignments. However, I know that life gets in the way sometimes. You have two "free passes" for the semester for any assignment other than exams. Here are the rules: 

1. If you don't get something in on time, email me within 24 hours of the original due date for the assignment in question. 

2. Ask to use one free pass for that specific assignment and I will reopen it for you for an additional 48 hours from the initial due date. 

3. There will be no deductions and no questions asked. In other words, you don't have to explain to me why you missed the deadline. 

4. If at the end of the semester, you have not used your free passes, I will add 2.5 points per remaining free pass to your grade. 

Remember that this does not include exams. However, if you absolutely cannot make it to an exam, please notify me immediately.

Introduction Survey/Syllabus Agreement: 

This is your first assignment for the semester (see Tentative Course Schedule ). It will consist of questions designed to help me get to know you a little bit better, as well as questions about the syllabus to make sure that you are familiar with it. It's an easy 10 points! 

This will also give you a chance to make sure Lockdown Browser works on whatever device you will be using for the exam (laptop or tablet). So, please use that device to take this quiz. If you have trouble using Lockdown Browser we will have time to troubleshoot the issues. 

Academic Integrity Module: 

You must complete the academic integrity module prior to the first exam. You can't open anything from the Week 4 module (where Exam 1 is located), until you complete the Academic Integrity Module. You will not be allowed to make up Exam 1 simply because you forgot to do the Academic Integrity Module. This module is worth a total of 20 points (4 quizzes worth 5 points each) and must be completed in order. You must mark each page as complete and you have to score at least a 4 on each quiz before you can move on to the next part of the module. 

Exams: 

Exams will be on Canvas and consist primarily of a mix of multiple choice, short answer, matching, and essay.  Your final exam will be all multiple choice and cumulative. 

You will take each exam IN PERSON in our classroom. As such, you will need to bring your own device (laptop or tablet - no cell phones) to take the exam on. If you don't have a device or a reliable device, please let me know the first week of classes so that I can help you figure out a solution-we have some that I can loan you. Lockdown Browser will be enabled, and we will do a "quiz" to test that this is actually working for you. Please do this on the device you plan to use for exams. If you plan to borrow a device, please arrange to do this with me. 

During each exam, I will give you a piece of scratch paper to use as you please during the exam. In some cases, I will print a couple of questions on the scratch paper so that you can work them out on paper first. You must write your name on the scratch paper (whether you use it or not) and turn it in at the end of the exam.

If the average exam score for the entire class is at or below 65%, I will give an assignment giving you the opportunity to re-answer some of the questions at a reduced point value to earn some points back. This will not be done on an individual basis.

Advance notice of missed exams must be given except in the case of a documented emergency. Without notice in advance or a true emergency, you will not be permitted to make up the exam.

Exam Rules: 

1. Come prepared with your device - make sure it is charged, you have a charging cable or whatever you need to make it work. 

2. Exams should be taken independently, and without outside resources. 

3. Questions will be randomized, but you will have access to the entire exam so you may answer questions as you see fit. 

4. If you are caught using a web-browser or any other materials during the exam, you will earn a ZERO for the entire exam. 

5. You must turn in your scratch paper and show Dr. Stokes the submission confirmation for your exam prior to leaving the classroom. 

Grading:

Your grade will be based on the number of points you earn divided by the total points for the course.  Your final grade will be percentage based. There will NOT be any extra credit or curving in this course.  Whatever grade you receive on exams is the grade that you get for that assignment.  Final grades are rounded (79.5%-79.9% rounds to 80%, 79.4% -79.0% rounds to 79%). 

Grades are based on the following percentage scale: 

• 93-100 = A   

• 90-92 = A-   

• 87-89 = B+   

• 83-86 = B   

• 80-82 = B-

• 77-79 = C+

• 73-76 = C

• 70-72 = C-   

• 67-69 = D+   

• 63-66 = D    

• 60-62 = D-  

• <60 = F

Grade Appeals: 

Grade appeals can only be made on the basis of miscalculation of your average and must be made to me within at least one week of grades being posted. Please do not ask me to change your grade unless an error has been made. When you ask me to change your grade, you are asking me to lie on your behalf. It is unfair to me, and it is unfair to your fellow students. It makes you look bad, and it's a waste of time, because I won't do it. Again, if there is an error, I am more than happy to fix it for you!