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. You may make your own audio recordings, but you are not permitted to take video recordings. 

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. 

General: 

All assignments, exams, and grading will be done in Canvas. I also post announcements there for you. Keeping up with Canvas is critical to your success in the course! I do my best to keep it organized and as up to date as possible. 

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 (You can email ahead of time if you know you won't get it in on time).  

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

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 overall exam grade. 

Remember that this does not include exams. However, if you absolutely cannot make it to an exam, please notify me immediately. Failure to contact me in a timely manner, will inhibit you from being able to make up the exam.

Introduction Survey/Syllabus Contract: 

During the first week of the semester you will be asked to complete an introduction survey. This is a short assignment on Canvas, designed to help me get to know you better. There are no right or wrong answers! 

As part of this assignment, I will ask you to stop by my office during office hours sometime in the first two weeks of school. All that is required is that you say hello and sign yourself in. This will hopefully break the ice so that you feel more comfortable stopping by when you need help. If my office hours conflict with your schedule, just email me and schedule a time to drop by my office.

The second half of this assignment is a syllabus contract. Here I will point out some specifics on the syllabus that I think are particularly important. You should read each one and initial that you understand the points outlined. If you don't understand, you should ask questions during office hours or in class. I will hold you to this! 

Ultimately, this should be an easy way to get the semester going! So, just make sure you complete all parts of the assignment! 

Weekly Quizzes: 

At the end of each week, there will be a 5 point quiz on Canvas. These quizzes will give you an opportunity to see the types of questions that I ask on the exams, and help you better identify areas of weakness. The questions will all come from lectures from that week. Quizzes will open at 8 am on Friday of each week and remain open until 11:59 pm on the following Tuesday. You will have unlimited time to complete each quiz, and can use any materials that you like, including working with others. You will only have one attempt, though. So, make sure that you hit submit!!! Your one lowest quiz score will be dropped. 

Literature Quizzes: 

Reading and understanding the scientific literature is important for having a complete education in biology.  For this course, you will read three scientific articles throughout the semester that tie into the topics we have been covering in lecture.  

The quiz will open at 6:00 pm on the day of the quiz (Thursdays; see schedule), and be open until 11:59 pm the following class day (Tuesdays; see schedule). One exception is the last quiz, which will be due on the last day of courses; this is the following Monday. As this is a long period of time, there are no makeups for these quizzes and they cannot be submitted late. I recommend not waiting until the last minute because you may forget, or something else may arise and you'll miss your quiz. 

The quiz is open paper, but you should work independently.  Evidence to the contrary will result in a zero. Answers to questions should be written IN YOUR OWN WORDS- NO QUOTATIONS. Answers copied directly from the text, even if in quotes, will result in a zero. These quizzes will ask questions that apply to the findings in the article.  For example, you may be asked to briefly explain what the authors concluded, to interpret a figure or their results, or to explain information obtained about the background. Each quiz will be timed, and needs to be completed within one hour, so reading the article ahead of time is advised. 

Pop Quizzes: 

A series of pop quizzes will be given throughout the semester. These will be at random and at my discretion. They are worth a total of 50 points regardless of how many you take. One quiz (your lowest score) will be dropped from the final scores. 

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. 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 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!