E. GRADE DETERMINATION: 

GRADE DETERMINATION: 

Final grades will be determined conventionally on the following basis: 

• 90 % and above - A 
• 80-90 % - B
• 70-80% - C
• 60-70% - D
• below 60% - F

The exams will not be marked to a curve.

F. GRADING POLICY: 

Your lecture exams will consist of two midterms.  There will be no final exam. These exams will aim to assess your comprehension of the reading materials and information presented during regular scheduled lectures.  It is important that you not only understand the lecture and reading materials but that you also have an excellent command of all of the scientific concepts covered during the course. Emphasis will be placed on essay and report type questions that not only critically test comprehension but also help develop scientific writing skills. Many of the questions in the exams will also be experimental in nature and may include data interpretation. Collectively, these questions will aim to test your comprehension of the subject rather than test your retentive short term memory and your ability to reiterate facts. To earn an "A" grade you will therefore have to demonstrate that you can readily apply the underlying concepts covered in the course to new situations. A less effective understanding of the material will be worthy of a "B" grade and precise memorization without sufficient insight to apply the materials will be worth no more than a "C". In addition, you will also be required to write a research proposal and give an oral presentation on the topic you wish to pursue as your senior research thesis in part fulfillment for the Honors in Biological Sciences Program. The requirements for this paper are described in more detail later in the syllabus. 

The relative contribution of each exam and assignment to your overall grade is outlined below: A total of 1000 points is available for this course; 300 for the lecture exams, 200 points for the oral presentation and 500 for the research paper and critique. Grading for lecture is based on two exams. The scores for each exam will be cumulative and contribute to your final grade. The research proposal is the major assignment of this class and the point allocation for this component is therefore weighted higher in accordance with its importance.  

Link to grades for each assignment and final grade for 2009 Spring semester.