Class attendance:

• Class attendance is required. You are responsible for the material covered during each lecture session and for the content of course announcements, including changes in the lecture or examination schedule. Be on time! Announcements and introduction to the day's topic are the most important parts of the lecture. Lecture outlines will be on the web site. However, these are not verbatim lecture notes. Students who depend upon the outlines and the textbook and miss a significant number of class sessions don't perform as well on examinations as those who attend class regularly.

  Please note that changes in the lecture or examination schedule (except for the final examination) may have to be made if the course schedule is distrupted by tropical storms.

Grading:

• The course grade will be based upon three examinations, each of which contributes 20% towards the course grade and a cummulative final examination, which contributes 40% towards the course grade. All examinations consist of multiple choice questions.
  Students who are able to obtain a course average of 90% are guaranteed at least an A- course grade. Those who have an 80% average are guaranteed at least a B- and those with a 65% average are guaranteed at least a C-. The final grading scale may be more generous but this is not guaranteed.

• If you will miss an examination due to participation in intercollegiate athletics or for other UM approved events as defined in the "Undergraduate Studies" bulletin, you must present an official written request from the Athletic Department or other appropriate UM authority AND meet with the instructor at least one week in advance of the date of the examination to discuss possible make-up work. Failure to meet these requirements will result in a failing grade for the examination. Individuals who must have special examination conditions, such as a quiet room or a longer examination period, MUST meet with the instructor at least one week in advance of the first examination and bring documentation supporting the request.

• In the event that you are seriously ill (surgery, hospitalization, etc.) or in the case of death or serious illness of a close family member, you must meet with the instructor within one week after your absence ends. Do not assume that an absence will be excused without talking to me.

• In the case of an approved absence, an arrangement will be made so that you are not penalized by missing an exam. The most likely result of an excused absence is an essay and problem-solving makeup examination. Makeup examinations will be given ONLY during reading period, as announced. If I have agreed to give a makeup examination, you must meet with me during the last week of classes to obtain the location of the exam.

• UM does not require you to take three or more finals on the same day (as listed on the UM final exam. schedule), if you follow the procedures listed on the UM final exam. schedule. UM rules include a requirement to ask the instructor or instructors of the courses with the lowest enrollment. You must make this request no later than two weeks before the final. I require that this request be made in person and you receive my written permission. Those approved for an alternate final must return to my office hours during the last week of classes to pick up the room assignment.. Note that you are not required to take an alternate exam. You may take a final examination at the regular time, if you wish.

Discussing an examination, grading policy, or the course grade:

• Performance on an examination, grading policy, reasons for missing exams, or the final course grade will not be discussed by email or phone, except in extraordinary circumstances, such as that of a personal tragedy. These matters are best discussed in person. Come to my office. You will find that questions can be resolved quite quickly, and often to your advantage.

• Calculators may NOT be used during exams. Examination questions are designed to not require the use of a calculator. Please turn off your cell phone ringer before entering the lecture hall. All electronic devices including calculators, cell phones, Palm and other PDAs, data and picture watches and tape, CD and MP3 players, must be turned off and placed off the desktop during the examination.

• Please make certain you are on time to the examination, have several soft pencils (and erasers), and fill out your answer sheet completely and correctly, especially your name, form number, and student number (C-number). You are responsible for filling out these items correctly. If they are not correct, you may receive a lower grade or no grade at all for the examination.

• The instructor of this course supports the University of Miami Honor Code. Cheating, plagiarism, or acquiescence in these activities is subject to the provisions of the Honor Code. Additionally, Department of Biology policy is that cheating, plagiarism, or acquiescence in these activities result in failure of the course. If you accept or give any aid during an examination, accept or provide stolen examination questions or answers, conspire to modify secure records of your grade or the grade of others, falsify or help another to falsify an excuse for missing an examination, or look at or listen to notes, calculators, or any media or electronic devices brought into an examination, you will fail the course and the case will be referred to the honor court. You must ask permission to leave any examination for any reason, if you are planning on returning. Failure to ask permission to leave may result in a suspicion of cheating upon your return.