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.

Grading:

• The course grade will be based upon three examinations, each of which contributes one-third towards the course grade. There is no cummulative final. All examinations consist of multiple choice questions.

• 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 in his office 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 two weeks 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 (usually the first day of reading period). If I have agreed to give a makeup examination, you must meet with me during the last week of classes to obtain the exact time and location of the exam.

• 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.
• Taking examinations:

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

  • Be on time to the examinations, 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.

  • IMPORTANT - If you are late to an examimation or use prohibited electronic devices, you may have points deducted from your score. Be in your seat and ready to take the examinations at the start of the class or examination period, with calculators, books, and phones off the desktop.

• UM Honor Code and Cheating:

  • 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 and likely failure of the examination.