Grading

Grading Policy BILD 1: The Cell Summer II 2008

Evaluation:
Examinations will cover material presented in lecture and in assigned readings. Grading will be based on two 80 minute midterm exams, in class quizzes and a 3 hour final exam. Together these quizzes and exams will be worth 100% of the total grade, distributed as listed below. All students are expected to be aware of and observe UCSD policy regarding Integrity of Scholarship.

1) Midterm #1 (20%)
This exam will consist of essay and short answer questions. All exams will be returned one week later and an answer key posted. Any requests for regrades must be submitted in writing (reason for regrade request attached to complete exam) at section or lecture no later than two days after the exams are returned. For any exam with a regrade request other than in regard to an addition error, the instructor reserves the right to regrade the entire exam, with the potential for the overall exam grade to be revised either upward or downward.

2) Midterm #2 (35%)
This exam will consist of essay and short answer questions. The material tested will include all material covered up to this point in the class. All exams will be returned one week later and an answer key posted. Any requests for regrades must be submitted in writing (reason for regrade request attached to complete exam) at section or lecture no later than two days after the exams are returned. For any exam with a regrade request other than in regard to an addition error, the instructor reserves the right to regrade the entire exam, with the potential for the overall exam grade to be revised either upward or downward.

3) Final Exam (44%)
This exam will also consist of essay and short answer questions. It will be comprehensive.

4) In class questions and graded homework (1%)
From time to time, I will have students answer questions in class that will then be turned in. Sometimes these questions will be graded; many times participation will be enough to give you full credit. These questions are to give me feedback on how well the subjects I am covering are understood, and to give you feedback on how well you are comprehending the material.

5) Course Grades
It is my philosophy that grades should reflect your comprehension in the context of what I taught successfully in the course. The grading scheme is therefore as follows: I will average the numerical grade for the top 3-4 students in the class and assign that average a value of 100%, regardless of whether it equals or is close to the theoretical maximum of 100. Any student with a numerical grade of at least 90% of that average will receive a grade of A- or better. A score of 80% is guaranteed a B- and a score of 70% is guaranteed a C-.

6) Integrity of Scholarship (UCSD Policies):

No student shall

- knowingly procure, provide, or accept any unauthorized material that contains questions or answers to any examination or assignment to be given at a subsequent time.

- complete, in part or in total, any examination or assignment for another person.

- knowingly allow any examination or assignment to be completed, in part or in total, for himself or herself by another person.

- plagiarize or copy the work of another person and submit it as his or her own work.

- employ aids excluded by the instructor in undertaking course work or in completing any exam or assignment.

- alter graded class assignments or examinations and then resubmit them for regrading.