Grading

Grading Policy BILD 10: Fundamental Concepts of Modern Biology Winter 2008

Evaluation:
Examinations will cover material presented in lecture and in assigned readings. Grading will be based on class participation, a research paper and a 3 hour final exam. All students are expected to be aware of and observe UCSD policy regarding Integrity of Scholarship.

1) Participation in sections/ pop quizzes (5% of final grade)
Participation in sections (attendance) will be noted. I will use attendance and the grades from quick quizzes given during lecture to determine 5% of the overall course grade.

2) Research paper (65% of final grade)
See the explanation of this assignment (research paper).

3) Final Exam (30% of final grade)
   The final will consist of approximately 50 questions in multiple choice format; you will have 3 hours to take this exam. The final will be comprehensive.

4) 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 point total for the top 10 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 within 10% of that average will receive a grade of A- or better. Letter grades down from A will be assigned in steps of 10%. For example, if the final grades for the top 10 students average out to a 92, any grade higher than 82 will receive at least an A-, any grade higher than a 72 will receive at least a B-, and any grade higher than a 62 will receive at least a C-.

5) 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.