Notes on Tests, Bonus Quizzes and Grading
All the Tests and Bonus Quizzes are short essay style. You can check the web for examples of Tests given in past years.
The Bonus Quizzes (on Sept. 13 and Nov. 8) will be short 5-minute quizzes in the same essay style as the full Tests. They will be given at the beginning of the lecture period, so be sure to be on time. These short Quizzes will be based only on the lecture material covered in the previous lecture period. Historically, bonus points earned from the Bonus Quiz have made the difference of a letter grade for many students, so plan to take advantage of this opportunity.
A key to every test will be sent out by e-mail to all students shortly after every test. The quizzes and tests are graded by Teaching Assistants. Although the graders are expert and do a very good job, sometimes they err. Students are invited to discuss with Dr. Roux any of their test answers that they think may have been graded incorrectly. Dr. Roux welcomes these discussions for any test at any time during the semester up until the day before the Final Exam (Dec. 13), but not afterwards.
For students who miss a Bonus Quiz for a documented good reason, there will be ONE make-up Bonus Quiz to be given immediately after class on Dec. 6.
For students who miss a Test for a documented good reason, there will be no make-up test. Instead, for these students the value of their Final Exam will be 40 points (instead of 30 points), and, for the two tests they do take, both will be worth 30 points.
It is Dr. Roux’s hope that everyone will do well in this course. If you ever need any course material clarified, you are invited to contact the TA or Dr. Roux either during office hours or at some other time more convenient for you. If it is more convenient for you to send your questions to Dr. Roux or the TA by e-mail, you are welcome to do so at any time. Typically, e-mail questions from students are answered within 24 h.
It is customary for Dr. Roux to offer a group help session in the late afternoon of the last week day before each Test in BIO 214. Tentatively, then, you can expect a group help session at 5 PM on the afternoons of Wednesday, Oct. 3; Monday, Nov. 12; and Monday, Dec. 3.
In the past students in this course have found it helpful to study in groups. Dr. Roux or the TA will be happy to meet with any of these informal groups at any mutually convenient time.