BIOL 421 / VB SC 421 (F ALL 2010) - Department of Biology

Lab Exam Schedule:
Laboratory Exams are administered on Fridays (Times to be scheduled).
Lab Exam #1 – Friday, September 24 th , Mueller Room 112
Lab Exam #2 – Friday, October 29 th , Mueller Room 112
Lab Exam #3 – Friday, December 10 th , Mueller Room 112
Laboratory Quizzes
Quizzes will cover material presented in the laboratory and assigned reading. Emphasis will be placed on
material presented since the last prior quiz. However, some quiz questions may require knowledge of
material presented earlier in the course. Quiz scores will be combined with the scores from lab exercises
for a combined total of 160 points. The lowest quiz score will be dropped.
Laboratory Exercises
Laboratory exercises are to be completed and turned in at the end of the laboratory period. The laboratory
exercises will contribute to the final grade as described below. Attendance at the laboratory session is
required in order to receive credit for the exercise. Students who miss a laboratory session due to an
excused absence should arrange a make up assignment with the instructor.
Grading
Laboratory exams = 240 points
Lab exercises and Quizzes = 160 points
Lecture & Final exams = 400 points
Total = 800 points
4
95-100% = A
90-94% = A-
87-89% = B+
83-86% = B
80-82% = B-
77-79% = C+
70-76% = C
60-69%= D
Below 60% = F
Illness and Excused Absence
Notify a Course Coordinator (Dr. Acar or Dr. Dodds) in advance if you will not be able to attend an
exam or laboratory session. Let us know as soon as possible; don’t wait to the last minute. If an
examination is missed as arranged with a course coordinator or due to illness, a make-up examination
will be arranged promptly at a mutually convenient time for the instructor and the involved student.
Missed laboratory sessions and quizzes must be made up during scheduled office hours.
Unexcused Absence:
Lab exercises turned in late due to an unexcused absence may (at the discretion of the instructor) be
subject to a grade reduction of up to 50%.
Laboratory Safety
Eye protection is not required, but students who wear contact lenses should know that the embalming
fluids that preserve the specimens can cause eye irritation. Inform your TA if you feel faint or nauseous
during the laboratory period. Use of scalpels should be limited to dissections which cannot be completed
with scissors or by blunt dissection. If you hurt yourself during a lab session please see your lab
instructor immediately so that they can administer first aid and report your injury.
Laboratory Specimens
This lab will involve examination and dissection of preserved animals. Students are expected to treat all
lab specimens with respect. Photography of lab specimens by students will not be allowed and may
result in removal of students from the lab. All dissection specimens, bones, models, charts, and etc.,