Biofundamentals:
Clickers, Tutorials, Labs , Exam Structure & Grades

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COURSE INFORMATION:  This a 4 credit course designed around active learning.  It is a natural science elective and counts as both a lecture and a laboratory course.  It replaces MCDB 1150/1151 for MCDB majors.

MCDB1111 uses on-line notes & readings, virtual laboratories, in-class tutorials, "clicker"-based questions (and discussions) and to help you learn the basic concepts of modern biology.

• There is no textbook.  All study materials are on the course web site.  If you must have a text book, we can recommend some useful references .
• You are expected to have read and worked through the study materials before class; a substantial percentage of your grade depends upon it.
• Class time is used for questions, discussion, and tutorials – not for conventional lecturing.
• You will be expected to answer questions and explain concepts in class.   Class participation counts toward your final grade.

CLICKERS:  You are required to purchase and register an interactive clicker; clickers will be on sale at the bookstore. 

We will start using them on the second class period. We will give you information on how to register your clicker once they have arrived.

We will use these clickers extensively to evaluate your preparation for class period, to identify concepts that are proving difficult for students, and as part of in class learning exercises. 

10% of your grade will be based on in class participation. 

You may begin the labs at any time during the semester, but they are due on the dates indicated on the syllabus. 

You may be concerned that virtual labs do not supply the "hands-on" experiences need to be a biologist.   This does not appear to be the case.

The virtual labs are more experimentally intense and realistic than conventional labs, and I think you will find that in the end they provide a more useful introduction into laboratory technique, as well as the experimental process. 

You can work on the labs either at home or in the learning lounge in Porter B0054; there you can work alone or together with your group. 

We will schedule weekly meetings with a learning assistants to help you with tutorials, labs and concept mapping.  Your lab write-ups account 20% percentage of your grade.

EVALUATION (GRADES) : Your grade is determined by four independent measures. 

1. Preparation, in class participation and tutorials. 10% of your grade will come from responses to clicker questions, tutorial assignments, and other in class participation.
2. Laboratory exercises: 20% of your grade will be based on four laboratory reports: Water, Growth, Mutation & Adaptation.  They consist of a lab report (which can be submitted as a group), and your response to two to three essay type questions for each lab (these are done individually).
3. Exams:  You exam score will account for 70% of your grade.   We have 4 exams over the course of the semester.  You will also have an opportunity to take up to three "I Know It Now" (IKIN) exams during the final.  Each IKIN exam will be worth 25 points. Points from these exams will be added to your previous midterm score.  Exams are not curved. 

Summary: A > 90%, A- > 85% B > 80%, B- > 75, C > 65% C-> 60%, D> 50%. 

Exam structure: 

We use a rather different type of exam.  You score the maximum number of points for a confidently correct answer, and you loose the maximum number of points for a confidently incorrect answer.  For midterms, you can admit that you do not know that answer, and so avoid negative points. In many cases, it is possible to get full points by clarifying the assumptions behind your answers.

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