GENETICS - BIO 319

FALL 2009
M/W/F 10am Cooke 121

http://www.biology.buffalo.edu/courses/bio319/

Instructors:

Dr. Paul Gollnick (course coordinator)  Hochstetter 609
                                    645-2363 x189                 email:  gollnick@acsu.buffalo.edu
                                    Office hours:            11-12, MWF

Dr. Margaret Hollingsworth  Hochstetter 653
                                     645-2363 x196    email: hollings@buffalo.edu
                                    Office hours:            11-12, MWF

Generally the best means to contact the instructors is by email

Text:  Genetics Analysis and Principles by Robert J. Booker Third Edition

Problem sets:

Problem sets will be assigned from each chapter. They will not be graded. Answers to the even-numbered questions are in the back of the book. It will be to your advantage to do and understand the problem sets. Several questions on each exam are often directly from or based on questions in the problem sets.

Attendance:

Attendance is not taken during class.  However, the exam questions come from information in the lectures.  Often the lecture contains information that the book does not.  If you miss a class, you are still responsible for the information in that lecture.

Exams:

There will be three exams during the semester and one final exam for a total of four exams, each worth 100 points. Exams will be given on the EVENING of the dates listed on the syllabus. Each exam during the semester is one hour long although you may be given more time depending on room scheduling. The exam locations are given on the syllabus. You must take the exams on these evenings. We will not accept excuses other than documented medical illness (see below). The final exam date and location will be determined when the finals schedule is announced. You must take the final at the time scheduled. Do not make plans to leave town before finals are over; the final exam will not be given at any time other than that scheduled by the university.
                                                                       
You must show up on time for the exams. Students coming in late to an exam will not be allowed extra time to finish.  Once one student has finished and left the examination room, no other students will be allowed to begin the exam.

Make up examinations will be given ONLY for a valid medical excuse.  The medical excuse will be accepted at the instructor's discretion ONLY if you notify the instructor within 24 hours of the exam.  You may notify by phone or email, but eventually a written medical excuse must be presented to make up the exam. The excuse will be checked, so be sure to give the medical examiner permission to talk to us and write his/her phone number on the excuse.  Make-up exams are usually oral.  However, the format is at the instructor's discretion.

Calculators:

Only numeric calculators will be allowed in exams.  You will not be allowed to use alpha-numeric calculators.  However, calculators are not required; correct set-up of a calculation will be sufficient for full credit.

Cell Phones:

Cell phones are not allowed out during the exam. No exceptions!!!

Review sessions:

Review sessions will be held during the class period on the day of each exam. Attendance is optional.

Re-grading Exams:

Simple questions regarding point totals on exams, such as addition errors, will be handled on an individual basis first with the grader, then the instructor.  Questions regarding interpretations of answers must be submitted in writing within one week of the exam.  We will regrade the entire exam, not just the question that you want regraded.  This means that you could get more points for the particular question but actually get a lower total for the whole test if you lose points on other questions.  Think carefully and check the answer key before asking for a regrade.

Grading Policies:

In general, grading will follow the Undergraduate Grading Policy as defined by the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education. 

Plus and Minus grades will be given.  Grades will be assigned on a curve based on the mean of each exam.  Scores of 90-100 are guaranteed to be in the A range, 80-89 in the B range, etc.  However, if the mean score on an exam is less than 75%, the cutoffs for each grade will be lowered accordingly.  Under no circumstances will the cutoffs be raised.

November 7 is the last day a student may resign from a course and receive an R grade.  After this date do not ask us for a resignation; we can not give you one.

Incomplete grades can only be given in cases where a student is unable to complete the course due to severe unforeseen problems.  The reason a student wishes to receive an I must be documented.  The student must be receiving a passing grade in the class at the time the I is issued.  The student will be given up to 15 months to complete only that portion of the work that was not completed.  An I grade does not allow you to "start over" next year.

Disabilities:

If you have a diagnosed disability (physical, learning or psychological) that will make it difficult for you to carry out the course work as outlined, or requires accommodations such as note takers, readers or extended time on exams, please contact the Learning Disabilities Office and inform one of the instructors within the first two weeks of the course so that we may review possible arrangements.

BIO 319 COURSE OUTLINE

This outline is tentative. Only the exam dates are certain