You are expected to read the current section before coming to lecture (at the very least read the section headings, the vocabulary in bold, and the figures and their legends).  You are expected to attend lecture, take good notes, study those notes, and read the text that is assigned along with the lectures.  Exams will come mainly (at least 75% to a maximum of 95%) from the notes.  There will be a few questions from the reading.  You are not expected to memorize the book, but you do need to read for understanding of the lecture material and you will see at least a few questions from the reading on each exam.  You do not need to take detailed notes on the reading, but you are expected to read any text section that is touched on in lecture and to know that material to the same general detail level as the lecture notes.  You can use lecture notes as an estimate of this level of detail, but determining exactly what to know from the reading is your responsibility as a mature university student.  Also note that there will be a few Friday lectures and you are expected to attend.  Notes will not be posted on the web and makeup notes are NOT available.  If you must have an unexcused absence be sure to borrow notes from a classmate, or make a notes outline from the pertinent section of the text.  You MUST take exams in your registered section.

There will be questions from each chapter that we cover on the subsequent exam.  How many questions will come from each chapter depends on how much lecture time was spent on that material.  In 2011, there are 35 questions on each exam.  So, if we had (for example) 10 lectures on an exam, there would be approximately 3-4 questions asked per lecture.   In 2010 and 2008, there are 40 questions on each exam.

If you haven't already, start by looking at the study suggestions on this webpage.  I find that for most people, the key to doing well in the class is largely a matter of how much time they spend studying.  You should be spending about 3 hours studying for every hour of lecture.  Also, many students come out of high school with poor study skills.  If you think this might be part of the difficulty, then you may be able to get help through the Teaching Center.

This may not apply to you, but it applies to many:  It helps to study as we go along and not wait until a week or two (or in some cases students even wait until a day or two) before the exam.  There is a lot of material, and it is the rare person that can cram that much into their brain at the last minute.  You are all, in one way or another, biology majors.  You should be learning the subject as we go along, not just studying for test grades.  If you truly learn the subject, then specifically "studying for the test" should require no more than a quick review.

If you have been spending that kind of time studying and know your study skills are good, then you might want to consider getting some tutoring.  If they haven't already, the Teaching Center will often set up a study group for the class if they get enough student interest.

If you feel your grades are affected because you become nervous or anxious during exams, the University Counseling Center may be able to help.

My goal is that you do well in this course and that you gain a solid basic understanding of and background in introductory biology.  It should be your goal as well.  Learning this basic material now will serve you well in advanced courses and on admission exams.  If you are having any difficulty, it is important to find a solution asap.  Get the tutoring or counseling you need now.  There is no extra credit offered in this course.  Everyone has to take personal responsibility and earn their grade on a fair and level playing field.

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