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Biol 3400: Vascular Plant Taxonomy: Tests/Quizzes

Quizzes

There will be a quiz at the start of lab on Wednesdays. They will consist, initially, of factual, short answer questions. In the second half of the semester, they may require you to write a key to a few families. All quizzes, like the tests, will be cumulative. Your lowest quiz score will be dropped in calculating your grade. If, because of circumstances beyond your control, you miss more than one quiz, please talk with me during the next lab session.

Tests

There will be two scheduled midterm tests in addition to the final examination. Both the midterms and the final are cumulative in nature and involve a combination of written and practical work. The division of points for the tests will be approximately 30% family recognition, 30% keying, and 40% written portion.

The lectures and labs are part of a single integrated course. This means that the written portion of the test may draw on material covered in laboratory and vice versa. I would consider writing a description of a plant that is put in front of you as practical rather than written, but writing a description of a plant family from memory would be part of the written portion of a test. Identifying a plant that you can examine is practical, explaining how to distinguish between two families from memory would be part of the written portion of a test.

All tests, both practical and written, will be administered in Geology 301. The first midterm will be given during a lecture session, the second midterm during a laboratory session; the finals will be given at the time scheduled for the lecture and the lab, with the practical portion being given during the first of these two times.