Introductory Information for BIL 161 Students
Now that you are a university student, more will be expected of you than ever before, in terms of academic effort and intellectual honesty. To be sure that every student knows what is expected of him/her in first year laboratories, we have devised this information sheet, which will serve as a contract between you and your laboratory instructor.
Please read this carefully. Initial each section after you have read it, and sign the end of the form. Once you have completed the form, you must return it to your TA.
What is expected of you, the student.
1. I acknowledge that I am solely responsible for my actions. If I decide not to turn in an assignment, not to visit the TA during office hours, or fail to seek help when necessary, I am responsible for the consequences.
2. I agree to visit the course web site () within 24 hours of the first lab session, and to read all information about course policies, grading, finals schedules, etc. I agree to visit the web site (or Blackboard, whichever is used by my TA to announce course materials) weekly thereafter to be sure I am informed about all matters pertaining to this course.
3. I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to know the times and places of class meetings, lab exercises, exams, and any other activities related to this course. If I change my email address or other contact information used by my instructor to contact me, I will notify the instructor of the change. Ignorance of the lab schedule is not a valid excuse for failing to attend lab or other activity, or failing to turn in an assignment on time.
4. I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to know the dates and times that all laboratory assignments (PowerPoint presentations, papers, reports, etc.) are due. I understand and accept that my grade will be reduced by 2% for every day late an assignment is submitted by me.
5. I agree to come to lab fully prepared, having read the required materials in advance. I understand that failure to do so is my own problem, and that no one in the lab (instructor or fellow students) should be expected to make up for my lack of preparedness.
6. I acknowledge that regular participation in class (or lack thereof) will affect my final grade, as the instructor may award discretionary points to reflect my level of involvement in the laboratory sessions.
7. I acknowledge that if I must miss a laboratory session, I will inform my instructor in advance. I agree to then go to the course web site to find a section to attend in the same week as the lab I have missed, and ask both the TA of that section and my own TA if it is permissible to attend the make up lab. I understand that failure to do the aforementioned will result in my receiving a grade of ZERO for whatever lab assignments were due or assigned during that week’s lab.
8. I acknowledge that it is solely my responsibility to keep all graded documents handed back to me, so that if there is ever a question about my grade in this course, I can provide all supporting documents. I will retain these documents for a minimum of one year after I have completed this course.
9. I acknowledge that each time I ask my TA to calculate my grade, 5 points will be deducted from my total grade. I acknowledge that even though I somehow was accepted into the university without knowing how to calculate my own grade, I need to learn how to do it now.
10. I acknowledge that if I don’t proof read a document I am submitting for a grade, or edit a presentation I am giving for a grade, an automatic 10% will be deducted from the assignment’s overall score. I realize that evidence of failure to proof read/edit includes, but is not limited to (1) incoherent sentences, (2) multiple misspellings, (3) grammatical construction with little or no organization. I also acknowledge that such judgments will be made at the sole discretion of my TA, and accept the TA’s judgment without condition or exception.
11. I agree to be attentive and courteous in class, both to my fellow students and my instructor. I acknowledge that my instructor has the right to dismiss me from the laboratory if I am causing distractions or disruptions (e.g., talking on a cell phone, using a laptop for things other than lab materials, talking while the instructor is lecturing, engaging in rude or objectionable behavior, etc.), and agree to abide by my instructor’s directions regarding appropriate behavior in laboratory.
12. I have read and understood the university’s policy on plagiarism, understand the definitions of plagiarism, and acknowledge that plagiarism constitutes a form of cheating/intellectual dishonesty subject to both departmental and university penalties.
13. I have read and understood the Honor Code, and acknowledge that my instructor has the right to dismiss me from the lab if I am caught cheating in any way during the lab or during the preparation of any lab assignment, and assign a grade of “F” for the course. This is a Department of Biology policy to which all Biology faculty are expected to adhere, and my lab instructor is no exception.
What you should expect from your Laboratory Instructor.
Your laboratory instructor should:
1. Do his or her best to clearly explain and convey each lab’s concepts to you.
2. Maintain regular office hours, and be willing to schedule appointments not during office hours if you are unable to attend office hours due to other commitments.
3. Create weekly quizzes and assignments that are fair and designed to test your knowledge about the relevant materials covered in the laboratories.
4. Grade lab assignments and return them to you in a timely manner.
5. Inform you of grading policies and laboratory policies clearly at the beginning of the semester. This includes telling you his/her office hours, informing you where to find course materials (course web site, Blackboard, etc.), and updating you regarding any changes to the syllabus, due dates, or other lab materials.
If you feel that your Laboratory Instructor is not holding up his/her end of this contract, please contact Dr. Dana Krempels, the Course Coordinator at as soon as possible. Problems left until the end of the semester are much less likely to be resolved than those brought to the Coordinator’s attention as soon as they arise.
My signature below indicates that I understand and accept all information in this document.
Student Name, printedemail:
Signature date: