FAQs

Is this class for me? This course emphasizes application of biological topics. If you need a biology course as a prerequisite for a science-based program (i.e. nursing) this course may not be right for you. Many of the subjects discussed in class have political implications. The course is designed to teach the science behind many current events. Students who do not wish to learn how biology applies to these societal issues would be better off taking biology 100 from a different professor.

How can I succeed in this class? Your most valuable resource for this course is your TA. Students who work closely with their TA are much more successful. Many of our previous students have said “I wish I knew earlier how helpful it was to meet with my TA.” Also, your TA gets paid to meet with you so you shouldn’t feel like you are bothering them or being difficult.

I am confused, what do I have due and when is it due?

Every week your blackboard quiz is due by Monday at 10:00 am. This will begin with a quiz that is due Monday of week 2. You will also have an assignment due every Friday along with a quiz over the readings we post on blackboard. You will have readings for Friday beginning week 2. We will be teaching you how to do your Friday assignment on Friday of week 2, so the first Friday assignment you turn in will be handed in on Friday of week 3.

Any other assignments (test training paragraph, group project information) will have due dates posted on the announcements page of blackboard along with an announcement made in class.

If you are uncertain about what is due, email your TA.

Is there a final exam?

Nope! You will be done with this class before finals week begins. Rejoice.

I am going to be absent. What should I do to get caught up? Prepare for lecture as you normally would with the vocabulary terms. Review the PowerPoint when you are back from your skiing trip/cousin’s wedding/nap and make sure you understand everything on the slides. If there is something you do not understand, go see your TA with questions and they will be able to explain everything you need to know.

When is the test?

It’s on the course schedule on blackboard. Please note the days and times the test is available. Also, please note the testing center’s hours  (testing.byu.edu).

I am going to be absent. Can I get iClicker points? If your absence is university excused, yes. If your absence is related to an illness, death in the family, or other important circumstances, yes. Go see the secretaries in room 109 HRCB and they will give you the iClicker quizzes that you missed from class and you can take them to make up the points.

If you are absent for any other reason (didn’t want to come to class, went snowboarding, etc.) then you cannot make up the iClicker points. Sorry!

I find one of the TA’s attractive. What should I do?

Depends. Some of us are married. Some aren’t. It might be best if you wait until the end of the semester before getting too involved.

I forgot my iClicker. I was in class and was paying attention. Can I have points? Sorry, but no. I get asked this question every day and it is impossible for us to keep track of every student who has forgotten their iClicker and it is not fair for us to give some students points but not others. The easy solution to this is to keep your iClicker in your backpack at all times with a spare set of AAA batteries. The story is the same for broken iClickers, stolen iClickers, and malfunctioning iClickers (This is really rare.) Because most people will forget their iClicker once or run out of batteries we end up throwing out a few iClicker points. See the syllabus for more info on this.

Why do we have those annoying quizzes on Monday?

Great question! I’m glad you asked. Most GE classes have a textbook with assigned readings that you are supposed to complete before class. Generally, the idea is that you become familiar with the subject before it is lectured on so you are able to understand the material better. We want to spend our lecture time explaining things like “how anti-depressants work” rather than spending 20 minutes explaining the definition of “synaptic cleft”. Familiarize yourself with the terms and how they relate to one another and you will do fine on the quizzes. See a TA if you struggle with this.

How do I know who my TA is?

Check blackboard. It says right at the top in bold letters. The TA email addresses are on the syllabus, which can be found under the course information tab on blackboard.

Can I switch Friday sections to be with a friend/ in a different building?

The only way for us to do this is through route y. So unless someone drops, there is nothing that we can do. Sorry!

Do I have to go to Friday section?

If you want the 11 points that come from each Friday and to be prepared for the exams – yes.

But you don’t understand… My BFF’s wedding is on Friday and she will unfriend me on Facebook if I don’t go to the pre-wedding reception planning meal bridal shower event thing. Can I miss Friday class?

As much as we would like to, we can’t play favorites. You can miss whatever you would like to miss, but unfortunately we can’t give you points unless you attend. All early/late work without a university excused absence (or health or family EMERGENCY) gets docked 50% and you won’t be able to make up the quiz. So you will end up missing out on 7 out of 11 points that come from attending Friday and turning your assignment in.

Why don’t we have a textbook? Can I get one if I want?

We don’t use a textbook because we know that 99% of you will sell it back at the end of the semester and never use it again. Instead, we will teach you how to find good reliable biology resources online. You should leave this course knowing how to answer your own biology related questions that will arise in the future.  If you really <3 your textbooks, you can buy one or check one out from the library. We also have some available in the TA lab and on course reserve in the HBLL. Email me for more suggestions about super-awesome biology books.

Is this source I am using for my Friday assignment reliable?

If you are honestly asking this question… probably not. Go see or email your TA to check! Remember, TA’s probably don’t check their email at 2:00 AM the morning before it is due, so it is best to do this well in advance.

How should I study for the exams?

Review the PowerPoints. Write out the paragraphs that answer Mon and Wed questions and review them with your TA. Review your notes from Fridays. Attend a TA review session (the times of these will be posted prior to the exam).

Are Monday quizzes open note?

Yep! However, you cannot work together. We want you to understand the terms we give you. The best way to do this is to look up each term in preparation for the quiz and get a good idea of what it refers to and how it relates to the other terms. We are nice enough to not time the quizzes, so we hope you are nice enough to not cheat.

I am a real whiz with computer stuff and think you should do something differently. Will you implement my idea?

That’s neat. We are always open to suggestions. Please email me your solution and we will consider revising it now or for future semesters. We do know that the technology we use is far from perfect (blackboard, iClickers).

My TA made a mistake grading this assignment/test. Can I get more points?

As it states in the syllabus, you have one week to resolve any grading issues with your TA. So you can - as long as you show it to your TA within a week of receiving the assignment/test grade. After that week is up, we cannot do anything about it.

My iClicker number rubbed off the back. What should I do?

Go to 3704 HBLL. They will work their magic and get you the number for your clicker. Note that 3704 HBLL is only available through the south entrance of the library.

What should I do if my question is not on here?

Email your TA. If it is a personal or private issue – email Dr. Cates. If for some reason your TA doesn’t know how to answer your question then they will forward your email to the appropriate place.