2008
           BIOLOGICAL SIMULATION TECHNIQUES: Grading Policy

Grades in this course will be calculated from textbook exercises (60%),from a
term project (30%), and from a quiz (10%).
 
Exercises
There are several simulation exercises in each chapter of the textbook. Each
exercise has been given a point value related to its difficulty. Point values
are listed on a separate sheet.

Students earn the full point value for any exercise by submitting it in satis-
factory form.  If an exercise is submitted in unsatisfactory form, it will be
returned for corrections and resubmission.  A satisfactory resubmission earns
75% of the point value.  Partial credit will earned for unsatisfactory exercises
submitted between 24 April and 30 April.

Exercises should be submitted as attachments to email.  After your program is
running successfully, attach the program to an eamil and send it to the
instructor. The submission deadline will be 5 pm of the date indicated on the
schedule.

Each exercise should be submitted individually.  Send each program in a separate
email.  BE SURE that your program is correct and free from errors the first time
you submit it.  ONLY the first initial submission will be accepted and graded.

The maximum number of points that you can obtain from exercises is 100, although
you may submit more than 100-points-worth of exercises.  Because it is essential
that you not get behind in your work, some deadlines have been set up.  A
minimum number of points must be submitted from each chapter by the indicated
dates:

                         Minimum   Penalty
    Due Date     Chap    Points    Points 

    Jan 28        1        2        -1
    Feb  4        2        4        -2
        11        3        3        -3

        25        5        5        -9
    Mar  3        6        6        -3
         3        7        3        -3

        17        8        3        -3
        17        9        3        -3
        24       10        3        -3

        24       11        3        -3
        31       12        3        -3
        31       13        3        -3

    Apr  7       14        3        -3
         7       15        3        -3
        14       16        3        -3

        14       17        3        -3
        21       18        3        -3

Penalty points reduce the maximum possible exercise points you can earn.  For
example, if you should fail to submit 4-points-worth of exercises from Chapter 2
by February 4, you get 2 penalty points.  The maximum points you can earn with
exercises will be lowered to 98.  However, note that in this example, if you
have earned a total of only 92 points by the end of the term, your grade will
not be affected by the penalty.

The sum of the minimum required points is only 56.  There are 44 points from
exercises to be earned in addition to the required points.  You may submit
exercises from any chapter to earn these 44 points.

You cannot submit exercises from a chapter after its deadline, except for
approved advanced exercises.  You can submit revisions of unsatisfactory
exercises at any time until Apr 30.

You should keep track of your own point totals.
 
Advanced Exercises
A number of exercises in the textbook are more difficult than others.  These
"advanced exercises" are indicated on a separate list.  BEFORE undertaking one
of these exercises, please check with the instructor.  There is a limit to the
number of students who will be permitted to submit any one of these. First come,
first served (almost).
 
Term Project
The term project in BL4430 will involve finding a simulation in the primary
journal literature of biology or medicine, and duplicating that simulation
yourself using the techniques you will learn in this course.  This project will
be worth 30% of your grade. The requirements for this project will be given on
a handout to be distributed later in the semester.
 
Quiz
There will be a quiz on BASIC programming and use of the 4430graf.bas program.
The quiz is worth 10% of the final grade.  Copies of last year's exam will be
made available to the class.
 
Grades
The letter grade for the course will be based on total score:

              A    =   90 - 100
              AB   =   87 - 89
              B    =   80 - 86
              BC   =   77 - 79
              C    =   70 - 77
              CD   =   67 - 69
              D    =   60 - 67
              F    =    0 - 59
 
Grade Calculation
Here is a sample calculation of a BL4430 grade:  Suppose a student earned 97
points from the text exercises, 90% on the term project, and 95% on the quiz.
The grade would be calculated as follows:

  Sample           Text Exercises:      (97/100) x 60%  =  58.2%
  Calculation      Term Project:             90% x 30%  =  27.0%
                   Midterm Quiz:             95% x 10%  =   9.5%  
                                                           94.7%  Total
 
Statement
If you become even moderately proficient at computer simulation, you should have
little difficulty in earning a grade of A in BL4430.