Tests

What if I miss a Term Test?
  -  If you know ahead of time about a possible conflict, please contact us ASAP.
 We do have some flexibility and alternate arrangements may be possible.
 Conflicts (sports, religious, compassionate) require 48 hour notice

  - If you actually miss a test without prior notification, we will need a documented reason based on medical, family or personal emergencies. You should present the document to the academic counselor of your dean's office. Please read the policy outlined in the Academic Handbook |pdf format| or see the website page.

  - Our makeup tests occur usually within a week after the original test. You cannot simply appear at a makeup test and expect accommodation. You may not be allowed to write the test or have it count for you unless you have a valid reason and make prior arrangements with us. A letter from an academic counselor of your Dean's Office may also be required. |Top|

What if I miss a Final Exam?
  -  You are not allowed to miss a final exam.  If you know ahead of time about a possible conflict, please contact us ASAP.

   - If you actually miss a final exam without prior notification, we will need a documented reason based on medical, family or personal emergencies. You should present the document to the academic counselor of your dean's office. Please read the policy outlined in the Academic Handbook |pdf format| or see the website page.

  - Makeup tests for final exams may vary. You cannot simply appear at a makeup test and expect accommodation. You may not be allowed to write the test or have it count for you unless you have a valid reason and make prior arrangements with us. Obtain a form, Request for Special Exam, from an academic counselor of your Dean's Office and see us to have it filled out. We will return it to your Dean's Office. |Top|

What happens to my mark if I am excused from a test?
  - Each term test is worth 15% of the final mark. If you are excused from a test, all other marks remain at their original percent value, but they are taken as a percentage of 85 instead of 100 marks.  If you miss two tests, your marks are added out of 70 instead of 100.  In this way, a missed test is evenly distributed over the entire year instead of being added to the next test or to the final exam.  Please remember that documented reasons are required to be excused from tests and quizzes. See previous FAQ.  |Detailed calculations| |Top|

How can I review my test?
  - We do not return your test books but you certainly may still review your responses.  Master tests are posted on WebCT. You may review your actual Scantron answers (see next question) and print a copy to compare your answers to the Masters . Your lecturers will be happy to review your questions with you.  To make an appointment, please email your Lecturer and please remember to bring a printed copy of your Scantron answers. |Top|

How can I see my Scantron?
 - An electronic version of your Scantron for each test will be emailed to your UWO account about one week after the test.  Please note that wrong answers are shown in red and correct answers are shown in blue.  To check your answers, print a copy of your Scantron to compare it with the master copies posted on WebCT.  Please note that part marks are also shown in blue.  Your test mark is not simply the number correct out of the total.  You must check each correct answer against the master to calculate part marks. |Top|

Lectures

Do I need to buy the textbook?
  - Our tests are based on lecture material.  We refer to the text and use many of its graphics but only in special cases do we test directly from the textbook.  Copies of the book are on reserve at the Heavy Demand Desk in Taylor Library. It is highly advisable to buy and read this book.  |Top|

Do I need to buy the study guide?
  - Some people find study guides useful while others do not. We do not refer to the study guide and it is not required that you buy it. The bookstore may have a package deal where study guides are included with the text book. It is your choice about using the study guide. Copies of the study guide are on reserve at the Heavy Demand Desk in Taylor Library.  |Top|

What are participation marks?
  - You are required to buy a clicker at the bookstore. In each lecture, we ask a number of clicker questions. Participation marks are based on the number of questions that you attempt in class.  Note that this mark is not based on the number of correct questions, only on the number of questions that you attempt to answer. |Top|

What if I miss a lecture?
  - Attendance at lectures is not part of your Bio mark. If you miss a lecture, for any reason, you are still responsible for the information given in that lecture.  You also miss out on an opportunity to gain participation marks. |Top|

Can I switch Bio 1222 lecture sections?
  - Officially, no. However, since Bio 1222 lectures are in NCB 101 with 800 seats, there are often empty seats.  Monday lectures are repeated on Tuesday. Wednesday lectures are repeated on Thursday.  Your clicker responses can be recorded in either lecture section, but if you attend both, only the last session counts. |Top|

Labs

Where is my lab room?
 - You need to remember your assigned lab section. Find your lab section for Bio 1222/23 on your printed timetable.  Note your lab section in the Laboratory schedule.  Look for your lab room, NCB 309, 310 or 320 |Top|

Do I need to buy the lab notes?
  - YES, most definitely. New lab notes are available in the bookstore. You cannot use lab notes from previous years. Possessing previous year's lab notes in the lab room may be construed as attempted plagiarism and penalized as such.  |Top|

Do I need to buy a lab coat and safety glasses?
  - YES, most definitely. Both are required in all Bio 1222/23 labs. These may also be required in other science courses. Items are available new in the bookstore.  Check bulletin boards in Science buildings for notices of used items. Because of UWO insurance policies, you will not be allowed to perform a lab without proper lab attire. No bare legs. No sandals or open-toed shoes. |Top|

What if I miss a lab?

  - The short answer: Not a good idea. Not good at all.

  - The long answer: Labs are very full.  There is a severely limited amount of space and equipment.  It is unfair to TAs and regular students to overfill a lab with visitors.  If a regular student is missing from a lab, then a TA may allow a visitor to sit in that empty seat.  Do not expect that we can accommodate you. At times, there may be more visitors than spaces.  Finding room for visitors is not based on "first come, first served". It is entirely at the discretion of lab staff.

  - In the past, some students have abused these make-up opportunities.  Do not expect that we can accommodate you. If you miss your regular lab and cannot get into another lab, you may be given zero.  If you have a documented reason, you may be excused from that lab and it will not be used in your lab average.

In short, Do not expect that we can accommodate you. |Top|

What if I forget to sign the lab attendance?
 - You must submit your lab assignment at the end of each lab.  If the TA finds your assignment turned in and maybe has even marked it but finds no signature on the attendance sheet, you must convince your TA of your attendance or you will be given zero for that assignment. |Top|

Are you interested in contributing to lab development?
 - We are in the constant process of reviewing our lab exercises.  If you are interested in contributing your thoughts, ideas, comments and concerns, we are interested in your feedback. Please email Winona Gadapati at uwo.ca. |Top|

Tutorials

Where is my tutorial room?
 - Find your lab section for Bio 1222/23 on your printed timetable.  Note your lab section in the tutorial schedule. Look for your tutorial room, NCB 285, 296 or 340. |Top|

What if I miss a tutorial?
 - As with labs (above), it is not advisable to miss a tutorial. You may attend another tutorial but your assignment will not be marked.  Unlike lab marks where every assignment counts, for tutorial marks we take the best 8 out of 10 .    |Top|

Marks

How are Participation Marks calculated?
 - Your participation mark is based on how often you respond to clicker questions in class according to the table below. It is not related to how many you get correct, only how many you attempt (participate in). In Bio 1222, your clicker responses can be recorded in either lecture section, but if you attend both, only the last session counts. |Top|

How are Interim Marks calculated?
 - Your final mark is based on 80% tests and 20% other, therefore your interim mark should be roughly the same. Take 80% of you test average.  Add 10% of your lab assignment average.  Add 5% of your Participation Mark.  Add 5% of your Tutorial average.  This should give a reasonable approximation of where you are in Bio 1222/23 at the moment. Please remember that these are estimates to give you a rough indication of your work to date. |Detailed calculations| |Top|

How can I see my marks?
 - A  current summary of your marks is located on WebCT Grade Book.
Click on the link <The University of Western Ontario>. If you cannot enter this site, go to the Help desk in the Services Bldg on Western Rd. to activate your UWO account.  If you can enter the WebCT site but still cannot see your marks, then email dajoie @ uwo.ca using your UWO user name. |Top|

Miscellaneous

Where is the North Campus Building (NCB)?
 - We are the building behind Middlesex and next to Labatt Visual Arts.  Look for us on the third floor.  Bio 1222/23 is located in the front half of the 3rd floor floor. Please find us on this campus map. |Top|

What is "Bio Central"?
 - NCB 301, "Bio Central" is the center of your universe for this year.  Here, you may find answers to all the burning questions in your life.  If we cannot find an answer to your problem, then we will find someone on campus who can. Please see us in NCB 301.  Appointments may be necessary at certain times of the year.
 Typical Business hours: 9:00 to Noon, 1:00 to 4:00 pm, Daily   |Top|

Where are the washrooms in NCB?
 - Third floor washrooms are at the very back of the building by the rear elevator. The water fountain is at that end of the hallway as well. Washrooms on the second floor are located at both the front and back of the building, accessible through stairs or elevators at either end. |Top|

Where are public phones in NCB?
 - Pay phones are on the ground floor at the front of the building and by the food services at the back.  Each phone has a special button to call for the Foot Patrol who will meet you and escort you to other campus locations. "No one needs to walk alone." |Top|

Where are photocopiers in NCB?
 - There is no public photocopier in NCB 301. Our one machine is coded for course and research accounts only and will not accept cash.  The nearest public photocopier is located in NCB 280, the FIMS Graduate Resource Centre. Ask the librarian at the reference desk.   |Top|

What are "Clickers"?
 - We are continuing use of a classroom response system in Bio 1222/23. For more information, please refer to your course outline. |Top|

Why can my computer not get into WebCT?
 - There could be several reasons.
1) You are not using your UWO email name and password. Some campus computer labs may require you to use a student number. WebCT requires your valid UWO email name and password only.
2) You have not yet validated your UWO email name and password. Please see the friendly people at the Help Desk (second floor of Nat. Sci.)
3) You might need to reset your password (See the FAQ below to reset your password)
4) Your browser is not properly configured. Follow the instructions on the WebCT login page for a Browser Check. http://webct.uwo.ca/checkMyBrowser.html |Top|

How can I reset my password?
 - This has worked for several people.
1) Go to the ITS webpage to change passwords
   https://www.uwo.ca/its/accounting/ChangePassword.html
2) Enter your email name and old password.
3) Enter your old password again as the new password.
4) Confirm your old password again as the new password.

In other words, you enter your user name then enter your old password three times. This should reset your password and get you back into WebCT.
 |Top|

Why do I not get the Bio1222/23 emails or newsletters?
 - There could be several reasons for this problem.
1) Your UWO email account has not yet been activated.
2) Your email account is full. You must empty your Trash.
3) You have forwarded your email to an outside service
    (Yahoo, Hotmail) and your service often blocks our emails.

***  Two notes of caution about UWO mailing lists and emails  ***

1) UWO public mailing lists are not for general use.  These are reserved
    for UWO course and departmental business only.  Improper use of these
    lists (spamming, etc.) may result in suspension of your UWO email privileges.

2) Because of security and privacy issues, many departments on campus will
    no longer be answering email unless they have UWO addresses. Please
    activate your UWO account and use your <name@uwo.ca> address. See
    the friendly people at the ITS Help Desk <www.uwo.ca/its/helpdesk/> |Top|

Common threats on the Internet and how to avoid them
 Heed these words of wisdom on operating system updates, anti-virus software, firewalls and spyware. Be aware of threats to the security of your computer.
    <www.giac.org/practical/GSEC/Dave_Cadrette_GSEC.pdf> 
             CAUTION: This link sends you off the Bio 1222/23 site.
            Please be aware of security issues when changing Web sites.
         Use the <Back> button of your browser to return here.  |Top|