BIOL 1514 General Biology I Syllabus 020 Fall 2026

Attendance: This is a face-to-face class and attendance is expected to all scheduled meetings (lecture and lab) each week. If it becomes an issue, attendance may begin to count for credit at the discretion of the instructor. 

Lab Attendance Policy: Attendance in lab is mandatory. If a student is absent for three or more lab periods, they risk failing the course. Exceptions will only be made in unforeseen circumstances at the discretion of the instructor. If a student knows they will miss a lab ahead of time, they must let the instructor know as soon as possible. If a student misses a lab due to illness, they must provide a doctor's note to be excused. Even if a lab absence is considered excused (at the discretion of the instructor), the student will still receive a 0 for that day's lab assignment(s). 

Make-up Lab Policy: Makeup labs will not be allowed. If a student misses a lab, they forfeit the points for the lab assignment that day. At the end of the semester, students' lowest two lab scores will be dropped from their final grade. 

Make-up Exam Policy: Make-up lecture exams must be taken within two weeks. The final exam must be taken at least 3 days before grades are due. Students will be responsible for coordinating their make-up exams with the Testing Center after obtaining permission from the instructor. Make-up lecture exams will only be given for excused absences (at the discretion of the instructor). 

Lecture exams and final exam taken after the assigned date and time, for any reason, will consist of short answer and essay questions.

Laboratory Policies: Students must arrive to lab on time and must be ready to begin at the scheduled start time. Students are expected to have read the lab procedures before coming to lab.

Students who arrive after the pre-lab lecture has begun will not be permitted to participate in lab that day and will receive a zero on that day’s assignment. This type of absence will count as a lab absence (See Lab Attendance Policy above).

Students who do not have proper apparel and/or goggles will not be permitted to participate in lab. This will count as a lab absence. Proper apparel and goggles are required for lab regardless of the activity scheduled for the day. The professor does not have loaner materials to share.

To receive the full credit for the lab activity, the student must stay for the entire lab period, unless dismissed early by the professor. A student will only be dismissed early if they have completed the entire laboratory activity for that day. If a student wishes to leave early, their lab report must be complete AND signed off by the instructor. If a student leaves before being dismissed, the student will forfeit the points for the laboratory activity for that day and will receive a zero, and the absence will count as a lab absence.

It is highly suggested to attend every lab and only reserve lab absences for unavoidable absences; do not use lab absences like you would vacation days.

Additional Policies:

• Please turn off all electronic devices (cell phones, headphones, etc.) prior to the start of class/ lab to prevent class disruption.
• Safety goggles must be worn in labs while handling chemicals and specimens.
• Pencil (#2) must be used on all exams. None will be provided.
• Class announcements (schedule changes, etc) will be communicated at the start of class and via Canvas. It is the student's responsibility to ensure they are receiving this information by 1) arriving to class on time and 2) reading Canvas announcements in a timely manner. 
• Audio recordings: Students may make audio recordings of lecture and/ or lab for their own personal use while enrolled in this class. However, the student may not share and/ or distribute these recordings without the expressed written consent of the instructor.