To create the evil atmosphere this weekend deserved, I choose to attempt to complete the grading of your first take home exam.   I was surprised to find that the horror was not in my having to grade but what I was reading.

First issue Take home exams are a privilege that needs to be respected.  The intent is for them to be learning experiences as well assessment tools.  To that end you are encouraged to use your notes your texts and the primary literature.   You should not use each other.  The exception on this exam was the sharing of the efficiency issues on the sequnator/sequencing  problem which I gave you permission to share.   Evidence that your group discussed the problems amongst your selves beyond this  has shown  up  in the exam.   When you share information on an exams like mine It takes extraordinary effort to hide this fact.   Usually more than if you had done the work itself. 

Issue Two:   Yes several of my questions are ambiguous to say the least.  That is intentional.  If you have questions about what I’m asking I want you to ask me about it.  It will start a conversation that will benefit you your learning and your exam.  While I will not give you an answer I usually will lead you to a path to that answer.   I am friendly,  I only look cranky and ugly.  If you are scared of me in person send me an email.    Do not ask one another for clarification  for two reasons  First  They often don’t know any more than you.   2. When they clarify for you it usually leads to the concluding sentence of number 1.

Issue 3:  My questions are attempting to get you to think about how and organism finds solutions to biological problems.   They are not intended to have a single answer or for you to go out and find how someone has answered the question in the past.  Generating a response to my question based on someone else’s detailed analysis will result in you not getting full credit. 

Final issue:  Even if it is not explicitly stated  you need to explain your answers in some detail when.   Just putting sequences to paper is not an answer.  You need to tell me why you chose those sequences?   Why you chose the number of AA?  Why you chose those AA?  There is no effective way for me to evaluate a standalone sequence or series of sequences  to assess the state of your knowledge.   

To resolve the issues:  I will be posting a series  of take home quizzes  that you will have 24 hours to respond to.  Sometimes you will need to respond with a typewritten response to my email others will require you to drop something off at my office  or return to me in class.   When and how these are posted will be a conversation held before the class lecture Tuesday 3 Nov 2009  The first one will be distributed at that time.   The current exam will be shredded.  

Peace Dr Freeman