What are exams?

You might think that this question is rather unnecessary -- you've taken a few exams in your time. But you may find exams in this course to be a different sort. You need to understand that in my view we have exams primarily because they're one of the best teaching tools in existence. The evaluation function is strictly secondary. Exams may be the time when you put things together for the first time. It may be the first time you really go out on a solo flight. It is likely to be the time when you put in your most concentrated effort.

If exams are so good at teaching, then I'd better be careful what lessons are taught. As best as I can manage, exams will pose problems similar to those you will face in the real world. With that in mind, all exams will be open book, open web, open everything except living people (exception: you can always go to me with a question) All exams will be take-home. But don't fall into the trap of relying on the book to save you. If you do, I predict with some measure of confidence that you will be screwed to the wall! (Besides, there is no book)

What will be on the exams?

Questions will be inspired by the guided tours, study questions, and problem sets you get for each unit. A question may be very close to one in a problem set, with only the details changed, or it may combine the points of two questions from the problem sets.

In addition to problem set-based problems, there will be the following question on all exams (advertised special!):

1. What is your name? (2 points for any correct answer!)
2. How many questionnaires did you return (before the appropriate class) since {the last exam | the beginning of the semester}?
3. How many problem sets that you were invited to turn in did you in fact turn in?
4. Please turn in your BioBIKE log

How can I do well on exams?

Do well on the problem sets.