1.       Read chapters ahead of class

a.       don’t worry about understanding it all; just get familiar with some of the language

b.       Microbiology has its own language/terminology that has to be learned

2.       print or download outline for each class

a.       take notes right on these

b.       don’t write down every word, especially if it’s already on the handout

c.       listen

d.       ask questions

3.       review your notes after class (same day)

a.       re-copy/make your own outline

b.       organize into logical groups of information

4.       use multiple ways to remember

a.       studying ≠ looking over notes & textbook

b.       hand-write = engage different part of brain

c.       draw diagrams and use pictures (visual learning)

d.       make tables for comparisons

e.       use color

f.        read out loud & repeat (terms, definitions, names…)

g.       make flashcards

h.       study groups: quiz each other; explain to each other

5.       complete review questions (optional review sheets on Moodle)

6.       Everyone has different learning style – find a place and method that works for you

a.       A quiet place (library) or a noisy place (Taco Bell)?

b.       Take an online assessment, eg https://www.learningstylequiz.com/

1.       exams are multiple choice

a.       All questions come from lecture content (slides, notes)

b.       I never ask questions from material that was not covered in class

c.       I do not intentionally create patterns with the answer choices (A, B, C, D, E) – don’t get thrown off

2.       read each question carefully! Look for key words

a.       “All”, “except”, “always”

b.       Bacteria, archaea, eukaryotes

3.       Eliminate obvious wrong choices (e.g. bacteria do not have a nucleus)

4.       Don’t jump to conclusions; sometimes the “obvious” answer is misleading

5.       If you cannot decide, at least take a guess

6.       Trust your first instinct; only change your answer if you are fairly sure

7.       Skip questions that you cannot figure out – make sure you can finish the exam; get back to those questions later (see #5)

8.       Do the bonus questions (but do them only after you finish the exam)

a.       Bug of the day/microbe photos

b.       The Hot Zone reading

c.       Other “trivia” used in class

1.       Seating is every other seat

2.       I use different test forms – indicate form on your answer sheet

3.       No electronic devices allowed! (phones, ear buds, calculators etc…)

4.       Cheat sheet allowed for Exam 3 only

1.       Allow you to gain back up to 50% of points lost

a.       Limit of 10 points (8 questions)

b.       Example: if you get a 80 (= lost 20 points) you can get back 10 points = final grade of 90

2.       Can be typed or hand-written

3.       Must be turned in with your original answer sheet

4.       For each multiple choice question that you got wrong:

a.       Write an explanation for each answer choice (A,B,C,D) = 4 sentences/paragraphs

b.       Explain why the correct answer was correct

c.       Explain why each of the incorrect choices were wrong

5.       I grade each of your explanations. You get ~1/2 point for each explanation that is good (2.5 pts/question)

a.       At the end, I add up your points, then divide by 2 (= 50%).

6.       Due 1 week after exam is returned in class

a.       Late penalty is 10% per day

b.       Do them anyway, even if late (better late than never) or even if your score was good

1.       Download and print out checklist – follow it!

2.       Proofread your paper for spelling and grammar!

SUNY Plattsburgh | Department of Biological Sciences | Medical Technology | Cytotechnology | My Research Interests 

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