For those that agree with the following email, and believe that our grades are not reflective of the knowledge we have gathered and the effort we put into this class.
Good Afternoon,
I am emailing as a student in the BIOL 310: Genetics course taught by Dr. Merk and Dr. Prosser. I truly enjoy this class and I loved studying for this class and learning everything that was taught. I am a full-time student and a full-time worker. Our office is open 7 days a week, and I work all of those days. Due to this, I was unable to attend any of the TA sessions that were offered for extra credit, which was the only possibility of getting any points added to our grades. However, this would still not have been enough as my classmates have pointed out. The topic was fascinating and the lectures were taught very well and I have learned a lot. Unfortunately, the tests were not reflective of the material covered or even mentioned, in lecture. Every time before one of our exams I would study for a good week and a half, not even sleeping to try and prepare for the exam. However, each exam stumped me because I felt like a lot of material was not reflective of the lectures. I do understand that this course was the first one ever taught by Dr. Prosser, and Dr. Merk, and as such the course exceeded expectations and I truly enjoyed the class. However, because of the way that the tests were written, and since they were never tested on previous students, the class average has never been a 70 or higher. There are so many people at risk of failing this class, and I truly believe there should be some curve applied. I appreciate you reading this, and taking it into consideration.
Updates
December 7, 2017
The massive surge in support proves we all saw the same pattern of academic negligence from Dr. Merk and Dr. Prosser. Professors who refuse to align their testing with their own lecture material are failing us and now they have no choice but to acknowledge the scale of this outrage.
Reached 100 supporters
December 7, 2017
43 Comments
I really enjoyed the class. I have learned a lot. I spent many hours studying, going to SI, and to drop in tutoring. My exam scores do not reflex this because of the way many of the questions were worded. Also, the test covered too much information then what could be reasonably be done within a 50 min time frame. The free response took more time then need to figure out what was being asked. I am hoping that you will give this consideration. Thanks, Nikki
I completely agree with the original posts and other posts students have made. The information provided by Dr. Prosser and Dr. Merk was rich but was rushed. The exams did not reflect the material they presented. In class work was saved for at least the last 30 minutes of class but the questions asked would require more time than the amount allotted.
My problem lies solely with the testing material of this class. Concepts are graspable, and I did enjoy the class/information given, but isn't it a red flag when the class average is in the 60's every single test? It seems that tests were just leveled up to a point where the material was taken further than what was presented in class or in the textbook.
I think that there should be SOME type of grade leniency. Especially given that this is the first time these professors have taught the course. For example, the lowest MasteringGenetics homework grade could be dropped. Thanks for giving consideration to this matter.
I fully agree with all that is stated here. I am in a similar situation, being a full time student and full time worker, so the extra credit sessions were not accessible to me. I studied very hard for this class and did excellent on homework and groupwork, but the tests are weighted so heavy and were unfair in content. The class should have a curve.
-
There wasn't enough time to adequately answer all of the questions on the very last exam we took. I also believe that this isn't a matter of "give me an A in this class" it's a matter of the amount of work put forward into this class, isn't well reflected in the grades due to a severe lack in the amount of time given to complete assignments such as group work and exams. It us also. It fair that some TAs would grade assignments much more harshly, and other would simply give students A's on the assignment from another group. Overall, the layout and structure of the class needs to be reevaluated.
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For those that agree with the following email, and believe that our grades are not reflective of the knowledge we have gathered and the effort we put into this class.
Good Afternoon,
I am emailing as a student in the BIOL 310: Genetics course taught by Dr. Merk and Dr. Prosser. I truly enjoy this class and I loved studying for this class and learning everything that was taught. I am a full-time student and a full-time worker. Our office is open 7 days a week, and I work all of those days. Due to this, I was unable to attend any of the TA sessions that were offered for extra credit, which was the only possibility of getting any points added to our grades. However, this would still not have been enough as my classmates have pointed out. The topic was fascinating and the lectures were taught very well and I have learned a lot. Unfortunately, the tests were not reflective of the material covered or even mentioned, in lecture. Every time before one of our exams I would study for a good week and a half, not even sleeping to try and prepare for the exam. However, each exam stumped me because I felt like a lot of material was not reflective of the lectures. I do understand that this course was the first one ever taught by Dr. Prosser, and Dr. Merk, and as such the course exceeded expectations and I truly enjoyed the class. However, because of the way that the tests were written, and since they were never tested on previous students, the class average has never been a 70 or higher. There are so many people at risk of failing this class, and I truly believe there should be some curve applied. I appreciate you reading this, and taking it into consideration.
Updates
December 7, 2017
The massive surge in support proves we all saw the same pattern of academic negligence from Dr. Merk and Dr. Prosser. Professors who refuse to align their testing with their own lecture material are failing us and now they have no choice but to acknowledge the scale of this outrage.
Reached 100 supporters
December 7, 2017
43 Comments
Seriously one of the hardest class ever. I've never skipped class. I went to almost 5 preceptor review session and SI session every week. I always did well on the homework but the Exams were way too hard. Hopefully, this petition will help current and future genetics students.
I really enjoyed the class. I have learned a lot. I spent many hours studying, going to SI, and to drop in tutoring. My exam scores do not reflex this because of the way many of the questions were worded. Also, the test covered too much information then what could be reasonably be done within a 50 min time frame. The free response took more time then need to figure out what was being asked. I am hoping that you will give this consideration. Thanks, Nikki
I completely agree with the original posts and other posts students have made. The information provided by Dr. Prosser and Dr. Merk was rich but was rushed. The exams did not reflect the material they presented. In class work was saved for at least the last 30 minutes of class but the questions asked would require more time than the amount allotted.
My problem lies solely with the testing material of this class. Concepts are graspable, and I did enjoy the class/information given, but isn't it a red flag when the class average is in the 60's every single test? It seems that tests were just leveled up to a point where the material was taken further than what was presented in class or in the textbook.
I think that there should be SOME type of grade leniency. Especially given that this is the first time these professors have taught the course. For example, the lowest MasteringGenetics homework grade could be dropped. Thanks for giving consideration to this matter.
I fully agree with all that is stated here. I am in a similar situation, being a full time student and full time worker, so the extra credit sessions were not accessible to me. I studied very hard for this class and did excellent on homework and groupwork, but the tests are weighted so heavy and were unfair in content. The class should have a curve.
-
There wasn't enough time to adequately answer all of the questions on the very last exam we took. I also believe that this isn't a matter of "give me an A in this class" it's a matter of the amount of work put forward into this class, isn't well reflected in the grades due to a severe lack in the amount of time given to complete assignments such as group work and exams. It us also. It fair that some TAs would grade assignments much more harshly, and other would simply give students A's on the assignment from another group. Overall, the layout and structure of the class needs to be reevaluated.
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Seriously one of the hardest class ever. I've never skipped class. I went to almost 5 preceptor review session and SI session every week. I always did well on the homework but the Exams were way too hard. Hopefully, this petition will help current and future genetics students.