399672 Biology for methodological scientists (8 cr/op)
Some guidelines for the book exam
Read the exam instructions and the questions carefully. Answer the question VERBALLY. Typical essay answer is appr 2-3 pages long in handwriting. No maths is usually needed, even equations only rarely, so don't spend time deriving them...! Main points should be mentioned first, details later on in the paragraph. Instructors often grow impatient, waiting for students to get to the point.
Typically, specific details (names of the molecules in the metabolic pathways etc) are not of interest but your understanding of the whole thing is. Basic concepts naturally have to be known (e.g. what is mitosis, haploidy, PCR...)
As you write the essay, reread the question to make certain your answer doesn't drift off point. Don't make up your own question in an attempt to hide the limits of your knowledge. Instructors aren't impressed by overt attempts to circumvent the essay provided.
Be certain to answer the question in its entirety. If you omit portions of a multipart essay you will lose points on the exam. Be certain the instructor can clearly see you've covered each part of the essay.
When necessary, use illustrations to clarify your argument. Feel free to sketch diagrams in the margin of the essay to illustrate a point that is difficult to put into words. Make certain the illustrations are clear and relatively simple. Don't get bogged down in being artistic. The purpose of sketching diagrams is to save time, not to show off your creative talents.
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Previous update: 15.08.2007 13:36 - Esa Pitkänen