Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General

WEEK 1: It's the first day of lab. What do I need?

You are required to complete all pre-lab assignments by the Monday of that week at 11:59pm. You also need proper PPE,including a lab coat, chemical splash goggles (like these), closed-toe shoes, and legs covered. If you have long hair, it must be pulled back. TAs will take the first 15 minutes of lab to ensure you have met all these requirements, and if you have not, you will be asked to leave and will receive an unexcused absence for that week.

WEEK 1: I won't be able to attend lab the first week, will I be dropped? 

Submit a Support Ticket here as soon as possible and someone from our team will help you.

WEEK 1: I'm enrolled in a lab section, but I have another conflicting class. Can I change sections?

This is a highly impacted class and it is important to not double enroll while registering for your courses. Allowing section switches is a decision we make based on the number of students enrolled and on the waitlist. Therefore, the policy may change between quarters. The class will be notified if section switches are approved that quarter.

WEEK 1: I would like to switch lab sections with another student enrolled in the course. My lab time works for them and theirs works for me, so we just want to switch into each other's section. Is there a way we can be given the add codes for our respective sections so we may switch labs?

Allowing section switches is a decision we make based on the number of students enrolled and on the waitlist. Therefore, the policy may change between quarters. The class will be notified if section switches are approved that quarter. Alternatively, if your scheduled lab section no longer works for you, you may drop the course and add yourself to the waitlist for a time/section that does.  We offer MCDB 1LL in the Winter and Summer quarters, and EEMB 2LL in the Fall and Spring quarters. Should you have any questions regarding your academic plan, please reach out to your academic advisor.  

WEEK 1: I'm on the waitlist, what does that mean and how will it impact me if I do get in?

Be sure you are only on the waitlist for sections you can actually accommodate, as we do not allow sections switches between students after you're offered a spot. Please check your email regularly, because if a spot opens in the course, we will email waitlisted students and offer spots on a "first-come, first-served" basis.

I have a question regarding lab that is not content-related. (e.g., What do I do if I want to change my lab time?; How do I late-enroll in lab?; I'm sick and need to miss lab?; etc.)

The quickest way to get your administrative question for lab answered is to submit a Support Ticket here and someone from our team will help you with your request.

I have a question regarding my lecture that is not content related. (e.g. I am a DSP student, how do I get my accommodations?; My exam score is missing, is there a reason why?; etc.)

The quickest way to get your administrative question for all lecture courses answered is to submit a Support Ticket here and someone from our team will help you with your request. 

I have a question regarding content discussed in my lab or lecture course. Who do I go to for an answer?

The Intro Bio Team deals with administrative issues, so we unfortunately will not be able to answer your content questions. Here are our suggestions for how to get your content question answered:

• For lecture: whether about a lecture topic or a midterm question, attend the faculty member's office hours to ask the faculty for clarification.
• For lab: you can attend your TA's (or any TA's) office hours to get feedback on drafts, to ask questions about pre-labs, etc.

Grades

Is MCDB 1LL/ EEMB 2LL graded on a Curve?

No. There is truly no curve given, nor any grades adjusted for these courses. The course is graded on a points-based system. Check your syllabus for grade cut-offs.

I got a 89.98% can my score get rounded to a 90% 

No. Boundaries must exist somewhere, and they must be honored.

When are Final grades posted?

You can check here for grading deadlines.

When will my assignment grades be released?

TAs are instructed to grade handwritten assignments within one week of when they were originally due. Grades are often withheld when a great percentage of TAs have not met this grading deadline. Please be patient, your TAs are students too!

Why was my workbook assignment score changed to a zero? 

Workbook assignments are only graded if you were present throughout your entire lab or if you have been granted an extension through our excused absence policy. Any workbooks submitted for individuals with an unexcused absence or with a purchased token package will not, and should not be graded. A TA sometimes will mistakenly grade these assignments. This also applies to situations where you may have shown up late (past the 15-minute rule, in which you are not allowed to stay), or were dismissed for not having proper PPE.

Am I docked off points on my assignment for having an excused absence? 

No. With an excused absence, you may be given an extension. You can get up to full credit for assignments submitted within the extended period of time given. If you miss the extended deadline, or, if no extension was granted, you end up missing the original deadline, you may be subject to any late penalty. Please note that not all assignments have late penalties.

Absences & Extensions

What's the absence policy?

We’ve replaced the 3-absences = F policy with a token-based system. Every student begins the course with 20 Lab Tokens to use throughout the quarter.

• You can use up to 2 Absence Packages (8 tokens each) to miss lab with no penalty.
• A third absence requires a conversation with Professor Shay to determine next steps.
• Each Absence Package also includes an extension for any missed lab work.
• Use your tokens with care; they’re limited and cannot be earned back. 

How do I use tokens to excuse an absence?

To use tokens, email your TA before or as soon as possible after the missed lab and clearly state what you’re requesting (e.g., “I’d like to use 8 tokens for an absence package this week”). No need to share personal details or documentation.

Can I get an extension without missing lab?

Yes. You can use the Extension Only package (3 tokens) to get a 48-hour grace period for a lab assignment. Just email your TA to confirm.

• Extensions must be claimed before the original deadline passes.
• Work is not accepted more than 7 days late, even with an extension.

Can I redo an assignment for more points?

Do you want another chance to redo some work for more points? Buy a retake to redo assignments! Below is the deadline for retakes:

• Weeks 1 - 4 must be completed by the Friday of Week 5 (10/31).
• Weeks 5 - 8 must be completed by the Friday of Week 10 (12/5).

What happens if I'm late to lab?

We understand life happens, but lab runs on shared timing and safety. Here’s how lateness is handled:

• 1st late arrival (15+ min late): No penalty, just check in with your TA and lab group.
• 2nd late arrival: You’ll lose points from that day’s lab workbook. 
• 3rd late arrival: You’ll meet with Professor Shay to discuss a plan for moving forward.
• If you miss a majority of the lab, this is considered an absence, not late, and you must purchase an absence package to complete it.

Please still come if you're running late! Partial attendance is better than none.

Can I attend another lab section if I have a conflict?

Unfortunately, no. For safety, capacity, and fairness reasons, students may not switch lab sections during the week. Please use an Absence Package instead.

Labflow, Gradescope, & Canvas

I can't access the documents in Module #1 on Canvas, I'm getting an error. 

You are likely logged into a personal email account alongside your UCSB account. Unfortunately, things get wonky when you're signed into multiple accounts and google gets confused. Log out of all other accounts before logging into your @ UCSB email in order to access all documents on the site. Launching Incognito Mode in Chrome and logging into your @ UCSB email will sort out the issue. 

When I try to sign up for LabFlow, I get the following message: "This course is only accessible as a link from your school's primary learning platform." What should I do? 

In order to gain access to LabFlow the correct way, you must first complete module #1 in Canvas. Once you do, you will open up the rest of the Canvas site, including the correct link to LabFlow. From there, please use the instructions linked in the syllabus to sign up for LabFlow.

I don't know how to find my enrollment code for Labflow.

In the eLab Manual module, you'll see a link for instructions on how to sign up for LabFlow. In part B, it describes how to look up your enrollment code. (If you are enrolled in the course, you have an enrollment code.)

How do I verify my submission on Gradescope.

When you submit your work, you will receive an automated email from Gradescope that includes the date and time you turned in the assignment, the assignment due date, the late due date (if your instructor set one), and a link to your submission. The email also reminds you that you can resubmit work as many times as you need to until the due date passes or the timer runs out (if your assignment is timed).

Do I have to sign up for Gradescope?

No, you are automatically added to the course.

How to access my Gradescope Assignments?

Click the Assignment in Canvas, a Gradescope portal should automatically launch.