301212 VO General and Molecular Genetics I (2025S)

Key for the written exam: 32,5 - 36 points: very good (1); 28,5 - 32 points: good (2); 23,5 - 28 points: satisfactory (3); 18,5 - 23 points: sufficient (4); 0 - 18 points: insufficient (5).

In SS2024 there will be the opportunity to gain “bonus points” that will count towards the final grade. The “bonus points” can be gained in the following manner:

In each lecture unit, there will be a hidden “easter egg”: this could be a hidden item, a statement with a double meaning, an image with an unanticipated second message….or else. The first five persons who identify the “easter egg” and notify me via email will get the bonus point. The “easter egg” has to be identified within six days, as I will reveal it at the beginning of the next lecture unit.

Any student can acquire a maximum of 4 bonus points per term. The bonus points have the potential to boost your grade and will count towards the exam taken at any of the 4 exam opportunities following this year’s lecture series.

How does this work in detail:

Email to “peter.schloegelhofer@univie.ac.at”
Subject line: AMG 1 2024 easter egg hunt
- In the email text you should relate to a specific lecture (date) and describe in detail what you found on which slide(s).
(Please note: the subject line has to be exactly what is written above, as otherwise I will not be able to identify your emails.)

Grading booster – example I:
For instance, if a person has only managed to reach 17.5 points during the written exam (17.5 points are not sufficient to pass), but has acquired 1 bonus point, this will be added up and the total count is then 18.5 points and the grade given a “4”.

Grading booster – example II:
For instance, if a person has acquired 2 bonus points and has reached 27 points during the written exam (27 points correspond to grade “3”), this will be added up and the total count is then 29 points and the grade given a “2”.

Importantly, also without any bonus points a total of 36 points can be reached during the written exam and the best possible grade (“1”) earned.

What is the idea behind implementing “bonus points”:
During the “Corona-time”, lectures were first transformed into exclusive online events and later, when the strict rules of social distancing were alleviated, into hybrid events. The hybrid events offered live-streams, recordings, lecture slides in pdf format and the option to attend the lectures in person. But all across the Universities in-person attendance of lectures dropped dramatically compared to “pre-Corona times” (to about 10%) and live-streams were actually poorly attended. Despite the redundant availability of teaching materials grades in general did not improve.
Educational institutions are attempting to motivate students, by different means, to return to the class rooms and attend lectures and seminars in person to experience their Universities, to shape their educational institutions, to interacts with teachers and peers and immerse themselves in topics and subjects.
The “easter egg hunt” is yet another attempt to motivate all of you to return to the class room and get engaged with the subject of “General and Molecular Genetics”. The “easter egg hunt” should be fun (therefore the “easter egg” may possibly not relate to the actual topic of the lecture), should motivate you to interact with fellow students and possibly also form groups that hunt together. The time constraint should motivate you to attend the lectures in person, or if impossible (see below), to study the lecture slides and the presented topics within the week before the next lecture unit.
I understand that there are good reasons not being able to attend a lecture unit (overlap with other courses or exams; illness; obligation to work; obligation to look after kids….). I will send a mp4 recording of a lecture upon request (via email) provided a good reason is brought forward. In any case, lecture slides (pdf format) will be available after each lecture via Moodle.