Covid Safety in the Classroom  
Masks: Masks are required for all indoor classes, as per the BC Public Health Officer orders. For our in-person meetings in this class, it is important that all of us feel as comfortable as possible engaging in class activities while sharing an indoor space.  For the purposes of this order, the term “masks” refers to medical and non-medical masks that cover our noses and mouths.  Masks are a primary tool to make it harder for Covid-19 to find a new host.  You will need to wear a medical or non-medical mask for the duration of our class meetings, for your own protection, and the safety and comfort of everyone else in the class.  You may be asked to remove your mask briefly for an ID check for an exam, but otherwise, your mask should cover your nose and mouth. Please do not eat in class. If you need to drink water/coffee/tea/etc, please keep your mask on between sips. Please note that there are some people who cannot wear a mask. These individuals are equally welcome in our class. 

Vaccination: If you have not yet had a chance to get vaccinated against Covid-19, vaccines are available to you, free, and on campus. The higher the rate of vaccination in our community overall, the lower the chance of spreading this virus.  You are an important part of the UBC community. Please arrange to get vaccinated if you have not already done so. 
Seating in class: To reduce the risk of Covid transmission, please sit in approximately the same location in the classroom each day.  This arrangement will minimize your contacts.  This course requires extensive group work and your neighbours will form your group for the term.   

Your personal health
If you’re sick, it’s important that you stay home – no matter what you think you may be sick with (e.g., cold, flu, other).  
●    A daily self-health assessment is required before attending campus. Every day, before coming to class, complete the self-assessment for Covid symptoms using this tool: https://bc.thrive.health/covid19/en 
●    Do not come to class if you have Covid symptoms, have recently tested positive for Covid, or are required to quarantine. You can check this website to find out if you should self-isolate or self-monitor: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/self-isolation#Who. 
●    Your precautions will help reduce risk and keep everyone safer.  In this class, the marking scheme is intended to provide flexibility so that you can prioritize your health and still be able to succeed. I will discuss this issue on the first day of class. ●    ... 
If you do miss class because of illness: Do not worry.
If you are sick on a midterm exam day, please email the instructor as soon as you are confident you should not come to the scheduled exam.  We would strongly prefer that you contact us to make an alternate arrangement than for you to come to the exam while you are ill.  If you do show up for an exam and you are clearly ill, you will not be able to write the exam and we will make alternate arrangements with you.  It is much better for you to email ahead of time and not attend.  Remember to include your full name and student number in your message. 
If you are sick for either project week, do not attend the project weeks. However, you must apply for deferred standing (an academic concession) through Science Advising no later than 48 hours after the missed day or week. Students who are granted deferred standing will carry out their projects in the spring term. 
For additional information about academic concessions, see the UBC policy here: http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/index.cfm?tree=3,329,0,0  

Instructor health
If I (the instructor) am sick: I will do my best to stay well, but if I am ill, develop Covid symptoms, or test positive for Covid, then I will not come to class.  If I am well and under quarantine, we will continue the class via Zoom.  If I am ill, a colleague will substitute for me.