120 students can read just the black print. Each of the scheduled exams counts 100 points. The lab final, which counts 100 points, also is comprehensive, covering material studied in lab during the entire semester. The five scheduled exams, then, total 600 points.
All exams are difficult.
Students who are not serious about their studies should not take this course. To encourage regular attendance and otherwise see that you do not fall hopelessly behind in this course, unannounced quizzes will be given from time to time. Some, perhaps all, will include essay questions. Every quiz counts, so the five quizzes have a combined value of 100 points. The adverse impact of missing quizzes is dramatic and sometimes devastating to one's grade in the course.