If you purchased a used book you may be lucky. The CD has useful tutorials on some textbook material. Attendance is required, also see grading below. The grading system rewards regular work, not cram for exam.
Competition occurs because grades are determined in part by exams.
Please cooperate in all other work, but turn in your work. If you need space in a lab, or equipment, ask for help. A greenhouse abuts Schwarz. PNC's biology field station is in Beverly Shores. Provide progress reports anytime for feedback, and one lab period in October is set aside for this.