The best aspects of this class were that resources were widely available to the students, and the instructors’ willingness to help. Students appreciated the recitations, online lecture summaries/notes, and the instructors’ knack for making lectures both interactive and interesting. Some students felt that the rapidity of concepts covered made the content difficult to grasp, that the amount of memorization required was unreasonable, and that the exams were worded, phrased and/or structured in a deceiving manner. Suggestions for improvement included adding the option for students to drop his/her lowest test grade, assigning more homework to enhance student test preparedness, and having the lessons aligned so that the delivery of information is more fluid when being taught by different instructors. Prospective students should be prepared to study hard, keep up with the reading assignments, and take full advantage of recitations and office hours.

Students who took this course thought that the best aspects included that the course was taught by a group of instructors, notes and slides from lectures were available online, and the information was interesting and engaging. However, there was a great deal of material to cover in a short time, and many students thought the tests and grading curve were the worst aspects of the course. Improvements could be made by matching teaching styles of the various instructors, and making the test material clearer. Prospective students should know that this class requires a lot of work, but the instructors give opportunities for assistance.

The best parts of this course were that grades were returned quickly and lectures were interactive. Students appreciated the lecture summaries that highlighted key points, as well as the help sessions. 27Many students had trouble transitioning between the four different teaching styles, and claimed that some professors were much more proficient than others. Others claimed that the normalized grading system was unfair. Suggestions for improvement included providing more manageable exams, and having more communication and consistency among the professors regarding tests and class materials. Prospective students should know this class is only suggested for biology majors.