The best aspect of this course was the engaging and extremely enthusiastic professors. They made learning about reproductive physiology fun and efficient. The worst aspects of the course included the limited number of exams and assignments to help one’s grades. Students felt extra pressure to do well on the only two exams available because they were the only grades that could be applied for them. The class could improve if the professor didn’t cover just basic material in class and if more assignments or quizzes were given to help students better grasp the content. Prospective students should know that this is one of the most interesting biology courses, and if they attend all lectures and come ready to learn, they will surely be successful.

Students felt that the best aspects of this course included the variety of contemporary topics discussed during the lectures. They especial y liked the guest lecturers, and felt that all of the material presented was interesting and current. However, students disliked that there were only two exams for the entire semester, which they felt heavily impacted their final grades. Suggestions for improvement included breaking the course into smaller classes to promote discussion and conversation. Students also wanted additional opportunities for grades, such as take home tests or homework assignments, or providing more feedback on the exams given and changing some of the short answer questions to multiple choice. Prospective students should be prepared to stay focused in a large class setting, and to pay attention to the lectures in order to take good notes. There is very little work to complete outside of class, so they should be prepared to study hard for the exams.

Students broadly praised this course for having compelling instructors and for featuring a number of interesting guest lecturers who engaged students on relevant topics. Students had very few issues with the course although some students found that since the course had rotating instructors there was a lack of continuity in the course and the quality of each speaker could vary. Suggestions for improvement varied; however, some students wished the course had fewer students in order to al ow more in-class discussion or that the course had a separate discussion section. Prospective students should know that the course was highly recommended and, even though the course description said there were no prerequisites, some general knowledge of biology was necessary for success in the course.