Dan Cristol - College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

Professor: Dan Cristol

Department: Biology

College: College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIO416
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Ornithology was one of the most fun classes I've ever taken. Never thought birds could be so cool. If you can take this class, you definitely should. Total blast. Cristol is funny and tries hard to make sure everyone takes something away from the class and has a good time

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIO220
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

If you had data on reviewers' grades and the score they gave Professor Cristol, you'd find that there is a strong correlation between poor grades and negative reviews. If you buckle down and put in the work, not only will you learn a lot, but you'll also get a good grade.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO220
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Prof. Cristol is easily one of the most arrogant men I have ever met. His class is not difficult out of necessity; it is difficult so that he can beat his chest about how tough he is. Completely unhelpful, condescending and not supportive of the vast majority of his students. Definition of self aggrandizing. I did well, though no thanks to him.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO416
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

One of my favorite classes at W&M. Really interesting and fun, but participate and devote time/energy to the subject. Had him for 220 as well- exams are more straightforward in this class and content is really fascinating.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIO220
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Great lecturer, but has little patience if you don't care or are unwilling to try hard to understand the material. Is typically helpful when you meet with him and is available if you ask.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO220
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

The class is difficult, but do the reading and pay attention in lecture and it shouldn't be too hard. Crystal is very receptive to questions in class and office hours, so don't be afraid to ask for clarification (even/especially in a test) if confused. Be prepared to learn to love birds.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO220
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Class is hard, but definitely passable. Show up, pay attention, take notes, do the reading, and you'll be fine. Only studied the day before his continuous assessments, and I still did very well. Just make sure to pay attention in class and if you don't understand something, go and talk to him. He's a great guy and is very clear.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO220
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Cristol's lectures are concise. The textbook contains a massive amount of information, but Cristol clearly explains the concepts you should focus on during class. Downloading his powerpoints from Blackboard ahead of time makes note-taking and studying much easier. If you enjoy sarcastic, dry humor, you'll probably find him funny.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIOL220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

If you don't mind having your gpa ruined freshman year, this is the course to take. Tests are poorly worded and demand mind reading, as there is no way to know what a question is actually asking. This is the only class I have taken where you can feel confident about a test and wind up failing it.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Yes the class does require you to work for the grade, but the Proff is great, the lectures are compressible and I would definitetly recommend this class to anyone.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIOL220
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He is a good teacher, though hard.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO 220
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

extremely tough. Tons of info in class, and when it comes to quizzes and tests youre expected to take the information and apply it in ways he doesnt show you in class. Bio 220 was the lowest grade ive ever gotten in my life, had to drop out halfway through the semester bc i was genuinely scared for my gpa. nice, funny guy outside classroom though

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIOL220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Professor Cristol is a tough grader. He wants you to be specific and while that's good, sometimes it hurts your grade when you know what you're saying but he wants you to say EXACTLY what he's asking for. However, this is balanced out with the fact that he's a super nice guy also. He's willing to work with you to ensure you pass the class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIOL220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Cristol pushes you hard and definitely makes you earn your grade, but he also has a sense of humor and is approachable. The class is one of the hardest I've ever taken, hands down, but I think that's the nature of the class, not necessarily just Cristol being unreasonable. Don't take this class if you aren't ready to work really hard.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO416
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is a REALLY tough grader. I got an question right, but I didn't put all the other right answers down (there were multiple that he didn't ask for), so I got half credit for that problem. THAT was really annoying and my only issue with this class. I really enjoyed the field trips and connections I made in this class. Fav class of the semester!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIOL312
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Lectures are engaging. It was nice that he briefly stops once in a while to check that the students are getting the material. Tests are difficult and take some adjustment. Cristol seems kind of intimidating at first, but he is accommodating and helpful if you request office hours. It's not an easy class, but don't be afraid to take it.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIO220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Difficult class, but doable if you do the reading and work hard. I took as a first semester freshman and did okay. But real life, Cristol made me hate birds (he's obsessed). Still hate their little tweets and shiz

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIOL220
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

This class was very hard, but it was extremely rewarding once you got the hang of his teaching style. My advice for the class is to do all of the readings on time and outline them, go to all of the lectures, go to the exam review sessions, and go into his office hours to argue points back on exams. In all, the class is difficult but doable.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIOL220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

It is a very hard class. You have to put in a lot of work. But if you are passionate about the subject you will learn things. Always go to the review sessions and office hours. Cristol will always answer your questions. Try to submit regrades when you can, any point helps in this class.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIO220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He's a passionate teacher and you will learn so much from this course. It is not easy, but its rewarding. Daniel is a bit arrogant, but makes the class interesting. Go to his office hours and get as much as you can from the textbook and the lectures and you will do fair. Do not take this just for the GER.