Don Nelson - Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC

Professor: Don Nelson

Department: Biology

College: Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3550
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Don is a great--by far the best prof for giving feedback. He comes across as scary--he isnt, hes very approachable. If you have questions, prepare ahead of time, or he wont hesitate to grill you in front of your peers. Pop quizzes30% of your mark, his midterm is tough and the final averages about 4hrs to complete. Only answer what the q asks!!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr Don is one of the toughest profs at TRU. I have never earned my grades more than I have in his classes. In biochemical techniques, he doesn't really care if you have the right answer, but he wants you to think about why your answer makes sense. He actually really cares about students and wants them to do well. Most rewarding classes of my degree

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

All my peers bicker about this man, but he's a genetic genius. He is always always up-to-date with what is happening in the world--walk into his office and check out the stack of papers, you'll know what I mean. Molecular genetics was an amazing class. If you work for it, you'll get the mark you want. If you slack off, don't expect more than a C.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIOL2340
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Don is very smart in his field but since this class is so basic he does not teach it well. Also he makes it not helpful to ask questions since he is very sarcastic and when you ask a question he pretty much just tries to make you figure it out yourself and does not really answer it at all.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIOL2340
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

When someone speaks to himself in the third person, spends a whole class trying to brag about one's "achievements', and proposes to be the next best thing, please use your noggin.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIOL4250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His Biochemical Techniques II course is one of the most demanding courses at TRU, but it also is one of the most practical. Dr. Don is a gruff brilliant teacher with a soft interior, don't be afraid of him. Try to participate in class but be prepared to back up anything you say. Read lab material beforehand for advantage in lecture discussions.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO335425
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Don is amazing. He is one of the best teachers I have ever had. Do your reading and stay on top of the course material, and you will be fine. Dr. Don has a great sense of humour and is incredibly delightful. There is absolutely no reason to be afraid of him. He is fantastic! Take as many courses with him as possible.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Overall good, but it is not that hard to return student questions with "what do you think?", "You tell me" etc. Makes him seem smart, but, well, *you* think about it... I prefer a prof who provides alternate explanations; I think that takes more talent.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO3350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Don is a great teacher! Not afraid to call you out for being lazy and won't spoon feed you answers. Go to his classes and make sure to rewrite the notes after class. Midterm and final were tough but quizzes weren't bad. Seminars seemed pointless but go and take notes on the papers as they are on the final

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He seems gruff at first but he's a fantastic teacher. Ignore how intimidating he seems and talk to him like a person. He only wants you to do well and if you re-write his notes like he suggests and practice his course is incredibly clear & concise. The effort/hrs put in equals the mark you'll receive. Course info also needed for every later course!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GENETICS
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

unprofessional and should not be a professor at a university.. makes TRU look bad

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POSTDOC
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He was born to teach

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

As much as I respect the passion Don has for science I found his molecular genetics class disorganized and awkward. Too bad because the subject is so interesting. Having a little more sensitivity and patience on His behalf would have made for a better learning experience, for me anyway.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIOL335
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Don't let his callused exterior fool u; he is a softy @ heart. It's hard 2 fail but u will have 2 think 4 urself (and not just regurgitate)& surprise him 2 do well. Work hard, don?t b cocky, & don?t b scared 2 ask questions or laugh @ urself. He also makes an awesome Honours supervisor. I wouldn?t have had ne1 else. Betcha that gives me away ;)

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIOL335
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

don's notes are great. He has pop quizzes, so it forces you to study all the time so you learn the material really well. you will learn a lot in this class, but need to study quite a bit as the final is hard.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIOL335
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Don is the type of teacher that you either really like or really don't. Keep an open mind when in lecture and don't let his quirky ways get to you. I enjoyed him as a professor as his teaching methods were logical, organized and to the point. He is a quick note writer and a fair marker (albeit a slow and tedious marker). Great guy during finals.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GEN335
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Horrible! He's so unprofessional. Tells you outright that he takes marks off when people are doing too well on tests. His notes are complete garbage. Single words and no context. The class material was very interesting, but he just should not be teaching. He's just so unapproachable. He thinks he's a big rebel, bad boy or something. Avoid!!!!!!!!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIO335
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

liked him as a prof, hated him as a person.... he's the most unapproachable person on campus, his sarcasm is very unprofessional

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: INTROGENETICS
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I loved this class! Don is one of the reasons I've become enamored with genetics as a whole. I loved his approach to teaching, and I found his discussions about 'what's happening in biology' really interesting.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GENETICSBIO
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Passion for teaching and an interest in his students. He just seems to understand. Once you get used to writing notes in his class you'll appreciate him. A genius and a nice man. Thanks Don!