Melvin Beck - University of Memphis, Memphis, TN

Professor: Melvin Beck

Department: Biology

College: University of Memphis, Memphis, TN

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3072
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Beck is very enthusiastic with his lectures and he give you tons of info on ecourseware. However, he does give quite a bit of homework and you really have to stay on top of this class at all times to do well. I feel like this is a class that you really have to devote yourself to. The final is hard and the tests are all about practice.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3072
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I took Beck for genetics and he is the only prof that teaches this course. definitely a challenging course. stay on top of the quizzes and problem sets because those can help bring your grade up. study for the exams - they are very similar to his lectures. if you need help go to his office. he will sit with you and work out any problems with you

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3072
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. Beck makes you work for your grade. His tests wasn't that bad but the final was HORRIBLE. I had a B- and dropped to a C after the final.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO3172
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Everything was easy EXCEPT the final. People warned me about the final, it generally drops everyone a whole letter grade! Make sure you score high on in class exams. Understand problem sets and practice tests. Studying for the final, the practice test will not help. I originally had a B+ the final knocked me to a C. Upsetting right?

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The course was taught by 4 professorsBeck has the experience and knowledge of the material, and his delivery is very direct, applicable on tests and quizzes both in the class and on Ecourseware. He is easily approachable, offers sup material for extra studies, and provides a classroom atmosphere that demands your attention and rewards with interest

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1120
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Genuine, kind, very intelligent, and very helpful. He taught the Geneticsevolution portion of Bio 2. Stop by his office if you need help and sit at the front of the class so he gets to know you. He'll call you by name and remember you and what you've discussed when you see him around campus. Wish I could take more of his classes!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: 3072
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Beck is the best biology teacher here. He is extremely helpful and always willing to answer questions. If you do all the problem setspractice testsquestions in the book you will be well-prepared for every test. He gives you all the tools to make an A! Genetics is practice, practice, practice.

Rating # 8

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I took Beck for Biology, loved the class so much took Beck again for Genetics. Great teacher, gives everything you need to understand the material. He will challenge you on the tests to make sure you understand and not just memorize. I'd say, one of the best.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3072
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a really good teacher, but it's kind of a tough class. My advice would be get a study partner, do all online work, the problem sets and don't miss class. He gives a lot of homework ,but it helps keep your grade up!!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3072
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Beck is the best Biology professor I have taken. He's great at explaining things and doesn't base your whole grade off four tests, like many profs do. Genetics really isn't that hard, so long as you PRACTICE.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Genetics is a very straightforward class... Book usage other than practice problems is a minimum. The one thing that irked me was the fact that he brushed aside all of my questions (I only ask difficult conceptual ones though).

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3072
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Beck KNOWS Genetics. Everything you need to know on how to succeed in his class is online. Work the problem sets and practice problems every day. Go to class every day! Go see him also BIG help. Be in front of the class and work in small groups. Test2 and final are the hardest. Hard class! So work like your life/job depended on it! Seriously!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1020
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took him for Honors Biology II, and I was disappointed. If you haven't taken statistics, heaven help you. The lab was wretchedly boring. Three months on duckweed. Yay. His tests are a compilation of obscure test bank questions that do not at all represent evenly the mountain of material assigned. I would not recommend his class at all.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3072
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great Professor... Genetics is really not that tough of a class; if you can work 10 problems per week and know basic math you should have your A pretty easily. You must go to every lecture and not miss any assignments/tests... taking human genetics next semester!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3072
• 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:

Biology majors have to take this and it IS hard but not impossible. Attend every class, sit in front and record his lectures (he talks VERY quietly) if you have a question about something GO to his office because he WILL explain it to you and help with problem sets. Also know all about the practice tests. He's a little cocky but VERY knowledgeable.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1120
• 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:

Dr. Beck is EXTREMELY competent in Biology! He provides loads of material, but if you can study and come to class, you can excel in his class. Be warned that the Honors course is somewhat demanding, especially if you are taking other sciences. He places strong emphasis on statistics, so having took a STAT course beforehand will definitely help out.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3072
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I don't feel there are enough students that explain how much this guy sucks. Doesn't teach the questions he ask. Book is no help and he isn't any help. ~50 to ~60 fail rate. Alot of Homework. Only problem sets and Exams really affect your grade.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3072
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He goes over a lot of material and the book doesn't help too much. His tests and homework assignments are hard because he doesn't go over how to do precise examples. He's helpful if you go to him afterward though.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GENET3072
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class shouldn't be that hard but somehow it is. Lots of homework, which will help you on the tests if you understand how it's done. Be very careful answering test questions because he's picky. You can make a good grade but you need to go to class. Half our class didn't go regularly and half failed the class!! So go to class!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3072
• 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:

Great teacher! When he explains things they are so much easier to understand, although the class is still difficult. He gives you 1 quiz and 1 problem set each week that gives the same types of questions that will be on the test. If you keep up with the material and study as you go it won't take nearly as much work and you can definitely make an A.