Theodore Burk - Creighton University, Omaha, NE

Professor: Theodore Burk

Department: Biology

College: Creighton University, Omaha, NE

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIO371
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's aight for gen bio organismal and population, but please do not take him for animal behavior, unless you absolutely love ethology or psychology. He's a genius when it comes to animal behavior and therefore his exams are much harder than gen bio. Although his lectures are boring, he records them on bluecast, which is why people skip class.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIO201
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Burke's the man. He can seem boring because 90% of his class is evolution (since he's a genius in entomology and evolution). Just read the page she assigns when it comes to reading the book. Read it early and read twice. Go over each lecture the same day and review them twice more each a week before the test. Doing this, you will pass with a 95%+

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GENBIO201
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Burk has 10 questions on each test that come from the assigned reading sections that he doesn't talk about in class. But those are the only hard questions. Just pay attention to the examples he gives (always on the test). Pretty funny guy, easy class. Best gen bio teacher available.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO201
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Burk is a good teacher but he really, really loves evolution. If you are taking this class as a Pre Med student you should definitely put him as your last choice. You will not be prepared for the MCAT. But at least I know Evolution via Natural selection.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIO201
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I LOVED Burk. First semester of college and he was my favorite professor. He does spend a lot of time talking about evolution, but it is his passion and most professors teach what they know best. Cracks jokes that are hilarious. Study the online tests and powerpoint and a B is attainable. If you miss class, all the lectures are online. Great class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO201
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Can miss up to 9 classes. Provides all exams from previous year, and tells you which questions are relative for your exam. Also, provides textbook pages for the material on exam.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO201
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

You have to memorize verbatim what the professor says. you also have to be very great at test taking and multiple choice tests. The information doesn't really make sense, and this isn't really a genbio course it is Evolution... Professor Burk IS really knowledgeable and kind but the class doesn't really make sense and really hurts your GPA

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO201
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He loves evolution, and that's why lectures aren't easy to listen to all the time, HOWEVER, that's the only negative. I had to be honest and that's it. Otherwise if you study for this class like chemistry, then you'll get an A and its really interesting, unless you've taken IB or AP bio. If you're not a bio major, you might not like this class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO201
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Easier than other bio classes (cause he only covers evolution) BUT it's boring. He is very confusing to listen to even though he knows what he is talking about. Class is only based on four exams and a final. His exams are tough and the easiest way to lose points is if you don't do the assigned readings for the exams. REVIEW WHAT HE COVERS EVERY DAY

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO201
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Burk focuses very much on Evolution and if you compare where you are at with the other Bio classes you will feel very behind. His exams are decently hard but he will emphasize specific items and ideas during lectures that will be on the exam. The exams are the only grades so if you don't take tests well this could be a rough class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO201
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I love Dr. Burk. His classes can sometimes be long but he's really passionate about it. He is pretty straightforward on what is going to be on the test and gives you a lot of help in getting prepared for them. People don't like him because he focuses on evolution, but it's actually easier than most bio classes and I think it is interesting

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO201
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Burke is a great teacher that knows a lot about his subject. There are only 5 grades per semester (1 for each exam) so every exam is crucial for your grade. He gives a lot of opportunities for you to do well like practice tests, review sessions (on his own time), and recorded lectures. USE THEM. MAKE FLASH CARDS. you'll be fine.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: NSC111
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

When I took this class, it was the first time it was offered. There are only two big assignments, a 12 page mid-term and a 5 page single-spaced research paper. I learned nothing and the lectures don't help you write the papers. Also there are weekly 1-2 page reflections papers due every week over the readings. Great teacher, but a tough class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Burk is a great teacher. His lectures are very informative and you learn a ton. A lot of people don't like him because he focuses on evolution quite a bit, however evolution in itself is a very interesting topic. Dr. Burk is has a good sense of humor and makes his lectures very interesting, and amusing. The tests are also incredibly easy.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: 205
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Burk absolutely loves what he does, and you can tell so when he lectures. I personally enjoyed the class. If you are confused, he is so helpful during office hours and is so informative about the subject. You get what you put into the class, it isn't difficult to get a good grade but you have to work for it.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: 201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Burk is an oustanding professor. Class was extremely straight forward with a powerpoint lecture setup. He didn't just read from the slides, though, but had them up for reference as he clarified themes and concepts. If you have any concerns or difficulties, he's more than happy to help you outside of class. I can't give him enough praise.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIO201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you do poorly on any of the exams (4 100 points 200 point final), it's incredibly difficult to get your grade up. However, all lectures are recorded and available to watch at anytime. Because of this, attendance is NOT critical as long as you watch the recordings. Everything seems easy in principle but there is a lot of content to absorb.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIO201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He mainly focuses on evolution and it is very difficult to follow his lectures. Would never take him as a teacher again.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GENBIO201
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

confusing, lectures are long, when you ask questions he is still unclear, his tests are extremely wordy (cost me more than half my missed points), I could easily fall asleep in class, he goes off topic a lot in lectures, its extremely true he loves evolution, we even talked about how Charles Darwin married his 1st cousin, not sure if take again

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIO201
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The book readings have nothing to do with the lectures, but are essential to passing the tests. If you don't read, you will NOT do well! The reading can be extremely dense as well so start early. Lectures are REALLY boring. There are TONS of specific examples that you HAVE to know for the exams. Exams are extremely tricky due to his wording.