William Coffman - University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Professor: William Coffman

Department: Science

College: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIOSC0160
• 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:

Class is all about rote memorization of his notes. That's all it is. Only look at his notes and memorize them word for word. It takes time but don't waste time on anything else for him. I wish I knew this right off the bat instead of only by week 10. Don't read the book just his notes. You'll wish your future classes were this straightforward.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIOSC0160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His is teaching style is very old school.Lecture consists of copying his notes off a transparency while he rambles on.Tests are difficult and he loves to use all the above/none of the above as answers.Overall not a bad teacher,he is very passionate about biology and seemed fair in grading,gave class 4 points at end for weirdly phrased questions

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIOSC0160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Tests are essentially a measure of how well you can memorize the notes he gives. He does not use the book at all so you need to attend lecture to get the notes or else you fall behind very quickly. He uses recitation to lecture more, so you have to plan on going to those, as well. The tests are very doable if you can memorize what he says.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIOSC0160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He knows the material so well he seems unable to explain it and instead just rambles on about the subject. His tests are confusing word games rather than measures of knowledge or understanding.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIOSC0160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Don't bother reading the book. It will waste your time. I found his questions overly particular and confusing. Though I found him an fairly interesting lecturer because he loved what he taught, I would not recommend him.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I've since graduated Pitt but I took this professor 2-3 years ago for Bio II. I just wanted to say that if you're pre-med, pre-pharm, whatever...you won't succeed by taking to heart what everyone else is saying. Just worry about yourself, trust yourself, work hard, and you will do great. This guy's tests were as straight forward as you could get.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIOSC0160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Unconventional in that success is based on rote memorization of his notes verbatim(and yes only notes and yes verbatim) while lots of people will complain about his class, its easy compared to classes you take later on where what ur expected to know is unpredictable and ur challenged to think/apply vague concepts. Needs work but is straight forward

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIOSC0160
• 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:

All BIO2 classes are challenging, but Coffman is very straightforward with what he wants, memorize his notes verbatim(and yes everything and verbatim) and you will be able to see through his many tricks he tries pulling. Helpful in office hours, class usually has about 5% curve and gives a few pts back due to bad test questions. Not bad at all.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIOSC0160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I would not take this man unless you have photographic memory and an attention span much longer than the normal human. He talks constantly and decides to go online and find newer info than available in the book. HE also isn't very clear on which you have to know. I used the book to study for the first test and was screwed because of that.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIOSC0160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Tests are STRAIGHT from notes. Study the notes repetitively and you're guaranteed a solid grade. Coffman is an incredibly intelligent man and invokes some thought. If your good at memorizing pages upon pages of notes, take coffman

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIOSC0160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

His tests are impossibly specific with the "A, B, C, A and B, or all the above" format, you could probably do well if you had a photographic memory. If you actually study 6 hrs a week maybe you could get an A. There was about a 5% curve by the end, but some semesters theres none. Doesn't use technology or the book and he's kinda full of himself.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO0160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very hard multiple choice exams. His lectures do not really follow the textbook, so you can't miss lectures. He is a pretty boring speaker and does not use any technology or the internet. He uses an overhead projector.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIOSC0160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This man is in love with Biology, if you have even a reasonable level of interest in Bio, you can find something to enjoy. His class isn't incredibly easy, but its doable, the majority of the exams are the notes, so coming to class is important, and he lectures in recitation as well. Ultimately, be ready to work, but you are guaranteed to learn.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIOSC0160
• 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:

All his tests are from the notes, however, his tests are very difficult. Most of them are the "which of the following is true or false" questions. Also, he likes to use letters D or E as answers A and C or B and C options. His recitations are just another lecture and he was always available when I needed help. Prepare to work very hard and study.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Coffman is a difficult professor. His tests are very tricky and his voice becomes annoying after a while. The final curve was the only reason I passed the class. He knows biology very well. It is possible to get an A in his class, you just have to study and never do anything else.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIOSC0160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Hard professor. Tests are completely from his notes so memorize them. Record the lectures if you have to and study study study. He's also very old-fashioned as far as his lecture. I felt like he talked at us instead of taught us. Oh and the recitation is an additional lecture. He takes a few questions and picks up where he left off in class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIOSC160
• 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 completely agree with the person that said s/he earned an A- in the class but lost his/her sanity in the process. Coffman is very old-fashioned. But he is very knowledgeable and is helpful in office hours. However your hair will become white while trying to earn an A in the class but you'll learn a lot in the process.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIOSC160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This is the worst professor I have ever had at Pitt. He is very unapproachable. This is the first class I have ever had where reading the book was more interesting than the lecture. Also, he loves to ask random questions about the life and times of charles darwin. It has nothing science. Avoid if possible and you will save your GPA.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIOSC0160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He was boring as ever.. Exams were difficult.. Not the worst class ever, but certainly not anywhere near enjoyable.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIOSC0160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Memorize the notes he gives you and understand them. Although the tests are extremely tricky and difficult, they are right from the (rather extensive) notes. And read the tests CAREFULLY!! They are often worded badly and, for that reason, are tough. Professor is a smart guy though.