Benjamin Blair - Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL

Professor: Benjamin Blair

Department: Biology

College: Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BY101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

All your homework and tests are online. You get three attempts on the homework and two on the tests. Easy A if you don't procrastinate and get your work done.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BY403
• 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:

Attend lectures if you can. Bring your book. Make your own powerpoints, don't use the book's. Dr. Blair will help you if you put in your best effort 24/7. Definitely make the videos so you have grades to balance out test grades. Tests are hard as per the Blair usual. He knows this. You know this. Don't complain; just study like hell. It's doable!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BY283
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The class is hard but, despite what others said, he cares for his students. He is very passionate about micro. Dr. Blair's lectures are tough. Attend lectures. If you get lost, read the textbook and make your own notes. If you put in effort, he will notice and you'll pass. If you struggle, talk to him at least a week before tests. He will help you.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BY101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I can honestly say that I can count on one hand the amount of times I went to class. It is an "in class" class but he uploads all quizzes and homework online. Not only that, you have a pretty decent amount of time to complete them. I passed with an A in this class with minimal effort.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BY101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's awesome. Book is kinda needed, ie you need the code for the online homework. HW is easy and quick. Only 3 tests + final but he drops the lowest one.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BY101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This class is super easy. Homework is all online so you will need to purchase a mindtap access. Tests are on Blackboard and you have two attempts on each. If you do go to class, he offers extra credit very often. Recommend for biology!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BY101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This class is basically an online class. The lectures are about the homework that was due the night before, so that doesn't really help you. All of the tests are on Blackboard and you have two attempts on each. By the end of the semester, you must post a video discussing a topic from one of the chapters studied.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BY101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very caring and well informed professor! He will go out of his way to help students. Mindtap is a lot of homework, but helps establish a solid understanding. Do the work and you will do well in his class. Attendance is not mandatory, but his lectures are pretty laid back and opportunities to get extra credit. TAKE HIM

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BY101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Going to the class is a waste of time other than to figure out when the test is. He doesn't tell you when assignments are due. If you don't check mindtap every day, you will not pass and have several zeros in the gradebook by the end of the week.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BY101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

No need to go to class because the tests and quizzes are on mind tap. Everything is specifically on blackboard. The homework is very complex, so the book is needed. Easy to talk to and wants each student to understand the best they can

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BY101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Smart. He teaches upper level bio classes & does well, but not the best teacher for basic bio. I took AP biology my senior yr of HS & did well in it, I understood almost everything & could remember what I learned, but when I took him it was almost like he confused the topics I thought I knew. Tests were extremely difficult. He's very nice & funny.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BY101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Took Dr. Blair for BY101. Was easy, no need to attend class because all homework and tests were through MindTap. Got two attempts at every exam and he dropped the lowest one at the end. Book was helpful for homework assignments.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BY283
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Blair is passionate about micro and it shows. The course material is complex and there is a lot of it. He is very honest about what it takes to make an A in this class. Be ready to work. Read the syllabus. Take Notes. Study. Put in the time and you will do great. He is an awesome teacher if you are willing to learn.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BY283
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is a nice guy, but that is about it, THIS CLASS WAS RIDICULOUS. 2 test and 1 final, the class was darn near impossible to even pass with a C

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BY283
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I wouldn't take this guy again if my life depended on it. Horrible teacher who obviously doesn't care about his students in any way. Won't put any effort into helping you, and attempts to make his tests impossible. No matter what or how much you study, you will never be prepared for one of the two tests you take. AVOID. AVOID. AVOID.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BY283
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Unless you have to take this class the semester he is teaching it, I would highly recommend you wait. Two test and a final. If you have a question about a topic or test, it better be specific or he won't answer it. If you can read minds, this class would be perfect for you because most of the questions on the test are not in the material you cover.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BY283
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Absolutely terrible. He is a nice guy, but a terrible teacher. We had two tests and a final and that was it. No bonus, no other assignments, and he literally tells you not to "ask what is on the test." He pulls his questions straight from his own knowledge so the tests are almost impossible to study for. Avoid him at all costs.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BY283
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Blair is great. If u dont like him, is bc of ur own stupidity not bc he is a terrible professor. He goes out of his way to help students. His class is hard but that is biology. Biology is not easy. If you come to class, listen to his lectures, go home and study, you will do well. if not work at McDonald's. College is not for you.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BY403
• 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:

DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS ESPECIALLY FROM HIM!!! He doesn't teach. His power point notes are useless because they are just the pictures found throughout the chapter. He says he want general concepts on test but yet he ask for specifics. You will only have two test and poster for the whole semester and he grades the poster extremely hard. DON NOT TAKE!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BY283
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He was alright. He was pretty entertaining, but the material in the class was really difficult. He scales his tests, which actually saved me. I don't recommend skipping class, because it is nearly impossible to catch up. He wasn't my favorite.