Debra B Folsom - Pasadena City College, Pasadena, CA

Professor: Debra B Folsom

Department: Biology

College: Pasadena City College, Pasadena, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIO004
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr Folsom truly helped me succeed in her class. I was struggling to get a C, and with her help I ended up with a B which saved my GPA. Her class is hard and you MUST attend to pass. Attend office hours and you'll do well on the exams. Labs consist of examining specimens and drawing them in your lab book. If you don't attend labs, good luck passing.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIOL4
• 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:

Easy A. For a student like me who only studies 2 hours before the test still gets an A, you can only imagine how easy this class is. Didnt even need to buy the textbook

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIOL4
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This will be easier for those who are good at memorization, however for those of us who aren't an A is still possible. She made me love plants! Follow her notes - they're on the exams but it helps to organize them for your unique learning method. The labs can be fun if you're into that. She has an interesting sense of humor

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO03
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Best Biology Professor I've ever had. Although her lectures are heavy, they're very straightforward and amazing. She is a funny teacher and I look up to her class every Monday and Wednesday morning. Her exams may be difficult to others but I personally feel like they are not that difficult. As long as you take notes and memorize, you'll pass.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIO00372631
• Grade Received: INC
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She's very clear when it comes to assignments and grading criteria. She's a straightforward professor, you NEED to write down notes and she gives study guides before tests. She's tough but I personally find that great because she never wastes time in class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIOL4
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Great professor! This is a very challenging class, especially if you're not good at memorizing, however, she provides notes as she lectures and is happy to answer your questions. Study for ALL exams, luckily she grades on a curve and throws out your worst grade. I hardly used the textbooks and her notes are more understandable. 1 field trip

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Personally, I find it interesting so studying for it was not that difficult. It is a ton of info though so prepare yourself. I did so well on the exams but since I missed a ton of class, I missed a ton of labs and those weigh heavy on your grade too! If you're happy with your grade, the final is optional. Just pay attention and pull through!!!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO03
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Good teacher. Lectures everyday and labs almost everyday. Some oral presentations. Must read the textbook to do well on the tests.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO3
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Folsom is extremely knowledgeable in this area, however her exams are very heavy. There are 5 exams, which each consist of 4 chapters. The labs were easy to complete and lectures were very interesting and well taught.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO03
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Easy A if you study. She curves for the test grades and gives study guides which is just a list of terms, but don't focus solely on the definition. Know the function and how it relates to/works with other organs, systems, etc. Labs are easy, and she rarely lectures for the full 3 hours. Her lectures are straight to the point.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO3
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

There's a lot of reading and memorizing to be done, but it's doable. For me personally, I didn't find the subject interesting so it was hard to get myself to do the assigned reading, though I still obtained a B. She can be a little rude when you come up for questions. If you want an A, you're going to have to work damn hard.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO4
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You will do well on your tests if you actually listen to her lectures!! She takes notes with us on the board so we don't have to hustle taking notes and not hear what she ways during class. 4 exams 2 lab exams and the final. You bomb the first lab exam? Don't worry she'll drop the first one and double the second one if you do better on it.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIO03
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Folsom is really great at condensing detailed, complex topics. She always relates the material in interesting tidbits that are relevant to us. Writes down her notes on board and used for test material. Quite a few tests, but curves each one. Easy labs. Very few hw assignments, but will likely skip lab so you can leave early and work on it.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO004
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I think she's real good. You have to write notes. If you take her study your notes after class you don't stay in class forever. Plant bio is a hard class and she is very clear I could have gotten a better grade but I didn't study enough. She respected me and gave me a lot of stuff to work on! Take this if you are not full time student!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO4
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She's real smart, especially after doing this for years. DO NOT take this class, if memorization isn't your strength or If you are not major in biology. Too ambitious for a GE class. But, if you have a photographic memory, guaranteed an easy A. Not recommended for nontraditional students. No participation awards would be given.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO03
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The entire time I was in this class she just lectured for 3 hours and that was it. The notes she gave were no help either. She doesn't give study guides and her exams would be hard. She can be quite rude when you asked her questions, I would not recommend her. She was not very helpful.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIO004
• 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:

Barely gives homework to help you retain the information given in the lectures

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIO004
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher, but gives VERY hard exams. About 5 exams. I disliked her class because of the studying. The amount of studying for this class was crazy. You have to be able to memorize literally ALL of your notes. So about 5-10 front and back pages of notes per lecture with LOTS of vocab. If you don't study don't even bother with plant bio..

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIO03
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I LOVED having her as a professor. If you need help she's there for you. Need to take a test on a different day? Just let her know ahead of time and she'll help you get it done around your schedule. All you really need to do to pass is memorize your notes. She's really easy to get along with as well.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIO03
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I LOVED having her as a professor. She gives plenty of good examples in her lectures and is clear about everything. If you need help she's there for you. Need to take a test on a different day? Just let her know ahead of time and she'll help you get it done around your schedule. All you really need to do to pass is memorize your notes.