Debra Nero - Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Professor: Debra Nero

Department: Science

College: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIOMG2801
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

You will get yelled at and might get hit by Nero, but keep asking questions and don't give up. She's definitely there to help you but you need to put in the other half of the work. She'll push you and is not afraid of whacking you on the head to get you to learn.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIOMG2801
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Not a nice person. I honestly believe she enjoys handing out low grades just because this university doesn't care. If you don't need to take this class but you still enroll, your parents should have sent you to a mental hospital instead of Cornell.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIOMG2800
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Nero was the worst professor that I have ever had. The genetics course was neither well -organized nor well paced. The tests were beyond what had been presented in class, and the hw was impossible. This is the only class where 0/100 is a possible exam grade (with studying). Nero curses people during OH and leaves them feeling confused and stupid.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIOMG2801
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Debbie isn't the softest of people, but she cares if you do. If you are intimidated by her style, try scheduling a one-on-one meeting with her. She will push you to understand. The only warning I have is that her normal speaking voice outside of her office is approximately lecture-hall enunciation. Don't pick your friends as lab partners, really.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIOMG2801
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Nero is the most "unconventional" teacher I've had, to put it mildly. I must admit, her explanations are exceptionally clear, as long as you can filter the genetics from the cursing. Lab is a time-guzzling course, and there's atrocious communication between the TAs and students. It's very unclear what they want. You must go to office hours.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIOMG2800
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Nero is extremely intimidating and her last name equates her to the terrors of the same Roman Emperor. She is extremely abrasive and old-fashioned, which some people like, and others do not. She wants you to understand the material, and if you show appreciation for her and her subject, she will take a direct interest in you!!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIOMG2810
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The lab takes up a lot of time and she is hard grader. Other than that she is very helpful and knows her stuff very well.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIOMG2801
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Cornell is the heart of classic genetics. This is the bread and butter course for the discipline. It shouldn't be easy and it isn't. Nero will help you, but she won't drag you around like a puppy. You have to work for it like an adult, if you do that, she'll show you the way to success. Go to every office hour and lecture you can. Good luck!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIOMG2800
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She is awful

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIOMG2801
• 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: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. Nero is the best. Very helpful and is an incredible professor. Might seem intimidating at first, but if you're lucky enough to get to know her, she is an incredibly sweet lady. She made genetics understandable and fun.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIOMG2801
• 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:

Nero manage to teach with clarity despite teaching a difficult subject. She can be intimidating esp with her loud voice but she's really trying to help you. Don't feel intimidated and ask questions bc she's your best resource.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIOG2810
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

a lot of screaming involved in the early morning. her problem solving is a must if you want to do well in genetics. lab is hands down the worst class i've taken at cornell

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIOMG2810
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

VERY helpful if you just ignore the fact that she's yelling

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIOMG2810
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Intimidating during problem solving sessions but quite approachable during one-on-one interactions. Knows the problems cold and can offer clear and succinct explanations of any problem in the textbook/lab/prelims

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIOMG2810
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You'll either hate or love Nero-- she keeps you awake at 8am. Her PS sessions are gold if you want to do well in the class, and she'll jump through hoops to help you (it's just that her delivery needs work). Labs will suck away your time and are hard, but if you go to office hours every week (yeah, EVERY week) you'll do really well.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIOMG2810
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Probably the best teacher I've had at Cornell. Made me remember and truly learn the material.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIOG2810
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She can be intimidating at first because of the screaming, but once you get past that she's great. Go to her problem solving sessions if you want to do well in genetics.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIOMG2810
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

You will either immediately hate or love Dr. Nero, she has a big personality: her main form of communication is screaming and she cusses like a sailor, all this aside, she is an excellent professor, problem solving is good for understanding concepts but not necessary to do well in the course (that is based on pure luck). This course will be hell!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIOMG2810
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Her class is like a soccer game: you can't cram study the night before and expect to do well. Practice, book problems and problem solving!! Nero's as sharp as a tack and an understanding of the material that's backwards and forwards. GO TO OFFICE HOURS AND PROBLEM SOLVING. She's exceptionally willing to help!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIOGD281
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

As a personal rule, I don't respect anyone that doesn't respect me and HATE Dr. Nero. All the worst qualities of professor rolled into one. Students that like her must be masochistic, or unaware of the respect they deserve as human beings.