Jim Minesky - Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

Professor: Jim Minesky

Department: Biological Sciences

College: Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIO220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He has left PSU

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIOL220W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Exams are difficult, but lab will help keep your grade up. Nice guy, but teaching style of fill in the notes either makes you choose going to class, have a friend take your notes or getting nittany notes. The nittany note taker is usually very good though.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIOL220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Minesky IS fair, he just doesn't give grades out that aren't deserved. Grades are based on statistics, just like any other class. There was no curve to this class and the exams were extremely difficult. Each question tests multiple concepts. You really have to understand the material to just pass this class. Office hours are helpful.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIOL220W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The people saying that Dr. Minesky is a mean guy are just mad. It's true, his exams are REALLY tough. I failed one and got a D on another, but addmittantly I didnt study all that hard. For the other two plus the final I studied really hard and got A's. Dr. Minesky is really helpful, but you NEED to put in alot of effort to study. STUDY HARD

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIO220W
• 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:

Minesky's exams are RIDICULOUS! You need to know every single detail in order to decifer right and wrong facts/answers about the subject material. Exam format is also ridiculous: ABC, A&C, ALL OF THE ABOVE, NONE OF THE ABOVE...VERY TRICKY!! You must keep up with the material on a daily basis and study way in advance in order to do fairly well in th

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIOL220W
• 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:

Second time around having this guy and although I did much better and got high B's on all of his exams (thus far), I still HATE this guy! He wants people to do bad, really bad...so he makes his tests impossible. If you have not had him, believe the rumors (facts), and avoid this guy at all costs!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIOL220W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Minesky is NOT a fair teacher. Don't let him fool you with his nice attitude in lecture. He is a fake! His exams are WAY TOO HARD for a WAY TOO EASY subject. If you don't know EVERY LITTLE THING, you will NOT succeed. NO ONE can get an A in this class because of his unfair grading practices and his TOTALLY UNFAIR exams. DO NOT TAKE HIM EVER!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIOL141
• 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:

Difficult exams, but this class is nowhere near impossible. Take the online quizzes, they not only give you points towards your final grade but they help reinforce material. He is incredibly helpful and friendly if you approach him and ask him for help. Exams are detailed, but if you put the effort into this class you won't get a bad grade.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIOL141
• 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:

Minesky is a great professor...very enthusiastic about the material and extremely easy to understand. Tests are challenging (MC)but it's mostly memorization and test taking skills...if you can eliminate some answers that you know are wrong, you can easily do well. Cumulative final is hardest part...300 pages of notes and the exam is very detailed.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIOL141
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

You do have to spend alot of time studying before his tests but they are not at all impossible. His notes are extremely clear and he is very good at teaching. This class is by no means easy but if you put some time into it, you will learn alot and get a decent grade.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO141
• 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:

I studied more for this class than any other, hours upon hours, and I still could not do good on his exams.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO141
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is definately challenging but also really do-able. Minesky does a good job explaining the infomation and the notes are really clear. You HAVE to study and read the book if you expect to do well on the tests, which are hard.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIO141
• 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:

Seriously, if you read over your notes after each class, read the text book to help you to better comprehend things, and start reviewing everything a week in advance, his impossible tests are quite possible. Do the review packets and you'll be fine! Exams are HARD but very doable. Plus, he's nice and cares about what he teaches.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIOL141
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Absolutely impossible. This guy is absurd and he lives and breathes science, expecting you to do the same. DONT TAKE IF YOU PLAN ON LIVING A FULL LIFE.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO141
• 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:

Dr. Minesky is a phenomenal professor. The class is really hard, but you need to put time into it. He legitimately wants you to learn and cares about you. His tests are hard but only because he wants you to actually know the material. It is not an easy class at all, but if you put the time into it you will be fine and you WILL LEARN!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO240
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Minesky is an amazing teacher. One of the best professors I have ever had. How ever, his tests are absolutely impossible. Don't feel bad if you study for weeks and still get a C on an exam. Overall, a very good teacher, explains concepts very thoroughly and has great lecture notes.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIO240W
• 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:

This guy is impossible. Do NOT TAKE HIM!!! (IF YOU HAVE A CHOICE). You will be lucky to get a B, even if you spend half your time on this class. Just take a night class or a different professor if you can. Be Advised, do not expect to get a good grade taking this class!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIO240W
• 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:

terrible professor. Says it isn't too hard and the tests are impossible. Averages were all failing and D-. Final was even more impossible. He sucks, you have to memorize everything even know he says you don't. Terrible class, don't take unless you have to. No curve even tho they said they would

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIOL240W
• 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:

Decievingly easy until the 1st exam, which hits you like a train....as does the 2nd. Tests are impossible...luckily one gets dropped. Very annoying in lecture. Biology is my major, and I'm hoping to pull a B in this class from hell. Says you don't need to memorize things, just "understand" the concepts (and every painstaking detail)...

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIO240
• 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:

KILLLLLLERRR! somewhat good teacher, but his exams are impossiblllleeeeeeeee. the class drops one exam, but one is NOT ENOUGH!