Joseph Balum - Northampton Community College, Bethlehem, PA

Professor: Joseph Balum

Department: Biology

College: Northampton Community College, Bethlehem, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIOS254
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Balum was an exceptional professor. Tough but fair. He begins the course by giving you a CD with all of his power points, text reviews, and even adds simple notes on the chapter that you are able to build up on. He gives you a lot of information but he truly is preparing you for real life scenarios in the healthcare field. I would highly recommend.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIOS204
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Balum is hands down the best professor to take for A&P1. The class is difficult but he gives you a clear understanding and everything you need to pass. Hope he teaches A&P2 so I can take him again.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIOS204
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Balum gives you a cd with everything you will learn on it in his course. He also gives you reviews for every lecture test and if you study them you will pass the lecture portion. The lab is all on you to learn because he can't help you memorize things only you can.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIOS254
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Balum is by far my favorite professor that I have ever had at NCC. I had him for A&P 1 and am currently taking his A&P II class. He tells you exactly what to expect on tests and is always there after class in order to help if asked. Highly recommend!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIOS204
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Professor Balum is by far the best professor ever! I love his class! He gives you a CD that has all the information for you to pass the class with! Im taking him again for AP 2 in the spring!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIOS204
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

he was such a great professor. I had him for Anatomy and it's a tough course only because there's so much that you need to memorize and it takes a lot of time to study for but his class was great. he gives almost all of his lecture test questions out on a CD he gives you the first day of class and if you study that, you'll be fine

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIOS204
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's such a great professor. He was in the military and has nursing experience, so he can really give good examples of lecture topics. Hilarious class, everyone wanted to pay attention because he made it interesting. Gives a DVD with notes and PowerPoints but still attend class because he makes it super easy to understand.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO241
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Good class, both lab and lecture notes are given in beginning of semester. He's engaging and funny. Sometimes gets off topic but overall very good, intelligent professor who is passionate and knows his subject. He is clear and helpful in lab and gives ample time to learn material before test. Just be prepared to study and you'll do well.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIOS204
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Balum is funny and knows his material. His lectures can be a bit disorganized but he gives you all the material (notes, lecture exam reviews, powerpoints) on a disc. He also goes over a lot of the questions in lecture before the test. Tests on some material not covered in lecture though. Lab tests are hard but proper studying works.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIOS254
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Awesome teacher !! I totally recommend him. Study for labs and you will pass . He gives you the power points on disk and you just follow them . Professor Balum also gives you review questions to work on and will use them for lecture tests, if you study them you will pass with and A . Very helpful and interesting class I enjoyed being in his class !

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIOS254
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Balum is awesome, take his class. In his lectures he gives what you need for exams plus real life experiences from his navy, ER and nursing days. He gives you everything you need to exceed, if you memorize the reviews he gives you, you will get an A. The lab tests are tough you must know the models but he tells you what you need to know.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIOS204BIOS254
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Balum is an amazing professor. His lectures stem from real world examples and he has always got a story for something because of his time as a US veteran. As long as you respect him and show up, he will make sure you learn the material, not just memorize it. Make time for the lab, and ask questions when you have them. Best prof! I miss him!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIOS254
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He gives you everything you need to succeed in his class. He tries to teach his lessons in a simple manner & actually wants you to understand it. If you do not understand something, ask questions! He is willing to help, so don't be afraid. STUDY!I studied my butt off and it was worth all the hours. Don't rely on others or "cheating", pathetic.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIOS254
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Balum is honestly the defintion of what a professor should truly be. The course is rigorous but he gives you every opportunity to succeed. Professor B is also very understanding and willing to work with you until material becomes clear. Do not procrastinate and make time for open lab tutoring.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIOS204
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

GREAT professor! If you listen to what he says, follow along on the CD ROM he prepares for you, and respect him enough to attend class, you CAN do well. I was totally fearful of A&P and he taught me well. He is a seasoned educator, nurse and veteran of the USA with a lot of real world knowledge that helps to keep the class interesting.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIOS254
• 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:

This is the class you want for A & P ll, Professor Balum is insightful, organized, detailed, and most importantly fair when it comes to grading. Show up, keep up, and you will succeed in this class. His lectures are great because he draws from his many years of health care practice to relate the subjects to actual patient care. Take this class!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIOS254
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I hated the class with all of me. I do not recommend him AT ALL. He is not helpful one bit and his tests are incredibly hard. avoid him. AVOID.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIOSAP2
• 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:

Best teacher ever. The class is hard but prof Balum made it interesting and fun. Its really up to you if you want to attend the labs he will not hound you about attendance. But don't miss class!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: APBIO
• 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:

Awesome teacher. Very helpful and knows what he's talking about and brings his knowledge of being a nurse to the classroom. Definitely need to read the book but he's willing to help and explain anything for lec and lab.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BOI205
• 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:

Excellent teacher. Relates to the course by him being a nurse himself. Always avalible if need extra help Wishhe teached your science class but only a&p 1 and 2