Robin Devinney - Winona State University, Winona, MN

Professor: Robin Devinney

Department: Biology

College: Winona State University, Winona, MN

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIO111
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

She is funny and nice but her class is a literal joke. There are no grades until after semester is over so you have zero clue what is going on. You learn nothing except that she is a nice lady.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIOL111
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Devinney herself is probably fun on the weekends, but no help WHATSOEVER in class. You just copy her weird notes that rarely make sense then do projects on the topics you "learned" about. She's so tough on the lab notebook you turn in at finals & she doesn't use D2L, so you never know your grade. Have to show up for class to write your initials.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO360
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Worst prof ever. Everyone always walked into class having no clue what was going on and pretty sure she didn't either. Always had unclear grading criteria and had ridiculous expectations for labs without telling us. Would get upset with us if we didn't know what was going on and wouldn't answer questions half the time. Never followed the syllabus.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIOL425
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Mainly lecture learning! I took her for Environmental Biology and Animal Behavior. Both classes she taught with lots of colored markers and pictures. It was awesome! For the tests she expects you to know exactly what the notes were in class. Nothing more and nothing less. Very clear on what the final grade will be. Offers #s of ways to get pts.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BBIO242
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The worst professor Ive ever had. Never have any clue whats going on no matter how smart you are

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BBIO242
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Some people struggle with devinney/robinson with her unclear grading and very loose teaching style. To be successful, you must attend lecture and lab as all tests are based off that. Ask questions, learn what she likes and doesnt like, and if you're in Bio 242 work on that lab notebook from the start of the semester

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BBIO242
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Devinney (she changed her name from Richardson) is a kind soul. I used to hate her lectures however, I did warm up to her. Her classes are very lecture heavy, be ready to take notes. She is very heavy on drawing and illustrations. She does not use D2L, but she does have office hours. Her lectures are important to go to, a lot of info is oral.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BBIO242
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Hand-writes all her notes, puts nothing online. Tests are long and hard.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO242
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

- Her exams are totally based on the lectures which is good - she makes you buy her textbook for 100$ but it was totally useless - she draws a lot, (which is good) and be sure that it would be on her exams - She jumps from chapter to chapter during her lectures and it was a big mess - you need to do some community services in that class

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIOL312
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Half the time I didn't know what she was talking about because she went off on so many tangents. I had no idea what my grade was until after finals. She was so laid back (which sounds good I know) to the point where I never knew what to do because her instructions were so vague. She's super entertaining though I'll give her that.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO242
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Just show up to class and take really good notes - she is extremely funny and keeps the lecture entertaining. It's kind of like story time with her; she has an odd way of teaching but it really keeps the class awake and laughing. She's great! Also work hard on the lab notebook since it's worth many points at the end of the semester!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO242
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The lecture is taught odd. She isn't always clear on what is expected, and a lot of outside class time is dedicated to the class. Some of her remarks seem rude, but overall she makes things interesting.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BBIO242
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Unfortunately, when comes to Organismal Diversity, there is no way of getting out of having her. She has long, boring, confusing lectures. Her exams are a free for all and it's difficult to study. The lab components are also confusing. Don't be surprised if you spend a lot of outside time on the dumb lab note book. Good luck to all biology majors.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO242
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Worst class I have ever taken. She is EXTREMELY unorganized and unclear. I don't think I learned anything in this class all semester and I went to each class and took notes. Class makes no sense and grade basically relies on lab, which was also unorganized. I wouldn't recommend this professor. 100% frustrating.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO242
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Hilarious professor who loves her spiders. Grade is mostly based on lab notebook which will consist of a lot of drawings. Grading criteria is not the clearest but she is a very approachable professor who is more than willing to help. In lecture she doesn't use powerpoint she writes everything out with the projector

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BBIO242
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Expects way too much out of you, way too many assignments and projects all at once, not even sure what the criteria was for half of it

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIO242
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Richardson was an interesting women, she really likes her spiders. If you are the time of student who likes to learn from power points this is not the class for you. Lecture is a must to do well on the exams as she only hand writes her notes. Lab involves a lot of coloring and drawings that will be graded on your talent and abilities.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BBIO242
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Ive had her for 3 classes now, and I love her. Just go to class and take notes. Her tests are only on the notes she gives you, so its easy to study. She's a very easy grader on assignments, and gives extra credit opportunities. She's done a lot of her own research, and is very knowledgeable. Also super funny and easy to talk to. EASY A!!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ECOLOGY312
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very easy class. Anyone that does not pass, either did not show up to class or did not care. Take her if you have the option to. Don't buy any textbook for her class, she always says you need them, but it is not essential to get an A.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIO111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very funny and vibrant at 9 am her class was super nice we didn't have tests we showed learning through projects which was the best part of the class and I wish I could take another class from her because she is so interesting and funny. Be involved in class and communicate with her and you'll do just fine she is writing the textbook for this class