Rosemary Barra - University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA

Professor: Rosemary Barra

Department: Biological Sciences

College: University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIOL340
• 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:

Dr. Barra reads straight from the powerpoint slides with an extremely monotone voice, and everyone I talk to (even some of the smartest people I know) are not understanding the material and have to teach themselves. Class averages on tests are extremely low, and tests are ridiculously hard. dont take.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIO391
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I absolutely LOVE Dr. Barra! I took her for Immunology, History of Bio, and seminar. She is also my advisor and she is just a great, encouraging person. These classes can be tough (especially Immuno) but she really tries to help you if you ask for it and gives partial credit. She will literally be your shoulder to cry on if you need it. Take her!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIOL340
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She has a lot of knowledge on the subject and explains it fairly well but can come off as dry with her tone. Quizzes are short but hard. Exams are pretty tough but this is Cell Bio. Labs are a little tedious but write ups are not bad. Overall good professor.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIOL340
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The best professor I have ever had at UMW. My advice is to get the textbook but do not read word for word every chapter, look at the big picture of everything and connect what she puts in her slides with whats in the book (ex. the diagrams). GO to her office hours if you have questions... she is beyond helpful. Really cares about her students!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIOL340
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the toughest bio classes I have taken but she is a very good professor. She is very interested in her students and wants them to do well. If you ask for help she is very willing to help. Also very helpful during office hours. Don't skip class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIOL340
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Barra really wants her students to do well. One time the class avg for a test was pretty low and she asked us what she could do to fix it. She's very helpful when you ask questions and definitely knows what she's talking about. This class is hard but it's the material, not the professor. Study and you will be fine. She grades generously

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO440
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took every class Dr. Barra offered between 1984 and 1987. I know, long time ago, and I have continued my education since then, however, Dr. Barra stands out as the number one professor I ever had. Tough? yes, but she wants her students to succeed and will go out of her way to help those who ask for help.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO391
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I've had her for two classes now and I've never had a professor so invested in seeing me succeed as a biologist. Her classes encourage you to really think about the material and make your own connections, rather than just force feeding you everything. She teaches extremely difficult subjects, but will grade generously to help you succeed.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIOL340
• 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:

Extremely helpful and easy going. Volume and newness of material made this a challenging class but nothing conceptually difficult. Tough, but fair, assignments. This class was a lot more interesting than I thought it would be, so I'm glad I took it.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIOL340
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Barra really made the material easy to understand and went above and beyond to help anybody with anything they needed. The test are intense, and they will make or break your grade, even with the labs and quizzes. Despite this, I want to take more classes with her, and I highly suggest taking cell with Dr. Barra.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIOL340
• 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:

One of the best, most approachable professors I've ever had. Doesn't make you feel dumb if you have questions about the material.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO440
• 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:

Awesome teacher. Will not spoon feed you, but will give you her time and energy if you ask her. Also took her for Cell Bio, and learned what I needed to succeed in higher level courses. Would take any class with her.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIOHIST
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

History of Biology has no per-requisites. Dr Barra did not teach the class as such. She assumed the entire class had taken every upper level biology course. Her tests were obnoxious and require to knowledge of useless mundane details, not the core of the class lectures. Avoid her, but you all know that if you're a bio major.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Difficult class. She makes you learn and does not spoon feed info. She is always ready and willing to help you and does not make you feel stupid like some professors. Her class is hard but you are there to learn. I would take her again.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIOL391
• 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:

I think the person below who said Barra is the "worst professor ever" is completely wrong. Yes, her powerpoints do not have the notes spelled out for you, but these are upper level bio courses..you think you'd have figured out how to take notes on your own by now. Anyways, Barra's great, her classes are hard but worth the effort-you learn a ton!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO211
• 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 MUST read the book. However, she is a very skilled teacher and absolutely knows this material. She cares if students comprehend, and she will work with you if you don't understand.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIO211
• 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:

worst professor ever!! her powerpoint slides are useless just like her. You definitely have to read the book, that was my biggest mistake i didnt read for the first two exams because i figured a professor should teach me and not just show me pictures of things i should know! DO NOT TAKE

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIO440
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She assumes you have a complete knowledge of everything related to cellular biology. She is an extremely tough, although knowledgeable teacher. Can be hard to see the big picture through all the detail.Would not take her class again.

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

This Professor has a true concern for the well-being of her students. She was incredibly supportive during a difficult time. She is a passionate lecturer and truly loves the subject, which always improves a class.

Rating # 20

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

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