Ruth Chodrow - James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Professor: Ruth Chodrow

Department: Biology

College: James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIO312
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

this was a low effort class, i studied for a couple hours before the tests and got B's since it's a lot memorization. it's not hard to pick what she'll ask questions on from her lectures. make sure to memorize her opinion though bc she is picky about that. the papers aren't hard either, this is definitely an easy upper bio course.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIO14O
• 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:

She's a good professor for lab. Can be strict, just because she wants everyone to follow instructions. DON'T TAKE YOUR PHONE OUT, PUT IT AWAY BEFORE YOU ENTER LAB. Have to print out every lab and bing it to class a grade.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO280LAB
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

A quiz every monday. She is a very hard grader on the lab reports. She is not my favorite professor. She will call you out in class so study before hand. I would not take her class again. If you can, i would choose a different lab professor.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO280LAB
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Chodrow truly does care about her students! I honestly was not a fan at first, but she definitely grew on me as the semester progressed. She makes you study and stay on top of your work but I got so much out of this course! She explains in DETAIL what she's looking for in lab reports and if you follow that you'll do fine!!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIO280L
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Chodrow really cares about her students getting good grades so she's definitely more than willing to help with lab reports and everything during office hours. She calls you out in class so pay attention and study for lab quizzes!!! I learned more through lab with her than I did in lecture.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO280L
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Chodrow is really not as bad as everyone makes her out to be. I started off the semester not liking her but she really grew on me. She is a tough grader and will put you on the spot for questions, but it makes you stay on top and learn a lot from the course. Weekly quizzes aren't bad if you study. Take if you want to learn the most from 280!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO312
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

By far the pickiest grader in the Biology Department. 2 tests and a Final, 2 (6-8 page) papers and an assessment. Majority of tests are short answer, and if you don't write down what is given to you word-for-word, you won't get a high grade. More emphasis on memorization than concept. Attendance not required, but its highly recommended to go.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO280L
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Most people dont give her a chance but she is the sweetest lady. Yes she is very picky in lab and on lab reports but if you go to her office hours she helps a ton! Quiz on labs every week, drops lowest. multiple lab reports some with partners. Really passionate about what she teaches and overall a great professor just dont commit a lab sin!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO280LAB
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

chodrow is VERY picky. you really have to be specific for EVERYTHING. she is a tough grader, but she does make you learn. follow her guidelines to a T and you will be fine.. DO NOT commit a lab sin or she goes crazy. She also is prone to call on you and ask you questions, so always be ready to answer. overall she's pretty good

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO280LAB
• 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:

I learned SO much from Dr. Chodrow and I'm glad she was my lab teacher. She is enthusiastic about what she teaches and is extremely nitpicky, so you must ALWAYS follow directions and take good notes. Go to her office hours-She is very helpful and kind. You'll grow and improve from her, but be ready to work hard.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO280L
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Chodrow is strict about following the right directions, but overall she was a great teacher. I learned so much from Dr. Chodrow and am so glad she was my lab professor. If you have any problems she is willing to help and she is very excited about the material she teaches.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I went into this class with an extensive biology background and Chowdrow was a challenge. She is just a picky grader, but i did learn a lot. If you want to learn, take her. If you want an easy A, look for someone else. I still got an A but it was more work than i was expecting

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIO280
• 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:

This class was a wonderful experience, very intimidating at first, but you learn a LOT! I loved Dr. Chodrow, although she can be a bit smart. I'd def recommend :)

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO280L
• 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:

She is a very nice lady and willing to help if you go to her office. She is a tough grader and only gives you the points if it's exactly what she was looking for. Weekly quizzes in lab, many weekly assignments, 3 lab reports, midterm, and a final. Even tough her lab was assignment heavy, I learned a lot from her class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO280L
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Chodrow is so sweet. She teaches well, and whenever you ask questions, she is fully willing to help you. She IS a picky grader, but she just wants to make sure you completely understand the material. I definitely learned a lot more from BIO 280 lab than lecture. Fun, interesting class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO312
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher and great subject matter. She teaches such interesting material that can be life and career changing. The class is not as easy as you may think, but if you study and write well on the papers, you can get an A. You will learn so much about saving animals!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIO312
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not hard if you study a couple hours before the tests. All powerpoints in black board. Three tests including the final. Two 6-8 page papers. Animal welfare assessment project.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIO312
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She is THE pickiest grader on the bio staff! The material isn't very hard at all but if you don't use her exact words, she will mark your answer wrong. Don't even bother remembering concepts- worry more about using her exact words to avoid losing points.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIO312
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Grades very picky on her tests.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIO312
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

VERY interesting class; lots of guest speakers; tests are all short answer and fill in the blank...grades kinda picky on them. Two 6-8 page papers. If your interested in animals, take this class!