Susie Balser - Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL

Professor: Susie Balser

Department: Biology

College: Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIO302
• 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:

It makes me sad to see posts that say Balser was dedicated to her students in the past. Isnt like that anymore, she cancelled class all the time (awesome, right?) but then still held us responsible for tons of material without teaching it(not awesome). She recites material. Doesnt explain it. NEVER in office hours. Rarely shows up to lab. horrible.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: 219
• 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:

This class is extremely difficult. The amount of information easily triples that of gen bio. Her exams are like something from H***. Work hard and Good luck. She is attractive.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Showing videos in class and putting 1 on reserve for around 150 kids is just not good teaching.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIOL101
• 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:

First semester, in gen bio, Dr. Balser decided to try a new teaching method. Her new method was not teaching. She wanted the students to teach themselves, And i thought that was what the professor was there for... In many of her classes she did not teach at all, and simply put on a video. Anyone can press play!!!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIO219
• 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:

A very nice woman, a very challenging professor. Definitely use her office hours, you won't survive with them. Oh, and not all "whiny premed students" are looking for an easy A--just classes that are remotely interesting. Inverts? Not even close.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: INVERSECT
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She is one of the best teachers at this school. I loved this class and would recommend it to anyone. Wonderful teacher (and hot Hot HOT to look at!) :-)

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIOL164
• 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:

She is an absolute sweetheart. She is the best teacher I've ever had and she really cares about her students. If you don't understand something, she is more than willing to set up appointments with you, even if it is during her free time. Her class is really difficult and you have to work hard if you want a good grade, but the work will pay off.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIOL219
• 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:

Simultaneously the best professor I've ever had and the most demanding. Let's get one thing straight; Balser is NOT a professor for the whiny pre-med students looking for an easy A. You will learn more about inverts in this class than you thought possible, and most likely you'll enjoy it. The grade you get in this class is the one you deserve!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• 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:

She is hard as hell in, general biology, in a sense that she teaches so much, you pretty much learn every single damn domain, kingdom, phylum, class, and some species of nearly every single damn animal. In addition, she gives 2 different types of notes, lecture and power point, so that's double the notes to study.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIOL101
• 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:

she was pretty boring and there were way too many notes

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: INVERTZOOLOGY
• 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:

One of the most difficult bio classes at wesleyan, but definately worth taking. The material may not be particularly relevent to other classes but the fact that you have taken it will help enormously in teaching you how to approach upper level bio classes. Dr. Balser is a great teacher and really helps you if you are struggling with the material.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIOL219INVERT
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She is the best professor here. She's helped me a lot on my study skill and her advices really work. She goes out her way to help her student. She's willing to set up a weekly meeting with students who need helps. Her exams are very hard, but by the end of the course, you'll feel lucky that you've taken her class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GENBIO
• 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:

She's extremely nice, but she goes too damn fast. Her powerpoints often consist of phrases (or just terms), so be prepared to write down everything she says.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GENBIO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very nice and down to earth.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ANYTHING
• 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:

I adore this woman. She's tough, but she knows what she's doing-- and if you're willing to put in the (substantial) work, you'll be miles ahead of people who've never had her. Rock solid on every issue that's come up. Great role model, great person.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She is so very nice!

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

She is tough but you don't need to read any of the book material. Just write every word she says in class and memorize that! Good luck

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIO102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

She is one of the BEST bio teachers! Makes inverts interesting; very clear on what she expects you to know...EVERYTHING! Will explian anything you ask because she actually knows what she is talking about. BIG relief from all the plant crap. very nice lady

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

hard class, but you get a good chance to bond with other bio majors suffering through it with you...and she is willing to help if you ask

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: INVERT
• 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:

Dr. Balser is a great lady. She's extremely intellegent but really knows how to teach in a way that everyone can understand. Her lab is extremely difficult, but she's so excited about the material that it makes it seem fun, even if it isn't at all times