John Geiser - Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI

Professor: John Geiser

Department: Biology

College: Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIOS1610
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This professor really seemed to care about us doing well, but he got really touchy on citations. It was kinda weird how serious he was about mistakes in citations. If you didn't cite things or meet his citation requirements, he'd give you a zero on important papers. Print powerpoint notes and don't study off of Wiley too much. It's too in depth!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIO1610
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

HORRIBLE PROFESSOR. He will give a 0 on an assignment for any little reason. Lecture and book seldom have anything to do with the exams. I clickers and group work every class so ALWAYS SHOW UP

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO1610
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Geiser comes across as easy going, but his grading is anything but. He is super strict on citations, and he will give you a zero on assignments you spent hours on if your citations are not perfect. Tests are difficult but not impossible. Your lowest test score is dropped and a 3% bonus given if you do all the extra credit.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIOS1610
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class will make you work hard! Dr. Geiser is a tough grader and the material is not easy. However, it is not impossible to do well in the course. Your lowest test score is dropped and there are extra credit opportunities offered. If you are willing to put in a lot of time and effort into this course, you will succeed!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIO1610
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This professor seems very nice to begin with. HE IS NOT. He grades things harder than any professor I have ever had. He failed me on an assignment for uploading it as a .png file instead of a .jpg file. All of his assignments take 2+ hours and are worth from 5-10 points. Do not take this class!!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO1610
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This guy is by far the worst professor I have ever had. He gives us so much homework that we don't have time to study. His assignments are 1500 word essays worth 5 points. He gave everyone a 4/5 because no one cited. When we asked him about it he told us that "I did not tell you because I knew you wouldn't do it anyways". Bad professor!!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO1610
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class is unreasonable. He doesnt give study guides and practically says to read the chapter over & over to study. I think his intention is to make sure students understand the material, but doesnt realize he is putting students in the position to JUST PASS, cram what you can in your head, and then when you leave you forget everything anyway

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO1610
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Awesome professor, really passionate about bio. Very caring. However, this material is hard and you will for sure work hard for a good grade. Lots of in-class group work, so you do need to come and have a clicker. Lots of wiley usage. I've never tanked on exams so bad & I am a good test taker. I got Es thru Bs on exams and finished with a BA tho.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIOS1610
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is a very self taught class, lectures are marked with attendance as well. I clicker questions everyday will help you think about what to study for the exam, when asked for a study guide Geiser laughed and said he didn't want to limit our knowledge? Go to class, he hands out in class assignments due before you leave.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO1610
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I am majoring in biomedical sciences, and this class was by far the worst I have had to take. I did not skip a single class, I read each chapter before class, I completed every assignment, and I took a zillion pages worth of notes- yet I failed every exam he gave us. The majority of my classmates were failing the exams as well. Try your best.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO1610
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This course is NOT easy. However, it's not impossible to do well if you are willing to teach yourself the majority of the material. The tests are difficult (the worst score is dropped) and you must study the material outside of what's given in class. Don't expect to do well if you aren't ready to put a considerable amount of time into this class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO1610
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

AVOID THIS PROFESSOR. He is vague on material; you will teach yourself everything. Exams are quite hard and most of the questions are on details that Geiser will not cover in class. Probably the worst professor I have ever had.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIO1610
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Highest exam class average was a 54%. Does not give study guides. Lectures too fast and then lets class out early. To do well on exams, study and know everything from the book. Lectures cover only a small fraction of what will be tested. Do all the extra credit and all the assignments, each point counts when exams are this hard. Avoid if possible

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO1610
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Avoid this guy at all costs. I've never had a prof. as bad as this guy. DOES NOT GIVE A STUDY GUIDE BEFORE ANY EXAM. more than half of my class is failing right now because nobody knows what to study. take my word for it and do not take a class with him.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO1610
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are marked by attendance, but you will learn next to nothing during lecture. You teach yourself all the material. Tests are compromised of questions from the text and almost nothing from lecture. Many of the group assignments will be on the exams as essay questions. He is very vague and confusing during lecture; take with a different prof.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO1610
• 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:

He is a very heavy grader and it's almost impossible to do well on his exams, even following his study tips in the syllabus. He is a hard grader on assignments that do no matter, and then you never get the assignments back to study from. If you take his class, expect to teach yourself and not learn much.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIO1610
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very lecture heavy and moves fast. You are required to complete online reading from the textbook and complete concept checks on what you read. He expects you to take notes from the reading. Do not expect to take detailed notes in class. Expect occasional pop quizzes, most are only for credit. Study for the tests, they are kind of challenging.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIOS1610
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Geiser assigns a lot of "at-home" assignments along with many in-class group assignments. He doesn't grade them for content though, just completeness. Also, he is very knowledgeable about the subjects that he teaches and can easily convey that knowledge to students. If you show up to lecture, take some notes, and study, you will be fine.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIOS1610
• 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:

He's a great guy. If it weren't a lecture type of class he would be a lot better rated. Great at office hours and not out there to fail you. Generally interested in taking care of the students. It's college, so there is work. Had a decent amount of exams and homework, but it was overall a good class and good instructor. Go to office hours! Helpful!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIOS1610
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Geiser is very easy to talk and willing to work with you to help you understand material and projects. He is also very knowledgeable and his lectures are very comprehensible. Ask questions when you are confused and he will clarify!