Rod Nelson - University of Arkansas at Fort Smith

Professor: Rod Nelson

Department: Biology

College: University of Arkansas at Fort Smith

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIOL
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The grade in this class was based on 4 or 5 tests. He curved one of them. There's no need to buy the botany book.. I never cracked it open. I took good notes from his lecture and powerpoint and I did well on the tests! Kind of a boring class, but it isn't bad in any way.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: 2303
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

No homework, takes your grade from the 4 Exams and Final. Gives outlines for every unit. All questions on test come from those. Also have to study the book, because the outlines can be rough around the edges.

Rating # 3

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

If you are going for pre-med, DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS!! Its not required for med school and it is pretty much pointless to take. He only does tests and he does NOT specify what is going to be on it. He will just tell you to study 5 chapters&expects you to memorize everything for a 40 question test. Its a hard course&will just bring your GPA down.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: 1151
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Nelson goes by the book and curriculum for the class. His labs are easy and he gives quizzes and tests right from his lectures. If you don't pass his lab it is because you are lazy and you need to think about your life.

Rating # 5

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Great lab teacher. Treat him with respect and he will do the same for you. He really makes sure you know the material and he's very funny. He's non-sympathetic for those who don't help themselves.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: 2303
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I had him for Botany lecture during the summer. I thought he was great! He really knows his stuff! You have to study in his class-it's not an easy A! I passed Botany with a B. I probably would have done better if it weren't a summer class and had more time, but I really enjoyed his class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: 2303
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Had him for lecture and lab. Didn't attend lecture much (was absent more than present) but read the power points he uploaded and got an A. Just a lot of remembering. Lab was interactive and tests were straightforward.

Rating # 8

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

He has office hours but he's never there?! He was okay. Has way too many quizzes!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1153
• 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:

Really enjoyed this class. Applies all studies to real life situations. I would definitely take another class if I were not a non major taking his course!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1153
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He explains the material in a way that I always understood. He uses a lot of analogies, but I like that. His tests are harder than most, but as long as you go to class and study some, you will do just fine. Always willing to answer questions. I'd recommend him.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1153
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Read the chapters, go to class. I hate biology but he made it pretty clear. Any time I had a question, his office door was always open. The book is mandatory. Period. You have to study in order to pass this class. He likes cars and trees and references them a lot in class. Not too bad of a professor.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO1151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Nelson is a straight-forward guy. If you don't show up/don't study, you won't make a great grade. Now, if you DO attend class and study, you'll make an A, like I did. His lab is easy, but he doesn't explain it very much in the beginning. It's an independent lab, so he doesn't really have to! Willing to help anyone who doesn't understand the lab!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIOL8
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I only had Nelson for lab not lecture, but he was pretty easy. You have about six quizes and two tests and he drops your lowest quiz grade. He doesn't really tell you what will be on the quizes but if you do the labs it should be pretty easy to figure out they are usually straight out of the lab book, or something he covered in class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO1153
• 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:

I hated his biology lecture. I'm not a fan of biology anyway, but he expected way too much from us. He should have given more tests, like one every two chapters, instead of cramming several chapters into one test. There's a lot of information to know in biology.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIOL2303
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Test format for lecture is multiple choice at first, gradually he adds short answers, fill in the blanks, and essays. Lab, on the other hand, consisted of small quizzes and two lab exams. Keep up with the quizzes and don't blow them off like I did. Managed to pass the lab due to his huge curve.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1153
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I had Nelson for Biology Lecture, and it was not pleasant. He uses analogies and whatnot to keep you interested and help you remember the material, but he gets off topic easily. Also, his tests are harder than others, as he expects you to be able to apply what you've learned instead of just memorizing definitions. This IS fair, but just a heads up.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIOL9
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Covered course content very well.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1153
• 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:

He is amazing at lecturing. I actually understood him and he made biology interesting by comparing it to real life situations. His tests aren't hard, but you do have to study and know the material. Attendance isn't mandatory if you have a thing for biology, but if you don't really like biology, I recommend you go everyday. I'd take him again :)

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1115
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I really liked his class. I have very little interest in biology but he gave real world examples that help you relate it to other things and actually connect with it. On the other hand, attendance is not mandantory. My class size would double on test days.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIO007
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Ask lots of questions or he wont help you. He wants his students to ask questions and be responsive in class. I recommend buying the online version of the book and the study tools that go with it. He is very open minded teacher and is very nice. Study hard! NOT an easy A