Margaret Kovach - University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

Professor: Margaret Kovach

Department: TBD

College: University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3250
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She is my academic advisor AND genetics professor, so we are very close. She is very caring and kind! She is extremely passionate about her studies, which does mean her course is rather hard. I failed the first time, and got a C the second time with the HARDEST studying I have ever done in my life. It is no "easy A", but I learned so much!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIO3250
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Kovach prepares you for a graduate level education. She provides you with the tools to be successful but you have to work for it.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3250
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She did like high school bio. Every lectures are on the board You should write down 4-5 pages of note. she speaks and write really fast sometimes can't understand what word. And there are so many materials on one exam. if you fail one exam you should have to set a whole questions on the next exam. There is only 3 exams and final

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO3250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The only grades in the class are 3 tests and a final. She teaches like these undergrad bio majors are med students. She moves extremely fast and I rarely can get all of the notes written down in class. This class is really really hard. I am typically an above average student and I am struggling.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIOL4740
• Grade Received: D+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She loves her material (passionate). Don't buy the book. Lectures are very loaded, so be prepared to write 4-5 pages every class. However, she gives you all the material you'll need for the exams (details matter). Essay-based application; explain the concepts don't regurgitate terms (tough grading). 4 exams/paper/attend/final (no drops) (700 pts)

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO3250
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Kovach is approachable, friendly, and is always willing to help. Yet the class is very difficult. Each lecture consists of multiple pages of detailed notes. The homework is challenging, yet crucial to learn. ALL test questions are there to challenge your understanding of concepts. Put in the work and time, and you'll probably survive.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3250
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She is great at preparing someone for med school/grad school. She is lecture heavy and hard, you take a lot of notes. You usually will not open a book, no pop quizes usually, and you are guaranteed to remember what she teaches bc she is thorough. She gives extra time on tests for upper level courses. She is intimidating but loves to help, so ask.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO3250
• 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:

Dr. Kovach is a great professor despite the course being difficult. The exams are over material straight from the homework and notes, and anybody who disagrees probably didn't do the homework or take notes. She also responds to emails quicker than any professor I've ever had, and she is always willing to help outside of class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3250
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Extremely hard class, with extremely high expectations. She teaches a 3000 level genetics class as if you are a grad student. Homeworks are excess and take hours for very few points, but the class overall has few points so you have to do them. You are writing constantly the entire class, if you miss one day you are already too far behind.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3250
• 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 studied hours for her class and she takes off points based on grammar mistakes. She is one of the worst professors I have had. She does not have a clear schedule. She will take off points even if you are correct. DO NOT TAKE HER. I would give her a zero if I could.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO3250
• 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 had her for Genetics and it was one of the most difficult classes of my college career. Not because of the content mind you, it was almost completely a result of her teaching style. She stresses learning the process over memorization and then asks for very specific details on her tests. Tests are very different from notes as well.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3260
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Don't take this lab unless it is absolutely necessary! For 1 credit hour you will spend pretty much every other day in the lab minus the actual 2 hours and 50 minutes the day of the lab. 15% of your grade is determined by a group project and timing is EVERYTHING, which most college student don't have! Avoid at all cost. Save your sanity!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIOL4740
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Per usual, Dr. Kovach is a very good professor. The exams in Virology are all essay. I would highly recommend finding a way to take the exams through ADA so you have the time to think and complete the exams. She expects lots of detail, but she gives you all of the necessary notes needed to succeed. The hardest part is remembering everything.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: 3250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT TAKE KOVACH!!!!!! I would have given anything to take another teacher. I am a straight A student and I might not even pass her class. She expects you to know so much detail it's ridiculous. She should not be an undergraduate teacher!!!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3250
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very hard class - no matter the teacher. Be prepared to write fast. It is incredibly easy to fall behind on the material. She is helpful if you can catch her at in the office. She usually hosts study sessions where students can ask questions before tests. Every question on tests will involve critical thinking - but that's how it is at this level!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Homework takes forever to do and you run out of time on her test. You take a lot of notes in class but they are helpful. DO NOT FALL BEHIND. If you have a life outside of college I do not recommend taking Professor Kovach.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GENETIC
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

simple concepts made very difficult, writing, writing and more writing the whole time of the class, not really learn much cause too busy writing, with this class you cannot have a life, nor study for other classes

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3250
• 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:

Make sure you buy the blue lecture slides from the bookstore. If you are on time, you are late. Dr. Kovach is extremely friendly and approachable and has good office hours. This is a tough course but will help you in all later biologies.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GENLAB
• 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:

This was not an easy class whatsoever. However, Kovach made this class a fantastic experience. I learned more from lab with Kovach than I did in lecture with Barbosa. Her door is literally ALWAYS open. She is willing to take time to help you understand any material you are struggling with. The best teacher at UTC hands down.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIOL3250
• 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:

Dr. Kovach is a great teacher! Follows the book very well. She explains everthing very well and you learn ALOT! Suggested problems she gives really help. Read the book, and go to class and an A is pretty easy to get! Always make sure to use complete sentences on HW and tests!!!