Alexander Motten - Duke University

Professor: Alexander Motten

Department: TBD

College: Duke University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIO495
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Bio 495 can seem like it takes up an unnecessary amount of time, but Motten cares about students and tries to make the time worth it (I thought it was useful, but mixed reviews on this). Fair grader, based on timely completion of thesis sections & peer reviews, not quality of writing. Cheerful prof to have in class.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIO206
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a great professor all around. I knew for sure that I would major in biology after taking his class

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO206L
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Motten is hands down the best biology professor, if not the best overall professor I have had at Duke. His expectations are high, and the class is very challenging, but he made it fun and worthwhile. He is very passionate, genuinely cares for his students, and is more than willing to stay after class or lab or come in on weekends for help.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO206
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Absolutely amazing professor. The course is time-consuming and you'll have to study, but the labs are awesome and you get to see a lot of cool things. It's definitely worth the time investment. Dr. Motten really cares about his students - he brought snacks to our exams and he's really passionate and excited about what he does.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIO206L
• 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:

A really nice guy who knows his stuff. Don't take this class if you're not willing to work hard. On exams, Dr. Motten emphasizes critical thinking and relationships rather than bare facts, so an in-depth knowledge of ALL the material is essential. Super fast-paced. STUDY IN GROUPS, it will help! I learned so much in this class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO25
• 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:

Awesome prof. Very interested in the material he teaches, and it shows. Lectures are clear and energetic, although a little fast moving. He actually encourages you to think, instead of just plain memorize.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO25
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

BIO 25 is a VERY hard class. That being said, you CAN do well, you just have to work your butt off & go to TA Office Hours (they're more helpful than his). Skipping Lecture is NOT an option with Motten-he doesn't put full ppts online. Motten is a great guy though (almost grandpa-ish) but he goes way too fast. Labs are boring but test-material.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO25
• 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:

For a "weed-out" class, he made me actually want to attend the lectures. Expects you to understand the material rather than simply regurgitate it. Also probably one of the most enthusiastic professors I've encountered so far.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO25
• 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:

I don't know where these ratings are coming from. I thought Dr. Motten was patronizing and unhelpful. I have never worked harder, yet I have never gotten anywhere near as bad a grade as I did in this class. I wouldn't think this 'weeding out' would occur at Duke. But it happened to so many people I know. We were all infuriated & depressed.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO26AL
• 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:

AMAZING class and professor, well with the workload. You'll learn a lot. However, sometimes prone to use 'Socratic questioning' rather than actually answering questions directly in labs- helps you to learn but can be frustrating if you don't know what's going on. Oh yeah, lab snacks!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO83
• 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:

great teacher, take any class that you can get with him, you will work hard, but so will he

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO026AL
• 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:

Absolutely the best class that I have taken at Duke. Dr. Motten is enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and loves to get his students excited about the material. If you're willing to work hard, you will get a great deal out of this class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIO26AL
• 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:

Great teacher. Very enthusiastic about the class, so despite the tremendous amount of material covered, he makes it relatively managable.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO26
• 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:

The most amazing class I've ever taken or probably will ever take! Really roots for you if he can tell you're trying. Picks GREAT TAs every single semester. Don't be scared away by having two labs. Having one after each lecture really helps you learn the material thoroughly and right away!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIOLOGY
• 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:

No Comments

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO2526
• 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:

This is the best class I have taken at Duke yet. Dr. Motten is so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the material that one cannot help but enjoy the class. He also wrote the lab manual for both 25 and 26.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIO26A
• 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:

amazing guy who knows everything about organismal biology and everything about how to teach it. only teaches one or two courses and the one I took was very difficult, but it's worth it if you're into bio!