John Smalley - Bergen Community College

Professor: John Smalley

Department: TBD

College: Bergen Community College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIO104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Smalley is literally one of the best reachers I have ever had. Professor Smalley makes this subect matter intresting with phenomenal lectures, most "teachers" just read powerpoints, not him. He cares, and if you show up and make good faith, he responds in kind. He also has a great sense of humour. His labs were awesome, you do cool things

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MICRO104
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Smalley is the GOAT. You get 2 tests (midterm and final), he might throw in a take home test for another grade (literally a crossword puzzle), and lab you get 2 test (midterm and final). He assigns one project due at the semesters end. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GO TO CLASS, LISTEN, AND TAKE NOTES. No textbook needed, no lab reports either. Take him.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO104
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Prof smalley is a nice guy, cant deny that. Very talkative too. If ure taking microbio 1, its easy to get an A if you go to his classes cause whatever he talks about will be in the test. No h/w at all either and grades fairly. Only thing to be aware is that he starts class 30mins later than schedule since day 1 to the final.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO109
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

DONT TAKE DONT TAKE DONT TAKE !!!! Nice guy but terrible teacher! If you need to take microbiology and learn something from it DONT take. He is unorganized no study sheets and no review. He doesnt make you learn all the terms and his lectures are not on his tests. You definetly need the text book even though its not required for his class. Beware

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIO104
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very nice an knowledgable guy. Just study a lot. He treats his students as if we are on the same level as he is.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO222
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took his Embryology course and wow did I learn a lot! This guy is a genius and you can tell when he lectures that he's passionate about the subject as well. He has a lot of energy and he encourages participation. You can even ask a dumb question and be won't belittle you for it, he's more than happy to help out his students. One of my fav prof!!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO103H
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He will not force you to learn anatomical names but expects you to actually understand the physiology of the body. Although it is more difficult to understand systems than just the names of things you will actually learn a lot if you listen. If you work hard, study from a book, and ask him questions (he literally knows everything) youll be fine.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO103H
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The reason he has lowratings is because he challenges students (within reason) and forces them to actually think and learn. He is a fair grader and is very understanding. I have learned so much from him and wish more teachers at bcc cared as much about educating their students as he does. Would take every class with him if I could. Best prof at bcc

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO103H
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Only taking this Honors class if you are EXCEPTIONALLY knowledgeable on the subject! This prof is not a bad guy but he is a very terrible teacher! In class he treats you like an equally educated colleague and expects just as much from you. He is unorganized and confuses you with random tangents all while expecting you to understand. LOOK AWAY!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO103H
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

While I like him as a regular person, I do not enjoy him as a professor. Biology is not my field at all, especially being honors. I was very confused at times because his teaching style is very different from others. Only take this class if Bio is your life and you can do it in honors because I can't do this ever again.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you really want to learn, then take this Professor! Not an easy A, but not impossible. His tests are mostly open ended and no multiple choice. He will always try to help and answer any questions! A great tool I used was to audio record his lectures and make notes from those audio notes. He cares about all his students and overall he is AWESOME!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO210BIOTECH
• 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:

Professor Smalley is one THE BEST professors I've taken at Bergen! So much so that I even changed my major from Nursing to Biotechnology. Always eager to answer any questions. His tests are really hard if you don't study!!!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIO103H
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Though he is fair he gives no extra credit to those struggling or those that want to bump their grade. Its a miracle if you get a B on a test and the world is ending if you get an A (no matter how hard you work). You can't ever tell what's lecture notes vs a tangent. Be warned, he piles you with A LOT of work at the end especially finals week.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO109
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you attend class and listen to lecture, you will do well. He is always available for questions and to help. You don't have to do lab reports, it's more about hands on methods. Very nice friendly and enthusiastic. there isn't a question he cant answer. just show up pay attention you will do well.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO109
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you attend class and listen to lecture, you will do well. He is always available for questions and to help. You don't have to do lab reports, it's more about hands on methods. Very nice friendly and enthusiastic. there isn't a question he cant answer. just pay attention go to class and you will get an A.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO103H
• 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 expected a lot being an honors class... compared to other honor classes I was a little disappointed we did not even cover the heart or brain in an anatomy class...

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: EMBR242
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

There was not one question I asked that was not answered!! Gr8 teacher, absolutley brilliant and very eager to teach subject!!! You have to work at your grades (test are not that easy but its worth the effort and he praises hard work ethic) I have stayed many times after class is over to continue working and he allowed me to continue working.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIO202
• 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:

One of the best professors I have ever had, he knows everything about biology. He makes his class enjoyable.

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Honestly, the worst professor I've ever had. Really smart guy but not a good teacher. Big difference. He just gets up there and rambles without taking a break at all. Zero class participation. Doesn't highlight important notes. All fill-in-the-blank tests even though the highest grade in the class on the first 2 tests were C's.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIO103H
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Seems to know everything about biology, and makes it fun (though not necessarily easy to understand). Tests are based on lectures (which are based on the book). 1 research paper. Labs were used mainly as lecture runoffs and supplements, and only 1 lab exercise was actually done. Lab manual questions were the lab grade. Recommended.