Diane Robertson - Grinnell College

Professor: Diane Robertson

Department: TBD

College: Grinnell College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIO150
• 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:

At first, I hated her and her class. Then as time went on, I came to appreciate her outrageous standards and expectations. I learned an incredible amount, an amount I was surprised to be able to regurgitate. Pay attention closely in class, and stay with her, especially when she's being unclear (always asks questions). Extremely helpful, recommended

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: TUT101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Her tutorial was less than exciting, but her grading of papers very thorough. The problem was that her idea of a good paper was a bit infantile, especially for papers about ethics/value theory. The biotech itself was a tad dated, and the ethical/philosophical aspects of our discussions somewhat shallow. She is a very nice, helpful woman, however.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO150
• 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:

Very tough grader, but you learn how to write a scientific paper. Her lectures outline very well, and the material actually tells an interesting narrative. I spent lots of time in her office hours, which was definitely worth it. Harsh in grading, but a very sweet person overall. Expect more red corrections than black printing on your homework.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO220
• 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: N/A

Comment:

Interesting material until you realize that it is taught predominantly through Iowa Public Television videos from the 80's. Avoids substantive controversy-- pretty pathetic for a course in biotechnology. Refused to give me an extension on my term paper when I got very sick the week before it was due-- ended up costing me my grade.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIO150
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Toughest grader I have ever had to deal with. Exam questions are not always clearly worded, so check with her during the test to make sure you are on the right track. She is more than happy to help during office hours, and going over exams with her proved helpful later on, especially on the final.

Rating # 6

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Wacky. She used to have conversations with the wall.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO26363
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you are a humanities student expecting this class to be humanities-student-friendly, be warned; it's HARD. While class discussion often centers around ethical concerns, the tests are based hugely on memorization of minute technical details. beware

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO150
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A very nice, grandmotherly sort of person. I liked her as a person, but not as a prof. The class is torture. I don't feel that I learned anything other than how to write a scientific paper. Probably a good upper level instructer, but unless you love c-ferns, take intro from another prof.

Rating # 9

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Diane IS a truly nice person! I'm a 1992 grad. One semester I got sick and got behind in class. I went to talk to Diane and she was very understanding and even gave me a York Peppermint Patty to help my sore throat! She'll challenge you to do your best!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

she just sucks. the course was for non bio majorrs but she made it so techncical and her grading sucks.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO150
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I did well on the papers and tests. To do well on tests all you need to do is read the readings really carefully, take notes on them, and memorize them and notes from class. I was just bored in this class. I expect she'd be a good upper level prof.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO15002
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I hate to be repetitive, but she does seem nice at first. I was always unhappy with my paper grades...and her tests, esp. the final, were very very hard.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIO150
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She seems all nice but then you get your paper back. No matter how many hours I spent on my papers I still always got a grade I was not happy with. Frankly I don't give a hoot about C-ferns.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO150
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She knows her stuff, appears to be a nice grandmother, but then you get your paper back and you're not happy. But you learn how write better than any other intro class.