Sylvia Halkin - Central Connecticut State University

Professor: Sylvia Halkin

Department: TBD

College: Central Connecticut State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIO200LAB
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She doesn't use class time efficiently. Spends way too much time explaining simple things like we're 1st graders. We never left early & sometimes she tried to keep us past 4:20. Grades WAY too harshly. She expects us to be like real biologist & grades things on that basis, not on the skill level a bio 200 student would have. Also very unorganized

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIO200LAB
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Halkins is a nice a lady but sometimes she can be rude & treats students like little kids. She has to explain every SINGLE step of the lab & most of the time it's not necessary. She never ends lab early, it always ends at the scheduled time which is annoying if the lab work is already done. Tough grader. Literally wants everything perfect.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO200LAB
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She is somewhat nice but can be kind of rude at times (I don't think she means any harm). She is OBSESSED with squirrels so be prepared for that and she's very unorganized. Otherwise, she's fine.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO200LAB
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you plan on taking her, make sure to do some research on what she is passionate about. Otherwise, you will have a really hard time getting by. Take the class with another professor if possible.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIO111
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class is very scattered. She doesn't stay on track with the topic that she's attempting to teach. Also she stares at the ground when she talks about reproduction. Who does that??

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO550
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Prof Halkin is very knowledgeable, but very scattered. Fantastic and demanding in lab. Lectures are a crapshoot. One minute very clear and the next 10 completely confused. Her explanation of Chi square to this day is the most unnecessarily convoluted screed that I have ever heard. Very nice person. Cares. In spite of issues I would take her again.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO200LAB
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She has no idea what she's talking about. I taught the class half the time and proved her wrong on multiple occasions, but she always thinks she's right. She doesn't know how to work technology in the slightest either. She takes her squirrel obsession too seriously and brings it into every day conversation. Its horrible.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO480
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took this class because I really love the subject and thought it would be good for vet school. However, this professor is way too opinionated to teach a biology class. When someone comes up with an idea, even if it is a well-thought out idea, it's wrong if it is not the same as hers. Tests aren't bad she gives you a study guides for them.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: 113
• 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:

Shes a nice lady and really approachable. However, her tests are really hard. I knew the material so well and I still couldn't answer some of the short answer questions. But, if you go her office hours before an exam it will help. She gives tons of extra credit, prolly the only reason I got a B.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO390
• 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:

Absolutely awful! She is very contradictory and will tell you one thing one week and the next week it will be completely different. She hardly gives any guidance when trying to write a paper and will only offer guidance to what you should have said after you have completed the paper. By far THE worst professor I ever had and will ever have!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She spends the first half of the lab time reviewing what you learned in the lecture class, so there is not much time left for the lab work, which you have to attend another lab class to finish. There is a quiz at the start of every class; we found out she is the only lab teacher for 121 who does this. But she is very nice and friendly.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO390
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She puts in the time to give her research students a good experience, from helping them design the research to presenting it at conferences. She's a great resource.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIO100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Had her for the Whales class. Professor got really excited whenever the subject of blowholes came up. If you do your work and study for the tests you will get an A.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: LAB121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

seems to disappear from lab when you most need her, it was pretty frustrating. not very clear when explaining labs, however, when she's not helping every other confused student, she's helpful when she finally gets to you. i usually stay after lab to get last min ?s answered. easy grader if she sees you put the effort in

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She's a quirky lady with a great personality. She's very willing to help you if you need it!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO113
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIO490
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Sylvia is a wonderful teacher and person in general. I work with her doing independent research and I have always had fun. She is super enthusiastic about biology so whatever she teaches you seems more interesting. Overall a good choice to take a class with.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIO113
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Good teacher, but she's extremely into biology to the point where it's annoying. Even so, she's a very nice lady.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIO202LAB
• 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 cliche quirky brilliant science teacher. Only had her for lab; it was a blast.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIO111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

i LOOVED her. I always look to have another class with her if at all possible. EMPHATIC about biology but keeps class interesting with her upbeat personality and her great sense of humor. She really wants you to learn and i would reccomend her any day. LOTS of notes but tests are based on them.