Nancy Shontz - Grand Valley State University

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Nancy Shontz - Grand Valley State University

Professor: Nancy Shontz

Department: Biology

College: Grand Valley State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: BIO355
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:

One of the best professors I have had in long college experience. Sad she is retired. Taught using Socratic method. Wish more professors used this style. If you are headed in the medical fields, better get used to it!

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: BIO0
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's retiring. Wish she wasn't. It was a privilege to have her! You will never meet someone with her knowledge level, but has a lot of common sense!

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: BMS355
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

It is sad that she is retired. One of the best teachers I have had. Teaching style is 'real world'. Best be in class and ready to answer material. If this intimidates you, maybe think about career path you are following. You will be required to think on your feet! Great preparation in this class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: BIO355
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:

She is tough, you need to attend every class because her exams are everything she speaks about in class. Her exams are fill in the blank so know almost every definition. She only gives 2 chances for extra credit so attend each class if possible. Dont need book! Try for another prof.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: BIO120
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I really think it's funny when people say they are 'usually straight A students' and then rip on a teacher for giving them a bad grade in an intro course. Just b/c you get an A in another subject doesn't mean the prof is bad, you just need to work harder. This isn't high school idiots. Straight A's without working hard is for high school

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: BIO120
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Don't listen to the people who say shes bad b/c of her low test grades in 120, EVERY PROF HAS LOW TEST GRADES. BIO 120 is a weeder course, and only made to fail people. It is not the prof, it is the class.I had her for both 120 and 355, and got an A in both. Yes I worked hard in 120, and fairly hard in 355. But you don't have to waste your life.

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: BIO375
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She uses no visual aids and you have to be really good at studying to do well on her tests. I am a bio major, so I liked her. Hi-lite things that are unclear in your notes and go to her office hours. Once I did that, I got A's on her tests. You don't need the book at all, but lectures are MANDATORY.

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: BIO120
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She has no homework just tests, quizzes and exams. I am usually an A student who is good on test and barely passed this class. The class average on her exam was 50% (out of 100 students) and she wondered what WE were doing wrong. lol. My suggestions is unless you already know everything about biology very very very well try to go with someone else

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: BIO375
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:

She is a very entertaining professor, but she isn't very clear on what to expect on her tests, lots of information thrown at you with little guidance as to how to use it. Wasn't helpful at office hours, seemed like I inconvenienced her, work sheets were helpful but don't rely solely on them. It was just really hard to understand what she wanted

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: BIO120
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Tough class. The averages on the exams were fairly low. If you are hoping to get a decent grade in her class, you need to give up any life you wanted to have and study your butt off.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: BIO355
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:

Study, then study some more. Then don't forget to study. Plan on giving up your life for this class. Dr Shontz wants you to learn, but she is very tough. Btw, don't forget to study!!!!

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: BIO411
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Shontz was great for genetics (BIO 375,) but I wouldn't take anything with her past that. BIO 411 with Shontz is, by far, the most boring, and most difficult class I have taken thus far in college. The grade is based on two take home tests alone, both of which use no prior knowledge from class, but require reading 20 articles. Use Wikipedia

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: BIO375
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Shontz is not the best teacher ever, she is old and teaches like she is old. Don't get me wrong she is a very nice person. The other people say you don't need the text book but that is not true. She teaches the basic concepts but get very in detail like her tests are. She's not a horrible teacher but I would take someone else if you could.

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: BIO375
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:

Great teacher! Listening to her lecture is like stumbling across an excellent documentary. She gives lots of examples (and shows gruesome slides) as well as explaining concepts in memorable ways. Don't buy the book unless you plan on missing more than a lecture here and tehre.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: BIO120
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:

Shontz is a GREAT prof! I recommend her for anyone taking bio 120! didnt even need to buy the textbook. tests directly from notes, but not pure memorization. put the time into some studying and you'll do great!

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: BIO120
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Cute little old lady. Book is hardly needed. All exam material is covered in notes. Must pay attention and attend every lecture to do well. Exams are a bit tricky, must study more than the night before. She often makes me giggle with her examples. Makes sure you understand and always asks for questions. I would definitely recommend for this class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: BMS355
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:

Shontz is great. She explains genetics in a way that students in an entry level class can understand. Only gives you want you is important and tests are right out of the notes. Don't bother buying the book. Test questions can be tricky so go slow. Definitely take Shontz over the other two nightmare profs.

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: BIO375
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:

Explains the concepts of genetics clearly and makes them easy to understand. Brings in interesting pictures and gives good examples. It's also not necessary to buy the (expensive) book if you have her; all the test material is straight out of lecture.

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: BIO355
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:

Shontz is a great teacher. Sometimes it feels life she stupifies things, but her teaching style makes you really learn the material.

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: BIO355
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you are worried about taking genetics, take Shontz. She is way better than Mathews or Ghiasvand. She does her best to make sure you understand and is open to questions in class. Come to class and ask questions when you need to and you'll do fine.

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