BIOL 3010

This class as horrible as people make it out to be but it is a hard class nonetheless. It is manageable and if you do the problems, the homework, and go to office hours whenever you have problems you will do well. Claire is a good lecturer and the material is interesting...just keep up with the lecture and do the work...you'll do well

p.s. Pinar is an awesome T.A. !

Cronmiller is the best. All other large classes I've had focus on needless memorization, but Cronmiller has you work problems that are like logic puzzles. I didn't think I'd like genetics because I'm more of a whole-organism oriented, but she knows everything about genetics and you actually learn something you'll retain if you pay attention. Get a group to study with the weekend before the test.. go to office hours to check the hw answers, you'll ace it.

This was an okay class, but the lecture was useless most of the time. The tests are very similar to problem sets and are moderately difficult...the final was a lot tougher though.

Do the problem sets and you'll get an A.

Good class. A bit difficult at first since the material she tests you on is different from the material she covers during lecture. Go to discussion, do the HW, do the recommended problems in the back of the book and you will be fine. I really like how Cronmiller emphasized the methods and logic used to finding an answer, rather than straight memorization.

who would take this if not bio major.. the lectures weren't that helpful but she does cover some concepts not covered in the textbook. Doing the suggested problems and even all the problems for each chapter is... essential to do well on tests.

Cronmiller is one of my favorite teachers at UVA. She might seem a little intimidating but she is really easy to talk to if you make the effort and try to talk to her. She is very passionate about the subject and makes it fun to go to class. I didn't like genetics before, but I like it a lot now thanks to her. Neethi is also a pretty good TA.

Professor Cronmiller is one of the best biology professors in UVa. Her lecture is organized and lucid. She adds office hours on Sunday when there is a test on Monday.

Cronmiller's tests do not measure your understanding of the material so much as it assesses your ability to think like her and answer some heavy weighted either random or highly specific questions. There are relevant questions on the test, but there are always a few in there that seem out of place and cause large disputes which end up hurting your grade. Very easy to get a B in this class, but getting that A will take some luck. Also, avoid Neethi Rao as your TA. She does not seem to know the material she is teaching, relying solely on answer keys she is given to explain answers, even when there is a mistake. She also frequently tells students that they are wrong when going over problems, and as she explains the answer, she comes to the same conclusion the students did. Not only that, she doesn't seem to realize that she came to the same conclusion as the students. Get another TA if you can.

Midterms are pretty tough, but not completely impossible. Class is somewhat interesting as far as the core requirement bio classes goes, it's easier than cell but probably harder than ecology and evolution.

Genetics is hard; there's no way around it. It isn't about memorization, it's about knowing everything and applying those concepts. You'll be knocked around a little, and Cronmiller doesn't let you know how she does grades (if you look at the history of the course, it's still a mystery). But looking back, the first three exams are very doable (if you do the optional book homework, you should get As). The final is near impossible, so don't expect to do well there.

In summary, it's hard. Don't take the course unless it's required.