BIOL 4240

Great class

Your grade in this class is based on three components: a 1000 word biography on a scientist you choose(25%), a 3000 research paper on your choice of topic (50%), and a final exam that consists of 2 essays (25%). Kretsinger e-mails you 6 possible essay questions for the final and 2 are randomly selected on the day of the final (he has someone roll a dice and that determines what essay numbers you write). This is definitely a good class to take if you're a Biology major and need to fulfill your 2nd writing as it kills two birds with one stone. Attendance isn't part of your grade, so the only times you actually have to go to class are when papers are due or when you have to present your paper topic to the class (very informal, 1-2 minute speech about it).

Great GPA booster, definitely take this class!

The class is basically a waste of time. Attendance is definitely not required - when you do attend, it's not really helpful. Kretsinger's a great guy, but he pretty much just reads off the slides. Make sure your papers are written incredibly well - He grades pretty harshly on your technique, considering it is a class that fulfills the second writing requirement. If you really enjoy writing and spending a lot of time doing your own research, then take the class. Otherwise, find another 4000-level that's actually related to biology more directly.

The lectures are just straight-up Kretsinger talking. He knows a lot, so sometimes it was interesting to go to lecture. It totally does not help your grade at all though, so at 9AM there were usually about a dozen or so folks there out of a 60-person class. It's kind of a shame, doubly so since Kretsinger doesn't seem to care. I'd recommend this if you're super interested in it, otherwise find something better.

This class was not as simple as I heard it was. Papers were graded pretty harshly, moreso on grammar than on content. Going to class was neither required nor necessary to do well. He just reads off his powerpoints, which are all posted online anyway. Overall, I would say he's a great guy himself, but the class isn't the best.

Wasn't too bad. I didn't really go to class but still managed to get an A. Final wasn't hard (he gives you the questions ahead of time)

the class is aright, he pretty much follows the ppt. Early in the morning 3x a week :(

Kretsinger is a nice man, but his lectures are extremely boring. Your attendance in class bears no weight on your grade.

This class consists of a 1000-15000 word biographical paper, a 10-minute presentation, a 3000-4000 word concept paper of your choice, and an open-book final. The papers were very doable because you're able to explore your personal interests within the realm of history and philosophy of biology. I attended most lectures, and it was disappointing to see only 15 students in class at times. However, Kretsinger's powerpoints are posted and contain a lot of information. Even when I showed up to class, I found it difficult to pay attention. It is quite a fascinating class with interesting content though. Satisfied 3 of my requirements, so it was worth it.

Class is so easy!!! I took it for my second writing and 4000 level biology. I went to class until about mid-Sept. He really just reads off the slides and there was no exams or quizzes. There were two papers (one on an individual scientist alive before 1900 and a paper on a theme in science) and a presentation on one of your papers. I made A's on both papers and the presentation. I spent about 2hrs of my time on each paper and did fine to get an A.