2.7

Aixa Alfonso

Biological Sciences - University of Illinois Chicago

2.7
Quality
3.7
Difficulty
38%
Would Retake
117
Reviews
2.7
Quality
3.7
Difficulty
2.7
Helpful
2.7
Clarity

38%

Would Retake

117

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

19

4

22

3

24

2

18

1

34

What Students Say

Monotone, just skims slides and isn't clear on what to know

BIO222 - 1.0 rating

She doesnt explain her power points well

BIO222 - 1.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

84%

Textbook Required

21%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

95% confidence
Based on 54 grades
Most common grades:
A (18)
B (10)
A+ (9)
Grade Distribution
A(27)B(11)C(7)D(1)F(3)A-/B+(6)
Based on 65 reported grades
A: 18
B: 10
A+: 9
Not sure yet: 7
Common Tags
Get ready to read (18)
Test heavy (18)
Lecture heavy (17)
Skip class? You won't pass. (12)
Caring (11)
Tough grader (10)
Accessible outside class (8)
Participation matters (8)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.24 avg change
May
Jan
Mar
May
Nov
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

BIOS224

5.0

(1)

CELLBIO

4.0

(1)

BIOS286

3.5

(4)

222

3.0

(1)

BIOS222

2.8

(66)
+2 more courses
Difficulty by Course

BIO220

4.5

222

4.0

CELLBIO

4.0

BIO222

3.8

BIOS222

3.6

Reviews (117)
3.0
5.0
BIOS286
Jun 30, 2003

good lecture notes,explains things well.

3.0
3.0
BIOS222
Aug 2, 2003

"I just want you to know the general concept, not go into detail for the exam." ... Don't believe it. Study those details!

3.0
3.0
BIO222
Nov 12, 2003

Read the Book!!!

5.0
3.0
BIOS222
Dec 3, 2003

the class itself covers tough material, but she explains it well.. just keep up with readings

3.0
2.0
BIOS222
May 2, 2004

she's okay. this class is very detailed. but if you study the details, this class is easy.

3.0
4.0
BIOS222
May 5, 2004

Very detailed class- read the book WELL! Alfonso knows her stuff, but is a difficult teacher. The last test was the hardest.

4.0
4.0
BIOS286
Aug 27, 2004

Pretty good overall, as long as you study what's explained in class. Expect to do some work, but it's all doable.

5.0
2.0
BIOS222
Nov 10, 2004

Detailed class. Keep up and u will do fine.

4.0
3.0
BIOS222
Nov 10, 2004

For this class, you have to read the book and look at everything if you want an A...if you want a B...must read the notes and know big concepts in...if you want a C...read notes...if you want D or F...y are you taking the class?

4.0
4.0
BIOS222
Grade: Not_Sure_Yet
Dec 21, 2004

Know the stuff like the back of your hand. Can not pass class by just memorizing all the facts. Make sure you read everything and focus on the material from the notes

3.0
4.0
BIO222
Jan 10, 2005

not a blow off class...exams are hard and there is a lot of text reading...lectures are long and boring.. but group quizzes and the curve help

4.0
4.0
BIOS222
Jan 19, 2005

The notes are online, The quizzes are open book and The exams are hard. You can not memorize the material. YOu need to know why it is important.

2.0
4.0
BIOS222
May 4, 2005

I don't like her lectures, only she knows what she is talking about. YOU NEED TO KNOW EVERYTHING REALLY REALLY WELL! read book+notes. There is a lot of material so don't wait until the night before to start studying, u won't get done. Memorize definitions and concept and know how everything works.

4.0
4.0
CELLBIO
Grade: A-
Sep 3, 2005

She can be a bit mean and preoccupied with her research, but aside from that she really knows her stuff, and you can learn a lot from her.

2.0
5.0
BIO222
Sep 29, 2005

She was really high-strung and would get mad if we didn't ask questions. She's kind of a loony toon.

4.0
3.0
BIO222
Dec 4, 2005

professor is great, but the class is not anywhere close interesting. I guess how hard the professor tries the material is just boring.

3.0
4.0
BIOS222
Apr 11, 2006

She is really smart, but she explains things very fast and it's hard to understand it all. However, she loves answering questions and she is very nice and not intimidating. You must study the material really well on your own. Her exams are really hard, but her quizes are open book and you can work together on them.

2.0
5.0
BIO222
Sep 20, 2009

For any bio or science majors, this class is interesting but Alfonso's teaching style really sucks. Her quizzes are open book but they are EXTREMELY!!!! LONG and HARD! All her questions are very conceptual that you can't find in the book within 30 min. Take another professor she really makes the class not enjoyable.

1.0
5.0
BIOS222
May 4, 2010

THE worst professor I have taken at UIC. The test questions were ridiculous and impossible not 'challenging' and didn't test your knowledge of anything. Studying hours for her tests won't get you anything higher than a 65 percent, hence the class average. Her quizzes were open book but still impossible. Save yourself the misery,and dont take her

3.0
3.0
BIOS222
Jul 4, 2010

Doesn't believe in "babying." It means she doesn't really help.. I got an A. It was the TA that helped me, though. Alfonso doesn't solely write the quizzes. Her English is lacking. Usage of the phrase "nature of" in a quiz is not something a modern scientist would use. "What is the nature of this protein?" for example. Smart lady; bad teacher.

4.0
4.0
BIO222
Aug 19, 2010

She was very helpful when asked questions. Lectures are all powerpoints which she posts before. Read the book or you'll fail the exams. Curve is pretty decent.

2.0
4.0
BIOS222
Oct 11, 2010

Difficult to understand (not a language issue though), I just read the book which isn't half bad. Lectures are extremly boring. If you are interested in cell bio, do not take her! She does seem nice so maybe office hours would be benefical to you

2.0
5.0
BIOS222
Oct 12, 2010

She can put a fly to sleep and makes no effort to make the material memorable, she always says you need to understand this but doesn't explain it thoroughly. She'll describe what's going on in the diagrams but not WHY its important just that its important or what happens when it doesn't function properly which is what's on the exam DO NOT TAKE HER!

5.0
2.0
BIOS224
Nov 7, 2010

She is so cool with her funny comments! do one thing, buy book and read the entire book like and memorize every single line of it! MOST IMP: study diagrams and FIGURES from book. you will get an easy A

5.0
3.0
BIOS222
Nov 15, 2010

I thoroughly enjoyed professor Alfonso's lectures! She explains things very well and has a sense of humor. I prefer her over the other professor who teaches the course as professor Alfonso explains things more thoroughly.

2.0
5.0
BIOS222
Dec 14, 2010

Lets clarify one thing, she sucks. She has no interest in teaching and makes you feel like she is very bored with the class... How can people say that she is a good teacher?? She didn't even know what a butyne is lol actually every time someone asked something her response was,"i will look it up". Only UIC would keep such a professor in their staff

5.0
2.0
BIOS222
Jan 13, 2011

She's really nice and also a decent teacher. Her powerpoints are really long and detailed, but she's pretty clear about what's going to be on the exam if you e-mail her or ask in person. Definitely have to read the book. Lectures were a bit slow, but people asked some pretty stupid questions at times...80% was an A so it's not that difficult.

3.0
5.0
BIO220
Apr 18, 2011

Her slides are very well put together and she explains very well. The only problem is she is not very good at answering questions but she at least tries her best.

3.0
1.0
BIOS222
Dec 15, 2011

She's an extremely nice lady. She's stuck teaching a crappy class so I sympathize with her. She's a decent teacher, her tests are pretty easy, and she does a pretty good job of covering the material. Her outside knowledge is a bit questionable at times, but she's tolerable.

4.0
3.0
BIOS222
Dec 15, 2011

She is very nice. She only teaches for the first half of the class. The first two tests are hers and they are in my opinion, much easier than the teacher who teachers after her. All exams are pretty much based off of the book so if you read the book you should do fine. The exam will seem ambiguous and confusing if you don't read the book!

5.0
3.0
BIOS222
Mar 9, 2012

Really nice (brought us candy for valentine's day and let us take quiz home), good at explaining material, fair exams. Best biology teacher I had at uic so far.

1.0
5.0
BIOS222
May 1, 2012

In my opinion, her exams were based off of blind memorization and very little actual learning. Her exam questions were unclear and ambiguous, especially compared to the prof who teaches 2nd half of course. Her lectures are boring (monotone voice), and I find it impossible to stay awake (although I'm a "nerd" who usually never sleeps in class)

3.0
4.0
BIO222
Dec 5, 2012

Lectures are useless to go to- she reads off slides and exams are straight memorization. Her exam questions are not clear at all. Alfonso and Featherstone teach in completely different styles. The class is tough but only because of their grading scale- the material really is not hard if you put in the time.

1.0
5.0
BIOS222
Nov 27, 2013

Class is decent but Alfonso is one of the worst professors you'll ever have. She's extremely rude to students and her lectures are completely useless. avoid if possible

2.0
4.0
BIOS222
Grade: C+
Dec 27, 2013

She does not teach. All she does is ask simple questions to the class so you'd expect exam content to be general. No, exams are extremely difficult and the content is wayyyy tougher than what she "teaches." I wouldn't even say she reads off slides b/c she doesn't even do that. She skims over stuff and says "you don't need to memorize this."

3.0
3.0
BIOS222
Jan 8, 2014

Professor Alfonso is a really sweet person, but her lecture slides are not helpful. Listen: To do well in this class, you need to do the homework sets and back of the chapter problems. Probably ~60% of the exam questions come word-for-word from the problems she gives you and back of the book. Do them. And read the book before class.

2.0
3.0
BIOS222
Grade: A+
Apr 8, 2014

I had her for the 2nd half of the course and Featherstone for the first. Day and night opposite. For Featherstone, if you can read and think, you will pass, her, there is no way you can get anywhere without memorizing every single page of every chapter covered. He didn't focus on factual recall much but her the details are deadly.

3.0
4.0
BIOS222
Grade: A+
Apr 8, 2014

I actually really liked her. Not because she was easy, that's definitely not the case, but because she suited my style. I'm more of the book oriented person and test taker so for her, exams are literally all the book. But make sure you know the chapters front and back. If you don't like that you might want Featherstone, he's more of concepts.

3.0
4.0
BIOS222
Apr 9, 2014

Mean and condescending. Lectures are monotone and exams are a game of decoding diagrams or remembering a million facts. Not very much learning buts tons of load.

1.0
5.0
BIO222
May 6, 2014

Monotone, just skims slides and isn't clear on what to know. Exam questions are solely based off memorizing chapters. Gives difficult take home quizzes. Tries to memorize peoples names in a lecture hall and tends to put you on the spot while asking questions

5.0
1.0
BIOS222
Grade: A+
May 7, 2014

Doctor Alfonso is a great professor. Her exams were very fair and she was always willing to explain material during office hours. Her exams were based on the powerpoints and the textbook was there for further explanations. If you listen and understand what goes on in class you should be fine. Lecture capture is also available!

4.0
3.0
BIOS222
Grade: A
May 8, 2014

Dr. Alfonso is not as bad as everyone made her seem. On the contrary she made the material very understandable as long as you listen to her. Only con is her accent(I've had way worse). Test were very straight forward. Material was interesting. Easy A if you STUDY and put in the effort.

4.0
1.0
BIO222
Grade: A
May 9, 2014

The book is somewhat of a necessity. To do well on exams is to memorize both the text and lecture slides (which are simply a rehash of the book). Many questions are pulled from the question bank. Bland style of teaching. If attendance wasn't taken there is no point in going to class. Overall a mediocre teacher.

3.0
4.0
BIOS222
May 11, 2014

hard to get A in class. not good in teaching. we covered only 1/4 of book. doesnt have office hours. doesnt post old exams on bb & TA is useless. exams are based on memorizing slides. read book chap three times to get hold of concept. get ans for study bank ques. boring class. give iclicker to ur friend and study for it during class time. hate clas

4.0
2.0
BIOS222
Jun 11, 2014

Her exams involved taking more details from the book and memorization rather than concepts, but there were still some conceptual questions. Nevertheless, knowing the concepts and big picture still help a lot with her exams. Just watch out for cutting corners during studying! Do the practice questions. They help a lot at organizing the book details!

3.0
4.0
BIOS222
May 5, 2015

If there's someone else teaching, pick them. Otherwise, get ready to spend half a lecture discussing a question she has for you from ONE SLIDE. Literally, she drags out some of these slides. Half her exam is from the practice problem worksheets and I-clickers and the other half.. do not remember ever reading or discussing some of those things.

1.0
5.0
BIO222
Grade: C
May 13, 2015

there's no way to get an A! you don't know until last point what you're getting basically your grade is based on others grade! 45% got a C almost 120ish students. Her quizzes are impossible!!! I got As in first two quizzes with other prof and with her I failed both of hers! DON'T TAKE HER unless you want to get a C!

3.0
4.0
222
Aug 19, 2015

Her lectures are really boring. The slides are a bunch of diagrams and pictures so they're useless to refer back to. THE KEY TO DOING WELL is reading the book. Reading each chapter clarifies everything and is a pretty good read as well. Make sure to do practice ?s as well. Very helpful. Challenging but try doing well early. Hard to catch up.

3.0
4.0
BIO222
Grade: A
May 18, 2016

She's honestly one of the nicest professor's I've come across. I got an A in her class, and here's how. LISTEN TO HER LECTURES, she had lecture capture when I was in her class, if she doesn't now, find a way to record her. Her diagrams are KEY. Study her slides. If you can explain the diagrams like you're telling a story then you're good.

1.0
5.0
BIO222
Grade: F
Oct 25, 2016
Wouldn't take again

I regret taking this class with professor Alfonso. She teaches something else and test you on something else. Sincere recommendation would be to not take her. Extremely tough exams with averages of 40%. She's very slow spends time explaining only one thing and the rest read on your own.

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
TEST HEAVY
3.0
4.0
BIOS222
Dec 7, 2016
Would take again

She can be boring at times, but she is very sweet and helpful. She made the class somewhat enjoyable where as the other professor who taught sections of this course was very rude. She makes you feel like she truly cares for us students and is always available for help. She gets a lot of bad rep because of the other professor unfortunately.

Respected
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Caring
2.0
4.0
BIOS222
Grade: B
Dec 15, 2016
Wouldn't take again

-READ THE BOOK- But even then, an A is not easy. You need to work for it. You need to review ALL her PowerPoint slides (which are jumbled and nonsensical, to say the least), and read each chapter word for word. Everything is fair game. Not so easy class.

Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
Hilarious
2.0
5.0
BIOS222
Jan 13, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Dr. Alfonso is a nice and understanding lady but her exams are very difficult. Prepare to be studying a lot for this class. She is helpful during office hours as long as you show the effort and go there. She will try her best to explain the material but students find that it is still hard to grasp. Be prepared for a hard class.

Get ready to read
TEST HEAVY
Caring
1.0
5.0
BIO222
Grade: F
Apr 12, 2017
Wouldn't take again

EXTREMELY difficult exams . she teaches REALLYYYYY bad. compared to what you will get on tests. Grading is really bad. dont take her.

5.0
4.0
BIO222
Grade: B
Apr 18, 2017
Would take again

she is awesome, she gives lectures which are so helpful. her exams are tricky but you can pass if you study hard. dont miss her lectures. I like the way she is teaching. she doesnt give any work to get extra credit, but she has in class exercises and 2-3 work paper that you need to upload to blackbored.

Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
Amazing lectures
5.0
3.0
BIO222
Grade: A
May 12, 2017
Would take again

Aixa is awesome. Attendance is taking via iClicker every class period. She uses lecture capture, which is great. The tests are hard, but if you prepare ahead of time you should do okay. A lot of test questions are taken from iClicker questions and the study guide. 85% is an A. She doesn't teach straight from the textbook, so read what's assigned.

BEWARE OF POP QUIZZES
Hilarious
Caring
5.0
3.0
BIOS222
Grade: A
Dec 18, 2017
Would take again

I've never had a professor that cares so much about students actually understanding the material. She doesn't make you memorize unnecessary details. She wants you to learn. Her exams are very fair, all based on her lectures and not the textbook. Uses iclickers every day and they are just completion. Very few hw assignments. An A is an 85%!

Skip class? You won't pass.
Caring
LECTURE HEAVY
1.0
4.0
BIO222
May 4, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Avoid taking her if you can. Most of your grade depends on exams and they are extremely difficult. She doesn't teach effectively AT ALL. She reads off of her powerpoints and that's it. Lectures are boring and she says you don't need the book but it'll prepare you for the exams more than her. If it wasn't for iclickers I would never go to class.

TEST HEAVY
4.0
3.0
BIO222
Grade: A
May 9, 2018
Would take again

Professor Alfonso was my favorite!! Her exams are very fair. Mixture of lecture and powerpoints. No book needed, she will tell you this too. She is very straightforward. She focuses on understanding the diagrams and what is written on them. In order to get an A read the powerpoints a few times, do the question banks she posts, and ask her questions

Gives good feedback
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
TEST HEAVY
1.0
5.0
BIO222
Jan 4, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Try to avoid her if you can rather than you will regret.

Tough Grader
TEST HEAVY
LECTURE HEAVY
1.0
5.0
BIO222
Jan 4, 2019
Wouldn't take again

She doesnt explain her power points well. Her exams are very hard.

Tough Grader
TEST HEAVY
LECTURE HEAVY
1.0
5.0
BIO222
Jan 8, 2019
Wouldn't take again

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1.0
5.0
BIO222
Jan 12, 2019
Wouldn't take again

She is not fluent in English. During lecture she repeats words a lot like many times she does not speak words correctly so she correct by saying it again. Exams are difficult, and they do not meet to the level of her lectures. She does not explain stuff at all and ask everything in exams like she explained it very well.

Tough Grader
2.0
4.0
BIO222
Grade: B
Feb 5, 2019
Wouldn't take again

When taking Bio 222 at UIC i would recommend taking a different professor. Alfonso is very kind, but her class is extremely difficult compared to other professors. Other professors offer extra credit and drop your lowest exam- Alfonso does NOT. I received a 84.99% (85%+A) in her class and got a B, so when she says she does not curve she MEANS IT.

1.0
4.0
BIO222
Mar 6, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Alfonsos exams are extremely hard, she gives practice exams that dont match whats on the actual. She reads straight from the PowerPoint so i dont feel like she actually teaches.

Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
Tough grader
1.0
5.0
BIO222
Grade: Rather not say
Mar 11, 2019
Wouldn't take again

She does not know how to teach. Her PowerPoint are non sense. Exams are very difficult. Her practice papers does not help at all. She is not organized. She doesnt explain anything well. She just read PowerPoint, and she doesnt explain anything, its like any student can go and read that!

Test heavy
Lecture heavy
Tough grader
1.0
5.0
BIOS222
Grade: Rather not say
Mar 12, 2019
Wouldn't take again

It is better to take other professor for Cell Bio. This class makes my life miserable.

Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
4.0
4.0
BIOS222
Grade: B
Apr 8, 2019
Would take again

Alfonso is so sweet, she really knows her material and really wants you to understand. The tests are difficult but you get full points on iclicker just for answering and every once in a while she uses echo 360 questions. Lectures are lecture captured. The class isn't easy but i really like her as a professor.

Respected
Accessible outside class
Graded by few things
1.0
5.0
BIO222
Grade: F
Apr 11, 2019
Wouldn't take again

The exams of alfonso and dubreuil are very difficult in class they just read PowerPoint that anyone can do on their own, they do not explain anything. You will be able to do a little bit better with so much struggle in Alfonsos section but in Dubreuil section you will not be able to understand a single thing and his exam so difficult. Dont take!

Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
Tough grader
3.0
2.0
BIO222
Grade: A+
May 3, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Her lectures are not helpful at all but she gives us all the "homey" feeling and genuinely cares about us. If you do and understand the question banks as well as her learning objectives on slides the A is very doable. The question bank and book go hand in hand. She also ended up giving us plenty of extra credit and curves on tests for our class.

Get ready to read
Graded by few things
Test heavy
5.0
1.0
BIO222
Grade: A+
Jun 18, 2019
Would take again

Read the book and do the question banks for an A. If lazy just look up the answers online and look at her examples in her slides for the same grade. Lecture was confusing and long, and she forgot about homework by the third week. She curved our exams and gave us a massive curve for our final. Easiest advanced bio course, easier than Bio 100.

Get ready to read
Caring
4.0
2.0
BIOS222
Grade: A
Jul 2, 2019
Would take again

you can tell she cares a lot about her students. she gives clear guidelines on how to do well in class, has practice exam questions, & a good class to prep for MCAT. grade is exams, homework, clicker & participation. A is 85

Respected
Participation matters
Lecture heavy
1.0
5.0
BIO222
Grade: C+
Dec 7, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Dr. Alfonso is one of the rudest professors I have encountered in my education. If you have a disability, don't expect her to try to accommodate you. Her rudeness aside, I struggled a lot in this class. She reads off the powerpoints and is very confusing. I would take another professor if you could.

Participation matters
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
1.0
4.0
BIOS222
Dec 9, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Do not take this professor unless you need to. She is rude and hates when someone asks a question. She doesn't answer emails. The exam questions are more difficult than clicker and homework questions.

Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
1.0
4.0
BIOS222
Grade: C
Dec 11, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Aixa Alfonso was the worst professor I've ever had. I have my Masters with a 3.9 and I needed this class so I continue my education. Alfonso was very rude. She criticizes her students and makes them feel unintelligent. She called me rude names and has a very hard accent. She is difficult to understand.I wish I could say more. PLEASE DO NOT TAKE HER

Get ready to read
Test heavy
Tough grader
5.0
4.0
BIO222
Grade: B
Jan 16, 2020
Would take again

Prepare to think critically. NEVER MISS CLASS, please read her power points before class. Her exams are from lecture power points and iClicker questions. The book is great to understand the concept, but not for exam. please use her OFFICE HOURS. Topics mentioned during class will mostly be in exam. Optional presentations will boost your grade.

Gives good feedback
Skip class? You won't pass.
Caring
2.0
4.0
BIO222
Grade: A
Apr 13, 2020
Wouldn't take again

This professor will tell you exactly what to study for the exams and provide material for that information. The professor's lecture slides are very visual-heavy with little words, missing a lecture and attempting to look at the material at home is difficult. She is accessible outside of class most of the time. She is straightforward, not mean.

Graded by few things
Clear grading criteria
Lecture heavy
3.0
4.0
BIOS222
Grade: A-
May 5, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Professor Alfonso leads a class with A LOT to cover. The tests are heavy in terms of content and it takes a lot of time to study for them. She herself is very friendly and caring and passionate about cell biology. I just found her class to be somewhat stressful (especially when she couldn't explain things clearly due to a slight language barrier).

Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
1.0
4.0
BIO222
Grade: C
May 7, 2020
Wouldn't take again

barely gives extra credit, her lectures have alot of information. does not know how to teach,is rude,do not take her.. unless you are ready to get an F on the first exam. she definitely not the move. our class average was sixty two percent the entire semester. she gives questions on what she hasnt even taught.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
1.0
3.0
BIOS222
Grade: B+
Jun 17, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Her exams are nothing like what she talks in class. Her teaching was very bad. She would mention a topic but not explain it at all. he slides are useless. she is also very rude with her students, arrogant. don't take her class!!!!

Get ready to read
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
2.0
4.0
BIOS222
Grade: A
Dec 10, 2020
Wouldn't take again

She is very interested in her work and what she teaches in class. However, her lectures are dense with material and at times can be hard to follow. The reading material is pointless to attempt as everything you need to know is in her lectures. Her quizzes are incredibly hard and specific ,but her tests are manageable if you study.

Accessible outside class
Lecture heavy
Tough grader
1.0
4.0
BIO220
Grade: B+
Jan 11, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Boring lecturer. She periodically switched back to a thick Spanish accent during the first lecture. And she would speed through certain words that should have been emphasized in normal english. Why UIC does not have better professors is not clear to me.

Beware of pop quizzes
Tough grader
1.0
5.0
BIOS222
Grade: A+
Feb 2, 2021
Wouldn't take again

This is how i got an A: i watched the lectures to get the idea, then watched youtube videos on basically every word she said to understand the material, then rewatch her lectures to get an idea of how she would word the questions. God bless youtube ppl because she is so bad. On the bright side I did learn a lot, but from youtube, not her. AVOID

1.0
3.0
BIOS222
Grade: Not sure yet
Mar 15, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Does not speak clearly and mumbles through what she says. When she says things like rna dna and protein its hard to hear what she is saying. I cant hear the difference between rna and dna when she says it. This has never been a problem before for me. The first half of the semester with a different professor was much easier to understand.

3.0
4.0
BIOS222
Grade: A
May 25, 2021
Would take again

Fairly nice and organized, responsive to emails, and funny. Gave some EC; was generous w fixing an exam we struggled with. Can be a bit strict, especially w her grade cutoffs. Quizzes kinda hard, exams harder w shorter time. Can be a bit hard to understand at times. Lectures/Zoom are ok but the book/slides and drop-in hrs are more helpful, imo.

Accessible outside class
Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
5.0
1.0
BIOS222
Grade: A+
Jun 2, 2021
Would take again

This class covers the same exact things you've probably seen in highschool / BIOS 110. Just pay attention to her special topics and the exams are a walk in the park.

Test heavy
5.0
4.0
BIO222
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 24, 2021
Would take again

This Professor is very sweet and explains everything clearly. You can ask her hundreds of questions and she will try her best to answer you. I don't understand why people are complaining about her accent, it has nothing to do with your grade. Overall watch the lectures and ask her for help if needed. Stay on top of weekly work. Pick her!

Participation matters
Amazing lectures
Caring
2.0
3.0
BIOS222
Nov 28, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Not a good teacher for online classes. Just dumps 30-40min lecture vids, no interaction between students, tests have questions not covered in textbook, etc. Better to take her in person.

1.0
3.0
BIOS222
Grade: C
Dec 11, 2021
Wouldn't take again

This entire class is inconsiderate of any family problems, any issues with passing the class or even marginal grades. While she claims that there are opportunities to improve, she doesnt understand life happens for many people. Dont take her if you think you can convince for even a border grade. Just save yourself from the misery

Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
1.0
5.0
BIOS222
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 5, 2022

Honestly one of the worst professors I ever had. Her lectures are just her reading the slides and the tests are UNBELIEVABLY hard. Also very hard to understand, she does not speak clearly. It's not the accent, it's simply her voice. She is always mumbling.

Tough grader
Participation matters
Lecture heavy
1.0
4.0
BIOS222
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 5, 2022

I consider myself good at bio; however, this class is so disorganized and not helpful. Her lectures don't help and I would rather read the textbook than attend her classes. The test questions are sometimes so weirdly specific or poorly phrased that I feel isn't a good reflection of the topics we learn. Avoid.

Graded by few things
4.0
4.0
BIOS222
May 4, 2022
Would take again

While I understand why people might complain about her and she does sometimes lack understanding to situations. I genuinely do not think she the worst Professor in the world. Compared to other cell bio professors, I think shes probably the best. Just put in work outside you youll be okay. She may come off rude but she really isnt.

Get ready to read
Accessible outside class
1.0
5.0
BIOS222
Grade: C
Nov 16, 2022

Easily the worst class and professor that I have taken. This was the most disorganized class and I completely regret taking the course due to the set-up and "reversed" teaching method. The class is very difficult and you will not be passing this class if you aren't putting your full attention into content for this course.

Tough grader
Get ready to read
Participation matters
5.0
3.0
BIO222
Grade: A
Jan 11, 2023
Would take again

I can see how others find her class disorganized. But, if you Watch her videos before lecture and use the lecture time as a review you will pass this class. She is very understanding and offers extra credit if she feels the class is not doing well. The participation and homework assignments are a large portion of her grading.

EXTRA CREDIT
Caring
Test heavy
4.0
3.0
BIOS222
Grade: A
May 19, 2023

Very kind and empathetic professor. Homework is a must if you want to boost your grade. Exams 1 and 2 were extremely easy, but the last 2 got tougher. Read the book and watch the lecture prior to coming to class. A passing grade is granted just attending class, doing homework, and participating, so do not mess up and do not procrastinate.

Get ready to read
Caring
Lecture heavy
5.0
3.0
BIOS222
Grade: B
Nov 10, 2023
Would take again

Dr. Alfonso is a great professor so don't worry about other reviews. She is very knowledgeable and explains every concept very well. It can be difficult for some but as long as you pay attention in lecture you'll do just fine. No physical textbook except Achieve which has the textbook but it's main use is the chapter homework and adaptive quizzes.

Amazing lectures
Test heavy
Accessible outside class
1.0
3.0
BIO222
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 2, 2023

I personally do not hate professor alfonso just because of how great she is as a human being however as a teacher she cant teach to save her life, she refuses to make practice exams, exam guides, or anything that can help you with stuyding material that will be on a exam. If you do all your homework and I mean all of it you just might pass

Get ready to read
Lots of homework
2.0
5.0
BIOS222
Grade: B-
Dec 5, 2023

Professor posts homework when she feels like it, and does not post on a set schedule making it very hard to keep up with. The lectures are all pictures, but she claims you don't have to read the text book to understand material. Exam averages are usually mid 60s and professor does not provide any study material for the exams, so they are very hard

Get ready to read
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
2.0
4.0
BIO222
Dec 5, 2023

I value Dr. Alfonso's expertise in Cell Biology, but her lectures were challenging to comprehend. Despite the inherent complexity of the subject, the teaching approach, mainly reading off slides, lacked depth. I recommend relying on the e-textbook for a more comprehensive understanding, and reviewing assignment/quiz questions before exams.

4.0
2.0
BIO222
Grade: A+
Dec 9, 2023
Would take again

Dr. Alfonso is a knowledgeable professor whose lectures simplify more in-depth textbook readings and incorporate aspects of current research in cell biology. The homework is manageable and the exams closely follow the learning objectives. Attending lectures, doing i-clickers, and attending office hours can help a student excel in her class.

Amazing lectures
Respected
Accessible outside class
1.0
4.0
BIO222
Grade: Drop/Withdrawal
Feb 22, 2024

Don't take her class I dropped the average grade for a test was 67% bad teacher pick someone else. Gotta retake it.

Tough grader
Get ready to read
Participation matters
5.0
2.0
BIOS222
Grade: A
Apr 26, 2024
Would take again

She cares about her students, if you don't understand, she tries to help you until you understand. Her lectures are interesting and very relevant to her exams. If you are confused with her slides and cannot reach out, the book is useful. but she bases exams off slides. Overall kind and amazing professor that knows her students' name and face.

Caring
Lecture heavy
Accessible outside class
4.0
3.0
BIO222
Grade: A-
Apr 28, 2024
Would take again

Prof. Alfonso is a good teacher and her lectures are fairly easy to follow along. The exams are hard but she is very generous with points in homework, quizzes, and attendance. You will definitley have to put a decent amount of time in outside the class to understand the material the way you need to for exams.

Participation matters
Lecture heavy
1.0
5.0
BIOS222
Grade: B
May 1, 2024

By far she was the most rudest, most difficult and OBNOXIOUS teacher I have dealt with. 1: Unorganized slideshows 2: Long and boring classes 3: No practice questions and no help 4: Tests WERE NOT about the stuff we learned in class 5: She memorizes your name and face 6: Mono toned 7: Just plain out horrible professor 8: Better to teach yourself

Tough grader
Lecture heavy
Graded by few things
4.0
4.0
BIOS222
Grade: B
Jan 19, 2025
Would take again

Professor Alfonso can be demanding, but engaging with her system pays off. Lectures are dense, so staying focused and using resources like Unstuck study for study prep is key. Overall, a challenging yet rewarding class.

2.0
3.0
BIOS222
Mar 10, 2025

Class is doable if you have bio prereq but you need to take notes in the class. She isn't the best at teaching but she tries and will curve tests. Tests are not easy but they're fine if you study slides and textbook.

1.0
5.0
BIOS222
Grade: B
May 5, 2025

Exams do NOT reflect the content taught in class. Has literally said making the exams "harder" is a way to "prepare us for the future." No point in studying cuz the study guides and slides are useless. No point in even attending the class. Might as well just come for the exams and accept fate rather than sitting in her class and wasting your time.

Lots of homework
Lecture heavy
4.0
3.0
BIOS222
Grade: A
May 8, 2025
Would take again

Gave a lot of resources to study/prepare (online textbook, learning objectives specific for tests, review sessions). Her lectures felt like they dragged on a bit and she gave more info than what was on the test, but she explained concepts pretty well. She is caring about students and is great to email ?s.

Clear grading criteria
Lecture heavy
5.0
3.0
BIO222
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 26, 2025
Would take again

Prof. Alfonso is one of the kindest and understanding professors I have ever had. willing to work with you if you are concerned about your grade, just communicate with her!! Go to her office hours, stay on top of achieve, attend class, and you finish w/a decent grade. she curves exams based on how well the class did. I would 100% take her again!

Lots of homework
Caring
Accessible outside class
3.0
2.0
BIOS286
Grade: A-
Dec 4, 2025
Would take again

Professor Alfonso is a pretty good teacher. She does have her moments where she seems strict, but I think she just wants a fair environment for the students. The classes are mandatory. The only issue is she basically just reads off the slides the entire lecture so you could learn from home. Overall interesting class though would reccommend.

Clear grading criteria
1.0
5.0
BIOS222
Grade: B
Dec 7, 2025

Lectures provide almost no information, slides are mostly images with little explanation. The “Textbook Resources” section on Blackboard has no textbook, just modules that don't support the lecture or learning objectives. You'll end up teaching yourself. Only plus side is exams are 30 multiple-choice questions.

1.0
5.0
BIOS222
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 7, 2025

horrible. i signed up for a dif prof who had good reviews but on the first day of class she was there..? even when i studied and understood content, exams were extremely difficult and averages were low since she asks things we werent told to study. objectives for exams are so vague and slides are not helpful. dont take if u wish to keep brain cells

Lots of homework
4.0
3.0
BIO222
Grade: A
Dec 7, 2025
Would take again

If you use the lecture videos, study off the achieve homework (bios 222), and use the study guides she posts a week before exams, you'll do fine on the exams. She does read off the slides a bit but she knows what she's talking about. I spoke to her during her office hours and she's a pretty nice woman. Would def take again.

Participation matters
Lots of homework
Test heavy
3.0
1.0
BIOS222
Grade: A
Dec 16, 2025
Would take again

Class was so easy, I showed up to every lecture and scrolled tiktok, did all the homework, but bombed every test and still got an A, annoying class to take but its fine.

Lots of homework
4.0
2.0
BIOS286
Grade: A
Dec 20, 2025
Would take again

She is a great professor. The only thing I would say is that she tends to get monotone during some of the lectures, making it hard to pay attention. However, other than that, it is a great class, and the tests aren't really that hard; just try to stay focused.

Test heavy
Graded by few things
2.0
3.0
BIO222
Grade: A
Dec 24, 2025

While she herself may not be the best lecturer, the grading scale is so generous its practically impossible to not pass. Exams (especially the final) were not very difficult. Be sure to always attend class and do the homework since more than half of your grade comes from just that.

EXTRA CREDIT
Lecture heavy
5.0
2.0
BIO222
Grade: A+
Dec 30, 2025
Would take again

Great prof! She was funny and her lectures were engaging. If you go to her office hours or ask her questions she will genuinely want to help you. Not sure why her rating is so low, but her class was made easier by preparing well for lectures and doing the HW. Easy class to pass.

EXTRA CREDIT
Lots of homework
Test heavy
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

84%

Textbook Required

21%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

95% confidence
Based on 54 grades
Most common grades:
A (18)
B (10)
A+ (9)
Grade Distribution
A(27)B(11)C(7)D(1)F(3)A-/B+(6)
Based on 65 reported grades
A: 18
B: 10
A+: 9
Not sure yet: 7
Common Tags
Get ready to read (18)
Test heavy (18)
Lecture heavy (17)
Skip class? You won't pass. (12)
Caring (11)
Tough grader (10)
Accessible outside class (8)
Participation matters (8)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.24 avg change
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Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

BIOS224

5.0

(1)

CELLBIO

4.0

(1)

BIOS286

3.5

(4)

222

3.0

(1)

BIOS222

2.8

(66)
+2 more courses
Difficulty by Course

BIO220

4.5

222

4.0

CELLBIO

4.0

BIO222

3.8

BIOS222

3.6

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