great instructor

Great professor, really cares about students and the material she presents!

Explains materials very well, gives concise notes. Tests are moderately difficult (multiple choice) but representative of material covered.

Very good considering the amount of information given. tests are hard, so study a lot!

Very good teacher. Also, a very hard teacher; tests are difficult, but not if you study all the material, and know it like the back of your hand. Be able to tie a lot of things together. Great to talk to.

Best bio teacher ever!

she's a pretty good teach. she teaches just like my AP bio teacher did last year, which is a plus. her tests are all lecture. i have never used the book. you can get an A in there you just have to study a lot, plus she's nice so that's good.

Magnificent lady. No nonsense - less than mature students need not waste your time or hers. She doesn't 'give' grades - you earn them. Meet her halfway and surprise! Regarding 'hotness' - you can tell she was a babe in her day.

She is helpful, but her tests do cover the material throughly.

She is an awesome teacher, explains everything really well and really cares about her students. Her tests are hard but they make you learn and prepare you well.

i <3 this professor she's best ever and relates to students well

Extremely hard test. Study everyday if you want to get an A. If you want a C out of the class, you better aim for an A, or else you will end up with an F.

Good teacher. Know the why, how, when, where, why and who of every little detail you learn. Read the chapter and then go through her notes and make sure you can elaborate. KNOW EVERYTHING!! Regardless, she is a good professor who prepares you for what you need to know to move on and be successful

Cusic expects you to "know" the material not just pass the tests. She speeds through the lecture but that is why you should study everyday and go to EVERY Supplemental Instruction. I went to every S.I. and made an A on the first test. Study the figures and use cue cards to help as well.

Wonderful teacher, the lab is harder than the class though. Compared to the lab i thought she was great. Made lecture seem like "oh there is a God."

Very good teacher, just show up and take notes. Lecture is very easy compared to lab. ALWAYS go to her review sessions before tests, she tells a lot of what will be on there.

Dr. Cusic has the unique ability to create an environment where you not only enjoy learning but are motivated to research the material on your own.

Hard professor in the fact that she makes you study hard, but you feel as if you earn the grade that you make. She is very willing and helpful to help you outside of the classroom...and lectures are never boring!

GREAT TEACHER!Be sure you know and understand ALL THE MATERIAL!Fun and friendly.You can always go to her for help. Notes are IMPORTANT,covers stuff not in text.If you're a good student she's great,if not she's the kiss of death because GOD FORBID she expects you to learn all the stuff she taught.

Cusic is a very challenging professor. The great thing about her is that you know that she really cares about how students do in her class. She'll write little notes on your scantron results sheet.

She's tough, but a great professor!

She really knows her stuff. However, her tests are hard as hell. The questions are like the freakin MCAT. But she adequately prepares you for the hell of med school and post-bacc...life. I recommend her but she is not a professor for someone who is not ready to study. I never study....so she taught me some study skills. And yes you do have to read the book. I bombed the first two tests in 123 but I was still able to pull out a C in the class due to extra credit quizzes and lab.

dr. cusic's love of the material makes the class very enjoyable. i don't know why people complain about her tests b/c they are parallel to what she teaches. while some say to avoid her class, i wouldnt take bio from anyone but her.

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If you are planning on taking the MCAT or any other tests definitely take Cusic. Her tests can be hard but she has a way of hammering the information in your head forever. When you study for her tests you better know everything forward and backwards, her tests can get tricky. If you don't take good notes and attend class everytime you are screwed.

She's a goddess.... of biology.

Everyday after lecture, she makes me excited about studying biology. She is very good, her tests are challeging. You really need to know your material, but don't over think. She tests on your understanding of the concepts.

She is a very good teacher. (although she talks way too fast in lecture for you to write good notes). her tests are challenging if you never go to class and study the night before a test. Overall she is a great professor.

I LOVE this professor!! She is the best teacher you will ever have. She can explain everything and put it into simpler terms so that anyone can understand. Yes she is really fast in lecture, but that is not her fault she has soo much material she has to cover. If your not willing to study and don't care about biology take Watson!

She is the best and hardest teacher i have ever had!! i study multiple hours for EVERY test but i always get an A. if you are here to actually learn, then take cusic, just make sure that you can take the time to STUDY!! her tests are tricky so you have to really know the material, not simply memorize it.

She was a great professor, but very, very, very hard!

She is hard but thats what I want.. I want to challenge myself and see where I stand.. No one said college will be easy, so yea..

To start, Core Principles of Modern Science is to prep for the MCAT or similar tests. It was taught by Cusic and professors from each respective dept on the MCAT. It was hugely helpful! If you're taking the MCAT, check this class out.

Very Hard

Her tests are ridiculously hard. I am a good bio student and I studied and read and didn't miss a class and still got a C. She doesn't seem to want to help ALL her students equally, but only a select few. Take this only if no other professor is available and if you are taking nothing else that semester. Her class requires all your time to do well.

She is a good professor but her tests are really hard. You really have to know your stuff and read the questins very carefully. Her questions are not hard once you figure out what she is asking for.

LOVED HER!!! If you are in this class you better be dedicated. If you are then you will get an A. Go to S.I.!!!

Great teacher but very very hard when you dont study for a test. Go to S.I and read your book and read the test questions carefully.

Cusic is a great professor in my mind. True, her class is hard, but it's for pre-med kids so it should be hard to weed out the ones that don't want to work. She's always willing to help if you need it as well. Just be sure to spend hours of your life studying the material so that you can pass.

She is a very strict teacher who takes a no nonsense approach. For students to succeed in her classes they must know the information backwards and forwards as well as be able to think critically and apply the knowledge. This is a pre-med/Bio major class and it's meant to be a hard weed out class. I never noticed any favoritism from her.

It is hard to keep up with her and the tests are VERY hard. People said she words her questions like the MCAT

Dr Cusic is one of the best professors at UAB. She demands a lot from her students but is very willing to help if students will go to her. I had her for 123 and 124, and it was difficult but I'm glad she was my teacher. I highly recommend her.

One of the best at UAB

Best UAB has to offer. Great teacher. What all college teachers should be like/

Dr. Cusic is a wonderful professor. I took her for BY 123 and BY 124. She is very helpful. It is easy to come talk to her. Her test are very challenging though. If you read the book, attend EVERY lecture and come to SI, you will do fine.

Dr. Cusic will push you to understand biology perhaps like you've never understood before. She is a VERY VERY good teacher. I made a 5 on the AP Bio exam but a B in her class so make sure you know what you're getting yourself into. If you want to protect your GPA, this might not be the class for you.

One of the best professors I've ever had. Her class is tough, but you'll be fine if you go to class and read the book. The book website is really helpful as well.

Great Class. I took her over a summer semester and was able to ace the class since I didn't have any other classes in the way, although it was condensed. If you truly have an interest in biology, and enjoy a higher level of thinking then this is the class to take! It wasn't too hard, just a good bit of reading and being able to comprehend it wel

Amazing teacher. Incredibly knowledgeable, but demands a serious level of commitment and work from her students. I have never worked so hard in a class, even when I took a year's worth of organic chemistry in 10 weeks. Be prepared to learn the material by reading every line in the book, knowing all diagrams, going to every SI session, every clas

Dr.Cusic is a great professor. This class is intended for Biology majors and she makes that clear at the begenning of the class. Her class was difficult, but if you study and go to the supplemental instruction you will do well. Dr. Cusic also makes herself available to her students if you need help.

This professor is definitely challenging, but if you pay attention, you will learn a lot. I received an A, but that was the hardest A I ever worked for in my life! You will have to study... A LOT! Her exams can be VERY tricky.

I had Dr. Cusic for 123 and 124. 124 is definitely easier than 123. If you are able to pass Dr. Cusic's 123 with a high C or better, you should be fine in 124. You just have to know how to study for her exams. She is a very good teacher, and makes you learn the material, or fail her class. You choose...

I was able to make an A in Cusic's BY 123 class the second time I took it. You have to study quite a bit for her class but she is extremely helpful. She gives bonus quizzes for three out of the four classes that have the potential to raise a test grade by ten points. She is a great teacher, just challenging.

All students planning to go into the medical field should take Dr. Cusic. She is an excellent professor who knows the material extremely well. Be warned however, her tests are very difficult because she designs them to be preparation for the MCAT and other standardized tests.

Dr. Cusid is very hard! Definitely be ready to attend SI sessions every week.

She is an amazing teacher!! Take her if you want to go to med school! You will learn so much!

IMO Cusic is NOT much easier than Fischer if at all. Cusic tells you exactly what you need to know on the test whereas in Fischer's class you have to study the entire chapter. Cusic also gives out bonus quizzes that can boost your test grade by up to 10 pts. I think Cusic's tests are trickier, but if you know the material you should be fine.

As long as you take impeccable notes and you have a strong ability to synthesize information, you will do well in her class. In BY123, the first two tests are hard, and the second two get easier. In BY124, the first two tests are easy(ish) and the second two tests get harder. So you see a lot of people dropping BY123 but retaking BY124. Don't take

Great Professor but very very challenging. I spent a TON of time studying for this class and the lab section to get an A. You must know all of the diagrams inside and out.

Dr. Cusic is a wonderful teacher. Her lectures are clear, and she tells you exactly what you need to know for the test. She gives bonus quizzes, and the final was not cumulative. I studied a lot and learned a lot. VERY helpful in preparing for the MCAT. The tests were challenging but manageable. TAKE THIS CLASS IT'S WORTH IT.

Just want to set the record straight, Dr. Cusic is an amazing instructor. If you really want to learn biology, she is the professor to take. Be sure to go to class and take good notes. Probably my favorite professor at UAB.

Great teacher!!! Her test are right off the class notes and she always goes over the hard concepts multiple times so you know that you actually understand the material!!! Also, it is very easy to schedule appointments with her and she is very easy to talk to :D

Extremely hard, but you learn a whole lot

Order of diffciult tests (hardest to easiest) 1. 3rd exam 2. 2nd exam 3. 1st exam 4. 4th exam THIRD EXAM IS A KILLER

good teacher but her tests are hard. They are formatted like the mcat, and she throws a bunch of curve balls. she doesn't write on the board or use power points, she just talks and shows pictures.

She is brilliant, but her tests are absolutely insane! You will learn a lot in this class, but you'll lose a considerable amount of sleep studying.

Dr. Cuisc is an excellent teacher!!! However to get a passing grade in this class studying is essential. If you aren't pre-med or just need to take a science DO NOT take this class. The second test is the hardest test. If you can get a decent grade on the 1,3,4 then bombing the second isn't to bad Also lab is worth 30% of your grade to help you

She is not difficult, the material she teaches sort of is. I didn't make an A cus I didn't study like I should've; but attend all classes and start studying at least a week prior, attend review sessions and you should be good. I enjoyed the class and her as a teacher, she explains the material well.

I had her for 123 (and currently have her for 124) and I stinkin' love her. She's hard, but really knows her stuff and takes an interest in getting to know her students, especially if you make the extra effort. Definitely a class I wouldn't take just for kicks! You do tons of studying... but getting an A on a test? Best. Feeling. Ever.

Dr. Cusic is highly intelligent. She definitely knows what she is talking about, which makes her a great professor. I skipped multiple lectures the first exam, and still made an A on it, so it isn't too bad to miss class. Just read the material and try to get notes from someone else.

Go to class & pay attention because the tests come from the lectures, but you also have to read the book & study a lot. The only grades are tests, but she offers quizes for bonus points. She makes herself available to meet with students often. You should meet with her! She notices the students who try & remembers them when posting final grades.

Dr.Cusic's reputation is worse than she really is. Study and read every chapter assigned (~700 pages in a semester)...GO TO HER OFFICE HOURS! It helps when she posts grades.If she doesn't know your name--then you need to see her more often. GOOD LUCK YA'LL :)...nice lady.great class!

Cusic has a worse rep than she deserves. The people that speak poorly of her never studied. YOU MUST STUDY FOR THIS COURSE. If you record lectures, take notes, and memorize the diagrams, you should be fine. She really does want you to make an A, but she will not baby you. Get to know her, go to SI, and try (she'll bump you up if you're borderline).

Awesome! Challenges students to not only understand biology but also to appreciate it and apply it to every day life. Tests are hard in that they cover a lot of material but are not too hard if you ask her questions, go to SI, and study a little every day.

Yes, not all people do well in the class, but that does not make it impossible. You MUST study to do well. People often slack in classes, and those are the people that do poorly. The only reason the test score averages are so low is because people that failed the class insist on retaking it after failing, and they still don't study the 2nd time.

People are terrified of this woman. If you are pre-med DO NOT skip out on taking her. She's an extremely difficult but AMAZING teacher. Very fair. If you attend SI regularly and engage her often she will likely bump your grade a few points if necessary. She bumped me 3 points to an A at the end of the year. Very willing to help but expects a lot.

Honestly one of the most helpful professors at UAB. GO TO HER OFFICE. She is so intelligent and such a nice person.

Dr. Cusic is truly a wonderful and knowledgeable professor. I highly recommend her if you truly want to learn and appreciate the material. However, she is not going to just hand you a good grade. You must work hard and seek to understand on your own terms. She presents the material very clearly and is straight-forward with her expectations.

This class is extremely difficult. Dr. Cusic is a wonderful teacher, the material and exams are just confusing a lot of the time. If you are not Pre-Med, Pre-Dent, or Pre-Opt... save yourself the tears and stress level of the extremely rigorous course.

You must read the book. You must study for lab. There's no way around this. Every class for intro bio is the same. Study. She's a very nice woman and she's very approachable. If you need help, go to her.

This class is so difficult. Dr. Cusic is an amazing lady, the material is just so hard to put together. Definitely go to class and study EVERYDAY. I wouldn't say impossible to get an A, but extremely challenging. Even for a 4.0 student like myself. I ended with a C in class. The lab final is IMPOSSIBLE. Average is a 60%. GOODLUCK.

Hardest class of my life. Professor Cusic is a very (I cannot stress this enough) VERY tough professor. This may be a 100 level class, but she expects you to know your stuff. You HAVE to go to class, you HAVE to read the book, you HAVE to put in time & effort outside the class, to even expect to pass. Despite it all I learned a ton! Good professor

VERY difficult teacher. She will teach you a lot, mainly that just because a test is multiple choice does NOT make it easy. Read your book. Go to class. But she is an amazing teacher! Don't ever be afraid to go to her office and ask about anything you don't get. She loves students who put in the extra time.

Cusic is a great, sweet, but difficult professor. With that said, a lot of effort must be put in. Read the book, go to SI, don't procrastinate, and meet with Cusic! Also, record her lectures because she talks pretty fast! Other than that, as long as you do the above hopefully with hard work you can get an okay grade.

This will be the hardest class you take as an undergrad student at UAB. Cusic is a great professor, you will learn more in her class than you will learn in your total 4 years here. She is so helpful, but it is extremely difficult, I know many people who have dropped pre-med/ bio major after taking this course.

Plain and simple: the class is difficult, she is very helpful, and if you can't pass it with a C then you don't belong in pre med.

So despite what everyone says, it is possible to make an A without going to class. I went to so few that I don't even know what I made on exams. I just know I ended with an A. The main thing to do is READ the book. Like everything is directly from the book. Study for lab, though. Lots and lots. Labs a witch. Except replace that w with a b.

I ended with a 98. I recorded her lectures, listening to them one more time out of class, filling in any notes that I missed since she goes so fast. Dont read the book; just look at the figures.To do well, just know EVERYTHING she says. Just read your notes again and again until you memorized them.The people who fail simply don't care/study enough.

I really enjoy her lectures. It's very hard to get an A or a B but not impossible. Go to class, study, and READ THE BOOK. Review every night and you'll at least get a B. Dedicate your time please!

Dr. Cusic is a good professor overall. Her tests are difficult but if you put the work in you'll be fine. Plus she gives extra credit quizzes before each test (worth up to 10 points on the test). Study and GO TO SI. SI isn't mandatory but it is incredibly helpful. Especially the worksheets, I used them to study for tests.

Dr. Cusic's bio classes are probably going to be some of your hardest if you're hoping for an A. She is VERY specific with her tests, so make sure you have read the book and taken good notes so that you can add in any additional details that she went over in class. A's are possible but not at all easy, especially with other hard sciences.

Don't expect to study the night before the test and pass with an A or even pass at all. You need to study at least a few hours a day, a week before the test, if you want to pass. Her tests are very detailed and challenging. She does give a quiz a week before each test which is worth 10 bonus points to add on to your test score.

Passionate about the subject which makes her lectures enjoyable. Goes in depth into the material and has high expectations on the tests. Gives pop quizzes a week before tests that could earn you ten percentage points, a whole letter grade; very doable. Read the chapters thoroughly, take good notes, and attendance is necessary to pass.

I wish someone told me this: her tests are actually really straightforward if you know everything. Study like your life depends on it, know every detail of everything, & you'll actually be OK. I messed up on a lot of questions that I realized were really simple right after the test. Just think "what is she trying to test w this question." STUDY.

Dr. Cusic is very willing to help and truly wants you to understand the material; however, this was still the hardest class I've ever taken at UAB.

Lectures start at the beginning of class and end exactly at the end. Warm up your hand and wrist because there's a lot of information to write down, even in a minute. The book is life. Exam questions not only require you to know all the information from lecture, they require thinking thoroughly about how the information can be applied. Study hard.

BY123 is a weed out class at UAB, and Cusic makes sure of it. If you study EVERY day and read the chapters, you will succeed. You just have to know all the details of what she goes over and how to apply them. She is extremely helpful if you are unclear about any material and truly wants her students to succeed. She can be intimidating but is great.

BY 123 & 124 are very tough classes, I would recommend keeping up with the material and trying to get as many points possible from the pop quizzes. You'll learn a lot from Dr. Cusic, she's a great professor. Take good notes, study your notes and know how to apply the material that she went over in class.

Great teacher, exams are hell.

Dr. Cusic is a nice teacher and a great lecturer. She provides very little study materials before or outside of class, but the objective handouts she gives out can be used as chapter outlines and study guides. As long as you know all the objectives thoroughly (there's only like 60 per month), you'll make an easy B or probably an A.

Dr. Cusic is a great teacher and her lectures are pretty interesting, just get ready to write down notes for the entirety of class. 123-124 series was the hardest thing I have had to do in education, but that does not mean that it is not doable. This class will test your limits and when you walk away you will be amazed at how much you learned.

Really easy class. She repeatedly stated questions that she asked on exams. Everything on the exams was discussed at length in class. As long as you are capable of listening and learning you should get an A without any issue.

It's clear that everyone hears horror stories about Cusic's biology, but honestly it wasn't too bad. You do have to keep up with the notes and at least skim the book, but if you do those things, then you should easily get a B or an A. The quizzes she gives before the tests are CRUCIAL, and they can help you a whole letter grade (or more).

Great class. If you attend lecture and you read the textbook, you should be fine. I took AP Biology in high school so that helped make this class so much easier. Attend SI sessions if you are struggling and meet with Cusic to review your tests. She is really helpful and respects students who try hard in her class.

This opinion isn't shared by many but I really liked Dr. Cusic. She is very nice and willing to help you with concepts you don't understand. The tests are very hard but every question comes from the learning objectives she gives you for each unit. Definitely go to class because not everything she covers in in the textbook.

Dr. Cusic has a reputation of being extremely difficult and intimidating. In reality, she is a sweet lady who is serious about what she is teaching. This class is the first I've ever studied a week in advanced for a test for. The biggest thing is being willing to put the time and work in in a way you may not have had to before. Overall I love Dr. C

Dr. Cusic is a tough teacher but she is very helpful and very kind if you try to meet with her. She also is always wanting to make sure you understand. Her lectures and tests can be very tricky but finding outside sources such as SI really help. She truly cares about her students and takes it very personal knowing her students aren't doing well

Dr. Cusic's class is the best class I have ever taken so far. Most people say her class is hard, but that's because they don't want to study. She expects you to put in the work outside of class to do well. If you don't, you won't pass. She is really nice and will answer any questions you might have about the material. I truly love this professor!!!