3.0
Quality3.8
Difficulty25%
Would Retake123
Reviews25%
Would Retake
123
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
34
4
21
3
22
2
29
1
17
What Students Say
“good luck to any future students”
105 - 2.0 rating“Tons of homework done online that's really hard to keep up with”
BIO105 - 4.0 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
74%
Textbook Required
67%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-1.23 avg changeRatings by Course
BIO
5.0
(1)BIO105CELLM
5.0
(1)BIO316
5.0
(2)BIO373
5.0
(1)BIOLOGY105B09
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
022
5.0
BIO105B09C
5.0
323
4.5
BIO372
4.5
105
4.3
Reviews (123)
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Hard but fair. Very willing to help. Great prof.
Awesome prof, and fun on FL trips!
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She is always willing to reexplain things until you completely understand it. She has a two hour study session 2 days befoe the exam where she answers any questions.
Very willing to help others do better
Her lectures are sometimes hard to follow. Exams are hard partly because half is essay. She really cares about the students and will help understand
I didnt go to class and still got a B. With quizes i and attendance i would have gotten an A! Show up to class and labs and she will tell you what you need to know. Tests arent to bad. Interesting choices when it comes to clothing!
Dr. Holton is an excellent lecturer. Her exams at this level are not easy at all, you are expected to know the material very well. If you enjoy bio, you would enjoy this class. Show up for lecture and read the text to get a decent grade.
I had her for lecture & it felt like I was in bio for majors which I wasn't a big fan of. I think shes the only 105 prof to have essays on the tests. She expects you to really study and know the material. She is very nice & will go out of her way to answer questions in person or email.
She was a very easy prof. Tests were difficult, but as long as you study and know your stuff, they were not bad. email her for questions Cheers B :)
Class was really easy. She explains things really clearly, and if you don't understand, there are a TON of opportunities for you to ask questions (study groups, office hours, reviews). Explains concepts really well.
This explains things very thoroughly and well, but she expects you to know a lot of details. Exams are generally short answer and essay questions. 105 was very easy if you go to lectuers, but there are lots of small details in 323 to know.
Probably the best professor I have had on this campus, this is my fourth year.
She was the best professor I have ever had and thats no lie. Her tests are somewhat difficult but all you have to do is memorize your notes.
Very good professor, her lectures are interesting, exams are rather difficult, but she grades them fairly.
She is an excellent professor IF you are going into biology, nursing, or some related field. However, if you are just taking it to get your lab credits, DON'T DO IT! She knows her stuff in her sleep. However, she will also expect you to have an excellent background on the material B4 u begin the class. If you don't- good luck!
Dr. Holton is amazing! I absolutely loved her class and teaching style! I learned a lot, and the matieral presented was explained thoroughly. The tests were basically the lecture notes, you don't really need a text book. She's an awesome teacher!!!!!
If you're a stupid freshman just filling credits, don't take her. If you want to learn your Bio and be prepared for anatomy or phsiology or any higher science I would highly reccomend her. She absolutely knows her stuff and is a pretty good teacher if you're willing to work at it.
This professor sucks. Do not take this professor. Her tests are very challenging and tricky. I went to every lecture and SI and I still did horrible. She teaches a lot of extra information that wont be on the tests, so you dont know what to study for. This class doen't seem like a gen. ed. course
She teaches to thte board...dumb lady!
TERRIBLE! She writes everything on the board and has her back to you at all times! The lectures are clear, but the exams are very difficult, and don't seem to match lectures or SI. Doesn't seem like an intro course. Would strongly suggest not taking her! Unless maybe you are going into biology or something!
Dr. Holton is an amazing teacher! She knows hr stuff
Teaches the board and very hard to read her writing most of the time. Can be very helpful at times. Tends to talk in circles and confuse the hell out of you, then ask for questions. Tests are fairly difficult, study and go to class.
She is a pretty good proff. but she knows to much...so when she teaches she expects you to know it...she lectures in circles and is usually all over the place...if you organize your notes though you wont have a problem...she leads on to what the essays on her exams are but usually one of the questions is something you've never heard of!!
Good teacher. Knows her stuff, and is willing to answer questions after lecture.
Holton is truly a wonderful teacher. She explains things clearly and has questions that you answer as a class with clickers. Make sure you go to her review sections, she almost always goes over the essays in there. Basically, the material is challenging, but she presents it well. Great person to have. Wears strange outfits though, lol.
Great professor, exams were graded fairly.
very smart
Super smart! Its a difficult class and the exams are hard but she is always willing to help. papers are difficult but she describes what she's looking for during class. i would totally recommend her!
Excellent professor. She really knows her stuff and will answer any question. Also, has a review session and study questions for each test. If you know the study questions, you will do fine on the tests. No cummulative final.
Dr. Holton is an excellent teacher. Even though she is a scientist, she really understands how to teach and how students learn! How rare in an accomplished scientist. Also, papers are hard, but they are very beneficial. She is a fair grader as well. Dr. H wants you to apply your knowledge ~ actually understand it.
Lots of fun. high interest and high energy. will answer any question. super smart but not arrogant.
Hard teacher
She is a nice teacher but she grades very hard! Yes she does have study sessions before exams but they don't help all that much. Also, she has study questions for the exam but they only apply to the essay portion, not the multiple choice part,[which is the majority of the exam] She writes alot of notes which is good, but is very unorganized w/ them
for an intro class this was IMPOSSIBLE! her lectures are confusing as she is completely disorganized. the exams are impossible, literally impossible. i never missed a lecture and took copious notes and STILL had no idea what was going on. avoid this.
Out of all the BIO105 professors, she is the one you want. She's pretty sloppy with her notes and wears socks with sandels, but the tests aren't impossible and her curving is AMAZING. I barely read the book and missed lecture a lot, and still ended up with a B.
BIO 105 is a difficult class in general. Her notes are somewhat difficult to follow since there are no powerpoints or anything but if you review your notes a LOT for exams you will do well. She is a very nice lady and is willing to help, you just need to put in the time.
This class wasn't one of the easiest, but if you read the book and look over the lector notes you should do fine. She is a very nice lady and will take the time to answer any questions. To get a good grade attend the SI's for her section. They really help!!!
great teacher, very nice and thoughtful. will always help and go through things more than once if you dont understand.
I had her for intro to celluar and molecular bio. She explains everything very well and even podcasts her lectures. But the material itself is kind of difficult when you have to memorize so much material. Go to class and spend a couple hours a week reviewing and you should be fine.
Holton can be intimidating but she is a very good teacher. She is helpful with exams and explains everything very well. My only suggestion is to look past her wardrobe...often wears socks and sandals.. and it can be obvious she wears no bra.
Had her for lab. Was not very clear or helpful in explaining things, and was a tough grader. She gave us a very detailed lab quiz the day we got back from spring break, on things we had learned a month before. Try to get another prof. for lab.
I had Dr. Holton for Bio 105 and 323. I would DEFINITELY recommend her if you like science or are thinking of going on and taking further science courses. If you are just trying to fulfill a requirement other professors are easier. Excellent professor. If you memorize your notes in both classes you'll be fine. Very nice.
Had her for Bio 105. She is not always very clear in explaining how things come together in lecture, but she is very helpful when asked. She is NOT focused on nit-picky details. She just wants to make sure you know the basic, overall theme which is nice.
Worst teacher EVER!!! For one exam we had 3 chapters, 180 slides and class notes, and you need to memorize it all if you even want a B! My friend asked if she could give some guidance on what to study and all she told them was, you need to know everything,how rediculous! and when she says everything she means every word she ever said or wrote!
I think she's awesome and very nice. The people complaining probably don't take advantage of the many times per lecture that she asks if anyone has questions.
Well she isn?t an easy professor. She reminds the class that she?s prepping you for the higher level classes. I recommend to read the book, attend SI?s, and look over her lecture notes (worded oddly/unorganized). She gives pop quizzes so do attend class. Overall okay prof. but doesn?t know how to explain so that students don't get confused. STUDY!
Read the book and attend SI sessions. That is the only way your going to learn anything in this class. Her notes are useless and unorganized. Tests are about how much you can apply what you have learned into other situations. I would recommend taking another teacher expecially if your not good at bio.
She is a very nice person but she makes her exams way to hard! I'm a B student and I'm going to have to retake her class. If you have an option between professors do not take her. I've seen the other professors exams and they seem difficult but not impossible like Dr. Holton's.
Holton isn't the clearest professor out there but I think she does a good job. Make sure you attend most lectures and take notes. She doesn't cover all the material on the exams, so especially for the lab exams you need to really apply yourself. You might have to teach yourself some things. If you attend SI that is very helpful.
Dr. Holton's notes can be all over the place, but she's a super sweet lady. Going to SI sessions helps clairify. Her exams are not hard at all. My lowest exam grade was a 96% and she even curves grades over 100 sometimes. Quizzes are extra credit, so attend class on fridays!
I didn't sign up for an honors course--but that's what I got with Dr. Holton. She knows her stuff, and you expects that you do too. Writing essay style exams make the class very difficult, but this is the best way to learn these processes.
She does all her notes on the chalk board, which is annoying but will clairfy if you cant read. Will answer any questions you have, and is very helpful. Pretty easy class if you go and take notes. Her exams are not straight out of the book, but are not extremely difficult if you studied and paid attention! Her final exam was EASY! Good prof overall
Seriously, this class is NOT hard. I don't konw why Dr. Holton gets a bad rep sometimes. I went to every class session and went to the SI sessions and I got over 100% in the class cause the tests are curved. The only way you could do bad is if you don't go to class. She bases tests of lecture and are straight forward. Pretty easy overall.
Horrible professor. Her exams are impossible and include at least 4 chapters and over 150 powerpoint slides plus the lecture notes. Literally have to know everything word for word for exams. Would never recommend to anyone.
Don't listen to the whiners, I had Holton for 105 and took her again for 323. If you just want en easy A+ handed to you, go elsewhere. If you want to actually LEARN the material, she's an awesome teacher. Lowest test was 88; it's not hard if you actually show up to class. All essay tests, no multi-choice, so you have to know the material.
I would not recommend her to anyone.
I like her so much it is not only she was professor in UCB. If you go to her class, you will learn a lot. Her exams are based on what she covered in lecture,even the essay question she mentioned no less than 3 times during class and quiz. She just wants you get the idea of those concept and she is helpful whenever I talk to her. Good professor.
worst teacher if your a freshman dont take her!!! you have to really focus to pass and as a freshman it may be hard to focus to someone who is boring. you have to go to every class cus she doesnt teach stuff that is in the book so if you are the type to miss some class periods and just want to read the book you will fail. I ddid not like her at all
She is really good when it comes to answering questions and she gives out extra credit quizzes. She podcasts her lectures and has power points everyday. However, she talks in circles and her notes are really unorganized. She teaches off the book, so you HAVE to read if you take her class. I did not like her and i would NOT recommend her!
I learned more from the book than from her. Her tests are hard, you really need to know the material since she is all about critical thinking. I studied the most for this class out of all my classes and it showed the least. I would not recommend taking her.
Shes a really tough teacher and isn't very well at communicating ideas in different ways. Go to SI classes if you have her or you will not pass. All her tests are very hard and you need to study everyday! I wouldn't recommend her as a professor.
She is really nice, tests are tough just go to the SI and you will be fine. If you have questions GO TO HER OFFICE.
Definitely need to study for the class. Holton is very scattered and not clear. The tests are confusing.
Do not write anything that is incorrect on her exams, only write what you know and you'll be fine!
I am rating this for Bio 323, but since I have had her for Bio 374 and Bio 372. She is a hard professor, but if you study your notes and ask questions you will do fine. She is very helpful and fun if you get to know her. If you don't care about the class and don't show up, you will fail.
She writes all of her notes on the board and sometimes her hand writting is very hard to read. Her notes are all over the place. Studying for the exams were hard because of this. I will say that she knows a lot about Biology and is very passionate about it. I would not recommend her though.
Be sure to use the powerpoints given to you, and bring to class because what she writes on the board is mostly in the powerpoints so you can spend time listening rather than writing. her exams are nearly impossible. only 10 question exams, all essay format. Final is cumulative. And really no way to know what will be on the exams. VERY TOUGH PROF!!
DO NOT TAKE HOLTON FOR BIO 105. especially freshman. Her exams are ridiculously confusing and impossible. I went to every SI and studied the most out of all my classes and it was still by far the most difficult. Save yourself and DO NOT take her for lecture.
She is so confusing and is so unclear and her tests are hard. Her handwriting looks like a toddler's and she doesn't know how to teach freshman well. don't take her class if you're a freshman.
Honestly, Holton isn't that bad. She writes exactly the things you need pretty much on the board and will tell you what information you actually need to know for the exams. The exams aren't terrible. Its multiple choice, which are usually pretty straightforward and 2 really really short answer questions. I barely try and got B's on all my exams
If you go to the lectures and actually pay attention to what she's saying and take down notes you will be fine. All of her exam questions are covered in class and she always goes over the essay examples in lecture, but never says it specifically. I recommend going to the SI sessions because they are extremely helpful.
Holton is a very approachable professor, so it's easy to ask for help. The material you learn is pretty tough, A LOT of studying is required. All the exams are essay (kind of a given since it's a 300 level biology course). She focuses a lot on concepts rather than just memorizing. Either you know it or you don't. Use textbook for clarification.
Her exams are essay and there is a cumulative final but she grades EXTREMELY easy, ex: I got a question COMPLETELY wrong but she still gave me 3 of 5 pts. You'll have to study and go to class but you'll learn more from her than any other professor on campus! Highly recommend! Also, she curves almost every exam ;)
Her class can be very hard if you don't put the time and effort into it. I had to get a tutor and go to SI's to understand the information she taught. The wording on her test questions iscomplex. She likes to use distractors in her questions. She is very smart and doesn't always know how to dumb things down enough.
If you are a freshman DO NOT take her as a professor. She expects a lot out of her students. I took her as a first semester freshman and I was surprised that I passed. She gives attendance quizzes on Fridays (usually) and doesn't teach based on book info. She is more conceptual and the essay questions on the exams are especially hard.
You need to use all resources available to pass this course. All exams are in essay format focusing on concepts. Dr Holton is very smart, open to criticism, and seems to care about her students, but just doesn't know how to teach at a level where her students would understand.
Tons of homework done online that's really hard to keep up with. She's extremely smart, but I don't think she takes enough time to explain a particular concept long enough for the amount of depth in each topic.
Holton has been one of the hardest teachers I have ever had in any other school or classes. She is really hard to understand especially in a big lecture hall and is very unclear. good luck to any future students.
Her classes are generally very challenging courses. However, if you give a genuine effort and really work for a good grade she is there to help you. Go into her office hours, it will help tremendously and she loves it! She is very knowledgeable in her field and is a great professor.
She is smart, but is horrible in lab. I didn't take away anything from lab, didn't learn a thing. Makes labs seem almost pointless. Also assigns weekly quizzes. The quizzes count for half your grade and theres really no good way to prepare for them. Plus, you can't even see which ones you get wrong. Wouldn't take her.
She is extremely unclear and leaves you no clue what to do in lab, and when you ask her questions all she does is talk in circles and confuse you even more. She will rip apart your lab reports to the extent of taking off .25 of a point. Her quizzes are practically impossible and only out of 7 points so one wrong is enough to hurt your grade.
Based off book and online lectures, no need to go to lecture; she just made it more confusing.
She doesn't understand that first year students are completely lost the first couple of weeks, doesn't help students at all. Hardest grader I have had all semester. She also doesn't answer questions directly, you practically have to beg for help. ATTEND ALL LABS or you will fail both the lab and the bio lecture.
Save yourself and DO not take Holton for bio lab. Her quizzes are ridiculously hard, 95% of our class failed them, even when taking them with other students in her class. People from other bio labs passed this class with flying colors, and everyone in her class fails. She rarely explains the labs throughly enough and you have to beg for help.
I had her for bio lab and would not recommend her. She makes you take quizzes every week and they are extremely tough. Most of them have material you never even covered. Its like shes too smart so she doesn't teach her lessons clearly, she just expects that you already know everything.
Professor Holton should not teach students at an undergraduate level. She has recently "flipped" her classes and make you learn the material before you go to class. In class, she just gives you complicated examples that rarely anyone can put together. If you have the option, do NOT take her unless you want to put your GPA in jeopardy.
Holton has a hard time breaking things down and assumes you already know a lot of the stuff she's lecturing on. She is nice and will help if you ask specific questions.
Professor Holton by far was one of the worst teachers I have ever had. Very difficult class, and doesn't help students' at all. When you ask her a question, her answer will just confuse you more. Would not recommend at all.
Very disrespectful. She was very rude when I would ask questions via email, like it was an inconvenience. Acts like you should already know everything. "Flipped" classes are horrible, she doesn't even teach. Would never take her again. I know other people in the other Bio 105 classes and theirs are way easier!
DO NOT TAKE HER BIO 105 CLASS AS A FRESHMEN. YOU WILL NOT PASS. It is near impossible to get a good grade in this class. She doesn't teach you at all. You literally have to teach yourself, and it's not easy. If you need to do well in biology, DO NOT TAKE HER CLASS. Good luck, man.
Holton is clearly knowledgeable in biology, but she doesn't know how to teach it clearly. She expects you just to know what you are talking about, before you even get in the class. When it says her office hours, she will be there but will not be helpful at all. All her tests are made by her and highly complicated. I would not take her for any class
Holton is a horrible teacher. She isn't helpful at all and is horrible at teaching the material in a way that students can understand. I learned WAY more from the SI than I did for her. She should NOT be a teacher. She also does a "flipped" class which makes it even harder. Basically you teach yourself the material & "review" in class
She is really smart and knows what she talks about, but she doesn't know how to dumb it down for a 100 level class. TI was difficult to follow along. Her exams are really tough. Expect to study for hours and hours! Go to SI and you might do okay.
Dr. Holton is a good professor but not for a gen. ed class. If you ask for help she will give you a look and make you feel dumb for the rest of class. Avoid Holton is you wish you keep you GPA in good standings.
This is probably the worse class that I have ever taken. She used the flip class system and it was very hard. She basically let you teach yourself everything and when asked questions, wasn't very clear when explaining. She is very educated in her field, but she did not teach it well at all.
Professor Holton is really knowledgeable, and knows her field well. I think she has problems trying to dumb down the material to the level of her some of students. She did a lot of in class critical thinking questions in lectures that were hard. I enjoyed the flipped class, and found her podcasts helpful. Be prepared, essay questions on every exam.
Pros: Kind, helpful with questions, respects you if you work hard and show interest. Cons: not always clear on what you should be doing in lab. She is very knowledgable and sometimes expects her students to understand things she hasn't explained fully. Overall, good experience and atmosphere in lab.
She switched up her class in the Fall semester and recorded podcasts that you had to watch prior to class. She lectured for 20 minutes on the material at most in class. Participation was very important. Her teaching style was not effective for me to be successful in the class.
Dr. Holton's exams are very hard and she doesn't offer any other chance for credit besides exams and a few essays and each exam is made up of a few essay questions. Don't take her class if you value your GPA
This course was super hard!! She does not talk to the level of incoming freshman.
She is an awful lecture teacher she sucks don't take her class
Holton is a very confusing teacher. She is very smart, but doesn't know how to get the information down to freshman level. Her flipped class method does not work very well, and test averages are very low.
She is a very nice lady but teaching isn't her calling. She teaches as if you're at a doctoral level as she is, hard to follow and understand. Must attend every class and SI session to even come close to passing. Half the class of mainly nursing students failed her first exam this semester. Would not recommend.
Worst/hardness professor I ever had. I am to say pretty good at science, except in her class. I do not understand one thing that is going on. I attend every class listen to her, podcast. I learn nothing. Just cause of her I will have to retake bio again.
Professor Holton is extremely knowledgable on the subject, but fails in the teaching category. She started flipped classes this year , which means she doesn't really teach in class. Her tests are more difficult than any other Biology professor and the only reason that I passed this class is because of the student instructor, avoid if possible.
I am not a fan of Biology, but I did really well in Holton's course because I watched every podcast prior to class and would rewrite the picture explanations that were written in the book. You really don't need the book and DON'T BUY THE CONNECT! It was a waste of money and won't help with what she emphasizes in the course. SI is helpful
Dr. Holton is a very nice woman and she is very knowledgeable in her area of study; however, her class is extremely hard to pass. I ended up dropping on the last drop date. She flipped the class so you watch podcasts and read BEFORE class and then during class it's more of a, "so, any questions?" She explains briefly and does a group activity.
The podcasts are hard to listen to but force yourself to stay on top of them and actively take notes. It's okay if you don't 100% understand it yet. Add to your notes during class and ask questions. If you really want the A, get a tutor ASAP (they go quickly). I found office hours beneficial. Exams are hard, but she gives partial credit generously.
For the love of God, please don't take her classes. She is extremely rude to students for simply not understanding. When she grades rough drafts, she only gives half of her feedback to you so that your final grade is still only sub-par. I don't know if she's lazy or just doesn't have the time, but she really doesn't seem to care about her students.
This class is made up of 2 papers and 4 exams. All of the exams are short answer. Participate ALOT. if you don't have time to put into this class, don't take it because you have to kind of teach yourself material. Dr. Holton does not answer your questions directly. Even if science comes easier for you, like me, this class is going to be difficult.
If she is the worst teacher ever you weren't willing to put in the work required in this class to succeed. It's tough, but if you watch the podcasts and re read her powerpoint slides the amount of material you learn is rewarding. She doesn't "teach" in class because she uses it to explain difficult material in the podcasts and for useful exercises.
I have Holton for my Bio 105 lab and she expects you to know what she is telling you to do without explaining it fully. She is a nice person, somewhat, so she will definitely answer them but she gets annoyed after asking too many.
Her tests are extremely hard and the questions really make you think. You don't get actual homework for the class but make sure you keep up with online podcasts so you don't fall behind with notes.
Her class is a flipped course, so she expects you to come to class with the knowledge of the chapter. You really have to teach yourself the material. Her exams are short answer and she grades on "what she thinks shows you know the material." She accepts drawings, which helps a little.
She expects you to know absolutely everything in great detail and will grade you on how well you demonstrate that knowledge on exams which are almost all "short" answer/essay. She assigns 2 papers which she wants done a specific way but won't really tell you how to write them. Very tough grader. She also makes you work in groups for daily points
She knows the material very well and is extremely educated in the topic at hand. However, she expects you to understand everything to the same depth as her, which is very frustrating especially if biology is not your major. I had to study hours on end every week to receive the grade I did. I also wouldn't have passed without SI, GO TO SI!!
For an intro level class, Holton teaches way too in depth and expects students to know too much. It is not an easy A but its possible to do well if you go to lecture, watch the podcasts and DEFINITELY go to SI. SI simplifies all the concepts she explains and really focuses on the stuff that you need to know for exams. Don't need to buy the book.
Very difficult class. Requires a lot of dedication and commitment. Dr. Holton was helpful at explaining complex concepts. Quizzes were tough, papers and presentations were graded fairly.
The class itself is tough however I enjoyed Holtons Method of explaining things and her use of drawings to illustrate processes.
She knows alot and would be a great professor for grad level students but for an intro class it was extremely detail oriented. She wants you to learn but expects you do be at her level of knowledge in a ridiculous amount of time.
Class Info
Attendance Mandatory
74%
Textbook Required
67%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-1.23 avg changeRatings by Course
BIO
5.0
(1)BIO105CELLM
5.0
(1)BIO316
5.0
(2)BIO373
5.0
(1)BIOLOGY105B09
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
022
5.0
BIO105B09C
5.0
323
4.5
BIO372
4.5
105
4.3