1.9

Charlene Forest

Biology - Brooklyn College

1.9
Quality
4.3
Difficulty
50%
Would Retake
104
Reviews
1.9
Quality
4.3
Difficulty
1.7
Helpful
2.0
Clarity

50%

Would Retake

104

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

8

4

6

3

13

2

26

1

51

What Students Say

class of 30, midterm avergae 46%

BIOL17 - 1.0 rating

You practically never see Professor Forest

BIOL1010 - 2.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

0%

Textbook Required

100%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

65% confidence
Based on 5 grades
Most common grades:
A+ (2)
A (1)
D- (1)
Grade Distribution
A(3)B(0)C(0)D(1)F(0)A-/B+(1)
Based on 5 reported grades
A+: 2
A: 1
D-: 1
B+: 1
Common Tags
Tough Grader (1)
LOTS OF HOMEWORK (1)
Get ready to read (1)
EXTRA CREDIT (1)
Rating Trend

Improving

+0.56 avg change
Apr
May
Nov
Jan
Jan
May
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

7027

5.0

(1)

CELLBIO

5.0

(1)

BIOCORE

4.0

(1)

BIOABC

4.0

(1)

CORE81BIO

3.7

(3)
+15 more courses
Difficulty by Course

CORE8

5.0

BIO

5.0

CORE71

5.0

CORE

5.0

CELLBIO

5.0

Reviews (104)
1.0
5.0
CORE81
Jan 6, 2002

Her whole class average for the semester was an F

1.0
5.0
COREBIO
Nov 13, 2002

the hardest professor,her exams are hardest

5.0
2.0
BIO17
Nov 14, 2002

Her exams are much better than others and she teaches good

1.0
5.0
CORE8
Nov 22, 2002

Teacher doesn't help,she has a very bad attitude

1.0
5.0
CORE8
Nov 24, 2002

She is very unhelpful. Her review doesn't help either! Lots of people fail !

1.0
5.0
CORE8
Dec 4, 2002

She is no help!!! She has a bad attitude!!!

1.0
5.0
CORE8
Dec 5, 2002

she'saorribleteacher. she goes on and on

1.0
5.0
CORE8
Dec 5, 2002

Most do horrible...Her test are hard and she assumes that everyone is a biomajor

1.0
5.0
CORE81
Dec 8, 2002

She is mean mean mean

1.0
5.0
CORE8
Dec 9, 2002

She is hard and everyone fails

1.0
5.0
CORE8
Dec 15, 2002

She has a very bad attitude and jumps from topic to topic very quickly

1.0
5.0
CORE8
Feb 5, 2003

She is very very hard and mean

1.0
5.0
BIOLOGY
Mar 24, 2003

The worse teacher in the world

1.0
5.0
CORE8
May 21, 2003

Attitute problem. Can't hear what she says. Exams have no relation to anything she covers in class or anything she assigns. She thinks everyone in the room is a Bio major. Stay in college an extra semester if that's what it takes to avoid her class!!!

4.0
4.0
COREBIO
Jun 3, 2003

No Comments

1.0
5.0
CORE8
Jun 28, 2003

No Comments

2.0
5.0
CORE8
Jul 10, 2003

Avoid taking her!

1.0
5.0
CORE81
Aug 30, 2003

She is not a very nice person and teaches the course as though her students are pre-med. Her tests are very difficult and she gets annoyed by questions. This is the only core I didn't get an A in. Avoid this class unless you want your GPA to drop.

2.0
4.0
BIO17
Nov 23, 2003

not a good teacher..reads out of the text book doesnt discuss the topic, just keeps talking, doesnt care if you understand or not

1.0
5.0
BIO17
Dec 3, 2003

She's very mean and unpleasant person. She made me drop the course and I'm not shure I'll be able to take it ever again. Enjoys making jerks of her students. ((((

2.0
4.0
BIOLOGY
Dec 4, 2003

No Comments

2.0
5.0
CORE81
Dec 9, 2003

This professor is mean and does not answer any questions, does not give a review, starts class earlier than scheduled and does not give any office hours.

4.0
3.0
BIOCORE
Dec 10, 2003

she is a gr8 teacher. those who really wanna learn something should take the bio core with her. the bio core class is hard but she can really explain the stuff. i dunno y most students do bad in her class :S

1.0
5.0
COREBIO
Dec 29, 2003

No Comments

1.0
4.0
BIO17
Mar 11, 2004

Trhere is no point in attending her class. She talks a mile a minute,doesn't answer questions,and her tests have nothing to do with her lectures.If you want to learn anything don't take her because she doesn't teach you teach yourself.A GPA dropper!

1.0
5.0
BIO17
Mar 30, 2004

A horrible person. VERY hard tests,that are confusing & have nothing to do w/anything. extremely unhelpful and an impossible person to deal with. The queen of ****es!

1.0
5.0
COREBIO
Apr 8, 2004

Friends DON'T let friends take Forest! >:-(

1.0
5.0
COREBIO
Apr 9, 2004

"Help Save Forest Fires!" Don't bother with this one though! Your presence will only ignite her fiery insanity! Avoid eye-contact! In case of accidental contact, flush with water and call a physician immediately! KEEP HER OUT OF THE REACH OF CHI

1.0
5.0
COREBIO
Apr 15, 2004

Everyone out there, BEWARE of FOREST! If I can stop one person from taking Forest then my mission is done!

1.0
5.0
BIO
May 3, 2004

It really is pointless in going to her lectures and her exams are absolutely horrible! You're better off not taking her class or teach yourself by reading the text :(

3.0
5.0
BIO17
May 12, 2004

Shes hard as hell, so are all the bio 17 profs. She was helpful in private, hence the "4". Know what type of q's she's looking for on the exams and you'll do ok.

1.0
5.0
BIO17
May 14, 2004

never take her, trust me on it.

1.0
5.0
CORE71
Jun 9, 2004

this professor makes it her duty to make students misserable. She is not at all helpfull. She is quick to anger and does not like to keep conference with students. At the last final exam, she said a bad word to a student who forgot to put his name .

1.0
5.0
BIO17
Jul 12, 2004

Avoid her at all costs you'll just end up taking the class with someone else a different semester. Yes, all bios are hard but she just makes it harder.

2.0
5.0
BIO17
Jul 17, 2004

She is a very hard professor, if you want a class where you want to write and write since she starts her lecture till the end of class go head and take it.I came out of that class without learning anytinng. Only when she was out and we got diferent prof.

1.0
5.0
BIO17
Jul 27, 2004

She gotta be the worst prof. in the college... Her tests are insane. She thinks its fun to make us suffer like that... Take the class in another planet if you have to...

2.0
5.0
BIO17
Aug 10, 2004

I would recommend avoiding Forest. I am amazed that a teacher wish such apathy towards students is allowed to teach freshman biology! She is devoid of sensitivity and emotion. I survived the experience and in med school now and finally learning cell bio!!

2.0
5.0
CORE81
Sep 24, 2004

She is making class really hard

1.0
5.0
COREBIO
Dec 1, 2004

Worst prof ever

1.0
5.0
COREBIO
Dec 4, 2004

Her lecture was absolutely impossible to follow. And She knew it, and she did not care.

1.0
5.0
CORE81
Dec 5, 2004

sucks

2.0
5.0
BIO17
Grade: A
Dec 10, 2004

She is crazy hard. Yeah all her notes are online but there is no review before an exam. She doesn't help you out at all. As if Bio 17 wasn't hard enough.

2.0
4.0
BIO17
Dec 22, 2004

I did very well in her class but, I am good at bio and had taken other bios first. The exams are extremely difficult. You must invest the time to read the book and study a lot. If it's your first time dealing with a lot of this type of material you will need to work really hard.

2.0
5.0
BIO17
Dec 29, 2004

She is just an evil person. Thats all. There are 3 professors teaching this course and either of the other 2 are infinitely better at it then her. I personaly worked VERY hard for this class but her tests are abnormal and I couldnt do better thatn a B. ...and thats just unfair.

1.0
5.0
CORE81
Jan 27, 2005

I never thought I could have a professor as bad as her. The class average on the midterm was a 45 (there's no curve) and she really didn't seem to care. When we asked her questions she got annoyed that we interrupted her lecture. She truly is just there to get her paycheck -- not to help you.

1.0
5.0
BIO17
Feb 15, 2005

hardest and worst biology professor you will encounter. DO NOT take it with forest at ALL costs. She is the worst out of eshel, forest, and mccentee. DEFINITELY take it with mccentee; MUCH easier and understandable.

4.0
2.0
BIO17
Mar 5, 2005

Forest is the best professor, don't listen to these people. I didn't work that hard and still got an A. Very helpful.

5.0
1.0
BIO17
Mar 5, 2005

This is by far the best teacher in biology. I came, not too interested for this particular course and loved it. She's easy and fun. Take her.

2.0
5.0
CORE
Mar 26, 2005

She just talks and talks and expects you to follow. She doesn't review and she doesn't like when you ask a question while lecturing. Too much material. Tets are very hard. It makes it difficult for those who are not in the science area. Don't take her.

1.0
5.0
BIOLOGY
Apr 2, 2005

Very unclear, seems like she is not excited about what she is doing

1.0
5.0
BIO17
May 12, 2005

horrible! tests r so hard, even though u study hard for that. lectures so fast. avoid

1.0
5.0
BIO17
May 13, 2005

she is a devil that will kill ur dreams avoid her and wait till a different professor teachs the class other then eshel

2.0
5.0
CORE81
May 25, 2005

Her exams are very difficult. She is not helpful. Her lectures are boring and you can't ask questions. She will tell you to read the book. If you want to pass, do not take her.

2.0
4.0
BIO17
Aug 15, 2005

she's tough, bio 17 is known to be a hard course,if you take it with her be prepared to do alot of work, she talks extremely fast and is unclear in lecture, her tests are hard since she asks questions on stuff that she doesnt emphasize in class, if u get a chance take it with mccentee

2.0
4.0
BIO17
Sep 5, 2005

avoid her like the plague! to do well u have to read the chapters about five times...lectures all over the place and kept adding chapter to the tests after each lecture...take eschel instead. from what i heard u just gotta study his lecture notes.

3.0
5.0
BIO
Oct 6, 2005

this is a terrible class. She is unclear and assumes her students already know what she is talking about

2.0
5.0
CORE
Oct 26, 2005

this is the worst professor ive had so far. she does not give u any idea what u need to focus on or study, she just throws all of this info at u and expects you to just understand

4.0
3.0
COREBIO
Nov 25, 2005

she is a good proffesor although you need to study on your own, especially before the class. if you don't do your homework you will fail.

3.0
3.0
BIP17
Dec 8, 2005

At least she is better than Gavin. Avoid Bio 17 with Gavin at all costs. Oh yea, Forest, she will give a "mini" curve at the end but she doesn't let anyone know about it. I did fairly good on the first test, failed the second and a C on the final. I walked out with an A, so don't be scared, take her for experience and study hard, u should get an A.

1.0
5.0
COREBIO
Dec 9, 2005

No Comments

2.0
4.0
COREBIO
Dec 21, 2005

She is a complete ****. She is unhelpful and does not enjoy teaching. She is impatient, and will not help you outside of class. She is flat out rude. AVOID HER AT ALL COSTS

3.0
4.0
CORE81
Jan 8, 2006

I am suprised I got the grade I did in the class. I did horrible on the midterm. She is not at all helpful. Ask a question, she will answer you like you are stupid. AVOID HER. The trick to doing well is to study everything, even what she puts online.

2.0
4.0
COREBIO
Jan 11, 2006

pretty annoying. if you're late to class she makes you take the back door even if you're halfway to a seat from the front door. only prof i know that makes HARD multiple choice exams. gets distracted easily & yells at the whole class for silence. grades w/a curve that doesnt make up for her horrible teaching. Take only as a last resort.

1.0
3.0
COREBIO
Jan 30, 2006

i managed to get by with a B... but it was not because of professor forest!!! to pass this class, you have to do really well in lab, and just read the textbook... forest is no help at all.

2.0
3.0
BIO17
Jan 31, 2006

She's wack!!

1.0
5.0
CORE8
Feb 15, 2006

how do i say this shes a ****!!! do not take this class maybe shell get fired this way poor kids if she has any

1.0
5.0
BIO17
Mar 4, 2006

This class is a nightmare. There is no homework to prepare you for exams. The 1st. exam was ridiculous. The highest grade was a 39. Something is wrong with her teaching style. No one seems to have the courage to contest her abilities as an effective teacher. Such a shame. She may know her subject but it is my opinion that she is a poor instructor.

2.0
4.0
CORE81
Apr 10, 2006

Too much notes to be taken and then for midterm there are only 30 questions on like five chapters of work and theres no review or no specific chapters or topic to focus on. After the first exam those who got below 40 were advised to drop the class. Now 3/4 of that class doesnt exist anymore and i dont think its the students fault.

5.0
5.0
CELLBIO
Apr 18, 2006

If you work hard and study she'll respect you and will help you out if you need it. Her class is not easy, but you learn a lot. You have to study every day, not leave it till the last minute, because that's the only way you can keep up.

2.0
5.0
MOLECULARCELL
May 18, 2006

WORST PROFESSOR EVER!!! BEWARE!!! seems to hate what she does. topic is hard enough she makes u learn things outside of the textbook. acts nice but is really really careless and mean. gives out online notes but are not helpful to her difficult exams. NO CURVE!!!

5.0
3.0
CORE81BIO
May 25, 2006

Though she expects a lot of reading to be done in preparation for her class, it is really for your benefit. It helps to clarify the material and ends up helping when it comes to the exams. Her tests aren't hard, but to do well you need to study. If you pay attention in this class, take good notes, and study, you will do well+she grades on a curve!

5.0
2.0
CORE81BIO
May 25, 2006

See Charlene Forest for her ratings.

1.0
4.0
BIO17
May 26, 2006

shes horrible...shes unclear and is not helpful when you dont understand s/t or ask a question. She seems to genuinely detest teaching. The tests are very hard and her lectures are unclear. Stay away if u can but unfortunately ive heard the other prof who teach this class arent much better

1.0
4.0
CORE81BIO
May 30, 2006

I will strongly advise you not take take Professor Forest class, her teaching does not match the exams and she don't give a curve. Definately brings down GPA's.

3.0
3.0
BIOL17
Jun 8, 2006

I got an A in the class and all that i did is that 3 days before the exam, 5 before the final, i studied all the chapters that were required in the book for that exam. I totally ignored her notes because by themselves they are of no use. To say the truth, you can skip all her classes and still manage a good grade by just reading the book.

2.0
3.0
BIOLOGY
Jun 8, 2006

She dosen't do much for her students besides lecture boringly for the entire time. Midterm and final are really hard. I do not reccomend her.

1.0
5.0
BIO17
Nov 19, 2006

Very hard class. Very hard tests. If you want to fail this course: go ahead and take prof. Forest. She'll make sure you fail. She won't narrow down the material you should learn. It's like you had to memorize all chapters needed for the test. If you're not good at bio., nothing will help you.

5.0
4.0
BIO17
Dec 22, 2006

This is a VERY difficult class, but that does not mean that SHE is difficult. Her lectures are extremely clear, and she obviously knows her subject well. It's embarrassing that many people seem to want their grades handed to them. I studied, visited a tutor, and attended every class, and got a C+, and I'm honestly fine with that. Good luck.

4.0
3.0
BIOABC
Dec 31, 2006

Lectures do conatin info that will be on the test but 95% of the test is from the chapters in the book - shes not as hard as everyone says she is - just read the chapter before you come to class and constantly review and i guarantee youll get an A - and the middle test is the hardest!!!

3.0
5.0
BIO17
Jan 5, 2007

she's just such a horrible teacher. she goes on and on about lipids which really don't make that much of a differents when you're in the field of cell biology. she tells you the tests are on the lectures when its completely on the readings. I'm in CUNY honors and i dropped out of this class after the first test. take gavin instead he's easier.

2.0
5.0
BIO17
Apr 15, 2007

You're pre-med, right? So you probably think you're smart. Forest'll prove you wrong. Her 3 test are each on 6 looong chapters of material each, and 75% of the class fails. THERE IS NO CURVE!!! She does not explain the material clearly and the textbook is a horror. Do yourself a favor, genius, and DO NOT TAKE HER!! Yes,you will ruin your GPA.

1.0
4.0
BIO1
Nov 16, 2007

Honestly, this pro. is a joke. Out of 27 students, only 5 had passed the midterm. That already tells you something about her. Her lectures do not help at all, she just repeats herself and goes on about things that weren't even on the midterm. I can't wait till the final!

4.0
4.0
BIO17
Dec 10, 2007

Bah! I don't know what anyone is complaining about. I did minimal studying for the exams, attended most of the lectures and listened intently and I got a A- in her class. Do as much or more than I did and you're sure to get an A.

2.0
5.0
CC1
Jan 8, 2008

she's very boring and her tests are extremely hard! you have to work extremely hard just to get a B in her class...(IF YOU'RE LUCKY)the majority of her students fail the midterm and final...trust me if you get her, TRANSFER ASAP!!!!!!!! oh and make sure to do the labs..they help you ALOT..nothing else will

3.0
5.0
BIO17
May 24, 2008

her tests are very hard and she doesnt curve, but if u pay attention in class and do the readings in the textbook u could get an A

5.0
1.0
BIO17
May 27, 2008

i don't understand y people say she is bad.I think she is better than gavin. her exams are not hard at all if you read textbook and follow her class notes..her questions come straight from the tb, not tricky at all. I got an A+ by jus studying 1 week before each exam

3.0
4.0
BIO17
Feb 5, 2009

UNFAIR. Gives quizzes EVERY class which take longer than the class time to finish. 1/2 the students would end up leaving 15-20 mins after class was over. I was frequently late for work bc I had no choice, every quiz counts toward your final grade. Gives no direction, every test you have to study 200 pgs bc she wont tell you what to focus on.

1.0
5.0
BIO17
Apr 28, 2009

she is worse professor in history.....please i beg you do not take her or your career will be in jeopady

3.0
4.0
BIO17
May 6, 2009

STAY AWAY FROM HER...WILL BE THE WORST BIO CLASS YOU EVER TAKE. QUIZES EVERY CLASS THAT MAKE YOU STAY LATE AFTER CLASS. REALLY HARD TESTS. DO YOUR SELF A FAVOR AND STAY AWAY.

3.0
4.0
BIO17
May 25, 2009

ok so its a hard class and you have two options gavin-ridiculously hard tests,but gives a curve, or forest.her tests are hard yes,but they're not impossible if u put the time in.Also, quizzes help you grade and are open book (though they are a pain to do)If you keep upwith the reading and her notes and book quizzes you'll prob be .Don't slack off

3.0
3.0
BIO17
May 31, 2009

She is not as hard as people make her seem. Yes there are quizzes after every class but if you pay attention to the questions she asks on the quizzes then you get an idea of what is going to be on the exam. Her test are not super easy but come on it's college! All you have to do is keep up with the readings !!! Once you do you'll be fine.

2.0
5.0
BIOL17
Nov 10, 2009

I am usually a A student in biology. I think I messed my average by taking her. Made my love of biology non-existent. I want it back. Complete waste of my time. I should of dropped in the beginning but I was thinking that I was going to do good. She doesn't sound like she knows what she is teaching. Hard to follow. Please save yourself. Don't take.

2.0
5.0
BIO17
Nov 18, 2009

The only C i ever got in any biology was with her. I should have taken Gavin. Gavin's tests aren't much harder than her's and his lectures actually help you rather than confuse you. She can't even provide decent answers to students' questions. I spent at least 8 hours a week studying for this class and still only got a C+.

1.0
5.0
BIOL17
May 29, 2010

this teacher lets the smart kids know that they dont know bio and the dum kids kno that they have no chance of knowing bio. class of 30, midterm avergae 46%. this was only 5 chapters. no curve what so ever. her way of helping you boost your grade is 24 ch final. IMPOSSIBLE! SHE WILL RUIN YOUR GPA

1.0
4.0
BIOL1010
Grade: A+
Nov 12, 2013

You need to be prepared to teach yourself. She offers lectures for the online class once in a while, but these lectures are boring and unclear.

3.0
2.0
BIO1010
Dec 29, 2014

There are a lot of quizzes but they're online so you could easily get a 100 on all, a lot of easy extra credit and the final is cumulative which is good.

1.0
4.0
BIO1010
Jan 15, 2015

Bio 1010 was something of a nightmare, but once you realize that the quizzes, midterm and final are basically the "prep-U" tests, the course becomes manageable, though if you're not inclined to learning science you might find yourself a little lost with the labs which aren't too hard but sometimes get rather tedious,and Forest offers no help.

1.0
5.0
BIO1010
Apr 8, 2015

Bad professor. Reviews don't help and she and her assistants don't help either

1.0
5.0
BIO1010
Grade: D-
Apr 28, 2015

You and her have no contact. She only assigns text book readings, and a lab or quiz every week. You have to literally read an entire textbook.

5.0
1.0
7027
May 22, 2015

She's passionate instructor!

1.0
4.0
BIOL1010
Nov 19, 2015

BIOL 1010 is an online course. We only have to meet for midterm and final. The lab instructors (her TA) DO NOT HELP. Do not take it if you want to learn and major in biology.

2.0
2.0
BIOL1010
Grade: B+
Jan 29, 2016

Apparently when I decided to go for this class I didn't realize it was mostly an online class. You practically never see Professor Forest. The quizzes are easy. The extra credit is easy as well. The labs are somewhat rough and time-consuming. So plan ahead. You only have to show up on the first day, for the midterm, and for the final.

1.0
4.0
BIO1010
Jan 25, 2017
Wouldn't take again

If you can do anything in your power to avoid this woman, I am warning you, PLEASE DO! This woman is awful. She does not care about her students and does not care about this class. If you have any sort of issue and need to contact her, she will not help you at all. Take this class with any other professor or take it at another school.

Tough Grader
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
3.0
4.0
BIO1010
Grade: A+
May 26, 2017
Would take again

This review is on the class itself because like other people have commented, you have no contact with the professor. It is a teach yourself class with rigorous work. It is challenging but not impossible. Just study the textbook, really know the material and you will do well. The exam questions are straight out of the textbook. I got an A+.

Get ready to read
EXTRA CREDIT
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

0%

Textbook Required

100%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

65% confidence
Based on 5 grades
Most common grades:
A+ (2)
A (1)
D- (1)
Grade Distribution
A(3)B(0)C(0)D(1)F(0)A-/B+(1)
Based on 5 reported grades
A+: 2
A: 1
D-: 1
B+: 1
Common Tags
Tough Grader (1)
LOTS OF HOMEWORK (1)
Get ready to read (1)
EXTRA CREDIT (1)
Rating Trend

Improving

+0.56 avg change
Apr
May
Nov
Jan
Jan
May
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

7027

5.0

(1)

CELLBIO

5.0

(1)

BIOCORE

4.0

(1)

BIOABC

4.0

(1)

CORE81BIO

3.7

(3)
+15 more courses
Difficulty by Course

CORE8

5.0

BIO

5.0

CORE71

5.0

CORE

5.0

CELLBIO

5.0

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