3.3
Quality3.9
Difficulty57%
Would Retake171
Reviews57%
Would Retake
171
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
46
4
46
3
37
2
20
1
22
What Students Say
“If you want to learn then get him”
BIO1404 - 4.0 rating“He is very enthusiastic, but he is tough”
BIO1404 - 2.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
70%
Textbook Required
18%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.29 avg changeRatings by Course
BIOLOGY1
5.0
(1)NDRB4583
5.0
(1)1404
4.5
(2)Bio3433
4.5
(2)BIO1401
4.3
(4)Difficulty by Course
BIOLOGY1113
5.0
BIO11013
5.0
BIO1301
5.0
BIO008
5.0
BIO004
5.0
Reviews (171)
He is good teacher, very straight forward. His test come mostly from lecture and aren't bad at all. He gives curves and I made an A with a moderate ammount of studying.
This teacher isnt really that hard, if you go to class you will do fine on the test. Stop going to class and it will show.
BIOLOGY IS ONE OF THE HARDEST CLASSES YOU CAN TAKE AT UTSA. DR JAFFE DOESNT MAKE IT SO HARD. GO TO CLASS, PAY ATTENTION TO HIS LECTURES AND TAKE NOTES YOU SHOULD DO FINE. HIS TEST COME MOSTLY FROM HIS LECTURES AND HE DROPS YOUR LOWEST TEST GRADE. SO IF YOU HAVE TO TAKE BIO TAKE HIS CLASS
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he is a very nice professor, but he's a harsh grader! the final alone in 50% of your grade. I consider myself as a professional student and i got a C! =(
Dont take this class if you know whats good for you.
It sucked... bio sucked all around at UTSA, but there are better profs than this guy. i learned more from the SI sessions than the class.
Jaffe's lectures seem to be pretty straight forward, but then you take the test and it seems completely different from class! It's like i was taking another professor's exam. The professor is pretty cool and very nice, but if you're looking to get an A, i recommend u look elsewhere.
Jaffe was my favorite professor this semester, funny, and has a very easy lecture style. Covers a lot of material in a single class, not an easy A. Show up, pay attention, and always read before class, you should be set. If you miss one class, it will definitely leave you behind.
The final exam was too difficult. Class attendance may have been an issue. Material taught in class was practically verbatim from the text book making attendance seem unecessary. I did not have a very pleasant experience in the class and found the final exam to be next to impossible.
Nooooo, don't take Bio with this guy. Very confusing lectures make it so you have to read that huge book. Don't take this class. The tests were really hard and he doesn't lecture well. No no no!
this professor is horrible. it seems his class would be easy in the beginning of the semester but toward the end it gets harder and harder. he will just have a slide on the projection and ramble on about it for half the class
This professor is very confusing. All he does is show slides and lecture. Test are very hard. If you take him don't throw them away and make sure you know the right answers, the final consists of questions from the 4 exams pretty much word for word just memorize and you can pass. Oh... and he does curve!
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I know I just startd his class but i had a feeling about tit that it would suck and I read ya'lls comments and basically it looks like I'm SCREWED!!!
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he has good slides, but sometimes its really hard to follow what hes doing b/c he just keeps on talking and i miss some of the important things he says sometimes, it kinda sucks
This guy is too smart for bio 1, he needs to teach biochem or something!!
was the worst professor i have ever had not clear on what he says and the test are way to hard for bio I. I would not recomend this profesor to my worst enamy. The only good thing is that he curves so try to stay around a D and you will pass
awesome teacher, he tells you everything in a very easy to understand manner.
DO NOT TAKE THIS PROF! He goes very quickly over the material, the notes aren't helpful (if u even have time to write them down) and the tests are very difficult, esp for Bio 1. Take another professor!
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I really didn't think the class was going to be as hard as I thought it would when school started. I study a lot and I know this class requires a lot of studying but you have to be a genious to get as a!! I go to every SI session and every class and study A LOT and I am managing a low B.
He knows his subject, but it is different when it comes to teaching. He can be helpful if he calms the pace down on his notes and giving us time to write and think about what he is saying. I really suggest you take another professor besides this one.
he's pretty good i think. it helps that i was in bio ap last year. i understand what the other people are saying however. he's ok.
Jaffe really knows his bio. he does a good job teaching, considering the fact that he is lecturing in front of 450 students. This is not an easy class, and you will most likely have to study alot. But if you stick w/ it, go to class, and read the required chapters, you should get atleast a B.
He moves very fast in class, so it's hard to take notes, luckily the lecture hall his class was in was able to record the lectures, and they were posted online so you could re-watch them. Test are very hard for bio 1, the final however was 90% old test word for word, and you have old test and answers to study with.
I enjoyed Jaffe's class. Although there is a lot of material covered, it was presented in a aqeduate amount. Jaffe has a way of summarizing merely a few pages in the book to one slide on a powerpoint. The tests overall were pretty decent,and the final was pretty good also. I definently recommend Jaffe's class for Biology.
He is very hard...he coves 4 chapters every two weeks and basically wants you to be able to recite it all back to him word for word! He moves very fast and doesnt offer any help! I HATED THE CLASS!
one of the hardest teachers ever. final was harder than the SAT. i'm lucky i actually pulled a C in the class.
His class was very hard. I got an A in the class, but only beacause I worked really hard for it. He covers a lot of material very fast. I recommend him if you are looking for a challenge, but if you don't like to study or don't plan to dedicate much time to class, then don't take his class. Overall a really good professor.
A good professor. BIO I is a hard class b/c it covers a lot but he makes it as easy as he can with all his slides on web ct, his notes do help. Tests are a lot to remember but if you read and study you do okay. Doesnt take attendance so you can miss a day or two and still catch up.
Hard teacher. Does not offer too much help, seems to be more interested in his upper level classes then entry level biology. Almost a weed out course. I got an A but only because I studied EVERY day. Tests are hard, and frequent. GOOD LUCK
Hard!.....He has some interesting Powerpoints but his test are ridiculous. With the help you, it is useless. Try somebody else!!!!!!
Great professor
good teacher. if you are interested in biology definitely take him. gives very nice curves on the test, i went from a 78 to a 96. just take notes and study, help is not hard to find.
Interesting, concise, and clear. If you are a Bio major, take Dr. Jaffe. If not, take him anyway. You will come out of the course much more knowledgeable about biology than before. But beware: tests are killer! I got an A, but I had to study like my life depended on it.
Dr. Jaffe is a really good teacher. He makes learning biology easy. You do have to study hard for test to make good grades. I only made A's and B's on the test because I studied really hard
Very fast lecturer. Very intelligent - sometimes I think he forgets that he needs to teach down to our level. Tests are hard and tricky. Not an easy A, although he does curve like crazy. If you don't want to study more than your average class, don't take this one.
VERY HARD! I agree with the last comment. If all you do is go to the lectures you will fail. It is very hard to comprehend what he teaches so you have to get all the extra help you can get. That includes going back over lectures online, reviewing the slides and reading the book.
Dr. Jaffe is very knowledgable. This class is not easy but if you study your book plus the notes in lecture everything will make sense. He curves like crazy on tests and the final is 75% old exam questions that he lets you keep. I got a B, wasn't easy... Just read and go to lecture, and he also posts his lectures and slide on WebCT, So that helps.
he is very smart!! knows exactly what hes talking about. everything he teaches is on his tests. hes very clear and goes over things until you get them. no quizes or h/w just 4 tests and a final, and he drops your lowest test grade. the class is difficult in general and hell tell you that the first day so you need to read a lot and know how to study
He explains each topic pretty clearly. The quizes and homework are pointless and end up dragging your grade down.
his lectures were pretty much to the point...the tests seemed almost impossible....the quizzes and homework were a waste of time they didnt help me at all. had to end up dropping the class...will definitely take another professor next time.
He is probably the easiest out of all the bio professors... with that said, when you take the common midterm and common final you will not be prepared because it is a combination of all the bio professors questions. I'm really good at science and I BARELY made an A!
If it?s any consolation, I?m a Honors Biology-Pre Med major and I found this course very challenging even with Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Health Science courses during high school. I think I will manage to pull off a very low A in the end. Oh, and Dr. Jaffe is very approachable.
Dr. Jaffe does curve his common midterms but usually not his regular exams. I believe the overall course grade is also curved. His class is a combination of self-teaching and attending lectures. Do not take any other extraneous classes in the same semester as this course. Especially do not take General Chemistry. Although, basic is fine.
The homework consists of 5 short answer questions over the chapters read and the quizzes are the same. You take a total of 4 exams; 2 regular exams that usually cover 5-7 chapters, 1 common midterm which covers chapters 1-13, and a common final. This course is daunting and I would recommend this professor to most.
Dr. Jaffe is not this professor. Dr. Jaffe?s class requires that you read frequently (just about daily) covering usually 3 chapters in 7 days time. The class also requires an additional 50 minute class once a week where you take weekly quizzes and turn in weekly homework
My review are the next 4 entries. First, students need to understand that this is a weed-out course. That being said, any Bio 1404 class is going to require a lot of effort regardless of the professor. One professor?s test are so hard that a chemical engineer seeking his pre reqs for Medical School got the first highest grade of 82 on a test
He is absolutely horrendous. The class is rediculously difficult and not easy to comprehend at all. He seems very conceited in his teaching style, he knows everything and isn't afraid to make that known. I wouldn't recommend him at all, he does not provide any outside help to his students.
I will keep it simple, he is fair. In his class you rip what you saw. if you are a lazy person do not even consider this professor. If you are a dedicated student you must take this prof. I got a bad grade from him, but I really like him as a professor. His certainly make his lectures interesting.
difficult class. i studied alot and went to every class and had to drop it. recommend taking this class at a local community college.
the class is very tough. when your taking the class you want to make sure you have time for it. READING THE BOOK IS KEY! also you MUST attend all lectures. He is very fast paced and it is hard to keep up. i went to all lectures and worked my butt off, and still only managed to get a B. :/ work hard! good luck.
This class is hard. I got an A because I read all the chapters and studied a lot. Jaffe is the best prof for this course though. His degree from harvard allows him to speak clarity in his lectures. It doesnt matter who you get because the grading scale is the same in all the sections.
He's a good professor. He's not ancient, so he has really good analogies and makes it easier to understand. Reading chapter before hand is a must.
He gives a great lecture. That is about it. Reading ahead is a must. He is pretty much unapproachable and will defer you to either a TA or email to find answers to your questions. Seems a bit snooty. He is REALLY good at lecturing though and you can understand what he is teaching for the most part.
This prof was not bad. His stuff was right from the book and his lectures are pretty straight forward. Use study groups and go talk to TA's.
Dr. Jaffe is pretty much unaproachable, usually refers you to a TA. His lectures are fast paced but they are very helpful. The key is definitely to read the book before hand.
Dr Jaffe's lectures are really interesting even if you're not into Biology. He makes analogies which helps when you're studying for the test. My AP Bio class in high school was harder than this. If you go to class and read the chapters you should be fine.
Professor Jaffe is great! He has a lot of energy and his lectures are fast paced and interesting. The course is challenging, but if read ahead and pay attention to the lectures you should do fine. I would recommend professor Jaffe to anyone!
Professor Jaffe is amazing. His lectures are interesting and his tests are fairly easy, however, the material is hard and you have to memorize a lot of details. The quizes are all online and very helpful for the test. There are four midterms and he drops the lowest which is fair. I would take him again. A+
This class went very well for the most part...test every 2 weeks, quizzes every week, and a final...the final was HARD, but i recommend him cuz he's the best out there
Professor Jaffe is a great lecturer. He is probably the best teacher to take for Bio 1 because he keeps you interested in lectures. His tests aren't easy, but they aren't tricky; they are straight forward and some questions come from quizzes or straight from the book. The class is very much based on memorization.
The course is difficult regardless the professor. You have to read the chapter before the lecture. Retain a lot of info by studying often. The course is doable but much effort is needed to be put in to get a decent grade.
Great lecturer, read prior to coming to class. Goes through one chapter a week, quizzes are online and you can submit multiple times so work with people. Four tests with some questions from the quizzes. No extra credit. Reading, study groups and going to class helps ALOT. This is a hard course in general but if you try you'll be okay.
Jaffe is a great teacher. I loved that he walked around while lecturing. It helped keep me focused during an 8 am class. You must read the book and comprehend each topic if you want to receive an A. Tests are a good mixture of concept and critical thinking questions. The only downside to BIO 1404 is QL - which everyone hates.
read before you go to class.read after class...read everyday pretty much. the course is not easy but hes a great teacher. just alot of work in general.
He was easy until me and my friends realized he didn't write the final exam! This semester he let another teacher write the exam and he didnt curve the grade at all (the other teacher did by 20 points) take him only if he is using his own final
This class was not that hard. He had weekly quizzes online that were open book. Study for tests which were 50 multiple choice. Tests were easy compared to the final which was killer! So study for the final. The QLs and quizzes probably helped me get an A in this class.
HARD HARD HARD the average on the final was a 35. no curves for anything. lectures are fast paced, interesting, and easy to understand. don't blow off the QL because it will save your grade in the end. he posts his lectures in video format blackboard so don't even bother going to class. quizzes every week on blackboard, drops the lowest test.
This is a hard class in general, there is no way around that. Dr. Jaffe is a great professor, and can answer basically any question you throw at him ? he'll tell you what you want to know and then some. Very clear, helpful, and entertaining. Will respond to emails within a couple hours. Would definitely recommend, especially for Biology majors.
Bio I at UTSA is a hard class either way, but I think Jaffe makes it much more comprehensible. I've heard stories about other teachers (many chapters per test), but Jaffe broke up the chapters in a manageable way. No Iclickers which can be a good or bad thing. AMAZING lecturer, and he knows when to repeat the content on the difficult topics
Dr.Jaffe was a great teacher. I am more of an auditory learner so i attended class every day and did not have to read the book at all. Some of my friends read and didn't attend and did just as well. Biosciences I is a tough class but i thought Dr.Jaffe did a very good job of explaining everything clearly. I would recommend him to anyone.
Amazing teacher, BIO is hard no matter who you take. I feel like Dr. Jaffe did an amazing job at providing the material. He has chats, quizzes, and office hrs. He posts exam answer keys so you can go over the test the same day you took it. You can't expect a good grade in BIO by being lazy. a B-C is no doubt possible. An A is not IMPOSSIBLE.
He is an ok professor. Lectures are inconsistent with what the tests are like and the final was killer. He drops 1 out of 6 tests and curved the final. The QL sessions are a pain but they are an easy grade booster if you attend each one and do all the homework. Take this class if you are willing to spend countless hours on Biology.
dont bother going to class...simply stay home and study the text book religiously...like straight up worship it and study it like the bible. tests questions really go into details so make sure u really know and understand the material.
THIS IS A WEED OUT CLASS. This isno doubt one of those classes you need to devote your time to. Go to class every day, read before, take good notes (record his lectures) and STUDY ALOT. And you will do good! The QL's are basically grade boosters plus Dr. Jaffe will answer any questions no matter how stupid in class or in office hours! A+ prof
Mind every detail of information. Good grades become contingent upon understanding the material, not by memorizing facts; material is application based. The final is engineered differently from the other exams, specifically to separate those who understand from those who memorize. Think about the time you will devote to this class. Now double it.
Very difficult class. You must read every single chapter and thoroughly understand it. Do not take the 8 am class because you will fall asleep. Lectures are boring, but helpful for the tests. Be willing to devote countless hours on this class. The final is difficult but has a high curve.
I was very unimpressed with Professor Jaffe. He talks to the class as if we already know the material. He does not teach us the material, he just reviews. He goes over materials and expects us to know it. Tests are hard. Quizzes (online) and QL are grade boosters. ACE THE QUIZES AND QL PART!!
Got an A but had to work pretty hard for it. Ace the QL and the Quizzes(online) and get atleast a B on all the tests to get an A. Final was really hard and I pulled off an 80% on it and an A in class. probably the best professor for this course though.
Dr. Jaffe is a very considerate professor, offers evening chats to those who need help in the course, he tries to keep you engaged in class - you need to read before you arrive. Exams are usually difficult but imo it 's a rigorous class in general. You'll be fine if you do extra research. Quizzes & QL are a great way to balance out your grade.
BIO 1404 is just a very hard course in general. Jaffe is by far THE BEST professor for this course at UTSA. He's always available during office hours, has chats, and is very quick in responding to emails. DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT BLOW OFF THE QL/QUIZZES. They matter. Trust me. Tests are based off lecture, know EVERYTHING like the back of your hand.
You should be fine if you read the book and pay attention in class. He is a good professor it is just that the material is a little tough. Be prepared to read. It is not a memorization class. It is a comprehension class.
Makes you work for an A. This 100-lvl class absorbed far more of my time than any other that semester. If you have a good background in chem and bio, that will help you a lot. He answers emails quickly, which is good. Tests do have trick questions, although he denies this vehemently. Mixed blessing because you will study hard but doubt yourself.
May the odds be ever in your favor. VERY difficult if you don't read. You get lost very easily. Finishes 2-3 power points a week. STUDY HARD AND STUDY THE MOMENT YOU GET OUT. This is such a difficult class, he expects you to know a lot.
The lectures are almost always on the test.
This class was tough. ALOT of reading, and reviewing of powerpoint. ALOT of information covered on the exams. He was a good teacher not for me.
He expects you to know everything. His office hours are helpless, he makes you feel dumb. Doesn't care about your grade. His lectures are fast paced and expect a lot of reading.
Really knowledgeable professor. Attendance is not mandatory but if you skip: you will suffer. grading is very fair. Tests are hard but if you really read the book and connect the ideas then they really are not bad at all and one gets dropped. He is funny and it is obvious that he loves biology and makes it interesting for committed students.
Dr. Jaffe is an excellent teacher! He keeps you engaged and relates the topics to every day life you can understand. If you don't do well in this class, it's probably because you are a slacker. If you are looking to coast through and expect an A, this class is not for you. If you actually want to learn something , he is the best BIO I professor!!
Dr. Jaffe is a great lecturer and a fair grader. However, the curriculum is a little dense, and you have to keep up with reading the textbook BEFORE coming to each class in order to absorb all the material. Attendance isn't required, but coming to class really helped me understand the more difficult concepts from the book and do well on the tests.
Dr. Jaffe knows his Biology; however, I stopped going to class because I realized that the distribution of test questions was about the same per page of reading. To do well on his tests you had to know everything though all the chapters (pics included). Lecture covers part of material so u have 2 read prior to going to class.
I have a GPA of 3.9 but this guys is terrible No grade curve still ended with b+ but 70 percent of class dropped out during the semester
You will learn. Only take if you are 100% dedicated to learning neuroscience. Not the class to take as an elective.
I took this class over summer so I could do well without a crazy load. Huge mistake. Tests every other week based on how WELL you know material not IF you know it. You better know the ins and outs of everything. so many students dropped. He also seems to enjoy making you feel stupid for asking questions and not very approachable. NOT an easy A.
Easy A professor. Tests come straight out of the book material & lectures. He gives questions out that are in exams. Final was difficult. He curves 10 points in every exam.
Great professor. Yeah, he's snarky, yeah he'll ask you questions in class, yeah he might pick on you if you're not participating. But at the end of the day, you signed up into the class. He puts in the work, and if you do too, then you'll be fine. Definitely read before class, and take advantage of his office hours. He has a great passion for this.
This professor is very intelligent and interesting but as a person, I have to say he's rude. I went to him for help and he pretty much told me to figure it out.
He's rude and his lectures suck. That is all.
Jaffe is a great lecturer who gives you a lot of the information for tests in class. AKA if you blink you will miss something important. That being said, the textbook will be your best friend for this class. There is a lot of reading and the tests are quite difficult. You will have to study A LOT for this class if you want an A.
His lectures tend to be more confusing than informative, he's unclear as to what will actually be on the exam, consistently cancels his office hours, is very condescending and rude, discourages questions, and doesn't give homework aside from quizzes, which cannot be reviewed to learn from mistakes.
Try to not take Dr. Jaffe. He is not a nice person, if you ask him any questions at anytime he makes you feel dumb. His tests are one after the other, not including the fact that the tests are really hard. I study so much for this course and still barely can barely manage a C. He expects you to know the next chapter before you take earlier tests.
You have a test literally every two weeks, so get ready to read the book. He does curve the tests depending on how the class does so that helps. His lectures are pretty confusing and so fast and picks on people the majority of the time.
Dr. Jaffe is an excellent choice for Biosciences 1. His lectures are entertaining but he expects you to read ahead but its not mandatory. Each week, there is an online quiz for a chapter in the book and every two weeks there is a test.
He's rude and condescending, gives the impression that he might be more interested in whatever research he is doing at UTSA rather than focusing on teaching. I went to his office hours for help but was spoken down to and never stepped foot in there again. Be sure to read all the time.
Dr. Jaffe isnt the worst professor Ive ever had, but hes certainly not the best. Hes enthusiastic about the subject, but not so for teaching. This class is test heavy! 7 exams, weekly quizzes, and daily clicker quizzes that count as a grade. Hes condescending and often misspeaks. Gives wrong info. Is unclear. Textbook is riddled with mistakes.
Tests are based on what is said in lecture exactly.
His class is difficult, but if you read and pay attention in class you should do fine. His test are based on lectures mostly and although he likes to put in trick questions, but after a while you get used to his way of questioning. A lot of test but he drops one. Quizzes every week. He is a great professor.
Fantastic lecturer whos very enthusiastic and energized. Attendance is taken with iclicker multiple choice questions throughout each lecture. A lot of reading is required to do well, but its very doable.
Jaffe loves Biology! He is very enthusiastic, but he is tough. Attendance is mandatory. If you don't go to class, you won't pass. You must take this class seriously and although he is tough, you'll be prepared for upper level courses. He is careless about his students, but he is a smart man and will teach you. If you do well on the lab, it helps!
Jaffe is a great lecturer. He is very tough and could care less about his students, but it doesn't take away from the fact that he WILL teach you. You must love Biology to understand how to appreciate Jaffe. Although I hated him through the semester, I later realized he was tough to prepare us, and I am definitely prepared for upper level courses.
Very arrogant. His exams are extremely difficult. 5 essay style questions worth 20 points a piece. He takes off for things like exposition and not using specific terms. You could put the correct answer down and still lose 50 percent because he just like the way you explained your answer. His grading seems very subjective and vague. DO NOT TAKE!
He skims through the textbook. If you don't be prepared for the lecture before you hardly understand what he's talking about. His tests are heavy and hard. If you review everything before and after class you would make A easily, but it takes lots of effort.
I took Jaffee for BIO 1404, and yes his tests are the hardest things out there. He loves Bio and will teach you well. But the way he words his test questions make you think super hard. There may be 2 right answers for the question but its all about what HE THINKS IS THE BEST!if you do not read, you will fail the course! Felt stupid all year long):
My first semester of my freshmen year, I took his bio 1404. I got A in the class, but this class made me cry so much. I'll tell you how I studied for the class. 1) make your own note from the textbook. write down every detail and memorize. 2)there's a Cambell chapter quiz on easynote. Practice the questions before class, some will be on popquiz!
Jaffe is rude and has way too many tests. Biology is hard enough, but you definitely shouldn't take him if you don't have time to study for his class. I've tried everything I can think of but I have yet to pass a single exam
I took Jaffe and he is honestly, the WORST teacher ever. I had to hire a tutor to teach me outside his class and if it wasn't for her I would not have passed! He is unapproachable and seeks to be the smartest person in the room. He is condescending, AVOID HIM IF YOU WISH TO PASS
People are bashing him but honestly there is nothing wrong with him. I'm guessing people think that it is going to be like high school and that school is an easy A. If you want to learn then get him.
Dr. Jaffe is tough but he's also very helpful, his lectures are full of energy so you don't really get bored. I was initially scared of him because of the reviews he was given but all you really need to do to get an A is read, listen, and practice.
Jaffe is definitely passionate about Biology, can move sort of fast during lectures. Tests are very lecture heavy, don't really need to read the textbook. I only skimmed the chapters and wrote down key words and sections to fill in during lectures. Attendance can boost your grade with iclicker questions. Show up to class, pay attention, and study.
Dr. Jaffe goes very fast during lectures. You must read the book and attend class to get an A. I spent about 2 hours every day reading/taking notes/studying for his class and barely got an A. If you have taken a Biology course before you will recognize most of the topics discussed in lecture, but the test goes into a lot of detail over each topic.
I can see why so many people think Dr. Jaffe is rude. In office hours, he behaves in a very high-strung and neurotic way. Whereas in lecture, he seems very laid-back and easy-going. But Jaffe is actually a very caring professor and will work with you to make sure you pass his class. He even responds to emails outside of office hours. He's alright.
very tough professor, I take chemistry atm and study 2-3 days a week and pass with a B or higher, this professor I study almost everyday, more than 6 hours a week and I can not seem to score anything above a 70 in his class. Hes very condescending, dont even bother answering questions he asks bc if the answer is wrong, he will make you feel stupid
He is a very intelligent professor and will thoroughly explain all the material. He's tests are very difficult though and you will need to study a lot if you want to get a good grade. If you're not will to work he's not the professor for you.
This guy gives no extra credit, his tests are pretty difficult. This class broke my spirit
You teach yourself in this class honestly. He talks about the chapters but in hopes that youve read the chapter and understood already. I will say hell be there for you if you ask questions but make sure you already know what youre talking about before asking. He does iclicker questions and he lets you keep your test once you finish.
One thing I took away from this class: Jaffe is smart, I am not.
Tends to go in on lecture, yet is still able to make no sense.
Worst professor Ive ever had! Its hard to learn with his fast pace teaching. I record the lectures and try to reteach myself at home, but its no help because he gets distracted and talks about other things that dont matter. Test do not correlate to lecture or the book really. Its more about application and it relate to his iClicker questions.
Dr. Jaffe isn't as bad as everyone says he is. He really pushes the topics of Biology with his enthusiasm and sometimes it is difficult to keep up. You should always be studying outside of class and trying to read ahead. However, if you aren't ecstatic about Biology and think it's boring, take another professor or rethink your major.
He does not care about his students at all. His tests dont correspond with what we learned. He expects us to be able to read and understand the textbook before he lectures us about the content. My iClicker had issues so he told me to email him. I did and he said he couldnt do anything about it.
He's an absolutely awful professor. He legit ruined my freshmen fall semester. He asks you to read chapters ahead of his lectures and expects you to understand every single thing. If you don't wanna make a fool out of yourself in front of the whole class, don't ask any questions. He's never available outside of classroom hours.
He's not a personal professor at all. He will answer questions, but he's rude. I read each chapter a few times, took notes during lecture, did really well in the lab and studied hard for each exam, and his exams were fair. There are more questions that you weren't taught than you actually know. First 3 chapters are organic chem...
Honestly isnt that bad. As long as you continue reading the textbook and show up to lecture youll be fine.
His lectures are extremely long, the class requires a lot of reading and creating separate notes on your own time. Overall not a hard class just don't take it at 8 am if you're not a fan of early mornings.
Honestly if you do your work and stay on top of things you'll be fine. A lot of people procrastinate studying and that obviously impacts your grade. Attendance is crucial if you want a A and test are easy.
He is a really good professor. Do not miss class or you will be lost. The people on here bashing him are the lazy kind.
Took him for the summer. He treats the class like its your only one. There was a quiz almost every day and it really wore you down. Exams can have very technical answers. Not the worst professor but not a particularly good one. I wouldn't take him if you're taking a full load or have more important classes to prioritize.
You basically learn on your own by reading the pdfs. He talks way too slow and there are too many lectures.
talks too slow and too many lectures. if you want a good grade, you have to teach yourself and do a lot of reading. all his lectures are just a long talk summarizing the pdf
I LOVE this man. You will learn so much in his class. It is not easy, but it is so worth it. This class is a must if you are preparing for the MCAT. He knows exactly how to answer every question, and talks about subjects that are current and interesting.
this profesor is super nice and cares for you completely, for instance if youre failing or almost there, he would make a zoom to see how youre doing and what could be better, I give him a 3/5 stars just because there was no extra credit given, biology is my best subject I can do so to depend on my small quizzes or little hw was very stressful
makes biology focuses which are basically summaries of the chapter with cute little pictures and diagrams with some questions to make sure you get the info. friendly and has little clicker problems during lecture, but doesn't judge if anyone gets it wrong, just calmly explains. very organized and structured. 8am lecture was absolutely no issue.
As long as you stay on top of things you should be fine. Class is very well organized and structured clearly, so there's no reason not to stay ahead. My advice would be to read the material the day it comes out because it's a very fast paced, except for the book pdfs cause they're kinda useless. He's very passionate and a great professor overall.
I would take a class with him again. I wouldn't say it's the easiest, but you actually learn. I haven't had alot of good profs but best definently a good one! Okay amount of hw and tests, he responds rather quickly, teaches well, and is respectable. You can tell he knows what hes talking about.
The lectures never feel long and I get a lot out of going to them. All the questions on the test he referenced or answered at some point in class. The little homework he gives is very helpful to study from later. The people who don't like this class I think don't read the textbook which helps a lot.
Most people dont like Jaffe because his course is hard. If you arent serious about biology he isnt for you! However if you love psychology and want to be challenged and inspired take his course. This class requires time and effort but combined with his ability to teach this course will overall be beneficial in the long run
Professor Jaffe is honestly amazing. He knows what he's talking about and his lectures go by very quickly. The content is pretty difficult but he explains everything so well and you'll want to do well. There's not much homework but you do have to answer 4-6 mc questions during every lecture (you can't do it from home, you need to be in person)
Homeworks were easy, and as long as you study before the test and attend lectures then you will do fine.
Sweetest person on earth. As long as you study the chapters, attend the lectures, and complete the homework you should be fine. He hosts office hours twice a week so thats also a good thing. I highly recommend this professor.
Such a sweet guy. My only gripe with the class was how much attendance matters. I would have had an A+ plus in the class, but my lacking attendance brought me down 5%. Not a big deal, just mildly annoying when the class is at 8:00 AM.
Jaffee is a good professor. He is passionate about biology and wants us to learn a lot about bio. With that being said, the course is VERY fast pace, and it is hard go along with him. He lets us keep the tests and corrects questions we got wrong. He is nice, just be aware that most of the learning is by yourself.
His love for bio really makes his lectures enjoyable to attend( even at 8 am). Although the course material may seem difficult with numerous chapter exams, it helps follow along with the online homework as he lectures. Very easy homework, no textbook, and a very laidback professor. Would definitely take him again !
He is passionate about the material, and excited to help students. Online pre-recorded lectures were done poorly, but he held office hours that made up for it. In-person (I audited him) he is an AMAZING lecturer. Not an easy A - you need to understand the material. But take him if you really want to learn - he is helpful, responsive and engaging!
I absolutely loved my course with this professor. I enjoyed his passion for the subject and understanding for students, and intend on taking other courses that he teaches. He was available online twice a week for office hours that I recommend you attend. He reminds you via email of assignments/quizzes/tests as they are due. Great communicator.
My favorite professor this sem! He is passionate & knowledgeable about bio and an AMAZING lecturer. You have to read the chapter before class because there are questions in class. His tests are on topics that he mentioned in lectures (though they're in the textbook also), so attendance is a must. I would take him for future bio classes if I could.
I recommend Jaffe's class if you're specifically a BIO/STEM major because it is challenging and forces you to learn the essentials. If not then probably not a class for you because it's ALOT of studying. HW is online completion grades, no quizzes, and if you skip lectures you won't pass the tests. Use his office hours & make study groups.
I took neurobiology specifically for this professor. His lectures are truly amazing. He is super enthusiastic and truly wakes me up, 8:30 am. I highly recommend going over his "Focus" because that is what he uses for his slides, which he goes over in class. Read ahead because he uses the iclicker to ask questions. Study focus and notes for test.
quizlets every class, test take up most of the grading so be prepared, most of what you will be tested on will be the lectures, so be there mentally and physically.
Great lecturer. Mentioned the film 50 First Dates an ungodly number of times.
Took Properties of Neural Circuits. Great professor and cool guy. He makes his own notes so no textbook. Everything you need to know is either in the notes, slides, or his lectures. Exams were usually 4 essay questions plus 1 or 2 extra credit. They're difficult but i swear if you study and pay attention in lectures you'll pass no problem
Beware if you are looking to keep your GPA high and want an easy A. No test reviews and no curving. He is an amazing instructor and you will learn a lot. His powerpoints consit only of pictures so you really have to pay attention. Attendance is a grade so that helps with your average a bit. The averages of the exams were a 62.The final is MANDATORY
Professor Jaffe's lectures are engaging and insightful, though the course requires significant effort. Attending class and using unstuck ai for study prep are key to succeeding in this challenging but rewarding biology course.
Dr. Jaffe is an excellent professor. You will understand the subject well. You need to memorize everything from his slides, focus, and lecture to do well. Dont miss class. He is funny and engaging in class. He is available outside class. Extra credit is offered and I found it extremely easy to get an A+ in this class.
No study guides. 4 in-person exams w/ 1 dropped + a final. Must listen in lecture to perform decently on exams. Record lectures because he makes the material seem more confusing than it actually is. You will want to go back and try to understand what he was saying. If he says something is on the test, it's not. V funny though
Class itself is difficult, Jaffe made it harder. Do not recommend. He's passionate about neuroscience, however doesn't care or even try to act like he cares about teaching or his students. I sat in front row, actively participated, perfect attendance, yet wouldn't round 0.01% up to a B-. Also very boring. Just take someone else if able.
Avoid Dr. Jaffe. His lectures are very confusing, he jumps around topics without clear explanations, mostly overcomplicating simple topics. He's also downright rude, dismisses students, and acts like we're wasting his time. The class is painfully boring. Office hours are useless and online only. Save yourself the stress and headache.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
70%
Textbook Required
18%
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