Look, everyone complains about this class because it's so hard. But the fact is that Dr. Kooyman curves his tests to give everyone a fair chance. I learned a ton from him. People just expect a 2 credit class to be easy. Don't listen to the other ratings. He's a great guy

Dr. Kooyman is a genuine man who sincerely desires for his students to learn the material. I thought his tests were very difficult, but when I went in his office after to discuss it over with him, he was very understanding and gave me extra points. However, I can't deny the fact that he's tough.

this guy isn't the greatest teacher, but! if you read what he assigns, and study just a little bit, it's such an easy class... i'm not sure why all these people say it's hard because he grades his tests with a HUGE curve. it is entry level for bio majors, so it's not a cake walk,but not hard either

Kooyman is a great guy. I've graduated now but TAed for him and other mol bio profs. ALL THE TESTS ARE HARD NO MATTER WHAT TEACHER!!! He gives the most points back and I, personally, think he gives his students the best shot at getting an A. Tough class though, for sure. I would take the class from him again.

I had Bio 120 with Dr. K and have done research with him. Many students get a bad impression because this is their first college science class. It requires a different approach and study method to learn and master this material. You must learn the concepts well enough to teach them confidently to someone else and not just learn the basics.

Dr Kooyman is great! The people that complain about him do so because you actually have to LEARN in his class instead of just memorizing. People say his tests don't cover what is discussed, not true!!! All his questions are from lecture or the book, you just have to actually study!

Dr. Kooyman is one of the best professors I've ever had. It is true that you have to work hard in this class. If you do your reading assignments you'll do great. Dr. Kooyman can help you during his office hours if you didn't understand something. He helped me a lot and I learned a lot.

I just graduated and Dr. Kooyman was the best teacher I ever had. He TRUELY cares about his students. If you voice a concern to him in a mature way, such as sitting down with him in his office, he not only listens but he tries to make it right. He tries hard to help every student get an A Go to TA review sessions if you need help studying for test.

Dr. Kooyman is not the best teacher in the world, but he really wants students who pursue Med/Dent fields to understand concepts so that they are successful in higher classes. Exams were kind of hard, but he lets you drop all of them. I highly recommend that if you want an A you get help from the TA's.

hes a smart guy hes very nice, but hes not the best at getting stuff across to the class, he does try to, and hes a nice guy who is very intelligent but overall I could see that many kids had a tough time understanding him, but he grades fair and he tests were average difficulty definantly a doable class

Prof. Kooyman is really a nice guy. He cares about his students and will make time to help. All those complaining about him obviously did not put forth the effort to get to know him, which is key at college. He does talk over your head sometimes, but thats why you ask questions. He grades very generously. Put the effort in and you'll be fine.

Wonderful

People who say that he is hard to follow didn't do the assigned reading before class. He's a great teacher and his grading system is one of the most lenient I've ever seen. I got a 97% in the class because of it. Go to class and get the iclicker points, do the assigned reading and you'll do fine. Really interesting, funny lecturer. Take his class

He is a brilliant man and does his job well, it is not easy but is amazing

This was one of my harder classes this semester, but I enjoyed it. Although some tests were a little tough. I learned a lot and enjoyed this class. To be successful, do the assignments, go to class, and get a great study group!

Dr. Kooyman has a very interesting teaching style. If you do your reading before coming to class his lectures are very useful and make tons of sense. If you don't do the homework you'll be completely lost. His grading is way lenient. I got 100% on the final. way easy class if you do the work and pay attention. I'd recommend him

Professor Kooyman is a very funny guy, however sometimes it seems that he is a little underprepared for lectures. Don't worry though, if you do the assigned readings and attend review sessions, you'll do great. The final was not too difficult, and I got an A in the class.

I, too, wanted to complain about the difficulty when I took 120 from him. I didn't get an A in that class. But I have subsequently earned As in 240, 360, and 362, partly because he helped me set such a solid foundation. If you want an easy A, don't take him. But if you plan on taking upper-division bio classes, he will prepare you excellently.

If you rely heavily on lectures to learn material and hate reading, then he probably isn't the one you want to take. But many of his test questions come straight from slides/textbook. Before each test, read the chapters being tested on and THOROUGHLY go through the slides a couple of times. You'll get an A on every test.

Anyone who doesn't get a decent grade in this class is lazy. Sure, the subject is challenging. However, Dr. Kooyman is entertaining and extremely helpful. You can drop your midterm scores if you aren't happy with them. If you pay attention in class, read the book, and generally study, you'll get a B+ or an A easily. Not a terribly hard class.

Dr. Kooyman's class was one of my favorite science classes. The class improves critical thinking and prepares well for future science courses. I took his class and was a TA for him - here's how to do well. Study the lecture slides in depth, don't get behind, take each exam seriously, and go to as many TA review sessions as you can. And enjoy it!

I agree with a lot that has been said. I studied by brains out for a lot of the midtems, reviews, TA hours, study group etc... and didn't do so hot on the tests. They were definitely tricky. Luckily we got to drop any midterm we weren't satisfied with. Be ready to work hard, and learn a lot, and it really will prepare you for upper level classes.:)

I totally disagree with the last two comments!!! Dr. Kooyman's questions promote critical thinking; may I suggest that these people simply did not invest the necessary time. All you have to do is study the reading before class, finish the mastering biolgy assignments, review the slides and go to review sessions. This class helps for future classes!

He's a good teacher. He sets his grading system up in order to help you get the best grade possible. His tests require A LOT of application of the material but if you study and pay attention in class you'll be fine in his class. Just cause it's not an easy A doesn't mean it's not a worth while class.

Dr. Kooyman is a fun professor but I can't say I enjoyed his class very much. Tests are difficult as they are application based. Your grade depends pretty much on your tests, but he lets you drop your midterms from your grade (4 of them) but not the final. So just study hard for the final. It is a fairly easy final.

Wayy harder than it needed to be for a 2 credit class. He writes questions for the MCAT so if you are going that route this will be a good class. A lot of analytical thinking is needed. He throws in funny jokes that older people would say. It was fun! be sure to get a study group going. I learned a lot, but TAs helped us get A's on the tests.

Dr. Kooyman is a great guy and teacher, he guenuinely wants all students to do well and has a cool grading scheme set up that lets you drop any midterms or all midterms if you've done bad on them. He might not be the most interesting prof to listen to but teaches the material and promotes thinking (mcat style), tas are helpful too

Professor Kooyman is hard. I really didn't enjoy this class, but I wouldn't say that is because of Kooyman. I just didn't like the biology that we learned. Kooyman is tough, but me makes sure you understand the material. At the end of the day, he builds a great foundation for the rest of your education.

He is a great prof who really cares about his students. Anyone who does bad is usually a freshman not used to university classes. His clicker questions generally appear on the tests, he let's you drop tests so you can get the highest grade, and explains over and over again how to get an A and learn. Downside, slightly monotone but funny

Kooyman is a good teacher. He prepares you well for other classes too. Study in groups, go to lecture cuz he gives and hints at a lot of test questions. He wants everyone to do well. I took it from him last semester after I checked w the Pdbio dept. His sections rank the highest in gpa of all 120 teachers. It's your own fault if you don't do well

I really enjoyed this class and I loved Dr. Kooyman. The class isen't easy and the tests are somewhat challenging, but I feel that he helped to prepare me for higher level classes.

This was a great class! I would take a class from Dr. Kooyman again if i can. It is not an easy class, but getting an A is very doable. Dr. Kooyman encourages analytical thinking and prepares you well for higher classes and MCAT. I loved the scientific approach, understanding how scientists know what they do. Read the textbook!

Kooyman is a great teacher. He explains everything in class very clearly and he doesn't deviate from his lessons on the tests. You don't need to study the textbook if you pay attention in class. Also, he writes questions for the MCAT so he helps you to prepare for that as well with his tests.

Dr Kooyman is the most adorable person in the Universe. I have always liked Biology and he makes in SO much more interesting that it already is. He always has a spiritual thought that applies to the lesson and is more than happy to give you extra time if you have the courage to ask for it. I definitely recommend taking this class!

Dr. Kooyman is a very nice man. Some people thought his tests were hard because of the application questions, but if you studied and knew the material they were all very doable. The TA's were extremely helpful.

I really loved this class! It was quite difficult at first and i could not manage to crack 90% on tests, but if you go to as many review sessions as you can and put the time and effort in along the way you will do well on the final! I got an A on the final after not doing extremely well on the midterms. Kooyman is a really nice guy!

He moves quickly but his slideshows are all available online for future reference. Allows you to choose your own grading scheme (dropping homework, midterms, etc. from the grade)

Love this guy to death. Taking AP Bio in high school prepared me SO MUCH for this class as its essentially the same material and difficulty with some college flair. His tests are very fair and manageable and require you to understand, not just memorize. I learn better that way anyway. He is super nice, cares about his students, and wants to help.

Excellent professor, very likable and an excellent teacher. If you have a good background in biology this class will be a breeze. The tests were challenging but not overly difficult, and a bit of studying before the test makes it a piece of cake. Sometimes I fell asleep in his class, but his grading is awesome and he is a great profesor.

You get what you put into it. It's not an easy A, but an easy A wont get you very far, so with that being said, I enjoy his class and I love to challenge the way I think and learn!

Dr. Kooyman was a great teacher. He likes to do small group discussions a bit in class, so sit next to smart people. There is a lot of info on the powerpoints, but go to reviews and you'll be fine. If you have previous biology experience, this class is super easy. Dr. Kooyman is hilarious, so listen up!

Dr. Kooyman is a good professor, one from which you learn a lot. In order to get a good grade in this class, sit next to smart people, read the text before class, and go to the TA Review sessions. You learn a lot in the class, but the test questions are sometimes mis-worded and try to trick you, so you need to know the material.

This was a great class. He says that in order to get an A you have to study in groups but that's not the case. TA review sessions are critical for doing well on the tests. He also lets you drop any or all tests except for the final.

Kooyman is awesome! His class is challenging (especially the way he teaches it), but this is what a college level biology class should be like. He is more interested in teaching students how to think than having them memorize stuff to regurgitate back to him on a test and then forget. Go to TA reviews and study in groups and you will get an A.

This was my fifth biology class at BYU and I think Dr. Kooyman is the best biology professor I've had. He is very clear when he teaches, he keeps the lecture interesting, his tests are fair, and his grading scheme is flexible. His emphasis is less on memorization, although you will have to memorize some things, and more on understanding.

This was easily the best biology class I've taken at BYU, out of 5 or so. 10 pretty easy open-book homework assignments and quizzes on Learning Suite over the semester; 4 mid-terms with almost all the material on his PowerPoints, and he is responsive, as is the TA. He gives exaggerated hints about test material in class, so go to class. He's great!

I really enjoyed taking PDBio 120 from Dr. Kooyman. He is really dedicated in helping his students understand the material that is presented during each lecture. There is a lot of material covered in the class so make sure you attend every lecture, take good notes, go to TA reviews and read the textbook. Do that and you should get a good grade.

Really generous grader; lets you drop all grades except the final. Teaches material well. Homework is easy. Gives in-class extra credit (GO TO CLASS). Tests are a little difficult, but fair; study and you'll be fine. Go over the tests with him during office hours. MAKE A STUDY GROUP. Really kind, helpful guy. A great class.

Dr. Kooyman is an adorable teacher who loves his job. He's willing to explain concepts to students as many times as they might need, and he knows how to make you feel at ease. Attendance Extra Points. The online textbook is a must; physical copy can be helpful, if you'll use it. (Also, ask him about the Femoral Artery story. It's worth it.)

I received full points on everything except the tests which were really hard. The tests only somewhat apply to what is discussed in lecture on the slides. The actual lab part is a joke. Almost all of the labs are completely computer simulations. The REAL labs were super though. The lab reports are mostly just busy work with repeated questions.

Dr. Kooyman is awesome. He loves what he does and is there if you ever need him. His grading scale is very merciful. Anything can be dropped from your grade except the final. He also gives extra credit assignments in class so be sure to attend! I averaged a B on all my tests but pulled an A in the class. Dr. Kooyman is the man!

Great class. Almost exactly like my High School bio class, so it was review for me. Only the Final has to be graded, besides that, you can choose what you want to be graded on. Best way to do well is to do everything, but don't sweat when you bomb a test. If you blow off everything until the final you won't be prepared. Lectures are interesting.

This class covers a lot of detailed material, but use the online textbook highlighter that helps you skim to the important material. Prof Kooyman is extremely helpful when you meet 1 on 1 with him. If you don't get it off the bat, meet with him before you get behind. He's slow, understanding, and so kind. Get a study group and befriend a TA!

Super kind, caring professor. Absolutely loves what he teaches. Genuinely wants you to succeed. Befriend a TA, attend the exam reviews, actually do the reading, you should get an A.

Kooyman is awesome. I loved going to class because he is such a quirky and funny guy. He really cares about his students and what he's teaching. TA reviews are crucial to doing well, they're given the test before hand so they know what they're talking about. His tests are relatively difficult because they are critical thinking questions.

I loved Dr. Kooyman!! Fun lectures. His grading scheme is extremely merciful (nothing is required except the final exam). Fair warning though-- PdBio120 requires a lot more brain power and dedication than you would expect for a 2 credit class. The material is difficult. However the class is rewarding and Dr. Kooyman is rooting for your success.

The concepts are all pretty basic, very similar to AP high school Biology, but the online class was not set up very well. Grade is based off 4 midterms and a final, with limited TA assistance, no review material for the exams, and an online textbook that rarely works. Awesome professor, just don't take online.

He's like the grandpa that you've always wanted, quirky, odd sense of humor. A heart of gold and the most lenient grading scheme I have every seen. He gives the chance to drop everything except the final and participation. Thats right you don't have to include homework or midterms.

You can literally drop EVERYTHING except attendance and the final. If you put in the work, you'll get an A no problem. However, you HAVE TO GO TO CLASS AND PAY ATTENTION. If you take notes and do the homework (even though it's not required) you'll do well. He explains everything very well, but you've got to make sure you put the work in.

Kooyman is great, one of my favorite professors, and I don't like biology. Probably the most stereotypical professor you can imagine, lots of bowties and sweaters. Lectures are critical and you can easily get bogged down in the material so pay attention and ask questions. Does a good job of fitting all material together to see the big picture.

Dr. Kooyman is fantastic! He's really approachable and wants to make sure everyone understands the material. He's really into the idea that you learn best with others, so be prepared to make a study group and "turn and talk" to your neighbor during lectures. His tests are tricky--he focuses a ton on application, so every exam is word problems.

My favorite professor at BYU, hands down. Genuinely wants everyone to pass and understand the material. Really funny and casual for an older guy. Grading scale is amazing--just go to class and do well on the final and it's an easy A. The only negative part of this class was having to pay like $150 for online textbook/app for attendance

Dr. Kooyman gave us a packet he made with the info we needed instead of having us use a textbook, it saved move and gave the same info. He explains things really well. Tests are tough because of the amount of info the class covers. He is really helpful and always takes time to answer questions in class or in office hours.

Dr. Kooyman clearly loves Biology, and that made this class fun. It is still the hardest class I have ever taken. The final is comprehensive, and there are four unit exams, each difficult in its own rite. The sheer amount of content we covered surprised me, but I'm thankful for this excellent foundation, which will help me as a neuroscience major.

I loved this class! There is hardly any homework which was really nice. His tests are tricky, but if you meet with the TA's outside of class and go to their reviews the tests are not too bad. I had a really great and funny study group so that may be why I liked this class so much, so make a study group!

Tests are pretty tough but lectures are really good. Can drop any combination of midterms and all the assignments at the end of the semester, but the midterms are really great preparation for the final, which can't be dropped. Really LOVED Dr. Kooyman, he's a really amazing guy and fantastic teacher!

Take this thru independent study!!! Assignments graded on completion and tests are straightforward and aren't trying to trick you. If you email the TAs and ask for the exam study guides this class is an easy A. There are 4 midterms and a final. There are a few online quizzes but they're not hard. All the assignments are basically free points.

Best professor Ive had. He is funny, wise, and prays for his students at the start of each class. I'd recommend him to anyone.

Brilliant and faithful, Dr. Kooyman knows his stuff. Fun recorded lectures. Use the textbook and youtube videos/khan academy to supplement. Use TA. Tests are very hard. He integrates multiple concepts into one question and wants next-level comprehension. Great prep for future science courses. Would take from him again in a heartbeat!

This class was super doable. There were 4 exams and a final. All the homework and assignments were completion. The exams had pretty hard conceptual questions because but if you study you will do fine. The TAs are the best part of the class, watch the reviews because they give you answers on the exams.

Definitely a class that you'll have to apply yourself, but it's so rewarding. TAs do reviews often and Kooyman is hilarious and really cares about each of his students. Get a good study group, practice, go to review sessions and you'll do fine. Sitting towards the front also saved my life in this class.

Dr. Kooyman is an absolutely wonderful professor. I wish I could take every class in biology from him. His teaching is wonderful and clear, and it is evident that he cares deeply about his students and their questions. This class is not overly difficult, but he does require that you can apply the material you learn to a real-life situation. 10/10

I love Dr. Kooyman! He is an awesome professor and cares a lot about what he's teaching and about his students. His lectures are clear and prepare you well for the tests. His TAs are awesome. You'll need to study for the tests, but they are do-able. Overall, I highly recommend him for Cell 120!

Loved Dr. Kooyman! He's great at his lectures, great at answering, and really cares about his students. You need to stay on top of your work and study to do well in the class (go to the TA reviews), but Dr. Kooyman and the TA's are more than willing to help. Great professor.

Loved Dr. Kooyman! He's great at his lectures, great at answering questions, and really cares about his students. You need to stay on top of your work and study to do well in the class (go to the TA reviews), but Dr. Kooyman and the TA's are more than willing to help. Great professor.

Dr. Kooyman is easily my favorite professor I've had thus far. He truly cares about the success of each student and he's such a gem. He allows you to drop certain grades from your final grade, so you ultimately decide what you get in the class. I had a test average of a 72%, but by doing all the assignments I got a B-. 10/10 would recommend.

Dr. Kooyman is a very kind teacher who really cares about his students and wants the best for them. He makes lectures really intriguing and enjoyable. He allows you to drop a certain number of scores at the end of the semester, which will bump up your grade. He also gets really amazing TAs which are absolute gems!

Dr. Kooyman took the time to review challenging concepts multiple times in class. Felt kinda like a high school-level class. If you do all the work (which isn't a ton anyway) and use the TA reviews, you will do very well. If you slack, you will be disappointed in yourself because you will get a low grade in an easy class.

I really like Dr. Kooyman! His lectures were interesting and he always has a spiritual thought. Tests can be kind of tricky, so go to the TA reviews. Let's you drop certain grades which removes a lot of stress. He seems to really care about his students.

Dr. Kooyman is one of my favorite professors I have ever had. He is brilliant, and so sometimes I felt embarrassed to ask questions, but don't let that hold you back. Doing well on the exams will be the most important thing for your grade--the exams in my class made up 75% of my total score. 10/10 recommend Dr. Kooyman!