He is very hard. Very intimidating. His lectures are pretty fast paced. Nice guy out of class.

Very good professor...this guy knows his stuff...his tests are not easy, but they are by no means impossible. If you're a bio major,(esp. pre-med) and you're up to the challenge, I would definately recommend his class

He's a great prof. Hard but he knows alot. His test are easy if you're into bio, but his quizes are killers (based on science articles you have to read)

Rellly good teacher. Don't suggest class unless you are serious about your Biology. Test aren't hard as long as you listen to the lecture, read his notes and the book. Taking your own very detailed notes in class is very good too

He teaches you biology in the simplest terminology so that it all comes together. Studying for his 100 probs test won't get you an A unless you do everything else necessary.

Great teacher. Very fast paced lectures, but you will learn. Test are not that hard if you read the book and follow along in lecture. Lectures are pretty fast paced. He answers any questions you have and really tries to help you.

he is cool teacher.. has like new york or new jersey accent.. always be talking about beer and hard liquior.. i leanred how to make any kind of liquior with science.. sometimes better off not coming and reading the book on your own..

Dr. Castingetti is a class-act all the way. His lectures are easy to understand and he explains the material very thoroughly. His discussions are fun to attend and he relates the subject to everyday situations. He's one of Loyola's best.

Great guy. Be on guard for his quaintly cynical warning, "It's a cold, cruel world out there kids." Dr. Castignetti, ironically, is not part of it. Anecdotes are funny. Expet to navigate a tiresome maze of biochemistry.

This guy is awesome!His exams are pretty tough, but u get to drop one and they are all curved.This is the man to take if you're wanting to take MCATs b/c you will definitely leave class knowing the information very well. Highly recommended.

If you are very into Biology, and going to take the MCAT, take him, if not, don't. I am not a biology major and am not pre med so his class was not good for me - tests are hard but you can drop them and they are curved a lot

Dr. C is an excellent teacher! He is always willing to help, even on the weekends, and you don't have to go to class. Just memorize the book and you'll get a high A. Plus, the majority of kids in his are lazy morons, so there's a big curve.

Dr. Castignetti's Bio 101 includes a total of four tests. Three midterms and one final. He drops your lowest midterm. You can ditch class and study off of the book, but you have to study very well. Tests are hard and challenging. Recommended for bio-mjr.

Wonderful professor if you are willing to take a challenge. He knows his stuff backwords and forwards and in his sleep too. He has a great sense of humor and huge curves on the tests. If you are willing to work hard, take him! He rocks!

Taking 75 minute test packed with 100 power questions made me realize how much a joke other classes'tests can be. You're better off going to lectures than just studying the book because he makes the most difficult concepts easy to understand.

dr c is the****, i loved it when he talks because he talks to you like an adult, and he is SUCH a good teacher. his part of the tests are very fair and i LOVED his lectures! don't be scared, he's not that bad!!!

Castignetti is a great but HARD teacher. His tests are killer, but he curves them a lot. I wouldn't recommend him to anyone just taking bio for requirements, but if you're a bio major or pre-med, he's definitely the teacher to take.

Castignetti is a good teacher but he is definitely a hard one. You really have to study to do well on his tests but as long as you pay attention in lectures and you read/study the book and the study guide that came with it, then you should be ok.

Study from the outlines that he posts online for the tests! Everything you need to know is in there. Also, lectures do help - he is very clear. Hilarious. He manages to talk about sex, pot, or scotch every class.

you can skip the whole semester of class(except for quiz and exam days)and get an A, if you read the book. The only reason I go to class is to get oriented with the topic he is discussing and to survey pretty chicks.

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One of the best biology teachers at Loyola. Dr. Castignetti is very knowledgeable of his subject, and is very helpful. I highly recommend this teacher, especially if you are majoring in biology.

this class is great. dr. c really knows his stuff and is very enthusiastic about teaching, which helps. you don't need to read the book so long as you go to class...quizzes are a joke.

This guy is pretty easy if you just pay attention to his lectures, and all of his notes are posted online. Even tho his tests are a little harder than most teachers, but he always compensates with the huge curves.

Class OK would recommend this teacher

very challenging course. lots of studying required. three tests (drop one score) and one cummulative final. test questions are VERY specific. no quizzes.

Definitely probably one of the hardest teachers at Loyola but it's worth it b/c you learn so much. If you're a bio major of pre-med, definitely take him...if not choose an easier teacher. His tests are killer but he always curves to a 75 average so its not too bad.

Very funny teacher and an engaging class. Oh yeah, a huge curve.

Dr. c is awesome! He is funny and really smart. If you can't handle him as a teacher you should not be studying biology. He expects a lot from you, but if you want to be a doctor, you're gonna be working for people who expect a lot more and you better know your stuff. Take him if you get the chance to.

Five HARD quizzes. Two midterms and a final. Tests are very fair, no complaints. You have to know your stuff to get a good grade. If wrote tests for every biology class, then everybody would be getting As since everybody would know what to study for, instead of having tests on something not covered in class like other teachers. Don't fall behind...

Dr. C is a great guy...super smart, easy going, and always willing to help. He loves what he does. I found him to be super super tough though when it comes to grading. you have to know EVERYTHING, every little DETAIL to get an A otherwisea low GPA is your destiny

I have taken 2 classes from him, micro and biochem. I have gotten a B both times without studying too much. He is difficult, but not so hard if you GO TO CLASS. Do not expect to be able to just read the book and do well. He is a great guy, and keeps classes that are otherwise boring entertaining. He is also super helpful outside of class. Take him!

Great professor. do not know why everyone is bashing him. He requires you to think critically and not just ramble off memorized facts. I got a high A with a little bit of work. would take him again.

wow, wayyy tooo hard!!!! you did well in cell bio, this class might be possible for you. way too much memorizing and yes, its definitely got the work load and hardness of a 300 level class. good luck cause you fail one exam and you might as well drop his class. you better be willing to work your ass off, i kid you not!

Challenges students to apply the facts to real life situations. Extremely helpful in discussion. Difficult tests, but after the first one, you know what to expect.

To the ignorant, Professor Castignetti is intimidating. To the well-versed, he is outstanding. To me, Professor Castignetti is the best Biology professor I have ever had taken thus far. He discusses each chapter thoroughly well, keeping in mind the biological themes introduced in chapter one (i.e. structure and function).

While classes are not mandatory, "surprise" quizzes are i-clicker exercises will come up every now and then. If he knows you, he will call out your name and ask you to answer the questions he posed during lectures. You will never fall asleep in his class for he always challenges his students to practice deductive reasoning and critical thinking.

If you want a solid education in Biology, take Dr. Castignetti. While his classes are tough, in the end it is worth all the time and effort. You will, in effect, learn the material thoroughly.

When Dr. Castignetti was out of town, another BIOL 101 professor substituted for him. While the substitute was qualified, his method of teaching was rather tedious. Perhaps because I got used to Dr. Castignetti's academically engaging, albeit rigorous lectures. So, if you want to be challenged, take him. If you want to learn BIO 101, take him.

If you are a pre-med student, Dr. Castingnetti is your guy. His lectures and tests are engaging and require you to think critically. But his tests determine your grade for the class and they are extremely hard. I feel like I actually learned Bio, but if your not a bio major or not pre-med, it will be the biggest mistake of your life.

This guy definitely knows his stuff, but possibly too well. I think he expects way too much from his students in an intro course like this. Tests are very difficult, though he does curve them every time. However, I still never got above a C on any of them..while in AP Bio back in high school, I would get A's on pretty much every test.

Castigentti is Awesome. He's a great prof who loves the subject and makes you think about the material. He's also pretty easy going and you can definitely go to him if you have any questions. However his exams are extremely difficult and i ended up dropping the class.

If you're willing to put the work in you will do well. He's a great guy and a really good professor. You will learn a lot. A lot of the questions are on mastering bio and the practice problems in the book. You should read the power points and the book. 3 tests drops lowest. Final is worth up to 45% of grade. Has pop quizzes often during lectures

Love him! His tests are incredibly difficult, but if you put the work in such as actually reading the textbook and going to class, you will be rewarded. If you want an easy A, don't take him, but if you want to learn biology, I would recommend him. (also, he gives more than 10 point curves, we had a 20 pt curve after the cell respiration test...)

I would not recommend him if you are taking the class solely for the grade. However, if you want to learn a ton, he is the man for the job! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! He brings in lots of examples and expects you to really know the material, but if you make an effort, it will really pay off!

If you are thinking of going into pre-med or biology major take him. He is by far the best biology teacher I have ever taken. He is incredibly intelligent. Make use of the old tests he posts online. If you are not willing to work for your grade do not take him.

Had him for Bio 101. Tough class. Massive curve at the end. Ended up with a B+, being curved up from a C+. Tough. That's all I'll say. He will make you work. Extraordinarily intelligent professor.

Wish he would have taught 102. such a wonderful teacher

Very funny, class was interesting but very fast paced. I took AP Bio in HS with the same textbook which makes this class easier to keep up with. If you haven't had bio since freshman year HS you'll spend a lot of time studying to get a decent grade. Asks a lot of application questions. Exams are difficult but he curves. Wish he taught 102.

This class is the hardest class ive ever taken, but castignetti is a great guy and definite genius. you will learn a lot, but work pretty hard to get an A and use the textbook always. exams and the course grade is curved a lot tho. take if you want to really learn bio.

A very intelligent, interesting and helpful teacher. If you want to get a good grade, you need to come to the class, read the textbook, do masteringbio and practice tests. Challenging exams. Take him if you are a science student and ready to work.

This course was the finest intro to college one can have. There is no such thing as having studied enough: the tests are long and challenging. The curve at the end was generous. Recommended if you wanna learn a thang or two about introductory bio. Some have a beat with his personality (cocky?), but I didn't mind it. I enjoyed his lecture style.

Definitely one of the harder Bio teachers, but you'll learn and understand lot more. He'll prepare you for upper level biology courses especially through his tests. Take notes from lecture and ask questions. An A with him is highly possible, you just have to be up for a challenge. Just a little extra effort is needed, but worth it. I recommend him.

Dr. C is the best bio professor Ive had at Loyola. Microbio is HARD as hell but Dr. C teaches it really well. You learn to think for yourself because he doesnt spoon feed you all the info. If youre scared of working hard and studying, dont take him.

He is a nice guy who makes jokes throughout class, but he makes you think critically. He loves to drag you "kicking and screaming" as he puts it to think about the why. You do not really need to read the book as he goes over it in class, and you only need to show up to class because of the clicker quizzes, but the class is hard to make an A in.

His questions are really hard but he's a nice and helpful prof. He curves a lot though until the average is a 75. First exam 15 point curve second 23 points.Salam

Hard professor but fair in grading and you will learn a TON. At the very least, you will learn how to study properly for all future bio classes. 3 exams (drops lowest), homework points, and a cumulative final. Take professor C if you are willing to do the work and want to learn a lot about biology.

He's an amazing professor! I learned so much from him. Definitely take him! He really makes you learn bio, not just get an easy A. Be prepared to study a lot. The tests aren't too bad as long as you actually put the effort in. 1 test gets dropped so you can afford one bad grade. But overall, he's really worth taking.I hope to take him in the future

A very hard teacher but once you get use to his style you'll learn tons.He curves a lot on tests. If you want to actually learn biology and plan on going on the pre-med track take his class!! Made me want to be a bio major.

Dr. Castignetti is most definitely not appreciated for the great professor he is. He is always willing to answer questions, and always ready to crack a joke or two. Worth the hard work.

I took two different bio classes freshmen year and I like his class much better than the other. Castignetti is probably one of the smartest professors, i have come across. He doesn't test on mindnumbing details but rather application, which i found benefited me immensely. He drops a test and does clicker questions, so attend class regularly.

Castinetti is such a nice teacher and explains everything very well. His tests are impossible but they are curved 15-20 points. Random pop quizzes but they aren't too hard. I studied super hard for each test and got a B. Take this if you want to be a bio major!

He really knows his stuff and expects you to be on top of your gain. BUT SERIOUSLY, only take this class if you are really good at science or biology. He will take you through the ringer and you need to be able to handle the tests and the work. Your GPA depends on it. Don't get me wrong, he is by no means a jerk but he just expects a lot.

Castignetti is a great teacher and his lectures and power-points are so thorough that you shouldn't need to study from the book. However, if you don't have a knack or an interest in Biology (and Chemistry), his exams can seem pretty tricky. But he does curve them generously and always gives practice exams. He is a good teacher but not for everyone.

Great professor. In this class it is very important to read the book so you can follow along with his lectures. Studying for his exams is critical because they are difficult (but curved!). You will learn a lot if you work hard.

Get ready to work your butt off if you're in this class. He expects you to know things beyond what he teaches. He'll definitely break you down, even if you've previously taken AP Bio. Make the book your best friend!

This is a classic example of a knowledgeable professor who students can actually learn a lot from, but they do have to put in a good deal of effort. He's not going to simplify much down, but he won't surprise you on exams either. His lectures are very jam-packed with information, and reading is a must. I got an A in the class but it's not easy.

Tests are very tough because they are 80 questions with A LOT of application. Although he does practice application with you in class and discussion, tests are killer. His curve is pretty helpful but you need to study and understand thoroughly to get at least a B.

Everyone complains about how hard he is, but here is the reality. If you can't take this course and get an A, and you are Pre-med, you should choose a different career because it only gets harder from here. His test are difficult because he makes you think, but if you want to get into med school , you have to be able to think.

If you're not new to biology you probably disregard all the 100 level reviews already, so here's an upper level rating! For micro, Castignetti curves exams if the class average falls under 75%, has random clicker participation, and gives group quizzes on pertinent research study readings. Study lectures first and add from the book, know diagrams.

Difficult class, but you will learn the material. Tests are really hard, but they get curved most of the time. If you pay attention, hes actually very good at explaining the coursework. Definitely knows what hes talking about. Clicker points, pop quizzes, 3 tests, masteringbio, and a final. Take if you're a bio major because youll learn apllication

Dr. C is one of the best intro bio professors at Loyola. I felt so prepared for my upper level bio courses after taking his class. He curves a lot, which is nice. I thought his tests were easy but I also read the book, went to class, and studied... he's a funny guy but he can be a bit brusque and intimidating.

Castignetti is the best bio 101 professors at Loyola. He definitely uses it as a weeding out class but it's worth it because if you want to be med or even successful you need to be ready to work. honestly, just study, read the book, pay attention in lecture and you will do great. His exams are very hard because he wants you to apply the info.

He's a great professor (scary in the beginning). He's very helpful and nice in his office hours. The tests are difficult, not easy. Don't expect to just read the book once and know how to do it all. Go to class, and really practice the material outside and lean how to apply concept.

If you took AP bio its not too bad. It won't be easy but if you review material and avoid procrastination, an A is definitely reasonable. You really need to master the concept of material to APPLY it for tests rather than just memorize. His curves help a lot. Study a few days in advance, a lot of his test questions are online.

Lots of people complain about getting Castignetti but he was one of my favorite teachers this semester. You do have to be able to think to do well so expect to put in time on your own. But he makes lectures fun because he has so much knowledge he can joke about science in a good way.

If you ever wanted to take a class from the 6 foot 2, biology-loving version of Bernie Sanders, Castignetti is the professor for you. His tests are very difficult, but he curves them so as long as you pay attention in class and do his practice questions to study you should be fine. Don't skip class or you will lose Top Hat points.

I had Castignetti for 101 & 102. By far favorite professor. His humor is a little dry (in a funny way), but great lecturer. He knows the material very well. His lecture slides have everything you need to know. You don't even have to open the textbook to get an A on the test. He is one of the harder Gen Bio teachers, but I would absolutely recommend

I like his classes because they are straight forward and he actually teaches. If you took AP BIO in high school this class is not that different than that. The tests are a similar format. The tests are quite long so I would suggest taking his class on Tuesdays and Thursdays so you have enough time to finish.

He is my favorite professor so far. He is extremely intelligent and knows the material very well. Read PowerPoints and take thorough notes. Getting an A is hard but definitely possible. He teaches you skills necessary for future Pre-Med classes. Do not take him for granted because he truly cares about his students. Very nice man.

Came in to this class with no clue about college science. Castig was helpful in office hours, responded to emails quickly, and never talked down on me for not being a Science major. A LOT OF WORK like 60 pages of reading a night and challenging pop quizzes every day, but I learned a lot. Would def recommend for non-bio majors for the science req

There's no hw per se but be ready to read a lot. If you really want to learn microbio, take him. You don't really need the book because he basically puts the whole thing in his slides. His lectures are engaging and he always cracks a few jokes. I personally loved his class. Go to class! Do the readings! Go over lectures!

Hes very funny and his students can tell that he's very smart. His exams are hard and wordy but he does put a curve on each exam so the average is a 75%ish. I feel like he's a good higher level professor than a Gen Bio professor. But I do recommend him because he is a very smart guy. Try his office hours or SI if you have questions

very smart man. biology is difficult but he makes it understandable. if you read the chapter before class you should be fine. he is great at making students think analytically about the material: teaches concepts in class but the tests are application. definitely makes you work for your grade but he's very helpful and accessible for questions

DO THE EXTRA CREDIT!!!!! People went from a C to an A. Exams are hard and final is the hardest!!!

I recommend just listening to what he's teaching during lecture, and then doing the notes outside of class INCLUDING the notes for next class. Don't need a book, and study by doing the practice tests he posts, understand what you're doing, don't just memorize the answers