4.1
Quality3.2
Difficulty85%
Would Retake109
Reviews85%
Would Retake
109
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
109 total ratings5
68
4
18
3
3
2
6
1
13
What Students Say
“I have a big personality and i guess he didn't like that”
BIO1005 - 1.0 rating“Great class honestly, you get out what you put in”
1005 - 5.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
69%
Textbook Required
50%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Improving
+0.61 avg changeRatings by Course
CELLBIO
5.0
(1)BIO102
5.0
(3)BIOL10011002
5.0
(1)BIOL1002
5.0
(1)BIOL1005004
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
MICROBIO
5.0
BIOORG
5.0
BIO0000
5.0
BIO1002
4.4
BIO101
4.2
Reviews (108)
really really hard. half of my class dropped.
Incredible teacher who’s office door is always open. He has patience and will assist the student with any questions he/she may have.
Easy class, provided that you take good notes. He is a little bit pickey about lab reports and he pushes research.
No Comments
GREAT teacher. makes a boring subject interesting, tests are very difficult and some lab questions are tough, and he's very adamant about being on time. but he's ALWAYS around and happy to answer any questions you have.
Don Fontes is the man. Biology isn't going to be easy no matter who you take it with. He tries hard to make the class lively and interesting. His door is always open for help/questions/****. I highly reccomend taking him to anyone. I purposely took him for organismal after had takin cell
Class is very fast paced. Need to copy notes before going to class and expected to read chapters before coming to class. Tests are fairly difficult (lab tests you get to use a cheat sheet!) VERY nice guy and he will help anyone who asks. I highly recommend him. Guaranteed 15 hrs/week studying.
Didn't like him at all. Dropped his class after he compared us to his dogs, and walked out on us because nobody knew the answer to a question he asked.
This is the best kind of teacher - if you make the effort (15 hrs/wk min) and ask for help, there is no reason you can't learn a lot and pass as well. Be on time, make an effort, do all lab activities, read the book, and you will have fun - He is pretty funny as well as dedicated.
One of the best teachers I've ever had. You will learn if you take this class. He has policies you have to stick to, but he will help you learn even the hardest material.
I thought he was the most ignorant person that I ever met. His dogs are his life. Shuts the door right on the hour and will not let anyone in. Is he paying our tuition? I think we pay his!
No Comments
Tests are really hard.
Very tough, he has a short fuse.
absolutely the best professor in the world!!! This is a person who teaches w/ a passion, he clearly is in this business for the enjoyment of helping students. His class is tough, you need to put the time in. He is ALWAYS available to help,any time,any issue.
For those of you who yel about him not allowing tardiness, send your hate mail to me, I'm the staw that broke this cammels back. Unless you really dig bio which I don't, don't take anything from him. And set aside like three quarter rolls for the note copying.
Worst teacher in the world if you even want to call him a teacher! He is LAZY,ARROGANT,and a complete ASS!!! All of the smiley faces are ratings he did for himself and I would check w/the school to see how many people actually pass his class.............
This teacher was very condesending towards the students. He made the classroom an uncomfortable environment to be in because he always looked for a way to kick people. If you take his class make sure you read the book before going or he will kick you out!
Horrible teacher! He does not give a crap about the students, he only cares about himself. He talked down to us for the whole semester and made us feel stupid.
This professor was overly strict, insulting to all the students, rude, and he was very self centered! His class was a nightmare. I was really interested in learning all I could to prepare myself for other science but I made a big mistake taking it with him!
No notes in class, no note taking in class either Ugh there was no right way about things!! Thank God not Darwin that Ihad great lab partners to make me look forward to going I never missed a class!!
As a former student of Prof. Fontes, I am appauled at the negativity reflected on this site re: his character & his teaching ability. Most of the students that posted comments have appearently failed the course, therefore consider the source. This site is not truly reflective of his teaching abilities if every student is not represented.
His class is hard if you just want to slack off. But in general he's a great teacher who cares about his students. and doesn't want anyone of his students to fail, he has sched. office hours where he would help any student who came to them
AWESOME TEACHER!! Office hours available all week, If you take the initiative to go he's a great help, and makes everything clear. I went into bio, knowing nothing and hating the class, he wants to you learn! IF YOU DO YOUR WORK AND MAKE AN EFFORT YOU"LL DO FINE! I plan on taking another class with him! Great teacher!
Fontes expects students to read the book and learn biology. His job isn't to hand feed you biology, but to be there as a guide while you learn. Put the effort in, and the rewards shall come. If you don't want to learn, don't go to college.
This man doesn't teach, he uses the workshop method and covers a ch. a wk. He expects ppt.s every week and considers himself a coach. Any student ?'s he expects you to go to his office on your own time. I found the class frustrating and useless. I learned very little. I got my grade by learning the testing system.
I love Don Fontes as a teacher. He is def the best bio teacher I have ever had!! He got me into science, I looked foward to going to his class. You use the book A LOT but as long as you do the assigments that he gives you, you will do fine. He wants students to come during office hours, and is always making sure his students understands the materia
He is def the best bio teacher I have ever had! He got me into science, I looked foward to going to his class. You use the book ALOT but as long as you do the assigments that he gives u, u will do fine. He wants students to come during office hours, and is always making sure his students understands the material. He is def one of my fav teachers!!
Those of you who are commenting negatively about Don obviously have come to CCRI for the jr college experience. He's trying to get you ready for the real world people. Embrace it or you will be lost when you get there, cause its coming.
The worst class I have ever been. I won't recommend him even for my enemy.
No Comments
He teaches the class with an understanding that the material can saver your life. I am five semesters away from this class and profs. still bring up material from this class leaving my co-students befuddled. If you want to learn Science; do the reading, think cogently, and talk to both Don and Jean. If you don't want to learn; GFY shortbus
Don teaches understanding that this information can save your life. I am five semesters out from this class and Profs. still bring up material covered here that evokes glassy eyed torpor in my classmates. If you want to learn SCIENCE; do the reading, think cogently, talk to both Don and Jean and get used to feeling stupid. If not, GFY shortbus.
After a good brow beating between Fontes and Billerbeck, you should feel SERIOUSLY humbled that CCRI was able to afford two FUNCTIONAL minds. They made me want to learn.. take a class with either one before they wise up and fly the coop.
Fontes is an excellent professor, who utilizes a learn by teaching method with weekly powerpoints and quizzes. You are expected show up for class on time and do the work assigned,just like any other job! Don is always available to answer questions and explain things.If you do the work not only will you learn a lot but earn a good grade too.
Really an awesome teacher and an awesome guy too, you're responsible to do everything on your own but that's easier anyway, and if you don't understand anything he'll explain it 110% to you. Wish I could take another course with him.
Fonts is an awesome, personable guy with alot of knowledge. In his class you do group powerpoints that account for 1/2 of your final grade, and weekly take home quizzes that account for the other. As long as you chose group members that are reliable and show up every day, it's not a hard class to pass. You'll get used to speaking publicly,too.
If you can, avoid this guy. He is not willing to teach, instead, he sit and watch you present your powerpoint and give you one chapter to read each week. Take him if you wish at your own peril.
Just Started his class, really great guy. He will explain everything. Totally how a professor should be. Cant be a lazy student!
Fontes is an excellent professor as well as an amazing guy!! He is always there to help, has extended office hours and is enjoyable to be around. If you give respect, you will get respect back 200%. Highly reccomended!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wicked good professor! Knows his stuff and relates it to everyday life and why you should care. A CCRI Professor who actually works with the students. Learned a lot and actually enjoyed it.
Fontes is the man!!!! he is so funny, his classea re real easy if you do the work, and he makes learning fun!!
Not a conventional class. You pick questions relavent to the chapters, do a powerpoint on your own then put together a group powerpoint with other students that signed up for the same question, then you present another day, then a lab. Quizzes are every week online, and they're difficult if you don't understand/read the book. Best class & professor
can't miss a class or you will b lost. talks about his dad changing the rules and making his life miserable apple doesn't fall too far! tests online really hard! oral ppt presentations every week! not worth it take another bio and have a chance with other clases. This professor doesn't teach other students teach you or u teach yourself.
doesn't teach tells u what he wants for weekly ppt presentations and threatens your grade if others don't ask u questions. this will be the worst class I have ever taken here due to him and the groupwork. If I didn't do all the work I would have really failed no one worked in the group. tests examine your reading skills at a graduate level.
This class is easy! book is written on an 8th grade level. You must attend all 3 classes each week to get credit, however it is not necessary to attend all 15 wks to get an A. The weekly quiz can be challenging you will need the book. You must be comfortable working in a group setting and presenting in front of the class. Will help your GPA
Not the usual college class. You must attend three days a week one for lab, one to work on power point and one to present power point. Quizzes are at home online and you may use your book, they ARE hard. However, the answers are right in front of you. If you fail it really is just your fault. You only have to attend the first 10 weeks!
Great teacher! You have to do the work but it's worth it. Very helpful answered all my questions, keeps things relevant. Would reccomend him over and over again.
3 days a week, group project class. Week after week. Do your powerpoints, contribute to your group, do your online quizzes over the weekend = easy A. It's possible to obtain an A in this class in 10 weeks. Then you don't have to show up anymore. Awesome.
Don is my favorite professor at CCRI!! His class is set up in a unique way, which makes class fun and exciting, I wish more Professors would use his teaching method, as I find the class really informative and enjoyable. CCRI is lucky to have Don; Im bummed that the course is coming to an end!!
the more we enjoyed class, the harder he made things. Gave me the chance t absorb info not given to me in HS. Nice teacher overall.
His motto is relax and do your best. That's all you have to do to get an A. Aside from online quizzes every week, PowerPoint presentations and easy labs. Def take the class
Ridiculously easy class. Cant believe people actually fail it. You can technically pass this class with an A with a C. Fontes is a nice and funny guy. As long as you come to class you should have no problem finishing in 10 weeks.
Was a great professor. Knew how to get the best out of his student. He is passionate about his field and is very fair in his rules.
Super fun professor who really loves what he does. I used to hate bio but once I took this class it was so interesting. Also, one of the first classes that I've ever actually learned something & is able to remember it & apply it to real life. Hands down best Biology class ever, just make sue you attend every class and lab!
I never thought I would enjoy biology until I took Biology with Professor Fontes. His motto is relax if you want the A you can earn the A.. That's your choice.. Do your weekly powerpoints, attend Labs, and do online weekly quizzes.. BUT BE ON TIME !!!!!! He is STRICK on that.. read course syllabus.... But awesome teacher. !!!! DEFINATELY RECOMMEND
He is a great guy! Has respect for his students & relates what he is teaching to everyday life! Pushes his students to work to their full potential. This class requires a lot of time & effort but you will learn a lot by taking it!
He'll expect you to have all your work done when you get to class and is obsessed with you being on time. Don't ever be late or he'll kick you out of the class, it happened to me...
Don is the best professor that CCRI has. You determine if you want to learn in his class: if you do you're work and equally participate in the weekly presentations you'll be all set. He is always willing to go the extra mile to help students. Don is the only professor that truly cares about the wellbeing of his students: take his class!!!
Dr. Fontes is probably the most relatable professor at CCRI. He is very strict about his rules, and DO NOT be late to class. Classroom time is so different from the usual way of teaching that it keeps you from staring at a powerpoint every day. His students teach each other. It was a pretty easy class, as long as you do what is asked of you.
Professor Fontes is hands down the most respectable, helpful, down to earth professor I've ever had. His course let's you determine your output through weekly presentations and labs,.don't slack off! Don is one who cares about the wellbeing of his students. Definitely the best class at CCRI, you won't regret this course.
Awesome teacher!
We are halfway through the fall 2014 semester.. and HE IS AMAZING! I hate biology, science period, but he makes it so worth it. You have to show up on time, and take notes from the book on your own, attend lab, and do group PowerPoints. Great class honestly, you get out what you put in. He is fair with all students "nothing late no excuses!" Relax
This professor is very clear with his assignments and gives a clear grade criteria which you would grade yourself on.
Wish he taught more then just this class. Very clear of what is expected from you. Its your own fault if you fail. Mean you did not do what you were suppose to.
This class is a joke. Professor Fontes wins points with students because he's laid back and swears. He spends a great deal of time complaining about how he should be getting paid more and how administration "sit on their ass" and get paid, when he doesn't lecture and students grade the class. Weekly quizzes & powerpoint presentations on chapters.
Presentations every single week. Why that might scare you as it did me in the beginning, it made my presenting nerves slim to none. His motto is "relax" Gives HUGE extra credit points. He is hilarious, interesting, and helpful. I would HIGHLY recommend this class. The thought of bio might scare you, but trust me this is the way to do it. Easy A.
Once you get behind, you are out of luck my friend.
Greatest teacher at CCRI! He Makes you want to learn ! He's awesome !!!
One of the best professors I have ever had! I retained more information than I thought was possible and believe this is a must take class. Do your work and show up because Fontes wants you to do the best you can.
Don is a super cool guy who will do anything he needs to in order to make sure his students do their best and are comfortable in their learning environment. The class was not difficult but there is a lot of work required outside of class and attending the majority of classes is required to pass. Very knowledgeable and will help anytime you ask!
Awesome guy! Always helpful with learning new material and is very easy going. Alot of outside work but not hard at all. Defiantly take this course with this professor!
Very cool dude. Pushes you to be a better version of yourself. DO NOT COME LATE. Very funny. Lots of power points and online tests. Easy A if you do your work
Donald Fontes class is designed to involve students in their material through labs and group powerpoint presentations. For those willing to put the work in, it's an easy A. He requires an extensive amount of work and gets on the case of those who don't put it in. Don't take this class if you want a class to just breeze through.
The best teacher I have ever had! Hard work pays off!
Awesome teacher! Very fair with grading, gives lots of group projects. If you miss class, you will be behind! Would recommend!
If you're reading this and need to pick a science for your semester, this is a great selection. I took the hybrid option, which means the work is online, but you can still attend class. Don is insanely productive and will give you the resources to understand and like the material. He is the best teacher I have ever had and would recommend him!
He starts out cool. I have a big personality and i guess he didn't like that. Don can be chill, we had a good relationship, then I showed up late a couple times. After that he was extremly hard on me, and very out of line. Told me he wanted to teach me a lesson my parents never taught me. Has problems outside of teaching. Not a good man. DONT TAKE
Great job! Very engaging, funny, lectures well (this was a hybrid online course).
I thought Don was a real stand up guy. I took his hybrid class which was amazing. I'm horrible at science so a hybrid option where I can look things over multiple times and go back in the book during quizzes was super helpful. Don also gave great note-taking advice which I still use in all my other classes. Awesome class!
I took Don's HYBRID biology course, it was completely online which I was nervous for at first but I seriously recommend Don Fontes for biology. He uses a point system with the last 3 weeks all extra credit! He still manages to talk to you at the least once a week. Highly recommend if you need to take biology.
He is very unprofessional and rude when I asked for more clarification regarding the syllabus. When I did not receive one if his emails he REFUSED to send me the email and kept insisting that I did receive it. He accused me of accusing him of not doing his job as a professor when all I did was ask him to send me the lab for the lab quiz.
Great professor, I took his online Bio which i was super stressed about. Science being my weakest subject and if you put in the time youll more than definitely get a good grade. Weekly homework, quiz and test. Definitely use the book!
I took Biology as a Hybrid course, which was all online, and I really enjoyed it. Every week, he sends out an email mapping what the week looks like and includes TED talks and videos that will encourage us. As long as you do the work and accumulate the points, you're good to go for an A.
I would never recommend this class to anyone. This instructor was rude, condescending, and plain ignorant. At the beginning of the class, he seemed nice- called himself "Coach" but if you were ever to send an email to ask a question, clarify anything-- he was no coach. Don't email to ask a question--- makes you feel stupid if you ask a question
You are missing out if you do not take his class!! I took the BIOL 1005 Hybrid course with Professor Fontes. He is inspirational, he believes in his students and he helps you achieve your goals. He was so giving of encouragement and affirmation on my work and progress; his class was one of the best experiences I have had in college thus far.
Professor Fontes (Coach is his nickname I guess) is an extremely unforgiving Professor, but at the same time has the right to be like that. I am taking his BIOL1005 online course, which so far- is A LOT OF WORK, but at the same time, it is VERY manageable. I take 4 other credit-bearing courses and this Biology course definitely has the most work.
This was the worst class ive taken to date. This is the second time ive taken BIOL1005 because im just not good at it. however, thats no excuse for a professor to belittle a student about their grade.
I took Professor Fontes' online BIOL1005 class. There is homework, a lab quiz, and a test every week. It's a lot of work but kind of easy if you understand the material. Professor Fontes is very rude though. If you don't understand something, don't email him. he will not give you an answer. Also, do NOT mess up on the grade sheet, he will fail you.
Don is a wonderful teacher! We NEED more teachers like him!! He calls himself coach and goes beyond teaching biology. He teaches you about life, and sends motivational video and genuinely wants you to succeed! we emailed about life, etc, I always look foward to his emails. I consider him a friend:)!
Professor Fontes is awful He edited the Pearson course curriculum to add irrelevant questions and he sends an email blast every week with paragraphs of 'movitational' messages/links. He uses his own grading system and will give you a LATE/FAIL WITHDRAWAL for not sending your own filled-in grade sheet, even if you do every piece of work assigned.
Prof Fontes truly cares about the subject of Biology, and teaches/grades with the purpose of wanting his students to care as well. I assure you, if you are confused my anything, reach out to Prof Fontes. Another skill he likes to nurture is a students ability to network with faculty. If you take the first step, he will reply with mutual respect.
Professor Fontes is great. His class is very straight-forward; you do the reading then do the homework, test, quiz. A bit time consuming but not bad at all. He offers lots of extra credit so you can easily make up anything you missed. He's also just a super nice guy and you can tell he wants his students to succeed. And he replies fast to emails.
Extremely motivating professor. He sends thoughtful and encouraging emails out every week. The class I took was all online with no meeting times. He is easily reached by email and always replies fast. He also offers lots of extra credit so if you miss something don't worry. I loved everything about this professor and would definitely recommend!
Professor Don is by far my best biology teacher, he is always there whenever you need assistance. If you really want to learn don't think twice and I assure you, you will not regret it. I couldn't ask for a better biology teacher. Coming from a student who was average when it came to Biology. Don't hesitate to choose him!
yes you have to work for your grade, but this is honestly one of the most genuine professors there are. He honestly cares about his students and will literally do anything he can to help you pass and succeed on the work, he replied to emails quickly and gives you lots of encouragement throughout the semester, overall he is awesome! Love prof. Don!
A great professor. The most encouraging professor I've ever had. Is always there to listen to students. As a person who is not good at science or biology, this class made me feel like I understood the material. He always sends out very good resources to help you a long the way. I highly recommend this professor.
Very friendly emails. Always is very clear and always keeps you in the loop on how you are performing grade wise.
While this class was indeed difficult I came away learning a lot which in the end is what matters. Not to mention throughout all of it Don was there to help when needed. I appreciate all the help he gave and I would absolutely recommend him as a choice for your science class.
Previously I have struggled with Biology in the Past but, In this class with the weekly E-mails from Don it felt as though someone was truthfully wanting me to succeed, and was willing to help to get me to do so. (something that as a College student we can all agree is not always the case).
He is a very genuine caring teacher. The material is not hard if you do the work. He does care about the students much more than any other professor I've ever had.
Great prof. sends weekly emails and answers quickly. Workload is very manageable and not difficult.
Professor Fontes made it so easy to understand the material. His weekly emails were very motivating. This class is very easy as long as you read the book, complete weekly homework, lab quiz, and test which were all open book, you'll pass the class. He gave us extra credit work to help boost our grades. He is very easygoing and answers emails fast.
One of the best professors I have ever had! He was truly inspirational and cared!
Don is super cool!!! He cares soooo much about his students success. He will help in whatever way he possibly can. Don made it so clear that he loves his job and his students. Work load is very manageable and straightforward. He sends amazing encouraging emails that really make you think. I'm so happy I chose to take his online biology course.
Professor Don was by far the most interactive professor I've ever had, he never let me quit even when I wanted to give up. He gave me words of encouragement and always was by my side. I hate Biology and he knew it but he kept me focused. His criteria and guidelines helped so much, that's why I was able to succeed. He loves what he does and it shows
Don made online biology so much easier! His course is clear, and he's always quick to respond whenever you need help. The three extra credit weeks are a great bonus, too. He really cares about his students' success. If you can take his class, definitely do it!
He is honestly one of the best professors I had at CCRI. He makes his course very straight forward. You know everything when you start. He makes it very clear that if you need help reach out to him. He also responds very fast. He sends weekly emails to keep you on task, since it was a online course. Made the class go by fast. Would recommended!!
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
69%
Textbook Required
50%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Improving
+0.61 avg changeRatings by Course
CELLBIO
5.0
(1)BIO102
5.0
(3)BIOL10011002
5.0
(1)BIOL1002
5.0
(1)BIOL1005004
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
MICROBIO
5.0
BIOORG
5.0
BIO0000
5.0
BIO1002
4.4
BIO101
4.2