2.8
Quality4.6
Difficulty25%
Would Retake105
Reviews25%
Would Retake
105
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
21
4
25
3
14
2
14
1
31
What Students Say
“Worst class of my entire college career”
BIO3070 - 2.0 rating“Unfortunately, that forces you to know your stuff”
BIO3070 - 4.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
42%
Textbook Required
57%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
-0.15 avg changeRatings by Course
BIO3010
5.0
(2)GENETGENE
5.0
(1)3800
4.7
(3)GENETICS
4.0
(2)B3070
3.7
(3)Difficulty by Course
3070005
5.0
BIO310
5.0
BIOLOGY
5.0
B3070
5.0
BIO3070
4.8
Reviews (105)
Avoid at all costs. Lectures are useless and tests are absurd. That is a huge understatement.
Not to enthused of a professor. Test was rediculously hard. Nice guy but impossible to get an A. Take Hari instead
Avoid this guy at all cost! He just about failed our entire class and had a real sink or swim attitude towards student progress. Admitted to his TA that undergrad bio was simply there to thin out the herd.
His tests are rediculously hard and he does a really bad job of explaining everything during lecture. A complete joke of a professor.
DO NOT TAKE HIM. His tests are really hard and deal with nothing covered in lectures. He does not like answering questions. He did not even tell the class that scantrons were needed for the final.
NOOOOOOO!!!!! DO NOT DO THIS TO YOURSELF!! If you wish to hate your life and everything in it then be my guest....
Very hard professor...not as hard as ppl say, just keep on top of the reading and you'll be ok. Besides, he's a great lecturer although he tends to talk about the student's level.
What ever you do stay away!
Not as hard as people say he is. Lectures are clear if you go to them and pay attention, and read. I got over 100% percent in his class while taking 16 credits with a chem class, an A is diefinitly possible.
He is just there to weed you out. Dont listen to him. In love with himslef.
He made genetics interesting. So many people say to avoid him, but he did everyithing he could to get a nice distribution curve, giving me a 99.2% in the class! He is not that difficult. (I thought it was kind of bad that the top 2 scores in my class where chem students, not bio!!!)
Made genetics interesting. So many people say to avoid him, but he did everyithing he could to get a nice distribution curve, giving me a 99.2% Not that difficult. (I thought it was kind of bad that the top 2 scores in my class where chem students, not bio!) Hari guest lectured once, he is horrible!
Horrible! Avoid this man at all costs!
I had this prof a few years ago for genetics. He comes off very strict and rude, but he is actually quite helpful at office hours. Tests are very difficult!
HE IS VEERY HARD!Make sure u do all the problems from the back and prepare well for the exams. Take good notes and pay attention in class. Final exam is very hard (average about 50%)!!Be sure that you will do well before taking his class!
The class is hard, but he is hepful and intersted in explaning 5 times if needed in the review sessions. With this professor and the class I have learned HOW to study biology and realized that I have learned more and more effectively in this class than micro, cell biology combined. Take him, but STUDY HARD!
He is very hard.makes genetics much harder than it is.Very boring lectures(monotonous prof).I took it with him only because ppl said he's a good teacher,so I was willing to do the work.This man,however,is in teaching just so he can ruin students grades,won't even round 1% in the final grades.he does curve but its not very helpful.Didnt learn much
He's very hard.I shouldn't have taken it with him.Made genetics much more complicated than textbook.Exam averages are incredibly low(like 41% after the curve on exam 2).Just take genetics with someone else and save yourself the misery.
I scored the highest in gen chem, organic chem I , II, and anylytical ...its tradgic that I scored higher than all the chem majors.......ooopsys!!
This was by far the hardest class i've ever taken, but i've gotta say I did learn alot. He goes overboard on what he expcets of you, but stick with it, go to lecture, read the book after lecture and outline in your own way what he went over, go to review sessions when you need to, do homework. I got a B- from this class, but worked my ass off.
Take my word for it - this class is HARD. Very very very hard. If you plan on taking his class I suggest you cancel your social life for a semester because this will take up all of your time. When you do questions from the book you feel brilliant but when you get to the exam your luck will probably have run out. Take it with someone else.
K guys. This isn't your typical Wayne State Bio class. HE IS HARD! But I think this class, along with VanBerkum's cell bio have been the most rewarding. I learnt so much! I started off the class on a bad note, but with tons upon tons of studying, and huge curves do to very low low class scores, I got an A- in the class. I think he's good.
The WORST EVER!! Take this class and you WILL repeat it!!!!!! Very arrogant and not helpful in office hours. all in all the WORST Biology teacher in my LIFE!
There are two types of biology students: If you are intelligent and care about learning, take Ed. If you are lazy and care about the grade, not Ed. Any animosity towards this brilliant man stems from someone not being smart enough to 'get it.'
This is by far the hardest undergrad BIO class at Wayne. There is alot of problem solving vs. mem here that MANY students dont know how to do. Dr Golenberg is a really GOOD prof, but students are not well preped for this class and underestimate the amount of work they need to dev this skill. Do as many problems as poss, more than assigned!!!!!
the worst teacher ever !!! he makes u fall asleep. i tried to take all notes but didnt work. be ready to repeat this class. he is the only one teaching in our school. so it is hard to avoid him. after most of students dropped this class only the smart ass ppl or repeaters were left in class so the avg. came out to be ok. but still HE IS THE WORST.
Here's the story...this class is EXTREMELY difficult. You better be able to combine 3 or 4 text questions to find one overall (3-5 part) answer on the exams. Averages arount 25% raw score on exams. Gregor Mendel himself probably would get a B on one of his pea pod questions. I STRUGGLED to pull a C.
this isn't a slack-off class. I think this class demands a lot of time and self-studying. His tests are wordy,misleading. If you want to go to grad school, take it with this prof. You'll learn a lot of extra facts on the side. Otherwise, you have to know how to filter what he says cause he likes to diverge and talk about grad level research.
This was by far the hardest class i've ever taken, but i've gotta say I did learn alot. He goes overboard on what he expcets of you, but stick with it, go to lecture, read the book after lecture and outline in your own way what he went over, go to review sessions when you need to, do homework. I got a B- from this class, but worked my ass off.
Dr. Goldenberg is by far the hardest teacher in Wayne State. His exams have nothing to do with what he teaches in lecture. It is not like other Biology exams, where after an exam, you take-up the exam and say, duh, i knew this question, but I don't know why I chose the other one. In his class, his questions are mysterious.
The worst professor ever ALIVE.
he is the worst professor ever.. more than half og the class is filled with retakers not that they do not know genetics but this professor will not let us even pass this class. his exams are very hard the avg. will be like 25-30 %. THE WORT PROFESSOR EVER !!!!!
This professor is a terrrrrrible lecturer his test are absurd- the final exam is impossible-even if you were passing before the final ("C") beware of the final exam ruining your grade. He gets his jollies out of not passing students- take heed. If you take him you'll end up homeschooling yourself. He does not curve your final grade. Look 4 Lopes.
Have you ever cried after taking a final? I did after his......
This guy is a hero. Take his class an you will win!
Yes his class is hard! 2-3hrs of work/night is needed. I didn't which led me to D-, although I do feel that I should have gotten at least a C. In reality his lectures are well put together, they're interesting, and you do come out feeling like you learned something. Its just his test are damn near impossible, with class curves given 70pts.
First off, Dr. Golenberg is a great teacher. His knowledge of the material is immeasurable. You have just work very hard and you can have success in his class. You must attend all lectures, and help sessions. Study notes everyday and do ALL HW problems. He is always available for help. Great person who really cares about his students.
This class is a challenge. His exam are hard, but compared to old one there a little bit easier. you have to memorize the stuff and understand it. He offers a make up exam take it, its easier and has a better curve.
Materials covered in class did not show up on exams. Did not do much explaining. Did not show much mercy...curves were unexplainable
Genetics in general is a hard subject. Dr. G. makes the class enjoyable. He knows his stuff and is eager to help. Although exams are very difficult, it's a welcome challenge. They're written, so you have to know the material well. This is the first bio class in which I felt challenged and felt that I've truly learned--not memorized--the material.
This class more so than any other class at WSU was about keeping up with the reading in preparation for his lectures. Do so and you stand a decent chance at an A. Do it not at your own peril. He curves the exams mightily, and gives plenty of opportunity to score bonus points and easy homework points. Best bio class so far at WSU, hands down.
HORRIBLE!! STAY AWAY TO PRESERVE SANITY!!!
He is biggest as hole in this college. he is not willing to help at all. all her does is sit on his *** since he has two offices. he yells at students for asking questions. makes you feel worthless. he does not motivate his students. exams are nothing....i mean nothing like his lecture or H.W. even though he claims that they r.
Obviously intelligent man, published dozens of times. Unfortunately, he has lost track of how to communicate with students. I have an A btw, but I have no other commitments. He is way too demanding, has unfair evaluation methods, inconsiderate of student life, etc. He has a cushy job at WSU and no motivation to help us learn. You're on your own :(
Genetics is a difficult course with whoever you take it. I think he is a great professor. He gives 30-40pt curves. He gives in class quizzes that help boost grades. His knowledge in this field is just superb. I highly recommend Dr.Golenberg for those who actually want to put forth the effort. TAKE HIM IF YOU WANT TO LEARN!
:( the final was horrific... it was multiple choice.. I cried after taking it :/
If your career goals extend beyond undergrad (ie med or grad school), Prof G is an excellent instructor. He teaches you how to problem solve which is integral. This is the best bio class I have taken so far @ Wayne. The key to this class is understanding concept, not facts. Study hard, do practice probs, and you will get an A+.
Dr. Golenberg is one of the best Biology professors at WSU. You should definitely take Genetics with him. You just learn so much. I'm not saying it will be easy, you obviously have to want the A but he is definitely a wonderful professor. He curves 30-40 pts EACH exam. He cares about students and he wants you to succeed. THANK YOU DR G!!!
Genetics itself is a hard subject but Dr. Golenberg makes your time worth while. If u put in the effort for his class u will get an A. Dr. Golenberg tests you on how well you understand the material, hes amazing. Also, ur not on ur own, he is helpful and welcoming in office hours. I saw dr golenberg going over every question on an exam to a student
For the first time @ Wayne, I feel like I have left a biology class and learned something. This class was very hard, but the material is interesting. Do not focus on learning defitions, focus on the concept! Professor Golenberg is great! Don't let these ratings deter you.
Professor Golenberg's Genetics class is very hard, you have to study alot and actually read all of the book because the part you don't read usually comes up on the test. However, he curves based on the second highest exam score which is usually an extra 35 pts or so and he is actually very helpful and willing to answer any questions.Really nice guy
Do not take his class, I just had the first exam and trust me I read all the chapters in the book and did all problems assigned. With all the information I accumulated I did not manage to pass the first exam. His questions are very difficult and I did not know where to begin. I'm not trying to scare you from taking him but give it a good thought because you're gonna be in hell not in genetics..
In the class now. First exam results are in! Highest score out of about 200 student was a 120/200. I believe the average was around 50/200. I read the chapters in the text book, went to discussion and lecture, scored perfect on all homework and quizzes...Just take this class with another professor, otherwise your digging yourself a DEEP hole.
Probably one of the cruelest professors at Wayne State. Everyone failed our first exam. He had the audacity to stand in front of us with arrogance and go over the exam, then proceeded to tell us how it wasn't hard. If I knew the answers before hand, it wouldn't be hard to me either.... -.-
He is a really nice guy, but his class is VERY hard. I think the most challenging part was trying to figure out what the question was asking from me. I would have to read the question 3-4 times before I understood it. His past exams he posts for help are nothing like the current exam.
Some of these comments are just ridiculous (ex:scantron comment). First off, genetics itself is hard. It's true that he IS definitely hard but he at least gives you the opportunity to fix your mistakes by having an optional exam to replace a test and a random redo question to replace that question from a test.
Okay.I just finished his class, and I'm still alive, so....that being said, this was one of the toughest classes I have ever taken. Period. Golenberg knows his stuff. But even other profs in the dept were asking why the exam avgs were so low. I mean less than a 10% class avg on the final? :`( I know he reads these. So, Hi Dr. Golenberg!
Just finished the course and here's what I think. Taking genetics is hard but taking Dr. Golenberg's genetics course is a high stakes gamble of your time, money, mind and overall personal well-being. I'm serious, I made it through the class but I was emotionally down the entire semester. A gamble you'll never win, even if you make it out alive.
As the person before me said, this class is a gamble with your life. It makes you emotionally depressed the whole semester. His exams are very hard, they're all essay based and taken from sources other than your book for the most part.
This is coming from someone who got an A with him. Genetics is hard, but his exams make it nearly impossible. The questions are nothing like hw probs and quizzes. I do feel like I learned something from the course. He's very knowledgeable on the subject, but I would not take another course with him.
I learned more about genetics than had ever hoped to. Yes, the tests are extremely hard, but I studied harder for this class than I had for any bio class prior to this. I left the class with an A. It's not impossible, it just takes sacrifice. And Dr. Golenberg isn't a bad guy. He honestly wants you to do well.
If you have no other science classes, or don't mind failing your other science classes in order to study for his class 24/7, then take him, because you MAY get an A. If you have other science classes which most people do, don't bother. He is nice but his exams are ridiculous and nothing like he says they're going to be.
Three words to describe this guy: Piece of S*hit.
The class was very difficult but really I wasn't too shocked. It was a 3000 level class so it's expected. The exams were ridiculous and I really wanted to hate him but he's seriously such a likeable guy. I liked his lectures and how he got excited about the subjects, just not a huge fan of the exams.
This class was ridiculously difficult. All of exams are word problems, which is different from every biology class I've taken. This class really does require you to read the book, re listen to lectures, and do beyond the assigned homework problems. He's a great professor, but you won't pass if you don't put your all into it.
Dr. Golenberg's class was hands down the most difficult class I ever took. However, he warned us in the beginning how difficult his class was. His exams are all free response, which is good because it allows you to fully express your ideas on paper. Unfortunately, that forces you to know your stuff. Extreme dedication is required.
Dr. Golenberg's classes are not for people just trying to take a class and get an A. You should be passionate about the subject matter if you choose to take a class with him. If you are truly interested in the subject of whichever class he is teaching then you will be rewarded with a lot of knowledge, from someone who truly understands his field.
Worst class of my entire college career.
Go ahead and take him if you want to repeat the class again. Nothing further left to say. If you want to play russian roulette with your gpa, this guy will always win.
the first time I checked the website to see how this teacher is, i read the comments but didnt actually believe them; however, every single comment that described how bad this teacher is, was really true. If you wanna lose money, effort, lower ur gpa or if you want to repeat the class, go ahead and take him. worst professor of all times!
I loved him. I thought he was a great lecturer and explained things clearly. Go to class, pay attention, and take good notes and review them often-everyday if you can. I do not recommend taking this with other hard classes. The subject is hard itself and he doesn't make it any easier, but if you want to get your moneys worth, take him!
if i could give him 0 star instead of 1, i would
Dr. Golenberg teaches a difficult class, and he makes it harder in the way he gives his exams. I took this course with a total of 19 credits last Fall and managed to squeeze out an A, but not without rigorous studying for this class every day. My advice if you take this class: show up to lectures AND THEN relisten to the posted lectures.
This was the hardest BIO class I took but I don't think Dr.G isn't the issue. I think it'll be hard no matter who you take the class with. He's one of the "harder" teachers but he curved a lot. He even held review sessions because when he saw a lot of students didn't like to go to office hours. It helped me a lot. Work hard in disc. & do your hw.
Golenberg is a great lecturer however what he lectures in class isn't relevant to the exams. Exams are extremely difficult and you have to learn all the material on your own because you won't learn them in class. The exams are meant for a graduate level class in terms of difficulty and ratio of time given to test length. Never again.
do not waste your college tuition taking this teacher. He makes the class extremely hard for student's who are taking this course as a requirement. He has random pop quizzes. I'm barely passing the class right now. FYI, the guy teaches the course like a graduate course.
If you get him for a lower level bio class, do not take it. He's so used to teaching a high level that he makes this class very difficult. He does not specify what to study when there's an exam and the content he puts on the exam isn't even what we talked about in class or in the book. Be prepared for LOTS of reading, notes, and tests.
Thank goodness he curves. Would've had two letter grades lower if he didn't.
I learned a lot. The material we covered was simple but be prepared to take good notes and read thoroughly outside of class. Overall I had a great time though and I do respect Golenberg a lot.
Dr. Golenberg has my respect. His brilliance is rubbing off on me... I actually feel kinda smart now! This class is only for the motivated students. I HIGHLY URGE anyone that isn't ready to be challenged to take Dr. Golenberg. It will be a mistake. He is inspirational and I think I'm going to go into genetics because of him. Also he is funny!
He's a great instructor and he conveys the material well. However, tests are a guessing game, and no matter what I study or what he tells you to prepare for, they are polar opposite and seldom even allude to the material you've reviewed. All the review, discussion grinding, etc. barely helps. This class is a gamble no matter who you take it with.
I am a biology major and I have gotten As in all of other biology courses and chem/physics classes. But Im losing my 4.0 to golenberg because he doesnt know how to test students. It is all a gamble with him and this class is not worth risking your GPA. Take it from someone who studies everyday and gets As In science courses. DO NOT TAKE HIM
Worst class I've ever taken, this guys knows his stuff but his exams are a guessing game you will have no idea what to expect, expects you to know the material in extreme detail, like beyond lecture. Also extremely uncaring about his students. I would personally avoid at all costs unless you have want to be challenged.
Golenberg is the absolute worst professor at Wayne. I highly urge you NOT to take him because you will seriously regret it. If you don't believe me here are the averages for the exams AFTER the major curve he gives: 1st) 63%, 2nd) 57%, 3rd)60%, 4th)46%. Save your GPA, happiness and money and do not take Golenberg.
Dr. Golenberg is a very old school professor. He expects students to only be taking his class only. He does not sympathize with the students nor does he care that the exam averages are literally failing grades. His exams are so hard and he is such a hard grader. I wish I had taken this class anywhere else with anyone else. Avoid at all costs.
he's the worst, curves are so minimal, half the class been dropped after exam 2, i did bad on 2 exams out of 4 and my grade was just impossible to fix. His slides contain less than half the info he tests on. Discussion is the only way to learn material in his class. Avoid at all costs.
This class was undeniably difficult but Dr. Golenberg is a great lecturer and cares if you actually put in the effort. You have to read the book and do all the problems, not just the suggested ones. I would not recommend this class with many other time consuming classes. If you care about understanding the material, hes a great choice.
He expects a lot of his students. His exams are difficult, do all the practice problems you can. If you want to do well this class, you have to read the textbook and study throughout the class, you can't easily cram for this class. I was in the honors section and had the chance to earn an extra 150pts, and that's the only reason I got a B.
Stay away if you wanna save your life and grades. For example: He only gives you the alphabets but expects you to write an essay in class without teaching how to even write words first if that makes sense. Hardest class I ever took because he is such a trash teacher. He just does not teach you & you can't just teach genetics to yourself either.
By far the hardest class I have had thus far. You will become a different person after this class. You will gain or lose a few pounds depending how you handle stress. The tests are like puzzles. You need to prepare to solve an unsuspected problem. You cant neccesarily prepare for the questions on the test in a traditional manner. Great teacher
You want a good grade you have to work hard for it. Dr. Goldenberg is one of the best professors Iv'e had. Once your done with the class you will have been trained by a top teir professor who knows his stuff. The material in lecture will be stored in such a way that you will never forget it. Definitely will take if I were you.
When I first read the reviews on here I was skeptical saying how awful he was, but he honestly was awesome ?and I was able to meet some nice people in my class! At the end of the semester he took off our 4 lowest quiz grades which brought my grade up a letter. There was a quiz every Friday but as long as you review the PowerPoints youll be fine.
Dr. G does not record his zoom lectures. The TA's do not record discussion zoom lectures. There's a quiz in discussion every week, which you're only given 15 min to complete. The questions require a lot of thinking and work, making it impossible to finish in time. Prof & TA's are inconsiderate and don't care that the class is 'hard.' Good luck :/
The worst professor ever. Will do anything he can to inconvenience you and screw your grade. Doesn't record lectures, doesn't prepare you for tests, tests you on material you haven't been taught. In love with himself and likes to see students struggle to make himself feel better. A total sadist with no consideration. A gamble and a guessing game.
Run. Seriously, run. Don't waste your time. Don't waste your money. You're better off taking a 3000 level science course at a community college. Class is impossible. Prof is ruthless, and so are TA's. You won't get your way. Save yourself before regretting your decision to take the course. Listen to these ratings. We're being as honest as possible.
Just dont take him.
Golenberg is a ruthless professor. His exams are a mystery and you have no idea what you're going into. One or two of the hardest questions will be worth 30-40 pts each and half the exam. His grading is super harsh and his questions make zero sense/are like nothing you've seen or been taught. Final was brutal. I lost my mind in here, never again.
This class was one the toughest class I've taken. If you have no options but to take this class, look through each exam after you get it back and try to get some points back by emailing him. A couple of extra points go a long way when you're trying to pass this class. Exam 1 was the easiest- so make sure you do really well on that specific exam.
Just dont do it, take the class anywhere else but at WSU. The class is hard, thats not a secret but this professor goes out of his way to make his exams way harder and more complicated than he needs to. He is very rude and unapproachable. His response when asked for help was drop the class. He should not be teaching. He is just plain awful.
DO NOT take this professor. You will fall into depression. Does not care about his students. Exams are nothing about what he lectures. Does not answer questions. Tells you to drop the course if you are struggling, and is extremely rude. Lectures exam material in office hours and you miss it. Should not be teaching period. AVOID THIS CLASS AT WSU!!!
Not gonna waste anyone's time complaining, here's my advice: go to discussion, you will need those quiz points. Take notes ahead of time. Lectures are fast and information heavy, this helped me stay on top of it instead of giving up and zoning out. Lastly, DO. THE. PRACTICE. PROBLEMS. this class is PAINFUL but practice problems are your lifeline.
I 100% recommend this class, if you are willing to put in some work. This is not a blow off, easy A class, however, if you put in the work you will definitely succeed. He's a smart guy and an excellent prof. If you want to walk away from a class feeling like you actually learned something and didn't waste your money, take this course and prof.
Amazing prof and class. Lots of hands-on experience and learning through discussion rather than boring reading. He teaches you how to read heavy research papers which is a valuable skill. He's so kind and a very easy grader. Exams are easy since he gives lots of wiggle room and opportunity. Great experience even if you think plants are boring. TAKE
Dr. Golenberg treats his students terribly. I have never had a worse professor. His grading consists of quizzes every week, three written assignments, and nothing else. There is no extra credit or extra help for students who need it. Avoid this class at all costs.
Dr. Golenberg's class has a specific system, but engaging with it pays off. Use unstuckstudy, the textbook, and attend study sessions to ace the weekly quizzes.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
42%
Textbook Required
57%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
-0.15 avg changeRatings by Course
BIO3010
5.0
(2)GENETGENE
5.0
(1)3800
4.7
(3)GENETICS
4.0
(2)B3070
3.7
(3)Difficulty by Course
3070005
5.0
BIO310
5.0
BIOLOGY
5.0
B3070
5.0
BIO3070
4.8