2.9
Quality3.5
Difficulty41%
Would Retake97
Reviews41%
Would Retake
97
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
15
4
22
3
23
2
16
1
21
What Students Say
“I believe she is retiring after this year, but my goodness she is a terrible professor”
BIO3004 - 1.0 rating“The worst Biology professor ever”
BIO1134 - 2.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
53%
Textbook Required
39%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.79 avg changeRatings by Course
ZOO1
5.0
(1)BIO1504
4.6
(5)BIO4503
4.5
(2)ZOOLOGY
4.3
(4)PRINZOO
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
1134
5.0
BIO1023
5.0
BIO3004
4.3
BIO4503
4.0
BIO1134
3.9
Reviews (97)
Class is hard, but manageable. She is a good teacher, but you have to come to class and pay attention. Multiple Choice tests are only graded material, lab counts 25%.
Mrs. Williamson is a really sweet lady. Her lectures aren't exactly enthralling, unless you just get all excited by power point, but she really knows her stuff. I learned alot in her class. It's alot of info, but if you ever need help, she is willing.
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she is a good teacher, she knows what she is talking about. if you like biology definately take her, if you want to learn biology she is a good start also.
I thought that this was going to be one of those gimme classes but not by this professor.she teaches from powerpoint but it is difficult to follow her because she mumbles.I didn't have to study until the day before the test (I got a B)but the questions were worded entirely different from the notes.
Phenomenal Teacher. She is very intelligent, and can answer any question you have. Tests are sometimes worded differently than notes, but if you studied enough, you'll be able to answer them. She gives extra points some days when few people are in class. Study a few days before test.
very helpful
This class has a ton of material, so be ready to remember alot. Its not a horrible class ( although I loathed the labs ) just a lot to try and memorize. She does a good job explaining, and is easy to talk to outside of class.
I disagree, this teacher was horrible. She talks during class, but you don't have time to listen. You only have time to copy the powerpoint notes verbatim. Reading the powerpoint slides online would be exactly equivalent to coming to class, which is why she doesn't let you download a copy. I'd rather have taken a teacher that teaches...
Very easy teacher. all power point notes..kinda boring. she is very understanding of bad lab instructors. be sure to attend class on fridays, towards the end of the semester, and days right before school lets out for a holiday-she likes to give freebie quizzes & bonus points on these days.tests are straight from the notes-just study-lot of material
Williamson seemed knowledgeable about most material. I don't think she believed in evolution, which was a bit bothersome, considering she was teaching zoology. After the first test, I regretted studying the book at all because all of her test material comes directly from her notes.
I took zoology (think that was the right course code) and Gay is the most horrible teacher ever, I am an A student and I made an A in her class. I have never hated a teacher, but I hated her. There is no point to going to class- just blindly memorize the notes and skip the frustration of hearing her try to make things harder then they really are.
Very straight forward, incredibly easy class. Just memorize your notes and you're good to go for her tests.
Very hard class. If you took AP Biology then you might have an easier time with it, but there's a ton of material and she doesn't explain anything in detail because she has so much material to cover. I've been a straight A student all my life and I barely made a C in this class.
I feel the way she words some test questions are very confusing. Her teaching style is boring and unenthusiastic.She gets better towards the end of the year.
Pretty easy class, just don't depend on her posting items when she says she will.
Ok Teacher, gives good notes, test are pretty much whats on the notes.
Gives tons of notes. while she doesnt always post what she says she will she is very good about helping you. you have a notebook that you have to buy so that makes it easier
Avoid this class at all costs!!!
Very boring teacher. However gives good notes. Information is hardly ever posted in that same place.
worst teacher I have ever encountered at MSU. She is so clueless and helpless. she lost one of my tests, and showed no sympathy and refused to help me make up an assignment after I got into a wreck. DO NOT TAKE ANY CLASS BY THIS TEACHER.
worst teacher I have ever encountered at MSU. She is so clueless and helpless. she lost one of my tests, and showed no sympathy and refused to help me make up an assignment after I got into a wreck. DO NOT TAKE ANY CLASS BY THIS TEACHER.
worst teacher I have ever encountered at MSU. She is so clueless and helpless. she lost one of my tests, and showed no sympathy and refused to help me make up an assignment after I got into a wreck. she also takes weeks to respond to email if she decides to respond at all (she doesnt most of the time). DO NOT TAKE ANY CLASS BY THIS TEACHER.
The worst Biology professor ever!! Do not take her class unless you are a genius in biology.
Super easy. The class is labeled animal biology, but you will never learn a thing about any animals.
This is one of the best teachers I have ever had. If you go to class and do your work you will be fine, no "genius" brains necessary!
The class is pretty easy. Her tests are straight from the notes. I didn't do the best on her test but she gives a ton of bonus points and tries to give you the best grade possible. She was always sweet and helpful when I would see her after class.
Tests were so easy! Basic biology knowledge. Go to class for notes - not difficult. Study night before test and you'll make straight As. She knows her biology, too.
Her tests are fairly easy if you study. As long as you go to class and take notes you will pass the class with flying colors. I made Cs on all the tests and still pulled out a B in the class. The final is optional but it will help your grade! Labs are super easy but you have to write 800 words or you will receive a zero for the lab grades. Easy A.
She always teaches very LARGE classes so if you want individual attention or an in depth teacher:she's not for you. She's very book heavy. Really,you could just read the chapter and find out the same information. The most important reason for physically attending her class is that she often gives out WHOLE points for being in class. Hard to come by
If you go to class, take the notes, and get good grades on the lab it is an easy A. The tests are straight from the guided notes. Just make flashcards and I promise you will get an A. Pretty much a joke. Take if you can!!! The "textbook" is a spiraled guided notes. GET IT!
All she does is read straight from the power point, no explaining the material.
A lot of people complain about Williamson but I didn't find her to be too bad. She is very helpful if you stay after class and her test are very fair. Not my favorite professor but I would take her again.
i didn't particularly enjoy this class. i didn't find her lectures to be helpful. I did not pay any attention for the first half of the semester, i only attended her class because of the attendance points offered, but read straight from the book and made As on the last couple of tests. Class is not that hard, with a little studying from the txtbook
Her tests are usually six chapters long and she just talks about the information. She will read off the information on slides and never try to clarify or elaborate on it.
All of the tests are multiple choice. There are multiple quizlets already created for the class search them before you try to make your own. GO TO LAB! It counts for a large portion of your grade! Also, you will have one or two online homeworks weekly, I suggest do as many as you can!
I would definitely recommend taking Animal Biology with her. Lectures are boring but if you take notes during class and study those notes before tests you'll make an A on every test. There are four tests during the semester that are 50 multiple choice each. Tests are basically copy and paste from the lecture notebook.
I found her class fairly easy. Go to class, take the notes, study them. The tests are straight from the notes. She gives lots of extra credit for homework. If you have good study habits you'll be fine!
Lecture notes follow along the manual exactly. Attendance and pop quizzes are bonus and do not affect your grade. Homework adds up to around 10 bonus points to your overall average. The biology department makes the tests, but she does not count material she doesn't cover. Very easy to work with
Bio II is a tough course, but Mrs. Williamson does her best to make it easier on you. If a topic is difficult to explain or understand, she will sometimes skip it all together and let the upper level professors teach it when you reach their courses. She is very fair with tests and only grades material you have properly covered.
Her lectures can be boring, but it's hard to make Biology extremely interesting. The final is optional, but it helps your grade if you do well. She is strict about phones and talking during class. Take good notes and don't miss much and you'll pass for sure.
The lectures are boring, she's really nice outside of class. The tests are super hard so know the notes by heart or else you will fail!
Lectures are boring but worth going to for the notes. Lab is easy and has a drop grade so you should get an A in it. Her tests are usually from the slides so as long as you study you will be fine. There are plenty of quizlets for her class that help. She also gives an optional final.
Tests are 95% of your grade in Ms. Williamson's class. The test material is mainly from her power points and the notes, but you will also be asked to use your knowledge in application problems. Put more simply, memorizing the notes isn't enough. You have to KNOW the material, not just have it memorized. If you do that, you should be fine.
Probably one of my most boring classes this semester. She talks above your head and expects you to know what she's talking about. Attendance isnt mandatory but you won't understand anything if you don't go. Eventually she will give bonus point to the people who show up to class. Tests are hard if you don't study but usually word for word the notes.
Lab is slow and boring, lecture is straight from a powerpoint, she's strict on phone use, but if you attend and take notes the class is super easy and she gives bonus points for attendance sometimes.
Lectures were boring, very monotoned, read straight off the powerpoint, 75 question test for every last one except the final which is 100 questions.
Animal Bio is a boring class; most the time the notes won't make sense while you are taking them down. There is about 3 online homework assignments per week and you can have 6 drop grades. The tests come from the note manual but you must study them pretty diligently. Attendence is not mandatory but you won't have the notes you need if you dont go
Absolutely unenjoyable. Insists that you contact her through myState, but never replies or even checks her inbox (seen by when she logs into her account on the projector with 1000+ notifications). Attendance isn't mandatory, but expect to fail if you don't attend. I had excused absences and she would refuse to send me the notes from what I missed.
I took animal biology with Dr. Williamson, It was a huge class and she lectures most of the time. If you make quizlets with the notes her tests are easy and practically just like the notes. I recommend buying the note guide.
Terrible. Don't take her. She does teach and reads off powerpoints. Doesn't give extra points or emails back.
Gay was such a bad teacher. He test are based out of her note manual, but it is so hard. You can't cram two nights before. You have to study HARD to make an A in her class. Good luck.
Mrs. Williamson is an alright teacher. Her lectures can get boring, but her tests are fairly simple, especially if you take advantage of SI. You don't need to buy the textbook, just the software that comes with it and her lecture guide. If you need an easy science elective, she's good.
You have five tests throughout the semester with each being 15% of your final average. Lab and HW make up the rest. Tests are 50 multiple choice questions and there is no extra credit. Lots of chapters on the first four tests and the last test (final) is super easy.
Buy the note manual and take notes every time. She does not post slides. Tests are are easy, and as long as you study, the questions will seem word for word off of the note guide.
You go to class and fill out the note manual while she lectures. The tests are given directly from the notes you take in class. If you go to the SI session, the test will be pretty easy, but you do have to study a decent amount. You will always get a 100 on hw if you just do it. The lab is so easy and only takes 30 min. I would definitely recommend
Very tough class. The professor is hard to reach outside of class and tests are difficult.
The class is pretty boring at times as it almost seems scripted but you can really tell the professor knows her stuff. The homework is kinda long but you get a 100 for completing it. The lab is really easy and you can get out in under an hour. I feel like the content is a little complicated for an entry-level non-major science course.
Williamson class is easy if you show up and take notes and go to all the SI sessions, they help out a lot because you receive a study guide for the tests, everyone time I went to an SI session for test review I got an A every time I didn't I got a C. Also, the labs are a joke, they are online and you get unlimited tries until you get a 100
If you show up and take notes, you can easily pass the class. If you go the the SI as well, then its an easy A. Tests are practically the same as the notes. Her lecture can be a little boring sometimes but she knows what shes talking about and wants her students to do well.
Anatomy is the second class I have taken with her and its the same as BIO 1. Her lectures are so boring, but I am preparing to take a nursing entrance exam and her class did help me a lot! Just learn the manual chapters by heart and you will be fine. No extra credit, do NOT talk in class!! She's nice, just a LOT of info.
Really easy to understand, but she doesn't post notes online so you need to be there to get them
Super monotone and boring but definitely not the worst teacher. You need the textbook access code to do homework (5% of your overall grade). She gives a lecture notebook that has some notes filled out. She seems very nice from the few times I talked to her. Tests were pretty similar to the note manual. Only use the textbook to understand pictures.
Professor Williamson, at least in my experience, has not been helpful in teaching me how to do better on the tests. When I asked to review my test, she said "no I never go over specific questions on the test, and will never show you what you got incorrect". She is rude and slightly aggressive in all of her online posts and responses to my emails.
I thought the material was way too in depth for a freshman level class. You have to start studying way in advanced if you want an A. Her lectures are very monotone and scripted. Tests come directly from note manual.
I took this class online so she provided lectures, you don't need to buy the note manual if you don't want to. This class is just straight memorization of 4-5chapters for a test and you have to know EVERYTHING if you want an A. There are no study guides and homework isn't reflective of the tests, so you have to memorize everything.
i had her for the online version of the class. she simply posted videos of her reading out the lecture notes, assigned online homework, and threw us to the sharks. each test requires an insane amount of information to be memorized and they ALWAYS obnoxiously ask about obscure details from the notes you wouldn't think to know.
Her tests are pretty hard because they are all different and proctored. She has an SI that makes study guides but no one knows what is on it because it is different for everyone. Multiple people studied the same quizlets and everybody received completely different grades because of how different all of the tests were.
Animal biology was nothing about animals, considering every diagram is of a human. Tests are like 75% of your grade which in theory doesn't sound awful but sometimes it is. The issue here is how rude she was. Made a 20-minute video saying that it was the student's fault that 3/4 of the class wasn't doing good on the test. That is not nice to do.
This professor was the worst one I have ever had. She did not care about her students. The things she said were supposed to be on the test were not. The online version uses Honorlock.
Notes have nothing to do with the tests. Requires a lot of your time and studying to just earn a b- on tests. Does not care about her students.
I had her class fully online in the fall. She is not very accommodating or accessible. Her tests are very specific and the information can be challenging. If you watch the lectures and fill out the note manual, everything you need for the test is covered, but be prepared to memorize every word. It is a lot of studying, but I did enjoy her class.
Uh yeah no. I had her for the online version of Animal Bio, and it sucked. For a freshman level class, I had way more work/studying etc to do in this class than my senior level classes. She comes off as rude in her messages, too. Tests are insane so either spend hours every day, days in advance, to ace an exam or just rely on luck to pass lol
To start things off, she is slightly rude and isn't very helpful whatsoever. She took long periods of time to respond to my emails. Her tests were insanely hard and expected you to know every little detail she covered. Each test covered a lot of material, so don't expect to cram for her tests. Overall, just choose another professor.
I took her class in the "Maymester" and it was a very hard class to study for and get all your homework done because it's a lot of information crammed into 1 month. 4 weeks 1 test/ week, 5 assignments/week, 5 labs/week along with notes. The exams didn't really relate to the lectures. The final exam was the day after Memorial weekend on a Tuesday.
Just reads off the PowerPoint. You have to study hard for the test to make a good grade. Study the note manual to do good.
Her tests are INSANE. She just reads off of a powerpoint and expects you to memorize 40+ pages of notes for one test. There are 4 tests that account for like 98% of your grade and theyre ridiculously hard for a freshman class.
You need to go to class to get all the notes for the manual because she reads her lectures from a PowerPoint. You have to study every detail of the manual to do good on her tests because they cover an insane amount of information. Homework is given every week, which is time consuming but easy. You need to study in advance to do good in her class.
The Lab is incredibly easy. The tests are hard but if you she gives you have 5 free questions. I finished with a low A
I really liked her class which was weird because I typically hate anything to do with science. A lot of comments are saying shes rude, but I would say shes just strict. There were a lot of people in the class and she just doesnt deal with people talking and not paying attention. I went to her office hours and she was really nice & helpful.
The lectures are interesting, but she grades too hard. Throughout the semester I e asked for clarification on the material, and I never grasped anything. Ended the course badly because of it. She offers to help, but doesnt go out of her way to help you. Unless youre science minded, you have to extra hard and use outside sources to understand
Her lectures follow along with the note manual, so you just fill in the blanks. The tests is just information word for word from the note manuals. The lab was online so it was super easy and never took more than 20 minutes. Also on the homework you have unlimited attempts. Overall, it was a very straight forward class.
Mrs. Williamson's Vertebrate Histology class can be very intimidating for students who are not adept at memorization or visual identification. The textbook is required and notes are filled in from her lectures. The exams and lab practicals can be difficult, but after getting a hang of her formatting and expectations, the class becomes easier.
If you plan on taking professor Williamson in person (over the summer). Then, you must know that she have you taking notes on up to 2/3 different chapters depending on how far you get in class. Her tests are so complex and hard, that I truly believe that it really isn't that possible to learn everything in such a short manner.
You have to go to class to pass. Her tests are hard if you do not look at every single word in your manual. Test are usually 50-60 questions. Homework and Labs every week. Labs are easy, homework is pretty easy too, its just really time consuming.
very hard material with no enthusiasm or creativity to teach it. Simply reading the slides and must remember each word for tests.
0 effort to make class interesting or fun. Very monotone. Just reads directly off the PowerPoint. There are 4 tests and each one is over 400 terms. It seems nearly impossible to make a good grade on a test because there is too much information to learn. Would not recommend this class to anyone that has to take anatomy. Take it somewhere else.
She was not a good teacher at all. you legit have to know everything from the note manual that did not even come in on time. she took forever to grade the test and she will not answer your emails as well. Do not recommend taking the class.
She pretty much just reads off the powerpoint during class. There's a lecture manual where she tells you exactly what to write down, and that's what's on the test. The tests are super easy if you study; it's usually about 50 multiple choice questions. There's online labs and homework every week which are also easy.
She gives a lot of homework and if you don't show up to work then you dont have the notes to study. There is no notes on canvas and if you miss any homework there is no way for you to make it up. The test are hard and to have a good grade you have to stay on top of your stuff
First: tests were 75% of course average. I didn't do so well on all of the tests, so this kicked me down a bit. Besides that, her lectures did pretty well at following what was on tests and the homework is pretty easy as long as you do the reading/have your lecture guide with you.
Okay Class
do not take this class if you are looking for a easy A
Professor Williamson was great! The only thing you had to do is make sure you have her lecture notes , memorize them and BOOM you are ready for the exam! If you can't memorize though I do not recommend taking her class because it does need at least 3-4 days to get all the material done. Make sure to do your HW on time, and you'll do good!
I believe she is retiring after this year, but my goodness she is a terrible professor. Human Anatomy is such an interesting, rich subject to learn, but she was an awful professor. Extremely boring lectures and the homework, even after so many of them, barely counted for anything. I have to retake. Stay in retirement Gay Williamson.
Lectures are painfully boring and hard to get through...Tests are directly from the hand guide.
Boring lectures
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
53%
Textbook Required
39%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.79 avg changeRatings by Course
ZOO1
5.0
(1)BIO1504
4.6
(5)BIO4503
4.5
(2)ZOOLOGY
4.3
(4)PRINZOO
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
1134
5.0
BIO1023
5.0
BIO3004
4.3
BIO4503
4.0
BIO1134
3.9