Having taken this class before and WXed it, I know how hard it is. Jeff made it easier. He explained things clearly. I NEVER missed a lecture cause then I would have been lost forever. You HAVE to go to every class and pay attention. I did NOT read the book, it was all there in lecture if you just pay attention and take good notes.

He is a really good teacher. Be sure to study everyday and read the textbook. He likes to give pop quizzes. He expects you to apply the information that you have learned, so use all the resources made available to you.

Although this is a very hard class and you do have to do alot of work, he is very helpful and passionate about the subject. He knows alot about it, and can really help you out if you are interested in the subject at all. Not a duche like who ever said that. Hes a really NICE guy!

He's a good teacher for bio. I didn't take the online class, I did the lecture. He gives tons of opportunities for extra credit and its easy to pass as long as you pay attention and show up to class.

DO THE EXTRA CREDIT FROM THE VERY START. With the extra credit, I only needed to get a 40% on the final exam to keep my A in the class. The grading system is very fair, he drops your lowest test grade and lowest homework grade. Jeff knows his stuff and his lectures are informative. Stay on top of your work and you will get an easy A.

There's a weekly, quick extra credit assignment which saved my grade. If you go to most of the lectures and do all the assignments, you'll get an A. You have to do some reading out of the book in order to do well on the test because he doesn't explain all the material in the book during lecture, which can get boring at times.

very easy to pass this class with over 100 percent if you do the extra credit from the very beginning. DO THE EXTRA CREDIT!

DO THE EXTRA CREDIT! Jeff is the best teacher for bio 101. The class is easy if you show up to lectures and do the extra credit. The tests are kinda hard but they drop one and the final is exactly like the study guide- and very easy!

Jeff is honestly the best teacher you can take for biology 101! He adds humor and stories to help you remember the material. There is weekly assignments and you have to study for the tests. But at the end of the day, wasn't a bad class and tons of extra credit options! Start early on it and you'll be fine!

His lectures can be boring if you don't like the topic, but he adds humor. There are clicker questions in every lecture so go to class and get easy points. Tests are only 30 MC questions, so study hard so you pass each test. Online weekly homework and quizzes, do them its easy points. Many extra credit opportunities!

I really liked havingJeff as my lecture professor. He added humor to what he was talking about, making what he was talking about quite enjoyable. Make sure to go to class because he does do clicker points every single lecture. Make sure to do all of the homework, and study for the tests because they short, but worth a lot of points!

I, myself, am not good at Biology. I also cannot keep up with him during lectures so I would barely have any notes at the end of class. LUCKILY, he has online lecture videos on Reggienet. It is another professor speaking and goes through the notes word for word (plus you can pause to take notes) THIS COMPLETELY SAVED MY GRADE! Take advantage of it!

The class material is very easy to understand if you try to learn. You have to buy the book to do online hw and quizzes. There is a lot of assignments through the class. The tests are not too hard, each was 30 questions applying what you learned. DO ALL EXTRA CREDIT OFFERED. I finished class with over 100%. bc of it. Helms is humorous but strict.

Professor Helms is a pretty chill guy, if you pay attention in class, take notes, and do the online readings your're golden. It's a technology free zone no ipods, iphones, laptops, tablets, Google Glasses, MP3, or anything other than your clicker tuned to Channel 67

He is a good teacher, I would take his class again. It's an easy A if you put the work in and do the extra credit. His lectures are funny and he curses a lot. You have to show up to lecture because of the clicker questions. Overall there are a ton of points so if you keep up with all the due dates and assignments, it's easy.

DO THE EXTRA CREDIT!!! I failed 2 tests, got a D on the other, and got a C on the final but I still ended up with an A in the class. He is always there to give you extra help if needed.

Science is not my strong subject, yet I finished the semester with an A. Jeff is a great professor and is really passionate about his job. He wants his students to not just memorize information, but to actually understand it. Attendance is not mandatory, but there are clicker questions for points, so I would suggest going.

I liked Jeff as a professor. He tried to make lectures fun because the content isn't always interesting. Go to lectures, theres always clicker questions. He also is a tech free zone so you cant have phones or laptops out at all. Make sure you remember to do the online homework, it will help your grade. The extra credit is one page papers.

While this class was not an easy, one it was very interesting. It is very possible to get an A or B but you do have to work for it.

Offers plenty of extra credit. The lectures can be boring but overall not too bad. He is very passionate about his lessons. Does not tolerate technology in class. Tests are difficult if you skip class or don't study. Homework(not bad) due every week online. If you complete all the work it is an easy B. Probably need to study to get an A.

Great professor and really makes coming to class fun. Great guy and gives extremely good and sometimes too personal of examples that really help you learn the material. Online free book but still need to pay for the lab manual which is cheap. Aslong as you go to extra credit stuff and study the quizzes for the exams it should be an easy A or B.

Professor Helms is great, he is funny and really knows what he is talking about. Make sure you always go to class because there are always lecture quizzes and clicker points. Make sure you watch the lecture videos before class and take notes so you will be prepared.

I liked Jeff a lot, he's cool as hell and makes lecture as fun as he can. The rest of his department (Gougis, D'Elia, the labs, etc.) suck. If you can avoid Bio as a GenEd, I would. It's not terribly difficult and you can pass with bad test scores but I would avoid it. But if you have to take Bio 101, GET JEFF.

Jeff has a great sense of humor and a lot of energy in his lectures. Attendance is mandatory. They have in class clicker quizzes , and questions that register your attendance. They are free easy points. He offers lots of extra credit, can raise your grade a whole letter grade easy. Get an A on 3 unit tests and dont have to take the final.

Not a bad teacher

I thoroughly enjoyed this class and learned a lot. Dr. Helms made me love science again. Make sure you watch the lecture videos before class AND take notes on then, otherwise you will not pass the quizzes. Not a difficult class if you are willing to put in the minimum effort.

All you have to do is show up, do the group-work, and click a button for some points. I never watched the lecture videos. I got Cs and Ds on the exams. So, do ALL the 30 extra credit points. Go to every lab. Do the extra credit lab. It's like middle school biology. I'm the laziest person and I managed to get an A.

He was a highly intelligent professor who was really enthusiastic about the subject. He gave amazing lectures. Make sure you go to class because he does require a clicker and you use it for points. The tests are very hard, so make sure you study a lot and take good notes on the lecture videos.

I enjoyed Jeffs class. You have to watch a lecture video (about 30-45 minutes) before the first class of the week then take a 5 point quiz. Then it is group work/lecture for the rest of the week. You have to work to do well on exams but get easy clicker points in class.

Biology 101 is a flipped classroom. You have to come to the class with your lecture notes on the video that takes hours to watch and write down all your notes. He doesn't really teach you much, more so on how to apply the concepts. You have lab once a week, and lectures are mandatory because of clicker questions, but those are easy points

Class had an interesting layout where you watch lectures outside of class and discuss in class. I went to all the lectures and got a B, didn't study for any of the tests. Lots of points between the in class quizzes, group work, and lab.

This is a class you have to work for to earn your desired grade. While he does not take attendance, his lectures are very important so go to all of them. He seems like a tough professor, but he really cares about his students and everything he is teaching. Going to him for help during office hours is important. Several EC opportunities.

I loved Jeff. Most people have mixed reviews. I liked that his lectures were engaging. He's hilarious. Go to lecture & listen B in the class. Study little extra & go to class A.

Overall, Jeff was a great teacher. He really knows what he is talking about and does his best to help his students learn as well. He is pretty funny, so that makes lectures a little more tolerable. The only thing I really did not like about this course was the flipped classroom setting, but that is not up to him, every bio 101 class is like that.

Jeff is very helpful. Very specific on things. DO NOT HAVE ANY ELECTRONICS OUT IN HIS CLASS! Even though it is a big lecture class he always answers any questions his students asks him. He actually wants you to learn the concepts. Make sure you have a clicker and days that people are less likely to show up be ready for the clicker questions.

Jeff is AWESOME. He is so funny and always willing to help students. His lectures are participation & are more application based. Its a flip classroom concept so whatever you put into it you'll get out of it. The first test pretty much everyone failed but he drops your lowest test grade and gives out so many extra credit opportunities. LOVED HIM

Helms is honestly the best! His lectures were interesting, and he yells a lot, so don't worry about falling asleep. He takes attendance by asking clicker questions, and he's super nice one on one. The only reason I got a C was because of my own procrastination :)

Show up to class and take good notes if you want to pass. The tests are very very hard but he gives alot of extra credit so if you do all the EC you can get a B or A

Its a hard class, but if you read the book and take notes before lecture you will be ok. gives lots of EC, so make sure to do it. tests are really hard, but read and go to lecture and you will pass. easy to talk to and get ahold of and really cares for his students. he's funny and cusses a lot so get ready. drops the lowest test and quiz

Take the notes, do the quizzes and show up to class for clicker points it can really help boost your grade esp after the first exam since most do a sort of bad job on the first exam. Also, go to the extra credit workshops, it helped boost my grade to finish off with a B in the class.

Helms is a really great teacher, and always willing to help his students out. He provides notes, you just have to fill in the blanks. Study and you will get a good grade.

Do the online quizzes and participate in lecture, and you'll be fine. Exams aren't to difficult as long as you pay attention in class and listen to what he's saying instead of what's on the projector. Very warm and welcoming man.

Jeff knows his microbiology. The class is hard. There is a lot of reading and a lot of studying to do in order to be successful. He seems like a jerk at the beginning but go to his office hours if you are struggling because he is actually a genuine person to people who care. Go to lectures since there are some in class quizzes. He swears a lot!

This class is an easy A, just make sure you go to lecture every day for clicker points and go to the extra credit sessions. He gives up to 30 points extra credit, which you should definitely take advantage of because the online quizzes are pretty hard and there's only a few tests plus the final. Jeff is absolutely hilarious, take his class.

Professor Helms is the man! He is the science stud! Really enjoyed learning from his BIO 101 course. Really cares about you and wants you to succeed! Very accessible outside of class and through email. Lots of extra credit to make up for the really difficult exams. Labs are long but interesting.

Microbiology is no easy subject. Make sure you are willing to put in the time to study for this class regardless of the teacher. Jeff himself is very knowledgable in this subject so you won't be misinformed on anything with him. That being said he really makes you work for the grade you want because he wants to bring out higher education studying.

While this class was NOT easy, Jeff made it as understandable as possible in the short amount of time he had for each class. Definitely go to class, all your info for exams comes from lectures. Some people think he's a jerk, but he's just not a pushover and wants you to actually learn. Take good notes to study before exams & go to his office hours.

Professor Helms is a really cool, smart guy and will answer all your questions. Make sure you do your readings before class, it makes lecture a lot easier. Tests are really hard and over way too many chapters, but your lowest test is dropped. He offers extra credit and homework & quizzes are easy points. If you put the time in, you can do good.

Professor Helms is awesome and the only option for microbio so get used to him fast! He swears a lot in the lecture but he's really insightful and knows what he's talking about. STUDY for his exams! They're hard and over a lot of info so start studying as soon as you learn the information. He gives a lot of extra credit and homework!

My favorite teacher thus far, he is so funny, loud and swears during the lecture which make you actually pay attention. I was devastated when classes went online because i actually loved showing up to his lectures. if you took AP in highschool, youll be decent. Lots of chapter modules to do if you want to learn the material. Homework is hard.

Jeff is very easy to get a hold and very willing to work with students. Hes a tough grader, and his tests are difficult, but this class will get you ready for your future classes. You need to show up for class, not because attendance is mandatory, but because a lot of things he discusses in class ends up on the tests.

Jeff was a great professor. He cracked jokes during lecture and when I couldn't find a tutor he tutored me himself. He was very helpful.

Jeff makes it clear that micro isn't an easy subject. You need to read ahead of time and fill out the notes in order to be able to listen to his lectures, which are pretty quick. Do the note shells and write them out before class or you won't keep up. Study the learning objectives and you will 100% be fine. They go right along with the book. Study!

Even though attendance was optional, I truly enjoyed going to class everyday because of how animated and funny Jeff is. Also, everything said in class is fair game to be on a quiz or exam, so you should show up whenever possible! Overall a very good class, and I wouldn't hesitate to take another with Jeff.

Jeff is really funny and helpful in office hours so I seriously recommend those. Make sure you read before class and are on top of the material because there can be up to 5 chapters on a test and everything is application.

Jeff is a great professor. He may come off a little strong but he cares about his students and their understanding of the class content. The class is hard but asking questions is your best friend. I recommend going to lectures because they have information that will be on the tests and the occasional pop quiz.

This class is hard. Make sure to stay on top of reading and go to the lectures. Go to office hours even if you are not struggling! Jeff loves when students stop in, and he is much less intimidating when you talk to him face to face. If you catch errors on the test, Jeff will give points back to you. Going to his office hours turned my grade around!

Jeff is awesome!!! A great teacher who is intelligent beyond all belief. Go to class, do homework, put in the effort and you'll do great! Utilize his office hours too.

Great professor, very funny, and uses humor a lot during lecture. Lots of reading to do outside of class time, but he is very good at explaining difficult concepts in a way that can be understood. Make sure to go to class and read the textbook, and you should be fine. If you skip class often, it will be a lot harder

He is overall a good professor and cares about his students. There are pop quizzes. The tests are challenging.

This class was very hard but if you study and do all the material (do well on labs, study a lot for exams, and do good on quizzes/homework), you won't do too bad in this class. He is very smart and his office hours came in very helpful. His exams were very wordy and confusing, that is why studying and going into his office hours helped.

This class is difficult, but totally doable. My best advice is to spend the time to do the notes BEFORE class, all the information is in the textbook. He's tough, but go to lectures and pay attention because he explains a lot of hard concepts and things that will be on exams. Labs also directly correlate to exam material.

Jeff is a wonderful professor. The content is tough, however it is not hard to do well if you put in the work. Jeff is more than willing to help and I would suggest to everyone to go ask questions in office hours before the exams! And make sure to do the concepts he gives from the book. He makes lecture very entertaining and explains content well.

Jeff is the best professor I have ever had at ISU. He is intelligent, funny, and works hard to prepare his students for exams. With that said, a lot of responsibility falls on the student. For this class, you do have to work hard and study hard, but with effort, it is an enjoyable learning experience. I am grateful for this class and loved it!

Great professor, hard content. Meet with him and he is very helpful and kind and funny. The class is a lot of material but study and do the online work and go to class as there are pop quizzes. He is a great guy just do your work and you will be fine.

Very nice and funny professor, but a lot of material is covered and the tests are very hard.

jeff is probably my favorite prof i've ever had! he's funny and keeps his lectures engaging. there's quite a bit of homework because it's recommended to takes notes prior to attending lecture. exams are hard and you can study for hours and still feel unprepared. if you're willing to put in the work and learn, you can earn an A in this class!

Jeff's microbiology was by far the hardest class I've taken here at ISU. I had to dedicate a ton of time outside of class to learning the material and completing the hw. His tests were HARD! Just know Jeffs room is technology free so get ready to write. But Jeff is such a cool intelligent guy that makes his lectures very interesting!

Professor Helms teaches a challenging course with difficult exams, but he's engaging and genuinely cares about student learning. Doing the readings, attending lectures, and using tools like unstuck AI can really help you succeed in this class.

Jeff is very passionate about Biology and it shows in his lectures, however this is the hardest course I've ever taken at ISU. You have to give it your all if you want to succeed. This is NOT an easy A, and he may give pop quizzes once in a while. Overall I enjoyed this course because it's interesting but so so difficult.

He drops 1/4 exam grades but he also replaced one of our lowest four exams with the final grade which I did not think was ever detailed to us but who am I to complain. He is a very interesting man and taking the class was difficult but looking back on the class, I truly did learn from him! Print notes before, do not miss lab, he usually gets behind

Jeff is a professor who may seem hard on his students with grading and expectations; however, he is a mentor at heart. I attended Microbiology at Illinois State University in Spring 2025. It was less difficult than I initially thought! You should do your best to attend class and take lecture notes. The key to this course? Lecture Notes! :)