Good teacher material hard but does a good job

Colbert is a great prof and a crazy guy but it all works out.

Knows everything about bio and explains well. Test questions get very specific over minute details, even ridiculously so.

Tests are over very specific details, and the final was quite possibly the hardest test I've ever taken, but he is a good professor and willing to help you out.

He is very friendly and easy to understand.

Great teacher, excellent guy.

Dr. COlbert is the coolest person on the planet. He throws out candy sometimes for right answers. He makes class fun. If I could take another class from him, I would in a heart beat.

He's fun, looooves biology..which is important. But his tests are TOUGH and I suggest you know your stuff if you want to do well..or even average.

he has good lectures but the exams bite. You HAVE to go to class because of in class points too!

very easy to talk to; very helpful; seriously the best professor i have ever had.

Tests are impossible unless you are a biology wiz, but he is a super nice guy when you just talk to him.

Tests ARE impossible because he words things so strangely. I swear to god I understand and know what I'm talking about in that class, but the tests are so tricky that I always seem to mess up! But he is really nice and has always answered my questions fully and promptly.

His lectures arnt usually too boring and sometimes kinda fun and you learn alot but he doesnt work with you if you cant make it to class. And on top of that the exams are really really hard. You have to memorize everything to do even decent on the tests.

Colbert is awesome! He can be a little boring but really is an awsome person!

Prof Colbert is a great professor. He really knows biology and is very helpful if you have questions. Tests are sometimes hard but he gives extra credit.

I thought he was a great teacher! His lectures are not too boring and he gives you points for coming to class. He also gives extra credit which helps a lot. If you take the time to study you will do well in the class. Test can be tricky if you aren't fully prepared.

He loves biology and you can tell, but the class was pretty boring. I had a hard time paying attention in class, and they tests were very hard...I felt like I had studied a lot and it was discouraginf after I received my test back and didn't do as well. Maybe sure you basically memorize the power point slides and you'll be good!

Dr. Colbert is a very good teacher, but he makes his tests very hard. He is very willing to answer questions, and he even makes it extra credit if you do. A lot of points can be earned just by going to class, too.

colbert is the man. what other professor is going to sit down and talk about turkey hunting with you? he is a good teacher, although his class is boring. its not his fault, because ecology is boring in general, and that is the main focus of 211.

this guy is a great teacher. he loves biology and does a great job teaching it. there is alot of stuff that he goes over in class so it is easy to fall behind attendance isn't mandatory but almost everyday he has in class assignments that are easy points to earn. test are hard so if you don't study then your in trouble.

Dr. Colbert is a wonderful professor. He's passionate about biology (especially lichens!) The "Planet Earth" videos he plays along with his powerpoints is something I always look forward to. He gives you pop quizzes, but you get to work with 3 other people usually. You need to STUDY, thats for sure. But he's great overall!!!

Good job!

Awesome. Truly a passionate professor who will make time to help you with the class and to learn more about biology in our lives. Also has a streamlined teaching style via powerpoint. However he has a slight fetish for mating jokes...

He is a very good teacher, the best i have had so far. He is very helpful and gives you a lot of opportunities to do well in the class.

Prof. Colbert is a really enthusiastic professor! He is extremely helpful. He does not make class mandatory, but gives in class assignments frequently that can make or break your grade. STUDY HARD because the exams are pretty hard.

Dr. Colbert is fun, knows his stuff, makes itclear, keeps it interesting, and is easy to listen to. His lectures aren't mandatory, but there are easy participation points that you don't want to miss it. His tests are very detailed, so know the powerpoints well. The textbook isn't a must, but is nice to have to reference from, from time to time.

He is a great person! Very willing to help.

He really focuses on how to help students learn biology and that is his primary research intrest now, and it shows. He is challenging, but really helpful and he gives in-class assignments and throws candy at you. He's great!

Your grade is based on your test score. The test are very hard. He is a good teacher but, if you are good at tests he is a good teacher for you. If you are not then expect to get a failing grade.

Very good professor. He loves what he does, and teaches well. However, his texts are pretty difficult. If you memorize everything on the powerpoints you will be pretty good. Also use SI practice tests they help. Sit next to people who know what they are talking about in class-there are group quizzes. Overall a good and fairly easy class.

Best professor ever. Honestly if you have a chance to take this teacher for biology 211 do it. Colbert is very passionate about what he teaches and it shows in class. Very approachable. His tests are difficult but just study the powerpoints and you'll be fine. Also there are a lot of group quizzes, make sure to sit by the smart kids.

Has a passion for biology and sparks an interest in things more people consider boring (fungus, bacteria). The class is difficult because of the amount of information covered. Book is useful for diagrams, but not needed, online powerpoint is available. Really tries to get to know and recognizes his students.

Colbert is a great teacher. He knows the inns and outs of biology, and he isn't afraid to let his passion about the subject show.

Class is extremely hard and the grades are based entirely on tests and class quizzes. There are frequent breaks during lecture and Jim is very passionate when he teaches, but it wasn't enough for me to enjoy the class. The class made me hate biology.

He is a great professor! His exams are hard in the beginning but then get easier. As long as you study, you should do great. Not very hard and enjoyed his class very much.

Colbert is amazing! He made even the boring parts so interesting! I think to do the best, I would read the book ahead of time, just sit and listen to the lectures (they are quite good), and then study from his power points he posts on BB (the exams are based on these). Notes aren't really necessary. Also, go on the SRN trip! It's great!

Nice guy, but his teaching style and philosophy are more suited to the grade school level than the college level. He gave very juvenile assigments like one where we had to list our hobbies. He gives points for attendance. He treats college students like little kids. His class should be called "get excited about biology," and taught to 4th graders.

Colbert was an awesome teacher but the tests were ridiculous. Made me discouraged but I loved the class. Be sure to study and know tiny details about everything rather than the big picture

Easily approachable and understandable.

Very interesting, best prof on campus

Dr. Colbert was a great teacher. He actually cared about whether or not you were learning. If you visit him in his office hours he will try very hard to help you understand. Highly recommend you sign up for his bio class!

Inspirational, helpful, fantastic an eager.

Colbert is hands down the best teacher you will ever have. He loves his job and his students and is very passionate. Very easy to understand and makes it seem like you aren't even learning when you are I'm heartbroken that I can't have him for 212.

He is a great teacher. A very down to earth person for a biology teacher. His passion for the subject draws students in and you can't help enjoying his class.

The exams were hard and very narrow dispite the large amount of material covered. However, Colbert makes a consistant effort to help make things clear. I may not have been out standing on the tests but I came out of that class feeling comfortable with the topics.

He gives little quizzes in class that you can do with a group. His tests can be difficult but if you take the time to study, you can do well in the class. He genuinely cares about his students and wants to help you be successful.

Professor Colbert is great. He is very interested in his field of study, and really wants his students to be as interested as he is. When it comes to test make sure you get with a study group it will save you. His exams are only 20 multiple choice questions, so you must know everything in the unit or you will be shocked with the test. Good Luck!

Great teacher for incoming freshmen and newer students. Has a great interest for what he teaches and does a great job lecturing. The powerpoints are the key to the exams. The questions are word for word from the ppts. Would take one of his classes in a heartbeat!

The class struggled with exams, but I constantly got 90% or higher. He's a really good lecturer and answers questions well and is generally very helpful. Just study terminology for exams and pay attention to what the question asks.

His lecures are usually pretty interesting and funny but they tend to drag on. The book has been useless so far and he's very picky about what you need to know. Study from the powerpoints and try to memorize everything on them. His exams are very difficult and are only 20 points.

Very straight forward and amazing class

This was a very interesting class! It's not easy, and definitely requires some studying, but if you are willing to put in the work you can do well. Colbert is very good at making the lectures interesting and uses a lot of examples to help explain confusing topics. Make sure you go to class because there are a lot of in-class activities worth points

This was a very interesting class! It takes a lot of work outside of class to learn all the material, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can do well. Colbert is very willing to help if you seek it out. He is very good at using relevant examples to explain confusing concepts. You will learn a lot! Overall, great class!

Best professor I have ever had. He was very helpful, knows what he is talking about, and just a really nice and funny guy. Pay attention, take notes, and study and you will pass.

An absolutely wonderful professor, 211 has been one of my favorite classes so far. If you hate biology then no, you might not enjoy this class, but Colbert is an awesome lecturer who's excitement for the subject really shows. Be prepared to study for tests, if you are comfortable with the information you should do well on the exams.

Great lectures. Lots of class participation, no clicker points but if you go to class you usually have an easy 4 point group quiz and get credit. Answers questions and emails, and is such an interesting professor. I'm a bio major and found him to be a great professor to make connections with.

He is a very passionate professor and tries to help you really learn bio. He's the best professor I've ever seen. Classe average is about 59%, but if you really put efforts in this course, it is not hard to get an A.

Colbert knows what he's talking about and is more than happy to help, or explain things for you. The material is hard but it's fair. Everything in the tests is in the powerpoints he shows.

He's a humorous and very down-to-earth professor. You must go to lecture because all of the unit tests are over lecture. I didn't feel like I needed the book at all except for the weekly (multiple choice) homework that was assigned. Just go to lecture and study lecture notes and you'll pass.

One of the hardest classes I've taken, but I am not a Biology major nor fan. If you want to do well in this course, you're going to have to do a LOT of memorizing and take a lot of time out of class to learn the material. The tests are straight from lecture and are obnoxiously pinpoint specific and answers can be really similar. Book was useless.

He explains things really well. He gets into it and shows great examples. The videos are helpful too. I always looked forward to this class.

Awesome Professor! General Biology courses are typically hard, but Colbert was very elaborate on his powerpoint and in class material. Everything that we covered in class was on the test, and there were extra readings in order to help with the material. And, he's a really nice guy!

Colbert is def passionate about biology, and he has hilarious commentary as he's teaching. I took his class as an honors course, which was so easy to complete--read a book from his list and discuss it with him. The class was really interesting, and the tests are straight from the PPTs. Don't forget the homework questions! Do Skunk River Navy!

I loved Dr. Colbert. He is funny, passionate, and fair with grading. He covers a lot during each lecture, so I reccomend typing your notes out in order to get everything down. Tests are somewhat difficult, but fair. If you study the power points you'll be good. I gained a passion for Biology from him. I will miss his class a lot.

He's very interested in and loves what he does. Studying the powerpoints which he posts on blackboard are very helpful. Since I'm already a biology major, I found this class, and Dr. Colbert, very interesting and engaging. My non-biology major friends thought that the class was boring, but that seemed to be attributed to the material, not Colbert.

Dr. Colbert was one of the best professors I have had this far at Iowa State. He really cares about his students and loves what he is teaching! The class is pretty lecture heavy, but over interesting material. If you go to class, take notes, and go over his presentations, you will do fine on the tests. The tests are strictly from his power points.

He likes to give quizzes in class for participation but other than that he's a great professor!

Class material is pretty tedious, but Dr. Colbert does a pretty good job of keeping you engaged if you care to learn. Bad test averages but its not because of bad teaching.

Hes a sweetheart that has a real passion for what he does. His test averages are a bit low due to the fact that all the test are only 30 points, but he covers all the material and makes sure to answer all your questions.

Colbert's class isn't easy, and he makes you work for your grade. However, this is college and you shouldn't expect it to be as easy as high school. If you study and pay attention in class, you can get a good grade. He is always open to feedback and probably one of the best Biology teachers ISU offers.

Colbert truly has passion for what he teaches, which not all teachers have. Yes, the tests are very frequent and somewhat harder than youll expect, but then again, this is college. You have to work hard for your grade and then youll be happy with the results. Colbert is an approachable man that you shouldnt be afraid of if you need help.

Test are super specific, but professor does give all information needed in lecture. Attend class and take note, in class quizzes will help gain back points lost on test. Breaks up lectures really well to keep interest. Highly recommend study groups and reviewing lectures online. Start studying a few days before tests.

This is the kind of teacher that will inspire you to be the best student you possibly can be. You can see and feel the passion he teaches with and its contagious. I thought that if I attended a division one school that I wouldn't have the chance to meet my profesors, but I was wrong. This man is absolutely approachable and helpful. Truly the best.

Amazing lecture skills that engaged audience. Attendance isn't required need to attend class to understand professor's material. Passionate and knows how to present information to a large lecture group. Class is test dependant, and can be specific at times, but averages we at a C for the class. Incredibly fair professor as long as you do the work.

Colbert was an amazing to have my freshman year. He is very approachable and just an overall good professor to have in your back corner. He wants all of his students to succeed and a very intellectual man. This class is hard to keep up on notes. I would recommend just listening during class and then taking notes of the power points he posts.

Dr Colbert is really skilled at teaching bio he really knows the material and loves to answer questions he has a lot bio and dad joke humour which is cheesy in a funny way he does a good job using videos and power points to explain the topic. overall if you don't pay attention or study it can be hard but he is very good at what he does

Colbert is a very good lecturer and is very familiar with the material. Attendance is not mandatory but you should really go to class to get more familiar with the material, the book and slides will not cut it. It's nice how he connects the material to real world and close to home applications. Test material is very specific.

Colbert keeps class engaged and interesting, tests are hard but he provides easy points in class with team quizzes or pre-lecture quizzes. Overall one of my favorite professors this semester.

Respected professor around campus and very knowledgeable about his field. The class isn't too hard, the two weekly quizzes outside are easy and easy points. Attend class for the in-class points and quizzes. Overall, if you study for the tests and go to class for the points, you can get an A pretty easily. (Don't get the physical book.)

Colbert overall is a great professor, he's passionate about what he teaches and he makes some bad jokes, but overall he cares. Yes, the test averages are on the low side but its also kinda easy to get a low score especially if you don't study. Show up to class because you need the lecture and because the points may make or break your grade.

Professor Colbert is a great teacher. I learned a lot in his class and with a little studied I did great in this course. Exams are biweekly and questions come straight from the powerpoints or in class quizzes. Attendance isn't required but there are random in-class quizzes and assignments worth points that you might not want to miss.

Dr. Colbert is a great professor and tries to make his lectures as interesting as possible. Although, attendance isn't mandatory there are pop quizzes most days. His tests are difficult and come directly from his power points and top hat questions and are very specific so make you are paying attention. Overall, would have him as a professor again

Professor Colbert is a very nice man and really does seem to care about his students. When people say his tests are hard, they must not have studied, because ALL of his questions come straight from his powerpoints. I never took notes but studied outside of class and did just fine. Go to class because he has random quizzes at least once a week.

This class was pretty difficult but the professor is good at keeping you interested during the lectures, he reads right off the sides and moves too fast for you to write down notes so he will post the slides on canvas. I would recommend going to the SI sessions until you get used to how fast-paced this class is

He's funny and diligent, but the exams are more specific than you expect.

I took BIOL 211 with Colbert this fall. I went to every lecture because he always did these "in- class activities" for free points that will boost your grade. Exams were very hard and I spent a lot of time preparing for them. Lectures are interesting though and I learned a lot. Use the extra credit opportunity! Overall, hard class but good prof.

Mr Colbert is very smart, especially in biology. But, for me, he just really didn't connect. He would present the same way every lecture. Tests were on the more difficult side and included an average of 4ish pictures on every exam. Lectures were often boring, so I got into the habitat off taking notes outside of class, which he posts online.

Colbert is a great lecturer has a lot of enthusiasm for what he teaches, pretty test heavy but that's more of a blessing than it seems--offers 10 points of extra credit and has a curve based on tests. Attendance is not graded but there are pop quizzes! Tests are heavily based on lectures and SI! Book required but not used very much.

-attendance isn't mandatory but there are pop quizzes and in class assignments at least once a week -7 total exams - not cumulative -usually get out of class 5-10 min early -reads of slides and ONLY information form slides in on the exams so it makes it easier to study -book isn't really needed besides for pre-quizzes

Gives very interesting lectures to keep students engaged with videos, pictures and activities or breaks. Lots of pop quizzes during lecture and on paper submissions so skipping class is not a good idea. Tests are relatively easy as long as you pay attention and review your notes (questions are right off the power points). Very nice, funny guy!

This class is hard but Colbert is a great lecturer. The tests are only what he lectures about/what is on the slides unless he specifically says otherwise. Use the extra credit opportunity to your advantage and make sure you do all of the homework assignments and attend class for quizzes.

Dr. Colbert is an amazing professor for a generally hard class. Although the class is heavy with decently hard exams, he gives a lot of opportunities for extra credit to help your grade and in class activities. He is a down to earth and nice guy, who makes lectures fun and entertaining. He is easy to contact and responds quickly. I loved his class.

A great professor that really connects the importance of everything he teaches. I enjoyed everything I learned. He makes the class (211) easy for an incoming freshman to get used to. The grade was mainly made up of 7 exams. They were exactly what was talked about in class. I didn't use the book. 10 easy points of extra credit by asking questions.

He's amazing, super response involved teacher. He even takes breaks in lectures to keep things interesting and likes student involvement. He's the best bio professor at Iowa State and you would be lucky to have him!

Make sure to attend class because there are pop quizzes or assignments during class that you can't make up. Lectures are long and kind of boring but the tests come straight from the slide. Make sure to really study and know the nitty gritty things and you should do fine. He also curves so as long as you are above the average, you'll do fine.