3.2
Quality4.2
Difficulty61%
Would Retake162
Reviews61%
Would Retake
162
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
162 total ratings5
45
4
39
3
26
2
30
1
22
What Students Say
“I think this man has some serious issues”
BIO3700 - 1.0 rating“Maruniak is an excellent teacher”
BIO1500H - 4.0 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
58%
Textbook Required
60%
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Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
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+0.27 avg changeRatings by Course
15002
5.0
(1)BIO
5.0
(1)BIO1
5.0
(1)BIO2020
5.0
(1)BIOSC2020
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
15002
5.0
BIO1
5.0
BIO1500H
5.0
BIOLOGY1500
4.7
1500
4.3
Reviews (161)
Mildly amusing. Learned quite a bit. Pretty easy class.
made class harder than it should be and has a cocky additude
No Comments
I cant stand to go to his class. He tried to make you feel like an idiot. It seems like he tried to make his test to try and fail you and not try and help you at all. The class is so much harder than it should be! Dont take it unless you have to!
I hate him. I got my first F on a test ever in this class after studying for hours and hours.
Not fond of him.
most boring lectures i have ever sat through, he does his best to make the class over students heads and makes comments during lecture to specifically make students feel like an idiot. his tests were impossible and the only thing that saved my grade was a lab that had nothing to do w/ the class.
He has a bad sense of humor
One of the best mentors I had in college. I owe a lot to him.
He made this class harder than it had to be....he is very cocky and seems to like to point out just how dumb we all are! I do not like him at all he made it a point to say "I've heard enough" when a girl was asking a question and then respond to her like she was an idiot for asking it..really boring
class sucks, but he does have a mustache
I thought he was a very good teacher. All of his tests were straight from the notes and he used many helpful examples in class. Also, the amount of extra crredit he offered was amazing.
The tests were really difficult. He gave practice tests, but no answers. The tests covered so much info that it was hard to know what to study. He acted like he was better than everyone. Easy Xtra credit every Friday! Tests have a huge curve. A D ends up being a B usually.. Lab isn't bad, though. Power points are online as well.
To do well on Bio 1500 tests, leaf through the book for conceptual knowledge, and memorize his notes for facts. I got A's on all my tests this way. The final is 1/2 comprehensive, which means questions are directly from previous tests. The only reason for not doing well, is not studying outside of class, and not trying to UNDERSTAND the material
I thought the class was pretty easy once I figured out how to ace it. All you have to do is memorize the powerpoints and previous tests (for the comprehensive portion of the final). I didn't even go to class most days and ended up with an A.
Taking this class with another professor is WAY easier. His tests are difficult, and some questions should probably be out of bounds. His grading scale completely sucks (only the top 25% of the class gets As) so you never know exactly where you stand. But I'm pretty sure that I learned a lot lot lot more than people who took the other teacher.
I thought that the class was very challenging and the tests were very urealistic. Most of the labs didn't really pertain to the what we were learning in class at that time
He wasn't that hard. However, he did require you to learn the material before taking the test. I know I know..it's terrible. He didn't really seem cocky from what I saw. I think that's just certain people being over-sensitive. Advice: Go to class, take notes, pay attention. Try to learn the conceptual stuff, it really helps.
Maruniak ROCKS. Yes, he's difficult, but he's a great teacher, and you learn the material well. You HAVE to learn the material well to do well in his classes. Not worry about the book so much, and KNOW YOUR NOTES INSIDE AND OUT! Get to know him outside of class. He's really cool.
really cool guy. tests are hard, but you learn alot. during the class i didnt like him very much...now i cant wait to be in his animal physiology class.
He wasn't a terrible teacher but he was a total jerk. I had trouble in his class and made appointments with him (could not make office hours), and he "forgot" two of them. He completely stopped answering my e-mails for a week (with no explanation) after missing one of our appointments for the second time.
Maruniak is a great man. Go talk to him if you have any trouble understanding anything. Very approachable guy and always down to chat. Study study and study more in order to do well on his test.
Maruniak was not a good teacher. He is a total jerk and seems not to even want to help his students... he makes us do useless crossword puzzle races in a lecture of 300 people, how are you supposed to win please tell me? And these are for an actual grade in the grade book. His tests are really tricky and he does it on purpose. I NOW HATE BIOLOGY.
He is OK as far as teaching goes, but he doesn't seem to care about his students. He gives a crossword nearly every Friday, but it is a race to finish and if you just aren't quick enough at crosswords you only get 1 out of 5 possible points, which is TOTALLY unfair.
This class was way too competitive. It was also very stressful. If you have the opportunity to take this class from another professor, do so!
You HAVE to know how to study to do well in this class. Tests ?s all come from your notes, but they are very detailed and specific. You don't use the book at all. GO to class bc he clarifies his notes and you MUST do the crosswords! The class is competitive, and he makes you work, but you learn ALOT.(Good for premeds). Hes a smart and nice guy.
This was a very difficult class. Tests were tricky, and required a LOT of studying. The crosswords are ridiculous for a lecture class that size.
He is a pompous, rude person. He wants students to fail and tells you that. Test are nothing like the notes, he puts a question on a test that was talked about on the Internet! and never in the notes. Overall, he makes me hate biology (which i use to love)
AN AMAZING PROFESSOR! YES, HIS EXAMS ARE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, BUT HE, LIKE NO OTHER TEACHER, WILL PREPARE YOU FOR MED-SCHOOL AND THE REST OF THOSE SCIENCE COURSES. CAN'T STRESS ENOUGH HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO STUDY AS YOU GO. IF YOU CRAM, TRUST ME, HE WILL GET YOU AND YOU WILL NOT LIKE THAT F. STUDY STUDY STUDY!!!
I hate bio now b/c of him. He is rude and his tests are impossible.
Extremely brilliant competent teacher! Tests are extremely difficult, seriously study a week before. He puts his notes online and the curve on the tests are fantastic. The last tests curve on April 20 was 28%. As long as you study, you'll be fine. He really prepares you for upper level sciences courses.
This guy really knows how to teach, yes this material is hard and there is alot of it but if you study properly you should do just fine. I studied every night for about 2 weeks before the tests and it worked out well. I would definitly take this class again. I <3 wolfy!!!
I had to actually change majors because this guy ruined Biology for me. He is not a good professor and the only people who will think so are the ones with barely 12 hours worth of work. All the notes he gives you are extremely literal and then your tests will be nothing but conceptual. The curve is great if you can beat the nerds in the front.
Maruniak clearly states that his tests will be difficult...so study! If you know his notes in and out and understand them (as opposed to just memorizing them) you will do very well. He curves the class where the top quarter recieve A's and so on. Go to lecture, take good notes, and you may actually enjoy biology for once!
As has been mentioned, his classes are very competitive and he makes them that way. If you're a science person you might like him. If you're not a science person and you're fulfilling gen ed credit, DO NOT TAKE A CLASS WITH MARUNIAK. I accidentally enrolled in his class, tried hard, and it completely ruined my GPA. Still fixing it two years later.
This guy was okay but who noes.
Ok, yes, his class was not the easiest fly through class but he made it sooo interesting that you wanted to learn! He's very interested in his students and gives many study opportunities. If you are serious about Biology I would def suggest u take Maruniak. He'll give you his cell for questions. His lectures are very informative. Make sure u study!
Please do not take this class. He is a horrid teacher. He makes everyone compete against each other and I did not learn one bit. He makes you do crosswords in class, 60 words each (each one comes as a surprise in class) If anyone would have told me that he was AWFUL, I would have never taken him if someone had warned me. Tests are impossible.
If you can take this class with someone else do it! He is full of himself and makes a game out of the class. Everyone must compete against others. Crosswords are given at random and even if you complete it you might not get any points because you weren't first to turn it in! Buy the book! He tells you not to but you need it!
Prof Maruniak is an amazing professor. His tests are hard, but doable. This course prepares you for harder classes later on by teaching you how to study. He is very fair, easily approachable, and an awesome teacher. Don't be afraid of the crosswords- they don't really affect your grade. He is the best teacher I've ever had, and he's funny!
This class is very hard, but it can be done! Attendance is not mandatory, but it is extremely helpful to attend every class. He puts all his lecture notes on blackboard. The tests are hard, but he curves them. You do not need the book. His test and crossword questions come straight from his lecture notes. Study diligently and study hard!
Dr. M. is great! Most who have problems are those who don't want to comprehend the material. You have to learn & understand. Great prep. 4 bio. major or med. school & a good weed-out class for those who should seek extra help or reconsider their major Go to office hours! He's very helpful! Don't sweat the Xwords, they don't impact your grade much.
This class is ridiculous! Way to hard for a beginning Biology course. I understood lecture and studied well but his tests are impossible. Theres no real way to study because they mostly not from the notes. The questions are meant for someone who has degree in biology already. Do not take this class unless you spend 60 hours a week studying.
Most professors have empathy and common sense, Maruniak does not. He does not care if over half the class fails and ruins their GPA. Tests were ridiculous and given on MONDAYS, prepare to have your weekend ruined. The people who like him are the ones with no social life. Take this class with someone else.
[F][M][L] this class ruined my GPA- 5 hours of a B (3.0) is hard to make up. If you can avoid taking this from Maruniak, do it! Got <50% on every test and studied more and more each time, even studied different ways and my study effort had no correlation to my success. I had a tough schedule and not enough time to devote. Must study every day
Dr Maruniak is awesome. to the people on here who hated him in 1500 thats because you didnt care about getting a bad grade and then try to blame him for your failures. He gives you all the notes, and if you know them and can apply them in some way on the exams you will do fine. if you are a science major and you struggle in this class switch majors
Dr. Maruniak tries to weed out the weak ones early. I can remember him saying multiple times he could "hear doors shutting on our futures." Don't let this freak you out! To get an A in the class you MUST memorize all of the material and be able to apply it to real life examples. I made a million notecards for each test and got an A in the course.
Dr. Maruniak is a good professor when it comes to knowledge of the subject. The thing that will screw you are his exams. YOU MUST KNOW EVERY PART OF THE NOTES! Be able to apply what you learned in class to out of the box situations. He is a hard professor and has no sympathy. Good luck
Exams are extremely difficult, but not impossible. Lab is a complete waste of time, and he's really not aware of what we are ever doing in there.
He is a good teacher. Just know the notes thoroughly and you will be fine. Just STUDY STUDY STUDY its that serious, or you will fail the test and you will be disappointed. Go to his office hours and the SI classes they really help. GOOD LUCK
He is a really awesome teacher!I love the way he organize his notes.Tests are tricky but if you study it is not a big deal.Go to SI,it helps a lot.Top 20% of class will earn an A.10%less than A will get B,and so on.English is not my 1st language but I still earned an A in his class so it slightly means if you study, Guarantee to get an A!! =)
I recommend you to take his class if you enjoy studying.Especially for pre-health profession students.His notes helps a lot for standardized tests!He don't use textbook.He post all of his notes on blackboard.Crosswords are fun to do.But it is competitive.Tests are difficult.But if you study, you don't need to worry about it. GOOD LUCK~!!! =D
Joel is a great person. As a teacher... not so much. He is very personable but his tests are impossible.No matter how many hours you study (upwards of 20 needed)you will struggle. He has to curve tests because everyone fails. If i can give anyone advice it'd be to wait for Gayou's class in the fall. I've never had a C and i got one in this class.
Dr. Maruniak has absolutely no interest in whether or not you learn anything in his class. He said so himself. His tests aren't impossible, but he will make you jump through hoops to get the grade you want. In all honesty, this class was a waste of time and money.
Prof Maruniak is by far the worst teacher I've ever had. You're not going to learn anything and his lectures are characterized by inappropriate jokes. Still got an A, but I will NEVER take another one of his courses.
He was my all time favorite teacher! He prepares you for all the future biology classes to come! Only 25% of his students receive and A, and I was one of them. This class required a lot of studying, but in the end it improved my memory capacity and my study habits. His class is like the determining factor on if you could make it in med school.
In high school I never had to study, but that changed when I took his class. I have never studied for anything so hard in my life. Go to review sessions, ask him questions, and get a group to study with. Don't wait until a few weeks have gone by or you will already be behind. Not impossible, but definitely a challenge.
I really enjoyed Dr. Maruniak's class. The tests are very difficult, but they are curved to where the top 25% of the class gets A's, so even if you get 60-70+ on the tests, you can still get an A. The lab is easy points, but feels pointless at times. There is a lot of material, but you learn a lot. Just put in a lot of study time.
I would just like to say this professor was extremely resistant on trying to be helpful. All his comments tied back to the fact that you're just not putting in enough effort.
Maruniak is under some false impression that every student that takes his class is on a pre-med track, so he completely makes shifts the entire focus of what the class should be about by barely covering many units and spending an exorbitant amount of time on anatomy of the human body. He makes the class competitive by having the top 25% get an A.
Maruniak is a very good teacher. He knows what he is talking and teaches it well but he is HARD. The highest scores on his tests are usually about a 65. He will make you feel stupid and is very cocky. Be prepared and study every day for at least 2 weeks before his exams. Good luck
I enjoyed this class. In saying this my major is Bio, so I was somewhat prepared going in to it. I did have to study though. His tests make you think, and assume any bit of the notes could be on the test.
The material isn't that complex but his lectures purposely puts things in a confusing order to force you to study longer. also he assumes everyone who takes his class is a freshman and isn't taking any other tough classes so everyone should have copious amounts of study time. the exams are poor quality, they do not accurately test your knowledge.
Without a doubt, Dr. Maruniak respects and rewards intelligent and proactive students. Bio 1500 is definitely a "weed-out" class meant to discourage the most casual Biology students. Study EVERYTHING on the notes and really put forth honest effort, and try to talk to him at some point. He WILL notice, and he WILL grade you accordingly and fairly.
If you can get another professor, DO IT!! The average curve on the test for an "A"(top 25% of the class) is 100-60%. Dr. Maniac does not teach the same way he gives exams.
Easy class. If you can understand the notes, and be able to make connections on the tests, the curve makes it pretty easy to get an A.
Maruniak is an awesome bio teacher! Looking back, the class was a lot of work but you learn a ton in the process. The tests are NOT as bad as everyone makes them out to be; just go to lecture, reference the book if you are confused, and go to office hours! Best of all, he rewards exceptional work (which is great for all the gunners out there). :)
Maruniak is the best professor I have ever had. If you want an easy A, drop it. He expects you to actually work for your grade. It's extremely rewarding.
The class itself is not difficult, but Dr. Maruniak is one of the most arrogant professors I've met. Be prepared to complete pointless crossword puzzles and do poorly on exams. I found the Bio department to be an extreme disappointment as a whole...other professors aren't much better. Do what you can to avoid his class.
Dr. Maruniak is awesome. His class is hard but lectures are interesting and his exams are all about applying the notes to different situations. He's the bomb.
Worst biology teacher I have ever had, and I have had some pretty bad biology teachers. I've taken a lot of biology courses in the past, so luckily I knew most of the things that this class covers, but this professor is TERRIBLE. He is arrogant and unhelpful. He makes no sense when he teaches and his powerpoints are very disorganized. Bad humor too
Possibly the hardest biology teacher I've ever had. While the lectures are interesting, the entire class is a competition where only 25% get As, he has awful crossword puzzles that if you get one wrong, you get a 1/5. His tests focus on the minutest of details twisted in a weird way. Only helpful if you see him alone. If you can, get a better prof.
He says that he wants us to face the realities of the world through a competitive atmosphere, but it's a detrimental learning environment. If you want someone to learn the material, use positive reinforcement.
Great guy. His lectures are interesting if you enjoy bio and very informative. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW IS IN THE LECTURE NOTES. You just have to know the material forwards and backwards. If there's something you don't understand perfectly, go to his office hours and he will explain it in more detail. You can do well in this class with effort.
The only easy/fun thing about his class is the labs that Joel isnt even a part of. He doesnt take attendance for lectures, but he does crossword puzzles almost weekly that must be done in class. They are worth 5 point each and the first ones to be done get the most points (really stupid rule). I memorized every lecture the tests are still HARD!
Don't be intimidated if you do poorly on the first couple of tests. Once you get his style it is pretty easy to spot his tricks. a study group goes a long way here. go to his study hours-he often talks about questions that will be on his test. the lab boosts your grade a ton
GREAT GUY. Yes his class is difficult but if you show up and go to his office hours before the test you should do fine. In his office hours, he tells you questions that will be on the test and the answers to them. Also, in class he will highlight things you should know. He's a good guy, but it is definitely a "weed-out" class.
Graded competitively-he sets the curve to how his students do on the exams. Go to the study sessions. The powerpoints have everything you need to know. Be prepared to work, but it can be rewarding. THIS IS A WEED OUT CLASS.
Very poor professor. He knows his stuff, but his powerpoints are confusing, and tests don't represent what you learned in class. Also makes you do pointless crossword puzzles. Major weed out class.
Very knowledgeably guy, attendance isn't mandatory, does surprise crossword puzzles, so go to class and do them all, will help grade in end. Every test was curved 30-40%, powerpoints were so-so, made us buy online book we didn't use at all. His grading and teaching theories are very messed up. Prepare to do hours of studying.
Dr. Maruniak is a very knowledgeable professor! His class is very hard, but if you study, then this class is manageable! Also, make sure you go to the study sessions. They make a big difference!
Maruniak is an excellent teacher. His class is difficult, but he knows what he's talking about. His tests are extremely difficult. To do well in this class you must study a lot and really know the material he covers.
Professor came up with a ridiculous crossword puzzle and makes students race for their grade. Only a set amount of people I think around 3 out of 248 can receive 100. If you are one of the last to turn in your assignment you get a 15. These weekly puzzles will bring your grade down greatly if you aren't a speedy thinker and writer.
This is my third year at the University and he is by far the worst professor I have ever had. He does not teach in a way that you will understand. The worst If you can pick another professor do so
He doesn't give pop quizzes, but he does random group crossword puzzles over information taught. Tests are not cumulative, no cumulative final. He does curves. 50%-100% could be an A depending on what the top 4th of the class gets. Do not buy the textbook... You will not need it.
All the information you need is on the powerpoints and you don't even need to open your book. Some of the questions on the test are incredibly hard and mirror questions on the MCAT so make sure you can apply concepts. Lab is easy points as long as you go and do the work.
Maruniak's Bio was one of the toughest courses ever. Not only is there a lot of information, but you have to know it so you can apply it on the test. Even though class is tough, he is always there to help you understand the material. Taking this class helps in the long run for anyone who wants to be in the medical profession. Highly recommended!
Test are extremely hard! There is only 3 tests and a final, so it is important to do well. Go to office hours; it is extremely helpful. Hugh curves on exams, top 25% get A's no matter the score. No assignments are given except the Friday crossword puzzles. Great teacher overall, class was insightful especially if you going into the medical field.
Dr. Maruniak is an excellent professor. His test are challenging but if you study and go to his office hours you will do great. His tests are curved 30-35%. Overall, he is the BEST biology professor at Mizzou and really cares about all of his students. Work hard and you will do awesome! Good Luck!
Really tough tests, which don't always correlate to the lectures. He wants you to work for an A, so don't think it'll be a cakewalk. It is really funny and cares about the subject though, which was helpful. Going to class is pretty mandatory because of the surprise crosswords he likes to give out. Study, study, study.
Dr. Maruniak is THE best professor I have had at MU. If you are planning on moving on to Genetics, Cell Biology, and other upper-level classes, I STRONGLY recommend taking this class. Be prepared to work very hard, go into his office hours (he will give you MAJOR hints to some of the concepts to know for the tests), and the class is very rewarding
Great teacher, Go to office hours. Grades on curve. top 20% all get As. The As for test often go down into the 60s. Really Personable professor
Dr. Maruniak is a great professor who is very knowledgeable in his field. His tests are very hard. I scored 78,60,58, and 84 on my four tests. These scores curved to A,A,B+,A. With a 40% curve on tests you just have to understand that you're going to score poorly and that it will be ok.
Tests are extremely hard. I memorized all of material from lectures and understood each concept covered fairly well, but still got an F on every test. He thinks the class needs to be a competition because life is a competition, but the curves aren't enough. This is an extremely difficult gen ed class. Don't have him as a professor.
TESTS ARE SO HARD but he is a very good teacher. You learn so much!!!
His class is tough, but it is completely possible to get a good grade. The people that don't do well are the ones that don't really study and still try to get by-you cannot do that in this class. His office hours are really helpful and he gets a lot of test questions from office hours.
Dr. Maruniak, over all, first appears to be a jerk. Its just scare tactics, and you have to get accustomed to the class. His lectures are very entertaining and you learn a lot. Be prepared to start studying 2 weeks in advance for his tests, though. Its ok if you do poorly, you just need to do better than 75% of the class. Which sounds hard but isnt
First off, very unprofessional. He makes fun of students if they do not do well on his crossword puzzles. Calls people slackers if they do not go to his office hours on Sundays. Some people have obligations! Tries to make immature jokes and immature freshman will laugh. Biology Majors will love him, anyone else will not. Grading scale flawed.
He was a tough professor but worth it. His teaching style is similar to others, so he prepares you for classes where the professor is not trying to help you, which Maruniak does. Totally worth the difficulty
His tests were ROUGH-scores around 65%. His curve is nice. 14 of the class gets A's. He does these crosswords every Friday that are STUPID! He does not pay any attention to anything but your test letter grades at the end of the semester when calculating your final grade no matter what his syllabus says. Could probably bribe him for your grade.
GO TO OFFICE HOURS. This class was huge and the only way you will get help is consistently going to office hours. Really didn't like him at first, but get to know him, he is awesome! Goes fast in lecture, so re read notes and really digest it as many ways as you can. Think outside the box with "what if..?" and take those questions to office hours!
Do not take unless you are going into graduate school. It is extremely hard. The test questions resemble MCAT exams and unless you took genetics, AP Bio, or a variety of other Bio related classes in high school you will struggle. Try to get the other Bio 1500 professor because his tests are easier.
He's a cool guy, but he goes fast and his tests are extremely hard. Usually a 60% on a test will get you an A but good luck getting that. He grades the class so the top quarter get an A then sets the scale off of that. He's pretty fair but you have to want it. Barely passed with a C.
He's a hilarious guy. Lectures are enjoyable. Past tests, office hours, and tutoring sessions are very helpful. Tests are difficult, but the top quarter of the class gets an A. Know the material and how to apply it. He also gives crossword puzzles for around 5-10 points, if you study the material every night this is a good way to get those points.
Hardest class I've ever taken. The material isn't particularly difficult, but the tests are 100% application of the information and they're so difficult. He's an awesome guy and he's funny, but its just such a hard class. I would suggest trying to get the other bio 1500 teacher, that class is a breeze in comparison. Only 25% of the class gets an A
Dr. Maruniak genuinely cares about his students and will help you out if you approach him. It is a difficult class. If you are looking for an easy science elective, this class is not for you. However, if you are looking to go to graduate school, Dr. Maruniak's class allows you to grow as a student and see if higher level bio classes are for you.
If you want to learn biology this is the professor you want to take. He is clear and his presentations precise, although he goes a little fast. Everything he says is important, and relevant for the test, but all the resources you need to excel are in lecture. Also, go to office hours, nearly guaranteed A. Awesome guy.
Maruniak is one of the best teachers at Mizzou. His classes are hard,but, they are a good way to know whether or not biology is your passion. He is very helpful and if you ask for help, go to his office hours, put in the work by going to tutoring and studying, you should be fine!
A tough grader as well as an excellent lecturer. It would be worthy of taking it but be aware of its difficulty
As someone who has done well in all of my college classes before, I can easily say that this is a harder than average class and will make even the smartest of students work for a good grade. His lectures are easy to understand; however, the way he words test questions are not. Be prepared to show up and work.
Dr. Maruniak is an absolutely excellent professor. He expects a lot out of students, but we should expect a lot out ourselves as well. He is incredibly helpful in office hours, knowledgeable about every topic & its clinical correlation, and honestly cares about the success of his students; that is why he makes the class difficult!
Dr. Maruniak is obviously concerned with each student's success, and his grading isn't hard to understand. Get a better grade than everyone else and you're good. Go to office hours and supplemental instruction as often as you can. Maruniak's class is difficult, but what's college without a little work?
4 tests including the final. Only top 25% of the class gets an A. The average on the tests are around 60%. If you get 60% or better on each test you are most likely to get an A. Make sure to go to office hours!
Class only has 4 tests and not much else. If you're not a good test taker DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS! He rewards improvement but doesn't really consider your lab grades or anything else. He expects students to come with prior knowledge and is not easy to come to for help. He makes the class very competitive so if you don't learn well that way its hard.
Tests are VERY difficult but not impossible. He makes them hard to make you work for the grade you want (which if you're pre-med taking this class, is an important thing to learn). Go to office hours, supplemental instruction and all lectures. Sit by smart people in class for his pop quizzes/crosswords. Intelligent guy who is fun to learn from.
He is notorious for being one of the hardest bio teachers but if you take this class you will have the best foundation for upper level bio classes in the future. He wants all of his students to work for the grade they get so go to office hours and study a lot and you will do fine! Don't be intimidated to take this class, it will pay off.
Dr. Maruniak was a great professor for Biology 1500. In his class grades are divided amongst students based on how well the class did as a whole. For example, I received an A in his class while my average test score was around a 60. He takes the top 25% of test scores and gives those students A's, and the next 10% increments are B's then C's etc.
There was no textbook. Extremely condescending and rude. Worst teacher I have had in my entire life. An A is approximately 50% on an exam. Left this class knowing no more than I entered the class knowing. Horrible for an introductory Biology course. Words can do no justice to how awful this class was
Mr. Maruniak tries his best to make class fun. Which is why he does surprise crossword puzzles. Granted it helps you get to meet more classmates, they're not took easy. The exams are awful because you have to read into what he's implying during class. Nothing is what it seems in class. There will be stuff not discussed in lecture on the exams.
Dr. Maruniak is a very helpful professor that truly wants to see his students succeed. Though he would love to see everyone get an A, you simply will not do very good in his class if you don't put in the effort (like most college classes). The two best ways to ensure success in this class are to go to the office hours, and find a study group.
I needed a one hour credit course for my last honors credit so I took How the brain works honors by contract. His lectures are about as good as any lectures can get and he makes them pretty interesting. Not a super hard class. He's funny and enjoyable to learn from.
By far the worst teacher I've ever had, EVER. I took organic chem and it was easier than this class. I mean, what kind of teacher sets his tests up knowing students will fail (the test average was less than 50%). He is rude, condescending, disrespectful, and outright dumb. If you have to take this class, go to office hours - he plays favorites.
Enjoys the suffering of his students, does not know his own material. If you argue with him over an answer he will question his own knowledge. Picks favorite students based on who brown noses him most.
This class is definitely not easy, but whatever grade you get is what you worked for. I say that attendance is mandatory (recording the lectures!!) because he mentions a lot of small details that are not on the slides. Office hours are also very important for success, he will give out practice tests and explain things in further detail.
I purposely avoided for Maruniak's section bc of his reputation but then when the professor i chose unexpectedly retire I ended up with him anyway. While he is very knowledgeable and his lectures can be interesting the overall structure of the class was awful. Prepare for a great deal of competition and surprise assignments. Tests are impossible.
Dr. Maruniak was the highlight of my freshman year. His class is so interesting and despite what people say- not all that difficult. If you study for the exam a couple days in advance and go to his office hours, you'll be fine. If you're a bio major and find Maruniak's class "impossible" maybe you should consider a new major. Maruniak is the bomb.
Funny guy. At first doesn't seem to care about your grade but really does. He will drop tests and lab scores if he sees that you tried to improve your tests grades in his class. Go to office hours. You have to memorize everything for his tests but find old practice tests because he reuses questions. No final just another lecture test.
Go to office hours prepared & participate, hand-write your notes, make copies or flashcards and study them a bit every day. If you take responsibility you'll be fine. If you're premed and this is impossible choose a new major. Some students complain about Maruniak before tests are put out, yet if you turn around they have nothing out to study!
His monotone voice made lectures mediocre at best. Tests were hard even when studying a lot because most of the questions are application questions to what you learned. Grading curve is crazy though so it worked out in my favor.
I think this man has some serious issues. He seems to a sick pleasure from making students compete with each other. He would rather turn the class into a game than actually teach the material. I have now gone on to take medical school classes and I can say he did not prepare me well. Unless He likes you, good luck getting a good grade.
His goal is to "filter" the smartest people instead of actually educating
Worst professor I have ever had. He thinks this college thing is a game and someone has to lose. Never failed an exam until I took this class. Attended lectures, made notecards, watched Khan Academy, and still failed. He thinks it is funny to make students feel bad about not doing well in the class. Avoid at all costs if you want to do well.
Bio 1500 taught by Maruniak is VERY tough. You have to put in the work in order to succeed in this class. Rewrite your notes, watch videos, give yourself AT LEAST a week in advance to study. GO TO OFFICE HOURS!! If you put in the work, you will be fine. If you hate to study, this isn't the class for you.
Doesn't teach, simply throws lecture notes at you. Lectures are choppy and vague yet tests are very in depth on concepts he doesn't go over.
AMAZING! Maruniak has a reputation for tough classes, but this short, low-key intersession course is a great way to enjoy his teaching without the stress. One of the few classes I was truly excited to attend every day! Lectures flew by; content was fun, fascinating, and easy. No reading/homework; lecture only with 2 short tests.
DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS WITH HIM IF YOU WANT A GOOD GPA. He is by far the worst professor I have ever had. I went to class every single day and attended every lab and still struggled to not fail the class. Seriously do not recommend. AVOID AT ALL COSTS.
Dr. Maruniak is a great guy, but not a great teacher. He doesn't spend a whole lot of time explaining lecture material and expects you to understand it. His grading style is the worst I've ever experienced. I've never failed a class, my grades are all solid A's and B's; I'll be doing well to get a D in this class.
Maruniak is an awesome guy. He is a very tough professor because his tests are very difficult. You have to study very hard for at least 2 weeks to get a decent grade. The book isn't useful but you will need the lab manual. The lab wasn't hard. The test are worth 200 pts each and they are the main source of points in the course.
If you're looking for an easy A, then I would not recommend taking the class. But, if you are looking to learn a lot of in depth material about biology and push yourself to see your true educational potential, then I would definitely recommend this class. No doubt this is the hardest class I've ever taken, but I do not regret being a part it
Maruniak announced on the first day of class if you dont see this class as a competition you will fail. Dont take this class if you arent wanting a MCAT Prep class- many people say this class is helpful for the MCAT but I dont think the stress and toughness of this class is worth it for a majority freshman lecture.
Nice professor, however, the tests are not nice. This class really makes you study HARD and learn how to up your test taking skills. GO TO CLASS if you want a B or higher.
He's kind of a nightmare and arrogant. Tests are all applying what you have learned so it helps to study in a group and brainstorm. No actual text but get one of the recommended ones and try to read ahead based on the lecture schedule - it will save you during pop quizzes - which are tough - sit by smart students because you can work together.
Go to office hours. It's not difficult to get an A if you are competitive.
Very hard class, but he's a genius
He is a great choice for someone who loves the sciences! He is very knowledgeable and witty. However, if you taking Bio as a gen ed DO NOT take him, his classes require lots of studying/preparation. His tests are so hard even google can't help, but they are curved. Definitely go to office hours, he will give away test questions sometimes in there.
This class helped a lot of MCAT prep. How he forms his questions is just like how AAMC makes the MCAT questions. Go to office hours. Find a study partner and try to think of ways he can ask questions, and then ask each other those questions.
Professor Maruniak is an awesome guy! His class is extremely hard, but he is one of the most caring & reasonable professors that I've ever had. The tests are very hard, but he makes himself available for 2 major office hours during the week. My advice: GO. Do not try to memorize for this course, that will not earn high score. Super funny guy!
His tests are completely different from his lectures. You honestly have to be a genius to get an A. DONT TAKE IT.
Maruniak makes lectures so fun and enjoyable, BUT tests are SUPER hard. If you dont enjoy the subject enough to understand it or even try to study ahead of time, chances of passing with a decent grade are VERY slim; however, if you work hard, and GO TO LAB (really simple & easy), it shouldnt be impossible to receive the grade you want.
Don't take this class unless you absolutely have to. You have to be really driven and you should commit everything Maruniak says to memory to succeed. Studying and spending time on the material outside of class isn't going to help unless biology really clicks for you. Love him as a person, but he doesn't teach to the average intelligence.
Maruniak's class is genuinely hard, but if you put in the work, you'll be absolutely fine. His office hours are like another class. I highly recommend attending them because he gives out practice questions for each of them and extensively goes over them. Stay after he goes over the questions though, because he'll give you test questions.
I highly recommend BIO1500 w/ Maruniak if you are pre-med/Health Sci. It focuses more on human bio than ecology, which I personally found more interesting. The tests are challenging, but if you take accountability for your success and go to office hours, you'll be ok. This class taught me how to study effectively, which is also extremely useful.
Maruniak extremely disappointed me in my first semester of Bio. It's a requirement to go to office hours if you want to pass. He gives out old test examples there. Lectures are nothing like tests, he says you have to think about it "in different ways". Purposely tries to trick you on tests. Don't get me started on crosswords. I'm just warning you
When people talk about the difficulty of this class, it is not an understatement. But despite the intimidating grading scheme and the difficulty level of the tests, Dr. Maruniak is an incredibly smart professor who genuinely wants you to do well in his class. He will tell you within the first week how to succeed in his class. LISTEN.
Maruniak was so difficult. I had to go to tutoring. If you dont understand something, ASK. He is normally approachable. The tests are super hard because theyre conceptual and easy memorization. Be prepared to spend a lot of time studying the material. Go to class, the crosswords help your grade and help you out in the long run.
Dr. Maruniak was an awesome professor. Physiology is obviously not an easy subject and the competitive grading scheme is intimidating but he wants you to do well. Attend class, KEEP UP WITH THE MATERIAL, ask him questions. He's very approachable and will always give you more than enough information to answer.
nice guy, interesting lectures, attendance isn't mandatory-he posts slides but you really need to go to understand, no book, gives extra credit crosswords in class Fridays, tests are really hard but curved & doable if you really study & can apply concepts, most essential thing is going to all OFFICE HOURS where he goes over practice test questions
Go to office hours, and make sure to keep up with the course material, he jam packs so much into one class period that missing one class is a pain. If he knows your name he will help you, and if you improve over the course you might be able to get an A (just ask and do well on the last test)
Bell curved class. Challenging but good!
Maruniak is a great professor! Get to know him early in the semester and go to his office hours to get realistic test questions. He presents the material well and expects you to understand it and apply it on tests. As long as you care about the class and put time into studying you should be fine. This class was never boring & I would recommend it!
Dr. Maruniak is very hit or miss. His classes are graded on a bell curve meaning that if you perform at the average level of the class you will likely earn a B or a C in the class. He values seeing students grow and learn from their mistakes and if you go to office hours, put in the work, perform well, and show improvement. you will get whatyouearn
Class Info
Attendance Mandatory
58%
Textbook Required
60%
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15002
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