2.6
Quality4.4
Difficulty38%
Would Retake100
Reviews38%
Would Retake
100
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
100 total ratings5
18
4
13
3
18
2
22
1
29
What Students Say
“Lectures are amazingly difficult & hard to follow”
BIO1610 - 3.0 rating“Her slides are extensive and her tests are SO HARD”
BIOL1600 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
57%
Textbook Required
63%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Improving
+0.27 avg changeRatings by Course
BIOL2260
5.0
(1)BIOL1090
4.0
(1)BIO1090
4.0
(1)BIOL1610
3.2
(9)BIOL2420
3.1
(12)Difficulty by Course
1610
5.0
2420
5.0
ZOO1100
5.0
BIOLOGY1610
5.0
016
5.0
Reviews (99)
keeps a good pace to finish required content by the end of semester. speaks softly but clearly. willing to go over unclear content before/after class or during office hours to help you understand. tests mostly from powerpoints, which you can print out. textbook helps clarify and solidify understanding.
Dr. Bell is a great teacher. She has a really soft voice so you will want to sit near the front. She lets you print off your powerpoint lecture and tests mostly from her notes. Her test questions can get really tricky, but if you study you will pass. She is very helpful, stays to help before and after class and she has tons of office hours open for
I am very unsatisfied with this Instructor. She is very nice but is really quiet and is not very clear in her explanations. teaches almost purely from powerpoints. She offered extra credit. From my experience, the class average on exams is less than a C. She said she would curve the grades and only curved the final. Good Luck!
She is the nicest, sweetest person on the face of the planet, but didn't work for me as a teacher. I pull mainly A's and B's. Every single test I took I scored a D on. She bases most of her tests on her power point lectures and asks trick questions on test, which I found unfair. I will not repeat with her.
I agree with what other people have put. She speaks very softly. The class I was in there was not a whole lot of respect for her, such as talking during her lectures, texting, people showing pictures and such. Her tests are very tricky so be sure to read every word and know the meaning. I would not recommend her.
The class I was in there was not a whole lot of respect for her, such as talking during her lectures, texting, people showing pictures and such. Her tests are very tricky so be sure to read every word and know the meaning. I would not recommend her. And don't buy the book I never opened it once since she goes strictly on her power point slides.
I wouldn't recommend her. She is nice and helpful in person & I dont think she talks that quiet i didnt have any trouble hearing her. But I really don't like how she teaches completely from slides and then throws in some questions that are from the book. Also Almost every question on her tests are trick questions because she writes tests herself
She is a very hard teacher. She doesn't offer any extra credit and the class average for exams were 60%. She said she would curve the exams but I don't think she ever did. She didn't collect every homework assignment which pissed me off because I did them all and they took all day to do. I would NOT recommend her if you want to pass the class.
This is the most boring class ever!!! Powerpoints every class and she's so quite. I don't think she has a passion for teaching and the information expected to know was overwhelming. I hate biology now! It SUCKS!
Useless Professor! Might as well email you the power points and tell you to come in on test day and know everything in the book, she had questions that were ahead of the lecture, ridiculous!
Ms. Bell has a thorough knowledge of physiology but is poor at communicating that knowledge to her students. Her tests are extremely hard and she gives provides no access to a study guide. Bright woman but a very poor instructor.
This professor does not care if you pass or fail, there is no extra credit. she really doesn't help you learn the and understand the material, I would have to say if it was between taking the class from her or waiting for the next semester I would wait and get a different teacher. I put the hours in and got a tutor but still only got a C
This teacher is the hardest I have ever had. She doesn't explain what needs to be known for the test, she doesn't offer extra credit, and her tests are EXTREMELY hard! I dropped the class after failing the first two tests, and would not suggest taking from her if you want to pass.
HARD CLASS! Only read power points! Tried to talk to her outside of the classroom and she didn't talk to me! She makes her own tests and they are hard to understand! She didn't give us study guides or use the book! DO NOT TAKE FROM HER IF YOU WANT TO LEARN OR PASS! very smart, but does not help when you can?t convey your knowledge to your students.
Hardest class I have ever taken. She was a good teacher and things made sense, but she speaks very quiet,if you don't sit in the 1st row you can't hear her. Her tests were very detailed and hard and she was nit picky.She expects you to know the material as well as she does when she has been doing this many years. Very unfair! Too much homework.
WOW, people are incredibly wrong & prob did poor do to lack of effort. She is Willing to study w/you! Her class has been THE HARDEST class. TELLS you WHAT WILL be on test and explains to read chap/review powerpoint, go to lecture, & read again. H/W online helps with test and study section has questions almost identical to test. Try hard, do WELL!
She talks really soft, hard to hear. She is not flexible at all, won't work with you. Tests are nit picky and very hard. Pick a different teacher.
Horrible teacher. Worst I have ever had. She pulls test material out of thin air, her power points don't help and she doesn't get information from the books... extremely boring.
She is the WORST teacher I've ever had. You can't hear one word she says, and she doesn't explain anything. She goes over material way too fast and instead of reviewing she continues on so while you trying to remember everything for the upcoming test she's already on the second chapter that will be on the test after this one! I hate her!
She makes this class a lot harder than it should be. The tests are very hard, even though I've passed them so far (barely), I am one of the few. This teacher is too quiet and doesn't help. You will need to study A LOT to pass. Use the power points, book, and assignments to study. I don't recommend her to anyone.
Bell was an awful teacher. She knows her information, but does not teach well. Her power points were kinder level compared to her tests. No extra credit offered. She never anwered my questions. Strongly discourage taking Bio 1610 From Bell !
I totally disagree with all the negative comments. I think Dr. Bell is a very good teacher. I love her class, she knows her stuff, and she is very clear about what to study for on the test. She never asks anything that she did not go over in class. If you attend the lecture, study the material you will do well in her class! Highly recommend Bell!!!
She is a very good teacher, she tends to help you learn! Her speech needs to be worked on though. It is a hard class! You have to work a lot! Do not blame your laziness on teacher! And use all the on-line tools, her test questions are similar to ones on MasteringBiology.com
Fair. Not the best or worst by any standard, but definitely hard. Other students warned me, but I wouldn't say avoid her class. She gives out all the information necessary, but sometimes doesn't agree with the book. I would say find a different teacher if you can.
Worst class I have EVER taken. She needs to speak LOUDER. Also, she keeps referncing BIOL 1610. For some people it has been a while since that class, and an example would be nice of what she is trying to convey. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND HER NOR WOULD I EVER TAKE ANY CLASS from her AGAIN!!!! I am glad this is my last semester.
She is very difficult, hard to understand and unable to answer student questions. She does not review for any tests and does not seem interested in the subject at all.
Kathy's test were not very hard. She highlights in Red in the power points exactly what she is going to test on and she sticks to it. I only studied the highlighted material and did fine on the tests. I did not purchase a book either. She does speak very quietly so sit in the front row and you should be fine. Her quizes were pretty straightforward
By far one of the best instructors I have ever had, she knows a ton about the subject and is very helpful with clarifying difficult subjects. Her tests are very easy if you put a little bit of time to studying for them.
I don't think I've ever taken a harder class. I studied so hard. You have to memorize the power points word by word to pass, I am not kidding.
This is a higher level science course, and requires you to do your own reading and studying. I found her very helpful with learning and retaining the information. But to those complaining about her not holding your hand and walking you through everything you should already know, then I say welcome to a real college course.
she was a very good professor she does expect a lot from you but it is also a prerequisite for classes that you will need the information in. I would highly recommend her if you need to take more bio classes for your major. if you only have to take bio 1610 and just want the grade you should look for a different class. you can get an A I did.
I took microbiology from this professor and I liked her. She is quiet so I did find it best to sit in the front row. There is a lot of information to learn so you can't be lazy. She has prepared PowerPoint's that she highlights exactly what will be on the test (don't bother buying the book I never used it). As long as you study you can do well.
Really great professor! Physiology is NOT an easy class, and she knows that and is willing to help you as much as she can. She provides power points and highlights everything you need to know for the tests. I didn't notice that she talked quiet at all, but I also sat closer to the front.
This is a difficult and time consuming class and you will definitely need to devote a lot of time to studying. However, she makes the material you need to know easy to access. Her power points have certain things highlighted in red or italicized. Study those things and you will be fine. I didn't even use my book once, so don't waste your money.
Very fast paced, her tests are difficult, a lot of time needs to be devoted into studying just for her class. If you want to have a good grade, do not take her class.
The class material was difficult, but she has prepared powerpoints that are great study material. Test questions come straight from it. Make sure to dedicate a LOT of outside class study time. She's very nice and approachable, but her office hours are in the middle of the day and can be inconvenient.
This class was ridiculously hard and I have my bachelors and have taken many courses with all sorts of professors and have been able to keep up. She makes this a "weeding out" class basically which Bio 1610 should never be. Studying 400 slides for one test is asinine and counter productive. I tell everyone to steer clear
She is a horrible teacher. She gives you many powerpoints to study but will never be 100% specific on what you NEED to know. It's towards the end of the semester and her class average for tests is slightly over 50%. We have a class of almost 40 students so obviously that's terrible. She provides little help and her tests are unnecessarily hard.
She made a lot of powerpoints where you basically had to remember every single detail no matter what. She is very quiet, you have to sit in the very front to hear her even though she has a microphone. Tests are harder than ever and she doesn't really help you. She is not a very approachable person because she expects you to remember everything.
Quite possibly the most awful teacher I've ever had. The majority of our class is failing. She will give you powerpoints and say to study them.. all 400+. I need to take biology again because this class alone destroyed my gpa. She also doesn't post grades to canvas, so you won't know your grade until the very end. Tests are on a new level of hard.
Taking her class was the biggest mistake I made this semester :( how can anyone study 400+ slides in one test (4 chapters ) except if you are only taking her class and nothing else, almost everyone is failing our class, she is very quiet and hard to understand even with a microphone, her test are harder than what she tells you. Don't take .
She will give you a ton of slides to study, then when the test comes around you'll find that 90% of the slides you just studied were useless. She writes her tests every time, last second too, so the things she that she said you needed may be things you don't need. Shes quiet, unclear, unwilling to help, and has that "know-it-all" attitude.
If you like hours of power points and them being read to you, then you will like this class. The tests are not easy, when I thought I understood most of what she was teaching the test would prove otherwise. She writes them herself and tells you certain things will be on them and they are not. This is a class that requires ALL of your time. Terrible
I agree with the previous 6 or 7 people who rated this professor and also wanted to add that she uses her lab as her curve. Most people were averaging in the 60s on her exams and since the labs brought up her average to the 70s, she's doing a very tiny curve for the class. Which is frustrating considering the amount of hours that go into a lab.
She's a sweet teacher and this class would be awesome if her tests weren't so hard. They are impossible to get nice grades on. The tests are 70 percent of your grade. I've seen tests from other professors that teach this class and they are much easier than hers. Lectures are power points that only go over about 30 % of what's on tests.
This is by far the most labor intense class I have taken. Tests are miserably difficult. 1800-2000 PP slides for whole class, 400-500 per test. Speaks very low, hard to hear. Lectures are amazingly difficult & hard to follow. Always ready to help with set office hours though. Tests are made by her and are not comparable to other bio prof's tests.
refuses to give your test back which makes finding out where you went wrong in your studying much more difficult.
I had no idea there was this website before adding this class and teacher. I had troubles a few weeks in and wasn't able to change, every complaint I have is what everyone else is complaining about. She's a nice person but I believe my study style and her tests were complete opposites. The only thing that saved me was the lab and homework.
There is a ton of information that you have to memorize. You think you are good then she piles more on you. If you want to study super hard and still not be prepared for the tests, which she writes like a week before she gives them, then this class is perfect for you.
Kathy has difficulty answering questions but she is more then happy to help as much as she can.
Kathy is a very kind person and teaches the material pretty clear. Lecture outlines and powerpoints match its tests-- she really makes the test simple. Not a hard class its up to you.
She is an okay lady but like to make her power point lecturers very long & runs over a lot & if you have a class after hers on the other end of the campus you will be late. Study hard for her tests she has your remembering a lot & you will be taking 5 pg's of notes ever class time. Also you test are just posted online & she does not give them back.
Great teacher, but she dose test on every thing. Its a college level Bio class but totally possible to get an A with her. You can't skip class and you need to work on her study guides and vocab words
She makes the class more difficult than any other professor. Class average for her tests are never above 65% and she doesn't do much to help you. Gives 500 pp to study per test and creates very in depth questions on the test. Final exam is a combination of department questions and her own. DO NOT recommend her class, majority of mine had to retake.
BIOL is tough starting out. I went to her extra Study group sessions and it helped for every test. Her study guides are KEY for A grade. She is passionate, clear, and compassionate-willing to meet with you on her own time.
SO. MUCH. MEMORIZING. She is very nice, knows her stuff, but for the love of God, learning and memorzing are NOT the same thing! Take this class if you want to become a nurse who can rattle off disease symptoms. Or you have a photographic memory.
The TOUGHEST grader. On top of that her tests are tough too. She mumbles when she talks, and its easy to miss vital info. She's ridiculously over the top with her powerpoints, that come test time, you literally don't have a clear outline for what specifically to study. If you write one word incorrect on the short answers, she WILL dock points.
Confusing teaching style. Creates test questions based upon her own wording of concepts which does not further learning but instead forces attendance for test success. One could learn just as well through pure book reading, and save themself a lot of annoyance that this teacher provided.
In summary, she's okay. Not very interactive, kind of just goes through the book with you. Her tests are straightforward though, from her powerpoints and study guides. She was super nice, just not my style of learning. Plan to study and work hard, and you'll do fine. On the bright side, she is very happy and willing to answer your questions!
Average score of our 1st class exam was 71% average score of the class 2nd exam 68% I dropped out. It's a straight hour of lecture. I took notes, printed out her PowerPoints and even went to her study exams but her exams are at least 3 or 4 chapters in one. Impossible to remember all that info for 1 exam. Very sweet lady but difficult class.
I love this teacher. She's a REAL professor that tries to teach in ALL learning styles. Be warned, her classes are incredibly difficult. She is a tough grader and expects you to know your stuff. She teaches ALL of it, not the bare minimum, but I must say I did use much of this material in later courses for my health major.
This teacher has SUPER hard tests and gives NO extra credit. If you do bad on the tests you're basically screwed. You are graded on labs and homework as well but mostly on the tests. Her lectures are boring and hard to follow and she words the tests awful. She was a very nice woman but I would recommend taking a different teacher for biology 1610.
Very nice and enjoy lectures but grades are mostly dependent on the tests, which are hard if you miss any classes or workshops.
Wow. She is tough. I HIGHLY recommend taking Biology from someone else besides her. She is really nice and does good lectures, but her tests are unreal hard. Like super hard. She expects you to know as much as she does and loves being smarter than you. Just do yourself a favor and don't take Biology from her.
She is very passionate about biology and does a good job of being available to help those who need it. If you want to succeed in this class you have to take it upon yourself to go to class (which isn't mandatory), listen to her lectures, take notes, read the book, and review thoroughly before the exams.
Kathryn seems very sweet at first but she is strict and frankly quite boring. Biology is a lot of memorization but Bell will speak monotone for 2 hours, hold you past class time and expect you to stay and know the material she covers on the next exam. She only grades your quizzes and tests so be prepared to memorize and write short answers.
Kathy learned everyone's name by like the 3rd week of class which I think is pretty amazing & makes everyone feel special. The tests are challenging, there is no extra credit & your grade is based off tests and lab. Although she is the nicest and most willing professor to answer any questions at anytime! She replies to emails quick & very smart!!
GOOD LUCK. Microbiology is hard and Kathryn doesn't make it any easier. Her slides are extensive and her tests are SO HARD. She leaves blanks in the only solid study material there is. The only thing you're graded on are exams and there's no opportunity for extra credit. She moves very quickly and hardly ever stops to make sure you're following.
She is a super sweet lady, she is very intelligent, and an awesome person, but she is a very tough grader and it's hard to be successful in her class. One of the hardest professors I've ever had. I'm NOT a slacker and usually only get A's & B's, and I study hard and always show up to class, but she makes things EXTREMELY difficult.
GOOD LUCK. Microbiology is hard and Kathryn doesn't make it any easier. Her slides are extensive and her tests are SO HARD. She leaves blanks in the only solid study material there is. The only thing you're graded on are exams and there's no opportunity for extra credit. She moves very quickly and hardly ever stops to make sure you're following
I don't have any words for this mean professor. Kathryn Bell is very confusing teacher - you will never clearly understand what she wants from you and even if you'll do she will still try her best to make sure you will fail. I don't recommend to take her for any class. Kati, I think you should work on your behavior towards students! Be kind!
THE WORST TEACHER
Would never take this prof again, so rude
The best Biology Professor anyone could ask for. She goes above and beyond for all her students, and is easy to communicate with. Anyone who rates her as a bad professor is either a bad student or didn't want to learn biology. This class was a challenge, but as long as you study, take good notes, complete the study guide&ask for help you'll succeed
Kathy was a great prof, she was pretty quick to grade tests and respond to emails. She's a harsh grader, however. I could usually get by with a point-something attached to a grade on most quizzes and exams. She looks for answers and won't settle for fluff.
Horrible teacher. Very harsh and rude. Does not grade fairly and expects you to know anatomy. She is horrible at her job.
Horrible teacher
I took this class online and it was difficult but as long as you stayed on top of the readings and power point lectures you'll be fine. Make sure you read the textbook though, a lot of the answers are not found in the power point lectures she posts, but are found in the textbook. She always responded to any concerns I had in a timely matter.
Kathryn gets F for teaching this class . one word - horrible! i'm super mad at myself that i didn't drop out of this class.
She was excited about lectures and did alot of pictures/drawing on the board to help you understand. I work full time and was never able to go to reviews since they were right after class, never was able to help me out over the computer. Lots of homework, exams were tough with multiple choice and short answers. would recommend if your good at exams
Kathryn Bell, is a teacher who needs to care for her students she teaches classes that are essential to take to get into the medical field, but she does not care. She does not care if you fail, and will not help you if you are. She is always at least 5 chapters ahead of what the next test will be on, so you have to go through her never ending ppts'
I took Physiology with her and let me tell you, it was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life! She goes really fast because there is a lot to cover, but she is super willing to go back over things to make sure that we all understand it. She is also super patient whenever you have questions about anything.
To put simply, anyone could teach better. Kathryn does not care for your grade and never will. She only cares about getting through as many powerpoint slides as she can, to study be ready to read over 100's of slides, she provides no outline for what will be on the test. By the time you take the test you are at least 5 chapters ahead. Do not take.
Prof. Bell's classes are her reading Power Points. Each test is so dense, and her "study guides" are the Power Points, that are sometimes 100+ filled slides. There are 4 quizzes and 5 tests, plus the lab on your grade. The median on our last exam was 63%, and all Bell had to say was "well this class is hard." Your success doesn't matter to her.
Prof. Bell is nice, but that's the only thing going for her. If she doesn't get through everything before a test, she will post 1- 2 chapter audio lectures and expect you to know the material. Her tests are poorly worded with half multiple choice and half short answer. The final review was a list of all the chapters and every topic. NOT HELPFUL
Kathy Bell is the most prepared and organized professor I've ever had. She is extremely kind and personable. She was very clear about what we were being tested on. That being said, this is still a difficult course. Attendance is not mandatory, but I recommend it. There are 4 quizzes (drops lowest score), 4 exams (drops lowest score) and a final.
Bell was a fantastic instructor. She was very good at describing things during lecture and posted her powerpoints to Canvas to study outside of class. I always knew what would show up on tests, which were tough but fair. Going to lecture definitely helped, but it wasn't completely mandatory. Overall, I'm happy with my experience.
Dr. Bell is pretty bad at explaining things. Also her homework is stupidly easy (like 2/10 on difficulty scale) while her tests are more like a 9 or 10/10. Don't be lulled in by her homework. She writes new tests every class and it shows - she ends up throwing out several questions because they don't make sense. She's a fan of "self-study" sections
DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS!!! Dr. Bell is the worst teacher I have ever taken at SLCC, her voice is very low (more like she whispers in class). very bad at explaining things, her test average is usually around 62-70. her quizzes are easy but exams are very hard. i do not recommend.
There is absolutely no room for error. Study hundreds of slides in order to pass any quiz or tests. The slides have things in red that are supposedly what she wants you to know for the test but that is not true. Be ready to study everything on the slides. She will not be understanding of any normal human error that can occur to anyone.
"Whats a lesson plan?" - Kathreyn Bell I sat three rows back in the class and could barely hear her speaking. She acted put out whenever I asked questions. She was all over the place, and would jump around so much in her 150+ powerpoint slides that it was super hard to follow her. She knows the material, but has no idea how to teach it
If you want to be laughed at for asking questions Professor Bell is the perfect teacher. I typically get A's in my classes and am an excellent student, however this is absolutely the worst teacher I've ever had. I do not recommend. If you want to learn this is not the teacher for you.
Im not going to lie, when I read the reviews I was really worried to start this class w/Bell. It was the only lecture that went with my lab time so I just went for it. Now that I have completed the course I am surprised to even see some of these harsh ratings. Professor Bell cares a lot about the subject and her students. It was a great class.
Dr. Bell is honestly my favorite professor! She is so sweet and she explains things very well. She uses PowerPoints to guide her lectures, which you can fill in as she teaches and reference later. She provides awesome study guides that I highly recommend completing. She was always patient and willing to answer any questions. I adore her!!!
Kathy has been the most accessible professor I have ever had. She takes a frightening class like Microbiology and makes it interesting, fun, and teaches in a way you will remember what you learned. It is important you take advantage of her office hours and communicate with her! By the end of the semester, I can honestly say I love microbiology!
I have seldom had a professor who cared more about my success. Prof Bell bent over backwards to help me succeed, and I'm sure she does with all her students because I'm nothing special�� Anyone who gave her a bad score here must not have applied themselves at all as Prof Bell would literally email me, and move my quizzes back if I missed any!
There are a lot of negative reviews, please ignore these. Physiology is a difficult class. You're not going to find an easy mode professor for this topic. Kathy has great lectures and provided a chance for 5-10 points of extra credit per test. She drops your worst test. This class had chapter quizzes only, no homework. Study hard to be successful!
Professor Bell is an amazing instructor. She really cares about her students and wants them to succeed. Because this class is hard she drops the lowest exam, quiz, and homework. She is always available for any questions you might have. Very Powerpoint heavy, but all the important information is there in red.
Exams were difficult!!
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
57%
Textbook Required
63%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Improving
+0.27 avg changeRatings by Course
BIOL2260
5.0
(1)BIOL1090
4.0
(1)BIO1090
4.0
(1)BIOL1610
3.2
(9)BIOL2420
3.1
(12)Difficulty by Course
1610
5.0
2420
5.0
ZOO1100
5.0
BIOLOGY1610
5.0
016
5.0