Who ever gives this woman a low rating is just incompetent and didn't bother putting in the work. She is EXTREMELY straight forward, but you need to know what you're doing. Make sure you read her lecture notes over and over, and take thorough class notes. Missing a class is pretty detremental to your grade. I suggest getting a digital recorder.

bleh, doesn't matter if you know the slides backwards and forwards (which takes weeks of studying because there's tons of info) because she asks weird tricky unrelated questions a lot of the time that really don't test your knowledge of what you spent so much time gaining. doesn't believe in curving, prides herself on people doing poorly. BLEH

no idea where she gets her questions from.. studying is a real pain considering the exams so not reflect what you know. each question is choose the incorrect answer, all of the following except, etc... avoid at all costs

She is definitely one of my favorite professors at Uconn. She is amazing in lecture, so easy to understand, and very approachable. I heard horror stories about this class, and have to say its nothing like I expected. Exams are not easy, but fair, and if you know your material you will do just fine. Definitely worth taking this class!

Exams are difficult if you don't study (duh!). Attending class is a must. Posts her powerpoint slides but doesn't read from them, they're really more of a guide for the lecture to be annotated with written notes. Doesn't seem like it but she is very approachable and accomodating in person.

One of the best professors at UCONN. She knows her stuff. Recorder is absolutly necessary. If you study and enjoy biochemistry then you will be able to do well. She is extremely helpful, so get help if you do not understand!!

She covers most of the material well in class, however her pacing is pretty bad. She'll often rush through slide and constantly mentions how we're behind in the overall curriculum. Exams are short and don't always emphasize everything taught in class. Grading is fair though, but just make sure you're good at studying and teaching yourself.

Exams are tough, must study. She is very helpful when you go up to her.

Her fall semester is definitely harder than her spring semester. Lab is easy. Exams are difficult. Her pacing is awful, she talks very quickly.

the class is hard as hell, but she's really a good teacher. she knows her stuff better than almost anybody. lab grade totally depends on your ta, as always. its not a terrible class

Challenging class, but one of the best I've taken at UConn. Buy a recorder and commit yourself to studying and you'll be fine. Most people spend too much time complaining to work hard at the class, so they do poorly. Lectures are thorough and interesting, you will learn a lot if you're willing to put in the work.

biochem was one of the hardest classes i've taken at uconn but i managed an A- because she does curve a little. She is more than willing to help ANYONE who goes and talks to her. She knows everything about biochem and goes into detail. This class would be hard regardless of the teacher. She's really good but be prepared to work your butt off.

When she says "you don't need to know this," you need to know it. When she teaches something for 5 minutes the day before the exam, it will be like 50% of the exam. Do well in lab!! It will legit save your grade. The lab is harder than other MCB labs but just get an A in lab and you can get a B- in the class.

This class gets a really bad name, but most of you will have to take it, and you WILL survive. To get an A do ALL the saplings (maintain an A) and maintain an A in lab. As for exams-yes they are difficult. I recommend recording her lectures and going over every single one before the exam, study about 1.5-2 weeks in advanced and you'll be fine.

Dr. Bruno explains the complex concepts of Biochem well, but her multiple choice exams are unnecessarily hard. Study the material above and beyond lecture and know it forward and backwards, inside and out, and you'll do OK. Try to take the course in the summer if you can; the pace is intense but the exams are MUCH easier.

One of my best professors. Do the honors section lab if you can, it's less work and way more interesting. I cracked open the book 3 times the whole class. you need to know her lectures / the slides perfectly before an exam. Her exams are not "overly difficult," they just test whether you understand the information vs if you've only memorized it.

Very demanding class. It's a concepts course so memorizing facts is not going to help you that much. Old exams help b/c you can see how you need to apply the info. Keep up with lectures and you will be fine. Go to office hours! There's a slight curve depending on the class performance. Labs are easy. Class is tough, but A's are definitely possible

Don't listen to people that say this class is impossible. It's going to be a lot of work! My advice is that you record each and every lecture and listen to then within 24hrs and write down EVERYTHING she says! Reviewing questions is critical! For the lab, don't leave it for the night before its due, specially the ones with many graphs. Good luck!

This class is definitely very difficult, and should not be taken by people who don't like to study in advance for exams. You really have to either study a little bit everyday or be really good at cramming. Obviously studying a little bit every day leads to a better grade more easily. Dr. Bruno is extremely intelligent and willing to help.

Biochemistry is a very difficult class, but not impossible! Professor Bruno, while not the most engaging lecturer in the world, is very helpful and explains concepts clearly and well, with plenty of examples. YOU MUST STUDY, AND YOU MUST GO TO CLASS (or get the recordings and listen to them). Reading the material in the book was also helpful

Listen to my advice. You need to memorize all the things she said in class in order to have the mindset to think about the problems in the exams. This class is not for crammers. Book is helpful when things need to be clarified however all you need to know for exams are in the slides and lecture. Got 70s on 1st exam, pulled off 90+s in the later 3

I'm not going to lie. This was one of the hardest classes I've taken at UConn, but all of the material is so interesting and I loved it. She is actually very nice RECORD lectures, learn everything, get old practice exams (she reuses questions) and DO NOT CRAM. Sometimes questions can be from one line she said in class. No need to buy textbook.

Record ALL of the lectures, there is a lot of material. She uses powerpoints that are organized with diagrams, textbook isn't necessary except for the online homework when you do need it. Re-listen to all lectures ONCE and take extensive notes, then make your own connections within the material and study about a week in advance for every exam!

This class isn't as bad as everyone makes it to be. I never read the book, put very little effort into homework, yet received a B+. All I did was go to class and then two days before an exam, I started to memorize her power points (all the information from her tests are there. I also searched online and found old exams to help me study.

Easily the best lecturer I've ever had. Anyone who thinks Bruno is bad just wasn't prepared for the work load & didn't study enough. This class is HARD but not impossible. You will spend more time with this class than any other. Textbook is useless, lab is easy, exams are tricky. Record lectures if you're not a quick note-taker.

Took in summer. I thought she was a very clear lecturer, but the content is just so dense. Unless you are a great notetaker that gets every single word she says down record the lectures and relisten many times. Exams are hard, especially the MC- read the q's well, multiple times as every word counts. Lab is easy. Sapling is easy but time consuming.

Record and Listen to all Lectures. To get an A memorize everything on her slides and TAKE GOOD NOTES FROM RECORDINGS. Saplings are a waste of time. Lab is easy for honors section. If you don't know every detail from Lecture and power points you won't do well.

quite honestly, she gets a bad rap. In regards to Bruno: Actually a really nice person. Its hard to hate her because shes actually really nice and helpful. In regards to the class: The exams are tough as hell, but you just have to study hard, no way around it, Biochem is just a tough class with a lot to know.

Exams are tough. Every small detail on the PowerPoints will be on the exam. Make sure to review everything she says in lecture as the PowerPoints are mainly for diagrams. Old exams will help you to understand the types of questions she will ask, but she doesn't repeat many questions on the exams.

This course turned out to be the best course I have taken at UConn. I gained so much from this class, and I wish all my classes taught me as much as Professor Bruno did. She gives you exactly what you need to successfully learn biochemistry and offer tons of extra help to clarify any material, It is up to YOU to put the hard work and dedication in.

A lot of time and work is needed for this class. But I loved Mary Bruno, she is incredibly smart and loves what she is teaching - go to her and ask questions, she is very nice and very helpful when you ask for it. I found that recording the lectures helped, typing word for word of the lecture will do wonders for you. It's hard but really amazing

Despite all the negative hype this is the best class I have ever had. She is an amazing lecturer and a very nice lady. Take an easy semester schedule because biochem will consume you. Lab is easy depending on your TA but is extremely time consuming. Be warned though if you don't work hard you will get destroyed. Averages always in the 60s, no curve

Dr. Bruno is an incredibly smart woman and fantastic lecturer who unfortunately gives very tricky exams. You must record the lectures and listen to them that day, and review every day to do well, which is hard when the lab work takes about 10 hours a week. Lab itself isn't too hard, and I 100% recommend finding old labs, quizzes, and exams to help

Bruno gets a lot of hate because of how difficult the class is, but let me make it clear that it is the class and not the professor. It is extremely dense material, but if you review it after each class, as well as record and listen at least once, you will do fine on the exams. Also try to get old exams, she doesn't repeat questions, but it helps.

Dr. Bruno is a great professor however be prepared to dedicate lots of time, record and review lectures, and obtain past material. Don't buy the book, get a PDF if you want it (hardly touched it myself). Lab is time consuming and a lot has to do with your TA but the practical is easy. Also do the Sapling, it's worth $40 to have a grade cushion.

I really didn't think this class was as bad as everyone made it seem. Bruno insists that you should only spend an hour or two on labs, but they require much more effort to get good grades. Record lectures and listen to them twice. Some exam questions are straight memorization, while the rest require understanding the material and making connections

This course definitely lives up to the stigma of being the hardest class on campus. You have to really pay attention during lectures and take the time to go over all notes multiple times before exams. Bruno lectures very well but does move fast so either record or type really fast. Don't bother reading since she explains everything you need to know

Let me get this straight, Dr. Bruno is VERY smart and EXTREMELY nice. Her class however is extremely difficult. Lab takes about 10hrs+ a week. Hardest tests in the world; requires 1week+ of studying. Material is very interesting but it will consume your life. Be careful, take good notes, and never fall behind. This class broke my high GPA.

Dr. Bruno is like Ra Al Ghul of Biochemistry. You'll be fine as long as you can become the BATMAN of Biochemistry...

Record every lecture, re-listen to each and write notes on them(everything she says!) a few days before the test then repeatedly go over if you want to do well

Record lectures, take lecture notes. I had listen to lectures again and add more notes because I always missed something. Bruno sometimes tells you explicitly what you need to study for the exam. Study your lecture notes and draw biochemical pathways out. You need the textbook for the first exam. Do practice exams (I did 3-5 before every exam).

I'll start by saying I got an A in the course, despite everyone telling me it was impossible. I got an A b/c I worked incredibly hard and not b/c I'm brilliant. It's possible to do well if you record lectures, take your OWN notes, take many practice exams and give the class the time it demands. Best/hardest class I've taken.

Just put in the work. The class is demanding without a doubt, but if you record the lectures and digest them while looking at the powerpoint slides and really focus, the material will flow into your head. It's not just memorization, you have to really understand and apply the memorized material as well. Overall this was my favorite class I've taken

Everyone says she doesn't curve but she does drop a few questions on exams here and there. She usually has 4 exams plus a final. Each MC question on exam worth about 3.33 points so if you mess up a few of those, you will be in the B range or C range very easily. Read questions VERY VERY carefully, find past exams. On a bright note, lab was very ezy

Record every lecture and listen to them the same day, write down every word that she says because it will be tested on. Study at least a week before each exam, and know the material like the back of your hand. Find old exams. Lab is easy, just time consuming. Everything you've heard about the class is true, except it is A-able if you work for it

Tests are hard b/c material is hard and tests beyond rote memorization-tests are on concepts with 15% challenge Q's like fine print on slides. PPL try to memorize everything which you can't, so they do poorly. 1st learn concepts and U MUST record lectures. Exams are all new so don't only count on old exams. Very nice in person. Got an A,so can you.

Dr. Bruno was probably the best MCB professor I've had at UConn. Her class is tough, but if you put time into it it's possible to get a good grade. Make sure to listen to lectures again on the same day or day after the actual lecture. Class goes beyond rogue memorization and requires you to take time and understand the material.

It's extremely hard. If you aren't putting in at least 30 hours of studying the week before you aren't going to do well. Go to lecture, don't touch your phone, record the lecture, listen to it again, learn everything. This class will teach you how to study. I got a 95 on the final and I didn't even study hard finals week because I put in the time

One of the hardest classes I've ever taken. I recorded the lectures, but stopped listening to them halfway through the semester. I read the textbook instead of re-listening to the lecture. Everything she puts on the slides is from the textbook. Very rewarding class. Dr. Bruno is very nice and willing to go over exams individually!

Everyone knows this is a tough class. You will fall asleep in lectures, but once you listen to the recordings you'll start to realize Bruno is a great lecturer and professor. Typical biology exams with A,B,A and B, all of the above night mare MC questions but if you know the material this can actually help eliminate answers. Go to review sessions!

Definitely a difficult class with high levels of memorization but Bruno lectures very well. Recording lectures is very helpful because she tests on the slides and her points during lecture. Posts review slides, review guides, and practice questions before every exam which I found very helpful. Have to put in the work. Never used the book

Mary Bruno is THE BEST professor ever! She's the most knowledgeable person I've ever met. There's a lot material but it's super interesting and as long as you pay attention in class you'll be fine. Record her lectures- it really helps to listen to them again. Bruno is very approachable and will do anything to help students that really try.

She looks like a cute biscuit, no like really, no joke , No offence.I LOVE HER

Dr. Bruno is knowledgeable, kind, and explains material that can be difficult in fairly simple terms. The expectations are clear: put in a LOT of effort to do well. It is NOT an easy course but an A is attainable. Many resources are available. Do not fall behind and do not be lazy. What you'll learn is incredibly rewarding but you must work for it.

This class is not impossible. Do not take it with a heavy course load and make sure you devote a lot of time. If you go to her office hours and listen closely to what she says in lectures, you will do okay. This is not like any other class. It is hard however if you study EXACTLY what she wants you to know, you'll do fine.

Information is fascinating, but the exams are challenging

I had Dr. Bruno for Biochem and Cancer Biology W. She is truly a wonderful woman who wants students to succeed. She will make you WORK for every grade but at the end of the day, if you put the time and effort in, both courses are doable.

Grade is 75% exams, 25% lab. Material is extremely interesting and relevant, but there is an extreme amount of material covered in a very short time. Exams are very specific and very hard. Good luck...

Ridiculously hard exams for an "Intro" class. If you cannot extrapolate/apply what you learn in lecture you will do horrible on exams. Study off slides & use the study guides/practice exams she gives you. There are old practice exams all over the internets too - use them. She teaches at a very reasonable pace and the lectures are very interesting.

Bruno gets a bad rep because her class is hard. Even though that's true, I thought she was a great educator. The class went at a reasonable pace and she explained topics really well. Her exams are hard and she tells you that on the first day of class. If you study a little bit every day, it's not hard to do well in her class. Hard class, great prof

Mary Bruno is honestly a good person, if you meet with her after an exam you'll see she genuinely cares for her students. She wants her students to work hard, but if you pay attention in lecture you can tell what to focus on when studying. Definitely go to lecture, her slides won't be enough explanation!

Biochem was a very difficult course. Bruno is a decent professor- she explains things well in lecture, but there is a lot of very dense material. I did well in the class by recording lectures and re-listening to them twice while taking notes and drawing diagrams. SI was helpful as well.

Bruno is very knowledgeable and the class is very interesting... I enjoyed the content. Definitely the hardest class I took at UConn, the amount of information you need to know is very heavy, but she gives it all to you. I didn't get the textbook. Take good notes in class, her slides are vague. Lab was time consuming but a grade booster!

As many reviews have said, the class is definitely difficult, but she was a good lecturer and very approachable, even though she might seem intimidating. SI and revisiting the material every few days helps a lot. Tests are difficult, but are manageable.

Biochem is one of the hardest classes here at the university and I believe that Dr. Bruno gets blamed for it. I was able to do a decent job by recording and ACTUALLY listening to her lectures as well as going to SI sessions as they were really helpful with reinforcing the information (it helps to hear things more than once). You got this!!

Biochemistry is a tough class either way and Bruno's exam wording forces you to know the ins and outs of everything. The class is great for MCAT prep and Professor Bruno is undeniably tough but fair. My critique is she doesn't return tests except by appointment so you don't know where you went wrong a lot of the times.

Bruno is the hardest teacher I have ever taken. But its her job,she needs to weedout premeds. She talks slow but just put her lectures on x2. Shes brilliant and incredibly passionate about biochem. Make this class your life, and dont underestimate her first two exams like I did. Memorize and understand EVERYTHING on her slides and you'll get an A.

Dr. Bruno is an amazing professor. Her exams are very hard, however, but it is because she wants to assess your understanding of the material. I 100% believe that reading each section of the textbook before the lecture helped me do well. She is accessible outside of class too. Keep up with the material and do the practice problems. Good luck! :)

Bruno is a great professor. DO NOT fall behind. Go to office hours every week to ask questions or just listen - she takes the time to meet with you, but you need to dedicate your semester to this class. I took an L on the first exam but learned how to effectively study for each exam thereafter. Comparable difficulty to Tanner's enhanced PNB exams.

Bruno gets a bad rap because the course itself is really hard. She is extremely knowledgeable, and it's good MCAT prep. REWATCH the lectures. For people taking it in person I recommend recording her and re-listening before each exam; she rambles & the slides don't have all the information. Carve out at least a week before each exam. Good luck