Michelle is a very interesting teacher, you can tell how much she enjoys what she does through all the information and layout of her lectures. She uses different approaches to make class and the materical easy to grasp and understand.

very approachable and nice. very helpful. makes class interesting

not forgiving in grading, but clear and concise (as much as bio can be) in her lectures. not easy at all, but well worth it. easy to talk to and willing to help, and really into what she does.

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Great teacher. Funny, smart. Requires studying, but a fun class to be in. P.S dont sniff the ether when in lab.

Nice person, is excited about her subject. If you are not a science person this is very, very hard. Confusing test questions. Not an intro class.

Ms. Merritt is extremely knoledgable and her lectures were well structured. Her labs were quite enjoyable. She is very passionate about her field and it really shows in her teaching. Strongly recommended!

great teacher... if you understand that you must do a little work in college than take this professor instead of the easy way out, this class really pays off in the end.

I LOVED Michelle! She is very passionate about the environment and she really made a difference in my way of thinking. Her tests aren't the easiest, but she lets you bring in a note card! She also gave ample opp. for extra credit. This was one of the few classes that I didn't daydream in! If actual learning scares you, then take someone else.

I loved Michelle! Her class can be boring at times, but she is a really sweet person and she is really passionate about her work as a teacher and for the environment. She is very intelligent, and willing to help you whenever you need it. Her class requires a lot of work outside of class, but she's great.

I thought she did a great job teaching. Her tests are not too difficult, but can be tricky if you don't go to lecture. The best advice I can give is to take notes in class, and pay attention. You will have no problem. She also factors in her own grading curve. I ended up with a B+, and that was in the summer course. Very easy. Learned lots.

She is a great teacher.

Make sure you do the readings BEFORE LECTURE and you will be 50% better off. She brings alot of life and passion into the material however there is A LOT crammed into each lecture. Take notes. But more importantly...do the reading and answer all Study packet qns.

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Science is not my bag of tea, but Michelle teaches very well. She uses both technical terms and analogies so everyone understands. Tests are tricky, but we're allowed a cheat card. No real homework, just mandatory reading. Extra credit available. Answers all questions and even offers help outside of class to those who want it.

She is one of the best teachers I've had thus far. Anyone who doesn't do well in her class are slackers. She gives you study packets for each upcoming exam, come on how many teachers would be willing to do that? She is extremely helpful and unlike some teachers, she actually wants you to do well in her class.

She is very kind and enjoys what she does. I was extremely nervous taking this course because I do not do well with science courses. I loved this class and i got an "A". You do not ever red the book so I would not waste money buying it.

She was a fun professor and really loves biology.

Great teacher! Like another person said, if you don't do good on her tests you aren't doing the work. She gives study packets and if you do them you will be more than prepared. Tests are application rather than memorization. Attendance in lab is important, less important at lecture. You will learn more if you go to lecture though!

She is a good teacher. There is a lot of work but if you ask for help, she will help you. I was failing and she helped me to get a good grade in the class. I would take her again.

Great teacher. If you are prepared to learn you will be a genius in biology when you get out of the class. Her class is interesting and she explains everything so that it is clear and you will always remeber what you have learned in this class. It is also usefull everything she teaches. But you definetly have read befor class and study teh packets.

She's very nice and understanding. Her class is easy as long as you come to class and listen to her lectures. She grades very fairly on the labs. She gave us a booklet with everything we needed to know for the tests so there was no wondering. She's very approachable, and she gives extra credit and lets you make up an exam with the optional final.

She's really nice but the exams are really tough. She does let you bring a 3x5 card of notes, but it's a crap shoot whether you put the right stuff on it. Go to lecture AND lab! The lab points really help if you don't do well on the exams. I didn't read the book, wrote down everything she wrote on the board, and got a B+.

She obviously loves biology and her students. Get on her good side and put effort into the class and there is no way you can not get an A. Michelle is the best!

She is really nice and helpful, but her tests are very hard. You do get to bring a 3 X 5 card for each test. I did avg on her tests, but lab points help A LOT! Answer her study-aid q's, and read the book- you'll be fine.

She is fair, if you take the class seriously there is no way you won't pass it with a good grade. Read your chapter a little before you come to class, she is passionate about biology and really cares about her students.

Lets get this right. You have to study. That's why you are there. Ms. Merritt is dedicated, knowledgeable, and exemplary helpful. Study and go to the SI sessions. I got an A, but I did apply myself 100%. Not an easy class for the summer.

Great with explaining the material. Took lots of notes. The 3 X 5 notecard on tests was really helpful.

Michelle is the BEST professor I've ever had at OCC. She genuinely cares about her job and her students. It's rare that you find a prof that puts so much into what she teaches. Wish I could have her for every class!

Awesome instructor! The WORK is hard, but she is not. Do exactly what she outlines on her study aids (before coming to classes) and you will be set! A lot of territory covered in 16 weeks; fasten your seat belt - it is a GREAT ride!

Class is hard, but if you take good notes and show up to class you will do fine. This class she gave homework so that was 60 easy point to get. Test are hard know the material do the study guides that she gives you. You are aloud to take a 3x5 note card with you for her test but not the lab test. If she has a SI for the class go to it.

Attend class and labs(and SI sessions), do the homework/study guides you should do well in class. Her test questions can be challenging/tricky but if you STUDY you will do fine. You are allowed a 3x5 index card for notes on tests. I'd take a class with her again in a heartbeat!

Great teacher, lots of hw and post labs worksheet but this is just a chance for you to earn extra points if you do bad on tests. tests are somewhat hard she lets you use a 3x5 card but sometimes she looks for more that one answer to a test question, lil bit confusing.

Awesome teacher! Really knows what she's talking about, and really cares about her students. If you pay attention in class, go to lab, and study hard for the exams you should do very well. I still use some of the material she taught me at MSU. If you take the class seriously, you will learn a lot!!

Probably my favorite teacher so far at occ. Very nice. If you read the lab ahead of time it's very easy. She doesn't hold your hand and even if you mess up you get 100% for trying. I recommend her.

REALLY like this teacher. I have never been too interested in life science but she makes it very easy to understand. And if you don't understand it, she will help you until you do. The SI sessions are essential to passing this class. Her and Kevin (the SI instructor) are incredible together. It's not an easy class if you don't show up and study

Great teacher. With decent grades from labs and quizzes, you are for sure to pass. Exams are very tough because they are worded oddly. MUST know the material for her exams otherwise you will be tripped up by her wording. Besides exams everything else is written out for you. Tears through material like she snorts adderall before class. Print Slides!

I took her for Bio and Environmental Science and loved both. She is passionate and cares about her students. She will bend over backward for you and do everything she can to help. Labs were fun and helped with the course material. She tried to make things fun and interesting. I even moved my schedule around her classes. She is a must-take.

she's a great teacher very passionate very nice grading system she's really funny too kinda challenging but nothing you can't handle keep up with reading and assignments and you'll be fine

Michelle is a great teacher and explains the material well, but so far it was my hardest A to get. Tests are really tricky and no matter how much you study, you can still get a low grade. Kevin, the SI assistant is extremely helpful and he is one of the reasons I passed with an A. The lab exam was the most horrible! Make sure you go to SI sessions.

Michelle is a great teacher and explains the material well, but so far it was my hardest A to get. Tests are really tricky and no matter how much you study, you can still get a low grade. Kevin, the SI assistant is extremely helpful and he is one of the reasons I passed with an A. The lab exam was the most horrible! Make sure you go to SI

I took her class last semester and I have to say that by far she is the best professor I have had. Now that I moved in to harder science classes I admit that I miss her teaching style. Test were hard but it is not imposible to pass with an A. Attend SI session, Kevin is super helpful. The final lab test was super hard. Study lots for it!

Bio1560 is by far the hardest class i've ever taken. However, prof Merritt is a REALLY good teacher, just understand that this class covers a ridiculous amount of material. I would most definitely recommend her as a teacher, but I would not recommend the course. Also, the textbook isn't as in depth as the classwork is. It didn't help me personally

I'd also note that Prof Merritt is extremely smart. In all honesty, I can tell that her IQ is probably well over 120, so there is a gap between professor/student intelligence and innate problem-solving skills that can be frustrating for some students. That's probably why so many drop. Not her fault at all, but it's something i've noticed.

She is an amazing professor, very knowledgeable. However due to difficulty of the material, this class was tough. Many dropped. Exams are tricky - you cannot just memorize, she tests on broader concepts. We were allowed an index card w/ notes - use it! If you put in the work it is possible to get an A. There is extra credit throughout which helps.

Tough class, she really wants you to understand the material and that's how her tests are structured and I think that is why she has a lot of poor reviews. She really cares about her students understanding the material and is very helpful, smart, and kind. I put in the time she said was required to pass, and you need to. I loved her and this class.

Knowledgeable professor. Love her passion for environmental science. She's cocky about it and often ignores students' questions. I like that she gives no sympathy if you miss class. That's how college should be. But she comes off as quiet rude. She expected students to show up to lab on a snow day. Can't handle that? take a different professor.

I really enjoyed this class, despite thinking I wouldn't. Professor Merritt is extremely knowledgable and sets you up for success. This class is pretty easy to pass with an A or B by simply showing up to lab and studying a normal amount. She makes the content interesting and easy to understand for those like me who aren't too interested in science.

LOVE HER!!! she is the best science teacher at OCC and just the best in general. She really cares about her students and is VERY VERY well educated! by far the smartest at OCC! She'll share fun and interesting facts , you can see her passion for the environment and teaching, such a relief from all the other profs that don't care at all. TAKE HER!!!

Pro- she wants you to know the material and will do anything to help if you don't understand something. Lots of extra credit opportunity's throughout the course, I would say around a total of 50 bonus points. Cons- I found the exams to be extremely difficult with a lot of trick questions that made you second guess yourself.

She really knows her Material and she is very passionate about biology. I took her class fall 2016 and it was challenging for me but I passed with a B-. Love the way she teaches & sometimes she would involve her life story that relates to biology & share it with us which keeps biology interesting. If you really want to learn, take her class.

I can say I really enjoyed this class. If you study you'll get an A, especially since she gives out study aids and materials to help you study. She doesn't take attendence for letures so you dont have to be there, though I recomend going. Labs are mandatory though and she marks you there after you've completed the whole lab.

extremely friendly and genuinely wants her students to learn. You can tell in every lecture just how much she loves biology and tries to relate everything she teaches to everyday things. Her test are tough/wordy but if you apply your knowledge and study theyre not impossible. Do the study aids, practice quizzes, post labs & study as you go!

The learning process is not a one - way road. To get a good grade you need to participate as much as you can. Don't be afraid to ask questions because you think you might look stupid not knowing something. You will look stupid for sure if you pretend that you know it and make mistake on the test later. So ask your teacher, he/she is here for you.

After reading some of these ratings I just had to laugh. Some said her lab manual is wordy and you had to look for the information or there's lots of homework. This is COLLEGE and you have to do this thing called studying. I LOVED her! Do the work and you'll do fine. Simple as that. TAKE HER! SHE IS AWESOME!

Even though I didnt really like the class (bio), Merritt is very nice and she makes it very easy to pass the class. For my class there was 100 points of extra credit. Would recommend her, she has a lot of knowledge.

Loved having Merritt as a bio professor. She does an outstanding job with criteria and laying information down. You do have to put some effort into the class, but she is open to helping and answering questions all the time. She also is super organized and passionate about her work, which makes the class more enjoyable than it already is.

She was a really helpful biology teacher. Her lectures were amazing and tied in well with the tests she gave and she graded failry. She is well respected and tells her intesresting bio stories that relate to the subject of class.

She has some of the best teaching skills ever her models in class are really well laid out and help fit for the lab quizzes. Her tests are some of the best. She also gives a fair share of extra credit.

She is passionate and really knows her stuff her labs rule.

Her exams are multiple choice and they are really easy as long you study and pay attention in class. The models in lab can be remebered well for the quizzes which are really good.

She made the class fun by how she taught and the models in lab were just he best models I have ever look at and the best lab too.

She is helpful she gave good hints for the extra credit on the test making you think it was important as other hints for the test.

Really good teacher who makes sure you know stuff for the exams.

If you want a good biology class with a great professor Take Merrit.

Nicest and funniest bio teacher ever. Her tests are the best multiple choise tests ever. She gives a sheet of words for you to look up and her power point slides ar3e the best.b

She makes sure you are working hard in lab and makes sure you understand her models and slides. Her power points are really good for the exams.

Her lectures were very helpful.

Out of all the biology professors I ever had she was easiest and nicest.

This bio class was fun and easy and the tests were some of the best.

I loved her labs. They were the most fun and educational labs I have ever taken in my whole life.

One of the highest biology classes in the community college and it was the easiest thanks to her.

For any teacher who gives extra credit she is the best. I really miss taking her course.

Her class is understandble and fun and the slides and microscopes are very helpful. The lab doesn't count as much as the lecture but both are really easy.

If you're a biology major you'll want to take her.

This is the easiest Biology class I have ever taken in my whole life.

Seeioulsy this bio class is a whole lot of fun. Take her I recomend it.

She is an excellent choice for Biology.

she really is nice. She encourages kids to work together and is very helpful.

Merritt is one of the few professors that I have writen an award for, because not every teacher can teach like she can.

This lady is a saint her class was Heaven. So nice and easy, but not too easy.

Everybody in my class liked her and I know because I studied with other students those I helped those who helped and mutual help. In fact she got us all to get along.

SHe is very helpful and charismatic.

I wish more teachers could be like her especially the biology ones.

She really helped with my bio major.

Everyone in my class unanimously agreed that she was a good teacher.

She does not give much homework you do have to study though and look through the book but it is not too tough and pay attention lection and microscope specimens. He r tests are great.

I miss this class quite a lot.

He class was a blast from the good old past.

I loved looking under the microscopes in the class she showed you how and it was easy.

I love sitting through her classes.

I loved the labs.

Every student I know who had her like her a lot.

She tells good stories of her life experiences and experiences of others that help us learn.

I don't even like biology, but this teacher is nice and helpful and best of all her testgs were easy.

She made the class so mujch easier.

The extra credit in her class was very helpful and boosted my grade.

For a high level bio class this was the best choice I have ever made in my life.

For a tough class this was a lot of fun.

The most entertaining bio class I had taken.

This is the easiest lecture and lab course that I have ever taken.

Although the highest bio course I ever took it was the easiest.

Anybody who loves history will love Merritt.

Best class ever I love taking it.

The coolest bio teacher on the Auburn Hill Campus.

This professor is helpful.

SHe is one of the few teachers from this campus I like.

All the homework is online and hard to keep up with sometimes. A lot thrown at you at once. Allowed notecards on exams which helped a lot. Skipping lectures really sets you back

Her lectures helped prepare for the exams. She was very nice and helpful eapoecially durin CB the pandemic.

She gives hints of what could be on the test she sets up lab well giving good practice.

She literally played calming music on her wooden flute to calm us down before a test. If you do the online homework you are good to go.

Her notes are well aligned and helpful for the tests. She really wants you to pass.

My Life science class was online due to Covid but Professor Merritt did a great job! She is VERY thorough when explaining things sometimes it's a bit much but she just wants to make sure you understand the material. Exams and quizzes were still proctored and timed using an online software. She gives plenty of optional extra credit assignments.

I highly recommend Michele Merritt! I took this class online. She sets you up for success. Everything is explained very well. She gives extra practice material and extra credit! If you do the work you will be fine.

She is clear on what she teaches and is very helpful. Not an easy A but passable for sure.

Great class. Gives you the foundations you need for more advanced biology classes. Professor Merritt explains things well. Do the homework and practice understanding the concepts.

Participation not required for lectures, but for labs only.

Excellent professor!

Good teacher covering a subject she is passionate about. This was a pretty chill course, as it wasn't loaded with many assignments. 10/10 in my opinion.