2.5
Quality3.8
Difficulty30%
Would Retake148
Reviews30%
Would Retake
148
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
18
4
23
3
33
2
31
1
43
What Students Say
“Pretty much the worst professor i've had since my time here at CofC”
BIO102 - 2.0 rating“Typos abound on handouts and tests”
BIO305 - 2.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
39%
Textbook Required
45%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.57 avg changeRatings by Course
BIOL101BIOL102
5.0
(1)BIOLOGY111
3.5
(2)BIOL102
3.5
(2)BIOL111
3.3
(4)111
3.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
BIOL305
4.5
BIO112
4.3
BIOL111
4.3
BIO305
4.3
BIOL112
4.2
Reviews (148)
She is a terrible teacher, and her tests are way too hard. She is extremely hard to follow and she makes me dizzy with her hand motions when she speaks. She makes you believe the material is simple, but then drowns you with extremely tricky and detailed tests. The worst professor I have ever had. Stay away
She tries to make the material easy but really does not teach it. I had to teach myself most of the material before the test! She does not explain things very well and basically just throws information at you and expects you to understand. Only 3 tests and they had some very random questions. Great person but should not be teaching! Avoid!!!
She makes everything seem like it will be easy then it ends up being impossible! I still ended up with a B+ but i would much rather have had a professor that i actually learned something from!!!! Don't take her the test are basically impossible to get an A on!!!
Ok so to start off I am terrible in science but in her class we had like 3 tests and the rest was group work. The group work was super easy and we got perfect scores on everything so that helped my grade. However when she actually tried to teach nobody could follow it really and you basically had to teach yourself. The tests were super hard though
Professor McManus is easy, does not take attendance, all of her tests are online. She is very easy-going. Great teacher to take to get those gen ed requirements out of the way. Also when you have a test on Friday you don't have class because the test is online.
McManus does not teach at all and the class is extremely easy. She doesn't take attendance but there are in-class assignments that are worth half of your grade so you have to go. She tries to teach but she can't, so you have to teach yourself for the tests. You will go into the tests completely prepared but they are impossible to do well on.
McManus' class is VERY easy! There is no attendance policy however in class assignments are worth a lot of your grade (and can't be made up). That being said, class isn't that bad bc all you do is listen and take notes. Since the 4 tests are online all you need are good notes, and you'll do fine (however you don't learn anything which is kinda bad)
Awful teacher, class is fine, but her tests are impossibly hard. Most of the tests had an average of a C or a D in my class and she's extremely stubborn about her grading. DO NOT TAKE HER!!!
Her test are hard but that's because they're all online and what's the point of having a test at all if you can just google every answer? Attendence isnt mandatory but it's definitely useful to go to class. I found her to be a very caring and understanding professor that works with her students.
Tests are multiple choice online. Difficult but if you go through the slides and make your own notes you'll be fine. Exams are only a partial part of grade so if you go to class and do the group work you'll get full credit for that.Is not a hard grader on seminar/group work; either zero or 100. Very nice! NO FINAL EXAM!
All exams are online which is awesome, and minimal group assignments. no final exam. just make sure you review before the exams because she tends to word questions differently
everything that i learned was what i taught myself from reading the book. she just reads whats on the slides and lectures are of no help. tests are way harder and longer than they should be. you need to know the material "completely inside-out" to do the least bit well on the tests. i would not take her again!
Not impressed at all! She does not teach, just reads off slides and then her tests are ridiculous with failing averages for almost every test. I felt she did not care about any of her students learning and that she was not very helpful outside of class. Do not recommend.
seems like studying for a week in advance for a test would be enough to atleast make a C...nope. i even did my friends study guides in other bio111 classes and still somehow failed or barely passed every test.
If you come in with the LIFE Scholarship, do NOT take McManus. She is extremely difficult. Her Bio classes are GPA killers. Tests are ridiculously hard, even if you study for hours on end. Not very helpful of a professor either. Because of this class, my GPA sank.
I have never made such a horrible grade. I have been an honor student since my freshman year and this is the first teacher I genuinely dislike. I am a senior now and I now hate biology because of McManus!
RUN! Worst, most malignant teacher I've encountered. Has NO idea what she's doing. Her tests are literally IMPOSSIBLE. Had a great GPA going into this class-I made a D-. Never made below a B before. She'll keep telling you things will get easier. LIAR. Won't communicate with you about your grade either. VERY ARROGANT-RUINED all I've worked for! RUN
Everyone has been up in arms about McManus. The truth is that if you know the information in the powerpoints and can reason through the questions, you'll do fine. She didnt require attendance, she made very large grade curves. I only studied the day of tests and got an A in the class. Stop whining about her.
Wow I can't believe all the comments I'm reading. She gives out online tests for God's sake. She was a very helpful teacher and could not have made the information any more clear. If you can't this class you need to seriously rethink being a Biology major. All you have to do is read the chapters...
McManus is a wonderful person, but not so much as a teacher. Just read the book and learn the material. Her tests are conceptual based and are super hard. They are online but there isn't really time to look anything up. It's pretty much a self taught class. DO the extra credit and it will help your grade. The class do NOT ever get easier!
bad teacher test are impossible to do go on even if the whole class gets together you still will only get an 80
Mcmanus gives online tests...they are hard...but their online and she gives on average 3 days for your to take them..its hard to pay attention in class but i never did and got a B+ I think she def understands that this class is for non majors because it really focuses on real world application. overall i like her
Not a bad teacher. Just not my cup of tea. In class all she does is read over powerpoints that are online. She went to fast for me to copy everything down in class, so I had to teach myself everything. The tests are very conceptual and arduous.
This class is hard. She simply reads her powerpoints adding in some commentary, but goes too fast to write it down. The tests are very conceptual and it can be difficult to decipher just what she is asking in the questions. Interesting class, but i would recommend a different teacher.
Great professor. It is hard course material, esp. if you are a non-major. SO, lots of work.
Great professor for hard material. She is really good at explaining, but, honestly, sometimes the subject matter is just too much. Her tests are online and she doesn't assign a lot of out of class work. She's engaging but in a huge seminar and she's very friendly.
She reads straight off of the PowerPoint which isn't always clear. She is a cool teacher and genuinely intersted in what she is teaching, but that doesn't mean you will be. Bio majors have to take this class, it is boring, gotta deal with it. Tests are online and difficult. They are application based so the PowerPoints don't help much.
She reads off of her powerpoints. has online tests which are impossible to do well on. she gives random quizzes. her final takes about 3 hours. she's nice, but has no business teaching.
Don't buy the textbook. Most of the textbook is on the powerpoint which she just reads in class. if you ever use the book in class just share with some unfortunate freshman that actually paid for it. Material is too in-depth for non-majors.
Her tests were very hard and confusing. Studied like crazy and still managed only a high C as highest test grade. Dont take this class is you need an A
Her tests are very hard and are all online. She is a good teacher but you don't need to go to class because it really doesn't help for the tests. She gives 6 tests total and no quizzes or exams.
Come to class and take notes on the things she says--don't just read the power points later. Study for the online tests beforehand because if you don't they can be tricky. She's easy to understand and it's not at all hard to do well. She's also a really nice lady and will help you whenever you have questions.
DEFINITELY TAKE HER. She explains everything clearly and intelligibly. She's always willing to help if you need it. Tests are online but you need to know the information to do well. Class averages were usually from 78-86, so there you go, don't expect to just look up all the answers. If you read the book and listen, you can very easily make an A+.
Very helpful and goes over everything well, she will also go back over something if you ask her too. I printed out the powerpoints and took notes on them as she talked, since she reads form her slides. The book is useful really only for reviewing over the material or hearing it in a different way, but it is used for other classes. Highly recommend.
Before I took her class, I read some the comments on here and got scared... only to discover that I really like her as a teacher and a person! The tests are all online and you can use notes on them, doesn't get much easier than that... She explains everything in class pretty well and posts her powerpoints in Oaks. She's really sweet, great class!
All she does is read off her powerpoints and attendance is not mandatory, so it almost seemed pointless to go. The tests are very difficult and never seemed to get better. Do not take this professor!!
Really difficult class if not good at biology, also if not interested in biology its very boring. Overall just pretty difficult class if science isn't your speciality.
5 online tests. very hard questions but questions can be looked up if you go fast. nice teacher and will clarify anything, but really difficult.
Attendance is not mandatory and when you go to class you'll find yourself wondering why your there. All she does is read off her power-points that come from the textbook. Her exams are online and open book, which makes the final a lot harder because it's an actual in class exam. I wouldn't recommend her to friends.
I liked Professor McManus. She has a great personality and I learned a lot in her class. I found that reading the book prior to lecture helped me understand the material better and gave me the ability to ask questions if I had any from the reading. The tests are online and overall not that bad, but you still need to study for them.
McManus is a super easy teacher with no attendance policy. Every test is online so you can look up answers and she takes the test straight from the power points that she puts on oaks. Teaching is not great but easy GenEd Bio.
She is an awesome professor! She is extremely fair and lenient with students. All tests are online (5 of them) and timed (~90 mins). DO NOT BUY THE TEXTBOOK! I never used it. She usually does in-class case studies near the end which cannot be made up so attend class at the end of the semester. Not easy, but not hard. She's the easiest bio professor
McManus is a wonderful professor. Her lectures and tests are online which allows for in- class time to be spent in groups working through the material. I-clicker quizzes are given randomly on the lectures which are assigned as homework, so it is important to go to class. One must study to do well. Tests aren't too bad if you truly know the material
Love this class. I would take her again. Iclicker quizzes are easy, tests are hard but manageable because they are online. Do not buy the book. She doesn't take attendance but there are in class quizzes and group work. We did a flipped class style meaning we listen to voice lectures before class and do group work in class. I liked her a lot!
Professor McManus is a great teacher! Come to class, pay attention, and leave. Simple as that. Lectures are done at home and on your own time with Voice Thread. Her tests are online and she allows you full access to all notes and of course, the internet. Oh- go to class. She does iclicker quizzes and those are easy As if you show up. TAKE HER!
First thing is first, don't buy a textbook. You won't ever use it. Her lectures are online so that sucks sometimes and her test are also online. Don't be fooled though cause they are difficult. Overall a good professor.
Mcmanus gives the hardest tests. like seriously. if you are looking for an easy A look else where. All her tests are online so you would think it would be super easy, however most of her questions are so abstract that if you don't know the material 100% you wont get it. Her lectures are all online however they can take up to 3 hours to complete.
Her class was pretty easy. If you attended all the classes you at least got a c. It wasn't really that she is a bad teacher (not that she is the greatest) but it was a lot of material and it bounced around to a lot of different topics.
Despite what everyone says about Prof. McManus, I loved her! She was a little bit challenging but not too bad. If you love biology you'll do fine. If not then I recommend a different professor. She's pretty easy going and she's always willing to help if you need it. She does offer extra credit. Don't buy the book, she never uses it.
Worst class I've ever had. Lectures are completely online which forces you to stare at a screen with a monotonous voice coming from it for hours, making it almost impossible to stay engaged. She reads straight from the book and tests are timed online but so conceptual that the PowerPoints don't help at all, near failing averages on every test
I just really would not recommend taking her class, granted she is really chill the online lectures are horrible. It's basically 2 classes in one. The online tests are convenient but are super hard. Got a D on all of them and i'm usually really good with biology. The clicker quizzes are a pain in the ass as well.
The class is opposite of how classes usually are. The lectures are all online and you do worksheets in class. The lectures took an average of 3 hours to do at home every night and then we do quizzes in class usually. The tests are all online which sounds like a good plan until you get to the final and realize you learned absolutely nothing.
She definitely knows what she's talking about and she is very nice. BUT. She acts bothered when she is asked question, and forget being able to make up an assignment. I would not recommend taking her unless you are a big fan of online lectures, being screwed when it comes to the final, and mandatory attendance or else you won't do well.
Easy class if you love biology, especially if you have taken ap bio. Powerpoints posted online as well as worksheets. Goes in great detail about interesting topics and give extra credit for simple things.
All testslectures online. She does a reverse style class; claiming online lectures to watch before class so during class we could work on worksheets and other materials to help you understand the material. However, it ends up with 2 lectures online before each class and then another lecture in class. Double the work and not very helpful at all!
Test are all online . The test are extremely difficult because they are not simply regurgitating facts, but rather applying concepts. She always spent time to thoroughly explain everything. Always available for office hours. Online lectures are awesome because you can rewind them. She's passionate about genetics and is extremely knowledgeable.
This class felt similar to an average high school course. McManus failed to be engaging and would either lecture the whole time in class or would give us worksheets which proved to be of little educational value. While she is nice, this did not feel like a college course to me and I have not gained much from it at all.
This class is fine if you're willing to put in the time and effort. You have to go to class for the iclicker quizzes (watch the lectures at home before class and youll do fine!) Tests are tough even if you study- just make sure you understand how to apply concepts. She is really chill and there for you if you need help. I would recommend her.
McManus is a really cool professor! The material is difficult- you need to spend time with it outside of class if you want to do well. She usually gives some points back on tests which is nice. There are also a few opportunities for extra credit on tests. The other parts of your grade are iclicker quizzes and in class group assignments. take her!!!
She assigned lectures to be watched online for homework, then she'd give basically the same lecture in class. Typos abound on handouts and tests. She likes online tests but is quick to accuse students of cheating if she thinks they worked together on tests, leading to a few students who didn't actually cheat nearly getting zeros or honor board.
Not an easy class for Bio 101. Assigns many online lectures for you to watch as homework and then you get clicker quizzes in class based on the lectures. Has a very monotone voice, so very boring. Makes you work for your grade because tests are not what is on the study sheet. Doesn't have office hours, overall I would try and stay away.
If you want a headache, this is the class for you. Not difficult if you like busy work but be prepared to be frustrated. She is not understanding of anything that happens outside of this class and expects you to work as hard as a graduate level bio student. I had a brain research scientist from MUSC help me and even he wanted to pull his hair out
BE PREPARED TO LISTEN TO LONG LECTURES ONLINE OUTSIDE OF CLASS these are called voice threads and they are your only friend during that semester. Tests are all online except for the final which they all adequately kick your butt if you ask me. USE YOUR SI! I had Nick Shealy and if you have him USE HIM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE! *application based*
She expect you to understand the lectures given to you over the voice threads. She does dumb case studies in class that literally will not help you in anyway. Her reverse teaching style is so horrible. That is not how biology should taught. Basically wastes the 50 minutes in class and you get 0s if your not there for the iclicker quizzes.
DON'T TAKE MCMANUS. I love biology and she has practically ruined it for me with her online lectures and incredibly hard tests. She has to give redos on the tests because everyone fails. Time spent is class is the biggest waste of time as she does an unrelated case study everyday. But if you don't show up you get a zero for the day.
This class while very interesting was not my favorite. If you love biology do not take her class. Online lectures SUCK! and she will check to see if you actually spend time on them. Some days took 4 hours of listening and taking notes and i still didn't understand anything and if you email her with questions she won't reply.
Professor McManus requires out of class lectures on powerpoint and gives in class quizzes about once a week. If you have previous knowledge in biology, the class isn't too bad but online tests are slightly difficult. Definitely a lot of studying is necessary to get a good grade.
If you want to basically take an online class and still have to go to 3 hours of actual class time, take her. You have to watch approx 70 min of lectures online before attending class and then actually have to go to class too. I didn't sign up to take an online class, but thats basically what I'm being forced into.
If you are a bio major, do not take McManus. She makes you watch hour lectures outside of class and then gives pop quizzes on what you watched. The test are online and almost impossible to pass (google does not have the answers so don't waste your time looking for them). I loved biology before having her and she has ruined it for me.
Her tests can be pretty challenging for a 101 course & she uses the reverse classroom method way of teaching that pretty much makes it about 20x difficult. I kind of feel like I'm teaching myself bio but it's fine. She's really nice as a person, but it may take a semester to get use to her teaching methods before doing extremely well in her class.
Good teacher, however, all of the lectures are done outside of class. This means ALOT of homework. Worksheets and iclicker quizzes in class, feels like wasted time. Quizzes are easy and help boost the grades though. Also tests are open note taken outside of class, so it's relaxed.
At least an hour of lectures to watch on your own time before every class and then pop quizes in class on what you watched and worksheets during class. Class time feels like a waste because you have to basically teach yourself everything and dont do anything in class. tests are online so you can use your notes and lots of quizes can help your grade
Her class is a "flipped class" so you watch all of the lectures at home before class, then during class you do worksheets, take quizzes, or just review what was in the lecture. Tests are online and you can use notes/google. But they are extremely difficult even with that because it's VERY application based. Tough class.
She gives online lectures that you're expected to use for notes, she rarely gives in class lectures. In class, you do group worksheets and clicker quizzes that scratch that the surface of whatever you're discussing. The test are online and extremely difficult; they're timed and highly application based. For a 101 level, this class is very advanced.
She tried a backward set up which was very time consuming and resulted in a lot of us not doing so well. After every class you are required to listen to 1-3 hours of lectures. She makes you learn on your own. There are quizzes almost everyday, so you can't skip. In class work is tedious and not very helpful. She is a nice woman, but not a teacher.
She does use a reverse style classroom but if you can adjust to listening lectures at home before class, this course is super easy. The daily iClicker quizzes are generally basic knowledge questions to make sure you do your homework. Super willing to help with any questions. You do not need a textbook.
DO NOT TAKE IF YOURE LOOKING FOR AN EASY BIO A. This lady teaches her class on a much harder level than ANY 100 level bio should be taught. Her tests are online but they are outrageously hard. SI is your only hope of passing in this course, and watch out for those clicker quizzes.
Professor McManus runs a flipped classroom with all lectures done at home on your own and worksheets in class. Because of this, if you don't go to class it is very hard to pass. All tests are online other than the final which is 150 questions of pure torture.
THE WORST. Have never written one of these before but I am so angry about it that I had to. She is horrible. Did average on all the tests besides one that absolutely bombed my entire grade. Worked so hard to get it back up and nothing worked. The answers for the tests are chosen by which option is the BEST right answer.
McManus is a nice lady, but the class is ran on a "flipped lecture" style. This means all lectures are done outside of class as homework. Its hard to keep up. Tests are application based and little is done to prepare you. Some extra credit is offered. Often unrelated worksheets are all you do in class. Beware of clicker quizes!!!
All lectures are online and you have to watch them on your own time. Class time is spent doing pointless activities that are graded. Attendance is "optional" but if you don't go to class you will get zeros on her weekly quizzes and the daily assignments.
Horrible flipped classrooms with hours of online notes. Never taught us a single thing during class. Doesn't respond to emails. She seemed to know nothing about this course and I think it was horribly taught.
Professor McManus was overall a mediocre teacher who showed up to class and taught from a powerpoint. You will have four exams that make up most of your grade, so don't mess up on any. Homework almost everyday. Considering this class is not for Biology majors, good luck.
The poor reviews are probably made by people who didnt put in the effort/work. I took the class for the neuroscience program (not a bio major). She expects a lot of work - it is a 300-level class. Her lectures are very clear. The assignments help clarify info. She is always available to help outside of class. Shes excellent & very knowledgeable
Her BIOL-112 is a reverse classroom and her online lectures do not make sense. The class projects do not help whatsoever. Test questions are worded poorly and are confusing even if you get the concepts. She is unorganized and makes it difficult to do well even with you are prepared and understand the material.
She did a reverse classroom, hours of outside work watching lectures, worst thing ever. Never taught a single thing in class so it was pointless to go but she did 5 minutes quizzes at the beginning so you had to go. Lectures are all around 40 minutes long and there is 12-25 lectures for each. Test questions are worded poorly and she's disorganized.
Pretty much the worst professor i've had since my time here at CofC. She does a "reversed classroom" so you watch all of her lectures outside of class (very time consuming). The test are very hard, worded poorly, and have nothing to do with the lectures. The extra credit she offers is ABSURD and is only worth 5 points. Good lady though.
I didnt like Mirandas flipped classroom style lectures. The powerpoints are online and are to be done in your own time, which is annoying when you are taking the maximum amount of credits. There are usually daily quizzes for attendance. Shes genuine person, though.
Expects students to go over hours worth of powerpoints each night and take a quiz the next day. The tests do not follow the powerpoints at all. Each question is very confusing and is based off of prior knowledge to the notes. However, the tests are online so I was able to look up most of the answers. She is a good person but a terrible teacher
Worst Bio class I have taken so far. She does flip courses, so you do a lecture at home and show up to class for pointless activities and pop quizzes. Going to class has nothing to do with the actual online test you have to take. Flip courses were not this bad my first bio class, but this particular professor just made it hard.
Worst professor I have ever had. Good luck taking her class. Tests have NOTHING to do with lectures you do at home. If you can take someone else for BIO 102 id definitely recommend doing that unless you like difficult professors. Good luck
The worst teacher I've EVER had. She expects you to spent 9 hours a week watching her online lectures. She was late to class every single day and did not know what she was going to teach that day. Never responds to emails. The tests have NOTHING to do with lecture. 0/10 i wouldn't wish her upon my worst enemy
You can't pass this class without showing up because there's a daily quiz and/or an in-class assignment, and the class is definitely hell sometimes, but for some bizarre reason I have a lot of respect for her. She's very honest and has a dry humor that, in my opinion, makes her very approachable. Strict deadlines for sure but super helpful
McManus is simply a bad professor. She is very unorganized but expects you to be organized. She consistently messes up study session dates/times and posts the wrong lectures online. This is extremely frustrating because she runs a flipped classroom meaning all lectures are to be watched at home, but be wary, as it is probably the wrong lecture.
She is by far the worst professor I have ever had. She is unorganized, has a bad attitude and does not care about her students whatsoever. Her exams are online but they are so hard and have nothing to do with the hours and HOURS of lectures she posts online to read on your own. She is not the least bit approachable. Find a different bio professor.
Everyone hates on her so I was nervous to take her. She does have a "strong" attitude but there is so much that goes towards the final grade. 3 online tests, VoiceThreads for homework, one final project, "quiz" in class pretty much every time. BUT, I don't even think she uses those grades, she just uses it as attendance and gives everyone 90-100%
Her lectures and tests are all online, but the tests don't cover the lectures whatsoever because they are purely application questions. There are daily PollEverywhere quizzes, and in-class discussions are irrelevant. She is unprofessional, unorganized and not approachable. Do NOT take ANY class under the instruction of Miranda McManus.
Professor Mcmanus does a flipped classroom, so the students are required to learn all of the material before the next class. Her tests are very difficult and the class average is typically about a 70. She is not helpful when it comes to learning the material and the course is very fast-paced. I would not reccomend taking BIO111 with this professor.
Professor McManus really isn't as bad as some say she is. She has a lot of lectures online which isn't for me, but I understood the content anyway because she will review in class. She also drops a few of your lowest grades, so failing this class is a pretty hard thing to do...
I am not really sure why Professor McManus has so many bad ratings. I guess if you do not attend class and refuse to take notes on the online lectures, then yeah, you aren't going to do well. However, she cares a lot about her students and knows that no one really wants to be in entry-level bio, which is why the reverse style class works well.
She seems like a really nice person. But the test are HARD and the work load is HEAVY! If there are any other professors available I'd look into them instead. She does explain things well, however if you are not good at bio do not expect to get an A unless you are willing study and watch lectures almost everyday.
Overall a pretty good Professor but be prepared to take lots of notes. Her class is very lecture heavy and youll spend hours just writing down all of the notes. Lots of homework assignments but is a fair grader. 3 test and one final and if you really study for them youll do fine.
I have had Professor McManus online this semester because of Covid, and, to be honest, I was pretty disappointed. It was asynchronous, which makes it very difficult to keep up with the amount of prerecorded lectures. Also, I feel like even when I know the content pretty thoroughly, it doesn't match up with the tests. She is likely better in person.
TONS of homework for a gen ed class. You will spend a lot of time working on her class. No final exam though, just a project instead. She's nice enough, but not very understanding. She even posted an announcement on our class page asking us to stop emailing her with questions...
Not sure why there's so many bad reviews. She didn't require you to go to zooms & was an easy grader. Just do the work. She makes checklists so its easy for you. Can be passive aggressive/unprofessional when irritated on OAKS board, which is annoying. No final, just a project. Boring class but Easy A if online. Quizlets have answers to the work.
Her conduct is off-putting, and it is easy to do well without learning anything. Which I guess is kind of a score for a gen-ed you'll never think about again. Serve your time and graduate with that science credit, baby!
The lectures are very long and don't match up with test questions. Spent hours taking notes for nothing because the questions don't align with the test. Very frustrating. Exams consists of 3- 60 question tests in under 90 minutes. Average score was about 70%. Wouldn't recommend reaching out to her because she isn't approachable and very unhelpful.
Post all of her lectures online and doesnt do any teaching in class. Answers questions the most complex way possible so the answer is even harder to understand.
worst teacher I have by far this semester. do not take her "in person" class, it a joke. All lectures are prerecorded and have little explanation. he course schedule is absolutely packed; homework/reading every night. please stay away from her.
horrible professor with terrible attitude problem. avoid her at all costs.
If you want to learn anything, dont take. If you want to listen to hours on hours of lectures that dont correspond with exam questions, then this is perfect for you! Seriously, horrible professor. Flipped classroom so you watch hour long lectures online and use class as study hall. Never actually teaches and explains the concepts. Waste of time.
Flipped classroom that consists of very long recorded lectures that don't correlate with the test questions; SO frustrating. From what I've seen in her class, she's kinda rude. Syllabus says attendance isn't taken but it actually is for extra credit--at least in my class--although the actual class time was used as a study hall.
She would not talk at all during class, like when you would go she would say okay guys watch lectures. All lectures were recorded online so she would do nothing. Honestly find another bio teacher if you want to learn.
she does a flipped classroom so this class is really easy to do almost completely from home, but tests were tough and there was a lot of homework
Does flipped classroom. Nice cause you can go at your own pace but feels like you are teaching yourself to a degree. She is nice enough but BIOL111 as a whole just crams way too much information in a semester. Very overwhelming, especially for first-semester freshman. Be prepared to study for hours just to get a C on test. Does offer extra credit.
I've been in this class for a week and am having such a difficult time with this professor. You watch all the lectures before class, it's like 3 hours of lectures a week at home. In class you have group assignments and if you miss class you will fail them and have to complete them on your own even if u have covid. Horrible attitude, DO NOT TAKE!!!!
Do NOT take a class with McManus. Doesn't teach and instead posts video lectures that are of no help to the tests or quizzes which make up a majority of your grade. Her tests are a nightmare. You'll have no idea what will be on them, the answers are near impossible to look up, and there's a time limit that isn't nearly enough time.
Prof. McManus should not have this low of a rating! All of her test and quizzes are online (thank god), she gives us group work in class but always helps. Only critique is she uses flipgrid for her lectures which you have to watch at home. If you take notes, listen during lecture, and do the (optional) xtra practice, you'll be fine. peace love MM
She didn't teach us that well and when she did it was all opinion based rather than what we actually needed to learn. Attendance is mandatory for most of the classes, especially if there is a case study. She's a nice person just not good at teaching a basic bio class. She skips over some lectures sometimes so make sure you're taking notes.
I took her class completely online, so it was definitely a bit easier than normal, but I really liked her. All of her tests were online, and she let us use any resources we wanted to (notes, google, etc.). There was a ton of graded work that took some time, but I would take her class again.
Dr. McManus was difficult for me personally to get along with. Her tone towards students could be really condescending at times. It's a flipped classroom, so you had to watch 3-6 lectures almost every week up until the test and they could range from 20-40 minutes long each. Exams drained me mentally and felt overly challenging, kinda like an SAT.
Had a flipped classroom so lots of lectures to watch outside of class. Test had a "take home" section and an online test on oaks. Both extremely long and pretty hard, took about 2 hours for each part. Easy A's on quizzes, discussion, and other assignments and does give up to 15 points added on to test average for doing extra credit.
Dr. McManus deserves a much higher rating. I had her for both BIO 101 & 102. Overall, this class was easy to follow. Provided so many opportunities for 100s in the class. Tests are straightforward from the lectures. Not a hard class.
She used a flipped format which watching several hours of lectures each week outside of class. Often explained concepts in the most complicated way possible and had errors in her slides constantly. Ironically, she constantly lectured us about checking our work, but made long tests that required every second to try to complete. Avoid her.
-flipped classroom component -tests were challenging -take home tests portions offered some cushion -please READ THE TEXTBOOK!
I took this class online to be more flexible and thought it would be easier. She assigns way too many assignments. Her lectures aren't very helpful for them in my opinion either. Her tests are all multiple choice but are difficult. For a 101 class, I feel like it is too much.
As a person, McManus is a VERY nice person. As a professor, she is a very difficult instructor. The class has A LOT of lecturing, in and out of the class. Tests are very hard. In general, I found the lectures to be uninteresting and hard to follow.
Online class. If you don't already HATE biology, you will after you take this class. For non-science majors it is the most minute detailed, uninteresting course ever. I can't even begin to tell you how bad it is! Unless you love biology and love memorizing things you will never use, RUN! TONS of memorization.
...Average. Just Average. Extra credit was given when you should up.
class style is flipped so if you want to learn yes you will have to watch lectures outside of class every week. other than that she is very nice and provides many easy A opportunities for showing up to class. Almost all in class assignments have the option to work in groups/partners or by yourself
The class has a flipped format with lots of lectures to watch outside of class. Exams are challenging, but the take-home portions offer some cushion. Unstuckstudy and the textbook are helpful for study prep.
I liked Professor McManus. During class, she would lecture for 15-30 minutes and then have us work on an assignment. All quizzes, tests, and lectures were online. There were quizzes once or twice a week, 3 tests, and our final exam was a VoiceThread presentation. Overall this class was easy and she offers extra credit, I recommend taking her.
She has a flipped classroom and it is awful. Never answers emails and is rude! Do not take her at all!!!!! 0/10!
She does flipped style where you have to watch a ridiculous amount of video lectures just to go into class and redo the same lectures. She is monotone and gives a major hands off approach vibe. She doesn't like to answer emails and overall just sucks as a professor. Completely monotone for everything. All tests online
Great teacher for online. No webcam or lockdown browser. No need to buy the textbook if you're online. Just keep up with the work. I didn't watch a single lecture she posted and I got an A.
we only had 3 test which were all online (no lockdown browser when I took her) . There is no midterm or final but instead you do a project on Voicethreads which is not too bad. The class itself is kinda boring but I still ended with an A-
There is weekly in class assignments that are easy and a few exams through the year there is also a final group project she is a fair grader, boring class.
Professor McManus is so sweet! She wants you to do well. There are group/individual assignments almost every class, but quizzes and exams are taken on your own time. Final is a 5-7 minute voice thread presentation, and it was a lot of fun. I also learned a lot in this class.
Worst professor ever. Zero communication, takes forever to grade, ignores emails. Lectures are just boring slides with no real teaching. Way too harsh for a rushed 4-week class. Completely unsupportive and kills any motivation. Save yourself the stress and avoid this teacher. Unless you wanna feel like your limbs are being sawn off from stress run
Worst professor ever. Doesn't know what she's doing. Takes 17 years to grade. Don't take her under any circumstance.
WORST PROF. ever. Zero communication, takes forever to grade, ignores emails. Lectures are just boring slides with no real teaching. Way too harsh for a rushed 4-week class. Completely unsupportive and kills any motivation. Save yourself the stress and avoid this teacher. Unless you wanna feel like your limbs are being sawn off from stress
The way she “teaches” is by assigning you 3 hours of lectures to watch before every class and then never teaching you anything about what's on them. You're just expected to memorize and understand everything by yourself from a terrible and very confusing set of notes. Also her tests are actually awful. They have nothing to do with the lectures.
seriously avoid at all costs. I was in her online class and I thought it would be easy but it was not. she has on average like 3/4 hours of lectures every week on top of a TON of homework and assignments. the last test average I took before I withdrew was in the 50s. avoid at all costs.
DO NOT TAKE HER, she is literally the worst. She does a flipped classroom style where you learn on your own outside of class. Everyone is failing the tests and she has yet to consider maybe her teaching style is the issue, not much to be graded on, mostly tests and quizzes. Good luck if your stuck in this 101 section, you'll need it.
You know that feeling when your GPS keeps rerouting and then crashes? Yeah. That. But with tuition. My therapist got paid OT throughout this semester thanks to this class
AVOID HER! She does a flipped style of teaching, so you learn everything yourself before. She lacks teaching skills clearly. She thinks low grades on the exams are "lack of studying" but it's actually just people cheating. Test averages before curves are in the 50s every time... Half the test question topics are also never talked about in class
DO NOT TAKE. Literally did not teach a single thing. Only teaching was lecture videos to watch outside of class that genuinely had nothing to do with what we were tested on. Sounds like she hates her life and her students in her lectures and its clearly true from her tests. Do not take this class I learned nothing except to check rate my professor.
Absolutely do not take her; she really doesn't do much, in a bad way. Everything is self-taught; the lectures do not help at all, 50% of your grade comes from the tests, which barely relate to anything. complete waste of time
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
39%
Textbook Required
45%
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