3.7

Paul Heideman

Biology - College of William and Mary

3.7
Quality
3.8
Difficulty
81%
Would Retake
165
Reviews
3.7
Quality
3.8
Difficulty
3.8
Helpful
3.6
Clarity

81%

Would Retake

165

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official
165 total ratings

5

66

4

45

3

30

2

11

1

13

What Students Say

Professor Heideman spends so much time worrying about applying his research on how students learn best that he doesn't actually teach the subject at hand

BIOL204 - 1.0 rating

A fantastic, passionate lecturer

BIOL302 - 5.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

41%

Textbook Required

42%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A-

95% confidence
Based on 38 grades
Most common grades:
A (18)
A- (10)
B+ (3)
Grade Distribution
A(19)B(2)C(2)D(2)F(0)A-/B+(13)
Based on 39 reported grades
A: 18
A-: 10
B+: 3
B: 2
Common Tags
Caring (19)
LOTS OF HOMEWORK (14)
Lots of homework (14)
Gives good feedback (12)
Accessible outside class (10)
Participation matters (6)
Test heavy (6)
Get ready to read (5)
Rating Trend

Stable

+0.10 avg change
May
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Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

BIO432

5.0

(8)

BIO205

5.0

(2)

INTR491

5.0

(1)

ANIMALPHYS

5.0

(3)

BIOL 302

5.0

(1)
+17 more courses
Difficulty by Course

ZOOLOGY

5.0

BIO

5.0

ZOO

5.0

BIO204ZOO

5.0

BIOL203

4.8

Reviews (164)
5.0
4.0
BIO204
Nov 8, 2002

Prof H. is super excited about everything biology and makes the class a treat!!!

5.0
4.0
BIO204
Nov 8, 2002

A great class and professor!

5.0
4.0
BIO204
Feb 17, 2003

No Comments

5.0
3.0
BIO432
Mar 9, 2003

Awesome class. Taught very well.

5.0
3.0
BIO432
Apr 14, 2003

Dr. H. is a great prof...enthusiatic about science...a thorough and brilliant scientist himself

2.0
4.0
BIO204
Apr 28, 2003

Pretty good class. Exams are tough, and the teacher doesn't prepare you well for them.

5.0
4.0
BIO432
Jun 4, 2003

Paul Heideman has been my advisor for 3 years. The man is hilarious, knowledgeable, and helpful. Who else hands out chocolate treats as rewards and plays croquet with his students? If you have a chance to take a class with this guy JUST TAKE IT.

5.0
4.0
BIO432
Jul 3, 2003

Dr. Heideman has been my research advisor for 3 years. He's awesome! I had him for zoology and animal physiology, and both classes were very challenging but I felt like I learned a lot. And he definitely knows his stuff. Really cares about students.

4.0
4.0
BIO206
Aug 11, 2003

I struggled in his class due to it being my first semester at college. A challenging class with lots and lots of details to learn in addition to important concepts.

4.0
4.0
BIO204
Aug 27, 2003

paul's cool. realli nice and approachable. his exams aren't easi, but at least u learn a lot from him.

1.0
5.0
BIO204
Aug 28, 2003

No Comments

4.0
5.0
BIO206
Oct 27, 2003

Nothing beats seeing Heideman riding across campus in his bike. The lectures are interesting, but the exams are obscene and don't fairly test what you know. Definitely made me change my mind about being a bio major.

5.0
5.0
ZOOLOGY
Oct 28, 2003

One of the best profs I've had. Heideman is the man. He makes you work hard, but you learn a lot. Great lectures. Great handouts. Rock on with your bad self, Professor H.

5.0
4.0
BIO205
Nov 13, 2003

Dr. Heideman is a good teacher, but you need to pay attention to alot i mean alot of detail. Forces you to learn absolutely everything and challenges students to pull everything together on the exam. Exams are hard, but managable.

5.0
3.0
BIO205
Nov 19, 2003

Wonderful professor, makes the class about more than memorization. Makes you realize the general patterns behind animal life and systems.

3.0
4.0
BIO206
Nov 20, 2003

You need to learn every detail to get a good grade in the class, as in study all the time...and as for being helpful, he's been far from it in my experience. Boring lectures are seriously read from notes that you could read yourself.

3.0
5.0
BIO206
Nov 30, 2003

People either hate him or love him. I can't seem to get ahead in his class he expects you to know everything. When I went to talk about my grade in 204 he made me feel one inch tall, so this year I knew it wasn't worth it go ask for help.

4.0
5.0
BIO206
Dec 10, 2003

incredibly hard, but incredibly good. If you actually want to take worthwhile courses and not be afraid to put in the hours(alot of them), Heideman is the way to go. By far the best teacher I've had...period.

4.0
4.0
BIO206
Dec 11, 2003

Hard, not the most helpful outside of class, but an excellent lecturer, really knows his stuff

4.0
5.0
ZOOLOGY
Feb 5, 2004

Horribly hard, but more studying would have made all the difference. The exams were ridiculously difficult, but he's so lovable I can't fault him for it. Also, he knows EVERYONE's name, even if you think he has no idea who you are.

5.0
2.0
INTR491
Grade: A+
Mar 18, 2004

Perspectives on evolution class. awesome guy. brought us food, did a great job moderating the discussion. not your typical bio class, but my favorite!

5.0
5.0
BIO206
Apr 8, 2004

He made Zoology very interesting and extremely difficult. Great guy, very helpful if you want help after class. Tests tend are too detailed and ambitious, I think he forgets we don't know everything he does. You'll learn lots, but don't expect an A.

5.0
3.0
BIO206
Apr 15, 2004

Heideman is incredibly dedicated to the overall success of all of his students. It is this dedication that makes him really stand out as a professor.

5.0
3.0
BIO206
Apr 21, 2004

You have to work for the grade you get in this class.

5.0
3.0
BIO206
May 30, 2004

I *love* Dr. Heideman. Nicest guy in the world.

5.0
4.0
ANIMALPHYS
Jun 2, 2004

Dr. Heideman is great. Expects a lot from his students but he gives the same back. Animal phys is a lot of work and time, but a great class.

5.0
4.0
BIO203
Oct 6, 2004

Extremely hard! The class is a little boring if you're not too interested in biology but the professor is very nice and helpful.

5.0
4.0
BIOL206
Oct 21, 2004

I had him for both Zoology and for Animal Phys, but now he's not teaching Animal Phys. This man will go out of his way to help you, his tests are hard but it's because they're application tests, he makes you use the info you know. His classes are so rewarding.

5.0
2.0
BIO204
Oct 23, 2004

I found this class really interesting. Reinforced that I wanted to be a bio major. His jokes are lame, but he's such a sweet man you just have to smile. YOu need to work really hard to do well on the tests but the lecture notes that he posts online help a lot.

5.0
4.0
BIO204
Oct 31, 2004

Very nice, tests are difficult but he's willing to help as much as possible

4.0
5.0
BIO204
Nov 8, 2004

he's not ****ing around when he says his tests are hard...looking back i guess if i had kept up with readings and prepared for each class they would have been a little easier..but he's a great guy and actually cares..he actually tried to remember all 200 students' names..

5.0
3.0
BIO204
Nov 12, 2004

Interesting lecture material, though it can be dry at times. Hard tests; he's not joking when he says they require hard-core analysis, but he's a nice guy and really willing to help you do better in the future. he also posts lecture notes before class which is very helpful. overall good prof

2.0
4.0
BIO204
Nov 15, 2004

He knows his stuff. Uses big words on exams. He is very scatterbrained, and is not clear at all during class. He needs to learn how to teach clearly!! you must go to class all the time because of the clicker questions. Do Not recommend him. Nice Guy Though. He is really a nice guy, and he tries.

4.0
2.0
BIO204
Nov 16, 2004

Heideman is by far my favorite prof. He's smart and knows what he's talking about and his online notes are awesome, they tell you exactly what you need to know. Just follow the notes and the class is easy, tests are kind of hard though.

5.0
3.0
BIO204
Nov 16, 2004

He's a really nice guy and is always approachable for help. Tests are somewhat difficult and require real-world application of facts, but they are managable. Just go to his study sessions... They help a LOT! Great professor.

4.0
5.0
BIO204
Nov 16, 2004

Hes terrible as a teacher,it seems he is more interested in getting through his notes instead of having time to actually review and make sure students understand. He does try to help some. His tests are very challenging and you have to know everything to get a good grade. Take only if you love bio.

5.0
3.0
BIO204
Nov 16, 2004

very passionate about making sure his students are taken care of. inspiring

4.0
4.0
BIO204
Dec 3, 2004

Gives you notes, past tests, and more to help you in class. Great lecturer. Tests are extremely hard!!! You tend to get used to them by the end of the semester, but it's a hassle until that point. AP Bio really helps before this class.

4.0
4.0
BIO204
Dec 8, 2004

This class is not for screwing around. You either have to give it your all or expect to get a C or <... Otherwise very smart guy and when he rambles on about study techniques and new methods to learn, take time to learn them because they actually sort of work ;_;

4.0
3.0
BIO204
Dec 13, 2004

The only reason I went to class was for the "clicker question". All of class is spent reading right off the lecture notes. No need to read the book, just pay attention to the class notes.

3.0
5.0
BIO204
Dec 16, 2004

Hmm, this class is extremely boring at times and hard if you don't study at least a couple hours everyday. All of his material are from his notes and grades on a huge C-Bell curve where about 5% of the class this semester has an actual A...

3.0
4.0
BIO204
Jan 13, 2005

This class was pretty hard; he said at the beginning that you could easily get an A. Well, after studying my butt off, I can honestly say that he was mistaken. I ended up with a C+. Lectures are boring and tests are extremely hard. If you're a huge bio fan, this is the class for you.

5.0
3.0
BIO204
Feb 24, 2005

Took AP BIO in high school with an awful teacher, so Prof. H was amazing in comparison, breezed through his class, although some of my friends had to work hard.

5.0
5.0
BIO204
Feb 26, 2005

Hard work, but it pays off when you realize you really know your stuff. Heideman is a truly committed professor- always available to students, very interested in the material, makes things interesting, variety of topics covered, truly has a deep concern for the well being of students.

5.0
2.0
BIO203
Apr 6, 2005

He is awesome

4.0
4.0
BIO204
Grade: A
May 17, 2005

he is affectionately known as the devil to many on campus.

3.0
4.0
BIO204
May 30, 2005

Very nice guy...but i just want to kill him. Random and scattered as hell. If you don't think the way he does, forget it. He is a smart guy, but he just can't explain things to people. Tests made me want to vomit.

5.0
4.0
BIO206
Nov 3, 2005

There's no question, he's not easy, but its worth it. The class is do-able with effort, and he's very interesting and knowledgeable, you'll learn a lot. Very open to helping students. He has a class of 250 but tries to know everybody's name...reccomended. Even to freshmen with AP 5's, you can do it.

3.0
5.0
BIO206
Nov 9, 2005

BE READY TO WORK UR ASS OFF TO EVEN GET A C. he's a nice guy but he is harddd and he makes u feel dumb if you don't know something when you go to him for extra help. he is also OBSESSED with folded lists and they don't do****. i did way better on the 2nd test not using them. it's def one of the most challenging classes at this school.

3.0
5.0
BIO206
Nov 9, 2005

Tests are extreeeemely hard. He teaches concepts - basically, if you don't know the processes, "you don't know anything." Theoretically it's a great way to teach, but not when there's grading involved. Brilliant, nice man, but should probably stick to research rather than teaching.

1.0
5.0
BIO206
Dec 1, 2005

changed my major because of this guy. then, by the time i was considering going for bio again he had become the chair. decided after 5 minutes of talking with him about how to get back on track to, in fact, not major in bio. he is an obnoxious and discouraging person.

1.0
5.0
BIO
Dec 12, 2005

Horrible, Avoid at all costs. Went to him for help only to be told i should change my major. Not helpful, rambles on, reading the book doesn't help, the key to the class is learning how he thinks (so he claims) yet nobody else in this world thinks as he does. thank god

3.0
5.0
BIO206
Dec 26, 2005

a difficult class, many concepts covered; heideman is a nice guy, sometimes hard to understand, but i came out of the class with a good understanding of biological processes

4.0
3.0
BIO206
Jan 7, 2006

In his class you will really have to work to do well, but it is do-able. His folded lists and diagrams are helpful, but not the the answer to everything, learn the diagrams that he recommends, then just study as you normally do. Freshman with 5s in AP Bio, don't be afraid to take this class, I took it as a freshamn and got an A.

3.0
5.0
BIO206
Jan 21, 2006

No Comments

4.0
5.0
BIO
Jan 23, 2006

Heideman's the nicest guy you've ever met but that definitely will not stop him from flunking you. I love Bio, but still got a C- in his class. He makes every effort to help you out... but all his classes are so f-ing intense.

1.0
5.0
ZOO
Mar 25, 2006

No Comments

3.0
5.0
BIO204ZOO
Apr 12, 2006

i love biology, but he makes his tests so hard that you can memorize all the notes and the entire book and still get a C. he also thinks that everyone learns the same way and will not meet with you unless you study using folded lists which is SO not cool. very frusterating professor, for both courses I took with him.

4.0
3.0
BIO206
Dec 10, 2006

Despite what everyone else here has said, Heideman is great. His exams are tough, but if you're a bio major you should be ready for a challenge! He puts all his notes on blackboard (almost word-for-word!), answers lots of questions in class, holds weekly review sessions. Course is difficult bc it's about concepts, not memorizing facts!

4.0
3.0
BIO206
Feb 1, 2007

Prof. H. is probably the most humble prof. I've had. 206 is rigorous, & he tries to stretch your thinking to make predicitons. His notes are very helpful, & review sessions in general are worth it. Tests are difficult, be ready to think! He is dept. chair tho, & very busy so if you go to office hours know what you want answered & get to the point!

4.0
4.0
BIOL206
Apr 30, 2007

A great professor once you catch on to his paticular teaching style. I got a low C on the first test, but figured out what he wanted and managed an A on the next. It's definitely a difficult class, but I don't think I've ever learned more in a single semester. It's best to try his drawing method to some extent.

1.0
5.0
BIOL206
Dec 13, 2007

Extremely nice man who is very passionate about the subject, but NOT a good teacher. His tests are REDICULOUSLY hard and he doesn't teach you biology as much as he tries to teach you to think the way you think, and if you don't you are pretty much screwed. I changed my major because of this class.

5.0
4.0
BIOL206
Jan 16, 2008

Great lecturer, loved his energy and enthusiasm :) Definitely take this class if you are interested in Biology or pre-med. Tests are really hard though.

4.0
4.0
BIOL206
Feb 21, 2008

This class was difficult, but once you figure out his teaching style it's not so bad. He does spend a good while trying to teach you how to think about the material - but it works, trust me. Don't bother with the book; just study the lectures and drawings he posts on Blackboard, which cover pretty much what he says during class.

4.0
5.0
BIO206
Sep 30, 2008

Probably the hardest and most interesting course I've ever taken. You can do well, but you have to put in the time, and you have to be able to think things through. His tests are hard, but he covers the material in class. Make sure you do work on your own too. I took this course as a freshman despite discouragement from the prof. good decision

5.0
4.0
BIO206
Nov 10, 2008

I can't say enough good things about Prof. Heideman. Tt first his methodology (minute sketches, folded lists, etc...) seemed unnecessary, but as the class went on I realized his problem-solving approach was invaluable. I looked forward to class every single day (and I'm not a freak). His anecdotes are always amusing. Great review sessions. Love him

5.0
3.0
BIO206
Nov 25, 2008

This class is fantastic, if you TRY. Memorizing notes will get you nowhere-the studying is way more interactive than that and as a WM student, you SHOULD be able to handle it lol. Heideman is SO HELPFUL (he's a great academic advisor as well), and is always so enthusiastic about teaching. You can tell he really loves biology!

4.0
5.0
BIO206
Dec 18, 2008

Heideman is a great Prof who you can tell is really passionate for the subject. He's a great teacher, but his tests are -very- difficult and require you to study basically every day to maintain even a B in his class. He also (like most W&M Bio)is very focused on the molecular/pre-med side of things and neglects a lot of the ecological aspects.

4.0
4.0
BIOLA206
Dec 18, 2008

Presents lessons well. Fairly clear in presentation of material. Get used to folded lists, concept maps. These are helpful for test preparation. It feels as though the class was geared toward pre-med students (predict what changes would do to an organism on molecular level). This is not a class where information is learned and spat back.

5.0
2.0
BIOL206
Dec 27, 2008

LOOVE. Heideman's so nerdily passionate about not just the subject (fascinating as is), but teaching itself. Tells entertaining stories and explains everything you need to know (HOW to do) clearly in lecture or in his very thorough notes. Won't make you memorize!! Concept-based processes. Fair, curved exams. Approachable. Awesome person to talk to!

5.0
5.0
BIO204
Jan 11, 2009

One of my favorite profs and influential in my decision to major in biology. Passionate and interesting lecturer. Actually teaches students to think like scientists instead of just memorizing. Tests are difficult - this is a weed-out class. Very busy, but will go out of his way to make time for you out of class. Great!

2.0
5.0
BIOL206
Jan 19, 2009

While he is very knowledgeable and excited about this course, it is nearly impossible. No matter how hard you study, the tests are extremely difficult. Everything is application and deep critical thinking. He tries to give us study methods but they didn't work for me. He likes to draw- a lot! Beware- only take this if you have to for premed!

4.0
3.0
BIOL206
Apr 17, 2009

He seems like a nice guy, and his emphasis on learning strategies is probably helpful in the long run, but I don't particularly like the way he taught this class. Pretty boring, and since it was at 9am I had trouble staying awake nearly every day. The tests were pretty much from the lectures, but it was hard to figure out what to study.

5.0
4.0
BIO206
Oct 27, 2009

One of my favorite professors *ever*! He is extremely enthusiastic about his subject and he imparts that passion to students, if you are willing. The book is very helpful to read as a base for what you learn in class, but you learn beyond the book, so it is *extremely* helpful to go to class, as he teaches diagrams/methods that are not in the boo

1.0
5.0
BIO220
Oct 14, 2010

He is so nice.But, his tests are extremely hard

3.0
3.0
BIO220
Oct 19, 2010

He seems to know his stuff, but has a hard time imparting it onto his students because he is extremely unfocused during lecture. Also, his test questions can be confusing due to wording and multiple "correct" answers. Additionally, he forces students to draw pictures, which doesn't help many people. Requires some prior knowledge of bio as well!!

5.0
3.0
BIO220
Oct 20, 2010

Awesome guy, great teacher, uber bamf

3.0
5.0
BIO220
Oct 30, 2010

He's a really great guy and very intelligent; he just doesn't know how to lecture or communicate very effectively. This semester we were guinea pigs for a new teaching method that not so many people are fond of. Only take a class with him if absolutely necessary, and if so, be prepared to work extraordinarily hard.

2.0
2.0
BIO220
Nov 1, 2010

For me his class was pretty easy because I took AP in high school and read the book, but I do not a lot of people that struggled. He's such a sweet guy, just has a really different/weird teaching style.

3.0
3.0
BIO220
Nov 3, 2010

I had Dr. Heideman for Bio 220, and I thought he was pretty good, though he's definitely not for everyone. If you like to take notes like I do, he's not your guy. Most of the time he just draws and explains through sketches. This leaves with a bunch of sketches and almost no notes to study from.

3.0
4.0
BIO220
Nov 10, 2010

Horrible teaching methods. He stands at the projector screen the entire time and points to "sketches" that he did in Microsoft wrd. Not to mention most of the sketches were wrong and had to be redone. So If you enjoy paying for your education and then teaching the class to yourself... This one is for you. Test ex. "sketch: natural selection"

1.0
5.0
BIO220
Nov 10, 2010

Prof H. is the worst professor for an Intro Bio course. His experimental teaching methods are COMPLETELY inadequate as is evident when most students fail tests due to incomprehensible sketches. The sketches are worth more of your grade than the multiple choice and do not really help you understand the concept. Do not take him for Intro Bio!!!!!!!!!

2.0
3.0
BIOL220
Dec 5, 2010

He teaches the class by only using sketches. He's not a bad teacher, but the sketches on his exams are unfair. Expects students to memorize his sketches for concepts.

1.0
5.0
BIOL220
Dec 8, 2010

I had him for Intro Bio, his tests are awful. His first few exams you're only allowed to do sketches (which are horrendous and poor teaching methods). My grades on exams improved two letter grades when he started allowing us to write instead of sketch. Proof that his sketching method does not accurately measure your knowledge of the material.

1.0
5.0
BIO220
Dec 9, 2010

HORRIBLE PROFESSOR!!! Completely unfair and made a bio fanatic start to really hate the material. Mostly because I was too busy trying to memorize useless sketches instead of the actual concepts. Only take him if absolutely necessary, and if you do, God speed.

3.0
2.0
BIO220
Dec 10, 2010

Nice guy... TERRIBLE TEACHING STYLE. Forces you to learn his own way and doesn't understand that we have developed our own ways of studying for about 6-7 years now. TERRIBLY written questions on exams that NEVER make sense. This guy needs to learn how to speak English and learn basic math again

4.0
4.0
BIO220
Dec 11, 2010

A really nice guy but his tests and teaching methods are not the best, AT ALL. Not sure how you can teach through only sketch but he pulled it off, however sketching on the test was impossible at points and not to mention his multiple choice questions were absurdly hard. Wish there were more notes but he is very willing to help.

5.0
3.0
BIOL220
Dec 17, 2010

I love Heidi! You can tell he is really passionate about the material he is teaching. He's really not as horrible as people say. I think that people are so closed minded to sketching concepts that they don't bother to learn it. They're bitter about the bad grades that they've deserved/earned and blame Dr. Heideman.

2.0
4.0
BIO220
Dec 28, 2010

sure his sketching method is helpful, but that doesn't mean he should force his students to TEST that way. to the guy "with many medical schools under his belt", quit attacking people who have developed their own study habits and grow up- you are the one with "many medical school" credentials anyway

2.0
3.0
BIO220
Jan 1, 2011

I mean kind of a nice guy...but mainly annoying. He has a big curve but the tests are graded pretty harshly. I taught myself everything, and you really need to memorize EVERY stupid sketch, so i would suggest printing them out before class then taking notes no them. SO GLAD TO BE DONE WITH THIS CLASS.

5.0
4.0
BIO220
Jan 3, 2011

I actually enjoyed his sketches. Although I was a bit skeptical at first, I actually believe that they helped me learn rather than memorize the material. Dr. Heideman's class is very challenging, but he and his TA are absolutely wonderful one-on-one during there office hours.

4.0
4.0
BIO220
Jan 5, 2011

everyone keeps hating on Heidy! hes a difficult grader, but i managed to get an A with hard work. he is REALLY helpful during office hours, and really knows his stuff. a lot of people didn't do well b/c they refused to do what the prof. asked, which is something you need to get used to in college. pauls a BAMF.

2.0
5.0
BIOL220
Jan 8, 2011

Though biology is my major, Professor Heideman's treatment of the material and those god-awful sketches made this class excruciatingly painful. The only good part of this class was the TA's who were helpful.

4.0
5.0
BIOL220
Jan 19, 2011

Pauli Paul is all about the sketches which I think are great! He is more than willing to work with you outside of class. His test are hard and you do need to study. He is a great professor and very passionate about Bio. I got a poor grade in this class, but Pauli Paul is a great dude. You will learn in his class and he wants you to do well!

3.0
3.0
BIOL220
Feb 8, 2011

Very odd teaching style. Too bad he did not learn anything in a psych class about the different types of learning processes. Sketches seemed to be the emphasis of the class, rather than actually teaching. Okay professor

3.0
4.0
BIO220
Feb 14, 2011

Professor Heideman is a nice guy who is always willing to work with a student. That, however, is where the positive qualities end. He makes frequent mistakes throughout lectures, which, by themselves are utterly useless. Heideman might have a good grasp of the material (He never showed it!) but it is disappointing that he gets paid to present it.

3.0
3.0
BIOL220
Mar 18, 2011

He is a really nice guy and he really cares about his students, but as much as he tries, he just is not a great teacher for this subject...it seems like how the mind learns is more his thing, not ecology. he is obsessed with sketches which are annoying and often times they just complicate things. He constantly makes mistakes in lectures too.

3.0
5.0
BIOL220
Apr 23, 2011

I originally took this class intending to go Premed, I ended up having to drop it because although I felt that I understood what was going on, the exams are confusing as hell. Half of the exam is drawing. At first I thought it was a fresh way of learning the material, but I guess I'm just not one of those who can learn that way.

2.0
4.0
BIO220
Oct 24, 2011

literally the worst class i have ever taken, he is an atrocious, closed minded teacher who can't teach a class to save his life.

3.0
3.0
BIOL302
Nov 1, 2011

He is very dedicated to his students and tries his best to help everyone in the class understand the material, but unfortunately not everyone can learn through drawing things out. Basically answer every test question with a picture. He provides a ton of review sessions which are helpful. Nice guy, okay teacher. This class is not extremely difficult

1.0
4.0
BIO220
Nov 8, 2011

This class is painful. His entire teaching method is awful. The concept of sketching may be alright, but he was a terrible teacher to begin with and throw in some hieroglyphics and it's even worse. He should put his good intentions towards another profession.

5.0
3.0
BIO220
Nov 10, 2011

Paul's the man

4.0
2.0
BIO302
Dec 17, 2011

Tests are easy, no homework, but it's pretty dull. It seems like we go over the same thing every day without actually learning anything new. The material itself isn't very hard either, but it's repetitive and gets old.

5.0
5.0
BIO302
Mar 27, 2012

He definitely has a unique teaching method that emphasizes critical thinking and sketches. You can't succeed in this class with memorization, the exams are demanding and require you to apply what you learn in class to new situations, but it's 100% worth it, I learned a ton. Don't skip class. Take good notes, copy down every sketch from lecture.

3.0
5.0
BIO302
Dec 18, 2012

This class was torture for me. He doesn't seem to take into account not everyone is a visual learner. He also doesn't seem to recognize that he has terrible handwriting and drawing ability. The material is not terribly difficult, it's just memorizing little pictures didn't help me learn anything about biology.

2.0
4.0
BIO302
Dec 25, 2012

If you are not a visual learner, you will get slammed. Also, quite frustratingly, you have to be able to write like he thinks. It takes an exam or two to get into the swing of things, even after the horrific intro bio courses. Do the song and dance, you'll get away with a B at least. You just might not like bio a whole lot afterwards.

4.0
5.0
BIO01
Dec 29, 2012

I didn't like Heideman's CLASS because it was all about drawings, whether it is for zoology or for intro biology. HOwever, you won't have a choice. He's very approachable in his office hours so definitely talk to him during office hours. However, you will learn a lot on your own so be prepared to teach yourself and actually UNDERSTAND the material

5.0
3.0
BIOL302
Dec 31, 2012

Professor Heideman teaches a hard course, but it's definitely worth taking. The hardest thing is that he doesnt spoon feed you the information and expect you to regurgitate it back, he expects you to think like a scientist and apply the information he gives you in new and logical ways.. He cares profoundly about his students.

5.0
3.0
BIOL302
Grade: A
Oct 29, 2013

Professor Heideman is a really dedicated, kind, and interesting guy. He works incredibly hard to provide students with resources. Students have trouble with his class because (as he makes clear) you ultimately MUST teach yourself by sketching mechanisms - but that's biology! But he gives you everything you need to succeed and always wants to help!

4.0
3.0
BIOL302
Jan 30, 2014

He has a weird method of teaching. It takes a while to get used to. Test taking includes drawing pictures which I found to be very helpful in learning the material.

4.0
3.0
BIOL220
Feb 11, 2014

Paul's absolutely great. Yes, he has a different teaching style. Big deal. If you know the material as you should, then you'll still get an A, if that's what you're worried about. Take this class with an open mind. You'll definitely learn something valuable here, more than if you spent another semester memorizing facts out of your textbook.

5.0
3.0
BIO302
Aug 24, 2014

I can understand the frustration from other people in regards to his teaching style and his tests. But I really enjoyed his class. He is an incredibly friendly and approachable professor. I really regret not taking his Animal Phys course. Also save your money, do NOT buy the textbook or lab Zoo picture atlas. His lectures are all you need.

5.0
3.0
BIOL 302
Oct 24, 2015

Great class. Dr. Heideman goes above and beyond to make sure you understand the material, even if it is a lot of extra work for him. I personally find his sketches very helpful and can't imagine trying to learn the kinds of concepts and pathways covered in zoology without visual aids. Wonderful professor, would recommend.

3.0
4.0
BIOL302
Grade: B
Dec 14, 2015

Professor Heideman is a wonderful human being. He genuinely cares about the success of his students. However, I would NOT recommend his class. He relies solely on "minute sketches" and "folded lists" to teach. When you ask him for help, he immediately questions your study methods. I signed up for a biology class, not a self-help seminar.

4.0
4.0
BIOL302
Grade: A-
Dec 28, 2015

Professor Heideman is one of the kindest, most caring professors I've ever had. The content of the course was difficult at times, and the exams were certainly difficult; but they were manageable and were always curved fairly. You'll do fine as long as you put effort into studying. The notorious "Heideman sketches" were nothing but helpful to me.

5.0
4.0
BIO302
Grade: B+
Jan 9, 2016

Zoology has been my FAVORITE class so far. The lecture is very interesting if you enjoy learning how animals work. He teaches with sketches & makes videos outside of class. If you practice/memorize the sketches, you're set for the exams! No textbook really needed. I got an F the first exam and then an A on all others once I learned that.

3.0
2.0
BIOL100
Grade: A
Oct 26, 2016
Wouldn't take again

Prof is super nice and approachable as a person, he grades really easy -mostly for completion and following directions, and always is available to give feedback, or help with assignments. That said, homework takes around 2 hours a night, and there are presentations every Wednesday. You have to go to class, or else he gives you a make up assignment.

Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
5.0
3.0
BIO432
Grade: A
Dec 18, 2016
Would take again

If you want an amazing class with a professor who really cares, take it! Sketches aren't nearly as difficult as people whine about. If you actually understand the concepts you will be fine whether you sketch or not. Found the exams to be incredibly do-able if I knew the material (and that often involved being able to sketch out a concept). Fav Prof

Gives good feedback
Participation matters
Caring
5.0
4.0
BIO432
Grade: A-
May 18, 2017
Would take again

Prof H is an amazing professor. If you are interested in animal sciences then take his classes! He grades fairly -- more on understanding than memorization. Sketches are tedious at times but are helpful for understanding the material. The only drawback is time commitment as he gives HW every night.

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
Amazing lectures
Caring
5.0
3.0
BIO302
Grade: A
Jul 29, 2017
Would take again

I am not a bio major but I am interested in scientific education so I took Dr. Heideman's class just to experience all the great things I've heard about him. He truly understands that biology education needs to instill an intuition and understanding of the principles of living systems rather than simple fact-learning. Amazingly effective teacher.

Inspirational
Amazing lectures
Caring
1.0
4.0
BIO302
Sep 22, 2017
Wouldn't take again

If you like sketching then you are going to love this professor, but he seems to think that this is the only way people learn and requires his students to do tedious sketches for every class. As someone who is not a visual learner, these sketches helped me in no way whatsoever, and he seems to exclusively teach using these, so good luck passing.

5.0
4.0
BIO204
Dec 4, 2017
Would take again

Paul is one of the best professors from whom I have had the extreme pleasure of learning. I started off hating the sketching, but soon found myself doing it for other classes and I saw my understanding of those topics skyrocket. Give it a chance before you start hating it. DO NOT TAKE ZOOLOGY WITH ANYONE ELSE!!!

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
Caring
Would take again
4.0
4.0
BIO302
Dec 15, 2017
Would take again

Prof. H is a caring and inspirational lecturer. He is so invested in teaching and learning. I would recommend studying the sketches he does in class and absolutely do not buy the textbook if you take zoology with him. A lot of material is covered but he makes it interesting.

Caring
Tests are tough
LECTURE HEAVY
5.0
3.0
BIOL302
Grade: A
Jan 4, 2018
Would take again

Professor H is a great professor! He really cares about his students and is accessible outside of class to answer questions. If you go to lectures and practice and understand the sketches he posts, you should be fine!

Gives good feedback
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Caring
5.0
4.0
BIOL302
Jan 10, 2018
Would take again

A very interesting class! Would definitely recommend to those who are passionate about life sciences and who are willing to work to get the most out of this great class.

5.0
4.0
BIOL302
Jan 16, 2018
Would take again

Prof Heideman covered a ton of information, but did it all in a very engaging way. Zoology with him is a huge time commitment because of the sketches, but he encourages you to learn in new ways. He's very accommodating and understands that you have other obligations. All in all, a really great professor, definitely take his class!

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Amazing lectures
5.0
4.0
BIOL302
Grade: A
Feb 11, 2018
Would take again

A fantastic, passionate lecturer. This class is in the "flipped class" format, so the bulk of your learning will be done outside of class. In lectures, he will highlight key concepts that you must know, so try not to skip! All the bad reviews come from students who expect to be spoon-fed information. If you work hard, you will get what you deserve.

Gives good feedback
Respected
Caring
5.0
4.0
BIO432
Grade: A-
May 9, 2018
Would take again

I love Heideman and kind of wish he could teach every biology class at this school. You'll be forced to learn the sketches and will learn how to use them to solve problems in class and on exams. There is a good bit of preparation before each class, so time management will be key. Also, don't expect to be out of lab early.

Respected
Inspirational
1.0
4.0
BIOL204
Oct 25, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Professor Heideman spends so much time worrying about applying his research on how students learn best that he doesn't actually teach the subject at hand. I know intro bio isn't supposed to be an easy class, but it ended up so much harder than it needed to be because I don't feel like he taught me hardly anything. Do not recommend.

4.0
5.0
BIO203
Nov 1, 2018
Would take again

Professor Heideman spends all his time applying his teaching method of sketches to the course. If you are not a fan of drawing out concepts, then I don't recommend. However, intro bio isn't an easy class no matter who your professor is. Prepare to study hard and prepare to have to draw out your sketches everyday.

Tough Grader
TEST HEAVY
LECTURE HEAVY
4.0
4.0
BIO203
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 1, 2018
Would take again

Very challenging class. Flipped Classroom where he assigns new topics with videos that teach you the material. The next day he explains. If you pay attention in class and study you will be fine. 203 is a hard class whoever you take. I feel like I am currently learning very fast and effectively. Once you understand his teaching style youll be fine.

Tough Grader
Gives good feedback
LECTURE HEAVY
4.0
3.0
BIO203
Nov 7, 2018
Would take again

Professor Heideman is a great professor. I enjoyed his class and he genuinely cares and wants his students to do well. He talked about his studying methods a lot which was helpful but it was a little tricky to get the hang of at the beginning. If you put in the effort and time to understand the concepts and material, you will be fine!

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Caring
5.0
4.0
BIO203
Nov 11, 2018
Would take again

Great professor!

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Caring
5.0
4.0
BIO203
Dec 8, 2018
Would take again

Prof. Heideman is a great professor that has a lot of knowledge about effective learning and memory. The class is challenging, but he is great at helping with effective study methods. I really appreciated his use of sketches, I found them very effective for memory. Tests are all about applying the basics to complex situations. Phenomenal experience

Gives good feedback
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
5.0
4.0
BIO203
Dec 14, 2018
Would take again

He is such an amazing and sweet professor! His love for biology is contagious, but a lot of experience in college-level biology will take you far in this class. It was very challenging. The final exam was the spawn of satan, but his sketch method really helps with grasping the material.

Respected
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
Caring
4.0
4.0
BIOL203
Grade: A
Dec 16, 2018
Would take again

Paul "makes you sketch" Heideman is GREAT. He's tough, for sure, but he really cares about you succeeding and will help you if you go to his office hours. Biol203 is just a really hard class, but Prof Heideman makes it bearable. The sketches help, and he explains tough concepts very clearly. If you are a visual learner, def take Biology with him!!

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
4.0
4.0
BIO203
Grade: A-
Dec 26, 2018
Would take again

BIO203 is no joke. Intro Bio is a weed out at W&M and you will have to work extremely hard to get a decent grade. This includes sketching, reading the textbook, looking over power-points, and practicing a lot. However, Heideman really does care about your progress in the class, and will try to help you. Great man who really does care

Tough Grader
Get ready to read
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
2.0
5.0
BIOL203
Dec 27, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Pauls classes, assigned homework, and lectures are all centered around his sketches that try to convey the course material. While some people were able to make this style work, I simply could not because I am in no way a visual learner. If you cant get his sketches, it is extremely difficult to be successful and the lectures are ineffective.

Tough Grader
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
TEST HEAVY
3.0
5.0
BIO203
Jan 4, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Dr. Heideman is really nice & wants his students to succeed, but the class could've been taught better. He is adamant on using sketching for studying, and the homework & lectures were on concepts, but the tests were more on applications of the material. He was definitely the better professor my semester, but I still had to work my butt off to pass.

Skip class? You won't pass.
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
3.0
5.0
BIOL203
Grade: A-
Jan 6, 2019
Would take again

I had Professor Heideman in his first semester teaching intro bio, and I think he did alright. The homework was all sketching and took about 2 hours to complete for each class, was essential to do in order to understand the material. Lots of studying, you'll learn a lot if you put in the effort. Tests & quizzes are difficult. Be prepared to work.

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
TEST HEAVY
LECTURE HEAVY
3.0
4.0
BIO203
Grade: A
Jan 29, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Only bearable b/c he was nice. Be prepared to spend hours sketching, understanding concepts the way he sees it, and being able to conceptualize processes and ideas the way he presents them to you. Very visual. Tests not impossible, but huge time crunch. Doesn't give clear answers when asked questions. If you understand vids/lectures, youll be ok

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
Caring
LECTURE HEAVY
3.0
5.0
BIOL203
Grade: C+
Mar 22, 2019
Would take again

Prof. Heideman hasn't taught this class in 10 years, so he was super rusty in trying to teach the basics & it showed that he sort of forgot how to break down the material to students who have little to no background. It hurts because he tries his hardest to help his students outside of class. Expect TONS of sketches.

Lots of homework
Accessible outside class
Caring
1.0
5.0
BIO203
Grade: D-
Mar 26, 2019
Wouldn't take again

The hardest class I have ever taken. The hw took at least 3 hours to do per day. I met with him multiple times and told him that I needed extra help and he would just laugh and tell me not to worry. I went to the tutors he recommended and paid $15 and they had no idea what to do either. His class made me change my lifelong dream of majoring in bio.

Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
4.0
3.0
BIO203
Grade: A
Nov 22, 2019
Would take again

BIOL 203 is a pre-med weeder course, so it can get to be a lot, but Dr. Heideman does a great job of explaining the core concepts in a way that makes it easy to apply them and solve problems on tests.

Gives good feedback
Accessible outside class
Caring
4.0
2.0
BIO01
Dec 15, 2019
Would take again

I look Memory and Learning with Professor Heideman (through Phage Lab). Overall it was an okay class (class was taken over the summer, for 5 hours). The homework was reading intensive and quizzes were based off the readings. What I liked most about the class was the metacognition experiments because they helped me grow as a student.

Gives good feedback
Graded by few things
Caring
4.0
4.0
BIOL302
Grade: A-
Apr 30, 2020
Would take again

I took him as one of only a few freshman who skipped intro Bio and it was a good class. He's very passionate and provides a lot of chances to get feedback. Really focus on the sketches and make flashcards for some of the random vocab words he says in the lecture and once you get used to the tests you'll be fine.

Test heavy
Lecture heavy
Tough grader
5.0
3.0
BIOL302
Nov 25, 2020
Would take again

Professor Heideman went out of his way to make the class as informative as possible. Theres homework every day but if you do it you will be prepared for class and they are amazing study guides.

Lots of homework
Gives good feedback
Caring
5.0
4.0
BIOL302
Grade: A
Dec 5, 2020
Would take again

Tests aren't that difficult as long as you memorize the sketches and keep them handy. Multiple choice should not be that big a deal. Do the hw review so you can clarify concepts and try to come to office hours if you still have questions with any sketches. Watch out for the lab since that's a shaft.

Lots of homework
Accessible outside class
Test heavy
4.0
4.0
BIOL302
Grade: A-
Dec 8, 2020
Would take again

Good choice for a bio class if you're a visual learner. He assigns homework every class to sketch out the material you will learn in the following class, so it can be a bit difficult to understand at first. The sketches are a great way to study for the exams though, so make sure to do them. Lectures can be a bit slow, and we got behind often.

Lots of homework
Accessible outside class
Test heavy
4.0
3.0
BIO203
Grade: A
Feb 9, 2021
Would take again

Prof. Heideman is very nice and funny, and his office hours are quite helpful in terms of getting certain concepts clarified. His exams are open note/book/internet but he does make them challenging with a time crunch and he also very much emphasizes sketching to understand complicated bio themes and concepts.

Lots of homework
Accessible outside class
5.0
3.0
BIO302
Grade: A-
Feb 10, 2021
Would take again

Professor Heideman is the best professor Ive ever had. He is so passionate about the topics and is so good at teaching to learn, not just memorizing. This is the first class Ive taken where I feel like I actually know/understand the material. There is homework for ever class and lots of sketches, but everything he assigns really helps in the end.

Gives good feedback
Lots of homework
Accessible outside class
5.0
3.0
BIO432
Grade: A
Mar 10, 2021
Would take again

Don't skip class. His lectures and videos are gold since they cover almost everything on the test. Its the easiest thing in the world. Do those two things and you'll get an A. But if you have a question, do ask since he'll explain it

Gives good feedback
Clear grading criteria
Hilarious
5.0
3.0
BIO203
Grade: B+
Dec 1, 2021
Would take again

Professor Heideman is the best professor I've had here at my time in William and Mary. He keeps class interesting, engaging, and is always there to help students who need it. I personally was unable to complete the course in the semester because of external factors and he worked patiently with me until I was able to complete it- very understanding!

Gives good feedback
Accessible outside class
Caring
5.0
4.0
BIO203
Grade: A-
Jan 3, 2023
Would take again

Professor Heideman is definitely the more difficult of the 203 professors, but I can say without a doubt that I've learned more in this class than I had in any other class so far. 203 with Heideman is a GRIND- you really have to do the hw and watch the videos, but if you put in the effort it'll be so rewarding! He cares a lot about his students

Lots of homework
Caring
Accessible outside class
4.0
5.0
BIO302
Grade: B+
Jan 4, 2023

If you take a class from Professor Heideman, you'll need to throw tons of time into it. There's homework due each lecture about content he has yet to cover, and he only grades a small portion of them so you don't get consistent feedback. Not only that, exams are quite difficult and involve a lot of memorization. Nice guy, but frustrating professor.

Tough grader
Lots of homework
Online Savvy
3.0
3.0
BIO302
Grade: C
Jan 20, 2023
Would take again

The kindest man but not my favorite teaching methods. Had homework before every lecture, homework covers more than he does so DO IT. Tests were very difficult for me. The questions were long and became difficult to read. Everything is hypothetical so use your brains and you can at least pass the class. Not an easy class to breeze through though.

Lots of homework
5.0
3.0
BIO302
Grade: A
Jan 25, 2023
Would take again

Overall, a great class. Headman is super nice and really cares about how you're doing in the class. Exams were open note and open web which was great but I often found it was hard to find the time to reference the notes while taking the exam. Homework was really helpful and I often found that if you did the homework you didn't need to go to class.

Lots of homework
Test heavy
Accessible outside class
3.0
4.0
BIO302
Grade: D
May 2, 2023

I really was not a fan of his teaching style. It's based on watching homework videos and discussing them in class. There is lots of drawing and little instruction. And the tests are hard. He himself is very very nice and will work with you tho, but did not like the class itself.

Tough grader
Lots of homework
Test heavy
5.0
4.0
ANIMALPHYS
Grade: A-
May 16, 2023
Would take again

Dr. Heideman is one of the best profs i've had at WM. Animal Phys is a LOT of work outside of class, but I learned so much and honestly really enjoyed it. I would def recommend taking the lab along with the lecture if possible, super interesting as well. Heideman cares so much about his students and he seriously rocks.

Participation matters
Lots of homework
Caring
5.0
1.0
BIOL100
Grade: A
Dec 27, 2023
Would take again

Memory, Learning, and Teaching was a fun COLL100 course. Easy 5 point assignments 3x a week made up the total grade. As long as you put in some time to these and showed up to class, you're golden. I learned many valuable skills in this class. Heideman was always looking to give feedback and make sure you get the most of the course.

Get ready to read
Participation matters
Accessible outside class
5.0
1.0
BIOL100
Grade: A
Jan 3, 2024
Would take again

Professor Heideman is an amazing professor who genuinely cares about his students and wants them to succeed. He was very open to suggestions of alternative assignments if you didn't feel like you were learning well with the assignments he gave, and I had many great discussions outside of class with him. I would highly recommend taking this class!

Participation matters
Lots of homework
Caring
4.0
3.0
BIOL100
Grade: A
Mar 6, 2024
Would take again

The class was very interesting and helpful. Prof. Heideman is a great professor and does not grade too harshly, but there was so much homework for this class. The homework takes around 2 hours a night and the class is 4 days a week.

Get ready to read
Participation matters
Lots of homework
5.0
4.0
ANIMALPHYS
Grade: A
May 10, 2024
Would take again

The school is losing one of its best professors with his retirement. He expects his students to put in the work, but he literally rocks. He is so open-minded and everyone respects him, so putting in the work is sooooo validating. I'd die for him. Flipped class is tough but you learn so much more.

Participation matters
Group projects
Gives good feedback
4.0
4.0
BIO302
Grade: B
Oct 19, 2024
Would take again

Professor Heideman's class is challenging but rewarding. The homework and sketches really help solidify the concepts, and unstuckstudy was a great study tool alongside the class materials. Exams are tough but doable with diligence.

Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

41%

Textbook Required

42%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

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Predicted Grade

A-

95% confidence
Based on 38 grades
Most common grades:
A (18)
A- (10)
B+ (3)
Grade Distribution
A(19)B(2)C(2)D(2)F(0)A-/B+(13)
Based on 39 reported grades
A: 18
A-: 10
B+: 3
B: 2
Common Tags
Caring (19)
LOTS OF HOMEWORK (14)
Lots of homework (14)
Gives good feedback (12)
Accessible outside class (10)
Participation matters (6)
Test heavy (6)
Get ready to read (5)
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Ratings by Course

BIO432

5.0

(8)

BIO205

5.0

(2)

INTR491

5.0

(1)

ANIMALPHYS

5.0

(3)

BIOL 302

5.0

(1)
+17 more courses
Difficulty by Course

ZOOLOGY

5.0

BIO

5.0

ZOO

5.0

BIO204ZOO

5.0

BIOL203

4.8

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