I think some of these reviews are too harsh on her. Yes, she is one of those professors who goes all over the place. If the course was hard it is more due to biology being a tough subject than her being some psycho who loves to flunk students. I gave average effort and got a B, probably about what I deserved. Eccentric and funny, or tries to be.

Great Professor!! Attend class and exams come right from her notes! Very Funny! Offers lots of extra credit!! But be prepaired to learn! Quizes every Friday..unless an exam! Prepairs you for a Biology degree.

she gives you all the notes you need, no suprises on tests.

She is very fair. You have to work but you get the grade that you earn.

She's great. Very helpful and understanding.

She was a very nice teacher but was confusing. We had alot of notes and had to take in alot of info in a short amount of time. She writes her quizes/exams backwards but they are relavant to the topic. SHe is very funny but I wouldnt recomend her for a freshman

great teach

incredible - intelligent, challenging prof who believes in her students

Pollak is amazing! I loved her class. She is a little scattered sometimes, though. Go to her recitations and study sessions. They are really helpful for tests. If you go to class and study this class is pretty simple.

All you have to do in this class is go everyday and take notes. go over your notes and understand the concepts. Her quizzes and tests are right from lecture and notes. Nothing tricky.

Pollak is an amazing teacher! she lays out her expectations and follws them. the class is all her writing notes and projecting them for everyone to see. since her notes are so detailed her test are too, but if you go to her recitations or just study you'll do fine. deff a prof to have if you are a bio major

This is probably one of the hardest classes I have ever taken. She was not a bad teacher, but her tests were so confusing. You really have to make sure you understand every little thing and if you dont get help. Get help from her SI though, not her.

She is really hard but if you study her notes and GO TO HER RECITATIONS you will do great. she is very knowledgeable just ask for help

Pollack is a really great teacher. She gives tests from her notes, and although she expects you to read the material, she forms tests based solely on the notes that SHE HERSELF gives you. That way you know anything that's on the test will be in the notes. Her notes are outlined very clearly and they are real organized. She's a good and fun prof

I think she was a great teacher! Shes not boring and hand writes all of her notes for you. You NEED to go to class since the tests are based on ONLY her notes.

Do not take anyone else! Gives a TON of extra credit. Her test are strictly off her notes. The weekly quizes are hard only if you dont study and the final was a piece of cake!

Dr. P hand writes all her notes which was very helpful! Keep your grade up throughout the semester and you'll do fine!

Professor P is really cool. she is kind of hippie but it works for her. She keeps everyone engaged in her class.She writes out her notes using an elmo projector and there are Quizes every friday. just remember not to talk to students around you and energy is not MADE and you will do fine in her class

Dr. Pollak is sort of eccentric, but she is a great teacher. She was very helpful and her style of teaching (includes demonstrations)made class interesting. She wrote notes as she went, and made everything very clear. Also, her tests were direct from the notes. As long as you pay attention to the notes (and what annoys her), you will do fine

She's eccentric and I thought she was hilarious. She made bio really interesting and easy to understand. I highly recommend taking her class. It's never dull and you'll leave class with a very good understanding of the subject.

Did not like her at first, but she really grew on me. Delightfully insane woman. Very funny and loves to use the students to physically demonstrate biological mechanisms (such as photosystems). COPY ALL OF HER NOTES, she is SO organized. GREAT professor. Give her a chance. She is CHALLENGING for sure, but I LOVED 181 and Dr. P.

Great prof. Truly excited about what she teaches. Does not put up with bs from talkers in class which helps others learn. Tests are hard, but all you have to do is STUDY.

Super easy class, she is very organized so all you have to do is copy her notes and study them and you will pass with an A

Sustainable botany is a blast!Lots of hands on outside work. BE WARNED: Just because you are having fun does not mean the tests are easy. STUDY FOR THE EXAMS! Half the class got D's beacuse they didnt take the 1st exam seriously. They spent the rest of the semester catching up.

Really cool but dont talk in her class or you will have to sing

Energy can never be created or destroyed, it can only be transferred. She yells at you if you say anything makes energy. FABULOUS professor. Learned loads. HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Very organized, funny, helpful

Its an interesting class and she is funny but the tests are brutal! I studied for the last test and i knew the material (i thought) but when I took the test it was way more detailed than any of her lectures. Watch out!

Dr. P made learning biology entertaining and fun. She gives quizzes on the material we learned that week, every friday. Her tests however were challenging. I thought I knew the material, but most of the questions on the test were worded in a tricky way that made it hard to figure out. However, she gives ALOT of extra credit that helps out so much.

Pollak is a great professor for this class. Her tests are hard but that's only because she wants you to think outside the box. She does a great job at keeping your attention but goes through a lot of material in a little amount of time so i would recommend not missing this class. Great teacher

Hard class. Recommend going to SI weekly. Professor isn't too bad and always has stupid/funny jokes.

REALLY did not like her class at first. She takes a while to get used to, but I got to know her she became one of my favorite professors (A little quirky). Clear on expectations and easy to take notes. Just attend class, do the Mastering Biology and you will do great! Easy tests and quizzes if you study. She also gives lots of extra credit!

She has high expectations for her students.

Dr. P gives a ton of extra credit (once a week) so it isn't hard to bring your grade up. You need to go to class everyday (especially Friday) because attendance counts at "Professionalism Points". She drops the lowest test grade and told us she would drop the 2 lowest quiz grades, but she never did.

Awesome professor, my favorite one this past semester! Very funny, and quirky. She does not spoon feed material, so you MUST study, but she is very friendly and helpful. READ the text before tests. Trust me...

Dr. P was cool, but something about this class seemed like such a joke to me. There was wide spread cheating and if I were her I would report that to the dean, but instead she threatened to call students parents. I've never takn a class that students were so disrespectful. She drops your lowest test, and two lowest quizzes, tons of extra credit!

Drops your lowest test score and turns 2 quizzes into extra credit at the end along with a ton of extra credit pop quizzes, masteringbio, etc. She makes it extremely difficult to not get an A in her class. Never read the text book once, tests are straight from the notes and the SI gives perfect reviews for tests. GO TO CLASS though!

If you are looking for an easy class, become a communications major. If you want to learn the fundamentals of Biology that will help you succeed throughout your college career, take Dr P. Just remember, go to class, study and you can't create energy. College is supposed to be challenging. If you want a degree, become a communications major.

She is rigid and her class policies are pretty hit and miss. She happened to have a really terrible Assistant Teacher when I got her. It's a pretty tough class for an intro Bio class I think (Having gotten an A in one before that didn't transfer)

She is a great professor. She writes the notes with you so its easier to keep up in class. Explains things463 well and gives opportunities to ask questions in class. Go to the SI sessions They are extremely helpful. Drops the lowest test score along with 2 quizzes. Don't ask for make ups! Know energy can't be made and order of bases is everything.

Dr. P is the best! She writes her notes along with the class so you know what is important. You do have to study for her exams but if you study the notes, you should get an A. She also is very helpful when you come to her office hours!

Dr. P is a simple teacher when comes to notes. study notes and practice exam and can get a b easily. uses people in class to demonstrate how things works which helps a lot. extra credit constantly, so if you attend and try its an A/B class.

She works hard to be entertaining and is generally pretty fun. Lots of extra credit opportunities so be sure to read up on notes before class for the extra credit pop quizzes.

Dr. P is the bomb! She lectures by writing out the notes in front of you and talking as she goes. She draws lots of pictures when needed and answers any questions students throw at her. She made me love biology and look forward to going to her class every single day! I would take one of her classes again in a heart beat.

She really emphasizes homework and her tests are much harder than any work you will ever do in class. She really bumps the grades at the end though because of the low average which balances it all out. Not bad at all overall.

Dr. P is a really great teacher. She's a botanist, so she leans more towards plant life and the relation between biology and plants specifically. She's super funny and lecture is never boring with her. I personally don't like biology, but she made it enjoyable.

Very sassy lady but loves teaching and Biology and takes great notes for us students to copy down. Very funny. Pop quizzes often and tests are hard and so are quizzes but just have to attend SI.

Dr. P is an awesome teacher. Her class is challenging because she really pushes her students to understand the material, not just memorize it. She gives pop quizzes that are only worth extra credit, which is awesome! Her tests and quizzes are hard because there will be more than one correct answer and you have to pick the best one.

Dr. P is amazing. Honestly, the class is easy if you show up and do the work. She offers a lot of extra credit and drops 1 exam and 2 quizzes. She goes really in-depth and is still very helpful.

I love Dr. P. She's such an interesting and passionate person and it shows in her lectures. Attendance is important for pop quizzes which are extra credit. Structured notes given that are exactly what is on the exam. Go to class, read for HW assignments, study your notes and you'll pass with an A no problem.

She makes her lectures interesting and interactive. She is very outgoing and she knows what she's talking about. All of the pop quizzes are extra credit so it is easy to make up for missed points in other areas. I highly recommend Dr. P!!

All of her extra credit really adds up! I ended up finishing with a 98% because she drops the lowest test grade as well as two quiz grades.

She's the best teacher and made me fall in love with Biology! With all of the extra credit she offers, I ended up with 98% at the end of the class! So funny too!

Took Sustainable Botany. Best class ever!! We went on a camping trip to a farm and also got to see Peggy's house. It's basically a gardeningplant class. We got to grow our own food. I love Peggy! She is very laid back and it's easy to get an A if you want it. Attendance isn't mandatory, but she notices if you're gone.

The actual class itself was pretty difficult for me. Especially since she doesn't post the notes she writes out online. However she is hilarious and way better than the other bio professors. She gives out random extra credit pop quizzes that really help and your lowest test and quizzes are dropped. Difficult if you don't attend class.

Dr. P is beyond the best teach by far in my entire edu career, I have never rated a professor but b/c she inspired me so much, I am. I literally changed my major to microbio because of her, she is really helpful and takes amazing notes during lecture and she draws pictures and labels them. U physically get to act as cells, for visual learning.

Take BIO181 with Pollak and go to class and you will have no problem passing. She is crystal clear and makes learning simple. She gives pop quizzes but they are for extra credit so don't worry.

She writes down everything you need to know. Going to class definitely helps because the pop quizzes help improve your grade, this is also how she takes attendance. Reading the chapters helps with the weekly quizzes. Go to all SI sessions available, they help with the little things.

Pollack enhanced my passion for the subject and kept me entertained during the lectures. My main advice is to ATTEND THE SI SESSIONS. On tests there is always the possibility for multiple answers and weekly (in class) quizzes can be tough. But study up and take this class with the best professor out there and 181 will be a breeze!

The extra credit in that class saved my grade and so did doing mastering bio

Love Peggy! She takes the notes with you in class and her exams are strait from the notes so exams are easy if you study and get the notes down. Pop quizzes are extra credit and can really help your grade. Shes a funny teacher but doesn't put up with talking or phones, she will yell at you in front of the entire class. TAKE HER!

I have had Dr. P for 181 and 182 and she is quite funny. This class was a hybrid with Dr. Montgomery and they have two totally different teaching styles. She will give you pop quizzes and their tests are not multiply choice as of this semester. They are not hand written but if you read Dr. P's notes word for word you are golden.

I took Peggy a few years ago and she seemed to be really passionate about what she teaches. I am now further into my biology academic career and I remember a lot of what she has taught me!

Dr. P is a great professor but is old school. She will not put up with disrespect in her class and expects that you actually put time into your studys. Tests are a PITA but other than that the class isn't too bad. Be ready for POP quizzes. They are for extra credit and trust me. YOU WILL NEED THEM.

She is super nice, crazy but nice. She engages the class in activities which is exciting. She is very accessible and has office hours where she will go over your test and explain what you missed. She uses pop quizzes to take attendance and has a quiz every Friday. You need to attend SI sessions to do well on the tests and to get a good grade.

She is a great teacher. Kind of scary but she gives out extra credit and is a hilarious teacher. She writes out her notes during lectures, and the notes are what her exams are on. Quiz every Friday, and gives out extra credit if you attend SI sessions.

Peggy is the (wo)man! She is super funny and so wild. Her class is hard if you don't pay attention or go to SI sessions. As long as you stay organized and actually try you'll do good. She writes all her notes out so it's easy to copy down. Take her extra credit opportunities when they're given!

Wonderful professor. She really knows what she's talking about and keeps class interesting. If you need the help, she's always available and offers a lot of it. You don't need the textbook because everything is just based off of her notes, but they are very thorough. If you attend class every day and just study the notes a little you'll pass

Dr. Pollak seems SUPER scary at first. Don't worry! She's actually a really nice, caring professor once you get to know her. However, if she is in a bad mood, DO NOT TALK. I loved her teaching methods and how she involves the class in her lectures. She's a wonderful professor that I would recommend taking!

she is very knowledgeable

Dr. P is awesome. She really cares about how well her students do and how well they really grasp the material. Her pop quizzes are all extra credit. During her lectures she creates an outline for students to copy, basically giving away the notes. There was also a lot of extra credit opportunities. I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE HER CLASS AGAIN

Dr. P is a great teacher, but sometimes she confuses herself in lectures. She appears to have a hard shell, but if you go into her office hours she is very sweet.

Should go to the class because a lot of the material she says is on the test. Wouldn't use the book because everything is online like weekly homework. Kinda a crazy teacher but taking another class with her this semester

She is super awesome and very knowledgeable. She does not treat you like a child and coddle you. Anyone who got a poor grade in her class is not a result of Dr.P's teaching, It is from a lack of trying. If you do not apply yourself and go to SI sessions you will not do well. Overall her class is great.

She is a great professor, take all the notes that are given. She is pretty funny, and makes class interesting. She tries to demonstrate the more "difficult" in class. As, well when she asks if you have any questions ask them all, she will make things more CLEAR.

Dr. P. is the best Bio teacher I have had. She seems really scary in class but go to her office hours. She is kind and caring and thinks that you, as a student, matter. Her lectures are really easy to follow. As long as you don't take everything she says seriously, she can be pretty funny.

Taking 181 with Dr. P was a breeze. She physically writes down all of the notes that she wants you to have and only her notes appear on the tests. Also, there is a large amount of extra credit, giving plenty of opportunities to get an A. I don't understand how you can do bad in this class, she explains concept very well and is very engaging!

Peggy Pollack is hands down the BEST 181 professor there is. Her lectures are basically writing outline style notes, her tests defiantly test your ability to not just memorize the material but really know what you're talking about. Overall she's very funny and super smart. I highly recommend her

Pollak is a great professor! Yes, she gets mad when other students talk in her class or uses cell phones (both will get you kicked out) but it's really not that hard to pay attention, since her lectures are interesting and she uses good examples to explain things. She really cares about her students and it willing to help if you need it.

Pollak is amazing! She gives great notes in outline format and her lectures are just as great. She gives good demonstrations of processes that make the material very clear. She is also an all around nice lady and a fountain of knowledge. Make sure to make it to class because she gives extra credit pop quizzes on days that attendance are low.

Peggy wrote her notes out for us to follow along. She also drew pictures & went out of her way to help us understand. For example, she would simplify concepts by choosing random students to pretend to be or hold a sign that said H2O or atoms and such to show processes. Her exams are easy if you read the book and study her notes for 30 mins/each day

Explained material in a manner that made sense. Was able to answer questions on the spot. Helpful office hours. Gives good feedback on tests and goes over questions that a majority of people do not get with the entire class to clarify.

Dr. P is an awesome teacher! The material is really hard and she is very knowledgeable about Biology. She is a hippy and can be really funny. Obviously, it is hard to ask questions and go into detail about things since it is a big lecture but she is very available outside of class. This class is just copying down notes, reading the textbook, and quizzes

Loved her for Bio 181. She taught us how to outline your notes in college and that is how I still do it today. She's a bit wild, but loved her flame for the subject

Dr. Pollak is a great professor. She outlines the lectures with her own notes so as long as you listen carefully and take detailed notes you will be fine!

attendance isnt mandatory but she doesnt post her notes online, so you have to go to class to get her notes. she writes the notes out along with you which is nice. pop quizzes are extra credit. tests are based completely off her notes. very little homework outside the class, just a reading and online quiz every week which is easy.

Peggy is an amazing professor and all of the tests are based off of the notes in class so if you attend class and pay attention an A is no problem. She was the best professor I've had and would highly recommend taking her class before she retires.

Peggy is the best professor for BIO 181 hands down. You would have to try to fail her class. She's a real snacc.

She is by far one of the best professors at NAU. Her lectures are amazing and she writes the lectures down with the class. If you take the time to go to office hours, she will explain material and get to know you. She gives out so much extra credit, so if you attend class you will receive a good grade.

peggy is the best bio teacher ive had at NAU so far.I literally ended bio 181 with a 108% and a hardly studied for exams. if you show up and pay attention all of her pop quizzes are extra credit and the pre and post tests are too. And, when she drops a quiz those points are extra credit too. also only tested on material she presents in class

Dr.P is an amazing professor! The course is very lecture oriented but totally worth it. She answers every question and takes extra initiative if you still don't understand. Dr.P is also fun she is quick to make jokes and play your favorite tunes before class starts.

Dr. P is a great biology teacher and is absolutley hilarious. She writes all her notes along with you on the doc cam, and honestly as long as you go to class and take notes from lecture youre going to be fine. Lots of extra credit. You only use the textbook for online homework. I failed every test but still ended with a B in the class.

Dr. P is my favorite professor. She uses examples that help you really understand the material. She's strict, but respects you if you work hard. If you work hard to understand the material and pay attention to the lectures, this class will be relatively easy for you. Biology is one of my least favorite subjects, but Dr. P made it very enjoyable.

Dr. P is an amazing professor! She uses students to give examples of large concepts and writes the lecture down! I loved her and would totally recommend and take her class again!

Read the material and complete the assignments, pay attention and dont talk in class, look forward to pop quizzes, and Dr. P is a respectable professor who cares about your education.

She is a great professor and really helps you understand the subject, the class is hard but if you put in the work she really helps you.

This class is amazing! Yes you will need to study, and yes the tests can be difficult. But, if you attend lecture, go to SI sessions, and study on your exams, there is no reason you wont get an A. This class makes you work, buy it will be engrained in your head forever!! Totally reccomend if you really want to know your stuff!

I am a biology-related major and I have taken her husbands class before (not the best because I failed his). Her lectures are super intense and you MUST pay attention even to her crazy yelling and antics in the middle of the lecture. She truly knows what she is teaching. Too bad she is retiring! Note taking is a must and exams are SUPER cumulative.