2.9
Quality4.3
Difficulty44%
Would Retake84
Reviews44%
Would Retake
84
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
84 total ratings5
17
4
14
3
17
2
18
1
18
What Students Say
“Do not take this professor, is no help and laughs at how bad her students do”
BIOL110 - 2.0 rating“She will fail you and not care”
BIOL111 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
53%
Textbook Required
14%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Improving
+0.49 avg changeRatings by Course
BIO111
3.7
(9)BIOL111
3.3
(18)BIOL110
3.1
(14)BIOL121
2.7
(3)BIO110
2.6
(38)Difficulty by Course
BIOL113
5.0
BIOL121
4.7
BIO110
4.5
BIOL110
4.3
BIO111
4.2
Reviews (83)
Get. Out. Now. Just kidding. Well sorta. Wonderful, sweet person who really does want her students to pass. She's a terrible teacher though. She's all over the place when she lectures and assumes that everyone understands Biology like she does. Will never take her again. However, extremely there for her students anytime they need her.
Dr. Griffard was a great teacher. It's biology so don't expect it to be easy but she gives tons of bonus point opportunities and she goes way out of her way to give extra reviews both out of class and online. Her tests are 50 q multiple choice and I found them very easy but that's just me. Take notes from the homework and come to class prepared.
Dr. Griffard was an extremely enthusiastic teacher and is very passionate about biology, however her class is very difficult. Her test are tough and confusing, she tries to trick you. Even if you are amazing in biology, I do not recommend you taking her class.
She is very nice person, but a horrible teacher. She moves entirely too fast. She is a major's teacher teaching a non-major course and she expects you to be on that level. She is very sassy and she wants things done how she wants them done. She is easy to talk to, but what she wants is very unclear. She assigns a lot of work.
Do not take this professor, is no help and laughs at how bad her students do.
Dr. Griffard is a very nice person and a great teacher. Her tests were easy, all you had to do was read the question correctly. She gave many bonus point assignments and was always there when you needed to review your test or ask questions about something you did not understand. I would definitely take Dr. Griffard again!!
I thought this was one of the hardest classes while I was taking it, only now do I realize how great of a professor Dr. Griffard is. It wasn't easy, but the material I studied in her class has stuck with me. I recommend visiting during office hours. As long as you spend time trying to understand, making an A is definitely possible.
Classes are long and there are only 2 tests for the entire semester. Which are super hard and not clear or straight forward.
Absolutely awful; she dedicates nearly the entire semester to these certain team projects that have groups doing 20 minute presentations every day. This inevitably limits the time we get to learn from her lectures (which are fast and confusing for non-majors). I would rather she gave us quizzes on moodle for homework than hands-on assignments.
Moves too fast.... don't take.
Dr. Griffard is an average professor. She sometimes can be annoying and expects you to know a lot about biology before even stepping in class. Her lectures will put you to sleep and the PowerPoints alone will not help you pass the test which are crazy hard. Be ready to study for days at a time if you're taking her.
I took her 110 Class it was horrible. By the third test she sent an email saying the class average was an F. Retook it with another teacher in the summer and got a B.
Griffard is tough, but only because she really cares about our success in the course. She's always available when you need her, and she gave us so many resources to help us pass the class. She connects concepts really well.
By far my favorite professor. Actually wants you to learn and comprehend the material. Dr. Griffard is very passionate about teaching the material. If you don't like challenges or to critically think then don't take her. 10/10 would take again.
Groups for class( group quizzes & tasks nothing major. 100 point opportunities (inside & mostly outside of class to get the points) 4 tests including final don't have to take final if your happy with grade after test 3. Lowest test grade dropped. Tough class but sweet lady. Wants you to understand & apply everything. Moves REALLY FAST! Have2study
She will fail you and not care. She would rather you "know" the material than even get a good grade. Her test are nothing like her objectives. To pass a test you would basically have to be able to read her mind. GOODLUCK.
Tough class, but she's willing to help when needed.
she does not teach well
I had Dr. Griffard for 110 and 111. Let me just say Dr. Griffard is an excellent teacher regardless of what you here. Having said that don't expect to just sit in on lectures and pass with an A. She often drops the lowest test, optional final (if happy with grade by the last test), and gives many opportunities to earn points and apply concepts.
She is a wonderful human being. However, in her class, she makes you feel as though you really understand the material but, everyone makes poor grades at exam time. She is a huge fan of group discussions, so her lectures are not technically "lectures".
This is legitimately the hardest class I've taken. You're on your own learning most of the material. If you have a question, the answer will be confusing. Lectures involve irrelevant story rants. Must be an excellent self learner. Accessible outside of class but little help. Our class average on tests sits between 52 and 65. No curve, no bonus.
Please do yourself a favor. DO not take her. In high school if you had a 4.0, graduated at the top of your class and breezed through Biology, STILL do not take her. Worst teacher, impossible test. She is willing to help you but her cram talk all of that was nothing like the test.
Hard. I found her class fun and enjoyable, but she's not a teacher I would really recommend. Be ready to do A LOT of work outside of the class. 3-4 hours outside to every hour of class, minimum. Very amazing person, but extremely challenging teacher.
Was a pretty challenging class overall. A LOT of work needs to be done outside of class, both before and after. She offers up to 100 assignment points, which is basically giving you a free 100% A. Even though they might seem silly, you'll be grateful for the "freebie" points at the end of the semester. Nice lady, but wouldn't take her class again.
Dr. G is a nice lady, I just don't think she's the best teacher. I found her to be very patronizing, and she really doesn't teach much in her lectures. Majority of class is her telling stories, making us watch the same video as many as 3 times, or playing demonstrative games that really aren't helpful. Be prepared for lots of work outside of class.
WORST CLASS EVER. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TAKE THIS CLASS. She is a terrible professor, the tests are never what she talks about in class. Literally would not take again if my life depended on it.
She's a sweet lady, don't get me wrong, but her tests are a completely different story. If you think you're good at biology, YOURE WRONG. I highly encourage going to tutoring and the SI sessions available (the SI, Hannah, is a doll and explains things so well).
Dr Griffard is a very nice lady but she doesn't teach good. comes to class and shows videos then tell you all to explain to each other. DO NOT TAKE her class, exams are very hard.
very nice lady, but not a good professor at all. what she talks about in class is completely irrelevant to what is on her tests.
I took Dr. Griffard for Biology 111 and I was very impressed with her style of teaching as well as her personality. She was very involved in making sure her student understood the material if you went to her and asked for help. Know you stuff, she loves to ay "'Study smarter, not harder'" remember that and you will excel in her class.
This was the hardest class of my semester, but Dr. Griffard is great. This class is hard but she really cares about her students and wants them to understand the material (not just pass). I think she's awesome and I'm glad to have her again this semester.
She is not a direct professor and requires interaction in the classroom. Her assignment points require you to actually socialize. If you are the type of person who does not like interacting with others at 8 AM, don't take her. Go someplace else to take BIOL 111. Her tests aren't bad, they can be misleading sometimes. Just read the textbook.
She redid the textbook this semester and it is VERY unorganized. Her TA's do not do what she said they would do and the directions on what to do and what is needed is not direct at all. The TA's do not voice their expectations and require you to follow their expectations. This is said to be a freshman biology lab course, but it is the very opposite
Dr. Griffard wants her students to be able to understand the material and connect biology to the real world. As long as you pay attention to the lecture and study the power points, you will pass with an A. The lowest test score is dropped. This grade is replaced by up to 100 assignment points that are fairly easy to get over the semester.
Very nice woman, however, difficult to understand. She teaches very fast and doesn't always follow what the book says. Also taught things that are scientifically false. While she is difficult to work with, she does legitimately care about her students. I did not like the class however. So much that I changed my major from Biology to Geology.
Very caring and approachable professor. Listen to her lectures and spend time studying and you'll do perfectly fine.
if you're planning on taking her be prepared to teach yourself all material and always be ready to use the textbook.
Horrible teacher. Lectures are fast and long. Does not explain things thorough. be ready to teach yourself the whole semester. i would suggest you not take her. She does not follow the book.
She gives four tests, but offers hundreds of extra credit points, and if you get 100 it replaces your lowest test grade. If you go to see her she will show genuine interest and try to help you, not just in the class but on your overall college path. The people who rated her so harshly must have been lazy as hell because this was not a hard class.
Don't take her. Just don't. Its very hard if you are not already knowledgeable in biology. I studied mu butt off for all her tests and got to the test and it was a slap in the face.
unfortunately, dr. griffard is currently the only prof who teaches bio 111 in the fall or spring at UL. so theres really no way around her. do not expect to pass this class by putting in minimal work. I would recommend trying to take this class in the summer with another professor
She offers 4 exams and 100 points in assignments. Out of the 5 grades, she uses your highest 4 grades. Yes--you have to put some work into the class and study for exams but it is DEFINITELY doable. She really wants students to get immersed into the field of biology, and she will help students get involved.
I had Dr. Griffard for Bio 110 and now for 111, and I love her class! Her teaching style is different, and a lot of people say it's difficult, but she is so helpful if you talk to her during office hours. GO TO CLASS, take notes on what she lectures, understand the concepts (not all the picky details), and you'll do fine!
She makes lectures interesting and really cares about her students.
Her test questions can be a little confusing and it took me a little while to get used to her tests, but she uses the online homework as a grade and has other opportunities for the assignment points. She's really nice if you go see her in her office and go to her cram walks She's pretty tough but if you have to take 111 definitely take her for 110.
Dr. Griffard is a great teacher. Book is pretty much only used for Connect. If you attend lectures, watch mini-lectures and do LO's you'll be fine. Concept maps are a god-send - I made one for every chapter and they helped a lot. If you visit her office she'll probably help you make one if you're struggling. Genuinely nice person and great teacher!
I am not the best test taker and a study guide would be useful. Grade is out of 400 points. She does give 2 optional test, either multiple choice or essay, but there is always a catch. Some students do well in this course, however I am not. I searched around the class for help from students, but seems as though no one is willing. Still have hope.
She usually just reads off of powerpoints when you go to class, so it gets hard to show up for class. You need to know so much information for each test. You need to constantly be studying and reviewing everything you learned. I don't suggest taking this teacher unless you are willing to invest a lot of time.
She really cares about her students and pushes her students to do their best and take advantage of assignment points Incase of bad grades on tests. Her test questions are made to where you need to know EVERY detail of EVERY concept. Study every day and keep up with the chapters shes teaching, review everyday & do your LO!!!!!!
Dr. Griffard really cares about her students and continually emphasizes how much she wants her students to understand biology. This class really challenged me all semester and it came down to how bad I really wanted it. You really have to work hard in this class to achieve the grade you want! My best advice is to find what works for you.
Great teacher! Yes, the course is difficult, but she goes above and beyond to make the material relevant and relatable. 4 tests plus 100 assignment points which you can earn however you like. Lowest of 5 scores is dropped, so avg of 4 grades is your final grade. No curving. All test questions come from learning objectives. Fill them out in class!!
Great teacher! She really cares about her students and wants them to pass. Always show up for class because she will ask questions for points. Her lectures are on PowerPoints on moodle. Make sure to do the learnsmarts! Her test are hard but only because its not based on memorization she really wants you to understand. I ended up passing with a B!
Dr. Griffard is pretty straight forward about what she expects, but she isn't straight forward about much else. Some topics you have to literally teach yourself because she skims over 15 slides. This class always stressed me out because I didn't know if I was going to learn that day or have to go home and teach myself
She was a very tough professor, but in the end she just wanted us to understand the material. I had to work my butt off to pass her class but only because I slacked at first. It was very eye opening to be challenged. If you're looking for an easy A, I don't recommend her. If you really want to learn Bio then I definitely recommend her.
Dr. Griffard is an incredible professor. She is very tough however, but that's because she teaches what needs to be taught, and what needs to be remembered for your Biology career. She's a very passionate teacher
If you do not work for it, you will not pass this class. You should take notes outside of class BEFORE COMING TO CLASS! Easy to get lost in such a big class. Do every single Connect assignment and use those LOs. Study like you have a test every week. Last minute cramming went help, tests are concept based, not memorization based.
Seriously so hard. Shes not a bad person, but she likes to show off her intelligence by being super hard. DO NOT take Griffard unless you wanna struggle real bad.
Doctor Griffard REALLY cares about the success of her students, and she provides buffers for your grades. Her tests are not easy, but with a little application, the course is a breeze. I would take her class 1,000,000 times over. I HIGHLY recommend her course.
Dr. Griffard cares about her students and wants them to pass but be prepared to WORK. All her tests are application based and are super hard. She lectures really fast so get any extra help that you can get.
Honestly, at first I really didnt like Dr. Griffard, but she became my favorite professor and now my friends and I are always in her office talking to her. Shes very passionate and just wants to get you involved in biology. Although its a big class, she does care about each and every student she has. I would recommend her over Krayesky.
Tests are dumb hard and she flies through everything. Would be a better teacher if the class was smaller. She told us that only one time in her career, the average scores for a test got up to 90.
I took Dr. Griffard for 110 and she really is a gem. Not often do you get teachers that give you everything you need to pass and then some. But the ball is in your court. If you truly want to pass, you will. The class itself was kinda difficult, because it's a lot of material. Do your connect and take advantage of all assignment point opportunities
If you get lost... That's it. You're lost.
Really cares about her students; wants us to do well, but her teaching techniques aren't good; skims over many topics at one time and usually doesn't cover the hardest topics in class. Lectures weren't helpful, which makes it hard to want to go to class. This course takes up a TON of your time. I highly recommend getting the textbook. It saved me.
Dr. Griffard really cares about her students and tries to get everyone to pass the class. Her tests are very difficult and require a lot of study time though. Make sure you get all of your assignment points because they could save you from failing. Just expect to be working really hard to get a passing grade. Her lectures give LOTS of information.
You cannot pass just by going to class and doing assignments. It helps so much going to SIs and watching the mini lectures. Her teaching style is very quick and she wont slow down for anyone, so youll have to teach yourself most of the time. Stay on top of your work and PAY ATTENTION in class. Get study buddies too and help each other out.
She is a great teacher. You may have to work for your grade a bit, but that is what college is about... working to get something. If you struggle in the class go see her and she will help you as much as she can.
I found her class extremely difficult because she gets very passionate when teaching and goes VERY fast. She is definitely willing to help you, though. Shes a great person, but I personally would not take her class again.
Dr. Griffard is honestly not what everyone makes of her. If you do your part, you will do fine in the class. She does put a lot of chapters on her test, but if you look at them as topics, and not chapters it is not as overwhelming. If you do her learning objectives, you will do fine on the test.
so caring and so willing to help, had her my first semester and took gain without hesitation. you have to work for the grade you want but definitely worth it. she is absolutely the best!!!
I love Dr. Griffard as a person. She is so easy to talk to and I love going to her office, so much that I'll think of a question sometimes to ask her. There are mixed opinions on the difficulty of her tests, but coming from someone who had Dr. Krayesky for 110, her tests were MUCH easier. She is very passionate about what she teaches and it shows!
Dr. Griffard isnt what everyone makes her out to be. I came into this class thinking it would be crazy hard but its not bad at all. Shes very excited for us to learn. Definitely study to understand concepts and not just definitions. Your grade isnt handed to you, but if you put in the work your grade will reflect that.
Her lectures are the worst lectures ive ever gone to. shes horrible at teaching. we only have 3 tests but we learn like 30 chapters so each test is on 8-10 chapters. only way to make an A is to literally study every single day. its ridiculous. if you have the option to take krayesky, do it.
The only reason for going to class is to hear what Dr. Griffard talks about the most because that is what will be on the test. Her wording on tests is difficult, but that is the wording on the MCAT.
Dr. Griffard makes students participate in her lectures. I understand her philosophy of wanting to engage with the students and the students to engage with each other but I wanted no part. I much more appreciate conventional lecture. Her tests a very doable with a lot of studying. She also has lots of extra credit opportunities.
Overall, I liked Biol 111 with Dr. Griffard, especially her grading system with assignment points. I understand her philosphy in the classroom with lots of big picutre, but that made the tests harder. Honestly, I had to learn the small details on my own and study things not gone over in class to make good grades.
Great person and very knowledgeable but tests were worded poorly at times and you never knew what was going to be on the test, making it very difficult to study.
Dr. Griffard is an amazing Professor. Her classes are very engaging and entertaining that helps you understand the topics more deeply. She is always available and open if you need help with anything. Her class is easy if you participate and do the homework.
Dr. Griffard is absolutely amazing. her class is hard but you have an opportunity to earn 200 bonus points. I failed 3 out of 5 test and still passed with a C. she is very enthusiastic and really cares about her students. I would take her for every class if I could. she keeps a boring class very fun and engaging.
Awful. Failed every single test. Even after pulling all nighters. Assignment points saved my grade.
Professor Griffard definitely cares about her students and has a clear passion for teaching science, but I found her pace to be extremely fast and topics were very scatterbrained. Be prepared to do lots of reading, quizzes, and studying. This class definitely kicked my butt, you will need to put in full effort for this class.
Although Dr. Griffard has much passion for teaching Biology, her style of teaching is better suited for those who can grasp the many concepts easy, quickly, and efficiently. Her tests were challenging in the sense that they focused on specific and small details, when the lectures, PowerPoints, and homework was focused on a broader scale.
Although everyone's taste is different, she was not the professor for me. Many people who have majored in Biology loved her. So if you are willing to give up your free time and every waking moment studying biology, take her class. You will have to teach yourself, the tests had things you did not go over in class. However she is sweet. Good luck!
Class Info
Attendance Mandatory
53%
Textbook Required
14%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Improving
+0.49 avg changeRatings by Course
BIO111
3.7
(9)BIOL111
3.3
(18)BIOL110
3.1
(14)BIOL121
2.7
(3)BIO110
2.6
(38)Difficulty by Course
BIOL113
5.0
BIOL121
4.7
BIO110
4.5
BIOL110
4.3
BIO111
4.2