Dr. Ma is a great professor, but he will make you figure things out on your own. He has a great sense of humor, and will not hesitate to help you out in class and lab.

You will 'really' learn something. He teaches you how to THINK by yourself.

Funny and good prof. He always has time to explain things if you go during office hours and ask questions. Gives test questions in advance. Test questions are very tough though!

Dr. Ma is the Man! He is the epitomy of what a college professor should be, he truly expands our minds! Everything I learned this semester was because of him, highly recommended and worth your time! But you do actualy have to study! Have fun!

Never had him for a class but he's a great advisor. Anytime I had a question, or needed to speak with him, he was always available. That means alot at QC because trying to find out what classes you need etc can be very difficult, esp with SEYS.

excellent teacher. some complain about not being able to understand him but i had no trouble. he really cares about the students and wants everyone to do well. extremely well prepared and very well-organized. if you're willing to put in the work (it's not easy!) dr. ma is your man.

His exams are HARD!!!!! He is a great advisor but a very very very hard professor

hard class. wants excellence. memorize entire book. straight shooting teacher. get the grade u score. not a bad guy in general but does not waver when it comes to class. available out of class for q's, go see him for any question

Dr.Ma is an excellent professor because he really makes you think. When you ask him a question de advises you to come up with the answer. His lectures are very useful because they reflect what will be covered in the tests. It is necessary to study a lot.

Dr. Ma's lectures are really helpful although it takes a bit of time to understand him cuz he has an accent. He explains well & makes funny comments! obviously for this class u have to study A LOT!!! ppl that say he's bad r just mad cuz they didn't do well in the class but he is way better than holtzman!! for this class u really have to study!!!!

Intelligent prof, knows the material well and is willing to help out those who ask for it. Lectures are not very useful, dedicated study of outlines/ppts/textbook is a must to do well. Provides practice exams/questions, which are on exams 30-50% of the time. Exams are very difficult, because they require a broad and thorough knowledge base.

Dr.Ma is a good professor. He knows what his taking about. He explains everything very clear. Study alot and you will be fine. And focus on what he tells you to focus on; and also study the review sheet.

Yes, hes soft-spoken, has an accent; but he does know his stuff. Does make up really hard questions, tricky questions. Tries to make jokes to keep the class alive. Very approachable, he is also an adviser, good listener. Make sure you know your stuff before you ask him for help. don't rely on ppt. just take ur own notes n READ!

Professor is not the best guy to approach. With a legitimate question, he will actively respond. He assumes that you read your stuff and know it. The class itself is very hard. It's not just straight out memorizing, but a lot of application of them. You should dedicate A LOT of time in this class. If you're a biology major, this is be expected.

This professor gets you ready for your upcoming classes in science. If you think he's arrogant, wait until you see Chabora. He cares for those who cares about the subject and take the class seriously. His tests are tricky, but you get lower grade scale to balance it. This class isn't just about memorizing; it's how you can apply them. Study harder.

The class itself is not an easy class. Don't expect it to be easy. I honestly think people who complain here are those who didn't do what they were supposed to as a student. Do the reading. Study on daily basis. Go to lectures. Do STUDY QUESTIONS. (most important. It will refer you back to textbook; more review) You can get A if you do the work.

The reason most of the ratings are so low for this professor is that this class is a pre-med weed out class. The people complaining didn't make the cut or got a poor grade, yet somehow think that they would do better in med school, and it's all Dr. Ma's fault. God help their patients if they ever become doctors, yet can't do well in this course!

Very difficult course, but just as interesting. Study the resources he provides (practice tests, study questions). He's a clever test writer; study hard and take the tests carefully! He's a little cheeky at times, but overall he's a nice, responsive, intellectually engaging person.

Biology at the undergraduate level is usually just about memorization. His tests aren't like that though - they assume memorization and then ask you to critically think through situations based on a huge knowledge pool. Dr. Ma makes biology as thought-based as it can be, but at the same time it makes the class much more difficult. Study hard!

Dr. Ma is amazing! The class is crazy hard but Dr. Ma is brilliant. You grow to appreciate his style and humor. Memorize everything and when you think you're done studying, study more!

Personally, I stopped attending lectures after the first midterm, so I can't comment on Dr. Ma's teaching style. I got a B in his class but I feel I would have scored higher if I utilized Blackboard (VERY important if you want to do well on the tests) more often, and kept up with the reading, instead of cramming prior to the test.

The only negative thing i can say is that he is hard, but then again the class is hard anyway. It covers a lot of material, and it's his job to make sure we know our stuff. Some questions will have multiple answers that could all be correct however u have to pick the best one when it comes to the test. in lecture he explains things in plain english

learned a lot. very clear and organized. yes he is hard and tricky, yet if you study you will do well. liked him very much. Since you have no choice beside him for Bio105, enjoy!

Class is very interesting. He expects you to read the book, so read it and understand the concepts. Understanding all the figures in the textbook are the most important, and utilize his review sessions, ask anything you want and he will help you to understand the answer. Put in the effort and this class is very doable.

He will not baby you. He is tough but fair. Focus on slides and outlines, the book is too long and slow to study. Repetition is key- go over all material 3 or more times and you WILL know it. Take advantage of practice tests and his office hours (not Daniel's). Study with a partner and keep up with class- leave it for the night b4 and you're toast.

Read the material, then look over it again. The man gives you chapter outlines and review questions. All of the info obviously isn't in these handouts, they are just there to help! He doesn't have to do it, but he does. Go to class, pay attention, and ask questions. I have stayed after class with him with questions for an hour. He's there to help!!

I had zero background in biology before taking this class, and it's been tough but interesting. Dr. Ma expects you to synthesize huge amounts of reading, and really think through how systems work and interact, understand how similar agents can behave differently in other contexts. Really tough class, but he's a very fair professor.

he is a decent professor. he knows everything that you need to know and he explains things really well if you go up to him and ask questions. this is NOT a easy class. it requires a lot of reading. dont think that you can read the textbook two days before. the best way to study is to do practice problems, watch videos. textbook is your best friend

For the most part, he is tough but fair. Keep up and study alot... if you fall behind, catching up will be hard. His tests have detailed questions and he does throw a few irritating trick questions in there. The grade scale is curved so it really isn't hard to pass, the hard part is getting above a C.

The hardest class I've taken so far in my life but the most interesting and meaningful one as well. He's definitely not easy, but having a teacher like him really makes you appreciate what you are learning even more. The times I asked for help, he always responded very elaborately and enthusiastically.

Dr. Ma will not baby you. He posts everything you need to know on blackboard and its your job to read the textbook and understand the concepts in your own time. Its not necessary to attend lecture but you do need to devote a LOT of time to this class. His questions are tricky but if you study and understand everything, its not hard to get above a C

Dr. Ma makes lecture interesting because he understands what he is teaching and does not just read off his slides. He is great at explaining graphs/diagrams. He wants his students to understand what they are learning not memorize, and it is reflected on his exams. If your are smart and hard working you will get an A.

Dr. Ma is the most misunderstood professor. He cares about his students. When Weinstein lectured, he sat in for every single one. You don't see Weinstein coming to lectures. He is a brilliant lecturer, and he will stay after class to answer questions. He is tough, but its because he wants to prepare you for Med & Grad school.

He is an amazing lecturer so interesting,going right pace. exams are hard but many questions are from HW, and if you come and ask him showing you have done real work to understand- he'll never leave u empty handed. Dr Ma- all my respect to you. The course is a weeding out one; it IS very hard. Good luck

Professor Ma might come off as rude, but he is really nice. If you ask him intellectual questions he will be more then willing to explain them to you. This class is really hard and you need to devote alot of time to it, but in the end it will be worth it! i really enjoyed this class and learned alot!

He tells you exactly what you will be tested on for each chapter. He posts review questions and his lecture. He gives detailed answers in person and on the discussion board. He is helpful, and he is a good lecturer. This class bottlenecks students from becoming biology majors or becoming pre-med. It will take up ALL your time. Put in the work.

You have to know how to study for this class. Memorization is NOT enough. You need to have a strong grip of PHYSICS and its basic principles that govern physiology. You also need to not only see the tree (signal transduction) but the forrest (how the ENTIRE organism comes together). I loved this class, even though it killed me. Thank you, Dr. Ma.

A misunderstood personality. It may take a while to get to know him (and for him to get to know you), but he is an excellent professor that is interested in his students to a degree that is unmatched in QC. Hang out with him even if you don't do well in his course. Is ALWAYS in the Science Bldg and is often ready to chat. One of QC's best

This is a very hard class to take and if you are an incoming freshmen I would suggest against it. The three tenants of succeeding in this class are reading the book before the class, going to class, understanding the concept, and by going to the review sessions. He is very helpful if you spend time with him after class or in the reviews. Good Luck

Best professor. Always available. He hates people not think thoroughly and only aims at answer. Here has no short cut. How much time you put in is the key. If you are not in bio/pre-med major, take Bio011. If aiming high, then deal with it. Read before class; do h/w; participate on discuss board, visit him once a while. All help.

Difficult class. The material itself is not so difficult, but there is much to study for. I can't blame Dr. Ma for that though. He really cares for his students as long as you show him your efforts. He may be very intimidating at first, but he's such a personable professor once you get to know him. If you expected less work, you're in a wrong class

This guy is the biggest ass on this side of the Mississippi. He literaly curved my lab classes grade all down by 10 Points!!!! He doesn't care and has no heart. If you want to do well read the book and pray.

Much has been said about Dr. Ma. Just like you, I heard the bad reputation and was very scared for Bio 105. The truth of the matter is, doing well is possible. Use the discussion board. Go over the review questions and look at old tests. Go to the tutoring department. Don't ask dumb questions; show him your pathway of thinking and he'll open up. GL

EASY A! Would take again in a heartbeat!! Do it!

You are not going to get an easier class in QC. HIGHLY recomend for anyone. Great class, will never forget!

After taking this class I found out what resilience is and what am made of. Some nights of hours of studying where not enough to memorize and understand enough to get easy B'sor A's specially on the lecture tests that compact so much information. I recommend recording lectures and transcribing them after reading 2x each chapter.

He's alright. If you bring him good questions, he will genuinely care and challenge you to think to get the answer for yourself. He does the similar thing with the study questions that he does not provide the answers. Like the half of the final was straight from the study questions... and one question that had no answer was given as a free credit.

Amazing class, would take again 10/10 IGN gr8 b8 m8

Very difficult yet rewarding course. I don't understand why there are so many spiteful reviews. If you're not planning on devoting your leisure time studying for this course, then don't take it. READ the chapters before coming to lecture and do ALL of the study questions he posts up. Take this course seriously and instead of complaining, study.

Honestly, the only advice I could give you is READ, READ, and READ - until you become near sighted. Be prepared to sacrifice every second of your free time to study for his tests. Its possible to do well. The top 6 students with the most work ethic will get the A's. The bottom half will fail. GOOD LUCK! And he cracks the best jokes - Very funny guy

Study well if you care about the subject and want to be in the field of science and/or medicine. Reading the textbook for comprehension of topics discussed in lecture is essential. Dr. Ma conveys detail with precise and raw clarity, he only expects a student to prepare, learn, and truly apply the concepts learned. Study like its your life.

If you're planning to go to Medical School it's perfect for how it will be in terms of speed of the class and knowing heavy amounts of materiel. Ma does an excellent job- You have to know the lecture materiel before classes and then he breaks it down and adds more details in. You need to put extra time & work for this class and ready to learn a lot

First off DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS IF IT ISNT REQUIRD FOR YOUR MAJOR. Yes this class is hard but it's not impossible. This class made all my other bio classes feel so much easier. If you put in the work by reading the textbook, going to lecture, doing the practice questions, and going to recitation you should do fine. Lab is 40% of your final grade.

Put it this way. This class is absolutely amazing for trashing away the unqualified science/pre-health students. If you are complaining about the averages, you are among the failures and do not deserve to move on. You can't complain about his course and his low averages and expect to move on to a medical school. Waah wehh - jeez, stop complaining!

I agree with the previous comment. This class is made to weed out those people who want to get an easy A and go to medical school. Those who complain do not deserve to go to med school. I loved this class. I read the book and made sure to go over problems. Got an A in this class!

He is one of the better bio professors at queens college. The class is not difficult but it is alot of information to memorize. The dissections are somewhat long but they better prepare you for the exams. Would deff recommend if you already have an understanding of biology

He barrages you with information. The information you MUST know as a biologist, or to pass the most basic biology class. Put in the effort, you'll learn a lot and get a good grade. Don't? You may get a bad grade or fail. Which type are you? Look at your grade and find out.

A lot of slides each lecture but his exams were fair. This class was on the easier side compared to other biology classes i have taken so far. There is only a midterm and a final each for lab and lecture so be careful when taking the tests!

One of the lighter biology courses, 1 midterm & 1 final for both lec & lab along with a few quizzes. While Dr. Ma is extremely knowledgable, this class seemed really long because his lectures consisted of 100+ slides. Dr. Ma also looks for very specific answers for the exams questions which are given beforehand so there is time to prepare.

Took him for biol 360 and people hate on this guy for no reason. You actually have to do work and he tries to give credit in quizzes and tests which are all short responses. He curves as well; He's a troll also but so was I so I got his sense of humor. If you're not, you'll hate him. The lab was def the heavier part.

Ma is the most intelligent bio professor I've taken so far. His lectures are very interesting and he knows his stuff in and out. People exaggerate for no reason-he's not bad at all. His exams were straightforward and easy if you study. Pop quizzes are so easy but study the slides before class very well. Would def take him again.

Professor Ma's BIO226 class is pretty manageable. Lectures can be long but exams are fair if you stay on top of the material. Unstuck ai was a big help for my prep - along with the textbook.

BIO360 Ma is very intelligent and knows everything. He's very clear about grading so study well and you'll do well. I did get overwhelmed with the amount of material so it's important that you attend class to know what's important since there's100+ slides/chapter. His humor is funny and not all might get it. Hes a tough grader but he means good.

I am surprised to see Ma have such a low rating. I took 226 with him, and he was a great professor. His slides and lectures were really easy to understand. He is pretty chill and was always ready to answer any questions we had. The lab was also easy, as long as you pay attention during class and study.