Took him for invertebrate zoology. Class was great, very interesting. He tells you what to expect on tests and gives you a study guide. Not an easy A by any means but very do-able. It can be hard to understand what he says sometimes because of his spanish accent but he's always happy to answer any questions that you have.

This class was an elective for me. Dr velez was very helpful and i learned so much from his class.you are expected to put in the effort of reading the book prior to the lecture to gain maximum knowledge during class.If you have any questions, ask him!! he won't hesitate to repeat himself as many times as you need. This was a very fun class!TAKE IT!

Organismal Bio class was challenging;a lot of material covered but Velez was great as far as clarifying confusion and always made time to answer any questions. Be prepared for memorization. He is enthusiastic about systematics and is knowledgable in many areas. Had a lot of laughs...Great professor.

I took professor Velez for genetics. He’s a hard professor, but if you work hard and study a lot, you’ll do very well in the class. Professor Velez is always in his office to help. His tests require critical thinking, but if you study, you’ll be able to get through them. This is not an easy A, but if work hard, you’ll get a good grade.

What you put in seems to be what you get out of his courses. A good teacher with a lot of enthusiasm for the subject material, Velez designs his tests to separate those who studied from those who did not.

This course was really interesting and was also tough. Come to class prepared, do the work and put in the effort and you can do well. Dr.Velez was willing to meet outside of class hours to answer questions, etc. He has high expectations but is fun and engaging. Don't expect an easy 'A'. His enthusiasm for the material is obvious. Worth the work.

This was a good class. I had to study for it, but I knew exactly what I had to study and as long as I focused on that I did well. The professor is also quite fun and enthusiastic. I have a much greater appreciation of invertebrates now. The labs were also quite exciting and we got to have fun with live specimens like a tarantula and sponges.

Lots of material and information to learn. To get an A in this class you must study and put your time into it.Start constructing your trees early. This will help you get an A in the class. Prof. Valez is an excellent teacher. He is always available during office hrs. and he is very knowledgeable in the materials that he teach.

Prof. Velez is the best i have ever had! Very knowledgeable and willing to teach and impact knowledge. I will highly recommend him for anyone that considers themselves to be student. I did not have to memorize so much becos he explained things till i got it plus he is a fair grader and you can get A if u do the work. Exceedingly helpful and funny!

I was interested in the material to begin with, but his enthusiasm made it even better. Read the book, get the big picture, then pick up more details each time you run through the material. Some things are just brute memorization, but not that bad. Some people struggled, but I think anyone can do well if they study effectively. Great guy!

Professor Velez is hard but enthusiastic. He expects a lot of work in return. Use his study guides to help focus the reading and memorization efforts. If you have time, go back and read all of the text to fill in concepts. Practice writing well! A lot of time is spent on systematics and phylogenies, so spend time drawing trees.

Prof. Velez is extremely hard so be prepared to work!!! However he is also very helpfull and is available for extra help whenever he is in his office. So if your willing to put the time in I definitely recommend him!

Professor Velez is great. Very informative and has high expectations. His classes will challenge you; but in a good way, where you feel like you really accomplished something afterwards. Be prepared to work!! (He's also pretty amusing)

So I took him again for the 2nd time and I must say he is absolutely wonderful. Extremely wonderful and a fair grader although he will make you do the work. Every student needs a Prof of his kind at least in a life time. He is a must take so take him by all means if you can and you'll learn I great deal bcos I haven't regretted for the times I did

Prof. Velez is a great teacher. Very personable guy. He has high expectations for all of his students.You will have to work hard for his class, fair grader, but you will gain a lot of knowledge. He is also very good lecturer and funny guy, so you won't fall asleep in lectures. His class will prepare you will for any other college or grad courses.

Professor Velez is really good. He is always available to help his students, and he is very passionate about the subject. The class requires a lot of work though, it is a tough class for an introductory course.

Prof. Velez is a very personable and engaging teacher who expects his students to work hard, but he also expects to work hard. He always answered emails in a very timely way and was open to a change in assignment after listening and discussing with his graduate students. I learned a lot in his class!

Professor Velez is a very intelligent and passionate teacher. He taught us with highly organized plans that can help us in the best way. I could not believe how much we learned in short time. He helps each students in class as much as he can. This class was the best class in the program so far. He is a great teacher.

Very engaged professor. Dr. Velez expects you to work hard and to participate in class, which seeing as you are paying to be here in school, is not an unreasonable request. I learned a lot in this course, not only the relevant course material, but also some basic/intermediate computer skills and troubleshooting. Overall, a great professor.

I loved this class. It was more hands on and Dr velez was very helpful. I learned a lot and I improved my computer skills.If you have any questions, ask him!! He won't hesitate to repeat.

Solid professor. Very knowledable. Understanding and helpful.

He is a great professor, very knowledgeable, and helpful. But keep in mind he is a hard professor hard grader on the tests but you will learn, and he tries to make it up (ur grades) with the labs. I really recommend him, plus you will learn a lot bioinformatics ;) and that will help you in the long run.

Genetics is not the easiest of classes. You can not just sit back and expect to get a high grade. If you put effort forth you will be rewarded though. Prof. Velez cares about his students and wants everyone to do well. Mid way through he had the class give reviews on how he could help us better. It really shows that he cares how his students do.

Genetics is a hard course, so you need to put in the effort. Velez is a great professor, very helpful, extremely nice in person, not very hard grading vise, interesting but definitely not laid back. I repeat, Genetics requires a lot of work. It's a very interesting course to take. So, I do recommend taking it with Velez. He is an amazing professor.

Genetics will be a hard class no matter which professor you take. Dr. Velez expects a lot but as long as you study and put the time in you will do fine. He gives hints as to what will be on the exam and he is really nice. He is also a fair grader he will give you lots of partial credit even if you don't know the answer completely.

Dr. Velez is one of the best instructors I have ever had. This is my 2nd class with him I look for his classes because he can convey hard material in an easy way to understand. He's tough but fair and if you put the effort in you can get an A. He doesn't try and trick you with odd questions and is always helpful in clarifying any questions you have

He is a really good professor, he is very knowledgeable and very helpful. He does make you work hard for a good grade though, but if you put in the effort its not too hard to get an A in his class. Attend to his lectures and pay attention to what topics he concentrates the lectures on, that is basically what he puts on the exams.

Genetics is a tough course if you do not put the book to use. But, Professor Velez is a very fair grader and gives you many opportunities to get a better grade. Do the reading, practice problems, and old exams and you're guaranteed to at least a B in this class.

Very tough professor, but you will learn a lot. Be ready to put time in but if you do you will do fine! He truly cares about his students.

challenging class and challenging professor. If you want the A, you need to put in the hours outside of class. If you're lost, Dr. Velez won't hesitate to help. He wants to see you succeed! You'll be going through the entire book so it's imperative that you read it. If you don't you'll be lost. Would highly recommend if you're up to the challenge.

He is a really good professor who cares about his students and is willing to help in any way. He requires that you work hard and understand the material for exams but will give partial credit when due. I am very glad that I took genetics with him and really enjoyed learning about the material. I would highly recommend him.

You can tell Professor Velez cares about the course. You goes out of his way to record detailed lecture videos and is always ready and willing to answer any questions you may have. His exams are challenging and can be tricky, but they help you become a better test taker. He is passionate about biology, as evidenced by his excitement during labs.

Prof. Velez's exams are tough, but straightforward. Most people do horrible in first couple exams only because they underestimate that it's an intro course. However, if you follow his direction, and study exactly what he tells you, you shouldn't have a problem getting 90+. He provides plenty of labs/quizzes to make up grades as well!

Taking Dr. Velez's class is a great opportunity for any student, whether you like biology or not. He goes out of his way to post online lectures that help tremendously and he sincerely wants his students to do well. His lectures are always captivating and students learn a great deal about how biology affects our daily lives.

Attendance was not required for Dr. Velez's class but I went anyways because I loved listening to his lectures. He has a very good sense of humor. Moreover, he provides his students with power points, videotaped lectures, and detailed study guides so there is no way you could fail as long as you put in minimal effort.

I took Velez for Organismal Biology. Although the class is quite difficult, Velez posts lecture videos as well as PowerPoints for each chapter and attendence is not required for his class. You get full credit for lab as long as you show up, which helps your grade. Prof. Velez is dedicated to his students and his passion for cockroaches is adorable.

I had Professor Velez for Organismal Biology. There was a lot of information to digest in his class, but he presented it in an organized fashion that made it easier to understand and retain. The course may present a challenge to some, but Professor Velez will do all he can to help you along.

I took BI 140 and Genetics with Dr. Velez and in my opinion he is one of the best professors at WSU. Very knowledgeable, funny and makes the class interesting. Keep up with the schedule, go to lab and pay attention to the lecture. In case of help needed Dr.Velez will be more than willing to help. Take his class and you won't be disappointed :)

Very hard teacher, but yet respectful to his students and is very passionate about biology. Read book, lecture notes and make flashcards, and all is well.

The class is not an easy A. However, Professor Velez is fair on exams and gives partial credit. If you read the chapters and focus on what he emphasizes in class you will be fine. His exams are not easy multiple choice and required thinking but this kept me motivated to study. Through the process I learned a lot and would definitely recommend him.

Challenging class where you have to work hard to earn your A. Dr. Velez is very helpful and fair on his exams. His practice exams give you a very good idea on what will be on the exam and he pulls a good amount of questions right from the practice exams. Read the chapters and GO TO HIM if you have any questions. He is more than willing to help.

He's probably the most challenging bio professors in the school. However, he is very helpful and if you excel in the class, you will be more than ready for more advanced courses or perhaps medical schools you applying to.

Very hard course, but I loved it. As somebody applying to medical school this coming cycle, I felt that this is exactly the type of challenge I needed. Prof. Velez is there as a guide who will answer all your questions, but he expects all of his students to study efficiently and take exams that make you think outside the box. Great course!

Good guy. Loves what he does. Pay attention on lectures and you will do fine.

Super easy as long as you do the readings and watch the lectures. He will answer questions and tell you what you can do to get a higher grade. As long as you do all of the writing assignments you'll be fine on the tests! I would recommend this class

I would definitely recommend a course with Professor Velez. He was very clear in his expectations of us. He posted lectures which were helpful and easy to follow. Do your work and you won't have a problem.

This course was fast-paced, but the expectations for what to know were very clear and reasonable. As long as you follow the lectures and dive a bit into the book (the lectures highlight what to focus on in the reading), you'll do well. Prof. Velez is helpful and approachable, and I came away learning way beyond what I expected.

I took this class over the wintersession for my lab requirement. Velez was very clear on the assignments and labs, which eased my mind. The tests and labs were an easy A as long as you put effort in and studied. This class was a much better choice rather than going to labs for a whole semester. Definitely recommend.

Velez is passionate about BIO, I took the course because I needed a 4 credit lab but he made the class totally painless for me. It was an intersession course. So the class was 9 days long and I got an A in it. ( its not impossible to do). Quizzes every night, labs due next day in class (they're fun) and 4 exams. He's good about emailing back

I took the class over the winter session and I highly recommend it, It was two weeks but very doable and if your class works together and shares answers to the quizzes those exact questions are on the exams and final, easy A class and he is very nice and let's you do the labs all by yourselves as long as you do the lab, full credit.

I took this class over winter break, and got an A. It is completely doable as long as you complete the labs, share quiz answers with each other because those questions are the exact ones on the exam, and study. He is very clear and the nine day course flew by and was definitely worth taking for 4 credits.

Took this for winter intercession lab, was terrified of a science lab but this was great. Essential to work with others in the class on labs and to study for quizzes and tests together, you must put work in every single day to succeed but I got an A so definitely save some time to read and study and you will do well!

I took BI 101 with him over the winter break and I loved his class! He's one of the best professor I've had at WSU! He explains everything and is willing to help you succeed. If you study all the material he goes over you can get an A. It really makes a difference when you have a professor like Velez who wants you to learn and enjoy the subject.

Easy going guy, but not easy tests. Keeping up with online lectures were tough, but there were plenty of materials given to us to succeed in his course. He has office hours for extra help.

Dr. Velez is a great professor! The material can be difficult, so get ready to spend a lot of time studying. He makes things easier by recording each of his lectures and making them available online. He also created a course study guide that was extremely helpful! He tends to repeat questions on exams which is odd. Labs were always short.

Great class and very enthusiastic professor! You'll have to work for your grade, but the material is presented clearly and Dr Velez is always willing to help. I learned a *lot*

I would definitely take Dr. Velez again. You will have to put the effort and work in order to learn and understand the info. If anything is confusing, Dr. Velez is always there to help. If not in office, then in email.. do not be afraid to ask. He is very open to any suggestions. Make sure to go over his past exams. Boo is needed

Dr. Velez is def. one of the best professors in the bio dept. Genetics is a tough subject but he really does try to help you get a good grade in the class. He gives old exams as practice which he bases the new exams off of. So you better do well! His grading is extremely fair and he is an understanding guy. I highly recommend taking him!

Dr. Velez's 6 week summer class covers a lot but is manageable. I took the blended class, with online discussions, and in class meetings for the labs. Work with your classmates as he insists, you can easily get a good grade. He is a nice, laid back and helpful. You NEED to buy the lab workbook, but not the textbook because he posts power points.

Dr. Velez is very nice and helpful. This class may seem difficult in the beginning for the students having very less computer knowledge, but Dr. Velez tries his best to help you succeed.

Programming in Biology was a well thought out class that covered a variety of topics that may be useful for professional biologists. The homework's range from straight forward to challenging. Even though the assignments can be difficult, Professor Velez is very responsive and more than willing to offer hints or tips to complete the homework.

Good class, learned some things, but expect to have to do some work. Some lesson assignments were easy some were difficult and time consuming. Lots of figuring things out and problem solving but overall great experience and I learned something. Would take again without question.

I did not imagine that this course would be so useful to me. I learned really interesting things and the professor conveyed the fascination of programming. Moreover, the teacher is very well prepared and the course content is very well organized. Definitely, I would take a course with this professor again!.

Professor Velez is extremely straightforward in what he expects from you as a student. His lectures go quickly sometimes, but he posts everything on his website for you to look at. He also posts practice exams to study from, which are very helpful in preparing for the real exams. Overall, one of the best biology department professors.

I really enjoyed genetics with Dr. Velez. If you put effort into the class, pay attention in lectures, attend lab, and go over the past tests he gives you as review for the exams, you will do well.

Professor Velez really knows his stuff and is very enthusiastic about teaching the material. He tells you exactly what he expects from you throughout the semester and his tests are very straight forward. His lab is super easy too which is a nice bonus. I highly recommend taking a class with him.

Dr. Velez is a great professor! His lectures are interesting and he sets up the course so that if you put in the time&effort you can learn the material and perform well in the class! :) Exams are hard but he gives you practice exams which are pretty close to the actual ones. Also he spreads around the points so that no one thing can sink your grade

Professor Velez is a must have professor if you're a biology major. Genetics is not an easy class but if you put in the effort, do the review packets before the exams, and ask questions, you will be fine. Despite the tough subject matter, I really enjoyed the class with him and would take him again.

Professor Velez has a Ph. D. (in phylogeny I think) so he knows his biology very well. BIO 140 Intro to Organismal Biology is a tough course with a lot of material and vocabulary to learn but Professor Velez is happy to explain any concepts you do not understand from your reading of the text. He responds to emails quickly and is a funny guy.

Class was fun. Prof. Velez is smart and very helpful.

He is very knowledgeable in his field, and has good sense of humor. I liked that the course accommodated different learning styles, ppt.s were supplemented with video lectures; and there were projects, and quizzes option to choose from. He is clear about his expectations . He responds to email quickly, which other professors don't do.

Lectures and labs were very useful in learning the course material. Very helpful with any questions in or out of class.

Good professor who makes it clear on what you need to do to get an A. As long as you work together with classmates and put in an effort, you should be able to get an easy A because all the answers are given to you. The key is working together with the class and you should be fine.

I took a winter Bio Lab with Mr. Velez. I'm so happy I decided to take it over the winter instead of the school year. Every night you need to do two quizzes that are only 5 questions each so they aren't bad at all. You also take four exams which are the SAME questions that are in the quizzes. This is an easy A if you just study some.

Even though his online lectures are long, you can just download the slides and review them there. Overall this guy is very nice, and wants you to succeed. Put in the effort and work with classmates, it should be an A.

Great professor who truly loves the subject matter. You definitely need to put work into the class, but as long as you review the lecture slides, study, and put a modest effort in, you should get an A. There are no surprises in this course. Everything you need to know is laid out on day 1. Highly recommend Dr. Velez.

Professor Velez is an extremely intelligent person who can really give you insight to biology if you are interested. This class was not a very difficult course if the effort is put in! I received an A with flying colors but I did put the effort in.

I took the 9-day intersession bio lab class with Velez, and would definitely recommend it. He's super helpful during the labs if you need it, and the syllabus is very clear. One/two labs per day, two online quizzes per night, and four in-class tests in total (all the same questions from the quizzes). Study and ask for help when you need it, easy A.

Dr Velez is a great Professor, he was prompt in his response to questions I had about the class before it started, which were very detailed and thorough. As a part time student (business major) with a full time career, the winter session class is perfect for anyone who needs to take a 4 credit lab that is not a Bio major.

Velez is very helpful and cares about how his students are doing in his class. His lectures are interesting and he is brilliant. You will learn a lot by taking his class.

I have previously taken genetics with Dr. Velez and took him again for this study abroad in the Dominican Republic class. If you need a lab NSP or an upper level biology elective, I would HIGHLY recommend taking this class. It was by far the best class I have ever taken. The trip was absolutely amazing, and Dr. Velez is the perfect professor for it

Prof. Velez is an unprecedented professor and by that I mean, HE CARES! He wants you to have an enriched educational experience. He wants you to learn! He shows this in every way. When things get tough (which they sometimes do- I mean, this is a University) he is always willing to help you perform your best! Very open and personable. Recommended.

He was my professor while studying in the Dominican and it was nothing less than the most amazing experience of my life. Professor Velez engages you with the community and environment so well by the end of the trip everyone is begging to stay. The online lectures and quizzes were the perfect difficulty for the trip. He did an incredible job.

The Dominican Republic trip was the best thing I have ever done. You are submerged into the environment and get to spend time with the people of DR. Dr. Velez is extremely knowledgeable of the plant and animal life as well as the culture. I would recommend anyone to take this course.

DR. Velez is an experienced and knowledgeable professor, he takes the time to explain what the subject is about and what is expected from students. His enthusiasm about the subject he teaches makes class fun and easy to understand. The DR faculty-baded trip is definitely a must, it's an experience that will change the way you see your surroundings.

Dr Velez is one of the top professors at the university, but be warned if you don't put the time, participation, and effort in to studying and understanding the material. You won't do well. he expects you to study hard and in return you gain a true understanding of the material. He's a great guy, great professor and everyone should take him.

Dr. Velez is extremely passionate about what he teaches. I had him for genetics, which is a somewhat difficult class, but if you are willing to put in the work he is most definitely willing to help. I also went on the FLP to the DR which was an absolutely amazing trip that I highly recommend to anyone, regardless of your major. All around great guy

One of the best professors I have ever taken, well rounded. He made me love biology again, and it doesn't hurt that he is also very attractive. But in all reality, he is a very knowledgeable professor, whose enthusiasm for science and approach to teaching, helps you understand your classes better.

This class is fun and awesome class. He is very helpful

Doctor Velez is an awesome Professor and an all around great guy. He is very passionate about what he teaches and he hopes that you will be passionate to learn about it too. I had him for a faculty lead program to the DR which counted as a upper level elective Bio Lab and it was the most life changing learning experience I've had. Would recommend.

The best professor to ever walk into WSU. Helpful, Amazing, great person and teacher are a few of the qualities that define him. He is my man crush monday every week. I had the pleasure to take multiple classes with him, and he is a great professor, sometimes is harder to keep track of what he says since he has a sexy accent and personality.

I went to the Dominican Republic with Professor Velez for a LAB Credit. I was amazing, completely worth the money, as a non-bio major this was a great way to learn more about biology without failing a regular in class lecture. It was the perfect mixture of science and exposure to the culture of the Dominican. Dr. Velez was a great professor.

Professor velez is amazing. I took the DR trip with him and I can't imagine going with a different professor. He's very knowledgable and wants you to learn. Always willing to give you extra help if you need it. He can be a little tough but in a good way. You'll walk out of class knowing more than when you walked in!

Dr. Velez is easily one of my favorite professors on campus, especially going on the faculty led program to the Dominican Republic with him. It's truly amazing how knowledgeable he is and the trip was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Aside from learning biology, the trip is a major eye opener to life in a 3 world country Highly recommend

Professor Velez is AWESOME! He knows so much information and is so passionate about biology that he really wants to share all of his knowledge with you and he wants you to learn so much. I went on the DR trip with him & it was one of the best experiences of my life, 10/10 would recommend going on this trip and taking this class. You won't regret it

By far the BEST professor at Worcester State University! The DR class was the most amazing, humbling experience I could have ever asked for. I enjoyed the learning process because we were in contact with nature all the time. It was truly refreshing to obtain knowledge from such an amazing professor that way.

He is one of the best professors at Worcester State. For lectures, he gives you practice exams which help out a lot! He also has his own website where he puts videos of himself teaching the lecture, so attendance is not required. He is very clear and helpful. He doesn't want his students to fail.

amazing teacher!

Dr. Velez is a great professor! You just cannot find something bad to say about him! I took every possible class I could with him because his classes are so much fun. He is very knowledgeable and intelligent! I also had the opportunity to go to the DR led trip and I do not regret it one bit! It was an amazing experience and I recomend it 100%! :)

I took BI-140 as an online hybrid-loved it. lectures are pre-recorded and uploaded online so you can watch at your own pace. Labs and exams are on campus so you can still build a rapport with him. review before his exams pretty much give away what will be on the test, but they do still require studying and can be tough.

Dr. Velez is my favorite professor! Hes funny and cares about his students. Hes fair, organized, and rarely gets off track. His expectations are clear and consistent. Classes are lecture style (less interactive) and fast-paced but notes are posted online. He doesnt answer questions that can be found in the syllabus. Tests are based on the book.

This wasn't the hardest class i have every had, but this might be because he was a effective teacher and i didn't feel like i was getting swamped with information. Keeping it simple i loved going to his class and i remember and use the information from class

I took Dr. Velez for both Genetics & Entomology which he taught with two completely different styles. Genetics is tough no matter who you take it with, but he knows his stuff. Entomology honestly was my favorite class I've taken at WSU & I would recommend it to anyone. I learned SO much & it was so fun. He loves the material and so will you.

I have taken a couple courses with Dr. Velez. He is a professional educator that expects his students to do their part. You will get the grade based on your effort. He's approachable and always willing to help out when you need it. He clearly explains the information and his expectations for the course. One of my favorites at WSU.

He is a pretty amazing biologist and all around professor. I had the opportunity to take the study abroad trips to the Dominican Republic and the Amazon Rain Forest. He was not only caring for each of his students, but also was able to incorporate a great amount of knowledge into each day. I would love to take any other class with him.

I simply love how much I learn when I am around him during classes and also during office hours. The trip abroad to the Amazon was a life changing experience. It was very eyeopening and instructional. I am willing to repeat this trip as many times as I can. Dr. Velez is extraordinary.

I took genetics over the summer thinking it was going to be overwhelming, which it was, but not as bad as I thought. It takes a little while to get use to his accent but you will. His exams were challenging but absolutely do able. If you do his practice exams and watching his lectures you will pass! Take him, you won't regret it!

If you take his class, make sure you take this thing seriously. He gives you everything you need, from making his own videos for chapters to his own simple notes (which the quizzes/tests are based off on). If you don't take his class seriously, you will fail.

Follow the readings in the book along with the lectures and put effort into your essays and the grades will be easy

If you're a non-science major and you need to take a lab, take it with Dr. Velez. He understands why you're there and doesn't make things more difficult than they need to be. That being said you still have to do the work but you are given everything you need to get an A.

Took him over winter break for a Bio 101 lab and it was really easy! We had two quizzes every night for homework but they were not hard (you can google them) and the exams are the same questions that are on the quizzes. Our class worked together and made a google doc of everyone's quiz questions and answers and studies from it and everyone did well

I would take his class again. Had him for bio 140 and genetics. Learned a lot in both and got an A in both however I did put a lot of work and time into the class. Genetics source was hybrid so there was a lot of studying at home but tests were reasonable and he answers very quickly by email

If you are serious about your education you will do well. I took Dr. Velez for genetics, which I found challenging. I had to work hard for my grade. This professor cares about your learning experience and wants you to succeed, so ask questions and send in those rough drafts. Exams: open ended about lecture topics. Quizzes: mult. choice online.

Really great class, learned so much . The class has a lot of material but Professor Velez is great at helping you understand it. Really involved in helping his students succeed.

This was the study abroad to the Dominican Republic trip. You get to experience the culture, eat amazing food, see breathtaking views, and many more! Dr. Velez was extremely awesome and made the trip really enjoyable. Very little class (online) work to do and then you leave for the trip--there's a lot of hiking as well.

This was the best class ever!! There is only 4 pr 5 easy online quizzes you have to take before you leave and all but 1 can be retaken until you gat a 100! The trip was the most amazing, and eye opening expericience for me ever!! Dr. Velez is the best, and he makes the trip even better with his passion for Biology!!!! TAKE THIS CLASS!!!

This was a study abroad trip to the Dominican Republic. Awesome experience!!! Would highly recommend to those who are interested.

The study abroad trip to the DR was the most amazing trip I have ever experienced. There was a lot of hiking and the trip was exhausting but I would do it again in a second. There were a few quizzes we had to take before we left but they were extremely easy. Professor Velez knew so much about the DR and made the trip so enjoyable for everyone.

The study abroad class called Environmental Protection and Human Rights that travels to the Dominican Republic is a must take for an upper level Biology elective for Biology majors! Professor Velez knows so much about the community that it is an experience you cannot get anywhere else. Highly recommend.

This class was the Faculty Led Study Abroad Program to the Dominican Republic for Spring Break and this class was AWESOME! It's a bridge between learning and seeing environmental factors on the island and how they affect its inhabitants and about sociological issues within the 2 countries on Hispaniola (DR & Haiti). I recommend this class heavily!!

His class can be tough if you don't keep up with the work. Otherwise everything is posted online, lectures, quizzes and some labs. Professor Velez website is easy to use and well organized. The labs are super fun and your guaranteed to learn something new!

Professor Velez is one of thee most knowledgeable professors I have come across in my 4 years at WSU. His BI401 course to the Dominican was one of the greatest experiences and I truly believe without him as a professor that experience wouldn't have been possible. He is an all round great person and professor and more than happy to help his students

I went on Dr. Velez's May DR trip not knowing who he was since I'm not a biology major. He is one of the most caring and helpful professors I've ever had. If you don't understand something or need help, he will always make time for you. He gives great advice about graduate school & anything bio related. He cares about his students and it shows.

The entire time during the course I kept thinking THIS PROFESSOR IS A TROVE OF INFORMATION. Stay close to him- don't wander off during walks/lectures. Also, take the time to actually read the textbook. It is very well written.

Dr Velez is an amazing professor! I took his genetics course and also went on his faculty led programs to the Amazon Rainforest and DR. He is probably the most knowledgeable person Ive met. He cares a lot about his students and goes above and beyond to help you out. Awesome guy; definitely had the biggest impact on me at WSU. Highly reccomended

I took a few classes with Dr Velez. He makes you work for your grade (which you should expect to do in college) but is an excellent professor. His lectures in class are super helpful and are accompanied by online lectures in case you happen to miss class. Hes more than willing to help you succeed and cares a lot about his students! Best at WSU

Taking this trip to the DR with Dr. Velez was one of the best courses I have taken at WSU. He is so passionate about what he does, he is very knowledgeable on a well-rounded spectrum and really makes the most of the class. He is very reasonable and professional and is always willing to work with you as long as you show him respect and participate!

One of the smartest people I have ever met! I studied abroad with him and had the time of my life, while also learning more than I ever had before. His countless life experiences make him interesting to listen to and make every convo/lecture exciting. Show him you care& you will see that he cares EVEN MORE! Wish I had every class with him!!

Some difficult content but if you apply yourself, you will do fine! Very clear lecturer who really knows what he is talking about. If you need help, just ask him! Take good notes and don't procrastinate. This class is interesting and very manageable. I loved learning from Velez and will sign up for classes with him in the future!

I took Genetics and the DR course with Dr. Velez. He is honestly the best professor you can ask for. He is always available for anything you need outside of class. He is compassionate. During the trip I realized how kind and respected he was. All the locals love him and he goes above and beyond to help anyone and everyone.

I went on the Faculty-led trip to the DR with Dr. Velez TWICE. The first time was just not enough. Professor Velez is an inspirational leader, who is constantly overflowing with knowledge. He explains curriculum in a way that is easy to understand for bio & non-bio majors; the experiences carry the lessons far longer than the duration of the trip.

Only thing to worry about are the tests, based directly off the study guide

I attended the DR trip with Dr. Velez for the spring 2018 course and it was truly one of the best courses I have taken at WSU. He is one of the most knowledgeable, passionate, hardworking professors I have ever met. He makes the trip into an eye-opening, learning experience that I believe will positively influence anyone who takes the course.

Great class!

Best professor I've taken and would take more classes with him if I had the chance. This course was hybrid, lecture online and lab in class. Very helpful in lab and very approachable. Answers your questions whether in lab or via email. I highly recommend him!

I was nervous to take bio because science has never been my strong suit but I took professor Velez for a summer session and he was great! He made the material easy to learn and very quick. Lab was in groups and there was minimal homework. He cares about his students and wants them to do well! If you get thit chance take Vélez for bio

Finally, a professor that gives the right amount of work for a summer session! A lot of reading and paper writing, but not overly inundated like other summer courses, and I really learned so much in a short time. Lectures are engaging, he keeps it interesting. Wish he gave more feedback, but otherwise just wonderful. Highly recommended.

I took a hybrid class and therefore much of the material was self-taught at my own pace (I enjoyed this). I would recommend making sure to take all the online quizzes before the exams for the selected chapters. Reading helps with the final. Overall grading was very fair and wish Professor Velez taught BI141 in the evening.

I just finished taking Entomology. He is by far one of the best professor i have had. He is clear on what is expected and is always available for questions, especially through email. I have had the pleasure to also call him my adviser. I recommend him for anyone interested in biology. Study guide questions are usually the same question on test.

Took Genetics, great Professor. Lectures are helpful-he also posts them online so you can listen to them again if needed. Really good with office hours-very helpful and does not judge, truly just wants to help you learn and succeed. If you ask for help he will go overboard to help you. Do the study guide and you will pass the class easily.

The Dominican Republic trip has by far, been my favorite course at WSU. Dr. Velez does more than an amazing job making this trip well worth it. Going to the Dominican, you learn and experience things you never would if you don't go. This course gave me an appreciation for the little things, and I made so many friends!

I did the Dominican Republic trip over spring break. It was an AMAZING experience and everyone should take it! It counted as a lab and the main course work was over the trip so it is not as demanding as a traditional lab. The trip is amazing and fun. You learn a lot and get once in a lifetime experiences. Professor Velez is awesome and I highly rec

I took this course to fulfill a LASC requirement and it was the best decision. You get a study-abroad experience in the Dominican Republic for a week learning about the environment and agricultural differences between them and Haiti. It's an amazing, unforgettable experience meeting the people & learning about Carribbean environment.

I took Professor Velez for the biology field class and would absolutely go back with him to the Dominican Republic in a heartbeat. He is so incredibly knowledgable, fun, and passionate about our trip down there. I am currently speaking with him about going back down there to volunteer because he just made me enjoy the environment in DR so much.

This course was so fun and amazing to be a part of. I would definitely jump at this chance to take this course again and go to the Dominican Republic.

The Dominican Republic trip was the best thing I could've done for myself as a student and as a person. This course allows for immersive learning all while introducing you to the best people you will ever meet. I wish I didn't wait until my last semester at WSU to go because I would go again in a heartbeat. Take this course, you won't regret it.

great class!!!

The course is amazing. I glad that I had the opportunity to not only learn about the ecosystem of Pedernales in Dominican Republic, but as the history behind Haiti and DR. It was something that I would definitely do again. Easy A, and is a great way to get expose to the cultural of the country.

I had to take Biology to fulfill a LASC requirement. My degree is actually in Business Administration, but this class made me question whether I was getting the right degree! So educational and Professor Velez is beyond helpful and understanding. I thoroughly enjoyed the class and as long as you keep up with the homework, you will succeed.

I took the field biology course in the Dominican Republic with Professor Velez. Honestly this had to be one of the most amazing experiences ever. You learn so much from this trip & get to immerse yourself into a new culture. Vélez is extremely knowledgeable & passionate on his subjects I highly! recommend this course I promise you wont regret it!

I enjoyed learning about the ecosystem of Pedernales in the D.R. It was hard to say good-bye to the people that worked with us during our stay. Thank you Prof. Velez for making this an enjoyable trip!

Funny Genuine guy. Interesting class and fun. very smart prof/

Dr. Velez is fair, cares about his students, and matches your effort. His lectures are clear and concise. I turned in most of my assignments late due to family drama. He held to the syllabus for points off late work, but he was always respectful and never talked down to me. His primary concern was that I understood the material for my next classes.

Not a huge fan of the pre-recorded online lectures so I leaned heavy on the book but he is a good professor, very fair and is very accessible via email and office hours.

Dr. Velez is one of the best biology professor Ive had. Turn in your work on time, read the textbook, watch the lectures and youll de fine. If you have questions hes quick to answer via email too. Would take again.

Dr. Velez is a great professor. You have to put in work to do well, but I found it very manageable. If you take notes on the lecture videos and answer study guides from the textbook, which are similar to exams, you will do well. The exam I did the worst was when I didn't use the SG. He is also very responsive to email if you have any questions.

The professor gives a very clear outline of his expectations for the class. Typical work load was 1 lab assignment and 2 short chapter quizzes each week. As long as you watch the lectures, read the chapters, and submit everything on time, you'll pass. It's also helpful to complete the study guide for the exams.

Most of your grade will be affected by these 7 assignments: 4 Lecture exams, 1 semester long research paper, 1 Final exam, and 10 lab quizzes/submissions. Everything else will help you understand the material but affects the grade minimally. Lecture exams + final: watch the lecture videos. Lab quizzes + paper: email any questions. Easy B, hard A.

Velez was a great prof. for genetics. It was online, which means you need to organize and prepare to do the work accordingly. There were multiple short quizzes & 1/2 assignments due each week and a semester long paper. There were also 4 exams and a final, but just follow the guides & you will end with a decent grade. Do not cheat or you'll get an F

Professor Velez is very knowledgeable about the subjects he teaches and is easy to contact when you have trouble understanding something. The (online) class itself is quite difficult and the material is heavy. You have to put in lots of work to receive good results, but the prof. is easy to reach when you need help and gives good feedback.

I took Dr. Velez for Genetics during covid. This was honestly one of the most well structured and straight forward courses I have taken. Everything is posted on his website so you can get as far ahead as you'd like. Assignments and labs are due weekly, do not procrastinate or you will be overwhelmed.

Dr. Velez organizes his courses very well. He clearly lays out weekly deadlines for labs and quizzes, which come up quickly, so staying organized is key. Genetics can be a very involved subject. So you have to know your study habits and your preparation for the course well. But follow the syllabus closely, put in the effort, and youll succeed!

This class is really dependent on the book, if you just watch the lectures you are not going to pass

Very good professor.

I took the online version of this class. It's heavy on the lecture and reading the textbook. There's a lot of material covered, but as long as you pay attention to the chapter summary, comprehension questions, and worked problems at the end of each chapter in the textbook, it should be fine. He drops the lowest quiz and lab grade.

Many people who do not do well in this class either 1.) They cheat and get caught or 2.) Don't do the work/don't follow directions. This is a great, informational class that Dr. Velez puts a lot of care and effort into. He wants you to succeed and will try his best to help you achieve that, and makes sure students know when to reach out.

The best professor I've ever had! Very clear grading criteria and accessible outside of class. Dr. Velez really knows his stuff! I have taken two classes with him, so TAKE HIM IF YOU HAVE THE CHANCE.

Dr. Velez is a really nice guy I like him a lot. He set his class up in a way that if you put effort in you will do very well. He does not assign a lot of work. Stress free class.

Hes brilliant. If you put the time in and follow his syllabus you can succeed. We covered a lot of material in 1 semester, but he organizes course in such a way you know what to expect week to week. You do have to put the time in and study vid lectures but he sneaks in some enjoyable valuable footage to compliment lessons (David Attenborough!)

Dr. Velez is awesome, but this class is really difficult. So much content is stuffed into one semester that I was constantly falling behind. Labs due every week, multiple chapter quizzes due each week, a semester long paper, 4 tests AND a final. It's hard, but I got through by reading the book religiously and staying on top of things. Good luck!

He knows his stuff and is willing to help during office hours. On average my class had 5 things due. 2 lecture quiz, 1 lab quiz, 1 part of drosophila project, and 1 quiz that will open the drosophila thing. My suggesting is to not take other heavy courses with Genetics, so you have some time to process the info. Best of luck :)

Just follow the syllabus and you should be fine.

Velez is one of the best. If you come to his lectures he gives examples that make the content clearer. The slideshows are organized and his lectures weren't boring at all. He also throws in a few jokes here and there. Quizzes were open-note and study guides helped a LOT. There is a semester-long group project but it's pretty doable with friends.

A spring break trip to DR with only a few quizzes. Very easy A, but the point is the trip! It was difficult and consuming, but it teaches you so much about yourself and what you can handle. Dr V is so compassionate about the community and it was so easy to fall in love with the community too. Made lasting friendships and memories! Highly recommend!

If taking 5+ classes be aware. Large exams, lab exams, online quizzes and workload heavy. If you don't put the time in you will fail unless already knowledgeable in Bio. Last month of semester is the worst, redundant work, exams, lab exams, fast plants report. No excuse for late work, must be on time to class. If Military no excuse for late work

There's these annoying lecture quizzes due every Friday but doable and easy points. THE TESTS ARE ALMOST IDENTICAL TO THE STUDY GUIDE. He really wants people to do well in the course and literally tells you everything that is on the tests. PAY ATTENTION TO DETAIL. Will give 0 for incorrect formatting and citations on the paper, he's not bluffing.

This is a very interesting, but difficult class, so Dr. Velez offers many resources to help you understand the material. He even created videos that explain each chapter of the book. The tests are hard, but many of the questions come directly from the study guides. The labs were cool - for one of them, we did PCR with our own DNA.

This professor outlines the course extremely well and his study guides are exactly what is on the exams. If you attend the lectures, ask questions, FOLLOW THE STUDY GUIDES, and use the textbook you will get an A/B. I'm convinced anyone that does not like him just want an easy A. He is passionate about the courses he teaches and very knowledgeable.

Dr. Velez is passionate about his work, extremely knowledgable, and wants his students to succeed. It's a tough class because there's a lot of material to learn; you NEED to keep up with the studying. Dr. Velez gives study-guides that have everything you need to know. I loved this class and would 100% recommend Dr. Velez.

He basicallyyy gives you the ENTIRE exam in the form of a STUDY GUIDE and gives you WEEKS to do it. BUY THE TEXTBOOK AND READ IT! Even on questions I didn't understand/couldnt answer, went to office hours and we talked through each answer. Straightforward, easy to reach and talk to.

The class has a lot of information that's new, if you follow along with readings you will do fine. Highly recommend doing the study guide with the lectures and not waiting to the last minute. But overall it's a challenging class but if you follow along with the readings you'll do well.

Ive took him 3 times and he is a great professor, very intelligent, kind and funny. If you show interest, show up and do the work necessary you will be more than fine. Of course his classes aren't super easy but that isn't because of him but because it's tough stuff lol. One of my favorite professors at Worcester State.

Prof Velez is very kind, accepting, and respectful person. He is passionate with his subject & likes to personally relate material to his own experience and student's which makes lectures more engaging. As long as you attend lectures and labs, ask questions, and---i cannot stress this enough---STUDY THE STUDY GUIDES and start early, you will pass.