3.1

Shawn Nordell

Science - Saint Louis University

3.1
Quality
3.2
Difficulty
N/A
Would Retake
103
Reviews
3.1
Quality
3.2
Difficulty
3.2
Helpful
3.0
Clarity

N/A

Would Retake

103

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

31

4

17

3

21

2

11

1

23

What Students Say

More interactive, and keeps you awake -FUN

BIO106 - 5.0 rating

Great Great Great professor

BLA106 - 5.0 rating
Class Info

Textbook Required

100%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

56% confidence
Based on 2 grades
Most common grades:
Not_Sure_Yet (2)
A (1)
B- (1)
Grade Distribution
A(1)B(1)C(0)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(0)
Based on 4 reported grades
Not_Sure_Yet: 2
A: 1
B-: 1
Rating Trend

Improving

+0.38 avg change
May
Jul
Nov
Nov
Dec
Jan
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

10603

5.0

(1)

BL104106

5.0

(1)

BIOL110

5.0

(2)

ANIMALBEHAVIOR

4.7

(3)

BIO110

4.5

(6)
+23 more courses
Difficulty by Course

BIO01

5.0

ANMLBHVR

5.0

ANIMABEHA

5.0

ANMLBEHA

5.0

BLA10204

4.0

Reviews (103)
5.0
3.0
BIO106
Feb 10, 2003

More interactive, and keeps you awake -FUN

5.0
4.0
BLA106
Mar 28, 2003

Great Great Great professor!! Fun, interesting, very intelligent. Loves her dogs! She will stop to explain anything to anyone. No homework. Tests are hard though, but no book reading, just lecture notes.

5.0
3.0
BIO106
Nov 3, 2003

Very smart. Enjoyed the class a lot.

1.0
5.0
BLA104
Nov 17, 2003

Very bad teacher would not recommend to anyone.

1.0
3.0
BLA106
Dec 4, 2003

your bio department should be focused on teahing not weeding out the pre-meds.

5.0
3.0
BLA104
Dec 7, 2003

Very nice teacher. She's really animated and makes the class tons of fun. For tests, be sure to read the LECTURE notes, not the book. Tests aren't too bad if you study well.

5.0
4.0
BIO104
Dec 12, 2003

Anyone who makes bio fun deserves a Nobel Peace Prize. She covers material so well you dont even need to touch your book...how cool is that.

5.0
3.0
BIO
Jan 6, 2004

alert, interactive prof. makes the material seem a little easier than it is presented on tests, so make sure you know it completely before exams. she likes to have in-class assignments to check attendance as well.

2.0
4.0
BIO106
Apr 19, 2004

Very annoying teacher. She can't use a computer, so we waste 10 minutes each class waiting for her to get her powerpoint working. Her voice is very annoying and she is constantly bouncing off the walls.

5.0
3.0
BL104106
Apr 19, 2004

Her lectures are interesting. Her tests are a hard if u don't like critical thinking questions. She loves to have questions were u apply ur knowledge. Goes off on tangents, but they interesting, as well as the lectures.

5.0
4.0
BIO
Apr 19, 2004

I recomend her if you like to be entertained while learning about biology. The class isn't easy but she makes it fun.

4.0
2.0
BLA106
Apr 22, 2004

Pretty easy to listen to. THE corniest jokes you will ever hear. Makes material easier. Should teach course alone. "SIZE DOES MATTER"

3.0
3.0
BLA1046
May 18, 2004

No Comments

2.0
4.0
BLA10204
May 24, 2004

She teaches according to her own political agenda and the things she fins important. The things emphasized on the tests are not the main topics in the book. I did not think she was veyr well prepared. She was better than Fortier though.

3.0
1.0
BLA104
Aug 21, 2004

Good lord, never have I taken a class where the instructor's political leniences and strange habits/practices dominate the majority of lecture. This class is easy but complicated as lab is a complete waste of time and no one knows exactly what to do.

5.0
3.0
BIO104
Aug 30, 2004

Does a good job of involving the class in lecture, considering there about 200 people in there. Interesting to listen to, and covers material well.

5.0
4.0
ANIMALBEHAVIOR
Nov 16, 2004

This is my favorite class i've taken at SLU, so far. Dr. Nordell can be a bit unorganized at times, but she expects no better from her students. Her lectures are actually interesting, and she in seriously interested in making the students understand the material. I like talking to her after class

3.0
4.0
BLA104
Grade: Not_Sure_Yet
Nov 19, 2004

She is very interesting to listen to and LOVES to talk about sex... hard class though and tests are killer.. and she involves everbody in the lecture by throwing beanie babies at people...

4.0
2.0
BIO104106
Nov 22, 2004

really will tell you just what is on the tests, and her tests come right from the slides...she does like to throw stuffed animals at people though...

4.0
2.0
BLA104
Dec 3, 2004

Very funny and enthusiastic! She really has a passion for biology, and that is shown throughout her class. Interesting to listen to during lecture. Very nice and helpful. She throws beani babies to get the students involved, so if you do not like to be put on the spot you might not want to take her.

5.0
3.0
BLA104
Dec 8, 2004

Dr. Nordell is pretty funny at times, and a very effective teacher, sticks to the book material but explains it in class. Highly recommended.

4.0
2.0
BLA104
Dec 13, 2004

She does have really corny jokes and is OBSESSED with talking about reproduction and sexual selection, but other than that she is a really good teacher who really cares about the material and the students success.

4.0
2.0
ANIMALBEHAVIOR
Dec 15, 2004

I think Dr. N is cool. She is a bit unorganized and may explain somethings a little bit unclear during a lecture. But if you just follow your notes, the tests are a piece of cake. And the class was alot more interesting than I thought originally and the work load is not bad.

5.0
3.0
BLA104
Dec 21, 2004

I really liked Dr. Nordells class...she was different, but very entertaining and knowledgeable, she combined different teaching strategies very well, and going to class is a MUST to do well on tests...thats all my advice, but i would recommend her to my friends or new students; very intelligent lady

4.0
3.0
BIO104
Jan 3, 2005

No Comments

1.0
3.0
HORRIBLE
Jan 11, 2005

She is the worse and ****ing teacher ever!hate her.She thinks that she is so funny, but she is the ugliest one.She doesn't know anything more than the stuff in the book.She is just able to read from the power point!thats all!I don't know how she became a teacher!you will not learn anything at her cl

1.0
3.0
BIO
Jan 12, 2005

NOT a good teacher!

1.0
3.0
BIOLOGY
Feb 3, 2005

Oh no you do not want to choose this "professor"

5.0
2.0
ANIMALBEHAVIOR
Feb 3, 2005

she's very approachable, if her lectures are unclear, ask her after class. she's one of the more human bio-teachers. her tests might seem hard, but that's only if you didn't take good notes. i recoment her to anyone who is a serious biology student.

1.0
3.0
BIOLOGY
Feb 22, 2005

aaaaa she is kind of Ok..as far as I know st.Louis U does not have a good Biology instructor, they have to hire some teachers with more knowledge.Nordel knows only the stuff that are directly from the book, No more!So if you just study the power point notes u'll be OK

5.0
4.0
BLA106
Mar 27, 2005

Dr. Nordell is pretty straightforward. 3-4 tests, covering 5-9 chapters each, her tests are off her lectures which come straight from powerpoints outlining the most important things in the book. Careful attention to powerpoint lectures gets a pretty good grade.

4.0
4.0
BLA104106
Mar 31, 2005

She gets really into what she is teaching and is very approacable. It's really not that bad, just go to class, print off the power points and take notes on those. It's all you need for tests. Don't bother reading, she told us she doesn't use it either.

3.0
4.0
BIO106
Apr 14, 2005

If you like animal****, this is the class for you.

1.0
3.0
BIOLOGY
Apr 15, 2005

NOT GOOD AT ALL, never ever take with her.Although there are not many choice for Bio teachers, but I think Aspinwall is better!

5.0
4.0
BIOLOGY
Apr 29, 2005

Yes, this teacher is difficult, but if you do the work and study, you will do fine. Nordell is very aproachable and is willing and eager to help with any problems you may have.

5.0
5.0
BIO106
May 7, 2005

Class was very hard..she was helpfull..need to study before hand a lot. If you ever had a problem just ask cuase she would help. You will learn a lot. i would take it with her before anyone else

3.0
3.0
INTROTOBIO
May 19, 2005

NUTS! She is pretty approachable and helpful but teaches random stuff. her test questions seem a little forced--she tries to get to her 45 question limit by asking really stupid questions and these completely screw your grade. she just reads off her powerpoints. B is easy to get but for an A, work hard.

1.0
3.0
BIOLOGY
Grade: Not_Sure_Yet
Sep 23, 2005

No Comments

4.0
4.0
BIOLOGY
Grade: A
Oct 8, 2005

No Comments

1.0
3.0
BIOLOGY12
Nov 4, 2005

No Comments

5.0
3.0
BIO104
Nov 17, 2005

She's pretty cooky and goes in a randomn order of teaching things, but all in all a good teacher. It was interesting to hear her life story and also watching her dance to coldplay. (???)

3.0
3.0
BIO104
Nov 30, 2005

She doesn't post powerpoints till morning of the class but tests are usually directly from the slides.

2.0
3.0
BIO104
Dec 16, 2005

Yeah, not a very good teacher

2.0
4.0
BIOLOGY
Dec 16, 2005

Not very clear. Has more energy than any human being I have ever encountered. All in all an okay class.

3.0
4.0
BIOI
Dec 21, 2005

If only tests were as easy as class seemed...

2.0
3.0
BIO
Dec 23, 2005

i went to class only on quiz days and then pulled an all nighter before every test. got a B. all i learned was that i can teach myself 6 chapters of bio in 12 hours

1.0
4.0
BIO104
Dec 24, 2005

Dr. Nordell STINKS! she never stays on topic and is very hard to follow in lecture. She's a bit out there. She is not helpful and is in fact a bit mean. She said that she would curve the final course grades, but didn't. Fisher co taught with her and he was great, but the course suffered when she took over. YIKES!

1.0
4.0
BIO104
Dec 29, 2005

No Comments

3.0
4.0
BIO104
Jan 6, 2006

do not take...i agree with the rating before....class seems easy with those powerpoints...but the tests suck...do not take

1.0
3.0
BIOLOGY
Jan 18, 2006

No Comments

1.0
5.0
BIO
Jan 20, 2006

No Comments

1.0
5.0
BIO
Jan 30, 2006

No Comments

4.0
2.0
BLA104
Jan 31, 2006

Puh-leese. Although I'm a junior now, I had her freshman year for Gen Bio. Her class was nowhere near as hard as everyone on here makes it out to be. I sure do hope these kids giving her 1's and 2's aren't pre-med. If you think HER class is hard, then you'll be in for a RUDE awakening in the years to come. Might as well change your major now.

2.0
3.0
BIOLOGY106
Mar 20, 2006

The only reason i activated an account was to say the following. Dr. Nordell gives proffesors a horrible reputations. She gives the most random quizes and test. If you are good a spitting out random facts that you may have seen on the notes then youll do just fine. If you study youll do well however i study less in Organic and Calc 2 and have an A

1.0
5.0
BIO106
Mar 27, 2006

she is terrible! i study more for her tests than i do in chemistry. i'll go into her tests understand the material, but then i walk away with anything other than an A. our last test, which was curved, only 6% (24 people) of the class got an A or A- out of 389 people. we are pre-med students so i'm sure 94% of us aren't b or below students!

5.0
2.0
BIO104106
Mar 29, 2006

Oh come on, you are all just mad because you partied more than you studied. It's called sour grapes. If you think her class was hard, just wait till you get an actually hard teacher. Her class was more interesting than most. She's cooky, but that makes her more intriguing! I looked forward to her class everyday. I like her lighter take on life

1.0
2.0
BIO104106
Apr 3, 2006

No Comments

2.0
5.0
BIO104106
Apr 3, 2006

She constanly writes "cheers" at the end of all her e-mails. One time I asked her for help because I was failing, she told me to try and meet her and ended her message with a "cheers." It didn't make me feel better and she copped out on the appointment anyhow. The only entertaining thing that I heard in the class was hearing her say "****."

1.0
3.0
BIO106
Apr 4, 2006

-'s She reads directly from the slides and fails to explain the workings of any system. Like other biology teachers might go into the physics of a system (like capillary action or diffusion). She will say, "This slide shows the path blood takes." No explanation about how this is achieved. THEN NEXT SLIDE! +'s Tests are pretty simple. Nice

5.0
3.0
BIO106
Apr 9, 2006

Dr. Nordell is the kind of professor that makes you work for your grade. It isn't hard to make a good grade if you study correctly. She offers so much out of class help from lecture TAs to office hours to study skills sessions that you really have no excuse for not doing well. She is very friendly, nice, and funny. She is very approachable. A+

2.0
4.0
BIOII
May 10, 2006

tries tricking you on tests...not fair teacher.

1.0
2.0
BIO106
May 11, 2006

WORST TEACHER EVER NEXT TO DELA ROSA. If you dont know him then Nordell just does not know how to teach. Prepare to fall asleep in class everyday, reads directly off of slides word for word. Questions on test are absolutely rediculous, not hard just dumb and obscure. Focuses on memorizing charts.

3.0
4.0
BIO
May 13, 2006

she tries to help but she really doesn't...basically gives hard tests when she feels like it..

3.0
3.0
BIOLOGY106
Jun 5, 2006

hey people, wake up! if you think she is hard, you have not seen anything yet, change your major now! nordell is talkative and tries to be funny. she is not easy, just very very random especially on tests. if you study everything, including diagrams and figures a lot, you will be fine.

3.0
4.0
BIO106
Aug 14, 2006

****!!!..u could study as much as u wanted but doing well on the test was still very hard, all multiple choice, always had 2 answer that both seemed right out of 4 choices...and always planned tests for mondays right after huge events such as mardi gras and superbowl weekend just to torture us

1.0
5.0
BIO01
Sep 15, 2006

No Comments

5.0
2.0
BIO104
Nov 6, 2006

Dr. Nordell is an amazing professor and person. She is completely available to help anyone, anytime. All of you giving poor recommendations better not be premed; freshmen biology is as easy as it gets. Nordell makes you work for your grade, but will help as much as she can.

4.0
4.0
BIO106
Nov 12, 2006

Ridiculous teacher! Has like 5 others teach her class because she doesnt know anything about the other chapters in the class. Last yr half the class had a D, TA said that has never happened before in any BIO clas. covered very in depth topics that you dont see until later classes.Its a weeding out class which sucks for Freshman.Finished with a C.

3.0
3.0
BIO104
Nov 26, 2006

Lectures can be confusing. She moves very quickly through the notes and does not go into depth during lecture.

3.0
3.0
BIO104
Nov 28, 2006

Dr. Nordell is crazy. She uses stuffed animals to teach on occasion and feels the need to make random comments on biology that have no pertanance to the lecture. Her tests include random question that do not have much to do with the overall topics which is the only reason her tests are hard. Try to avoid her if possible.

3.0
3.0
BIO104
Dec 21, 2006

Not half as good a professor as Dr. Fisher. Tries too hard to be friends with the class instead of teaching relevant material. Treats the class like children. I ended up with a 93.9 and she wouldn't round up .1% to give me the A even though I emailed her and let her know that I came to class EVERY day. Awesome.

3.0
5.0
BIO104
Jan 28, 2007

Dr. Nordell was....interesting. Her lectures are confusing and she moves pretty quickly without really explaining anything. Tests could be difficult at times. She is really nice, however, and is really passionate about the stuff she teaches.

3.0
3.0
BIO104
Feb 25, 2007

Tough tests, generally easy quiz points. Tests are very lecture based so don't miss one. The lab section was more work (time-wise) than lecture for me.

2.0
5.0
BIO106
May 15, 2007

She's pretty much a nut. If you study the notes well and spend a lot of time learning outside of class, you will do well. Don't expect her to explain anything clearly. She tends to focus on random things during class. Her high energy level is often incredibly annoying for an am class.

2.0
3.0
BIO104
Jun 24, 2007

Nordellll the worst teacher ever:(NEVER EVER TAKE HER!!!!!!

1.0
5.0
ANMLBHVR
Dec 21, 2007

No Comments

1.0
5.0
ANIMABEHA
Dec 21, 2007

Do not take her!!! If you have to, do not go to her office hours!!! She is sooo mean. Unacceptable behavior.

1.0
5.0
ANMLBEHA
Feb 13, 2008

So arrogant.

3.0
3.0
BIOL106
May 6, 2008

About the comment below: it's not that the material is too hard, it's that she is arrogant and unapproachable. I liked the content of the course, but she was just kind of scary--she discouraged and disrespected students. Miller was much nicer...

1.0
5.0
BIOL106
Oct 31, 2008

I'm glad I'm not the only one who hated her. There are so many better teachers at SLU!

4.0
3.0
BIO101
Nov 28, 2010

She makes the material boring when it had the potential to be interesting. Her tests are not bad but she makes you want to fall asleep in class because she lectures on stuff that you know will not be on the test, but what is on the test she does teach so that is a plus. Do mastering biology to study, no need to over study

4.0
2.0
BIO110
Dec 10, 2010

I am surprised by the negative ratings. This course is easy if you keep up with the material and Nordell is interesting to listen to. She some times expands on topics that won't be on the exam but it is still interesting. She has a good sense of humor and is very helpful if you go to office hours. Not a bad course at all, pretty easy.

5.0
3.0
BIOL110
Jan 21, 2011

She's a good lecturer. She's funny, but in a crazy way. Pay attention. Study the powerpoints. Skim the chapters.

5.0
1.0
BIOL106
Apr 11, 2011

She is amazing. She brings the material to life. Also, you can trust her when she says to trust her. The slides are what has all the material that's going to be on the test.

4.0
2.0
BIO106
Apr 18, 2011

I'm surprised by her low rating. I thought Nordell was great in lecture. She adds to the powerpoint, rather than reading what is already on the slide, and makes the material interesting. Tests are easy, as long as you study the lecture slides.

4.0
3.0
BIOL106
Apr 23, 2011

I don't know why Nordell has so many low ratings because she is great. Like people said, she's crazy but in a funny, good way. She makes the lectures interesting and does not try to trick you on tests. Trust her when she says her questions on tets come from the powerpoints because they do.

3.0
4.0
BIO106
May 13, 2011

Test questions are very random and detailed. I would recommend you avoid her. Her powerpoint slides are terrible.

2.0
5.0
BIO106
May 17, 2011

Dr, Nordell is absolutely confusing. She is a very nice individual. She also has the potential to be a very good teacher, if she could write a fair exam. Do not expect her exams to be from the ppt as she claims. I highly recommend another Biology professor. Only take her if you have to.

5.0
3.0
BIOL106
Oct 23, 2011

Although there are some details in her tests that were from the reading, her goal is not to trick you. She REALLY loves what she does. I liked how enthusiastic she is and how she brings up current articles and findings. A little bit difficult but not too bad... unless you wait until the day before to study like me. Take with her if you can.

5.0
3.0
BIOL106
Apr 19, 2012

Funny and nice, test are OK. Just study for them using the power points

4.0
1.0
BIO106
May 30, 2012

She scared the living crap out of me on the first day of class when she was running up and down the aisles calling out kids, but eventually I came to appreciate the fact that she makes lectures interesting. I think she is a genuinely nice person deep down. Study the powerpoint notes to do well on the tests.

3.0
3.0
BIO106
Jun 5, 2012

She makes Biology VERY interesting... her exams just seemed a little unfair & she sometimes goes on tangents. Focus on power points but read the book too. There are easier teachers but she's not bad. I recommend her.

5.0
4.0
BIO110
Nov 12, 2012

Made the class exciting and fun. Not only would she combine real world examples but she would teach the powerpoint as well. I can tell she loves her job and loves bio. The only problem I had with this class is that she shared teaching duties with another teacher that was just awful and not nearly as good as her. Take a class with her if you can.

3.0
3.0
BIOL436
May 7, 2013

the whole course is basically covering behavioral case studies, which you go through basically one! a day but are tested on about 50 for the exams. very boring lectures; she makes really interesting concepts drier than sandpaper. take a neuroscience class if you wna cover the same material but at a more in depth level, or take a different bio class

5.0
1.0
10603
May 7, 2013

She is an absolutely fantastic professor. She is very clear and organized about her lectures. Two aspects I particularly liked about her class were that she made the material very interesting and she was honest to her word. You only need to refer to the material in the lecture and you will do great on tests. I highly recommend her class.

4.0
2.0
BIOL106
May 15, 2013

Dr. Nordell honestly made me enjoy BIOL 106. She was very clear and concise and I received B's and A's on her tests by just looking over the lectures notes. I didn't feel the textbook was needed at all. The second half of the semester a different teacher taught, who was just awful. Try to only take Nordell's class if she's the only one teaching it!

3.0
5.0
BIO110
Jul 9, 2013

Dr. Nordell is so nice and so funny. They do in class homework assignments so attendance is mandatory. THIS CLASS IS EXTREMELY HARD do not blow it off and think that since you took it in high school it will be fine. the tests are application style so know what each function is and how it connects to all of the others.

4.0
1.0
BIO106
Jul 14, 2013

Not a very difficult class. If you attend class and actually read the textbook you will find the exams to be very easy the entire semester

5.0
1.0
BIOL106
Grade: B-
Nov 28, 2013

She's a super nice, down to earth lady. Easiest bio class I ever took at SLU, but since it's so easy, it's easy to think you don't need to study, hence why it was also my lowest grade in a BIOL course at SLU as well. Just go to class, take notes, know the powerpoints in and out and you will definitely get an A. Very easy A.

5.0
3.0
BIO110
Nov 20, 2014

Dr. Nordell is awesome. Her lectures are so interesting. The tests are a big tough but overall its an easy class if you try. I would recommend taking this class.

5.0
2.0
BIOL110
Dec 7, 2014

Dr. Nordell was very eager to teach new students and help them on their college transition.

5.0
2.0
BIO110
Dec 12, 2014

Such a fun class! Really was interested in the topic. Would recommend 100 times.

5.0
1.0
BIO110
Jan 13, 2015

The material was very easy, and Dr. Nordell did a good job of picking out the important things to lecture over. The test is purely over lecture material, but it is also pulled from the book, which I highly recommend. There are many quizzes and a couple of out of class assignments, but if you listen those (and the tests) are easy.

Class Info

Textbook Required

100%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

56% confidence
Based on 2 grades
Most common grades:
Not_Sure_Yet (2)
A (1)
B- (1)
Grade Distribution
A(1)B(1)C(0)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(0)
Based on 4 reported grades
Not_Sure_Yet: 2
A: 1
B-: 1
Rating Trend

Improving

+0.38 avg change
May
Jul
Nov
Nov
Dec
Jan
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

10603

5.0

(1)

BL104106

5.0

(1)

BIOL110

5.0

(2)

ANIMALBEHAVIOR

4.7

(3)

BIO110

4.5

(6)
+23 more courses
Difficulty by Course

BIO01

5.0

ANMLBHVR

5.0

ANIMABEHA

5.0

ANMLBEHA

5.0

BLA10204

4.0

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