This class was fantastic! The teacher was very skilled in the field and promotes intelligent conversation. Spencer makes very helpful comments about your writing, especially if you go speak with him. Sit up front on the drive because he is funny and very nice to talk to.

This course got me outside every week away from the city! Spencer was a fabulous teacher and all of the classes were great! We did have to go on some really long drives, but most sites were close. Ed Crawford and Spencer Bissett make a hell of a team!

This class was rad.

I took Bio 200 and it was all online. There will be a video with notes and then there will be a question set. As well as occassional discussion posts. The tests are multiple choice, some of the tests had a few short answer questions. The class is pretty easy if you take the time to understand the information.

Tough grader but helpful specifics for how to improve as a writer and become a good researcher. He does go through the information quickly, but if you're on beat and pay attention you're good. If you like Dr. Crawford, you'll like him. If you don't like Dr. Crawford, pick another major.

Professor Bissett is really passionate about Ecology. The class material is interesting and the tests are fair. He is always in his office for office hours and is really helpful with explaining a concept you don't understand. He also gives the class questions back he thinks are unfair on tests. You don't have to study a whole lot to get an A.

SUCH A GREAT PROFESSOR!!! HE REALLY CARES ABOUT HIS STUDENTS. WHEN HE GOES OVER NOTES QUICKLY IN CLASS, HE LISTENS WHEN THE CLASS ASKS HIM SLOW DOWN. HE HAS A LOT OF STUDENTS YET TRIES AND MAKES TIME TO HELP EVERYONE. HIS OFFICE HOURS HELP AND HE WILL SIT WITH YOU AND EXPLAIN WHAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND IF YOU ASK QUESTIONS. YOU'LL PASS IF YOU STUDY!

Read the book and you will be fine. He is a new professor and is still trying to work out the kinks of the class but has over all done a great job. He has a sense of humor so listen close during lectures you might pick up on a few jokes. Make sure to look over the textbook before the test VERY IMPORTANT!!!

He is such a sweet guy. While he does tend to go off on tangents about plants a lot, his lectures are really good. He likes to tell corny jokes a lot. He tries to be as helpful as he can, and almost always gives back points on tests. I would recommend studying with the textbook as well just so you can fully understand the concepts.

He's a really good professor . He is accessible after class and really cares about his students. The test are slightly difficult because it obviously a science course so its bound to be difficult. It is possible to receive an A in every test if you go to the exam marathons and study. I recommend taking him for Bio 101. Also he's really nice.

He was such a great teacher and always had patience to allow students to write down notes. Honestly, the only way to fail his class is by not trying. A lot of people who complained about his class didn't read the textbook, so as long as you read the book and attend lectures, you should be fine! Also the SI sessions were a big help on the hard stuff

A lot of people complained about him but i absolutely loved his class. He's a fair and generous grader and he gave tons of extra credit points which helped a lot of students. He's also really helpful and friendly during class and in his office hours. He truly cares about his students. I would 100% recommend and glad to have him as a professor.

The lectures are really boring, not going to lie. However, as long as you study the textbook you should be fine. Also, he grades on an INSANE curve, and at the end of the semester he added five extra credit assignments.

Dr. Bissett, despite being new to teaching, is one of my favorite professors at VCU. The class wasn't hard; I would say to read the textbook chapter before lecture because he does kind of gloss over some subjects and the book explains some things better. He's good about emailing back quickly and actually answering questions thoroughly, he cares!

Dr. Bissett wasn't too involved with the lab unless you asked him, but he was always very helpful when I did ask him a question (much more than my TA). Ecology lab is a unique experience and I'd recommend it to anyone, but beware of weekly lab reports that can be graded harshly depending on your TA.

Lectures were kind of boring. He is very nice and willing to help, so talk with him after class or go by his office hours. Tests are not too difficult as long as you study and read through the book. Gives a lot of extra credit that can boost you up a solid letter grade. Final exam is optional, despite what he may tell you.

Professor Bissett's class was challenging, but not unbearable. You definitely need to read the text or you will be lost in class and will do miserably on the exams. Bissett is quirky and really wants his students to do well. I encourage asking questions in class and utilizing his office hours.

Professor Bissett is such an awesome guy. He is fairly new so he is trying to get his footing; he hasn't gotten down his lecturing style yet. He is really nice when you go to his office hours, you can tell he is really genuine and passionate about the stuff he teaches. His class is a bit hard; you definitely have to go to class and study hard.

He is such a fantastic professor. One of the few professors that you can tell really loves his work and teaching of students. He really cares about his students and them doing well in his course. Definitely take him!

He's a very nice professor and has a great sense of humor. The class itself is easy, the exams are kind of tough. You can try reading the textbook but memorizing his powerpoints are enough. He drops some questions from the exam. We also had tophat and connect (both completion based). He's a solid prof, just read txtbook if you're lost.

Unfortunately, this is the one subject in biology that I'm just not every interested in at all. I zoned out during the lectures due to this reason, although he is a nice, chill guy. His tests came from the powerpoint and also random points in the textbook. Didn't dread the class as much as I thought I would. Make sure to do the hw assignments!

Study his powerpoints & textbook for exams. Participation is extra credit, and he's a really nice guy!

Tests were difficult, but Dr. Bissett was fair. Gave loads of EC @ end of semester which boosted many peoples' overall grades up to 7%, however not sure he'll do this again. Online HW super easy and worth 20% of grade. I got an A in the class by studying his power points and using the textbook for topics I found difficult. Final replaces low test.

FIRST OF ALL DR. SPENCER BISSETT IS A GOD GIVEN GEM TO VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY. HE IS SUCH A SWEET MAN WHO IS PASSIONATE ABOUT ECOLOGY AND DOES NOT WANT STUDENTS TO ONLY REGARD THIS COURSE AS A THROW AWAY ON THEIR PRE-PROFESSIONAL HEALTH TRACKS. HIS TESTS COME FROM THE LECTURE MATERIALS AND CERTAIN EXAMPLES FROM THE TEXTBOOK.

Dr. Bissett is really responsive to emails and will do whatever it takes to help you in the class. The tests are pretty tough, but manageable if you read the textbook and go to class. He has Powerpoints that are available outside of class, which are really helpful. His class is enjoyable because of all the enthusiasm he has for the subject.

Dr. Bissett is the cutest person ever and really really cares about ecology and his students. The tests are kind of hard but if you study well you'll do well. Class is moderately optional but it does help to go if you don't read the textbook, which you don't have to except to do the annoying homework.

This service learning class was great! Dr. Bissett is a great new professor and he does really care about his students and loves to get involved with them. He's really nice and will be quick to respond to emails and help you with career stuff, too!

Bissett is a great person. He'll meet with you outside of class if you are struggling. I suggest you study the textbook because all of his test are built from the textbook. He does not have the break down for your grade in his syllabus so that is a little worry-some. Top-hat has only been used a few times when taking the course.

An adorable professor that loves his job and ecology. It's a tough class but that's due to the material. He's decent at lecturing (goes a bit fast) but you can follow along well enough and he'll always go back and clarify things. You need to read outside of class but it really helps you. A very good guy.

Such a wonderful professor. He truly cares about his students and their well being. He loves the topic that he teaches and this truly shows in his lectures and conversations. Definitely take him!

Great guy and great professor. He loves ecology and his students and appreciates when students demonstrate an interest in the topics and a willingness to want to learn.

Dr. Bissett is the single best professor at VCU. I created an account just to give him a rating. He's amazing. His exams are hard and can be confusing, but he is understanding and willing to help and explain it to you. He has a passion for ecology, and his knowledge of the subject is amazing. He's also SO nice

Spencer was super helpful when it came to questions and was a fun teacher to take. He really cares about his field and wants his students to do well.

Assignments for this class were online textbook questions long, 4 tests and the cumulative final. Great professor that is excited by the subject and really wants students to succeed. SI and preceptor sessions available. Bissett is very willing to work with students no matter the issue. He is one of my favorite professors at VCU!

One of my favorite professors at VCU! I took his lecture, lab, and capstone and got As in all of them. His classes are really straightforward, he is always available during office hours, and he's very understanding. Highly recommend!

Spencer Bissett is one of the most engaging professors I've ever had. He's funny, easy to listen to, the lectures are easy to follow, and the course work is manageable. He brings in guest speakers to mix it up every once and a while and that is nice too.

Unfortunately, I had to prioritize more difficult classes over this one, so I can't speak to just how easy this class should be in of itself. It wasn't difficult to get a B, and Dr. Bissett is passionate, fun, and respectful. However, this is somewhat curbed by the fact that I didn't get an A because of bad communication on his part.

I heard Bissett had a hard time with COVID in the Spring 2020 semester, but in Fall 2020, he really stepped up. He responded to emails super quickly, he had a consistent schedule with regular updates, and he was a pretty humorous lecturer. I'd definitely recommend him. He's clearly very passionate about what he teaches.

Dr. Bissett is one of the best professors at VCU. I don't like ecology but Dr. Bissetts energy about ecology makes you want to learn. His tests are based on making you think through the material but they aren't that difficult. Really nice guy! Always willing to work with you! If you have the chance, Take him!

Dr. Bissett is one of the few teachers in the Biology department that actually has a passion for what they're doing. He is caring, kind, and his lectures are a blast! Even if you're not an Ecology major, there's a lot you can learn in his class! Make sure to do your HW and read the textbook!

You have 5 exams, optional final exam , and TopHat as homework. He does curve exams but not by much. To successfully pass this class pay attention to whats in his lectures and go more in depth with those topics in TopHat. Exams are not hard if you do that. The TopHats are very long tho averaging 80 questions per unit. Attendance isnt mandatory.

Tests are tough, but the lecture materials are a good study guide, and he drops the lowest test grade. He shares all lecture slides, and the text was free online. Was super willing to do make-up tests and reviews! He even met with my friend for a make-up on a Sunday.

Class is just lectures, and there's TopHat homework (a lot) and tests. Always available adter class, a little inconsistent with emails. Sometimes was less then perfect with his material, but always willing to reconsider test questions and give points back. Lectures fast, but raise your hand and he's happy to back up or slow down.

His lectures are a bit annoying but other than that, no complaints. He always gives make-ups, he's willing to reconsider test questions, he "curves" every test, and the TopHat readings are an easy 100 if you actually do them. He even drops 1 test. The tests are straightforward and he's not trying to trick you. Just do your work and you'll be fine.

The final is optional because he drops one test, which is nice. He also reconsiders test questions and you might get a few more points added on to that test because of it. Go to lecture because that is where a lot of his test questions are based upon. Tophat can be annoying and time consuming because there's a lot of questions.

VERY lecture-heavy, VERY test-heavy. Can't blame him, there were 200 of us and just one teaching assistant. Go to review sessions with the TA or the SI leader, they help. Bisset was always available after class to meet or make appointments. TopHat sucks but is an easy way to get points. Meet with him to review tests; you usually get points back.

I personally do not like Ecology, however, Dr. Bissett really tried to help us understand the material. The course consists of online homework assignments and 5 tests including the final. The lowest test score gets dropped. Coming to lecture really helped and he also does test reviews! I would take him again and study more from the beginning.

Course is not easy but not too difficult either. Prepare to read and study after every lecture and ask questions. The exams are heavy but if you study and keep up you should have no problem. He replaces lowest test with the final, or drops the final if you don't need it. (wont tell you till the end) Awesome guy and def passionate about ecology.

It's a big class, so there's no shirt answer or essays. He's pretty good at being available if you catch him after class. Emails are harder.

Ecology wasn't a class I wanted, but Bisset was really enthusiastic about it. He also gave back points on almost every test. Talk to him afterwards and he'll work with you.

Pretty bad about emails, so catch him after class. He always takes like 6 people back to his office to talk about material. Tests are hard, but he always gives points back.

Honestly he's a great prof and a person too! I have had him in two classes and he's well understanding and he talks to you. He is bad with emails but you can catch him after class. I highly do no recommend him to lazy students. However, if you work Slightly, take him.

Dr. Bissett was very enthusiastic about teaching the material, which kept me engaged and interested during his lectures. The exam questions were tricky due to their wording and often pulled material from the textbook, which was lenghthy to read. He does offer extra credit if you attend the preceptor sessions.

his tests are OBNOXIOUS I will say so study very hard! quizlet is ur friend! besides that its a good class u will def pass

Prof bisset is great. This is unfortunately a required course for all bio majors, so it has a big survey of content just like every other intro course which is annoying. Unlike other bio profs i've had he is very willing to help you with content, test reviews, etc. He also gives extra credit. Best option for 317 by far.

Ecology lab was super fun! You learn valuable field skills and how to write a scientific paper. You do have a lot of work (lab + paper due weekly), but your TA will give you step-by-step instructions for how to write everything, which is nice. If you are interested in ecological research, take this course! Otherwise, this lab isn't for you.

The professor is passionate but the class can be a grind. Exams are tricky, and the $100 homework is frustrating. Still, engaging with the material and using unstuck AI helps to do well.