2.4
Quality3.2
Difficulty40%
Would Retake197
Reviews40%
Would Retake
197
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
19
4
33
3
34
2
64
1
47
What Students Say
“Taber is a very straightforward professor”
BIO111A - 5.0 rating“If you go to class you'll easily pass”
BIO111A - 5.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
28%
Textbook Required
65%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
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-0.03 avg changeRatings by Course
BIOL105A
5.0
(1)BIOL111B
5.0
(1)111B
5.0
(1)111
4.3
(4)105A
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
BIO105
4.7
BIO231
4.5
BIOA
4.3
105
4.0
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4.0
Reviews (197)
He goes off on tangents. His tests are easy if you pay attention to what he says in class... which is hard to do. He looks like a cross between Owen Wilson and Rod stewart.
He expects you to understand what he says, he is the one with the PHD not me. I am a good student, but he goes way to fast and I don't undertand him. I dropped the class.
No Comments
He is an idiot.
All of you are such WIMPS! You want a hard/difficult prof. take Stanton or Trdan! Dr. Taber is the best Biology prof. I've had yet at SVSU and this is my 4 Bio. class. If you want to complain do it somewhere else, if you can't keep up with Taber good luck with any other prof. at SVSU!
I did take Dr. Stanton after flunking out of Dr. Tabers class, I got and A in Dr. Stantons class.
I didn't do very well in his class, he confuses you, he goes off his lectures for test. Don't read the book, you will get confused. He says one thing the book says another.
"He's a true evolutionist" his class is notes and lecture, DO NOT buy the book for this class, he doesnt refer to it at all, his tests are fromt the notes in the class. He is also a pretty entertaining texan. good gen ed
This class was bery easy...if you pay attention in class and take notes(which he tells you the important stuff to write) you will do just fine...i'll admit it is a little boring..but it is deffinately do able. I would take this class if you are looking for a good way to pass.
Likes to talk about reproduction and stuff. The best are his "you dont need to know this" talks which last 90% of class (the day b4 a test) and then he spends 5 min. talking about what will be on the test. Basically, yeah. :o(
He is very annoying. He lived in Canada and Texas, that combination is very deadly. Need I say more?
Yes, I also agree he is a bit off his rocker!
Professor Taber's class is very boring, and its a big review of college bio. Gives the notes right to you on the overhead. Goes off on tangents, but very easy.
He is sooo strange! The class is easy, the tests are right from the notes and don't buy the book - you will never open it. All material is from a powerpoint on the board. He talks about evolution all the time and you cant argue your religious views with him which i think is wrong. very boring class
This guy is a fruit loop...go back to TEXAS!
Professor Taber is a little wierd. He goes off about stupid little things that have nothing to do with the lecture, but if you take the notes you'll do just fine. Also he tells you exactly what is going to be on the test.
HE SUCKS!!!!
He is a bit strange, but I liked him. He could be pretty funny at times. His tests are tricky because of the way he words the questions. But overall it was a fairly easy class.
Never knows when he is right, and second guesses himself constantly. I was praying for a C so I could take 231. Tests are very very tricky. Lots of all the above, none of the above, etc.
It is not the hardest class, but not the easiest. His notes are pretty much what the tests are. Still, he is a little crazy when he is teaching
Somewhat scatter brained hard to get a straight yes or no form him tests are DIRECTLY form notes DO NOT BUY BOOK unless you havent had Bio before Notes are on an overhead in Word likes to scroll around, notebook would be useful Better Lab teacher than Lec A good teacher just really into his subject
He is the worst teacher ever! He is oblivious to the real world and lives in his own little biology world. He doesn't give you straight answers to questions and is so unsure about everything he teaches. He loves Texas and is an Evolution-ist and he's not afraid to tell you. Stay FAR way!
No Comments
I honestly failed out of his class, I withdrew. I found him difficult to understand. He is a nice guy though! Will try and help you out.
Nice guy, don't buy the book he goes straight from his notes. Great lab instructor, needs to work on his lecturing.
Talks like you're a freshman... in high school. Can't answer questions (aka: Name this body part). Took him 1/2 hour to find one thing for us. "know these" that he covered not helpful. Tests on stuff you don't think you'd need to know as well as things not in lab manual. Look at things in class that he points out... they'll be on the practical!!
he's bad stay a way.
BORING, and offtopic
Shoot me in the face.. STAY AWAY!
he sucks if you like bio don't ever get this class what you learn will not be on the test
Most ridiculous professor I have ever had! He is so off topic and dry. Has zero people skills, a prime example that not everyone with a doctorate can teach! He seriously is more than a little off. Example: He told our class he thinks fungi caused hallucinations of Jesus, and that he possibly never existed. then drew a shroom over a cross???
He is a very nice guy and is willing to help. He is an evolutionist, but he doesn't push it upon you. Tries to make the class as easy as he can for his students. Don't buy the book, tests go strictly off lectures.
Terrible teacher. Lecture was sooo boring, and then the tests were confusing and hard. Stay far away from that class!!!!
He is a very nice man, but terrible teacher. His teaching style is very unorganized, total A.D.D. Don't buy the book. The test are unclear and hard. I think our class average was a %64. Take a different bio class.
Don't take his class if you can possibly avoid it. He is very unclear and rambles quite a bit. He goes off on tangents often and you can't tell if he's talking about material or just random nothings. Don't buy the book... expensive and I haven't needed mine once!
Very easy class if youve ever had bio before. Dont buy the book, everything is from the notes.
Taber seems like a really great person, but he is WAY too wrapped up in Biology. He doesn't even have time to brush his hair. Kinda funny, only wears plaid shirts and Cosby sweaters. If you don't like bio or don't know a lot about it, don't take this class. If you are good at bio, you should be fine.
Taber is the worst professor i've had at svsu, I took this class over summer and he didn't teach us a darn thing, he did a powerpoint of the pics in the book and explained them, anyone can do that! Basically u taught urself, and what he said was on the exam wasn't. The book was a waste of money, I didn't open mine once.
He was the worst teacher I have ever had. Highschool and college combined. Don't buy the book we never opened it once. He types out whatever he thinks he wants to lecture about and then talks to himself or his feet for the entire class period. The tests are relatively easy if you have already taken a biology course. Good Luck.
This guy is by far the worst professor i have ever had in my life. He is very scatter brained. I took bio in high school and still am stuggling in his class. Do not even waste the money on the book, we have not opened in class at all. His tests are based on his lectures which are his opinions so the book doesn't even help! Horrible, don't take him!
Tests weren't hard, but often tried to trick you. There are 2 test with the lab. Try to get another teacher for the lab his tests are really hard and he makes you know the reactions of a lot of the out comes to the experiments. He loves to talk about his research. Lecture is ok, but dont take him for lab. *DON'T BUY THE BOOK, YOU WON'T USE IT!!*
are you guys serious?!Taber one of the worst professors?!?i disagree.HE KNOWS HIS STUFF.i think he is a very nice guy and if you pay attention to his lectures you will get an A.i think his accent and the goofy things he says make the lecture interesting.I LOVE HIS LECTURES!!!he is very cool in the lab too!i would take any class he teaches anyday
I can't believe people don't like him. He's very easy, not boring, and a good guy. Go to class, read the chapters, and you'll get at least a B. A really great teacher in my opinion.
I took the class during the summer. Lab attendance was required, but lecture was not. Many people skipped multiple lectures and then complained about their grade. Some of the test wording was frustrating and was not always clear as he described it in his lecture.
No Comments
Don't buy the textbook. He tests off his lectures, which are redundant and dull. Prepare to take notes during the whole class. Sit in the back...he's smelly!
mumbles on about nothing.
The tests are not hard as long as you study the notes but he is extremely boring so its hard to pay attention in class. I would not recomend him, but if you did take him DO NOT BUY THE BOOK. I haven't opened it once. Test is strictly off the notes.
I thought he was a really good teacher. He says goofy things in lecture, so that makes it pretty interesting. As long as you pay attention and study your notes for tests, you'll get an A. The lab wasn't that hard either.
I only had him for lab, which was really easy. You'll want to know what you are doing though because while he's explaning, he'll start to ramble. It's actually kinda funny.
This guy isn't too bad, his lectures are just boring and confusing because he likes to ramble sometimes. His lecture notes are from a projected word doc. He explains everything and every once in awhile he'll pop out a joke while rambling/thinking out loud. Easy A if you study...but extremely broing. the book might help you but you don't need it.
I only had Prof.Taber for lab, but I talked to him several times to help clarify what I was learning in lecture (I had a visting professor from U of M who was confusing as sin) and he was very helpful. The only thing is that he is really bad at making eye contact and it is uncomfortable and he does ramble a lot.
Worst professor ever. Rambles.Not clear won't re explain material. Incredibly boring lectures that made me want to gouge my own eyes out.
Scatterbrained, Strays off track alot.
Class is easy. Study your notes and you'll get an A. Good guy and a good teacher.
Professor Taber is a nice guy. He rambles and goes off topic a lot, but that is just when you don't pay attention. Write down all of the notes he presents in class, and study them for about an hour before a test and you should be fine.
Taber is super cool. His lectures are amazingly boring sometimes, but that's only because he's hard to follow. If you get a coffee or something before his class and pay attention he has some really cool stories. He may be super weird but he's an awesome guy. Tests are super easy and he even tells you what will be on the test during lecture.
He sucks, he gets off topic alot and he's very hard to understand
I would have taken a different prof if I knew what this guy was gonna be like. he thinks out loud every 30 seconds and the lectures go no where. the tests aren't too bad and are taken right from lecture so there's NO need to buy the book. Did not enjoy the class at all.
I thought this professor was very interesting. He does ramble a lot but I found it pretty humorous. I didn't open my book the entire semester so do not buy it. If you take good notes and write down the test questions he gives you during class, his tests are EXTREMELY easy. All in all, I thought he was pretty decent.
DO NOT BUY THE BOOK!! teaches off of a word document. rambles a lot. love evolution, Darwin and insects. Tests were easy if you went to class. Talks to himself and looks at the ceiling a lot. I felt like I knew more than he did most of the time. Pretty awkward to have a conversation with.
Don't buy the book. I don't think I opened it once the entire semester. He's a very interesting guy. Tests weren't too bad, but sometimes the wording was confusing. He's not too bad, I would take one of his classes again.
Do not buy the book. The lecture will suffice. He tends to ramble so bring something to do in between important facts. Tests are relatively easy.
I had a horrible time in this class. I had a tutor, went to all the classes and studied every single day. I failed the first few tests so decided to withdraw to save my grade. I knew the information, but his wordings on tests were impossible to figure out
taber always is rambling and going off topic. his tests are hard and rarely ever go off notes. wish i wouldnt have bought the book cause we dont use it at all
Just not a very good teacher
He is very hard to follow, very confusing. He tends to go off topic. i didn't buy the book and glad i didnt if u study u should do all right becasue i never did and maintains a b average. doesn't give homework or extra credit options though
Im telling up front, I am not smart but his tests are fairly easy. He offers extra credit on tests and curves them as well. He does ramble ALOT but it kinda funny, sometimes his stories have a point to them. Overall, I liked him.
Dont buy book. Never used it or was told to. All tests come from notes, so study those and you'll do fine. Does go off on random tangents, but tests are easy. Curved and extra credit. Got an A.
Seems scatter-brained, and has many tangents. Lecture tests are fairly easy, as long as you take in class notes.The book is unnecessary, and never used.
At first he would not look at class. Very award, then towards end of semester he started to come out of his shell. You do not need text book at all.
It is true, he does tend to ramble a lot especially when it comes to bugs. He doesn't use vspace and everyone is right. No books are needed. I stopped bringing mine the 2nd week in. The only thing I need the book for is the definations for the lab part. He's a nice guy but he lectures are boring but he does have most notes on the board for you.
He is a horrible teacher, rambles a lot and his scatter brained. We never used the book so don't buy it. It will be a waste of money. His tests were hard mostly because of his wording. Overall it was just a bad class and if you get him withdrawl.
very smart man but i HORRIBLE teacher..rambles and goes off talkin about his own experiences. barely reviews for tests
NEVER used textbook. Fairly easy class. I didn't mind him as a teacher, although he did get a little boring. He tells stories that are not related to class material at all. Kind of strange, but very smart.
If you're taking Taber, don't buy the textbook. Everything is off his notes that he has on the screen. As long as you take good notes from him you should do fine. He tells you a lot of test questions and what will be on his tests which is helpful. His exams are kind of difficult but the final exam is not cumulative.
If you're taking Taber, don't buy the textbook. Everything is off his notes that he has on the screen. As long as you take good notes from him you should do fine. He tells you a lot of test questions and what will be on his tests which is helpful. His exams are kind of difficult but the final exam is not cumulative.
Don't buy the textbook. Horrible teacher. Spends most his time going off on tangents about useless information which isn't on the test. He talks dumb but he writes a mean test.
The class was pretty easy if you have had some bio prior. he's a very nice and helpful guy. very friendly, maybe awkward at times. if you takes good notes and study, you'll do fine. never got less than 85 on the tests. great bio teacher!
Awful teacher. Lecture is useless since he skips through all of the texts to get to the pictures. Tabers tests are hard since he doesn't teach. Switch your entire schedule around to avoid this teacher!
this guy is the cure for insomnia. if you can stay awake and take notes then you will get an A
Try to avoid if you can. He is always off topic, does have notes on the board tho, takes forever to explain, always behind on syllabus. Test questions are tiny details he may have mentioned once. I failed his class and I'm a science major.
This teach is the worst teacher. He always skips his notes to go to the pictures. His tests have nothing to do with what the notes say he is such a bad teacher that every test is curved around 15 points.. DO NOT TAKE HIM
Goes way off topic and gets distracted with his own analogies. Skips through his notes to look at pictures. You can know your notes inside out but unless you wrote down every word you will still have some problems. Tests are fairly simply if you pay attention but some things he asks he doesn't even mention in class. Always a curve on the tests.
Dr. Taber is a very intelligent man. I think he would be good in a insect biology class or an evolution class. He is not the best intro to biology class. His tests are hard, but he will give some of his test questions in lecture. I never opened my book. He explains you probably don't need it the first day of class.
Had him for a lab teacher - really intelligent guy. His specialization is bugs, and that really shows through - especially in a lab class. Can ramble on for longer than needed, but he's just making sure the class understands the material. Generally helpful if you phrase the question directly.
He is exremely intelligent. However, he is so smart he cannot stop connecting infromation in his head so if someone ask's a question, it will take over 30min to explain it. dont buy book your wasting your money. I would buy a pillow because his lectures will put you to sleep some days...and im a bio major.
Professor Taber is really intelligent and tends to go on tangents, most of which I found interesting. We never used the textbook. I got an A in his class by simply studying the notes prior to tests. I would recommend him, but only if you don't mind eccentric teachers and wandering lectures. Good guy.
Dr. Taber is not a bad teacher by any means, but he is also not the best. I loved Biology in high school and he has made it extremely confusing and hard to understand. He goes off topic about insects, and his tests are not easy. You take notes and hope that what you took notes on is what is on the test. Would not recommend.
Professor Taber is a VERY good teacher to take. I retook this class to get a higher grade (had a C first time with Little). His tests are EASY the people saying they are hard probably don't pay attention in class or don't study. I literally highlight my notes and make flashcards from them and haven't gotten lower than a B+ on the exams. RECOMMEND!!
I'm not a fan of the guy in particular, but I am of his tests. They are all always 100% multiple choice and usually if you study, you'll do just fine. However, he is super boring, a little odd, not great lecturer and gets off topic often. I was lucky to have friends in the same class cause trust me! You NEED the notes, but not to be there every day
Dr. Taber is a good teacher but his notes are very hard to understand. Plus his class is very boring to sit through.
Taber is AWFUL. He write his own version of the book. We literally have not used the book once. His tests have nothing to do with what he actually talks about in class. He spends more time talking about things he finds interesting then what is actually on the test. He is very hard to follow and very very weird. I would never take his class again.
I absolutely loved Taber! Icons and Ideas was a fairly easy class, basically if you studied the notes you could pass without a problem. He made the class so entertaining! I dont think a day went by that I didnt laugh during class. At times he could get off topic and leave you confused, but I found it funny and entertaining. I RECOMMEND BIOL 456!
He was a very easy teacher. Just take notes and that is exactly what is on the test. The people that wont like him are ones who don't study or hate listen to him lecture. Just pay attention
The only grades you get in his lecture class are test grades, and the tests are terrible. The tests are based on the lecture, the book has never once been used, unless for personal use. Material on the test is not always covered in class so you find yourself guessing. He's very off topic and unorganized. I do not recommend!
Horrible! Never used textbook, gets very distracted, and tests were hard. Only grades are tests and very unpredictable what will be on them. Talks about insects more than anything else! Hard to pay attention, only positive thing is there is extra credit on tests and final is not cumulative. Don't recommend unless you have no other option.
Personally, I really liked the man as a professor. I guess I just have a dry sense of humor, and since I love Biology I didn't think the class was very hard. BUT, he is very strange on tests, like B and C are correct a lot. Also, if people have troubles he explains things difficult. He's brilliant, so he has issues explaining things simply.
Have you ever seen the movie Dazed and Confused? I think he may have just walked out of that movie. I love biology, and I did well in the class, but it took all of my patience to sit and listen to him ramble about stuff that did not pertain to the class.
Pros:NO homework or papers. extra credit on tests. no attendance.never used book so no need to buy. CONS: completely insane. doesnt care about teaching at all. only there so he can get his "research funded by university" so confusing. babbles about unrelated topics really hard to follow. good if looking for low work load. bad if bio is hard for u
Give Taber a chance. though he may go off on rants; he's a genius. For a bio class his tests are easy IF U TAKE NOTES STRAIGHT FROM HIS PRESENTATION I stayed after class numerous times to ask questions and he always answered them clearly though sometimes I literally followed him as he walked away to his office. No need for book for A
Dr. Taber is a eccentric kind of guy. He overall is helpful in lab and lets you leave when your finished. However, I didn't feel as though I learned a whole lot from him when in class unless I asked questions. Study hard for practicals and make sure that you take pictures.
Taber seems to be a good guy, but I regret taking him as a teacher. His lecture notes and tests weren't well connected at all, I'd study the lecture notes for hours and get the test and half the questions weren't from lecture. He skips all of the text in lecture and always goes straight to the pictures. Dont take him.
While his lectures are very boring and he does ramble a lot, his test are very easy if you take good notes (really just write down everything he says and what is on the screen). Don't even bother buying the book.
Whether to take Taber depends on what do you want from the class. If you are planning to continue study Biology, you may want to find another instructor who cares students more and rates your interest better. On the other hand, if you simply want an A, take him. As long as you spend time on study, tests are all into level. Recommend for his tests.
I really enjoyed this class and enjoyed Dr. Taber. He was very easy-going and enjoyed interacting with students. He made the class relevant to us and designed it the way he would have wanted it designed as a student, rather than just designing it as a professor.
Taber is not all that bad of a professor. He rambles from time to time, but he's a smart guy. Just pay very close attention to his notes and you'll survive.
Professor Taber is not all that bad. Pay attention, take detailed notes (his tests are based off these) and ask him questions when your confused and you'll be fine.
Take good notes and pay attention since the tests are based on the slide shows.
Very smart guy. Rambles on and on and can be a tad boring but if you actually listen to him, he tells you exactly what you need to know for test. and he makes emphasis on the important stuff
He's a terrible professor. He's very smart but so confusing. I would not recommend taking him. CHOOSE A DIFFRENT PROFESSOR FOR BIOLOGY 111. He rambles on about nothing and is not clear on what will be on tests.
Taber rambles a lot. He talked about what he'd do if he was an engineering professor for 20 minutes one class. Take someone else for Bio 111. Our lab teacher taught us everything. Only take him if you are very good at focusing
Rambles a fair amount in lecture, but his tests are pretty easy. Take good notes during lecture and you should be fine.
He is a TERRIBLE professor! No matter how hard I tried in his class I could never do good. He RAMBLES and doesn't teach you what you need to know for the test! HE IS HORRIBLE! TRUST ME WHEN I SAY.....TAKE SOMEONE ELSE!!!! He doesn't use Vspace and never emails me back when I want to know my final exam grade before it went on my transcript.
I enjoyed this class. Take very good notes and ask questions when things are unclear. Be sure you understand everything in the labs; I would have had a higher grade in this class if I hadn't failed both of them. He's not very good at emailing you back if you had questions so make sure you ask them in class.
Dr. Taber is extremely knowledgeable, and a great professor. Everyone complaining about his tests being hard, or class boring, try this- get a pencil and WRITE DOWN NOTES. Jesus he practically hands you an A if you retain what he says. He also always made office time for me, and he is around campus all the time. STRONGLY RECOMMEND.
If you can take any other professor, I definitely recommend that you do so. Especially if you are a nursing major. There are only 4 tests and an exam. That's your grade. I dropped this class because the lecture doesn't prepare you for the test, and Taber isn't willing to help you. Terrible prof. I would give him 0 stars if I could.
He is very off topic and slow paced. He talked about surviving a bear attack for 30 minutes in one class then spent 2 days on mitosis and meiosis. Also get ready to hear about bugs. He loves bugs and will talk about them forever. You learn just about everything but biology in this class.
Dr. Taber is a weird guy but makes sure that you know what is going to be on your tests. If you study the notes you will be fine. There is only 4 tests in the whole semester and those plus your lab grades are the only grades you will receive.
He honestly lectures all class and over half is not on the test! He never makes any sense when he talks because he goes off on stupid rants! I am an all A student and failed the first test! If you take this class get ready to read and teach youself everything!
Professor Taber can be confusing with his circling thoughts. Try not to take note of these. Only what he says is important! Yet, he's a SUPER smart guy who gives great notes. He shows them on the projector, and as long as you write down what's on the board you'll do fine. You NEVER use your textbook because he sums it up for you. He's hilarious!
Okay, he lives in his own little world, yes. But he also tells you EXACTLY what will be on the tests. If you come to class and takes the notes, you will get an A no matter what! NO NEED TO BUY THE BOOK!--he tells you the very first day of class that you won't use it and that the tests come directly from his notes. Easiest class I have taken at SVSU
Dr. Taber is in my opinion one of the best professors at SVSU. He is incredibly passionate about his job and because of this, his Zoology class is very intriguing and fun. The class itself is very difficult and requires effort and hard work. However, If you're willing to put the time in and work with a study partner, you will do great!
For Dr. Taber's class, you need to know three things: 1.) if you skip class, you will not pass. His extremely dry lectures you MUST take notes from. It's the only way to pass his tests. 2.) tests are multiple choice, but he's not forgiving of an overall poor class average (he doesn't curve). 3.) STUDY!!!
Basically if you show up and are able to pay attention to the lectures, you will get A's. He was really scatterbrained though, so you have to pay close attention in order to fully understand him, and sometimes his lectures were super boring. But he was really nice and always willing to help or clarify something. Don't buy the book!!!
Do not take him if you're not already an expert. His lectures are all over the place and he doesn't get to the point. Likes to talk about his bugs and gets distracted very easy. If you go to class and study hard he is passible but he only has 4 test and that is were your entire grade comes from.
He talks the whole time about random things and doesnt put anything online your only grades are the tests
DO NOT TAKE TABER. It's basically going to be a miracle if I pass this class with a C. Stop, turn around, and choose a different professor.
Amazing teacher! If you go to class you'll easily pass. Gives you hints during lecture on what questions he will ask on the test, and the class before the exam he goes over what questions will be on there. He does this after he has wrote the test so you know for sure they will be on there!
Biology is something that I have always been bad at but this class is super easy. He tells you exactly what is on the test. I passed this class with a 4.0. There is no homework and your grade is based only on your test grades but he gives you the exact questions and answers the class before the test so there is no reason why you shouldn't get an A.
Awful teacher, would never recommend taking him. Tests are long worded incredibly hard. Not that nice of a guy, doesn't speak clearly. Never looks at you when he's talking. Got a 69 wouldn't boost me up.
He tells you everything you need to know for the test and does a quick review over all the chapters that will be included. Take detailed notes and never miss his lab! His lab tests are more detailed and somewhat difficult but they are only worth half the amount of his lecture tests. He is pretty funny and interesting in his own quirky way.
Taber is very strange, but entertaining because of that. Very concerned about the well being of his students. I think I got over 100% in the class. If you show up every class and take notes, you will pass. He literally tells you exactly what the questions on the test will be and gives extra credit. Write what he says, get an A. DONT BUY BOOK!!!
Lectures to everything he puts on the text, and puts extra credit on tests. TAKE DETAILED NOTES but probably don't need to buy a book. Sometimes gets off topic, but tells funny/interesting stories. Explains things very thoroughly and seems like a very kind man. Definitely knows what he is talking about.
I'm a nursing major, and BIO 111A with Taber is still the hardest class I ever took. The tests do NOT correspond with his lectures very well. I took good notes, read the book, and had a private tutor and still got a C. Good luck. (you don't need the book except for studying)
The class would really be interesting if we followed what the publisher sent him. Instead he tried to make up his own slides and has to take time out of lecture to try and figure out what is the most important parts of that slide. Overall just doesn't seem prepared to lecture. Tests are relatively easy, and he grades pretty fast. Grammar counts!
Professor Taber is a good guy but is not the best teacher. He is very unorganized and jumps off topic a lot, telling stories about his own life. If you go to class though he will give you some answers that are on the test but you have to be in class to get them. Don't buy the book, we never used it once nor did he talk about it. Wouldn't recommend.
I took Dr. Taber for Bio111A freshman year. He teaches of a Word document, and can be difficult to follow at times. He's very good at going back and trying to re-explain something if you have a question, however. The only grades given out are four tests throughout the class, which he combines with the lab tests for your overall grades.
His grading scale is terrible. He goes off on tangents about Texas, his bugs, stupid things. He tells you all these things that are on a test and the things he ells you only pertains to 1 question.
His grading scale is bad. Your grade will only be based on tests so you have to do well on those. He is interesting to listen to sometimes, but goes off topic a lot! Some of the test questions are very irrelevant to what you learn. You have to take notes in order to pass. One good thing is he will give you tips on what will be on the tests
Always on an tangent. Says things won't or will be on test and are or not on the test.
The only reason that I passed this class was because I read the book even though he told us at the beginning that we would not need to. I do not recommend this professor because often times he goes into these subcategories like who came up with the laws and things like that but they will not be on the tests. He also talks about his bugs a lot.
Avoid if possible. He was very difficult to follow and always got off topic. If you are stuck with him I would recommend reading the book as you go.
I LOVED Taber. Favorite professor I've had so far. He's has a weird sense of humor and sometimes rambles on, but I always thought he was funny and was never bothered by it. He knows what he's talking about. He was very clear during class on what would be on the tests so they were easy. Go to the review period the class before a test you'll be fine
If you can avoid taking him please do. Although he is a really cool guy you will learn nothing and he will not teach anything. Your grade is determined by 4 tests so you better study your butt off for it. I recieved all 4.0's in my other classes and got a 2.0 in his class. Only take him if yo excel at bio.
I really liked Taber. I was never good at Biology and I did not understand it or do well in high school, but I actually learned things from him. His tests are a bit harder than the information learned in lecture but he gives you many examples of questions that will be on the test. He gets off topic sometimes but he explains things very well.
Dr. Taber was my lab professor and he always made sure to thoroughly explain each lab before getting started. He also reviews the lab before each exam.
Mr. Taber is a great man don't get me wrong, but his lectures were very hard to follow. He gets off topic A LOT. Be ready to take many notes in his class because he is only straight lecture & exams. He doesn't give out extra credit & don't buy the textbook, you'll never use it. Personal, I wasn't a fan of his teaching style.
Dr. Stephen Taber is the best professor. Everything said in lecture is on the test. Though attendance is not mandatory, it is essential for doing well on tests. He presents the information in pictures, text and verbally which helps ingrain what is being taught. Amazing and would enjoy having him again.
He gets off topic VERY often. Pay close attention because then he will jump back into things that are supposedly on the test... you never use the book. He's a character, just not someone I can learn from.
Dr. Taber gets off topic a lot but he is really passionate about what he does. He always does a review and basically tells you exactly what is going to be on the test. I took him for Entomology too, although I have few patience for professors that wander off during lectures, I would take him again.
Taber goes off on random tangents about nothing. You won't know what to write in notes and what not to. He does review for the tests but usually the test is totally different. Try and avoid taking him!!
Goes off on about random things that you have no idea what he is talking about. will talk about his bug adventures(which is a hobby of his) talks about it at least once a class. has power points and even if you write everything down and draw them you wont pass the test. no study guide. only 4 tests. He thinks a class average of about a 60% is good
Taber is a nice guy but not a good professor at all. He doesn't really have notes just long paragraphs on Word and they do not make sense. He knows what he is talking about and is smart but gets off topic a lot and what he talks about doesn't make sense half the time or he will babble about random things He thinks a class average of 65% is good?!
Pay attention in class and take really good notes or you won't pass. He doesn't post anything online, not even your test scores or notes, so if you miss a class you're not going to do well on tests. If you do bad on one test it's very hard to come back because the lecture is based off 4 tests.
No study guides or anything. You'll never know what your grade because he doesn't use canvas. No textbooks are necessarily used.
Taber gets so off track in his lecture that you will know more about bugs, rather than actually learning about what you need to know for the test. You will ask him a question and he will reply with something that is totally off topic. Would not take him ever again!! If you want to learn biology, take a different teacher.
Taber is a professor very focused on lectures, if you don't take notes you won't pass, and reading from the book isn't necessary. Overall his class is very fair and he can be pretty funny, but sometimes he gets a bit sidetracked. He knows what he is talking about and you can learn a lot from his lectures
Professor Taber is very intelligent but not cut out for teaching. All he did in lab was reiterate the information that the manual said, but not describe the experiments at all. He also takes a lot of time in class to talk about his swamp and naming the bugs he finds. What he says will be on exams, won't. Very intelligent and interesting though!
Taber is easily distraced while giving his lectures. He will talk about a million different things or he will stay on one specific thing for a whole week leaving us being in lab forcing the lab professor to teach us the material. He curved every exam we had to have an average 70. He tells you exactly what will be on exam but still should read book
Tabrt is an excellent professor. He tells you exactly what will be on the exams. He shows pictures to explain each topic and will answer any questions asked. If you do poorly on an exam, go to his office hours, as he will go through each question you got wrong. He admits when hes made a mistake and has removed exam questions when he made a mistake
He was easy if you showed up to lecture. Often talked about alcohol and bugs and was late to the exam!
He is a very smart guy and loves what he does, but he is not very good at relaying what he means to students. He often talked about bugs during lectures and goes off topic. His tests were easy, but I taught myself everything.
Taber is one of my favorite professors on campus! You dont need a book, and never had take home notes! As long as you listen to his lecture, and laugh at his jokes, you should pass no problem! He pretty much tells you the questions on the exams too! He might be a wack, but hes the best wack! I wish I had him all 4 years!
Dr. Taber is a character. While the things he says are sometimes just strange, he knows what he's talking about when it comes to bio. In lab, we never had to show any work or answer any questions in lab manual. If you have the chance to have him for a lab instructor, take it. Make sure to listen to him explain the lab so you can pass the 2 exams.
Professor Taber referred to drinking in class a lot. The class consisted of 4 exams and that is your grade. His lectures are very boring, he goes off on a tangent a lot. A textbook is not required but when it comes to exams not everything he discusses in lectures is not on the exam, so I would get the book and read it after lectures.
Dr. Taber is a very straightforward professor. You know exactly what to expect on exams because he tells you what kinds of questions and information will be on them. He breaks concepts down to make them very easy to understand. DO NOT BUY THE BOOK. His lecture notes are more than enough to help you prepare for exams!
Okay Look If you are going to be on your phone the entire time, not listen, go home and not study, this professor is not for you. This was my second time taking BIO111A, and I knew not to mess around. You are going to have to work and study to earn a good grade. Sure, he likes to talk about bugs and make the same jokes, but he is a good prof.
He gets very off topic. You will really need to study hard and write every little thing he says if you want to get an A. He makes many grading issues on the test, so be sure to go to his office hours and look it over to make you you got the grade you deserved. Good teacher is your major is biology. Nice guy though.
The professor gets distracted very easily. He will begin by trying to explain the lecture but then quickly begins to talk about alcohol (which he will speak about for half of the class). He will then talk about his snake stick. His lectures are super boring and you will not learn much. You have to teach yourself. Exams are the only thing graded.
Never puts his grades in canvas. You dont know your grade until after the semester ends.
Easiest class if you go to class and listen. Exams bases solely off lecture so as long as you pay attention and go to class you will end with an A. DO NOT BUY THE BOOK!!!!! I rented it for $100 and didn't look at it once. SAVE YOUR MONEY
The worst professor that I have ever had at SVSU. He teaches off of a Microsoft word document with just words and pictures. He does give out test questions during lectures but I cannot say that I have learned anything from the class itself. I received the lowest grade that I have ever gotten in college.
He is very unorganized and gets off track very easily. It seemed like we barely made a dent in the material we were supposed to cover throughout the semester. This was not a difficult class to pass if you attend lectures, but not if you want genuine knowledge of the subject (or your money's worth).
He goes way off topic. I have been an A student for years in college and have been failing this class. He is a sweetheart, but just cannot teach. The only grades are 4 100 point tests which information you get is off of disorganized microsoft word documents. I went to every lecture and still couldn't grasp it. Do with it what you will.
Constantly goes off topic about random subjects that have nothing to do with the current lecture, information on the exams comes straight from the lecture but he has admitted to purposely trying to trip students up with trick questions. Half the time you have no idea what the man is talking about. Several other students in the class agree with this
Taber is one of the worst professor I have ever had, he barely teaches in his lectures, he goes off topic constantly, he doesn't post grades, he won't respond to emails, I asked him if I could know my grade because I was missing one of my exam grades, and he told me no. I would never recommended having him if you can avoid it.
Professor Taber is an extremely goofy dude. He gets way off topic in lecture, so make sure you pay attention. His exams are based off of exactly what he says in lecture, so go to them all. He literally tells you when he is saying something that will be on the test. Write down everything he says, study that, and you will get great exam grades.
Taber wasnt completely horrible but lectures are all over the place and uses a lot of pictures to try and explain topics but usually ends up going off topic. There are four exams and are based off the lectures so try and take good notes. Overall it wasnt the worst class but good have been better if he used canvas.
Prof Taber was sometimes hard to follow but he did explain things well. His tests weren't too bad. He also gives extra credit questions on every test.
You have to attend every class and write down everything Professor Taber says or you will not pass. He doesn't use canvas so all the notes come from lecture. He tends to ramble and go off topic, but as long as you write down everything biology related and study you will do fine.
Loves bugs and loves telling you about them. Watch out for the snake stick. You will learn nothing in this class that you haven't learned in high school. Catch him outside walking and you'll learn a lot. Sleep in class and you'll still pass, though not recommended. He gives creationists a fair shake though he is an evolutionist.
Got extremely off topic often.
You will not need a book for this class because he takes notes from the book and explains them during lectures. He does not give out practice test or references to study options because during class he will give examples of test questions. It helps best to have Quizlet open when taking notes. He likes to go off topic.
Easy class if you study. 100% of the grade was based on four exams which were all multiple choice. He does tend to go on tangents about other things, but he doesnt care if you are on your phone, so its easy to only pay attention when needed.
He is the worst biology professor at SVSU students and faculty know it. He cannot form a sentence with out going on a 35 minute tangent. His class is based off of 4 exams and and your lab grade that is it. He WILL NOT EVER answer an email!! DO NOT TAKE HIS CLASS AT ALL WAIT UNTIL THE FOLLOWING SEMESTER IF ITS YOUR ONLY OPTION. HE is TERRIBLE!!!
I did not like the class. he gets off topic very easy and is not very clear with material.. if you are a person that needs a study guide to help this is not the class for you
Stephen Taber is a horrible teacher! he does not teach anything! he throws notes on the board and expects you to retain the Information off the stuff he puts on the board. sits in his chair all class, doesn't give study guides, offer online class, doesn't give out anything to help study for test all in all he is a horrible teacher. the worst so far
worst class I have ever done. only offers lectures & exams. he has lost my first TWO tests and only offered for me to retake them and I will not be accepting that. his tests are difficult & only done on paper/scantron. you can not understand anything he says in lecture or what he puts on the screen because he just Googles random information. 0 rate
If Frank Gallagher taught a class this would be it. If you come to class and take notes you'll be fine, also look up Quizlets for the exams( I doubt the material has changed in 20 years). 3-4 Exams will be your overall grade thats it.
Taber is the worst teacher I have ever had. If I could rate him a 0, I would. The grade consists of 4 exams. The material comes from a long word document that has not been updated in years. He talks about unnecessary things all the time. He says "this is a test question" but then goes on a tangent that was not even related to the test. The worst.
Guys please do not take this course with this professor. He was so unorganized and it is so hard to understand him and what he is trying to say. Your overall grade is based off of 3 tests so if you do bad on one you are basically screwed and if you miss classes you won't get any of the material because he does not post anything on canvas.
this class is most likely better in-person. online, it was a disaster. the prof was extremely disorganized the entire semester and couldnt even bother to respond to emails.
Wasnt horrible just very boring during the lectures. Go to class and take notes. Overall pretty laid back class just gotta study for tests
Professor Taber has been one of the worst professors I've ever had. He grades off 3 tests and doesn't use canvas. I emailed him 5 times throughout the semester concerned about my grade and didn't hear back once. I had to find my final grade on my transcript. I would never take again and stay away if you can. STAY AWAY.
If I could give a professor a zero I would. I saw a post here that said. "If Frank Gallagher was a professor." and that is so accurate. I asked him when the final exam was going to be and he literally didn't know. I emailed him asking if he could post the document he uses in the lecture on canvas and he said "that's too much work." like huh?
never replies mails, when we ask questions his answers never help.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
28%
Textbook Required
65%
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B+
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BIOL105A
5.0
(1)BIOL111B
5.0
(1)111B
5.0
(1)111
4.3
(4)105A
4.0
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BIO105
4.7
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4.5
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105
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