2.7

Susan Hester

Molecular/Cellular Biology - University of Arizona

2.7
Quality
3.5
Difficulty
41%
Would Retake
105
Reviews
2.7
Quality
3.5
Difficulty
2.8
Helpful
2.7
Clarity

41%

Would Retake

105

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

26

4

9

3

12

2

31

1

27

What Students Say

I honestly don't know why this professor gets so many bad reviews

MCB181R - 5.0 rating

Can be very confusing when explaining the material

MCB181 - 2.0 rating
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

97%

Textbook Required

100%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

95% confidence
Based on 71 grades
Most common grades:
A (29)
B (12)
Not sure yet (11)
Grade Distribution
A(34)B(15)C(13)D(3)F(0)A-/B+(6)
Based on 86 reported grades
A: 29
B: 12
Not sure yet: 11
C-: 5
Common Tags
Test heavy (30)
Participation matters (30)
Group projects (22)
Lots of homework (19)
Get ready to read (16)
Tough grader (15)
Lecture heavy (13)
Caring (12)
Rating Trend

Stable

-0.11 avg change
Dec
Jan
Apr
May
Nov
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

BIO181

3.6

(5)

MCB181R

3.0

(56)

MCB304

3.0

(4)

MCB181

2.5

(28)

MCB305

2.3

(3)
+2 more courses
Difficulty by Course

BIO181R

4.0

MCB181

3.7

MCB181L

3.7

BIO181

3.6

MCB181R

3.4

Reviews (105)
5.0
2.0
BIO181
Feb 2, 2012

Ms. Hester is amazing, you will be lucky to have her! She puts a lot of effort in teaching the class and really goes out of her way for her students. Very friendly and approachable, will not judge you based on your knowledge level. you will still benefit from reading the book often as there is a lot of material. She made a tough course enjoyable.

2.0
3.0
MCB181L
Oct 15, 2013

I did not enjoy taking her class. She is a hard working teacher, but she is very new at teaching large lecture style classes. Her tests were worded very strange, and there was little connection between the homework, quizzes, and tests. All were polar opposites as far as difficulty.

5.0
1.0
MCB181R
Oct 29, 2013

Dr. Hester is fabulous. She works very hard to ensure everyone understands the material, and she is probably one of the nicest people ever. This class is very manageable as long as you put in sufficient study time. Read the book, it helps a lot.

2.0
5.0
MCB181
Nov 7, 2013

She is not very clear about the topics you need learn and understand. You need to work extra hard to do well in her class. exams are hard and she expects you to learn the material from homework, quizzes, and these study guides that are not too helpful. She has ridiculous lectures and makes you do too much group work instead of teaching the topics.

2.0
5.0
MCB181
Nov 13, 2013

She overcomplicates things. Her tests are so poorly worded that the true answer could be a number of the provided ones. It doesn't even matter how well you know the material; she fails at least half the class. I don't recommend taking her if you want a good grade.

1.0
4.0
MCB181
Grade: Audit/No_Grade
Nov 13, 2013

I was a tutor and even I was confused by Dr. Hester. She facilitates the teaching using group work and discussion as well as clicker questions expecting students come to class having read everything and learned alone already. Her tests are also insanely confusing, that coming from many tutors who already mastered the subject.

2.0
4.0
MCB181
Grade: Not_Sure_Yet
Nov 14, 2013

Her test are extremely confusing! She has a lot of "choose all that apply" questions. She also words them very strange so you aren't really sure what she is asking. Difficult to get a good grade in the class.

3.0
3.0
MCB181
Nov 18, 2013

Dr. Hester is very nice and wants her students to do well. However, this is a tough class. Her exams are pretty difficult because they are mostly application problems and they are worded strangely. She also has a lot of "select all that apply" questions on them. If you want a decent grade in this class, you have to put a lot of effort into it.

1.0
5.0
MCB181R
Dec 2, 2013

This class was very difficult. Her teaching ability was hard to understand. She focused more on group work than teaching the class the material they needed to learn for the exams. Exams are tricky and there are NO review sessions! There were numerous mistakes on exam and it was harder than it should have been, DON NOT TAKE HER CLASS!!! I BEG YOU!!!

2.0
5.0
MCB181R
Dec 9, 2013

Class time is a mix of useless group work and clicker questions. She also has pre-class homework which doesn't help and weekly quizzes (easy if done in group but not that useful) just READ, go to office hours for tough concepts and form a study group. Because of extra credit a B is completely possible but its a trap because an A-92 and a B-82.

3.0
3.0
BIO181
Grade: B
Dec 11, 2013

I think people are unfairly attacking this teacher, her tests are just as hard as other bio teachers here, class is mandatory but because 15% of your grade is just showing up, homework and quizzes make up another 15% (work with a group to get perfect scores) 30% of your grade is made this way. For tests read the book, understand the concepts well!

1.0
5.0
MCB181
Grade: C+
Dec 13, 2013

This class is already hard and Dr. Hester makes it seem even harder. She makes everything confusing. Her lectures are pointless all you do is group work that does not even benefit you. she also randomly chooses people to speak a lot which was annoying. overall, not a good teacher.

2.0
4.0
MCB181
Dec 14, 2013

Class is mandatory, but not helpful at all. She hardly teaches at all herself, so you pretty much have to learn everything on your own. Tests were weirdly worded and confusing, and many "choose all that apply" questions. I would definitely recommend a different professor.

5.0
2.0
MCB181R
Grade: B
Dec 14, 2013

I wish people would stop bashing her. Dr. Hester shows such fantastic interest in her subject of teaching. Granted, her first test was tricky as it contained multiple selection questions, but after that all you need to do is study the weekly quizzes and you're fine. My GPA is below a 3 and I still passed this class with flying colours.

4.0
2.0
MCB181R
Dec 15, 2013

Hester was actually a good professor (despite the fact that lectures were not very useful), one of easiest for MCB181R. Her tests are a little tricky, but if you study well for the class you'll be fine! Just be careful -- there are a lot of "choose all that apply" questions, and an "A" is 92% and above. Overall a good professor.

2.0
4.0
MCB181R
Grade: C-
Dec 16, 2013

Dr hester does enjoy her job, shes brilliant at it! The course is more about concepts and applying them. Im not a Bio Major i dont need to know this stuff, just the principle of the topic. Tests are worded confusingly, a lot of "choose all that apply" makes you second guess everything you have studied. Take this at a Community college if possible.

1.0
5.0
MCB181
Grade: C+
Dec 18, 2013

EASILY THE WORST TEACHER I'VE EVER TAKEN. She does not care about the success of her students and set grade cutoffs that were beyond unrealistic. My 300 person lecture was her time to try a "new class style" in which you do pointless group work and rush through lecture slides with little/no explanation on the actual content. DO NOT TAKE HER

4.0
1.0
MCB181
Grade: A+
Dec 19, 2013

Dr. Hester is very passionate about what she teaches and does her best to engage students actively. Her wording on exams is tricky and takes a bit to get, but the material isn't difficult: take the weekly quizzes seriously and you'll be prepared for the exams. She offers EC and a 92 is a realistic goal for an A. Success depends entirely on /you/.

2.0
4.0
MCB181
Grade: C+
Dec 20, 2013

Dr.Hester is very passionate about the subject. However, her class is very difficult and time consuming. Her lectures are confusing and do not help. You will need to teach yourself the material. Be prepared to spend many hours reading the book, doing homework, taking online quizzes, and receiving only a mediocre grade for your effort.

5.0
2.0
MCB181R
Grade: A
Dec 25, 2013

Dr. Hester was a very helpful teacher for Biology. At first, I got a C on the first test. However, after she indicated the LEARNING OUTCOME, I earned an A on each of my next 3 tests and the final. If you want to succeed in her class, you have to read the book before class, since she goes fast through the materials in her lectures.

1.0
5.0
BIO181
Grade: D+
Jan 9, 2014

SHE IS ABSOLUTELY THE WORST TEACHER I HAVE EVER HAD. Her class was very hard, the lectures made no sense, she didn't respond to any of my emails asking for help, and the tests and quizzes were very difficult and confusing. Unless you already had a degree in biology expect to be confused all the time and expect a low grade with her as your teacher.

1.0
5.0
MCB181R
Apr 15, 2014

She loves her job, but teaching is not for her. You are required to teach yourself. Her "check all that apply" answers make the exams super hard and too confusing to understand. Exams are not what your prepare yourself for, and not what she "taught" during lecture. DO NOT take this teacher unless you have hours and hours to teach yourself.

1.0
5.0
MCB181R
Grade: C-
Apr 15, 2014

Speaking into a microphone for the entire class, about pointless "topics" you are suppoed to know based on her "teaching", and doing pointless group work is her "teaching". I DO NOT RECOMMEND. She does not teach effectively and her exams are VERY hard. It is not what you prepare yourself for in the long run. I do not recomment this teacher at all!

1.0
4.0
BIO181R
Apr 30, 2014

Worst Biology professor ever. Her exams are impossible especially the check all that apply ones. Plus attendance is mandotory for the clicker question which is stupid cause I had the class 8am in the morning . Could have gotten an A but attendance can bring you down a whole letter grade which is in no way fair to the student. DO NOT TAKE HER

4.0
4.0
BIO181
May 14, 2014

Your grade is basically based on participation, which is great. I failed 2 of her test but I'm likely pass with a B because I went to class/did homework.

5.0
1.0
MCB181R
Grade: A
May 29, 2014

The greatest teacher I've had yet!! She is the sweetest/ most entertaining teacher (at 8am too!). You have clicker questions for attendance, but go to class because it's all the info (+interesting) you need! not because it's mandatory. Practice tests and SI sessions are lifesavers! There's EC available, and lab often overlaps info which is nice.

5.0
5.0
MCB181R
Grade: A
Jul 14, 2014

Dr. Hester's teaching method is primarily focused on practicing and applying concepts (instead of memorizing), which many students unfortunately are not used to. If you are a biology/pre-med major, however, this class will set you up for the kind of critical thinking you ABSOLUTELY need in upper division courses!

5.0
2.0
MCB181
Aug 7, 2014

This is a hard class but completely manageable. Hester makes requirements extremely clear and gives the opportunity for a good amount of extra credit. More importantly is if you are premed her class prepares you for what youll see on the mcat bio section. Highly recommend for 181.

3.0
4.0
MCB181
Grade: D+
Oct 21, 2014

She loves the topic but she's just not a good professor. Her tests are basically impossible. You have to know the material up, down, and sideways. Be prepared to work your heart out and get a C.

5.0
4.0
BIO181
Grade: A+
Dec 16, 2014

Dr. Hester is by far one of the most effective teachers I have had thus far :) She makes biology interesting and teaches the material so well that two semesters later I still remember all of it and can apply it to my other classes. She is passionate about her job and the material and it is evident in the way she teaches the class.

1.0
4.0
MCB181R
Grade: Not sure yet
Feb 9, 2022
Wouldn't take again

I'm taking the course right now. There is no study guides /practice test for exams. So you have no idea what to study. There is a weekly quiz that isn't that bad b/c there are 3 chances but you cant see what you got wrong. wording of quizzes is weird. lots reading. lecture hall but makes you get in groups. material not hard, she makes it hard.

Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
Group projects
4.0
3.0
MCB181R
Grade: Not sure yet
Mar 3, 2022
Would take again

If you've taken a biology class before in high school you should be fine. Just do the readings before class and take basic notes during the lectures. It is a pretty difficult class, but if you feel confident about the weekly quizzes and the pop up questions during class, you'll be good.

Get ready to read
Group projects
Lecture heavy
1.0
4.0
BIO181R
Grade: B
Mar 11, 2022

The learning objectives in lecture serve as a study guide, most of the time she doesn't go over all of the learning objectives, making it extremely difficult to study and understand. Lots of reading assignments and homework that aren't on the test. Many times her lectures and the readings/homework don't line up.

Get ready to read
Lots of homework
Lecture heavy
5.0
3.0
MCB181R
Grade: A+
Mar 30, 2022
Would take again

Dr. Hester is a great professor and really allows her students to take their time to understand what she is teaching. This class is very lecture-based so if you miss one day I would highly recommend following up with the slides she posts on her page.

Get ready to read
Lecture heavy
1.0
2.0
MCB181R
Grade: A
Apr 5, 2022

Not only does the professor not grade any assignments on time, but she also makes it difficult to get many of your resources back as well. There is no access to any quizzes or tests until about a month after taking them. If you plan on emailing her, do not even waste your time. Her responses are short, ridiculous, and honestly disrespectful.

Get ready to read
Graded by few things
Accessible outside class
1.0
4.0
MCB181
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 12, 2022

Dr.Hester's "teaching methods" include reading directly off of broadly summarized ppt slides and having students read another 80 pages every night on the actual hardpoints of the material. Also, you never know what the exams are on because she is against study guides... overall if you actually need to learn this information, pick another professor!

Tough grader
Get ready to read
Test heavy
1.0
5.0
MCB181R
Apr 14, 2022
Wouldn't take again

She just talks about nothing its easy to get lost in lectures. She never answers any of the questions she asks in lectures. Everyone in failed an exam and she didnt curve it so that sucks. Only lets you have 1 page of notes for exams which are very difficult and confusing

Tough grader
Lots of homework
Test heavy
1.0
5.0
MCB181R
Grade: B-
Apr 21, 2022

She does many examples in class, but never clearly explains the material. She does not prepare classes adequately for the exams and the readings are too long at times and the class topics do not match the exam material at times.

Tough grader
Graded by few things
Online Savvy
2.0
5.0
MCB181R
Apr 29, 2022

She reads off slides directly and you get most of your learning from the textbook you read. Tests are very difficult and not prepared very well

Test heavy
1.0
5.0
MCB181R
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 29, 2022

SUSAN IS THE WORST!!! She gives group work that is absolutely pointless every class and a complete waste of time. Going to lectures does not help you because you will not learn anything and she reads directly off her slides. Her teaching style is horrible and after slido questions, the correct answer is never revealed.

Tough grader
EXTRA CREDIT
Test heavy
2.0
4.0
MCB181
Grade: A
May 1, 2022

I really like Prof Hester as a person. She gives off fun aunt vibes, but the actual class is a different story. Classes were mostly shallow reviews of the reading we already needed to understand to complete pre-class assignments. There was no real exam review so I was always caught off guard by the exams, which were absolutely brutal. GPA killer.

Tough grader
Get ready to read
2.0
4.0
MCB181
Grade: Not sure yet
May 2, 2022

This class is very draining. I feel like the content we learned during lectures is very different from the content on the exams. I found the exams difficult (especially since the later exams include content from earlier exams) and feel like having a study guide or some clear idea of what concepts were going to be on the exams would of been helpful.

Participation matters
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
1.0
4.0
MCB181R
Grade: A
May 2, 2022

I took 2 yrs of bio in high school and was terrified to take this class with Dr. Hester, but it was honestly easy, so don't feel like it's impossible to do well. Lectures are completely pointless and most of the information comes from the textbook reading, but if you know bio you will be fine, just don't rely on her to actually teach you anything.

Get ready to read
EXTRA CREDIT
Test heavy
1.0
5.0
BIO181R
May 3, 2022
Wouldn't take again

No matter what you fail the exams shes nice but doesnt actually teach content

Test heavy
Lots of homework
Get ready to read
2.0
3.0
MCB181R
Grade: A
May 3, 2022

She is kind and respectful. But the way content was taught was frustrating. The pre-class hw (often very long) were the only things teaching the content--the in-person lectures were just supplemental to that. Participation matters, and was tedious to fulfill. Exams weren't that bad if you filled your cheat sheet by simply skimming the readings.

Get ready to read
Participation matters
Lots of homework
3.0
3.0
MCB181R
Grade: Not sure yet
May 5, 2022
Would take again

Hester really does care. I am doing fine in the class with minimal effort but some of my friends try so hard and have low Bs and Cs in the class. She knows what she is talking about. She talks too fast in class for you to take notes so don't bother unless its key ideas. She records her lectures.

Get ready to read
EXTRA CREDIT
Accessible outside class
1.0
4.0
MCB181
Grade: B
May 9, 2022

Dr. Hester LOVES biology and teaching but she is almost insufferable. This general bio class is just as much work as my upper division science courses. There is an extensive reading assignment before every class there are two assignments and a quiz every week. If you have a choice, I wouldn't take her.

Tough grader
Get ready to read
Lots of homework
4.0
4.0
MCB181R
Grade: A
May 10, 2022
Would take again

The classes were taught well, very enthusiastic, but seemed to be very long. The exams were difficult but manageable, using the cheatsheet made from the lecture slides. The SI's that were in class were very helpful.

Participation matters
Lots of homework
Caring
2.0
4.0
MCB181L
Grade: Not sure yet
May 11, 2022

The class was difficult, especially the exams. The participation and pre-class assignments and quizzes usually outweigh the exam average. office hours were the only way to get extra credit and a good way to succeed. The learning objectives are the study guide for exams, so you have to study EVERYTHING. Even then exams were still too challenging.

Get ready to read
Lots of homework
Lecture heavy
1.0
4.0
MCB181
Grade: Rather not say
May 18, 2022

I hate to rate this professor so low, but her class was a huge GPA killer. She had absolutely no study guides or ways to prepare for exams. The exams would be on nothing we learned in lecture. She was impossible to get a hold of over e-mail, and when I requested a grade appeal for one of the exams she never even answered.

Tough grader
Participation matters
Test heavy
2.0
4.0
MCB181
Grade: A-
Aug 6, 2022

Dr. Hester's Lectures are awful. She uses group assignments that you have to complete each class, but the assignments are very confusing and hard to answer. Her tests are nearly impossible even with a sheet of notes as she gives nothing to prepare for tests with and the tests are over literally everything. The only reason I got an A was SI sessions

EXTRA CREDIT
Lots of homework
Test heavy
2.0
5.0
MCB181
Grade: C
Aug 9, 2022

Can be very confusing when explaining the material. She had a habit of asking a question on a poll but not saying what the actual correct answer was. Seemed a little more complicated than it really needed to be. Aside from that, she was nice and there were ways to get help outside of class if needed.

Participation matters
Group projects
Test heavy
1.0
4.0
MCB181R
Grade: Rather not say
Nov 30, 2022

Doesn't specify what to study for each exam.

Participation matters
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
5.0
2.0
MCB181R
Grade: A
Dec 9, 2022
Would take again

I honestly don't know why this professor gets so many bad reviews. She is caring and engaging, even though the class size is quite large. She is very enthusiastic about the content. The workload was very reasonable, and the tests were always on the stuff we learned in class. However, If you don't come to class you will definitely struggle.

Participation matters
Respected
Lecture heavy
3.0
4.0
MCB181R
Grade: A
Dec 14, 2022
Would take again

Dr. Hester is passionate, pleasant and respectful. Her exams are very detail-oriented; they will make you think critically. Be sure to understand learning objectives in detail. The lectures were group-discussion heavy, and sometimes we spent too much time with simple topics. Finding a good group and studying with them is the best advise I can give.

Caring
Test heavy
2.0
4.0
MCB181R
Grade: C
Dec 14, 2022

In all honesty, this has been the most difficult course I've taken thus far. The lectures are extremely heavy and I felt so burnt out towards the end of the lecture. The exams are really difficult for no reason, most questions I felt like we never even really discussed! Be prepared to teach yourself the material and read, she doesn't teach!

Participation matters
Clear grading criteria
Test heavy
2.0
4.0
MCB181R
Grade: C+
Dec 14, 2022

Dr. Hester's teaching style is very unique, and I wasn't a fan. She goes through her lecture slides very quickly and spends way to much time on worksheets that were a waste of time. She asks questions in class, but never gives clear answers. If you do not attend Si or La sessions, then you will not be able to understand the information.

Tough grader
Group projects
Test heavy
2.0
4.0
MCB181R
Grade: C
Dec 17, 2022

I believe if I had taken a different teacher I could have done better in this course. Overall she just reads off of her slides and asks questions for credit in class. She also will not excuse anything missed for any reasons. If you email her she takes a very long time to respond. Also it is very confusing to know what content will be on tests.

Participation matters
Lots of homework
Lecture heavy
5.0
3.0
MCB181R
Grade: A
Jan 12, 2023
Would take again

This was my first STEM class at the University of Arizona and I found it very interesting and reasonable. Dr. Hester's lecturing style was very effective, and she very clearly wants students to succeed. She will offer lots of replacement opportunities and drop a fair amount of low marks. Do the practice quizzes as they will contain exam questions.

Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
Caring
1.0
5.0
MCB181R
Grade: C-
Mar 20, 2023

Her exams are ridiculous as many of the multiple-choice parts of the exam are choose the most accurate response and you will not get partial credit if you get 2/3 or 3/4 of the right answer. Her lectures don't even apply to the exam but you still have to show for the slidos and worksheets. Expect to teach yourself the material out of class time.

Lots of homework
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
1.0
4.0
MCB181
Grade: B
Mar 21, 2023

In my entire college experience, Hester was the WORST professor I have ever taken. Honestly, not sure if Hester actually knows concepts of biology as she reads directly off of ever powerpoint and makes her students do awful/childish group-work. Also, do not expect her to round grades, as I got an 89.92 and STILL no round! Hester is just god-awful.

Tough grader
Group projects
Test heavy
1.0
5.0
MCB181R
Grade: D+
Apr 8, 2023

This was by far the worst and most difficult class I have ever taken. Expect to teach yourself everything as Dr. Hester just reads off the slides. The exams are SO difficult and grade heavy which makes it impossible to do well in. I am retaking this class with a different professor because she is awful and I truly think I would have done better.

Tough grader
Get ready to read
Test heavy
1.0
5.0
MCB181R
Grade: C
May 4, 2023

Try to avoid this class if you can. It was the hardest class I ever took, the test are ridiculous and it seems like no amount of studying could get me a good grade.

Lots of homework
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
1.0
5.0
MCB181R
Grade: B
May 11, 2023

Lots of group work in class. Tests were very difficult, even if you did all the reading and homework and participated in class.

3.0
4.0
MCB181
Grade: B
May 12, 2023
Would take again

Dr. Hester really wasn't that bad. To do well in the class you have to do the textbook readings before coming to lecture. Preparing for exams is challenging because so much is covered in one unit but you get a cheat sheet every exam. Lowest exam grade is dropped. If you do the work you will do well.

Participation matters
Group projects
Lots of homework
2.0
1.0
MCB181R
Grade: A
May 12, 2023

This class is really easy to be honest but Dr. Hester is not the best professor. The class is almost like a flipped class where you do tons of group work in class and you have to read/look at the slides at home. She quite literally does not teach. Also she lets you bring one cheat sheet for each exam so its not that hard to do well on exams.

Participation matters
Group projects
Lots of homework
2.0
3.0
MCB181R
Nov 7, 2023

don't take this professor unless you want your eardrums to burst. she doesn't know how not to scream into a microphone and i had the burden of listening to it twice a week at 9:30 am.

Participation matters
Lecture heavy
3.0
2.0
MCB181R
Grade: A
Nov 18, 2023
Would take again

Hester is a decent professor. She is very animated during her lectures, which can either be a positive or negative. Her lectures are the exact same information and entire SLIDES as the required videos. Lecture would not be necessary, but is required. Easy in class assignments and medium difficulty tests.

Lecture heavy
Test heavy
5.0
2.0
MCB181
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 5, 2023
Would take again

Dr. Hester is one of the sweetest professors I've ever had. She was extremely helpful and never made you feel dumb for asking questions. The lectures were online and taught the bulk of the lesson so class time was a lot of review. She tests what she teaches so the exams were also never bad as well!

Participation matters
Clear grading criteria
Caring
5.0
2.0
MCB181R
Grade: A
Dec 7, 2023
Would take again

She's lovely! As long as you stay up to date with the work, it's not too hard.

Participation matters
Lots of homework
5.0
2.0
MCB181R
Grade: A
Dec 8, 2023
Would take again

Hester is very passionate about MCB and her love for the subject is very evident in her lectures. There is a fair amount of homework, however they are very easy and informational. Just pay attention to the homework and the class work and the class is no problem at all. Hester also lays out the material nicely which makes the class easy to follow.

5.0
2.0
MCB181R
Grade: A-
Dec 8, 2023
Would take again

She was so sweet and pretty engaging even with 200+ people in her lectures. The group work was helpful. She has it so you watch the lectures before class and then do questions in class which helped me to really understand the concepts she taught. I loved this class and I suggest her to everyone I meet.

Participation matters
Group projects
Caring
5.0
2.0
MCB181R
Grade: A-
Dec 8, 2023
Would take again

Hester is amazing at teaching this class. A ton of these reviews are just people that did not put in the effort to understanding the material because you really just need to pay attention to her video notes and lectures. She even lets you have an entire cheatsheet for exams so if you study at all theres no reason to not do great in her class.

5.0
3.0
MCB181R
Grade: A
Dec 8, 2023
Would take again

This class was not bad at all. She teaches the material very well and makes complex processes easy to understand. Definitely take advantage of office hours. She drops a ton of stuff in each category at the end of semester so even if you miss some homeworks/lectures/ even an exam youll be totally fine.

5.0
1.0
MCB181R
Grade: A
Dec 8, 2023
Would take again

She was super easy to understand. She was able to break down the material into smaller parts to make them easier to digest. She is super passionate about MCB which made it fun to come to the lectures. Each class gets a choice between having a note sheet but harder tests or no note sheet and easier tests. Would definitely recommend her.

Amazing lectures
Lots of homework
Caring
4.0
3.0
MCB181
Grade: A
Dec 8, 2023
Would take again

There were between 20-50 minutes of videos to watch before lectures with embedded quizzes that you can retake as many times as you want. In lecture, you work with a few other students to do group projects that are just for participation credit. You do need to review/teach yourself a bit. The tests are not hard because you get a note sheet.

Participation matters
Group projects
5.0
2.0
MCB181
Grade: A
Dec 9, 2023
Would take again

Hester is incredibly passionate about MCB and makes her class very engaging despite its size! Flipped classroom design, so you watch lecture videos before class and then have mini group assignments in class. She allows you to have a full page cheatsheet on each exam, so they were pretty low-stress.

Participation matters
Caring
2.0
4.0
MCB181
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 14, 2023

Hester is very passionate about her work so she is an enjoyable professor. However, you are required to take 5 exams total (1 is dropped) and they are worth about 60% of your grade uncurved. The exams are mainly multiple choice and T/F, personally I did not like this format at all. If you are a confident exam taker then I would recommend.

Group projects
Test heavy
4.0
2.0
MCB181R
Grade: A
Dec 21, 2023
Would take again

You watch a video and do the quizzes before each class that's all the lecture you get. In-class is for group projects that are graded for participation. You get a note sheet on the exam and exams are basic high school biology, the class isn't hard if you but the smallest amount of effort in.

Group projects
3.0
3.0
MCB304
Grade: A
Jan 25, 2024

Dr. Hester's passion for teaching is evident. Very enthusiastic and encourages participation. I found her lectures ineffective as she tends to present questions that she often leaves unanswered. Exams were very similar to the in-class worksheets. Make sure you study the learning objectives that she puts on her slides.

Tough grader
Hilarious
3.0
2.0
MCB305
Grade: Not sure yet
Mar 8, 2024
Would take again

Really straightforward class. Go to every lecture and maybe skim the textbook. Study the worksheets she gives you and the learning objectives on the slides. If you understand the material at the level that it was presented, you'll do great. Note that the exam grading criteria is often unclear, so you'll want to info-dump on free response questions.

Participation matters
Graded by few things
3.0
3.0
MCB181
Grade: A
Mar 18, 2024
Would take again

Good professor. Lecture wise you had to kind of rely on yourself to know the material because she expected you to know the concept before attending class (pre-lecture videos were required for credit to watch). But other than that, the in class work was helpful. One page notes are allowed on all exams (which came in clutch).

Group projects
Test heavy
5.0
3.0
MCB181R
Grade: A
May 4, 2024
Would take again

Dr. Hester is like a real-life Miss Frizzle in the best way possible. She is clearly so passionate about biology and has created a flipped classroom model. Her videos are short and sweet and are so helpful. She dropped a good amount of your lowest assignments and your lowest exam (do not have to take the final). Dr. Hester is the absolute best!

4.0
2.0
BIO181R
Grade: A
May 21, 2024
Would take again

I wasn't a huge fan of the format of this course. It felt like a lot of busy work and wasted time. The exams were fair, but the wording was tricky at times. Dr. Hester was very kind and truly passionate about the course. She is eager to answer questions. Overall, not the worst course but not my favorite.

Get ready to read
Participation matters
Caring
2.0
3.0
MCB305
Grade: A
May 21, 2024

hester is a nice person but not a very good lecturer. lecture slides are outdated and don't go into enough detail to encourage you to read textbook. classroom is flipped, the textbook has bad writing style and was confusing. she likes to make lectures heavily discussion-based, not content-based, so we spend more time talking rather than learning.

Participation matters
Test heavy
2.0
3.0
MCB304
Grade: A
May 21, 2024

not very good at lecturing. she made the lecture material seem subjective. we spent a lot of time discussing the questions on the slides as a class rather than actually answering them. she's not very straight-forward with the material she delivers. overall usually left lectures not feeling like i didn't learned much.

3.0
4.0
MCB181
Grade: C-
Dec 11, 2024

Professor Hester was insanely nice, however this course was painfully difficult, the lectures did not cover the content very well, and unless I taught myself I felt extremely unprepared for each test. Her teaching style was mostly video lectures that were boring and hard to get through. We also had about 12 a week to get through.

Participation matters
Group projects
Test heavy
3.0
5.0
MCB181R
Dec 11, 2024

She's very passionate for biology but I honestly don't think I learned anything. You have to teach yourself the concepts the night before lecture with the pre-class videos that are long boring. Your lecture is just entirely group work everyday she maybe talks for like 15 out of the whole 75 minutes. I kind of just ended up feeling lost.

Participation matters
Group projects
5.0
3.0
MCB181R
Grade: B+
Dec 13, 2024
Would take again

I missed class due to the flu and let Dr. Hester know. When I missed class again, she reached out to check on me, showing how caring and attentive she is. Dr. Hester is passionate about teaching, which makes the class enjoyable and engaging. Although it doesn't always feel like you're learning, you actually are, and the class is easy and fun.

Participation matters
Group projects
Caring
1.0
5.0
BIO181R
Grade: B
Dec 17, 2024

Dr Hester does not lecture in class but rather does a flipped classroom. She is not clear when things are due and she tries to trick you on tests. Going to class is mandatory but does not help. In class she does not go over material taught. If you are a freshman wait to take this class until junior year and don't take it with Dr Hester.

Lots of homework
Lecture heavy
2.0
4.0
MCB181R
Grade: B
Dec 20, 2024

Dr. Hester is incredibly passionate about the subject and very caring. She teaches using a flipped classroom but there was no further discussion on the topics during class. She lectures for maybe 1/4 of the class and the rest is group work(they only help w FR for tests). Her class is very test heavy (54% of grade). There is a final project as well.

Clear grading criteria
Caring
Test heavy
5.0
3.0
MCB181R
Grade: B
Dec 23, 2024
Would take again

I don't agree with everything on the rating, it is a tough class but she makes it possible. Perhaps more so than another professor I've had previously withdrawn the class from.

Participation matters
Group projects
Test heavy
4.0
4.0
MCB181R
Grade: B
Jan 14, 2025
Would take again

Hester is a very nice and considerate professor. Her class is very hard tho. Test heavy. You watch all lectures online and do group review in class.

Tough grader
Participation matters
Group projects
2.0
1.0
MCB305
Grade: A+
Apr 27, 2025
Would take again

Dr. Hester is a poor lecturer, but her exams don't actually expect you to know anything at a deeper level than she covers it in class. If you're comfortable with the worksheets and her describe/explain/interpret process, you'll do fine. The textbook is basically unrelated so don't spend time on it, instead go to TA office hours.

2.0
4.0
MCB181L
Grade: B
May 7, 2025

Susan is a very strange lady she would often come to my group and just blankly stare at us, and once she emoted instead of answering the question? Anyways, her class is very test heavy with 59% of the grading being from exams. She gave no extra credit to help balance this and often tried to trick us on the exams.

Tough grader
2.0
4.0
MCB181R
Grade: A
May 8, 2025

Dr. Hester is nice and passionate about biology but she would call on random groups and stare even if they did not know the answer, and keep intensely staring. She also would dance and emote a lot instead of talking which was a little funny and strange. Class is very test heavy and there are a ton of tedious interactive lecture videos to watch.

Tough grader
Participation matters
Group projects
2.0
4.0
MCB181R
Grade: B-
May 14, 2025

Susan Hester is a good professor. It's her teaching style which makes the class very difficult. I barely passed with a B. 59% of your grade depends on your exam grades. She does a flipped classroom method of teaching. My exam scores were C-D+ average. The exams feel like they are trick questions. It's possible to pass with an A with studying a lot!

Group projects
Lots of homework
Test heavy
5.0
2.0
MCB181R
Grade: A
May 27, 2025
Would take again

The flipped classroom setting is a bit annoying, but if you actually sit down and do the lectures/videos on your own time for 30 minutes twice a week before class, it is very possible to get an A. She is very nice, worked with me on absences that were marked incorrectly (which happens due to the way that they mark attendance), and knowledgeable.

5.0
3.0
MCB181R
Grade: C-
Nov 13, 2025
Would take again

Dr. Hester is good at her job. She is a little awkward but she knows her stuff.

Participation matters
Group projects
Caring
5.0
2.0
MCB304
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 17, 2025
Would take again

The worksheets, TopHat, homework, and lectures reflect the exams. The in class activities are more challenging than the exams which makes the exams easier. Overall, great professor and very fair.

Participation matters
Test heavy
2.0
4.0
BIO181R
Grade: B-
Dec 10, 2025

Hester is a nice lady but a lot of real understanding will come from outside studying. Pre-lecture videos with questions due a few hours before class, very easy to retake and get 100% on them, you can put them in 2x speed. Exams make or break your grade so understanding how she chooses questions. Only take her if you need to, try another professor.

Group projects
Lots of homework
Test heavy
2.0
4.0
MCB181R
Grade: B+
Dec 12, 2025

Take any other professor. She does a flipped-classroom setup, meaning she doesn't actually lecture in class; class is just group work with TAs who don't know the material, yet attendance is graded. The lecture videos don't match the exams; basically, you need to go to office hours to get a good grade

Tough grader
Participation matters
Test heavy
1.0
5.0
MCB181R
Grade: A-
Dec 17, 2025

I would eat glass than take this class again, it was truly the worst experience of my entire life. Every exam she switches up what the actual answer for things is, introduces entry level concepts in class and the exams have the most complex versions we never discussed. on top of this she is so weird. DONT TAKE THIS CLASS UNLESS YOU HATE YOURSELF!!!

Group projects
Lots of homework
Test heavy
2.0
3.0
MCB304
Grade: A
Dec 18, 2025

Dr. Hester was respectful and enthusiastic but not very straightforward with her content. She was often late to post slides/post homework assignments for the week. Our exam 1 wasn't fully graded until the last week of the semester. Study the tophat questions and homework/worksheets for exams and you'll be ok.

Participation matters
5.0
2.0
MCB181
Grade: A+
Dec 22, 2025
Would take again

Dr. Hester is so happy to teach it is amazing! All of her homework with deadlines are posted weekly. Her style of teaching is watch videos of her teaching the material before class; review and apply the material in class. Study and bit and review for the exams, but the lowest is dropped. Do well enough on the others, and the final is optional.

Amazing lectures
Clear grading criteria
Caring
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

97%

Textbook Required

100%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

95% confidence
Based on 71 grades
Most common grades:
A (29)
B (12)
Not sure yet (11)
Grade Distribution
A(34)B(15)C(13)D(3)F(0)A-/B+(6)
Based on 86 reported grades
A: 29
B: 12
Not sure yet: 11
C-: 5
Common Tags
Test heavy (30)
Participation matters (30)
Group projects (22)
Lots of homework (19)
Get ready to read (16)
Tough grader (15)
Lecture heavy (13)
Caring (12)
Rating Trend

Stable

-0.11 avg change
Dec
Jan
Apr
May
Nov
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

BIO181

3.6

(5)

MCB181R

3.0

(56)

MCB304

3.0

(4)

MCB181

2.5

(28)

MCB305

2.3

(3)
+2 more courses
Difficulty by Course

BIO181R

4.0

MCB181

3.7

MCB181L

3.7

BIO181

3.6

MCB181R

3.4

Similar Professors