3.4
Quality3.8
Difficulty56%
Would Retake235
Reviews56%
Would Retake
235
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
235 total ratings5
61
4
58
3
52
2
33
1
31
What Students Say
“This class is tough regardless of the professor you have”
BIOL1201 - 4.0 rating“The key to success is to read the textbook”
BIOL1201 - 4.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
38%
Textbook Required
6%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
-0.00 avg changeRatings by Course
HNRS2000
4.3
(3)BIOL4001
3.5
(10)BIOL1201
3.4
(174)BIO1201
3.2
(42)HNRS1007
3.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
HNRS2000
4.0
HNRS1007
4.0
BIOL1202
4.0
BIOL4001
3.9
BIOL1201
3.9
Reviews (233)
his tests are really difficult, but he loves what he teaches! he is willing to help you and give you pointers on how to study for his tests. do not expect to have an easy grade, over half of the class will drop, but he makes it interesting.
Introductory Biology classes just suck. Period. But he's definitely not the worst at LSU for 1201 fRom what I've heard. Utilize Mastering Biology and study your butt off and you'll be ok. He's awkward, but funny sometimes.
It's obvious he loves his job, he's funny in an awkward way. Tests are extremely hard even if you study all the mastering biology quizzes. Plan to spend a lot of time studying if want a good grade, or even to pass. He doesn't reply to emails very fast but overall he seems like a nice guy.
Very unclear about expectations for tests. However, the clicker questions and mastering biology questions online are both helpful grade-boosters. Also, he is pretty good about giving curves for the tests regardless of their difficulty.
He knows his stuff, but he's not the best at teaching it. I studed so hard for his class everyday. I basically read the whole biology book and I only managed to get a C. I visited office hours all the time. I took college level biology too in high school, but he's really unclear about what he wants for tests.
I really liked his class, but you have to put a lot of effort into it to get an A. He's really enthusiastic about Biology and he's funny in that awkward way; he can keep your attention. If you take the class, plan to put a lot of outside time into studying.
It was cool to see a biology teacher teach HNRS. He's just a pretty cool dude. He cares about students and loves to hear everyone's opinions. He doesn't judge. Graded papers fairly. Class was semi-mandatory (I emailed him when and why I wouldn't be in class). People who attended class got A's. He studies HIV, learned a lot about it. Ok/good class.
Interesting and keeps your attention but his guidelines are unclear. Notes are handwritten thus there is no outside help with a textbook. Grades fairly but again not the best teacher. He is a researcher first and presents it in his own format expecting you to quickly understand and apply it yourself to real examples.
Professor Licata is clearly very adept in his field, but he lacks the ability to communicate his knowledge students very well. He moves incredibly fast and rarely explains anything unless questioned. I learned and did well in the class, but it was quite a bit of outside studying on my part.
Look, he's not just any crazy scientistteacher, he's the best. Taking an HNRS gave him free range to teach just about whatever for non-science majors, so sometimes, it wasn't very organized. There was a lot of information, but again, you're an "honors" student. Anywho, if you study the mass of info, participate, there's a chance you will get an A.
no homework, only quizzes and Tests so you're grade heavily depends on how well you do on tests. On some occasions he may give clicker questions, which is his way for taking attendance. Definitely recommend reading the book, or it'll be hard to pass the test which are extremely hard. However is a good teacher, you just have to put in alot of work!
He very knowledgeable in his field, but doesnt know how to teach it in a way for students to understand. Not clear on what to know for tests. Makes lectures a little enjoyable by making jokes. Good guy, awkwardly funny, but doesnt know how to convey his knowledge very well. If you know BIO very well you should take, but if not take someone else!
Totally love this guy. He was hilarious and really nice. His lectures do tend to get a little confusing & this is in no way an easy course. You definitely have to put work in and ALWAYS read the text book. There are clicker questions for attendance and the quizzes for participation. He's the reason why I decided to stick with bio. I recommend him!!
Licata is a very nice man, but not the best professor, in my opinion. He moves EXTREMELY fast in lecture (one time we did 4 entire chapters in a class), and he doesn't explain things in a easy way.. The homework quizzes from Mastering Biology are on Quizlet and he doesn't offer extra credit, but his tests are curved which sometimes can help you..
Licata is a really awesome guy and knows a lot about biology, but his tests are killers. The only reason I'm passing the class is because he curves. You have to read the text book because all the test questions are super specific and the only other grades he inputs are clicker questions and quizzes. Tough class
Any Biology 1201 class is going to be somewhat difficult. Dr. Licata's class certainly is difficult, but he's a very nice person who will give pretty good lectures. Study hard for the tests.
His lectures are mostly pictures so make sure you take notes. He only touches base on the material, so I strongly recommend reading the chapter. Also, understand the material, don't just memorizing the definitions. His tests are extremely hard, but there is usually a large curve. Going over the Mastering Biology before each test helps a lot.
Dr. Licata is a great professor he's very friendly and funny! The class is just a difficult course! A lot of information at once! STAY ON TOP of reading the chapters! Try to read before class and he will answer any questions you have throughout the lecture! Do homework and go to class for clicker questions to help boost your grade!
His lectures and notes made sense, but his tests were super hard even if you studied your ass off. He curved every one of our tests, and the lowest curve we got was around 14% so that is the only thing that saved my grade (the fact that I did better than everyone else). **oh and he records his lectures and puts them on moodle which was AWESOME
DO NOT TAKE! This prof should only be added to your schedule as a last resort. And even then I would not add him. He is a really nice guy, but his tests are on a completely different level than 1201 BIO. You can study for a week straight and still fail with less than a 50. There are plenty other Bio professors to take. -Coming from a Science Major
I'm currently taking this professor and when I decided to take him... I did not know it would be one of the worst decisions of my life. He is a VERY smart man but his lectures are hard to follow because he does not put it in a way for beginners to understand. Read the textbook, do the online practices and STUDY. Take Wischusen if you want an A.
LiCata is great, but he can be considered tough. He is very blunt and to the point, but for your own good. He is very intelligent and does a great job "dumbing" it down and making it easier for the class to understand. He's tough but he helped me understand biology better than any other teacher at LSU. He's sorta like the sensei in Karate Kid.
Worst professor by far. He attempts to make jokes but ultimately fails, goes too fast and just touches on the subjects. Reading the textbook doesn't help much either, because his test are very difficult. His SI did not even take the class, so she knows nothing. Curves test normally by 14 points, this helps but does not save your grade.
All of these people giving him bad ratings sit in the back of the class and pick their nose. If you PAY ATTENTION, and put in the effort you can pass. The tests are difficult, but so is the rest of college. The quizzes are graded for completion and he curves the tests which can ultimately help save your grade. Be sure to ask lots of questions!
Tough test is an understatement. His test are impossible. Do NOT start studying the night before especially for the last test of the semester. He's a good professor, it's just a hard class. The test scores are pretty much your whole entire grade & he doesn't drop the lowest one. Honestly would take a different professor if you're taking BIOL1201
Dr. Licata was a great professor! He's really nice and intelligent, and his lectures are pretty interesting. However, the tests were difficult and they're the largest part of your grade. I did really well in the class despite not having a strong base in bio, but I really had to work. I suggest doing the Dynamic Study modules on MasteringBio.
He's a nice guy but any Biol1201 class you take is going to be hard. He gives pretty good lectures but its easy to zone out and get bored because the material isn't exactly interesting. Always prepare more than a day in advance and you should be fine. If only I could have followed my own advice.
He was a very nice man, but not a good communicator at all. It's obvious that he's interested in Biology, but his lectures are mostly pictures and if you miss something, that's it. Lectures ARE recorded and put on moodle, but that's about as far as his help extends. Would not recommend unless you have to take him.
This class is no joke. His test are extremely hard, but don't panic if you don't do well on his test because he curves anywhere between 10-16 percent. He has interesting lectures but he only skims over what you're learning so don't just listen to his lectures- read! TIP: it helps tremendously to study the practice test on the online textbook!
His lectures were really interesting, and his outside hours were helpful. His tests were HARD but i learned that studying the mastering bio quizzes/practice regularly outside of class made the tests super easy. His test curves were always about 10 percent, which helped a lot. Take notes, study the mastering bio and youl probably do okay, cant cram4
Good guy but tests are impossible. You definitely need previous knowledge on biology in order to get a good grade in this class. He curves 14-18% on every test, but only because most of the class fails. If you're a kinesthetic learner I do not recommend taking him. Power points are not helpful & he does not give you learning objectives to study.
I highly recommend if you have him on your schedule to change professors. Mastering bio and clickers are for a grade but won't help you at all in the class. He only reads off the slides in class but once you get to the test it is much more in depth. His tests can be extremely confusing. My class test average was a 60% with a curve on the tests.
DO NOT TAKE THIS MAN! Class exam average was 50%. He's a cool dude and he'll help you outside of class but his tests are the hardest thing I've seen at LSU. If you do take this class do not focus on being able to regurgitate information and instead on application of the text. Great guy but gets way to excited on his exams.
Worse class I have ever taken 10/10 would not refer to a friend. I would study for hours and the tests were extremely difficult. I went to see him to get tips on how I can improve and all I was told was that I should study harder.
This was by far my favorite bio teacher for one reason - his curves!! They ranged from 6-18% depending on the difficulty of the test. I never showed up to class except for the clicker bonus. I taught myself the material by reading the textbook and average an A on his test (before the curve). Take this class if you can teach yourself and you get bio
Tests are REDICULOUS you can study for a week or more and still fail. By far worst teacher I've had. semi nice guy thats about it. Honestly would rather drop out of college then take him again.
Now don't get me wrong, this man knows his stuff and loves biology, however, if you are wanting an easy breezy biology class do not take this man. His class is the only class that covers five chapters for test at a time and he goes super fast compared to the others. His questions are super complicated as well. Save yourself the trouble.
Professor Licata is a wonderful man, however he makes the class more difficult than needed. Majority of the grade comes from incredibly difficult tests & he is no longer doing large curves, but bonus questions on tests. I read the textbook, mastering quizzes, LCs etc and its not enough. If you had to pick your poison, I wouldn't pick this one.
He's nice and I can tell he knows his stuff and enjoys the subject, but his class is so hard. You have to teach yourself everything and even then it's not enough. His test are nearly impossible. Save your GPA and the trouble and just find another bio teacher.
Okay, heres the thing. Licata is very hard. Tests are virtually impossible, and the material is a little difficult to understand. But I will say he curves the tests 8-25% and I promise you won't fail. I went to class three times bc its not necessary and made a C+. You have to read out of the textbook, all the questions come from that or MB.
Dr. LiCata is a great professor and gives you many resources in order to study for the test! Although his test can be tricky, if you simply use his voice recordings and read the chapters thoroughly you will make a good grade. Overall, hes an awesome person and gave me no trouble with getting the grade I desired.
Dr. LiCata ia a really nice guy, but his tests are REALLY hard. I attended almost every single lecture, read every single chapter in the book and did every single study module associated with each chapter. He only curved 4-6 points unlike his large curves in the past. In the end, I had to beg for some points. He was nice enough to give them to me.
He's a great teacher. Very thorough, but if you don't understand he is very willing to meet with students. Despite having large classes he tries to get to know his students and that'll only help you in this class. Genuinely one of the nicest Biology professors at this university. Trust me in this I've dropped this class twice before taking him.
Starting out the semester this was my toughest class as you must attend all the lectures and read the chapters in the text book while at home. However, Dr. LiCata is willing to help outside of class with review sessions and makes the class a lot less stressful. Tests are difficult but if you read the chapters and attend class you will be fine.
Vincent LiCata is a great professor;however, you need to work for your grade. His lectures are fantastic and break the info into an easier way to understand. For the test, you need to extra studying beyond the lecture notes. Look at flash cards, read the textbook and learning catalitic questions.
Good choice for bio 1201. Textbook optional, but helpful. He gives engaging lectures. Exams are in the testing center, and the class schedule that week does not change because of said exam. Sometimes he contradicts himself, so go to the text for occasional fact-checking. Exams are 90%+ from lecture. Go to class for Learning Catalytics points.
I really enjoyed Dr. LiCatas class! He gives great feedback on papers and tests, and he would always curve them if he thought he graded too harshly (there was also a curve at the end of the semester). He was always available outside of class, and hes willing to help go over a paper or something before the deadline. Awesome class, great teacher!
I took biology 2 in high school, and what I learned in high school is exactly what i learned in this class. Mastering Biology was a great resource to help me study, and he used a lot of those questions for his test. You have to study for his test, but if you do, then you will do okay. He is a very nice guy. The SI sessions helped a lot as well.
The test were very hard and the information did not come from his lectures or textbook. He would test based on 5 chapters in a short time period, while other professors only tested on 3 chapters at a time and took longer to cover 3 than he did five.
The test were very difficult, the average was usually a 63 which he would curve into a 70. If you can take another teacher do it.
This class is tough regardless of the professor you have. LiCata is kind, helpful and available outside of class and will go over your test so you know what you missed. Each test was curved about 12 points and he almost always threw out questions after that. Study, read the textbook, pay attention and you will do well in his class.
Tests are application heavy. Like to provide you with questions in ways that make sense but you have never seen before. You want to know the material extremely well before you take the exams.
I really enjoyed Dr. Licata's class. The key to success is to read the textbook. He records his lectures and posts them to moodle, so relisten to them many times and take detailed notes. He does learning catalytics, so that's main reason you have to go to class, but you can also do it on your phone at home. He curves the tests and final a lot.
Professor Licata is hilarious. He compares a lot of scientific processes to vodka and donuts. You need the online textbook to complete the homework, but the homework isn't graded based on accuracy. Attendance is mandatory because he gives clicker quizzes. His test are mostly lecture-based.
He's great. 4 tests including noncumulative final but they arent bad because he gives you problem sets when you start a new topic that will be very similar to the tests. He is a bit tricky in office hours and usually believed I knew more than I did, but he's nice and wants you to do well. Don't miss problem set day bc you'll be lost and lose points
Really enjoyed this class, all of his questions were related to his lab work which was so cool to me, he made the class really interesting and hes super chill, never mad, throws some jokes in throughout the class, fun class overall, and one of my favorite teachers!
He knows whats hes talking about. His tests are 50 questions long (6 extra questions for bonus56 total) he posts outlines and PowerPoints of each chapter and records each lecture and posts them on moodle. He really wants us to pass. Says this class is weed out class though. Actively do the quizzes. Some reappear on the tests.
hes a huge lecture guy and theyre so boring
Really great professor would recommend if you are a science major. very detailed oriented with his lectures. posts his lectures on moodle so just listen to them before exams. textbook optional if you are willing to put int he time for this class you will make an A.
Dr. Licata is such a kind man, and he honestly does want you to do good, but his class is much harder than the other biol 1201 classes. His class is pretty much all tests and then 60 points from mastering biology. The tests were all extremely hard and very application heavy. We always tested on 5 chapters instead of 3 like the other biology classes
Do yourself a favor and don't take this class
This is a weed out class. He records his lectures and I highly recommend relistening to his lectures the next day because you will hear and understand so much more than you did the first time. his tests are based off of his lectures but with more detail. He has clicker questions and mastering biology online quizzes.
Vincent LiCata is a woke king. Homework is completion, another grade is for inclass quizzes that are also participation/completion, but the textbook really helps if you want an A/A+ on the tests. Dude is really thoughtful and funny during lectures. Literally his only flaw is that for a few weeks I thought he only owned two shirts.
The class is definitely not easy so be prepared to go attend class (mandatory) and use textbook materials (mastering biology). You will get out what you put in. However, Licata is very understanding and a good professor. Grading consists of four exams, a final exam, learning catalytics (attendance) and online precipitation based quizzes.
Professor LiCata is a very chill guy. He lets the class lead discussions and debates, only stepping in to guide us. His class itself is very fun, however he is a very tough grader on all the papers. For most papers, the highest grade was like a 92. He curved a pretty good amount at the end though so it was fine.
His course relies heavily on the material in the textbook, which makes the class easy if you read all the chapters you learn about. He's easy to talk to about any questions you may have in class and there are a lot of chances to earn a high grade in his class. Make sure to read the textbook and go to class and you're all set.
Mr. LiCata is definitely one of the best choices out of all Bio 1201, and I only know this because all of my other friends had other teachers. He's a kind-hearted guy and is great at explaining/lecturing. You have to go to the class to know what's going on and to do this in-class questions. Definitely recommend.
Make sure to study the textbook above all things for the tests. Also, get the answers for the SI practice questions because a lot of those questions are on the test, or at least similar.
Professor LiCata genuinely cares about his students and works hard to ensure that everyone in his class has an equal chance to succeed! His BIOL 1201 class isnt easy, but he does a great job making the material interesting and relevant. Study the textbook, not just the lectures! And the study modules on MasteringBiology.
The tests are pretty hard. Have to know all of the information. Reading the textbook and studying the quizzes helps. He might curve 2-6 points on the tests. He also might drop your lowest test grade.
Lots of assignments on mastering biology but only the quizzes are graded. The homework is just to get a better understanding of the material. Great professor and he delivers great lectures (and his tests are funny)
If you aren't ready to read the chapters (5 per test) and put in a minimum of 15 study hours, do not take Licata. It took me 2 tests to realize that I had to actually read the chapters and take lots of notes. He will curve 2-6 pts per test. He dropped our lowest test grade which definitely helped but basically all of the points come from the tests.
Show up to class because you get participation points for learning catalytics. He's funny and his lectures are really interesting. He records all his lectures, uploads powerpoints, and gives us outlines. Going to SI will also really help with understanding. It's a difficult course, but he really does everything he can to make sure you succeed.
Very monotone, you have to do a lot of studying outside of class because all he does is talk and for most people that doesnt cut it. Its a hard class.
I love Licata, he makes class so engaging. he lectures and posts recordings of the lectures on Moodle, so if you don't go to class the only thing you'll miss is the learning catalytic's which is participation. If you don't have 3 spare hours to study EVERY NIGHT please just take this course somewhere else. It's so intense but he's a good choice
Dr. Licata is a very good teacher. His lectures cover the material very well while also keeping it interesting and relevant. He posts the recordings of his lectures on Moodle along with the PowerPoints and chapter outlines. 90% of your grade will be tests, but he puts a very generous amount of bonus questions on them. He's also a pretty cool guy.
Dr. Licata goes over a LOT of material in a short amount of time - compared to other professors teaching the same subject, he probably goes over the material about twice as fast, covering double the material you would in any other section. He is a very good teacher though, but his tests are difficult and require a lot of studying.
His lectures were so boring and most of the test was from very specific info in text book. never made an A on his tests even though I am a very dedicated student. 5 chapters for each test, which is more than other 1201 teachers. he did drop a test even though he said he wasn't going to. I would not count on that happening every semester though.
I had Professor Licata last semester for BIOL 1201, and I honestly am not the biggest fan of BIOL 1201 material. However, he is amazing at lecturing and he is very fair with his tests. He creates his own tests, which is very nice. You have to study in order to get an A, but how he grades is reflective of your study habits. 10/10 would recommend.
great teacher! But you have to work for the grade you receive. I recommend reading the textbook, filling out the study guides, he posts his lectures online which is super helpful when studying. Online Quizzes are easy As. Start studying at least two weeks before the test, because he covers a lot of material.
From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, the voice of the great Dr. Licata can be heard. It is seen with utmost clarity that this young gentleman loves what he teaches. I've never seen someone so consistently enthusiastic to teach. Truly remarkable.. In all reality, partial credit and bonus will rain upon you like the arrows of Troy.
Dr. Licata is a very good intro to bio professor. His tests are not hard, and stick to the material you go over IN LECTURE. I would heavily recommend attending lecture, sometimes he tells students what he will leave out of the test. He also records lecture and posts them to Moodle, so if you miss class its not all that bad. Great professor.
He goes through the course way too fast. Our class was always ahead of other classes, and at this fast pace it is hard to keep up. He is understandable and will give more time and allow going back to previous questions, if the class average is horrible. His lectures are super boring, but he's a nice guy and means well.
He is really bad with online teaching. Just posts lectures on Moodle and goes way too fast. A lot of this stuff is really confusing and his lectures are just too dry to understand the PowerPoints barely go into detail. Recommend reading the textbook as it explains things better than he can
Professor Licata was a terrible teacher for online learning. He didn't care about his students and was super inflexible despite being in a freaking pandemic. He doesn't actually host class, he just post dry lectures that are hard to follow. I studied every week and still couldn't pull out a decent grade. Don't take him if you have the option.
Didn't really communicate well. I was already essentially teaching the class to myself, and then there wasn't much cooperation in letting the class know when quizzes and assignments were happening.
If you want good grades do NOT take LiCata! I finished with a 77.64 which he says is a C instead of a C+ but the reason I have that low of a grade is entirely because of him. We did not have class ever just recorded lectures and the first half of the semester we had 1 minute per question on tests and could not go back after submitting a page online
he gave all pre-recorded lectures and never hosted class to present material, only for questions, which many went unanswered; lectures were extremely hard to follow; worded tests very weird to make it beyond challenging; didnt allow us to move through questions on tests/quizzes until half way through the semester; all around tough class
I personally think Dr Licata is a nice person, and I think that a lot of people don't realize that he has/had over 200 students in our section alone. Although, he might not be the best prof if you want an easy A. If you don't study the txtbk, lectures, and mstrngbio, you won't be prepared for the test. If you do, there will still be trick questions
His class is hard to weed out all the aspiring docs/nurses. I had to read the textbook, do SI, and watch lectures to get an A. But, COVID open note test. He will answer your questions, but his tests are pretty hard. He did make his final easy and he dropped one of 4 grades (including final). Beware if you fail one test you won't do well.
I earned an A in the course and enjoyed it the whole way through. All you have to do is watch his lectures and make sure you understand the material well enough. He was amazing at responding to our emails and concerns, and he was quick to clear up and fix things that didnt make sense or was a mistake on his end.
Do yourself a favor and avoid LiCata at all costs. Terrible teacher, unfair grader, notes are chicken scratch, I could go on. For a problem heavy class, there is hardly any practice and no textbook is provided. Don't even try to argue why your test answers are right because he will NOT give points back. The only positive is he doesn't give -grades
First off, cause of the sheer amount of people class is online. The Zoom is terrible. Multiple people turn on their audio & speak, yell, etc. People in the chat make fun of disabled people & curse. The professor does NOTHING to manage the class. And it's just aggravating, knowing I'm paying for this experience. Even when told, Licata does NOTHING.
HARD TESTS & DIFFICULT QUIZZES EVERY CLASS.. NO CURVE
Not a very difficult class in material or course load. Just that the class is designed to be against students (likely to weed out) and the grades are weighted to where probably no one will get a A+. No Bonus, "In class" Quizzes that force students to sit on a 800 person zoom call which is basically office hours as the real class is self study.
This class was taken on a zoom of about 800 people. It is a flipped class so you watched the lectures at your leisure before class. Pretty easy you just have to put the work in and take good notes. The zoom classes are just polls, and tests and quizzes are exactly like the in-class polls.
You have to watch the lectures in your free time and take your own notes. The class itself is a chaotic zoom call of 800+ students doing polls to judge understanding of lectures. After each class, there is a quiz which is also used for attendance. A homework and second quiz for each chapter. A new chapter everyday. Class is hard but Licata is nice.
just don't take him. please. grade is mostly based on exams. exams are open note, but if you don't know anything you will barely pass. hard to find answers online. no extra credit. lectures are watch on your own time. they don't really make sense. powerpoints are pretty much useless as they don't have hardly any written words. just diagrams. don't.
Dr. Licata was an amazing into biology professor! He posts lecture videos before class to prepare for class discussions and polls. At the end of class there will be a quiz, but it is often on the material we just went over. So pay attention in class and take notes of the lecture videos. The class is test heavy but you can utilize mastering biology
He's pretty funny and quirky, but he is serious when he needs to be. He's really dependable, and sticks to the syllabus super hard. He does make exceptions though, but dont miss class because there are quizzes at the end of every class that add up to a partial percent of your grade (that's his attendance). He also doesnt take excuses unless legit
One of the better options for BIOL1201, however, he is still not good. Gives lectures to watch outside of class, which are typically 40-60min. Unless you have prior knowledge in biology, you will not understand them. 5 question quizzes given on the lectures each class, then you take very hard exams and those are your only grades, no homework.
Professor Licata is a great introductory Biology professor because he knows what he is talking about and is great at elaborating. While the lectures are watched outside of class, they are absolutely mandatory. The tests are very hard but open notes and if you participate in the polls in the zoom it will be a better experience. Weeds out weak.
He has a great personality and is very knowledgeable, but his style of teaching may not be for everyone. If you want to truly learn the material, you need to read the chapters upside down and sideways and watch his 1hr long lectures. Has discussions for every class that may be helpful depending on the day and the questions asked.
Worst professor I've ever had. Cannot teach and when asked questions, gives vague answers. When we answer polls he gets disappointed that only 50% of the students know the answers yet doesn't attempt to change his teaching style to accommodate. Tests are EXTREMELY difficult and gives questions as if we ourselves have a degree in biology.
absolutely sucks at teaching, you have to teach yourself everything. Quizzes every class, doesnt drop lowest exam grade. Exams are hard. Do not recommend
This whole class was over zoom so it was hard to pay attention. Not an easy class to begin with but i felt like hit lectures didnt help me very much. All his test are online and not proctored and I still never made higher than a C. He seems like a nice guy but I wouldnt recommend taking him
The textbook is not needed but the mastering biology access code is because there are quizzes on there that are graded. He gives a quiz at the end of every class. His lectures are posted on Moodle and in class he does interactive polls. As long as you watch the lectures and write notes you can pass easily.
Professor Licata is a great professor, his class is online because it's large, but you do the majority of your learning in pre-recorded lectures. The class itself is more of a review session with a quiz at the end for attendance. It's a Tuesday-Thursday class and he goes over a new chapter every class. Tests are open note, and barely any homework.
His lectures can be long , but it is clear he is passionate about biology and conveys the lesson well. This class was reverse instruction, so you have to watch the lectures on your own time. LiCata is a very relaxed teacher and tries to answer all questions in full. Overall, he is a very nice guy and a good professor!
This class is not easy. The exams are very challenging but if you apply yourself, you will pass. Quizzes at the end of every class for attendance. 80% of the grade is based on your exams - if you fail an exam, you might want to just take the W. Very kind guy but this class isn't easy. 30-90 min lectures are watched on your own time before class.
Tests are insane. This is a weed out class for a reason. If you are a biology major going into this class, there is a high chance that you will not be after this class. My class started with 900 students and ended the semester with 600. Study hard for the tests. Even though the class is relaxed, the tests are not.
LiCata posts his lectures before class so that you can watch it on your free time. Class time is spent going over questions related to the lecture content. I honestly spent 0 time studying for the exam and I got B+ and up on the exams. LiCata is such a sweet heart and he is super patient with the inconveniences that you may experience.
I loved Licata, if you do all of the things he tells you to do and work for your grade youll be fine. Its a tough class youll make it through. Licata is beyond knowledgeable about the material and answers questions to the best of his ability. Hes also all around just a good soul, would definitely take him again.
Just watch the lectures and actually prepare notes on them. Lots of long lectures you have to listen to outside of class. However, you will learn lots about the subject and in my experience more than students in other professors' classes. He is always happy to answer questions but he is not going to drop anything or give you extra credit.
The class is mainly quizzes which he drops your lowest 7. But the exams are very heavily weighted. He does not let you make anything up nor will he give extra credit.
I didnt do great in this class, but Licata was still a great professor. I definitely couldve done better if I tried so as long as you put effort in and watch the lecture videos you should do well on quizzes. The only thing I would say is the exams. The textbook is never used but you should definitely read it if you want to pass the exams.
Watching the LECTURES and taking notes are the most important way to study for this class. His tests are worth almost 4/5 of your grade. As long as you know the information, you should be fine.
Can't believe Dr. Licata has below a 4 on here. He is an expert on the material he teaches and loves to answer any and all questions to the best of his ability. Tests were not difficult and you get free participation points from the online homework. Basically all the learning comes from the video lectures, while class is more fine-tuning.
Because my class was online, all we had to do was watch pre-recorded lectures and take daily quizzes based on the lecture. Before taking the quiz, we would do about 9-12 poll questions which were helpful when taking the quiz. Be prepared to take good notes because it's hard to understand solely based on the PowerPoints without writing anything.
He's a chill/smart dude. FLIPPED CLASS. Everything is either done through zoom or Moodle bc of covid. Managed to get an A w/ no notes and watched yt videos. RARELY bonus pts were added bc there'd be one weird question so u'd get only 2 pts back. Other profs curve with 10+ pts since their average scores were in the 60s or 70s bc they're bad profs.
Class is really easy, just do your work.
LOVED VINCE! Due to COVID, all lectures were posted online and class was held on zoom. Make sure you take GREAT notes and focus on what he says in the lecture rather than simply what the slides say-- he makes up most of his own test questions. He does his best to make content heavy chapters as clear as possible. He's open to answer any questions.
Quizzes every class period, dropped a certain number of lowest. Tests were difficult and often had material outside of his lecture. Took virtually when he had a "flipped classroom" situation that made learning difficult.
Professor Licata is a great intro to biology professor. Although it was online the lectures he provided were very detailed and as long as you took good notes the exams were not too difficult. He dropped many quizzes to help bump grades up.
I really like Dr. Licata as a person, but I would be lying if I said this class was easily done. You really need to put in extra effort to understand the topics inside and out. He will always help you with a question, but ultimately it's up to you to understand it.
Lectures were not bad. This bio is just like any other. Read the text book, take notes, go to lecture for review/questions/in depth analysis of concepts. This class required a lot of studying for exams, which were reasonably difficult, but this class is not the worst. LiCata is also helpful and friendly in office hours
Test are a huge part of your grade, but he tries hard to prepare you for them. He is such a cute sweet guy. I wish i could take him for everyone class because i just wanna spend all day with him
His notes are not very helpful as it is very messy and unclear. I have a difficult time understanding what was going on in the class. He is a nice guy but a tough grader and the class is exam heavy.
Dr. LiCata's class was very enjoyable and my favorite class this semester. The material itself is hard, and he understands this; he is always willing to answer any question you have and honestly provided constant support throughout this semester. I'm surprised he didn't block me with how much I emailed him, but he himself is always willing to help.
Probably better for small classes, but I liked LiCata. He uses the "flipped classroom" format, but he gives good answers if you pay attention and/or ask questions. Our exams are open note but weighted heavily, so detailed notes are important. The quizzes each class are similar to the in-class questions. Not too bad overall with a little effort.
lazy teaching. Pretentious attitude. Difficult exams. Made the intro level class unnecessarily difficult.
LiCata is such a nice guy, but his teaching style isn't great. You watch the lectures before class and then spend an hour and a half answering questions with a quiz at the end of each class. Tests are open note and still kind of hard. There is also no curve. Still, he is willing to answer any question you have and help you out as long as you ask.
Licata's class is near impossible if you are not devoted only to his class. The lectures are so long and boring. All he does is speak and show pictures and it does not ever make since. Exams are "open notes" but are so hard. Nothing is online or even in the notes from his lectures. Exams are timed so you cant even look in the book.
His class was twice a week on Thursday and Tuesdays. There was an exam every 3ish weeks. 4 exams total, plus a final. Every single class is a new chapter. At the end of every class, there was a 5 question quiz. His grades were just exams and quizzes, nothing else. He's a nice man, it's just very hard curriculum.
All tests are open note, and he tells you not to, but you can take them with other people. If you watch the lectures and take good notes you will be fine. Take the time to understand the material.
quizzes every class which helps your grade, lectures are homework and class time is used answering questions about the lecture, exams can be taken from anywhere but are pretty hard, definitely still study hard for the exams even though they're open notes
Watch lectures and go to class. If you don't good luck, exams hard.
WATCH THE LECTURES. The exams are very difficult even though you can take them anywhere. Each class is a new unit and there's a five point quiz at the end of each class. They help your grade but aren't a lifesaver....be ready to study for this class. Only one point curve on exams. No extra credit.
get out of this class while you can. He asks that you watch his lectures and take notes prior to coming to class, but his lectures do not provide nearly a fraction of the information he expects you to know. Exams are all open notes, internet, textbook, ect, but are near impossible even with access to everything. He doesn't curve either.
1hr long video lectures twice a week that YOU MUST WATCH. Goes over questions in class but does not help a ton. 5 point quizzes on the lecture every class that help your grade a little. 5 exams that make up most of the grade. Exams are "open book" but very detailed difficult questions. Mostly self taught and make sure you take good notes.
this course is a lot of work, but he made it enjoyable. most of the grades come at the end so be prepared! a lot of writing (midterm, research paper, final, entry prompt) as well as a final pair presentation. he was very passionate and welcoming to our class, making the classroom a safe space despite the difficult discussions.
Licata's class is hard, but it is very easy to procrastinate as there is an illusion of easiness. Biggest advice is to find an effective strategy to attack tests. For me, I watched the lectures and took almost word-for-word notes, which worked well for me. Do well on as many quizzes as possible, they help your grade so much in the long run.
Don't take this class with this professor, it will cause you lot's of suffering. Flipped class which means he never really lectures. Class is too big. I also needed just a few extra points to get an A and he wouldn't give it to me. 85% of class grade is tests which are hard and lectures don't really help. Try to avoid
Very sweet man, but the class is just difficult. Long prefectures for every class that are def recommended. Quiz at the end of class every day, but you can do it from wherever. 5 tests that were all 60 questions, and he dropped one. No Himes all of it is through Moodle so you don't have to go to class. Textbook pretty much optional.
He uses a "flipped classroom", so you watch lectures on your own and class is just a Q&A session. I personally hated this, and it's way too easy to procrastinate. Exams are on Moodle: open notes, open book, open Internet (his words). He explains things thoroughly, so take very specific notes--he'll ask questions about small details.
It's completely my fault I flunked this class. The only grades are quizzes and tests and you can just use the textbook online. He's nice and easy to understand. You'll do well if you study. Attend SI sessions and participate for your own good.
Super easy class. He's a sweet guy. Only thing you have to do is take notes on pre-lectures before class and answer poll questions/do a quiz (1 per chapter) in class. No other assignments/grades. Textbook is optional, everything on the open-book exams is stated in lecture videos. Lowest exam grade is dropped. Lowest 6 quiz grades also dropped.
GO TO CLASS!!!! I would have failed this class if I didn't attend the lectures. For homework, you watch the lecture and in class, he posts questions about the lecture. There is a quiz at the end of each class but it's online. He is a super sweet guy but his tests and hard even though they're online. The outlines he posts are super helpful too!
Flipped classroom format, watch the lecture on your own time. In class he reviews the main points of the lecture and asks questions and quizzes at the end of every class. The tests were able to be taken from anywhere, but they were pretty hard. He is a wonderful person though and would absolutely recommend!
Prof. Licata is great as a person, however as a teacher not so much. He does not know how to keep a class under control and command respect meaning at his in person lectures he could not be heard over students talking. The tests are most of your grade and even though they are open notes they are HARD. Be prepared to deep dive to find needed info.
Dr. Licata is a bit awkward, but he's kind and a good teacher. BIOL1201 is a big class, so sit towards the front if you intend to take the class seriously and get a good grade. I really liked the flipped class format even though I thought I wouldn't. He lets you use the internet during tests, but don't let that fool you, they're still pretty hard.
He is very nice. Lectures are on moodle but goes over it in class. His quizzes are on moodle at the end of the class time. Exams and final are on moodle, open note and can be taken anywhere. You have to study and Pearson isnt required. No extra credit
I attended almost every lecture, and although this class is difficult, I genuinely enjoyed it. He holds a Q&A session in class that is extremely helpful on the tests if you pay attention and take notes (try to sit in the front). Dr. Licata did everything possible to make sure that we all had the highest grades possible, and I recommend taking him!!
He is a super nice guy that is very knowledgeable about his subject. Tests were hard but not that bad and homework is easy but class is difficult just because of what the material it covers
He is an amazing professor. He gives out 5 exams throughout the semester, and all of his exams are based off of his lectures. He also posts his lectures on his moodle.I would recommend watching the lectures and pairing it with quizlet. Then, watch the lecture again. Super interesting class and he is thorough with his teaching. Absolutely love him.
Licata is a great professor, he does a flipped classroom where you watch the lecture before class and in class you do review questions and a quiz. There is no homework, but if you dont do the person stuff you wont pass the test. Every other test is on moodle.
Licata is such a fun professor that is also very knowledgable about what he teaches. Lectures are outside of class followed by questions in class which are super helpful. Many people complained that the class was hard but it is a university level bio class and many were not prepared. USE PEARSON LEARNING MODULES AND PRACTICE TESTS.
Mr. Licata is very knowledgeable and answers questions in class. The class was just too big for me and I did not like the flipped learning. The class is just for Q&A and quizzes and you learn on your own through lecture videos.
don't need Pearson/textbook. you watch the lectures before class, and in class, he briefly summarizes the new info. You have to teach yourself everything to pass the tests. no point in even going to class. four tests and the Final along with 50 quiz points. tests aren't all online anymore, he's trying to transition to fully in Himes....
I loved this class. It was flipped, which took some getting used to but I ended up liking it. Each class period we just did questions on the content. Your only two grades are the exams and your quiz grades done at the end of each class (as long as you get to 50 points total you get the max). 3 exams were open notes and 2 in Himes. Best 1201 prof.
This is really one of the best sections of 1201 to take in the fall. Even though we watched video lectures before attending class, we had WAY less homework than the other sections. Material is clear, and you are given some of the test questions in class. I wish the class would've been much smaller since so many students weren't very engaged.
The professor was very nice and interactive, but the flipped class was just not for me, and I studied a lot of things that were not actually given on the test. We alternated moodle and himes test, class overall was very stressful but biology isnt my strong suit.
Licata is super nice and funny. You do not need to attend class, but it would be beneficial. You can take all quizzes wherever you want. Exams are in both himes and in class, but you can take the in class ones wherever. The final is not even cumulative
Dr. Licata was an amazing professor. He structures his class in order to maximize student success and thoroughly prepare them for the test. His tests are half on moodle with no curve but open notes and the other half in Himes with a heavy curve. If you put the effort in, it is not an incredibly difficult class however you MUST study!!!
Awesome professor. Loved the flipped class format because I got to watch the lectures on my own time, pause the videos, and take detailed notes. The open notes exams were harder than the exams in Himes. For the exams I made sure I understood the lectures well, read over the notes I took, and practiced the in class questions.
This class is 90% exam and 10% quiz. I did bad on one exam in Himes and had no way of bringing my grade up, so I made my first B ever. He told us that if we aren't doing good in his class then we should probably look at other majors like mass communication. Super degrading especially when he is forcing us to learn by video instead of teaching.
Tough tests on a wide range of hard materials. Class was 'flipped classroom' format, so lectures were to be watched before class, and discussed in class. Daily quizzes were taken which counted toward your overall grade in the class.nIf you spent time applying yourself to truly understanding the material(not memorize!) then tests were manageable.
Half of the exams are in Himes and half are online. Online ones are easy, but the Himes ones were very difficult and you must study for those at least 2 WEEKS IN ADVANCE. Not a bad class if you study well for those testing center exams.
honestly Licata is super easy the reverse classroom works really well if you actually watched the lectures before class, but if you don't its still not bad because all of this classes are recorded too. Even if you blow off this class you'll probably end up with a decent grade.
This material can be difficult however Licata has tons of lectures and resources you can use to study. You are going to have to study and put in the work his tests are all on material he goes over in class. If you take good notes and study there is no reason you shouldn't have an A in this class he is a nice guy!
This class was a flipped class which made it awful. You had to learn everything outside of class...what's the point of paying for the class then. Exams were a lot of memorization and application. You NEED to study for this class and NEED to take notes. I almost failed this class and I probably cried every day because of this class so DO NOT take.
You had to watch lectures outside of class and he took 1.5 hours of class time to go over 13 questions. Some exams were online and some were in Himes
There was no homework given in this class so all the grades are based off exams and quizzes, which can go many ways. The lectures had to be watched outside of class, followed by 1.5 hr class in which he only went over a few review questions. Half of the exams were online and were pretty hard. The other half was in himes and much easier.
Professor Licata's class is challenging but manageable. The flipped format requires commitment, but his resources and study aids like Unstuck AI make it easier to excel. Engage with the material and you'll leave with a strong understanding of biology.
Licata is a cool dude, but his classwork is very challenging. The flipped classroom is a struggle for me. You don't have to go to class, the daily quizzes are on Moodle and accessible anywhere, the in-class questions are there forever once he unlocks them. My biggest advice would be to start studying a week out from an exam, and use the SI sessions
Best Biology professor. Exams are hard but he's very lenient and helps to get good grade.
The flipped class is a bit hard to get used to, but he does a good job answering any questions students have. He helps out as much as he can and allows the use of outside sources (Google) on some of the exams.
The class is set up pretty simply. The class is flipped which means the usual routine is just to simply watch the online lecture and take a quiz at the end of the class time. The classes are recorded so you don't have to attend. Class is graded solely on the quizzes after class and 5 exams. Half of the exams are in Himes and the others are online.
This class was hard to get used to with the flipped lecture style. It made learning the content a bit difficult for me because it's hard to stay focused watch an hour long video and his lectures in class tend to drone on and become hard to follow. He alternated his tests between himes and moodle which helped but the content was very hard to learn.
He's knowledgable in what he teaches. He provides outlines with a lecture you listen to before class. His tests are reasonable and you do well if you put in the effort to study. He is a great person and very caring of his students. I would take him again if i could.
I struggled with the "flipped class" learning format. I attended the SI sessions and I still failed almost every exam but half of the exams are on moodle and the other half in himes this is so helpful and he gives a lot of curves. The class is really hard to fail if you watch the lectures and do the quizzes
It is a flip style class, but if you watch his lectures and take notes you will be fine. Going to class and doing the in class quizzes does help you understand the material. He is very nice and passionate about the material. Half the tests are online and half are in himes. If you study it is not impossible to get a decent grade.
He was honestly the best professor to ever teach Biology 1201. His lectures are all online and he only does quizzes in class. He allows exams that are open-notes online and you don't have to be in class to take them. He added 5 points to our course total. he is very sweet and you will likely see him all over campus.
Licata's class is pretty easy as long as you study for tests. You have to watch the lecture online before class, and all u do in class is practice questions and then the quiz. You don't even have to go to class, u just have to make sure u take the quiz during the class time. He gives a lot of extra bonus points on tests and drops lowest 2 quizzes.
Dr. Licata's class was a flip style class which I find hard to learn from. The videos are an hour long and his lectures are pretty boring. The tests make up around 89% of the class but he does tend to curve them. The tests are pretty difficult, and I found myself studying for hours and still failing. Not the worst biology option just not for me.
Licata's class takes work for a good grade, but it's manageable. He's a cool guy and very passionate. You watch the lectures outside of class and classtime is spent answering questions and discussing, with a quiz at the end. He gives good curves, so as long as you participate and engage with material and resources (get Pearson+!!), you'll be okay.
Do whatever you can to take Licata for 1201. As long as you are willing to actually try, you'll do great. Multiple online tests, and all other graded things other than that were easy. Several extra credit opportunities. Would take Licata again in a heartbeat.
All of the lectures are watched outside of the class period. No issue with the prof himself, that structure is just bad for me.
Inverted class structure where notes are taken outside of class and class time is used for answering practice questions. Course grade is test heavy. Half the tests were open note.
Licata has an inverted class setup. He teaches in pre recorded lectures that you watch before class. Half the tests are open notes and are extremely difficult even with your notes. Half are in Himes which are still hard but not nearly as bad as open note. He does give a pretty decent curve and a couple bonus opportunities.
Had this professor for BIOL 1001 and BIOL 4001 and I definitely didn't enjoy either. I thought his 1001 course was lazily put together and even more so with 4001. Nothing against this professor personally as he is really sweet and actually does things to help out his students, but there is no way someone could get me to take another course of his.
If you are picking this professor because half the exams are online and on Moodle. Shocking news that he didn't do it for us this year, and more than half the class is currently failing the exams. The curve for the exams has been bad so far, as he just said that the grade for exam 2 was bad, but the average was decent. That is a lie, as most failed
Seems very passionate about his craft. I HATE the fact that he uses this “inverted lecture” method. The exam Qs don't match up to the notes from the lectures. His exams are difficult, and unless you purchase a $90 textbook, “Mastering Biology” and study weeks in advance, you won't do as well as you may think.
Just watch the lectures and do the in class questions and you will be fine. apply the information and try to understand it rather than memorizing it. He's a great teacher. I've gotten B's and A's on the exams so far
he gives crazy curves, test one was 5 points and test 2 was 8
Very lecture heavy and tests are hard. Not clear what to study, and lectures don't really help.
horrible curves, unclear on what to study and overall just not a good professor to take. tests are 90% of your overall grade and are all in himes.
This class was almost impossible to pass. The inverse study method does not work well for 800+ auditorium classes, and after 3 exams, I had to withdrawal and retake it next semester with a different professor to avoid failing. Class is 90% exam grades and no homework grades.
Not a hard class by any means, ignore the ratings saying it is hard to pass. The coursework is very very similar to AP Bio. Vince has a lot of passion about the material Quizzes at the end of every class. Go to class after you watched the lecture videos, answer the in-class questions and take notes and you'll be fine. Curves tests generously.
You study for days or even weeks, yet score lower than when you didn't study. Then he says, “Sorry, your study methods haven't been working,” and sends you to a free LSU resource center that can't help. No homework, just exams, so your whole grade drops, and you're stuck having to withdraw. He seems nice, but I came here for a degree, not a friend.
This was the absolute worst class I've taken in my time here at LSU. No homework so your grade depends on how you do on the exams. I studied for days and pulled all nighter just to find out that exams were nothing like the materials that are provided to study. I ended up withdrawing, wouldn't recommend.
I LOVED Licata! He is a very enthusiastic professor and cares about the coursework. I recommend getting the textbook and doing dynamic study modules AND studying the in class questions, as well aas taking notes on lectures and inside of class. It is as easy as you make it. Study as you go! anyone who complains is still stuck in a hs mindset!
good at responding emails his lectures are online videos and you have to watch them before class exams at himes and they are super hard exams are your only grade in the class, quizzes are 10 of your grade and exams are 90% doesnt give any extra credit he curves exams pretty decently, the exams have 55 questions but he only grades 50
I would suggest taking anyone else... literally. He made this class more difficult than it needed to be. The exams are worth 89% of your grade and he does not give homework. Be prepared to fight for your life in his class.
Hes a nice guy. His lectures are pre recorded so his classes aren't really beneficial and hard to pay attention to. His exams pretty make up your whole grade, which is unfortunate because his exams are all really difficult and in testing center. You have to spend at least a week studying if you want a decent grade. He does give 5-8 bonus points.
I enjoyed this class. Most of your grade comes from the exams. There are five exams and you have an in class quiz everyday. There are 95 avaliable points from the quizes but you only have to get 60. I would start studying two days in advance and get good grades on all of the tests.
This class was extremely lecture heavy and flipped; notes at home and questions on moodle for review in class. It didn't work too well for me as a flipped class, but if you stay on top of the notes you will be fine. A lot of the test were online when I took them, but were very hard.
Dr.Licata teaches this class with you watching the lectures at home and doing practice problems and small quizzes during class. His classes can get pretty boring but I thought going was helpful. He grades his class out of 560 points. 60 from the quizzes and 500 from tests so very test heavy. Take good notes on the lectures read them over to pass.
The curriculum for the class is outdated and many would agree, too in-depth. Compared to my friends other classes, the exams were twice as many questions and we had more exams. Never taught the material in class; all lectures were online videos and the videos durations were, objectively, much longer and in depth than they need to be.
Flipped classroom style teaching. Daily in-class quizzes but super easy.
This course is challenging, it covers A LOT of material that can be complicated at times, but if you put in the work and effort, you'll be fine. He curves every exam and gives bonus opportunities for extra credit. He has a flipped class schedule, so you watch the lectures on your own and he answers questions in class.
If you are taking this class be prepared to study for a lot of people this was their first class out of high school that actually required more effort than a high school class. Just remember that things wont always be easy, find a way to study that works for you and do it and you will be ok.
I would pick a different person for BIO 1201. 89% of your grade is Exams. The other 11% is quizzes. It's a reverse lecture: watch it beforehand and go with questions. Tests are so complex. You need to rely on the TA most of the time.
His class is flipped and he doesn't give homework and his exams are very very difficult. I would not take him. and his curve hardly do anything. I would stay away from Licata by all means stay way if you care about your grade and SI sessions doesn't help either
He has a reverse class where you watch lectures and do practice questions in the class. Tests make up 89% of the grade and quizzes are 11%. Most exams are curved and normally have at least 5 bonus questions on them, so even though they can be tough it isn't impossible to get a passing grade.
Love him! He uses reverse teaching method so lectures are videos and powerpoints posted on moodle and then he does in class questions to discuss the material. I feel like in college you teach yourself anyways so I like that he posted lecture videos so class wasn't mandatory
Licata is easily the best professor for BIOL 1201. As long as you show up to class and put in the time to study, it is easy to get an A. He also gives lots of bonus, and his exams are out of 55 questions (5 bonus questions). His classes are flipped format, so you study before class and do practice questions in class, but they are very helpful.
This was a very easy class. I put all the lecture notes on quizlet and memorized for a day and got over a 100 on every test. He gives bonus and good curves. I didn't go to any lectures except for the first 4. He is very funny and fun to listen to if you do go though. You do not need the textbook, I didn't use it once.
DO NOT TAKE THIS PROFESSOR!!! I took this professor because of reviews saying he gives good extra credit/curves. LIES! He does give bonus on his exams, but the exams are so hard. No matter what you do to prepare, they seem impossible to pass. His exams are 89% of your grade, quizzes are 11%. Very little opportunity to do good in this class.
It is not difficult at all to get a good grade in this class. I thought the Himes exams were extremely easy, enough so that I would recommend looking past the flipped lecture format and taking this class if you have the option. Tests are basically your entire grade (~89%), but the lecture videos are a perfect reflection of the test material.
Definitely the best biology professor. This class helps you to learn how to study while still not being too hard. There is a lot of work that goes into studying for the exams, but once you figure out the best way you learn the exams will come to you easy. The class itself is hard but if you work hard it's really not that bad. Take licata. TRUST.
Vicata is one of those teachers who you know is super smart but isn't great at actually teaching the material to students. His tests are hard and normally worded in a confusing manner, but you can pass if you put in the effort. So many people I know dropped because he does not actually teach the material, he does reverse style lectures (I hated it)
dont take him if you want a good grade, grades are only exams 90% and 10% are quizzes, exams are at himes, lectures you have to learn on your own, he is accesible outside of class, no extra credit, he said hes going to curve exams he didnt curve the last two, very hard class
Dr. Licata is very knowledgeable, but this is a flipped classroom (teach yourself). Lectures are for practice questions and quizzes. Exams (Himes) are 90% of your grade. No homework but exam questions are pulled from Mastering Biology (optional) and in class questions. Curve on exams based on class average and bonus questions on every one.
Lectures and in-class questions do not match the exams. Tests are worded very differently, and exams (90% of the grade) have no study guide. Even studying the lectures thoroughly can still result in low scores. Curves are applied, but not enough to offset exam difficulty. Be prepared to teach yourself a lot of the material.
Exam-heavy course. All tests are in Himes Hall and exams make up ~90% of the grade with no study guide. Lecture and in-class questions don't match exam wording, so even studying thoroughly can still result in low scores. Curves are applied but not enough.
As a transition from high school to college biology, I thought he was a great professor to have. While the class was extremely test heavy and you absolutely have to study, there are a lot of resources to help you study. I also enjoyed how he uploaded the lectures to Moodle for us to watch on our own time and in class focused on review and questions
His class was pretty hard and the exams were weighted very heavy. Each exam also had so much content and I would usually have to study at least a week in advance. If your not a good test taker or amazing in bio I wouldn't recommend.
Teaches backwards, you watch the lecture online and class is review questions. Makes learning much easier, you can watch lectures at your own pace multiple times. Be prepared to study for exams it is applying not just definitions. Small part of grade is quizzes the rest exams and he curved most exams. Final wasn't cumulative!!!
It is very hard to pass this class if you are a bad test taker. The entire grade is based off of exams and two ish weekly quizzes which are easy. You have to watch the lecture before you go to class and then in class he has questions. He gets off topic very easily and is hard to reach. If you are struggling, go to the shell tutoring sessions.
I've taken both prof for BIOL1201, take him. He posts the lectures which is your key to making good grades. Also gave 2 extra credit oppurtunities, curves based off the class majority which I thought was fair. Literally all the tests are based off the lectures he posts. It is test heavy though, so there's no homework to help.
Prof. LiCata is pretty good as far as things go. Class is a 'flipped format,' meaning you watch the recorded lectures at home and do group review questions in class. Grade is ~90% determined by a few exams and the other 10% is from a quiz each day you meet. If you are good at taking tests or have a background in biology, it's very straightforward.
he seems like a nice guy, but honestly it's just so hard to succeed because he's so test heavy. i got an A on every test except one and ended with a 89.88, which he explicitly stated in the syllabus he wouldn't round. just be prepared for the tests to HEAVILY effect your grade and be prepared to teach a lot of it to yourself bc of the reverse style
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
38%
Textbook Required
6%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
-0.00 avg changeRatings by Course
HNRS2000
4.3
(3)BIOL4001
3.5
(10)BIOL1201
3.4
(174)BIO1201
3.2
(42)HNRS1007
3.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
HNRS2000
4.0
HNRS1007
4.0
BIOL1202
4.0
BIOL4001
3.9
BIOL1201
3.9