BSCI453 | PlanetTerp

Information	Review
Nikolas Francis BSCI453 Expecting a B Anonymous 03/23/2026	He is honestly very knowledgeable about the field and is super passionate about the topics we learn. I took this class after reading the only other review saying that there were no exams. That is probably why everybody in the class registered for it, if I'm being honest. Looking back, I wish I had registered for a "normal" upper-level bio course. Starting with the class structure: while there are no formal exams, there are quizzes literally every class period, and they are HARD. If you have a busy week and don't have 3 hours a day to review lecture slides, you're basically screwed. Half the classes are lectures led by him, and the other half are student presentations on scientific articles. We have quizzes on these presentations, and he does not send out the slides, so you have to take really good notes and just hope it goes well. Dr. Francis himself is a very nice guy, and he really does explain things well. Most students simply do not have a strong interest in the field/are taking other hard classes, and do not have time to study for daily quizzes. I give him an A+ as a professor, but the class structure and grading format are more like a C.
Nikolas Francis BSCI453 Expecting an A Anonymous 03/02/2026	If you happen to be unlucky enough to take this class, get ready to study AT LEAST 3 days a week. Don't let the grade distribution fool you. Yes there's a high A rate but there's daily quizzes that you really need to study for in person and Dr. Francis refuses to answer any questions during it. The quizzes are doable but you need to study A LOT and there is not much room for error if you are not getting consistent 10/10's and want an A. Dr. Francis as a professor is very knowledgeable about hearing and physiology and shows his passion through his teaching, however often talks exceptionally fast while going over complex information. There's also a presentation that you have to do (12 minute for individual and 20 for partnered presentation) thats on a research paper that he provides for you. Get ready for a VERY INTENSE Q&A session after btw!! The framework of a typical class is questions from past lecture students have, new lecture for about 25 minutes, 20 quiz on past lecture, and then the cycle repeats..... If you take this class you will learn a lot of information and very consistently. You will be expected to put effort into this class everyday to do well. If you are genuinely interested about hearing, physiology, and research, this class is for you! Otherwise, just know you'll have a very difficult time paying attention and caring about the class, however it is still doable.
Nikolas Francis BSCI453 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 05/20/2024	He is a great professor. He does not give out exams, but we do have weekly quizzes which are quite hard and you really have to study for them. The term project is to write an abstract based on everything you learned. He really cares about your learning so almost the whole second half of the class is presenting scientific papers.

Nikolas Francis
BSCI453

Expecting a B
Anonymous
03/23/2026

He is honestly very knowledgeable about the field and is super passionate about the topics we learn. I took this class after reading the only other review saying that there were no exams. That is probably why everybody in the class registered for it, if I'm being honest. Looking back, I wish I had registered for a "normal" upper-level bio course. Starting with the class structure: while there are no formal exams, there are quizzes literally every class period, and they are HARD. If you have a busy week and don't have 3 hours a day to review lecture slides, you're basically screwed. Half the classes are lectures led by him, and the other half are student presentations on scientific articles. We have quizzes on these presentations, and he does not send out the slides, so you have to take really good notes and just hope it goes well. Dr. Francis himself is a very nice guy, and he really does explain things well. Most students simply do not have a strong interest in the field/are taking other hard classes, and do not have time to study for daily quizzes. I give him an A+ as a professor, but the class structure and grading format are more like a C.

Nikolas Francis
BSCI453

Expecting an A
Anonymous
03/02/2026

If you happen to be unlucky enough to take this class, get ready to study AT LEAST 3 days a week. Don't let the grade distribution fool you. Yes there's a high A rate but there's daily quizzes that you really need to study for in person and Dr. Francis refuses to answer any questions during it. The quizzes are doable but you need to study A LOT and there is not much room for error if you are not getting consistent 10/10's and want an A. Dr. Francis as a professor is very knowledgeable about hearing and physiology and shows his passion through his teaching, however often talks exceptionally fast while going over complex information. There's also a presentation that you have to do (12 minute for individual and 20 for partnered presentation) thats on a research paper that he provides for you. Get ready for a VERY INTENSE Q&A session after btw!! The framework of a typical class is questions from past lecture students have, new lecture for about 25 minutes, 20 quiz on past lecture, and then the cycle repeats..... If you take this class you will learn a lot of information and very consistently. You will be expected to put effort into this class everyday to do well. If you are genuinely interested about hearing, physiology, and research, this class is for you! Otherwise, just know you'll have a very difficult time paying attention and caring about the class, however it is still doable.

Nikolas Francis
BSCI453

Expecting an A+
Anonymous
05/20/2024

He is a great professor. He does not give out exams, but we do have weekly quizzes which are quite hard and you really have to study for them. The term project is to write an abstract based on everything you learned. He really cares about your learning so almost the whole second half of the class is presenting scientific papers.

Reviews for BSCI453