Judd Nelson

This professor has taught: BSCI105, ENTM788C

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Judd Nelson BSCI105 Anonymous 05/28/2014	Honestly Nelson is the cutest thing, that being said he's a horrible lecturer. He reads right off the slides and makes you not want to come to class. However for my semester he started doing random weekly quizzes, that either helped your grade or messed it up. He really wants everyone to succeed, so he had this deal if you have an A average in the class (including lab) then you don't have to take the final. Our semester and 86% was a A-. I got out of it, but I heard the final was easy, only 20 multiple choice questions. His tests aren't that bad. The second one was the hardest, but just look through his notes, the book is there for reference, but mainly stick to the lecture notes. Also his tests are multiple multiple choice, which means there was more than one answer. Sometimes it screwed you over, other times you received partial credit for the question. If you only care about the grade, take Nelson. If you actually want to learn something then take someone else. Other than that, Nelson was the man and he's funny and adorable and makes the material easy and straightforward.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting an A- milk 12/22/2013	Nelson is the epitome of boring lecturer, and it's not at all necessary to attend class as long as you keep up with his powerpoints. HOWEVER, the review by bamak93 is 100% accurate. I've essentially taken this class twice already too (regular bio and AP Bio in high school), and I scraped an A- by 1.2 points. For introductory bio, this class should not have been this hard. The material wasn't necessarily difficult to understand, but it was way too in-depth. A lot of the material should have been saved for later BSCI courses. It was just a weird experience - people I knew in 300-level BSCI courses would ask me, "Wow you learned about this already?" while my lab TA would constantly remind us that most students in the class were only taking 105 to get graduation reqs out of the way. The trick is probably to actively keep up with lectures each week and don't attempt to cram a few days before an exam. That being said, his multiple-multiple choice tests sucked. There were always a handful of questions that were focused on easily-missed minute details. Test averages weren't great, some lab mates legitimately failed one or two, and there's 0 curve because he grades by the amount of points you have in the class, not percentage (720/800 is an A-). The exams were the most annoying part about this class. Overall, probably wouldn't recommend.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Anonymous 07/15/2012	Anyone giving this man less than 5 stars is crazy. Nelson is the man. He gives a 40 point extra credit boost! Basically an A=86%. That includes the extra credit which is incredibly easy to get. The labs are easy but it still does depend on the TA. Mine was fantastic. The tests are multiple multiple choice. Basically if you go over the slides in and out, you're guaranteed to do well. Plus, if you have around an A average before the final (includes lab points and exam points), you don't have to take the final. If you have to take the final, i heard its still incredibly easy. Nelson wants you to succeed and is really nice. Sure he's not the best lecturer but who cares! Its just into bio folks, straight up memorization. Study the slides and you're golden. Nelson is the way to go for BSCI 105
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting a B+ bamak93 05/23/2012	Alright. I'm going to go ahead and preface this review with the fact that I spent 3 years of high school taking upper level bio classes, so in essence, I walked into this class more or less having taken it about twice previously. That being said, my experience with this class has been absurd. The TAs this semester were generally AWFUL (mine was one of the worst, I essentially got screwed out of an A because she nitpicked SO many points whenever possible in lab), and the tests were freakishly difficult, AND there was no curve. Even though the averages were pretty low. And his lectures are absolutely mundane. I went pretty religiously up until halfway through the semester until I realized my time was better spent reading the powerpoints and taking notes on them outside of class and getting back an hour on MWF. I understand that the professors tried to make 105 harder this semester since so many people took it as an easy lab elective, but between the work I put into the class and the fact that I knew all the content before coming into class, me getting a B was totally unwarranted.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting a B Anonymous 05/16/2012	Like others have said, he's a sweet guy and he does try to make it all interesting, but his lecturing skills are lacking. That being said, if you take him, his lecturing skills shouldn't really matter to you all that much. The material isn't too hard to understand as long as you read and study the powerpoints (which he posts online), and the book is also a good resource if you don't understand something. You do end up having to teach yourself most of the material though. He does make it fairly easy for you to do well in the class, grading wise. I liked his test style, where you could basically get partial credit for everything, even the multiple choice. He also curves the class a decent amount at the end of the semester (around 5%), so as long as you keep a solid C or C+ in class, you would pretty much have to get less than a 50% on the final to not get a B. Overall, I've heard worse things about other Bsci105 professors. I would take him if you get the chance.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting a B Anonymous 04/01/2012	Professor Nelson is extremely sweet and adorable, but he isn't a very good lecturer. He's very scatterbrained and hard to follow. He posts all of his powerpoints on ELMS, though, so if you read the textbook and look at the powerpoints, going to lecture isn't always necessary. It does help if you're confused about something, though. His tests are difficult to do well on because they're multiple multiple choice, which means each question can always have multiple answers. I found this hard because you can't use process of elimination. He's obviously passionate about Biology but just isn't very good at driving in the information. You have to teach yourself a lot.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Anonymous 05/16/2011	Nelson is the cutest prof ever. He is such a grandpa and is just adorable. The class can be boring since his slides are basically notes from the textbook, but sometimes he gives you hints as to what will be on the exams (esp day before the test). Exams are easy if you study for them, and there's a 40 point buffer so it's possible to get more than 100%. Lab boosts you up a lot too. Low stress class, definitely take it for BSCI105.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting a B Anonymous 05/02/2011	Professor Nelson really wants his students to succeed and is very understanding if you forget to do a masteringbio, or have email him with a question. It helps to go to the GSS, and to lecture, but all the slides are online and he doesn't deviate from them much.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting a B Anonymous 12/22/2010	Professor Nelson is the one of the nicest professors that i have ever had. He genuinely cares about his students, and that is hard to find. The class itself is not easy. I thought the exams were challenging because it covers so much material. The lectures are a bit boring, but its biology, so it will be boring with any professor. Grading is pretty generous. However, the lab fucking sucks. My TA was awful, but its easy. I got C's and D's on the midterms, a B on the final and still came out with a B. Professor Nelson is definitely the way to go for BSCI105.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 ax 12/21/2010	Nelson is the best teacher to pick for this course. His teaching style is reading from a powerpoint; which could get boring, but he is a good teacher. His exams are not hard. I never studied and I ended up with a B in the class, so if you study you should get an A. He was a nice man who enjoyed talking about his family. Out of all the professors for this course you should definitely go with Nelson. He made bio fun and easy.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting a B rose11 12/20/2010	I love Dr. Nelson. He is one of the nicest professors I have met. If you're going to take BSCI105, take him. There were four exams, MasteringBiology homework, plus the assignments in lab. I unfortunately had a hard TA. An A in BSCI105 is definately feasible, but because my TA was such a hard grader I received about an 89% in the course. You don't have to attend lecture since Dr. Nelson posts the powerpoints online. However, I recommend going since he gives good information about material that will be on the exam.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting a B thewit691 12/20/2010	Awesome guy. Actually kind of funny. Gives so much extra credit it basically curves you up a letter grade. In all seriousness though, BSCI105 is a tough class. The material is interesting but it is ALOT to cover. Nelson's exam format helps alot because you can get partial credit on everything, even the multiple choice. If you must take it, take it with Nelson.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting an A Davismcd333 12/15/2010	Just take him honestly. Not only will you learn alot but hes a very generous grader. I hear people sturggling with all the other professors and I was sooo hapy i took Nelson. Oh and did I mention the massive extra credit?
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting a B Anonymous 12/12/2010	Nelson makes this class ridiculously easy, he posts all of his slides online and bases them off of his exams. In all honesty, I only showed up to a few of his classes throughout the whole semester and studied for exams only the night before and got 70-80% grades. He also gives extra credit points and makes grading so easy to pass his class. If I actually put in more effort and went to class or studied a few days before exam I would have definitely received an A.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting an A Brenda Mason 12/05/2010	I LOVE PROFESSOR NELSON! he makes the class easy and you can understand. Also he post slides and his test come from the slides. TAKE NELSON!!
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting an A Anonymous 10/25/2010	Dr Nelson was a great professor. His powerpoints were preetty organized and easy to understand. He would have extra credit quizzes in lecture that was really helpful and his exams were decent. As long as you studied off his powerpoint and understood the points he stressed in lecture youd do fine. I definetly recommend him for BSCI105
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Anonymous 08/04/2010	Anyone who doesn't give this man 5 stars is crazy. BSCI 105 is an extremely difficult class, and kids with other professors who saw my exam were shocked at how easy they were. HIS EXAMS ARE ALL MULTIPLE CHOICE. If you take BSCI 105 and don't take his class you're just stupid. He gives out 40 extra credit points. I got a 76, 69, and 60 on my midterms, and a 76 on my final. I got a B in the class.... enough said. He even uses a water-downed book that's easier to use than other professors do.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting an A Anonymous 07/14/2010	Prof Nelson is the best professor for this class, and its actually really easy if you attend every lecture. Its not necessary to pay attention but the extra credit quizzes boost your grade 40 points in the end. Depending on your TA lab can be tough or really easy. exams are fair, read the textbook through once but mainly study the slides and you will be fine. His lectures are really boring, but having had little bio experience and not being a bio related major, I felt that this class was somewhat useful and definitely fair
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting an A samhallen 06/01/2010	Most of you are probably taking this course because you have to (majors, pre-med, etc.) Do yourselves a favor and take it with Nelson. BSCI105 is not an easy class, and Nelson makes it easy for you to score well. His tests are challenging and cover a lot of material, but he gives you 4-10 point extra credit quizzes which are added to your grade. As long as you had a low B average (which is very achievable if you try hard), his extra credit put you at an A. Comparatively to what I've heard about other BSCI105 teachers, Nelson is the way to go. Although his lectures are dry and peripatetic, you must go to take the quizzes, and who knows, maybe you do learn some stuff from lecture. But for the most part, I just studied the lecture slides and textbook chapters 4-5 days before each test, and didn't pay too much attention in lecture.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting an A Anonymous 05/22/2010	Dr. Nelson's class is a very chill class. Studying the lecture ppt slides are generally good preparation for the exams. However, reading the book is recommended if you dont have a strong background in bio. Labs are very easy if you took bio AP or equivalent. The extra credits quizzes will make your life a lot easier. Simple class, nice prof.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting an A Anonymous 05/04/2010	Professor Nelso is a really nice guy! He lectures from powerpoints which are pretty detailed, so you don't really even need the book. There are 3 exams and the final, the exams weren't too bad, but they covered a lot of material. The tests were multiple-multiple choice and short answer. he gave 4, 10 point each extra credit quzzes throughout the semester which really helpful to your grade!! Overall he was a good teacher and it was an okay class.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting a C Anonymous 04/30/2010	I'm extremely horrible in taking multiple multiple choice exams. I like one direct answer. I'm couting on my lab grade to really boost up my grade.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting a C Anonymous 12/21/2009	He is one of the nicest professors you will ever meet. Tests weren't difficult but covered a lot of material. He gives 4 really easy extra credit quizzes which he gives 1-3 days after every exam. Make sure you go over the powerpoint lectures he posts online 4-5 days before the exam. The sheer volume of information can be daunting. Also, he doesn't mention it but there is a small curve in the end. In my section, an 88% was an A.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting an A Anonymous 12/17/2009	Very Easy! Read the textbook before class (he puts the pages that each lecture is based on in the syllabus), listen in class and then after class take notes on the text book and concentrate on the topics in the powerpoint. EASY LECTURE QUIZZES. EASY TESTS.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 cninferno 06/05/2009	Dr. Nelson was a pretty good lecturer. He is a very nice guy who wants everyone to do well. He goes over every point he makes on his powerpoint slides clearly and succinctly. He does stutter when he lectures, and it seems like he's always out of breath. But they're not that distracting. His tests were very reasonable and can be very easy if you pay close attention in lecture, take very good notes, and corroborate your notes with the facts in the textbook. Overall, he's a good lecturer and person. He can improve his speaking and his ability to give straightforward answers when answering questions, but he's a very decent professor.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 06/05/2009	Really nice and personable. Lectures are straight from the textbook and all notes are online. But u got to go because he gives really easy extra credit quizzes during class that really helps your grade. Lab is easy. Exams are fine as long as you read the text book.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting a C Anonymous 05/30/2009	I am not a science person at all and only took this class to fulfill a major requirement. He is a little awkward when lecturing, which can be cute but the material is just really boring. I guess the lab wasn't too bad since my TA was pretty nice. He usually gives a generous curve on tests. I was happy to get a C because I just don't like science and I am not good at it.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting an A Anonymous 05/24/2009	LOVED Nelson! He is just such a nice guy. Lectures can be a bit boring, but it's just because the material is extremely boring. He tries to make them interesting by telling a joke every now and then that I thought were really funny. I disagree that the multiple-multiple questions are harder than multiple choice. I actually thought it was way easier. I'm not even a science major, but I still got a solid A because he was very reasonable. Overall, take Nelson.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting an A+ khartma1 05/17/2009	He is so nice! And you can tell he is just such a happy person! He always walks into class with a huge smile on his face. Lectures aren't really necessary because the slides are from the book. He does do 4 extra credit quizzes that are helpful. Tests are easy. Just a really nice man.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting an A Anonymous 05/10/2009	BSCI 105 is generally considered to be a hard class and most people take it because they have no other choice. If you have to take it Nelson's class is pretty reasonable. Reading the text book made my grade, but all students are really different.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting a B Anonymous 05/10/2009	Nelson wasn't too bad of a teacher. He teaches from slides that summarize the book pretty well. The only problems were the amount of information covered for each test--it was a lot-- and that his tests are multiple-multiple choice which are WAY harder than regular multiple choice. Going to class is important if you like extra credit! He gives out four super easy 10-point extra credit quizzes, usually after an exam. It may not seem like a lot, but 10 points can turn a C into a B on an exam! However, paying attention in class isn't really necessary as long as you study on your own.
Judd Nelson BSCI105S Expecting an A mschneid 12/10/2008	He was boring. I tried to go to lectures for awhile, but I just wasn't getting anything out of them and fell asleep more often then not. I stopped going and taught myself off of the powerpoints that he posted online and got A's on his tests (Which are annoying - multiple-multiple choice...). I did not buy the book and did not ever feel like I needed it. Despite all of this, he really seems like a nice, friendly guy who genuinely wants his students to do well.
Judd Nelson BSCI105 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 11/18/2007	Very easy exam format. Example question: Select all that apply: Cats... A. Say Meow B. Can purr C. Bark D. Know calculus E. Like tuna If you said A B C you would get 3/5... If you selected them all you get 3/5... Basically you get partial credit on every exam question even if you have no idea. I disagree with the reviewer above saying you have to go to class to take these extra credit quizzes. There are 30 pts of extra credit avaliable and the class is out of 800... Its not really worth going to every class. the lectures are incredibly boring, and readin the book is actually more entertaining because the book is written well/