| Information | Review |
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Margaret Scull
BSCI437 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 01/22/2025 |
Scull is the best!! I hope everyone out there gets the chance to take this class--it's chill and enjoyable. Three midterms, one final, and a handful of other really simple assignments. Course was out of 275 pts (each midterm was 50 pts, final was 75 pts), but you also have the option to write an extra credit essay for 5 more pts. Content-wise, some of it is super interesting and some of it is a tad dry but overall still easy to follow and engaging. Also all of her exams only consist of short answer questions (but you write like 1-2 sentences max for each one); each midterm was one page front and back and final was two pages front and back. Final was not cumulative; half of it was content learned after the third midterm and the other half was questions regarding a virus of your choice (so you just had to pick one virus discussed in class and study it). She always spent the lecture before each exam doing a review Jeopardy game. No curve on exams, but exam averages would be like 85-90%. Scull doesn't make your life difficult in this class, and she's super passionate about everything she teaches you! |
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Margaret Scull
BSCI437 Expecting an A- Anonymous 12/17/2024 |
Dr. Scull is the GOAT!!!!!! She did an amazing job teaching this class, which reignited my interest in microbiology and virology. There are three midterm exams and one final exam consisting only of short answer questions. The course is graded out of 275 points, so every point truly matters. Additionally, she offers an extra credit assignment where you can write a brief essay about a research paper of your choice. This is one of the best courses I have taken at UMD, and I highly recommend it with this excellent professor. |
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Margaret Scull
BSCI437 Expecting an A Anonymous 12/15/2024 |
Dr. Scull is amazing! She is definitely passionate about this subject which makes it so much more of an enjoyable class. It's also a very straightforward class, she doesn't give you trick questions and genuinely wants to see you learn and succeed. As with any bio class, there was a decent amount of content per exam, but nothing too complex, and if you studied everything you'd be well prepared for the exam. There wasn't much practice material provided this semester which kinda sucked, but I think it's just bc she switched up some stuff content wise. She also doesn't grade harshly, and exam averages are pretty high for a bio class (80s), so there is no curve. However, her cutoff for an A is a 94, so be prepared to still have to worry a decent amount about the final even if you've been maintaining a pretty good average the whole semester. Still, exams are super fair so I can't complain too much. She also doesn't teach new content for a week before exams and has a jeopardy style review the class before the exam which is amazing. Overall, totally recommend this class. Not only is she a great prof but the content is actually super interesting. |
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Margaret Scull
BSCI437 Expecting an A- Anonymous 12/17/2023 |
Dr. Scull is awesome. I absolutely love that she gives 2 class days before an exam to discuss every day applications of viruses and a jeopardy style review. She is very approachable and always so kind when you ask a question. The lectures are nothing too crazy and it’s obvious from the exam style that she wants the class to succeed. She’s super smart and knowledgeable and is always willing to help. I would highly recommend her for virology! |
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Margaret Scull
BSCI437 Expecting a B+ Anonymous 12/15/2023 |
I absolutely love her!! The best professor I've had at this university. She is so sweet and the tests are extremely fair. She is clearly very passionate about the topics and she always is able to clear up confusion and answer questions when asked. If you have a chance to take her, I would 100% recommend. |
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Margaret Scull
BSCI437 Expecting an A- Anonymous 11/28/2023 |
Love this prof! Really sweet professor and super smart. Very passionate about virology and can teach it well. When I did have some confusion she quickly explained it in office hours and cleared it up. 3 tests out of 50 points, avg is like 85-88% per so no curve. 20 in-class participation points but more than 20 opportunities to get them. Optional virus essay for 5 bonus points. Some other completion points (7.5 points before each test for review stuff). Doesn't record but posts all her slides and is very approachable. Would take her again. |
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Margaret Scull
BSCI437 Anonymous 11/21/2022 |
Dr. Scull is a great professor! She really cares about virology and making her students understand it! She posts the slides before the class even starts and is very responsive to all of the questions she is asked. She is very nice and funny, and shares stories about her kids (better than any biology professor I have ever had at UMD). She provides easy one minute essay questions that tests your knowledge and allows for easy participation points. No homework, 3 exams, extra credit of a virus of your choosing, and exams are very fair. This is my favorite biology class so far and Dr. Scull contributes to that. My only complaint about the class (not Dr. Scull) is that the class is out of 275 points so getting points off affects your grades a lot but as long as you study the slides, you will be fine. I wouldn't worry about knowing each individual type of virus to a T because she tests on concepts and the overall picture. If you are looking for a higher level biology class, this is definitely one to take. |
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Margaret Scull
Anonymous 10/31/2022 |
I LOVE Dr. Scull!! She's so clearly passionate about what she teaches and is a great lecturer. Very approachable and nice. Exams are fair, but make sure to study at least a couple days in advance - the content is interesting but can be difficult. She offers an extra credit assignment and we had 3 exams plus a final, no homework, plus some easy "one minute essay questions" at the beginning of each class. Would take her again. |
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Margaret Scull
BSCI437 Expecting an A Anonymous 12/18/2019 |
Friendly engaging professor and very fair exams (all free response). Low workload - little to no homework, no projects, one extra credit assignment. |