Microbiology - Fall 2008

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Hi ya'll! Anybody taking Micro this coming fall semester and want to form a study group? I did this for A&P I and II and it helped tremendously! I'm taking it along with Chem 1151 (Survey of Chem). Thanks!

It's a she :). The professor is really nice and she is very enthusiastic about teaching micro. I wish I was as enthusiastic about taking it but I think I let myself get totally intimidated by it even before it began.

The first test covered intro material up to cell metabolism and I got a 56.3% (that first lab test grade was an 85 though). Yikes! The class average was actually pretty low - maybe a 72. There were a few A's and B's but the majority were low C and below. A guy near me made about what I did and a girl I partner with in lab got in the 40's. Normally I am usually a decent B student. I strive for an A always but I never seem to get there often.

Is she new? Maybe she is trying to get her footing regarding her testing, and this first test sent her a message. :) She may also curve -- definitely a question to ask when you talk to her at your appointment!

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Is she new? Maybe she is trying to get her footing regarding her testing, and this first test sent her a message. :) She may also curve -- definitely a question to ask when you talk to her at your appointment!

I think she's been teaching this quite a while now. Someone already asked her if she curved, did extra credit, or anything else and she basically laughed :(. Her reviews on the ratemyprofessor website give me the impression that she is hard and has favorites in her classes. I guess I will work on building a rapport with her and see what she advises on Tuesday.

I did get to look at my test a bit and some of the questions I missed just because I didn't read them closely enough. Drat! Her test was 46 multiple choice questions and 10 fill in the blank.

For those of you who have taken tests so far, what have been like?

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I think she's been teaching this quite a while now. Someone already asked her if she curved, did extra credit, or anything else and she basically laughed :(. Her reviews on the ratemyprofessor website give me the impression that she is hard and has favorites in her classes. I guess I will work on building a rapport with her and see what she advises on Tuesday.

I did get to look at my test a bit and some of the questions I missed just because I didn't read them closely enough. Drat! Her test was 46 multiple choice questions and 10 fill in the blank.

For those of you who have taken tests so far, what have been like?

The best thing you can do is go talk to her and make it clear that you are a serious student and want to do well in her class. You can still make a good grade in the class, so don't panic just yet! I took my first test this week and it was tough! 100 multiple choice and short answer questions. Just keep checking in here, it's a great study tool and we can all help each other learn and get the best grades possible. Good luck!

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Specializes in 2 years as CNA.

My test was 100 questions all multiple choice. But you won't believe this....we were given a review on Tuesday (the test was Thursday) of 114 questions along with the answers. Ok, so I go in to take the test and it was the review questions he gave us! Well some stuff was changed but not by much. Some of the questions were the exact question on the review while others were changed just a bit. There were only maybe a handful of questions that did not come straight from the review questions. This teacher rocks!!! He is just awesome at letting us know exactly what he is looking for. For once I totally understand why people say that your experience in a class can depend on a teacher.

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Specializes in Certified Nurse-Midwife.

I have my first exam on Monday. There will be 65 multiple choice questions and some Define, Explain type questions.

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I think she's been teaching this quite a while now. Someone already asked her if she curved, did extra credit, or anything else and she basically laughed :(. Her reviews on the ratemyprofessor website give me the impression that she is hard and has favorites in her classes. I guess I will work on building a rapport with her and see what she advises on Tuesday.

I did get to look at my test a bit and some of the questions I missed just because I didn't read them closely enough. Drat! Her test was 46 multiple choice questions and 10 fill in the blank.

For those of you who have taken tests so far, what have been like?

We just had our first test last Tuesday. It was 25 multiple choice (2 pts. each), 20 true/false and matching (worth 1 pt. each) and two essay questions (15 pts. each). I thought this was a fairly easy, straight forward test. Our teacher makes it very clear what she is expecting from us.

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Specializes in ICU.

Our test is going to have 75 multiple choice (1 pt each) and 5 essay questions (5 pts each). I am not too worried about the 75 questions - seriously worried about the essay questions though.

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Our test is going to have 75 multiple choice (1 pt each) and 5 essay questions (5 pts each). I am not too worried about the 75 questions - seriously worried about the essay questions though.

As a former college professor, I can give you some hints about test essay questions. Because they are written in-class, without time to create a lovely essay, your professor will NOT be looking for you to produce the best essay format! Professors know that students are pressed for time and won't able to produce a work of literature, especially when they have 4 other essays to write. They also know you don't have the time to really plan out your response: "Let's see, first I'll make that point and then segue into the next point, and then the next point will follow logically..." No, you probably won't have time for that.

A couple strategies:

(1) Write down as much as you can remember -- just get it all down. You are guaranteed to get *some* points that way, and you may very well get all the points on each question. Even if you have no clue what the question is asking, NEVER leave an essay question blank. Write down something that relates to the question. You'll probably get 1 or 2 mercy points that way. I had a professor of economics once who gave students one point if they wrote "My dog is brown" on an essay. In other words, he wanted to encourage students to start writing. Often, once you start writing, you build up some steam.

(2) Use bullet points or numbered lists (unless your prof tells you not to) within the text so that s/he can just run down the essay really quick to see if you know what you are talking about.

(3) Although I've said not to stress about the form, remember to answer the question and any subquestions! You'd be amazed at how many students write essays that don't answer the question. Reassure your prof that you know what the question is asking by creating a really strong opening sentence or two.

Trust me, your professor wants to be able to quickly run through these essays and say, "Yep, she knows what she's talking about" and then move on to the next person's test. So, the easier you make it for your professor to make that decision, the more favorably s/he will look on your essay. :)

Having said all that, if you can write an outstanding essay, both in form and in substance, go for it. Your professor will immediately see how brilliant you are! But be sure to pace yourself so that you don't run out of time. If you start running out of time, see suggestion (1) above.

Relax and good luck on your test!

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Specializes in ICU.
As a former college professor, I can give you some hints about test essay questions. Because they are written in-class, without time to create a lovely essay, your professor will NOT be looking for you to produce the best essay format! Professors know that students are pressed for time and won't able to produce a work of literature, especially when they have 4 other essays to write. They also know you don't have the time to really plan out your response: "Let's see, first I'll make that point and then segue into the next point, and then the next point will follow logically..." No, you probably won't have time for that.

A couple strategies:

(1) Write down as much as you can remember -- just get it all down. You are guaranteed to get *some* points that way, and you may very well get all the points on each question. Even if you have no clue what the question is asking, NEVER leave an essay question blank. Write down something that relates to the question. You'll probably get 1 or 2 mercy points that way. I had a professor of economics once who gave students one point if they wrote "My dog is brown" on an essay. In other words, he wanted to encourage students to start writing. Often, once you start writing, you build up some steam.

(2) Use bullet points or numbered lists (unless your prof tells you not to) within the text so that s/he can just run down the essay really quick to see if you know what you are talking about.

(3) Although I've said not to stress about the form, remember to answer the question and any subquestions! You'd be amazed at how many students write essays that don't answer the question. Reassure your prof that you know what the question is asking by creating a really strong opening sentence or two.

Trust me, your professor wants to be able to quickly run through these essays and say, "Yep, she knows what she's talking about" and then move on to the next person's test. So, the easier you make it for your professor to make that decision, the more favorably s/he will look on your essay. :)

Having said all that, if you can write an outstanding essay, both in form and in substance, go for it. Your professor will immediately see how brilliant you are! But be sure to pace yourself so that you don't run out of time. If you start running out of time, see suggestion (1) above.

Relax and good luck on your test!

THANK YOU!!! This is great advice and I cannot tell you know much I appreciate it!!!!! :bow:

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We have our first lab skills test tonight on sterile transfers and streak plate technique. I'm so nervous! I know I can do them well, but it's a whole different ballgame when you're sitting in front of the instructor trying not to mess anything up! Wish me luck!

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Specializes in 2 years as CNA.

Well I just logged onto Blackboard and our grades were posted. I got an 89. I was pretty upset because I just hate being right on the border and that seems to happen to me ALOT plus I really wanted an A. But then I went to look at the class statistics and the highest grade was a 91 and only 2 people got that, the next highest was 89 and that was me and one other person. There were a total of 10 B's, 13 C's, 6 D's, and 6 F's plus one O by someone who didn't show for the test. I guess overall I can't be upset.

Now I know how his tests are and should hopefully bring home that A next time!

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Specializes in ICU.

CONGRATS on your 89!! That is awesome!!

I keep checking - but our grades arent posted yet. She said sometime between 7:30am and noon-ish. The waiting is killing me!!

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