Professor: Jackson Course format: Lecture w/section Number of respondents: 29 Total Enrollment: 36

Class Composition Froshs: 22 Sophs: 6 Jrs: 4 Srs: 4 Concs: 10 Non-Concs: 8 Don't Know: 10	Instructor Average: 1.73 Course Average: 1.96

"Adaptation to the Environment" explores the nature of animal adaptations to environmental pressures. The course examines a variety of environmental changes, including, but not limited to, changes in salinity, temperature, and the availability of water, oxygen, and food resources. Human adaptations are frequently used as examples. No formal prerequisites exist, but students did mention that Bio 20 or advanced placement were helpful in understanding course material.

Professor Jackson received mixed reviews. About half the viewers appreciated his laid-back style. While they found him to be reserved in the beginning of the course, they commented that he gradually opened up as the course progressed. They also praised his ability to encourage critical thinking skills about the material. He emphasized knowledge of concepts not just memorization of details. On the other hand, there were those who felt he often lacked enthusiasm for the material. At times, he presented very complicated material in an unclear fashion. They also believed that he did not adequately facilitate integration of the material. The class was divided on their assessment of Professor Jackson.

Students in this course were tested on two non-cumulative exams and one cumulative final. These exams were not considered in sync with the material covered in lecture. In addition to the final, a ten page term paper was due at the end of the semester. Four labs were also spread throughout the semester. These labs were to be done in groups, which students felt was not appropriate given the nature of the labs. All in all, respondents spent at least three to four hours a week on this course.

The main complaint of this course was that the professor was not very engaging and, thus, did little to encourage their interest in the course. Some even went so far as to say that this course turned them off from the entire biology department. Yet, still others claimed that it was a good introduction to biology at Brown. The reviews on this course encompassed a great deal of variation.

The mixed reviews of this course do not allow for any solid conclusions to be made. There are those that highly recommended it for non-science concentrators and then those who did not. All did agree, though, that if you have a solid interest in the material, then this would be a good course to take.

View BI/0019 in the Brown Online Course Announcement.