Professor: Atwood Course format: Lecture w/section Number of respondents: 28 Total Enrollment: 29 Class Composition: Froshs: 1 Sophs: 2 Jrs: 8 Srs: 16 Concs: 17 Non-Concs: 5 Don't Know: 6

Instructor Average: 1.33 Course Average: 1.42

'Virology' is a course designed to familiarize students with viruses that cause notable human disease, and research methods used to study viruses. It also introduced students to primary literature and taught them how to critically evaluate experimental approaches to studying viruses. The formal prerequisites for this class were BI 28 and BI 47, but students pointed out that some knowledge of immunology and experience with primary literature would have been very helpful.

Professor Atwood received excellent reviews from his students. Respondents noted that although the professor was an expert in his field, he was extremely reasonable about what he expected his students to learn. In addition, Professor Atwood was applauded for his clear and energetic lecture style and for his good sense of humor, which made the lectures even more enjoyable.

Although this class is considered an advanced biology course, respondents indicated that they put only a moderate amount of effort into the class- on average, 5 hours of work per week. The course load consisted of three midterm exams (no final exam), weekly quizzes, and reading assignments (primary papers and review articles). Most students thoroughly enjoyed their assignments because they found the subject matter itself very interesting, and Professor Atwood made the material much more engaging still. One class session met during Reading Period.

The vast majority of the class was very glad to have taken it because they took with them so much fascinating information about viruses that it added another dimension to their understanding of biology. If you are interested in learning about viruses and the human diseases they cause, take this class.

View BI/0156 in the Brown Online Course Announcement.