Professor: Bertness Course format: Lecture w/lab Number of respondents: 23 Total Enrollment: 26 Class Composition: Froshs: 2 Sophs: 10 Jrs: 8 Srs: 5

Instructor Average: 1.78 Course Average: 1.72

"Invertebrate Zoology" is a survey of invertebrates, emphasizing evolution and ecological importance. Students felt that Ecology would be helpful and strongly emphasized the importance of an interest in the subject matter.

Survey respondents described Professor Bertness as a humorous teacher utilizing slides important to most students' comprehension. Class members applauded his interaction with the students, although at times they said he would respond to a question with a joke instead of an answer and would move too quickly through course material. Evidently, he had command of the material and most students found this to be either helpful or intimidating.

The course read solely from a textbook that students found useful, straightforward, and necessary. A lab manual contained an overview of phyla and lab procedures that people felt was very comprehensive and understandable. Labs were held every week. Most students enjoyed the labs; one calling them "exploratory adventures" while other students thought there was too much work to get through. The course consisted of three exams, the third being a final held before reading period; two enjoyable field trips with accompanying five page papers; weekly labs, and quizzes.

Students spent various ranges of time on the course. Some would spend two to three hours per week on course work, while others would spend six to ten hours per week, and there were a notable amount of students posting 12 hours each week to cover everything. Students said that there was lots of material to learn and memorize concerning invertebrates. They suggested that interest in course material going into the semester promoted devotion, energy, and maintained enthusiasm as one may or may not enjoy the course's teaching style.

View BI/0041 in the Brown Online Course Announcement.