Professor: Rand Course format: Lecture w/section Number of respondents: 43 Total Enrollment: 55 Class Composition: Froshs: 6 Sophs: 14 Jrs: 18 Srs: 14

Instructor Average: 1.72 Course Average: 1.81

"Evolutionary Biology" looks at evolution with respect to its processes such as selection, adaptation, and speciation. Some students felt that genetics could be helpful, but a basic understanding of Biology is sufficient.

Professor Rand's use of visual material was well received by class members. Survey respondents appreciated handouts of Power Point slides, use of overheads, slides, and video. Most students enjoyed Professor Rand's sense of humor, but before exams, students would have to keep up with the pace of the instructor rushing through material for the test. As a consequence, students found themselves covering course material with a lot of breadth but not enough depth in lecture. Professor Rand's lecture did provide alternate ways of thinking about problems and students appreciated email updates on course news.

Course reading for most students strictly focused on the course packet and section readings. Students utilized class notes, background information, and reviews for exams in these packs when mostly all the students found the course textbook not useful at all and many respondents admitted to never even using it. Course work included two exams and a final, a paper to due with one section presentation, three homework sets, and a brief synopsis of section readings on scientific papers. Most class members thought the homework problem sets needed much improvement due to their length, difficulty, and faulty computer programs.

Most students allotted five to six hours each week towards course work; spending more time on the problems sets and section readings due around exam times. Although the workload overwhelmed some students, many others found this course to be a requirement that they ended up enjoying due to Professor Rand's humor and interesting presentation of course material. Most students suggest taking this course, since even though you may not love it, many methods of discovery in this field will be available to you.

View BI/0048 in the Brown Online Course Announcement.