Professor: Risica, Gans Course format: Seminar	Number of respondents: 14 Total Enrollment: 17
Class Composition: Froshs: 0 Sophs: 5 Jrs: 4 Srs: 6 Concs: 6 Non-Concs: 7 Don't Know: 1

Instructor Average: 1.70 Course Average: 1.76

If you are interested in learning about nutritional issues in developing countries, then "Nutritional Problems in the Developing World" might be the course you want to take. This course addresses the problems of under nutrition, malnutrition and other diseases related to nutrition. Although a background in community health or biology is recommended, this course requires no prerequisites.

Professor Gans and Professor Risicia taught this course together. The respondents were quite happy with their lectures although they said that sometimes they went on for too long. The classes varied between lectures, guest speakers, group presentations and poster sessions. Students also appreciated the use of PowerPoint slides, although some complained that the slides were a bit too outdated. Class members said that both the professors were very considerate about their learning needs and interests. Overall, the class seemed pretty satisfied with the professors.

All students found the textbook very useful but did not feel the same about the articles and course packets. They said that the articles were almost useless as many of the topics were not really applicable to the concerned issues. "But the lectures covered most of the topics quite thoroughly," said one of the respondents. The course required students to take a midterm and a final exam. In addition, they had five assignments which were mostly papers and posters and a group presentation. Many of the respondents thought that the poster assignments were not challenging enough; "Posters were too time consuming with little intellectual gain," grumbled one of them. They were also asked to write either a term paper or three "mini papers."

Despite the enormity of the workload, students spent an average of four hours each week for this class. Many of them found the course easier than they expected and wished it were more challenging. They recommend this class to everyone interested in the topic with a precaution - "Don't expect too much but get your poster boards and glue sticks ready!"

View BC/0168 in the Brown Online Course Announcement.