I am very displeased with this class because of its level of difficulty. I am not asking for an easy A, but comparatively to Barstow, Armstrong is ridiculous. I have friends who glance over notes in Barstows class and make A's and B's on Test. You could study for a week and still fail one of Armstrongs tests due to his "nit picky" ways and convoluted test questions.

If you're not good at bio, I suggest taking someone else. He is not very approachable and makes you seem stupid when you do approach him. Gives a lot of homework. Tests are impossible, there are at least 2 (sometimes more) right answers to each question, but you have to choose which one he thinks is "more correct." You can study extremely hard and still fail. Class is pointless and consists of case studies that do not help you learn the material. Bottom line...FRUSTRATING.

Pros: Podcasts are a plus

Cons: Tests have nothing to do with his lectures

Tests are hard

He usually leaks into genetics when it is an introductory biology course

Armstrong is a very boring lecturer. Because of his podcast option, it makes you want to skip class. If you have to because of a prior engagement, it is possible because of podcasts. If possible, take Barstow.

Pros: Armstrong knows biology backward and forward. And he's interesting to watch because he talks with his hands and walks around a lot. He also makes funny comments and comparisons.

Cons: This class is by far the hardest I have taken yet at UGA. Gen chem feels easy in comparison. His tests are only 20 questions plus 2 or 3 short answers so there isn't a lot of buffer room. His tests are also really specific and the questions are tricky. I felt like he expected us to understand little part of complicated concepts since he obviously does.

I got a B and I worked my butt off for it. At the last minute we found out the group participation points (including group tests) can only help your grade so that and the extra credit he gives throughout the semester makes a huge difference if you're borderline.

My test grades got better over the semester because I figured out that if you focus on being able to complete the study guides he posts for each topic, it is a lot easier to focus your concentration. If you try to understand everything in the all the chapters you'll be overwhelmed for sure. For the most part if you can answer in detail all the lecture objectives most of the test should fall within those parameters. He does however ask questions that the book explains pretty much word for word, so be sure to read the book thoroughly. As much as it sucks it's definitely beneficial to start studying at least a week before to really understand everything.

If there are other options avoid him if possible. There are better ways to learn and understand biology.

Pros: Nothing, seriously.

Cons: -BORING Class (must attend for clicker questions daily and group questions ~weekly)

-Tests ambiguous and hard

-Homework unrelated and difficult

-He's a horrible teacher

I hated this class. And this is directly related to my major. He made it miserable. He is really not very intelligent, teaches the class at a 2nd grade level and tests you as if your experts at the subject. As a student who received A's in both Gen Chems and Biotechnology classes and knows how to study, he made this class nearly impossible. I took Ochem and this class at the same time-and did better in Ochem with less studying! Ridiculous. His tests are horribly written (multiple typos and ambiguous, thesaurus aided questions) and vague as can be. You HAVE to do well in lab, get the homeworks all right (don't forget to do them, which is easy to do cause they're online EVERY single class), come to class everyday for participation and group scores, and then just suck it up for the tests--dont bother studying like me...I was at EVERY lecture, took notes on EVERYTHING, read the entire book, did ALL the homeworks, and took extensive notes on the book and STILL did not get higher than a C on a test. Thats ridiculous. He should be fired, but you have to take him if you have to take 1107...so best of luck. Maybe try and get his old tests, seems like he used the same questions.

Pros: If you "Understand" Biology and don't just memorize information, you will learn a lot more material in much less time. Armstrong emphasizes this, since there is an insane amount of material in little time.

Cons: If you do not "Understand" the material and instead try to memorize, you will not do well. I know people who have studied for ages before the tests and still failed.

Armstrong is very knowledgable about Biology, there are very few biological/medical questions he doesn't know. The reason he is so good at Biology isn't because he just studied it 24/7 in his past, but because he has a great understanding of it; he's able to apply a part of Biology over every concept. Unfortunately, you must also be able to do this to do well in his course. Do not just memorize material, it's a waste of time. Instead, try to focus more on any material that is able to be applied in any way; odds are it will be a test question. I know people who studied day and night "memorizing" who made C's, and i also know people who have never opened the book, but "understand" and made A's. Understand the material, DO NOT MEMORIZE!

Pros: He knows his material backwards and forwards.

He really does want his students to "learn" how to use biology in everyday life not just memorize facts like every function of every part of the cell.

Cons: He is a difficult teacher to talk to if you're having problems, it's just his personality. He never curves grades. His tests are almost impossible to study for because he doesn't narrow anything down. His study guides are pointless and no help.

And in class he uses "real life situations" which are nothing like what he tests on.

He's not the worse teacher I've ever had, but I would definitely never take him again. Even people I've talked to who were very strong in biology struggled through his class.

Pros: I learned a lot.

Cons: His tests are really long and seemed kind of nitpicky. He seems to expect students to develope a much more indepth understanding than was expected in an introduction class. And the final was hellish: it was like 350 question, with 25 extra credit questions that were worth 0.1 of a point each and it took up almost the whole three hours.

Try for someone else if possible.

Pros: Organized

Smart Guy

Cons: Work

Tests get harder as the semester progresses

Dull Material

Pros: A good teacher.

Cons: Tests are difficult to do well on.

Pros: The class is big and in an auditorium, so you don't get time with the teacher. You basically teach yourself because how are you going to understand specific biology jargon if you didn't know it already. He just jumps right into it. He's not usually confusing, so you should be fine. You have a group you talk with the whole semester. After you take your own test, you take it together, you make notes together, etc. Kind of helpful.

Cons: His tests usually have several trick questions. There's usually 25 questions, so it's easy to screw up. Thankfully, lots of others do too, so he'll curve it. It can be frustrating, and I thought I was making a B- in the class, but basically added 10 points to everyone's grade after the final. The final is rough too. Got like a D or C on it, but I made an A n the class because of the curve.

Pros: Really know the material and is willing to answer questions in class. Post old exams on elc

Cons: His tests are HARD! A lot of what he talks about in lecture isn't even on the tests. NEVER curves grades. Old exam questions are very rarely on the tests.

Armstrong is a fairly unapproachable person but he is very organized with his lecture material. He posts podcasts and powerpoints and eaven littel study guides so attendance isn't manditory. His test questions are tricky, often worded in ways that will trick you up. He never curves grades and never repeats test questions on purpose, so old exams will not help a lot. If you can really devote the time to study and really have a grasp of biology you can probably come out of here with a good grade, but it will take some serious work. If you're tkaing him...i wish you luck.

Pros: Dr. Armstrong is a great teacher. He focuses on you learning the material rather than memorizing facts. If you're going to med school, you should take him. You're going to hate him after the first two tests, but in the end you're going to love him. He is very fair.

Cons: You HAVE to go to class. Not because he does clicker questions everyday, but most of his questions comes from lectures. His study guides are the best way to figure out what to focus on while reading, but you must take at least three days before the test to prepare. Know that if you go to the test with just studying the night before you will fail.

Pros: Dr.Armstrong knows his material and is always well prepared for class and stays on schedule.

Cons: He gives 6 tests with 15 questions but they are extremely tricky. if you miss 4 that's an automatic 73%. Everyone is divided into groups of 5-6 people and you work extensively with your group during the entire semester. Every week alternating groups between odd and even numbers are responsible for preparing notes and everyone in the group has a job for that week. there are quizzes every week that you take online. the course is very time consuming and goes pretty fast. I would try to get in another bio class.

Pros: Go to class because attendance and group work can help your grade

Cons: Does cover stuff in class very well. Class always felt pointless to me, but I always went for clicker questions.

Armstrong is a really nice guy, but his tests were ridiculous. Reading the book thoroughly and understanding each concept is necessary for the tests. The questions are very specific, and the short answer are equally as hard, however, many of the examples he gives in class end up being part of the short answer questions. The fact that the lab is factored into your overall grade helps a lot so do not slack in the lab.

Pros: His class is very interesting. The group work mixes it up a little bit from every other large lecture class and attendance is an easy way to bring up your grade.

Cons: Tests are very hard even if you study-all the questions are pretty applicational. Material covered in class rarely shows up on tests.

Very funny and nice guy, lectures are interesting although hardly relevant. Tests really are difficult no matter if you study or not, but doing the study guides he posts online are very helpful. Definitely have to work for your grade but not impossible.

Cons: He's not very helpful if you e-mail him.

Although his powerpoints may seem pointless, take notes during class & watch over them before the test, updating things that you may have missed during class. Read your chapters before class & take notes. If you study over your notes & his notes, you will do fine. Unfortunately it took me three tests to realize this. He has group tests which help your grade & he also lets you drop your lowest grade which will help. This isn't an easy class. You will have to work for your grade.

Pros: Pretty good teacher

Wants you to learn and apply material

Clicker questions every day count as a sort of "bonus"

Cons: Graded homework every night

Sometimes a little dull

He really wants you to succeed in the class and definitely knows what he's talking about. The class isn't too hard if you study in advance for the tests and get in a good in-class group. The homework can be challenging as you must complete it for a grade every night and it covers material that you haven't discussed in class yet.

Pros: Knows his stuff, teaches straight out of the book, posts recorded class lessons and powerpoints online.

Cons: Tricky tests, quite a bit of homework.

He expects a lot out of students which isn't good for those who are taking biology just to fulfill a course requirement, but if you are willing to put in the work you will learn a lot from his class that will help in future classes. He's not the most social or approachable person but is incredibly smart and tries to grade his class very fairly.

Pros: Will take time to listen to you

Cons: Attendance is mandatory with the use of a clicker

A lot of people complain, but it is very easy to make an A in this class. Armstrong is a good teacher and if you pay attention in class when he says "remember this" or "this is similar to a test question" he means it. Most of your grade comes from lab, attendance, and (easy) homework so if you pay attention in class (you have to go anyways, might as well listen) then you will be fine.