BRININSTOOL G (BIOL)

Dr. Brininstool is a good prof, because she's incredibly passionate about what she teaches. And what she teaches is fun and useful. However, she can be a little crazy, like adding new material for the CUMULATIVE FINAL (sullivan's final isn't cumulative) since she finished early. She gives 6 exams, so you can drop 2, which is kinda cool. BUT the questions are all or nothing - yes, even the checkbox questions. The tests were mostly fair, except that one time she pulled nitty-gritty detailed questions from the notes section from her powerpoint. Also, make sure your lab TA is good, because the lab grade is combined w/ your class grade. HAPPY STUDYING!

Professor Brininstool is a pretty nice person. Her lectures are also pretty entertaining. She also has participation which if you go to class is an easy 9% of your grade. The participation also makes you go to class which is great. She gives 6 exams and drops your two lowest which is great. However, her test suck because they have many checkbox questions with no partial credit. That means if you've got 6 options, and select which are true, you have to know all six because if you check one box incorrectly, the whole question is wrong. Her class requires time to study. There is no way you will be able to skip class, cram for an exam, and be able to get a good grade. The most difficult part about this course are the lab exams (T.A. dependent) and her final. Her final is VERY HARD. It is a 50 question final with about 15 check box questions. The class average for her final in Fall 2010 was in the 60s. However, an A is certainly possible in this course. If you are willing to work hard and put in the time commitment, then it is very possible to make an A. You have to do that as a bio major anyways, so I would not avoid Brininstool just due to her exams. Even though I did not make an A, I can tell you I learned a whole lot in this course. The labs are quick and fun too.

If you have to take BIOL 2051, Brininstool is a great teacher. She gives 6 exams but only counts your highest 4 so its okay if you mess up on two exams. The exams are only specific subjects such as diversity, or genetics, which I thought made it alot easier to study because your not jumping around like you would if the exams were by chapters. She gives out in class assignments, which aren't graded for correctness but counts towards participation. They are all computer exams. The lab part of this class sucks, but I think most labs do. I thought the midterm was hard so dont take it too lightly. The lecture part of the grade is about 51% and the lab part is worth 49%. Brininstool was a good teacher though and teaches off of powerpoints. Very easy to understand and always willing to help.

Dr. Brininstool was a great teacher! She honestly cared about students understanding the material and took her office hours seriously. Asking questions during class is encouraged, so you should rarely leave feeling confused. Show up every day, because she does not post notes online. Since they are ppt presentations she can move a little fast, but you can go back over them on her computer after lecture. Exams are difficult with mult. choice, fill in the blank/matching, as well as short answer or "essays" (a paragraph with drawings as opposed to a couple of sentences). Be sure your notes are thorough and you study ahead of time and you will perform well. Brininstool is THE person to take for general microbiology.

Take SULLIVAN!!! Brinninstool gives two lecture exams, then final. 3 total lecture, for almost 60% of your grade, and she likes to make tricky questions. Computer tests were about 25% multiple choice, 75% checkboxes!! Lab really sneaks up on you. Most interesting lab I've taken, but midterm and final are HARD!! Way too detailed as a class overall, but material is somewhat interesting.... Take Sullivan if possible.

Take Sullivan instead. Brininstool forgot to add an item to her required materials - a pillow. I've never had such a hard time staying awake in a class at LSU. She makes you buy the more expensive textbook and also magazine articles.

GREAT CLASS..and GREAT teacher! The exams tested you very well on the material.. I'd study not only the notes, but also the sections in the text that were covered! If you study , you'll do fine

She is a really great teacher. The tests are tricky, but you learn alot and she really prepares you for upper level biology classes.

Dr. Brininstool is by far the best teacher for Micro. I went to every single class because she was funny and presented the material in a way that normal people can understand. Definitely take her and if Kandi is a TA for the lab, take her as well.

I really enjoyed having Brininstool as a teacher. I went to every class, not because I had to but because it was so interesting. She made this course fun, although her tests were nearly impossible sometimes. If you study, you'll at LEAST make a B.

Dr. Brininstool is REALLY interesting, but he tests are very, very tricky. The lab is so much fun though.

She is really good about helping you outside of class if you go see her. The exams are somewhat tricky , but if you know all the material you'll do fine.

I had Brininstool for the lecture. She is very nice and extremely helpful if you go see her. She'll remember you. Tests get progressively harder though, and test 3 was boarderline ridiculous. Lab got me the A

Brininstool was a great professor. Be sure to go to class to get notes from overhead. Tests came directly from notes. Very helpful teacher, always willing to help

Ginger was a nice lady, just kinda boring. Test 2 was hard. I would take her again.

This woman is only concerned with making grades low. When the averages are low, she is happy, and when they are high, watch out. Talks for years on end, making lab very long. Not an easy instructor. The quizzes and exams were very difficult.

I had Ginger as a micro lab teacher. She is very meticulous over answers. Midterm and Final was ridiculously hard, and that was just lab. If you can switch to another TA