Nottingham Trent University Course Review: Biological Inquiry

In recent times, it has come to my attention that the Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is not without its share of pitfalls, particularly in the Biology Department's BIOL2000H course titled Biological Inquiry. My experiences with Professor Paul Frost and his teaching methods have been nothing short of disappointing. This course, as I have personally experienced, is a glaring example of wasted academic potential.

Professor Paul Frost's Ranting and Lectures

One of the initial red flags that one should be aware of is Professor Paul Frost's vehement opinion regarding student attendance. In one of the first lectures of the semester, Professor Frost launched into a tirade questioning why students do not attend his lectures. He even mentioned that he stopped reading student evaluations because he did not understand them. This is a profound indicator of how the course might unfold. However, regardless of this warning, the course was still a colossal waste of time.

Professor Frost's lectures were less of a pedagogical journey and more of a monotonous recitation from PowerPoint slides. Students found it extremely difficult to maintain any interest or engagement. His explanations were not only dull but also failed to add any value to the subject matter. Professor Frost's disinterest in student feedback is evident in his continued adherence to this teaching style, despite the feedback he might receive from students. The overall atmosphere of the lectures was one of collective disappointment and frustration.

Sarah Cook: The Horrific Teaching Assistant

Enter Sarah Cook, the Teaching Assistant (TA) for the BIOL2000H course. Sarah Cook is not your average TA. She is, as others have described, the most unpleasant and unprofessional TA one could encounter. Her behavior in the lab is a clear example of her lack of professionalism and empathy towards students. During an experiment involving student presentations, she displayed an alarming level of contempt and condescension. In fact, her reaction went beyond mere criticism and bordered on maliciousness.

One of the most egregious examples of Sarah Cook's incompetence and poor judgment occurred during a presentation session. The students were given just one hour to prepare a presentation on a two-week long experiment. Sarah Cook, despite this extremely short preparation time, took it upon herself to judge and criticize excessively. Half of the presentations received no feedback at all, leaving students feeling like their efforts were wasted. Her behavior not only undermined the learning experience but also sapped the morale of the students, leading to a decline in attendance.

Conclusion: A Call for Improvement

The overall experience of the BIOL2000H course at Nottingham Trent University has been one of the most unpleasant academic experiences of my time in higher education. Both Professor Paul Frost and Sarah Cook have significantly contributed to this experience. Professor Frost's failure to engage students and Sarah Cook's unprofessional and condescending behavior have created an environment that is not conducive to learning. It is crucial that both Professor Frost and Sarah Cook undergo significant professional development to improve their teaching and mentoring skills.

For the future batches of STEM students, Nottingham Trent University needs to take a serious look at the Biological Inquiry course and make necessary improvements. The current situation is not only demotivating for the students but also a disservice to the academic ethos of the university. It is imperative that the university takes swift action to ensure that such experiences are not repeated.