Comments:1306 - As much as I hate to say it, Holmes is probably the worst lecturer I've ever had to endure. However, I'm not sure if it's possible to fail this class. As long as you do the one extra credit assignment he gives and go in after each test he basically passes you no matter what. With that said, as painful as it may be, make sure you show up to class so that you don't miss the extra credit assignment. It's totally random and irrelevant, much like most of his lectures, but he basically measures how much you care/deserve to pass the class based off of his class. He doesn't fail the people who care and he has a pretty incredible grading system where he just takes the final grade if it's higher than your overall average. But if you don't want to take that gamble you HAVE to go to SI to learn his tricks and do well on his tests.  - Grade In Class:C

Comments:1305 and 1306 - I had Dr. Holmes for 1305 and 1306. He is not the best professor for Biology but after hearing about the other ones, he is not the worst. There is no homework which is nice. His test are very hard though, and he only test you about things he talked about in class. However, he doesn't talk about Biology most of the class so you have to pay close attention and write down what he does say. The SI was the only reason I passed this class. He may seem rough at first but Dr. Holmes is a really nice and interesting person.  - Grade In Class:C

Comments:Bio 1305 - Dr. Holmes is a very nice professor. He doesn't assign homework (mastering bio) like other bio professors. He may seem intimidating at first, however; he really cares about your knowledge of biology and your future career. He gives no grades other than his tests so if you aren't the best test taker (like me), the class can be challenging. However, he haas a unique grading style because if you for example fail the first test but get a B on the second, your grade stands as a B. He really wants you to succeed and will offer some extra credit at the end of the course. If you take this class go to SI sessions because he tends to go on rants throughout the lecture that may not always pertain to the subject matter.  - Grade In Class:C+

Comments:1305 - I really, REALLY enjoyed Dr. Holmes. At the beginning of the semester, I was dubious because the semester had a slow start. However, it was almost as if he was warming us up for what was to come! Holmes lectures are attention grabbing because he goes off on funny/irrelevant tangents every 15 minutes or so, which helps capture your focus. His tests are very difficult, but if you study hard and go to class, they are definitely manageable! Going to his SI's sessions are also critical for getting a good grade in this class! But, since his tests are hard, he curves the class and gives plenty of opportunity to improve your grade (if you get a high grade on the final, he will make that your grade in the class)! He does not give homework or quizzes - there are 3 tests (50 MC questions) and a final (100 MC questions), that's it. He is a really interesting person so definitely go talk to him during office hours (you might even get some points back!) I would NOT recommend Dr. Holmes if you are looking for an easy A. However, if you are interested in learning Biology and want a good professor, then definitely take this class.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1305 - Dr. Holmes may be a nice man, but he is a horrible teacher. Towards the end of the year almost every class period was spent with him telling stories or going on tangents. We had no work all year except for the three tests plus the final. His tests are really hard and his class does not prepare you for them. I studied incredibly hard for each test and the final and still was not able to do well in his class. The worst part of it is that your grade is basically was he wants to give you at the end of the semester because there are no grades online for you to look at. You won't have a canvas page and you won't be able to check your grade throughout the semester. This was a very unfair class.  - Grade In Class:D

Comments:1305 - For starters, there are no amazing and easy biology professors at Baylor. Dr. Holmes is pretty untraditional. he uses transparencies that are probably 20 years old to lecture ( he hates the textbook so he never use it. ) and he get very off topic almost everyday. At the beginning of the semester this was very frustrating, but by the end you grow to appreciate Dr. Holmes's weird stories. Dr. Holmes knows that the majority of the kids in his class are pre-med and he takes it upon himself to help weed out the weak. I really enjoyed Dr. Holmes and this class, if you do good he really tries to get to know you give you good advice for your future. the grading in the class comes from 4 multiple choice tests including the final. each are cumulative. After every test you need to go see him in office hours and review your test because sometimes he marks things wrong and if you can find any mistakes you get points back. i usually got 2-4 points back. the most important thing to know for this class is that you MUST go to SI! if you are not committed to going don't bother taking this class. when i took it we had an amazing SI Sam, he is leaving in spring 2017 so hopefully the next SI is just as good. if you don't go to SI you will fail because Holmes doesn't really teach during class he just talks about his life, which gets pretty interesting. Holmes has a weird grading system but pretty much if you fail every test but get an A on the final, you have an A in the class. There is no mastering bio and i only opened the textbook twice, the only outside work i did was go to SI and study starting about a week before the test and i got an A on every test.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:3314 - Horrible professor! I took this class to learn (surprise surprise) but all he ever did was talk about his Cajun past and how he makes good Cajun food. I learned absolutely nothing except that there are three types of rice and Condoleeza Rice is one of them -_____- he gives out random weird quizzes which he doesn't really grade except for the last few ones in class. I felt like his class was unfair cause I tried to learn and be present every class (its an 8am) but in the end the grades really just depended on the last test and the last quiz -_- but take it if you want, the tests are take home and they're pretty easy. The quizzes are dumb. He takes attendance's but apparently it doesn't matter  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:1306 - DO NOT TAKE HIM! I regret not dropping his class when i had the chance. He is a super sweet guy and he really likes to get to know his students. HOWEVER, he does NOT / CAN'T teach and his tests are extremely difficult! he always told us that he gives out a lot of C's....so if you want to make an A or a B take someone else!!  - Grade In Class:C

Comments:1305/1306 - If you are looking for an easy A class Dr. Holmes is not the teacher for you, but if you are looking for a professor that will challenge you and prepare you for courses such as Organic Chemistry or Genetics then take Dr. Holmes because his test are very tricky and requires you to use critical thinking skills that will be very useful. His teaching skills though are not the best because tends to rush and skip over important materials. However, he is a very sweet man that is willing give you his time to help you during his office hours. My advice is to ALWAYS go to the SI session, his SI is amazing and takes the time and effort to teach you all the materials that you need to know for the course. Honestly, if you don't go to SI sessions often then it is almost impossible for you to pass this class. Basically, GO TO SI SESSIONS IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A GOOD GRADE! Also take notes in his class, but there is no homework, quizzes, or mastering biology which is a good and bad thing. It is good things because you won't have to do a lot of work in his class, but also it means that the tests grades will be the only grade in this course. If you make an A on the final then you have an A in the course regardless of what you made on the other tests which can help your grade. However, if your average of all your tests grades is higher than your final then that will be your grade.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:3314 Medical Botany - Easiest class at Baylor. Don't have to attend since he doesn't take attendance. Two grades that count for your actual grade - one take-home multiple-choice midterm and one take-home multiple-choice final. The weekly quizzes end up not mattering since nobody does well on his puzzles and random assignments. I think I ended up with one of the highest totals (69) for that and he offered to use that for my grade... I declined and so he used my final (which was an A) to replace my midterm (which wasn't an A). So in the end, my final was my grade for the semester... You won't learn much outside of trivia, Lousiana stuff, and his personal stories. Still it's nice to get away from powerpoints and tests and homework. Take it with a heavy courseload!  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1305 - It is a shame that Dr. Holmes has such low reviews. He was a great professor who truly cares about his students. Yes he would ramble off onto funny stories sometimes but he purposefully set aside extra time in the schedule for him to do so. He always covered all the material we needed to know for the test. I read the book, even though the SI said we didn't have to. I did not have too great of Biology prior knowledge coming into the class so this helped me connect all the material. I skipped over material that Dr. Holmes didn't talk about in class because we knew that would not be on the test. Like the other reviews have said, SI is essential!!! The SI was really good and helped tremendously! Always go to office hours to review your test (usually he gives back points if you go). When I went to his office hours he was always super interested in what was going on in my life and would want to just chat and get to know me. He truly is the sweetest old man and I LOVED getting to know him!  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:1305 - If you don't plan on attending SI sessions for this class, don't bother reading any further or taking his class because there's no hope. You MUST go to Sam's SI sessions. If you take Holmes, you are really signing up to take Sam (who is incredible and I would allow to be my doctor right now). Holmes doesn't teach much, he typically just talks about anything he wants. When he does teach, he confuses the crap out of me. Basically just write down every topic he talks about and all of the things he blatantly tells you to know, and look up those topics in the book or tie them together with SI. His exams are hard. Really hard. Trick questions. You have the choice of taking the average of all of your exam grades or take your final exam grade as your grade for the class. There's an extra credit packet worth 5% of your final class grade - which is HUGE and you better do it. If you've taken biology before, you are much better off than I was. Honestly not sure how I pulled off an A, but it's definitely possible. Holmes as a person rocks though. He cares a lot about his students.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1305 - Dr. Holmes is definitely an interesting guy! He is always available during office hours which he usually uses to get to know his students. His class is great because of his quirkiness and stories, but it is challenging. The book is not required in fact you will hardly open it, but YOU MUST GO TO SI SESSIONS. Drop out now if you won't.  - Grade In Class:C

Comments:BIO 1305 - For starters, there's no Mastering Biology, which is a pretty good reason to take him. Dr. Holmes is a nice man, but he's definitely quirky - he'll go off on lecture tangents (usually stories) that lasted almost an entire class one time. His tests are very hard, though - he'll get you with tricky questions. I barely ever cracked the book because you need to know what he says, not necessarily what's in the book. GO TO SI EVERY TIME IF YOU TAKE HIM.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1305/1306 - I really like Dr. Holmes. Yes his class is hard, yes you will be challenged but as an upperclassman I see how his tests have prepared me for upper level classes. You don't have any homework which is nice and he offers extra credit at the end of the semester. He is always happy to help, and loves to talk about his life. My advice: read the book, go to SI, go to office hours and you will do fine. If you don't want to be challenged then don't take him.  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:BIO 4414 - Easily the most fun class I've taken at Baylor. Dr. Holmes is an absolute hoot! Who wouldn't want to be outside for their lab?  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:BIO 1305/1306 - Hahahahahaha. Ha. Tests are hilariously difficult. But, in a good way. You can't possibly hope to make an A on the first one, so you'll feel good about getting that B- and being in the top 10 of your 100 person class. He's a nice guy, and if you hate reading the textbook... you're in luck! No textbook reading whatsoever. But if you can't make it to SI sessions, just drop him. You won't have a shot at doing well without it. Good news again, though: if you get a better grade on the second test, he drops your first. If you do better on the third, he drops your first and second... just keep doing better and you're golden.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1305 - Unless you have some biology experience, like AP Bio ,I wouldn't recommend taking Holmes. He doesn't teach very well, but he does teach from the book. Reading on your own to understand the material is a must but be careful not to read anything he doesn't mention in class or else you're wasting your time. He will not put anything on the test that he didn't say in class. He doesn't drop any tests and there are no homework or quizzes. His test are tricky. He even said how we could recite every word in the textbook and still FAIL his course. He had a genetics packet for 5 points extra credit, but it didn't help me hence my B If you're okay with a B, take Holmes. If not, don't.  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:1305 - He really means well and wants the best for his students. His goal is to weed out who want to be there and don't - which is a good thing. If you have never taken Biology before DO NOT TAKE HOLMES! He does not teach effectively in class and it's up to the student to learn the material some how. The worst teacher I have ever had - but a nice guy.  - Grade In Class:C

Comments:1305 - Holmes is a very sweet and adorable man. Undoubtedly, he's extremely knowledgable on the subject...However, his teaching ability is nearly nonexistent. I understand that this is college and you're expected to teach yourself but I felt that during his lectures he would brush over a concept for 10 seconds and then go off about a completely irrelevent, although sometimes amusing topic. The textbook is nearly useless; only study the specific concepts in the textbook gone over in class and in the SI sessions or you're wasting your time. GO TO SI. I swear to god, if you do not go to SI frequently, this class will screw you over. Do the GENETICS PACKET for 5 points bonus on your final grade because making an A in this class will be a struggle even if you have taken AP Bio.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1305 - I think Holmes is a great professor. He only tests you on what he talked about in class, he has trick questions every now and then but he always gives the answer in a lecture beforehand. Your grades are based off of tests and a final, 50 questions multiple choice. He uses a projector and explains handwritten notes, so don't expect ppts or anything like that. As long as you pay attention, take good notes, and study you should make an A or a B in the class. Sign up for his office hours and go to test reviews! It's worth it, I promise! I plan on taking Holmes again next semester.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1305 - I'm not sure why Dr. Holmes has such bad reviews on here... I thought he was a wonderful professor. He only teaches you things that he talks about in class to the point that buying the book is really not necessary. He does go on some interesting tangents, but as I was taking an 8 AM class, I found them conducive to staying awake. He was very helpful when I went to his office for test reviews, and he lets you well ahead of time exactly what he expects in his class.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1305 - The only thing I didn't like about Dr. Holmes was that he didn't give intermediate grades like a B+ which is what I should've gotten. However, he is a wonderful teacher and a very interesting person. A lot of people think he's boring, but they're probably just bored with the subject. It's biology. He doesn't have mastering bio, just 4 tests, so make sure you study and attend SI sessions. Also, at the end of the semester he offers extra credit genetics problems that will add 5 points to your FINAL grade. He does this to makeup for only having test grades, like a grade cushion. Also, go visit him during office hours. You'll begin to understand and appreciate his sense of humor, but be prepared to be there for the full time, so eat lunch before you go. He's very helpful though and really knows his stuff. I would've taken him for bio 1306, if it wasn't at 8am.  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:bio 1 - I mean he doesn't give any homework and you don't have to buy the book for his class because you will never use it so it is a waste. But his tests have the sole purpose of trying to trick you, but he curves at the end so it'll be fine  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:3300 - The class was so easy, but you do not learn anything. He gives you 2 tests, which are both take home test. He also gives quizzes that he would later let you drop if you do bad in. Most of the students do not show up to class and if they do, it would only help with the quizzes. In the beginning of class, he gives homework. He is not organized at all  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1306 - no one makes a real A. he has to curve at the end because no one can make an A in the class. Doesn't matter how well you know the information the tests are a guessing game  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1305/1306 - His test were very tricky and multiple choice, but the information isn't has specific as most teachers so it isn't has hard to learn material. He is really funny, but rants during lectures. There is no homework, and he gives extra credit.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:BIO 1305 - Short answer: It's a risk to take his class. You will either work well with the way his class is done, or you won't. I personally would not recommend him. Keep in mind, though, that there are no "easy" bio professors. Long Answer: How his class is set up: pretty much what the people below me have said. No mastering bio. Three tests, one final. Either the average of all four or just the final as your grade. Five point bonus if you do a relatively easy genetics packet. Although, I would like to point out that his wonderful SI is GRADUATING in the spring. Yes, he'll get a new SI, but who knows if the'll be just as fantastic. And to be honest, the SI is the only reason most people survived that class. (For you high school students, an SI is a undergrad student who has already taken the class before, and leads study-type sessions twice a week.) His teaching ability: He does not use power points. He uses a projector that he doesn't know how to use. He has terrible handwriting that is very difficult to read. He basically writes down key words that you should read about and then starts lecturing about it. He also puts a lot of diagrams/drawings up on the projector. His thoughts are kind of jumbled, and he talks pretty quietly (sit in the front). He also goes off topic a lot. He covers information sporadically. Sometimes he's very thorough in explaining a simple concept, and other times he flies through difficult ones. He's VERY BORING, but you HAVE to pay attention 100% of the time. Why to take Holmes: No "daily" work. The five bonus points. If you had a good AP bio teacher, you should be set. If not, an A is still attainable if you're not taking a heavy load during the semester. Why not to take Holmes: I am a bio major but couldn't take AP Biology at the high school I came from. The majority of the people that had A's in his class had ALREADY HAD AP BIO. Yes, they still had to review the topics, yes college requires a lot more in-depth learning, but still. They had already a general idea of what was going on. Also, his tests are VERY in depth. You really have to know the material. For the most part though, you have to teach yourself everything because he just kinda skims the surface of the material in class and then expects you to know all the details for the test. More importantly though, his tests are FULL of trick questions. He even had a question on my final that didn't even have the correct answer. He's also more into making sure you understand the difficult concepts. He is pretty keen on wanting to weed out pre-health students, too. If you have to take him: Pay attention in lecture. Write down everything he says and then read about it in the book and add to your notes. Go to SI but fill the worksheets out before you get there so you'll have a better idea of what's going on. Each week I would review your notes and then study for several hours for each test. Do this, and you should be set. Hope that helps! Good Luck!  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:1306 - Honestly, I really enjoyed Dr. Holmes. Yes, he rambled on for a majority of class, but that made the tests easier; because he rambled for so long, there was not a lot of material on the tests because he never got to cover them. I made a B and C on the first two tests and studied pretty hard to get an A on the final. I love that if you make an A on the final, you get an A in the class. Take him if he's available!  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:BIO 1305 - Dr. Holmes is a very interesting teacher and individual. His class can be either completely didactic or totally irrelevant. Dr. Holmes has a bad habit of getting off topic a lot, however, his side notes are very interesting and really informative. His grading system is very unique. He does not drop any exams or final. However, if you make a better grade on the final then you did on the first three exams averaged together, he takes the grade of the final for your semester grade. In contrast, if you don't do as well on the final as you did on the first three averaged together then he simply averages the final into your three exam grades. All tests, including the final, are weighted equally. Please note though, this man's exams are the trickiest tests I have ever taken. You better know the material well, and I mean well. YOU MUST attend all SI sessions if you hope to have an A in the class, but the SI sessions take up a huge part of your studying which is very beneficial to your studies and free time. Also, he has an amazing SI. Literally amazing. Furthermore, this is the big reason why you should take Holmes, he offers 5 EXTRA CREDIT POINTS ON YOUR SEMESTER GRADE for simply completing a genetics problem packet given at the end of the semester. Therefore, if you have an 85 in the class and do the problems, you'll have a 90. I recommend taking him for that matter entirely. Lastly, he's a botanist. If the material reviewed has to do with plants or animals, put more time in the plant stuff than the animal stuff.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:BIO 1305 - Dr. Holmes is a nice guy, but he's very tricky in his class. Most of the class was spent talking about his personal life or anything else not related to biology, and he didn't use powerpoints, just an old school overheard projector with dry erase markers and transparent sheets, with poor handwriting that made it even harder to figure out what he was talking about. But for your final grade he took either the average of all your tests or just the final exam grade, which ever was higher. So technically you could fail all the tests and get an A on the final and make an A in the class. I studied for the final for days on end and still ended up with a C on the final, so don't count on just making up the grade with the final. I don't recommend taking him.  - Grade In Class:C

Comments:1306 - I went to three classes and he spent all three classes discussing his grandson and how he is going through puberty, and why he grows a mustache. I also spent the classes refreshing the class page to switch into Dr. Harvill's class in time because I really don't think I could've taken another one of Holmes's stories. He's tough, but any Bio Class will be.  - Grade In Class:B+

Comments:1305 - No Homework and no quizzes just 3 test and a Final. Overall the tests were hard/tricky you have to listen to what he says in class and read the chapters. However Homles is a very good professor I learned alot about Biology that I didnt know. I recommend taking Holmes if you want to actually learn. Beware he talks alot when you come in for office hours. One time he talked for an hr and a half when I went to office hours.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:!305 - Dr. Holmes is a very interesting character who spent half the class talking about either death, sex, or some other topic not related to the class. He has no homework at all, but a genetics packet that is difficult at all at the end of the semester this packet is for the 4 extra points to your overall grade in class). His grading system is extremely weird in that he chooses the highest grade between your average on your 4 tests or your final exam. I didn't find his class difficult I just never studied. If I would have studied I would've probably gotten an A. I studied 1 hour for the final and got a 78, which became a B. I do recommend taking him if you have a chance.  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:1305 - Holmes is a nice guy overall, but, you got to really know him well to do well on his exams. You can study for hours or even days and still do horrible on his exams. You probably will fall for one of his tricks. Some of his questions on the exams are ridiculous. He definitely tries to make his class a weed out class. I feel like I learned Biology well, but by going to SI and self teaching myself everything. If you want to actually learn Biology and see your grades reflect on your knowledge, do not take him.  - Grade In Class:C

Comments:1305 - He doesn't use the plus system. I studied SO much for this class and still got a b in the class. No matter how much you study, you have to be a good test taker in order to get an a on his tests, because his test questions are very tricky. It's easy to get a b in this class but very hard to get an a. He also gets off topic a lot during class, but make sure to study his notes and read the textbook. No homework in the class at all except for the extra credit genetics packet at the end of the semester. The final was very hard because whatever you get on it can be the grade in the class. He's not that bad, but i wouldn't recommend him if you aren't a good test taker.  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:1305 - Dr. Holmes is a very sweet man, and he'll help you with anything. His class was challenging. Your grade consist of 4 test, no homework or quizzes. The first test is the easiest. And the final had about 8 chapters of new material on it, and it was about 50% of the test. He doesn't use powerpoint, instead he writes down his notes and reads off of them in class. DO NOT rely on his notes for the test, you NEED to read the chapters. His test are very tricky, make sure you read the questions carefully. Oh and Mastering-Biology helps. Good luck!  - Grade In Class:C

Comments:1305 - He is a nice guy, test are really pretty hard/tricky. His grading is super wierd, but in a good way. No work except studying for the test  - Grade In Class:C+

Comments:1306 - There's no homework at all in this class, but it require you to study on your own more than other 1306 classes. Dr. Holmes doesn't really talk about stuff in the book, sometimes he doesn't even talk about anything biology related. His class is interesting, but be prepare for listening to his life stories for half of the class.  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:Bio 1306 - Four test each worth 25%, no homework/quizzes. Dr. Holmes will also give anyone an A in the class if you get an A on the final. However, the final is extremely difficult. Dr. Holmes has a one of a kind teaching style with no PowerPoints. Most of Dr. Holmes' lectures are useless information, so you have to try and figure out what is important and what isn't. I would advise going to his office hours often just to get to know him.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1306 - I loved Dr Holmes! He was my absolute favorite professor!!! he was so caring and compassionate as well, i encourage you to go into his office as well! DONT BUY THE BOOK, waste of 200$. He tests over his notes and if you have questions they are all answered in SI! Take him! No homework or quizzes! Just 4 tests including the final!  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:3314 - Awful teacher. He actually told us not to study much as the first test would be easy and students averaged about an 88 on it. The average for our class was a 66 on the test. He talked about hieroglyphics in class and other random stuff other than actual botany. The first test took place close to two months after the class started and was over 8 chapters. The fist test date wasn't even announced until less than a week before the actual test. By the time we got grades back, it was to late to drop. I felt very unprepared for the test. Bigggest waste of my money, so do yourself a favor and just do not take his class. He does give you chances to raise your grade, but not by much and his 'curve' was awful. Two of the tests are take home, which was helpful. After how awful the first test was, they deserved to be.  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:1306 - I loved this class. Biology was my least favorite science in high school, but Holmes made it fun and simple. Plus you don't need to read the book so don't bother buying it  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:4414 - Dr. Holmes gets alot of flac from his bio 1 & 2 students, and for good reason. He can be a very sarcastic person when an answer is obvious to him. I have to give him my highest praise for Taxonomy of Flowering Plants though. The class was a blast, and I have to say I learned more from it than almost any biology class I have taken. There is a workload, but it is mostly busy work and completion work. All you have to do to make a good grade is collect plants, and it is a lot more fun than it sounds. I recommend it to any people needing upper level credit.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1306 - one word........................................LOUISIANNA  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:1305 & 1306 - To be frank, Dr. Holmes is the bomb. He's the friendliest and the goofiest teacher I have had at Baylor. He makes a great effort to get to know each of his students. Drop by his office, he'll love you for it! He has no homework, which is great for those students (like myself) who love to cram before tests. Most importantly, make sure you take notes in class. They don't even have to be detailed notes just pay attention and at least jot down the subjects he talks about that way you can go back to the book later and read the paragraphs regarding the subjects he mentioned. That's about all the studying I did, and it works! Granted the test questions can be a bit tricky, but if while taking the test, you stop and re-read the questions and ask yourself "what is it that he's really asking here?" you will avoid a few of Dr. Holmes' infamous tricks. Take him, you'll learn to love biology!  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1305 - pretty good professor, especially for 1305. No homework except for a genetics packet that counts as extra for the final. Very tricky test questions, but after you get used to it, they're not that bad. It seems like there's a lot to study for each test, but just make sure you know what he covers in class.  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:1305 - all biology classes at Baylor are going to be difficult. Holmes is a great professor to take because he curves every single test, that's the only reason i passed. If i were to make a low C on a test it would average out to a high B after the curve. There is no homework or quizzes except one packet over genetics towards the end of the semester. His tests are pretty difficult, but they will all be. If you sit in the back you are screwed for hearing anything. SIs saved my life. I would take him again.  - Grade In Class:C

Comments:1305 - Take Holmes. He is very interesting and his test although tricky aren't bad. I loved the class. Study over what he says in class cause that is all the test are over. Go to SI it's quite helpful. By far my favorite Baylor Teacher.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:Biology 1305 Summer - I would highly recommend taking Holmes in the Summer. His grading system is based upon the performance of students in relation to one another. The top 15% of students automatically get an A. During the regular semester, there can be 100 students in one class, thereby increasing the chance that there will be someone who receives higher test grades than you. Holmes is a good professor, funny and cynical. Pay more attention to his lecture than the book, but certainly read the chapter. There is NO MASTERING BIOLOGY! So don’t waste your money buying a new textbook for the code. His tests are quite difficult. They are tricky, but by the final you should be accustomed to his questions. GO TO HIS OFFICE TO REVIEW YOUR TEST. He often makes one or two mistakes on the tests, and he only corrects them if you physically go to his office, or if he announces it in class. Or, if you have enough evidence to back up your claim, you can convince him that your answer is correct. Study well for his tests. Last but not least: According to Dr. Holmes ,"What you make on the final is essentially what you make in the class."  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:Summer 1305 - Dr. Holmes is a pretty entertaining teacher. He's a botanist and he absolutely loves what he does. He tries to get to know his students, so definitely stop by his office to get to know him. You'll find that he's a pretty cool person. In terms of the grading, Dr. Holmes has a very unique grading style that essentially produces a bell curve. To get an A, you either had to do it using the traditional scale (i.e. 90 = A) or be in the top 15% of the class. It was very difficult to score above a 90% on his tests so most people utilized the latter grading scale. With that said, his tests are not that difficult. They're just tricky, so make sure you read the question/answer choices carefully. Overall, Dr. Holmes is a great biology professor.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1306 - Holmes is a great professor. His stories are really entertaining. He doesn't follow the book that much so you have to pick up the slack on that end. Make sure that you go to SI! His grading system is great and really fair.  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:Medical Botany - Dr. Holmes might just be the best professor I ever had at Baylor. I have never had a class quite like his in which I've studied so little for such easy 3 tests. We started the class with a discussion of why we're in this class and how he was approached right out of the air force by some South American drug dealers who wanted him to fly their drugs to the United States. And that's how most of our classes went: He told amazing stories about plants and their history, all the while keeping us in stitches with his personal experiences! FYI the movie Steal Magnolias was filmed at the house next door to his in Natchitoches, Louisiana. And he believes there is no greater state than LOUISIANA in the States! The tests were extremely easy, 50 MC and all from the notes we took in class. Our first one was in class but the other two were take home because he said he wanted everyone to make an A in his class! There are 5 VERY SHORT writing assignments in class but they're really not hard to do at all, I wrote mine early because I could but several people wrote theirs the night before and still made an A on them. He really loves his job and works very hard to teach his subject well. He even took us upstairs to his plant preservation and study room and taught us about all the plants that had been collected and about the famous people who collected them. I loved this class because Dr. Holmes made it really interesting and fun. If you have the opportunity to take this class, whether or not your a biology major, please do! YOU WILL LOVE EVERY DAY OF CLASS, its near to impossible not to love Dr. Holmes either :o)  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1305 - Take this course with Dr. Holmes if you're okay with teaching yourself absolutely everything, stressing about how difficult his tests are, and the absolute uncertainty of your grade. Rest assured, though. He curves very, very heavily. Even so, I still wouldn't recommend him. Take a course with a professor that has the ability to actually educate you, ESPECIALLY if this is your major. This course was such a waste of money and tears with Holmes.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1305 - even though dr holmes wasn't the best teacher..he was very nice and i got a good grade in the class. as long as you read the chapter and go to SI you will have an A, easy. definately do the extra credit!! i had a 80 then jumped up to a 95 in the class, just by doing genetic problems. TAKE HIM, TAKE HIM. he is one of the easiest bio teacher for your first semester of college.   - Grade In Class:A

Comments:BIO 1306 - DO NOT TAKE THIS MAN. He is the most horrible teacher I've ever had. He goes on rants about stupid things that don't have anything to do with reality. He speaking voice is atrocious, he sounds like he's spitting everywhere when he talks. He is horrible. TAKE SOMEONE ELSE. STAY AWAY. I heard he was easy so I took his 8am...BAD IDEA. Do not take him, I cannot stress this enough. His tests are ridiculous, at least 40% of the people in the class fail every time because he doesn't teach anything whatsoever. Do not waste your money, you paid good money to get good teachers, and he is not one of them. Find ANYONE ELSE to take this course with.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1306 - Dr. Holmes is a great professor. He loves to tell stories, is obsessed with proper use of vocabulary. In class, if he says something you can almost guarantee that it will be on the exam. I didn't even read the book for the last 2 exams just used it to review parts that I didn't understand him talk about. He offers a big extra credit opportunity for your final average. His tests are hard but that is what his extra credit makes up for. Take him you won't regret it  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:BIO 1305 - Dr. Holmes likes to see students try. He gives one extra credit assignment which can be worth up to 10 points on your final average. Do this, and attend SI. If he sees that you regularly attend SI, then you are much more likely to get a better grade. Pay attention to what he says in class. He likes to use his information, rather than the information in the book. Beware of his tricky test questions.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1305 - Dr. Holmes likes to see students try. He gives one extra credit assignment which can be worth up to 10 points on your final average. Do this, and attend SI. If he sees that you regularly attend SI, then you are much more likely to get a better grade. Pay attention to what he says in class. He likes to use his information, rather than the information in the book. Beware of his tricky test questions.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1306 - He is a nice guy and can be very funny in an extremely unconventional way, but his lectures are brutal to sit through and it is hard to figure out what will be on the test. You have to be over prepared to make sure you cover everything that might be in the exams.  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:Bio 1306 - He is the best biology teacher I have ever had!! Retaking the class was not something I was looking forward too, but he made it so fun and so interesting. He is so helpful if you just go to him don't be afraid! All of his stories that sometimes he gets side tracked with make the 8:00am class survivable! Take him if you can! you won't be disappointed!  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1305 &1306 - He is a storyteller and teaches what is on the test. The tests are very difficult because they are kind of like the SAT or something. If you like application test questions and lots of reading take this class.  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:BIO 1306 - He likes to give real-life examples. Either you like this teaching style or you don't. Easy B but extremely hard to get an A, no matter how hard you try.  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:1305 - yeah...would definitely not recomment him. has a very odd teaching style. hard to get used to. rarely stays on subject. talks about death a lot. tests are very tricksy and confusing. no homework ever though. the one good thing is that he raises your total grade 10 points at the end. so a whole letter grade. but its almost not even worth it sitting through that torturous class. honestly, not a good teacher at all. had to learn everything on own.  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:1305 - HORRIBLE...has no organizational skills, blabbers during lectures, very confusing.  - Grade In Class:DROP

Comments:1305 - Dr. Holmes is all around the nicest guy ever. He is always in his office and willing to talk to you whether it's about the class or not. His tests are nearly impossible. He doesn't really tell you exactly what you need to know for the tests so it's hard to study all 6-8 chapters per test. He does give an extra credit project that is added to your semester grade. It definitely helps too.  - Grade In Class:D

Comments:Bio 1305 - this professor was very difficult for me because he never really taught the mateerial in class he would just say to go over it in your book. He got off topic a lot and everything to him relates back to sexual attractants and tobasco sauce it seemed like. he's not a mean teacher just an very very hard teacher!!  - Grade In Class:B+

Comments:1305 - Dr. Holmes is one of the hardest professors to understand. His lectures are on hand written overheads that are confusing and impossible to read. He changes topics left and right and cannot stay on topic. He tells random stories about Louisiana and other odd things right in the middle of a bio lecture, and he is strange. He has a superiority complex and makes his students come to his office to see thier tests. He gives 4 comprehensive tests the whole year, and a 10 point extra credit assignment. The extra credit is nice, but since he makes his tests too hard in the first place, it really just evens out your grade. If you like organization do not take this teacher  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:1305 - This class was very difficult at times. He likes to be very tricky, especially on tests. There are no quizzes, just reading from the textbook. His lectures were usually not very helpful and the book wasn't always good either. Each test is cumulative, so go over all the old material from the previous tests. He does give a very easy extra credit that bumps you up a full letter grade. If you study like crazy for the final and do the extra credit you'll be fine in this class. Even though Holmes isn't a great professor, he is very nice and has a lot of interesting stories to tell.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1305 - So here's the deal, on the first test I made a 66 and on the second I made a 50. Considering I ended up with a B in the class, I am now a fan of Dr. Holmes. Your grade in the class is either the average of all four tests (which are all comprehensive), or your grade on the comprehensive final. It took me those two tests to realize how to study for this class. Obviously, don't read the entire chapters, as he only tests over the topics he covers in class. However, you must know the topics he discusses extensively. Additionally, all of his tests are comprehensive, and the same topics appear test and after test. He allows you to go in and review your tests, so I would recommend that you get a general idea of the questions on the test in order to prepare for the next. You should also go in a talk to Holmes, as he is a nice guy once you get to know him. Also, don't take this class if you're not pre-med, as I was not and never was but somehow ended up in this class with all the wanna-be doctors (most who made lower grades than me) knowing there were much easier classes to fulfill my one science credit needed for a business major. Here's a tip: take you book to class and highlight everything he goes over, because most of his slides are charts and diagrams, which are impossible to take notes over.  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:1302 - horrible. stay away. he is horrible and misleading, he explained his grading system then somehow changed it after i took the final. he screwed me over and was SO boring. this class made me change my major! stay away!!!!!!  - Grade In Class:C+

Comments:1305 and 1306 - This class is a very difficult class. He tries to trick you on his test questions so you have to carefully pay attention to the wording and know your stuff. It's not impossible to get an A on the tests no matter what you may think. He generously gives an opportunity to bump up your grade at the end by replacing your grade with the grade of your final and curves quite a bit at the end. It's a challenge but yeah it is a weed out class.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1305 - Holmes is your worst nightmare as a first semester freshman. He tries to make you think by adding trick questions to tests that already have extremely tough material. His teaching ability is horrible. He likes to ramble about the most simple topics, but leaves you to teach yourself the complicated areas. For 1306 I have Doyle and Moehnke and it is heaven compared to Holmes.  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:1305 - Holmes was such a difficult professor. All of his tests were cummulative of the previous chapters so you'd end up with about six chapters for one test. His lectures were completely unorganized and so almost impossible to follow. There were random quizzes but I'm not even sure if they counted for anything. He was rude and really didn't even seem to care about his students. He made us do an extra credit assignment over a topic no one had heard before yet he claimed it was common knowledge. The majority of the time it seemed as though his goal was to make his students feel stupid.   - Grade In Class:F

Comments:1305 - Dr. Holmes' class was very difficult to do well in. He only has 4 grades for the entire class, so if you do poorly on one test, even with the curve, you're still screwed. His tests are very difficult, too. Outside of the classroom, he is a very very nice person, so if you are in one of his classes, go in for office hours beforehand and just get to know him. I know I did poorly in the class, but i'm sure if I would've spent less time reading the text and more time studying his leacture notes, I would've done ok. That's the best advice I can give.   - Grade In Class:D

Comments:1306 - If you want to actually learn anything in Biology, take somebody else. He gives a ten point curve and still only a few people get A's. He rambles on about useless information and cannot teach for the life of him  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:1306 - Have you ever heard the saying "Dont take the 'ridges'? Im changing that to DONT TAKE HOLMES because I did pretty good in Eldridge's class. Holmes rambles on about how he knows how to do everything and even once said he knows how to cure cancer. His lectures are so scattered that you dont know what to study. He does give a 10 point curve, but thats only because the class average is around a 55! He cant teach. DO NOT TAKE HOLMES!  - Grade In Class:D

Comments:1305+1306 - Dr.Holmes is not as bad as all the other Biology teachers. He gives a ten point curve, so if you make an 80 you can get an A. He doesn't give pluses - you`ll never get a B+ or C+. There's no homework - just four tests. Your grade depends on the average of the four or the last test. Which ever one is higher would be your grade. Make sure you take notes during his lecture, because his test are just from his lectures. You don't even have to read the book.   - Grade In Class:B

Comments:1305 and 1306 - Anyone who studies a little bit and goes to class every day should at least make a B. There is no way you can't make at least a C because he curves 10 points on your average, which means that you really need to be stupid to make a D or lower. In class, he tells stories in order to make you understand concepts and he is so funny! He is very liberal and does not hesitate to express his opinions. When you go to his office hours, he is always here to talk to you about biology, about anything! So while it takes a hell lot of work to get an A, I can officially say that Dr Holmes is the best General Biology at Baylor! And I will never regret taking his class for 2 semesters. For those of the class of 2010, I would say take him because he is becoming easier and because you are a smarter class than the year before. Take this class, enjoy biology through real life and through the eyes of a great professor and be happy.   - Grade In Class:B

Comments:1305 - Good guy, but his teaching style is very unique. Its extremely hard to know whats on the tests though. I've learned that you must skim through the book a few times, but then really hammer down on your notes and make sure you know them by heart. He gives extra credit and curves, so you'll be fine if you just pay attention.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1305 - Holmes is a nice guy and he keeps you going in class. His tests are hard but if you study the notes you took in class and read over the chapters you can pass. Yeah most of the class fails but as long as you actualy study for a couple days you'll do alrite.  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:1306 - Dr. Holmes is an AWFUL teacher. His lectures are mostly random talks about life. There is nothing I liked about his class. He did NOT teach. The tests were hard because he tries to trick you with the wording. Most people (at least 60%) fail every time, which means that it's his fault for not teaching. There are 4 tests, each multiple choice. If you like to just read the entire book and memorize everything, this class is for you. If you're intelligent, you will not take Dr. Holmes.  - Grade In Class:C

Comments:BIO 1306 - He's pretty funny, but not worth taking for BIO. For 1305 you should go for Dr. Elderidge, and I'm not sure who's any good for 1306. He basically just rants about random things, the military, catholics, muslims, etc.. during class time. And this practice is quite unbearable at 8 AM. I took his 8 AM class because I heard that he was easy, which he wasn't. It was never clear what to study for the tests, becuase all of the chapter numbers listed on the syllabus were wrong.  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:1305 - Dr. Holmes is a very funny guy, and that's all I can say about him. I can't comment on his teaching ability, because he DID NOT TEACH! Everyday we talked about beer, his wife, beer, his grandkids, beer, Louisiana, and beer. If you're good at teaching yourself from the book, you should okay in his class. If you're not a self-teacher, don't expect any help from him. More than half the class fails his tests. He gives a ten point curve but it does NOT help.  - Grade In Class:F

Comments:1306 - His test are really tricky... usually half his class gets a F, a third gets a C or B, and the rest gets a B+, only one or two people gets an A... Don't expect to get an A on your test without paying attention or keeping up with the material everyday.... He does curve some test and he either takes the average of your three test or the grade on your finals as your final average... My advice.. Don't take him at 8 in the morning unless you're the morning type.. cause 90 percent of the time.. Anticipate to be falling asleep in class..  - Grade In Class:B+

Comments:BIO 1306 - Dr. Holmes is not the greatest teacher, but he isn't the worse . His lectures were literally word for word from the book (sad to say). Ironically, I found 1305 harder than 1306, but noticed that he had a ridiculous amount of students fail his test during 1306. He gives curves on the test, which help in some ways. Also, he does not give extra credit and dont expect an SI either.  - Grade In Class:C

Comments:1305 - I really enjoyed this class. He was always organized and prepared, and while the tests were difficult his lectures covered what was on them. You need to read to completely understand the concepts, but there was never anything he hadn't covered. I also told amusing stories and was very willing to talk during office hours. I could have gotten a better grade if I had studied more, my fault not his.  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:Bio 1305 - Holmes is a good guy who rants about odd things during his lectures. There are only 4 grades in the class and those are the 3 tests and the final. Lectures are the test material and use the book to only understand what he says in class. Do not try to learn more than he tells you to, it will be a waste of time. Tests are indepth and really test what you know. Be sure to know every concept completely and every process front to back. He gives you a chance to have a good grade, but youve got to earn it. If his 1306 class wasnt an 8am I would be taking Holmes again.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1305 - he works with you if you just go and talk to him...however...if you want the grade...you have to work for it...unless you just absorb info easily...read, read, and read...but understand how things are interconnected and relate to eachother....it's vital on his tests...understand overall concepts as well...he's a funny guy...you can learn from him just not in the course but also in his philosophical rantings...but all you care about is his workload...i know...at least he doesn't have quizzes all the time like other teachers we won't name...i think he's worth taking if you are willing to put in the time to learn on your own and read...because then you'll understand his lectures and he'll make ya laugh or smile...some think he's crazy but i say that keeps me from falling asleep in a 9:00 clas  - Grade In Class:B+

Comments:1305 - This was one of the hardest classes I've ever taken. He's a very good lecturer and always very prepared for class. But his tests are ridiculously hard. I think most people made C's and D's on the tests, and usually 1 person made an A. Once you get to chapters on plants, focus on studying that religiously. I made the mistake of blowing those off because really, who cares about plants THAT much? Well, Holmes does, that's his specialty, just make sure you know it. Overall, I wouldn't recommend Holmes unless you're planning to study botany or want to make a C.  - Grade In Class:C

Comments:1305 - He doesn't have good lectures but his tests are very rigorous. His tests require intense studying of the book which makes you learn a lot. If you are pre-med, his questions will adequately prepare you.  - Grade In Class:B

Comments:1306 - This teacher's great b/c all you need to know is the general concepts. I barely had to study for his tests at all. All you have to do is pay attention to the wording of his questions. He's really nice, and can be funny in class (although he does tend to get off the subject). I'd take him again.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1306 - The tests are pretty hard, and he asks weird questions, but for the most part he is a good teacher. Averages on his tests are usually around 60, but he curves finals grades up one letter grade. He is incredibly nice when you go talk to him. I would say he is probably one of the best teachers to take for Bio 1305/1306.  - Grade In Class:A

Comments:1305/1306 - Although Dr. Holmes is a nice guy when you go to his office, his tests are very hard. He curves the final averages up a letter grade because everybody does so poorly on the tests... but that doesnt always help the grade that much... youll still most likely end up with a C.. oh and he does not believe in pluses... so no C+ or B+... only C or B  - Grade In Class:C

Comments:1304 - I think Dr. Holmes is pretty good. His tests are hard and he can be a bit tricky in his questioning...If you study you can do ok...Its 3 tests and a final...His lectures are broad but if u read the sections in the book over the stuff he covers in class, u'll do well..Also if your final is better than your overall average, he'll give you that grade! I would recommend him, but you've got to study!   - Grade In Class:C

Comments:1305 - Overall, Dr. Holmes is a good teacher. He uses overheads during class. Grades consist only of three tests and a final. Tests are all 50 multiple choice questions, but they are very difficult. He does give a nice curve at the end of the semester. He also cares for his students, and is easy to talk with. I would take Dr. Holmes for biology 1305.   - Grade In Class:C

Comments:1305 - Though this class is hard, and all Baylor's Bio professors are ridiculous, Dr. Holmes is in the better half. He is an incredibly nice guy. Can teach the info better than some of the others. Willing to help, he cares, and likes when you go see him. Must study for exams, but his are directed easier. Good Luck.  - Grade In Class:C+

Comments:pretty good teacher to take, very laid back. Did alot of studying for his tests, but its college right. Gives cruves and what not, very recommended.

Comments:Ten point curve does not help. Only take this class if you believe in osmosis.

Comments:Very good teacher, very nice. Gives a ten point curve on final grade, but his tests are very difficult.