Overall Rating ⇒ 4.90 (out of 5.00)
from a total of 251 testimonials since 2017
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2021-09-01 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq's class was excellent and worth the hard work
that you put into it! The way the class is structured makes
it a lot easier to learn the information, allowing you to
learn all of it really well! I took this course in 2018 and
graduated in 2020 and I STILL refer back to his powerpoints,
almost 3 years later, whenever I am confused on a subject!
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2021-09-01 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq's class was excellent and worth the hard work
that you put into it! The way the class is structured makes
it a lot easier to learn the information, allowing you to
learn all of it really well! I took this course in 2018 and
graduated in 2020 and I STILL refer back to his powerpoints,
almost 3 years later, whenever I am confused on a subject!
A- Student | SPRING 2019 | 2020-11-05 | ★☆☆☆☆
Honestly, this professor was very disrespectful and
unhelpful. Don't go to his office hours; I asked a few
questions about the coursework and he told me that I wasn't
good enough to be in his class and that I needed to take a
more basic science. I am now in medical school, no thanks to
him.
B+ Student | SPRING 2019 | 2020-10-21 | ★★★★☆
I took Dr. Farooq's Biochemistry course in the Spring of
2019. Biochemistry is inherently a challenging course in my
opinion; however, the material 'connected the dots' between
many general education science courses I've taken at the
University of Miami over the years. It provided a big
picture explanation of how biological systems work in
tandem. Regarding the class specifically, I've never had a
professor that is so enthusiastic about the material that
he's lecturing. It's hard to be disinterested in the
coursework when Dr. Farooq literally exudes excitement
during the entirety of his lectures. Additionally, I think
Dr. Farooq does not get enough credit for his website and
having that content left available to his students, present
and past, to use at their leisure. That content was largely
beneficial to my success on the MCAT and I would strongly
recommend it to any students who plan to take the exam.
A- Student | SPRING 2019 | 2020-05-29 | ★★★★★
Taking this class is what allowed me do well on my MCAT!
Professor Farooq is an extremely passionate teacher and is
always willing to answer questions. The extent of knowledge
that you get from this class is beyond what you expect to
receive in a full lecture hall. The weekly quizzes help you
stay on top of the material and learn it much better. An
incredible professor for a difficult subject makes it all
the more manageable!
A- Student | SPRING 2018 | 2020-05-04 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq was one of the most passionate teachers I’ve
had the pleasure of learning from. You can tell through his
teachings how much he enjoys biochemistry and how much he
wants you to understand it. Although the class was hard
work, it prepared me well for the MCAT and taught me a lot
about time management and consistency with studying. Dr.
Farooq created a perfect foundation for future biochemistry
courses. I also appreciated how direct he taught and how
logical his course was in its formatting. Overall, this was
a create course taught by a great professor!
A+ Student | SPRING 2019 | 2020-04-14 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq is a teacher who devotes a great amount of
personal effort and interest into his lectures, as well as
to his students. As a student in BMB 401, I found that this
course was incredibly fair. Dr. Farooq has provided all the
materials required for his student's success. He follows the
syllabus and provides the lectures beforehand to his
students in order for them to review the material.
Additionally, Dr. Farooq records all of his lectures in the
case that a student was absent or wanted to review a section
of the lecture. The quizzes at the end of each class
reaffirms that students understand the material and make
them more equipped to answer examination questions. Dr.
Farooq only wishes to benefit his students, and the quizzes
are one of the many resources provided that allows students
to succeed. Dr.Farooq has always made himself available to
his students both in class and during office hours. The
expectations of this class were reasonable. Simply by
putting the effort into reviewing lectures beforehand, doing
the practice exams, asking questions during lecture, and
going to every class, I was able to earn an excellent grade.
Compared to other lecture courses I have taken during my
time at UM, Dr. Farooq's course was by far the most
engaging. Although the class was a bit longer compared to
regular lecture times, Dr.Farooq was able to make the course
interactive and open the floor to questions. This course was
thought provoking and challenging a times, but this should
be expected due to the level of material being taught. All
in all, with the right amount of effort being put in by
student and the guidance of Dr. Farooq, students will be
successful. I wish I was able to take more class with Dr.
Farooq, it was a real pleasure.
A+ Student | SPRING 2019 | 2020-04-14 | ★★★★★
As a student in BMB 401, I found the course had the
most explicit, direct, and fair route to success of any
course I have taken at the University of Miami thus far. The
material is split into four even modules, and students know
exactly what material has been covered previously and what
will be introduced in future lectures. Dr. Farooq even
provides recordings of lectures that students may have
missed, which I have not experienced in any other course.
Additionally, the inclusion of a quiz at the end of each
lecture is a tremendous aid to force students to keep pace
with the material and avoid procrastination and cramming
that is not conducive to thorough understanding and long-
term retention. In my experience with the course, I reviewed
each lecture powerpoint the night before, showed up to class
on time and at every meeting, and reviewed prodigiously
before each exam. By fulfilling basic responsibilities that
should be expected of every college student, my efforts in
the class allowed me to achieve an excellent grade. I find
it hard to fathom how students who fail to comply with these
basic requisites of study (e.g. Preparing for class, showing
up consistently, performing on quizzes, asking questions,
seeking help at office hours, etc…) can be given
credibility when they levy complaints toward Dr. Farooq. The
negativity drummed up by a contingency of the class is self-
limiting and self-defeating to those students, and, in my
personal opinion, is a far greater hindrance to their
success that any flaw in the course material or teaching
capacity of Dr. Farooq. The expectations for
students in this course were entirely reasonable, especially
in comparison to the workload of previous organic chemistry
courses. The extension of the lecture period of the class
was at times trying on the patience and attention of the
students; however, I felt that the lectures overall were
more engaging than in many of my shorter classes. The
implementation of challenging application questions
increased the difficulty of the tests but not to an
excessive or unrealistic level. It should be expected at
this tier of education to move beyond rote memorization and
regurgitation, and the challenge questions reaffirmed that
students understood the material on a more than superficial
level.
A- Student | SPRING 2018 | 2020-04-07 | ★★★★★
The best professor I had during my four years at the
University of Miami. It is a damn shame that Dr. Farooq is
not teaching BMB401 anymore. His class was absolute
perfection and truly divine. It prepared me well for the
MCAT and no other Biochemistry course in the major could
compare to his. I hope that one day, Dr. Farooq can once
again teach BMB401, where he can continue to spread the joy
of learning and problem-solving through building logic
rather than enforcing brute rote memorization (which many
other professors in the same department sadly encourage). I
love you and thank you for everything you helped me out
with. Our conversations were illuminating and charming - a
true testament to your ability to be an excellent lecturer
and fantastic mentor.
A- Student | SPRING 2019 | 2020-04-07 | ★★★★★
I had an incredible experience in Professor Farooq's class.
He educated us on complex topics with ease and made sure to
answer all of our questions. His goal was to expand our
knowledge and help us enjoy Biochemistry and he succeeded!
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2020-02-28 | ★★★★★
This class was easily the best class I took at the
University of Miami. Biochemistry in itself is a difficult
subject to grasp because there is just so much information.
However, Dr. Farooq breaks it down so well that it is easy
to grasp as long as you are willing to learn and approach
the class with a positive attitude. Dr. Farooq was easily
approachable. He always stayed after class to answer any
questions I had. He also gave us his phone number. What
other professor says call me if you have any questions? No
other professor. This shows he cares so much about us, and
he is willing to put in so much work to see us succeed.
There is nothing lacking in his powerpoints. Other
professors will not include all the information you need or
have too much unnecessary information. His powerpoints are
succint, and they include everything you need to know. He
held a workshop before exam to answer any questions any
student had. The daily quizzes were a good thing. You
can learn by listening in class and taking notes. You can
come prepared to class having background knowledge by
reviewing the powerpoint and video beforehand. But, how will
you really learn? You will actively learn by doing questions
on the daily quizzes. The daily quizzes show you what
knowledge you are missing. It also keeps you in check and on
top of your stuff. The daily quizzes also helped in studying
for the exams as it was good practice. I am currently
studying for the MCAT, and his class materials and
everything I learned in his class makes the biochemistry
section a piece of cake. I know that even in medical school
that the biochemistry module will become easy due to him.
For that, I will forever be grateful towards Dr. Farooq.
A- Student | SPRING 2019 | 2020-01-15 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry with Dr. Farooq was easily the best class I've
taken at UM. In addition to providing the very best and
updated lecture materials, Dr. Farooq goes out of his way to
accommodate students by frequently clarifying concepts
during lectures, connecting topics to real life experiences,
and dedicating much of his time to providing a deeper
understanding of scientific principles. His organized,
careful, and energetic presentation of lecture material is
so refreshing. I was able to purely enjoy learning for the
fundamental concepts I had now discovered, not merely for
the sake of passing exams and quizzes. My previous knowledge
in biology and chemistry has been transformed in this class
due to Dr. Farooq's active method of applying material
instead of mechanical teaching. It also helps that Dr.
Farooq is very approachable. I was able to ask him to
explain quiz questions I misunderstood after almost every
class. He truly has a great grasp on the lecture content as
he anticipates most questions before they are even asked.
This way, he easily engages students and gains their focus
in the classroom. I think the quizzes are very important as
they help to assess your understanding every class. Overall,
I'm glad I learned biochemistry with Dr. Farooq, because the
concepts I've learned have stayed with me in my following
courses!
A+ Student | FALL 2018 | 2020-01-14 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq's class was truly one of the most fair
classes I have taken at UM in terms of what he expects of
you and the content he gives examinations on. Of course, you
have to put in the work to succeed, but Professor Farooq
gives you the blueprint to do so. Specifically, his in class
quizzes target the highlights of that specific chapter. It
is with certainty that you should be familiar with the topic
of discussion before coming to class that day. It makes the
lecture easier to follow and comprehend, it makes the
quizzes much easier on yourself, and it makes applying the
knowledge on the exams better as well. Professor Farooq
encourages you during class to stay on top of the course
work. He truly wants everyone to succeed as much as they
can. Seeing him after class is also a great way to get
clarification, as he takes the time to explain critical
topics. With the proper amount of dedication and commitment,
you will leave the class knowing you have biochemical
knowledge under your belt, and receiving a high mark in this
class for all your hard work is something to be proud of.
A- Student | SPRING 2017 | 2020-01-07 | ★★★★★
BMB401 with Dr. Farooq was an exceptional experience. His
method of teaching and delivery is very effective. Provided
that you preview the notes before class, and actively listen
during lecture then you should not have any problem with the
post-lecture quiz. I found that the quiz was more than
helpful in preparation to the exams. Also, the exercises
found in the notes helped me to study better and more
effectively by narrowing my focus on key points that could
be presented on the exam. If I needed clarifications or had
difficulties understanding the material, Dr. Farooq was
available during his office hours. It was during office
hours where he was able to clarify my way of thinking to
better focus on what it is that was necessary to understand
the topic under discussion. Overall, it is up to the
student to master the subject by taking an active approach
in learning the material and effectively communicate any
problems or difficulties with the professor.
A Student | SPRING 2019 | 2019-12-02 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq is an outstanding professor who makes sure his
students fully understand the material. I think this is the
only class where I learned material that I was actually able
to retain far after completing the course. I am studying for
the MCAT now and I had to come to this website and leave Dr.
Farooq a great review because it shocked me that I do very
well on the biochemistry questions in the practice tests
just from the knowledge I gained from his course. It is also
very evident that he is passionate about biochemistry. He
really cares about his students actually comprehending the
material and succeeding. The class was definitely
challenging because you cannot just memorize the material,
you have to understand it to be able to answer the
analytical questions. Although this makes the class more
difficult, it is more helpful because it aids in actually
learning the information and gaining the most from the
course. Even though the course is hard, it is very fair
because he gives us all the information we would be tested
on. Anyone can excel in this class if they put in the work.
A Student | SPRING 2019 | 2019-10-24 | ★★★★★
Taking BMB 401 with Professor Farooq was a very rewarding
experience. He always said that he would meet us halfway,
but to be honest, he went above and beyond. In addition to
learning the material, I also learnt professionalism and
work ethic from Professor Farooq. He strove for perfection
and this was reflected in his detailed and structured power-
points and the level of his exams, which evaluated the
student's logical and analytical skills. This allowed the
students to really display their knowledge and understanding
of the material, rather than merely regurgitate information
studied the night before. In order to clarify doubts,
Professor Farooq encouraged students to ask questions in
class or over phone, which is yet another testament to his
dedication towards helping students succeed in his class. I
really appreciated Professor Farooq as a teacher and enjoyed
learning biochemistry because it provides a more
comprehensive understanding of living processes.
B+ Student | FALL 2018 | 2019-10-02 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq was the best science professor that I had
the pleasure of taking at the University of Miami. The class
is not easy, and it is not suppose to be. The way in which
Professor Farooq tests his students immensely helped me out
on the MCAT because the quality and difficulty of questions
are closely related in class and on the MCAT. From the first
day of class it is obvious to see how education in and
passionate Prefessor Farooq is on the subject that he
teaches. This passion that he holds emanates to his students
and makes for a much easier and enjoyable learning process.
I cannot thank and recommend Professor enough.
A Student | SPRING 2019 | 2019-09-30 | ★★★★★
Dr Farooq was by far the best science professor I have had
at this university, and this was the only class where I
actually learned and still remember the material. He
genuinely cares about his students progression and learning
and makes sure that the material is absorbed completely. You
can really tell how passionate he is about the subject. This
class was challenging, no doubt, as it made you think beyond
and really tested whether or not you fully comprehended the
material. However, if you were able to take time to study
the information beyond just memorization and really apply
the concepts you were learning, you were able to excel. The
structure and organization of this class was perfectly
tailored to pre-health students, especially those taking the
MCAT, as his analytical questions were extremely helpful to
prepare for the exam. Overall, I loved this class and I
loved Dr. Farooq he really is the best that it gets.
A Student | SPRING 2018 | 2019-09-27 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq's class was challenging but it emphasized
the importance of paying attention to detail. I learned how
to study efficiently and grasped biochemical concepts, which
helped me tremendously when studying for the MCAT. To get a
good grade in Professor Farooq's class, you have study
everyday and brush up on materials constantly. However,
building these habits will make this material seem less
daunting and help you organize all material. Overall, I
learned a great deal about biochemistry and thoroughly
enjoyed the material. Thank you for a great semester!
A+ Student | SPRING 2019 | 2019-08-25 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq's class was tedious but also very
rewarding. After taking this class, I felt more than
prepared for the MCAT, and I don't think I would have done
as well without it! His slides were so detailed that I did
not even have to open a Biochemistry MCAT prep book. I felt
his tests were difficult but fair, and his teaching methods
were helpful and memorable. I would definitely recommend him
for BMB 401.
A+ Student | SPRING 2019 | 2019-08-25 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq's class was tedious but also very
rewarding. After taking this class, I felt more than
prepared for the MCAT, and I don't think I would have done
as well without it! His slides were so detailed that I did
not even have to open a Biochemistry MCAT prep book. I felt
his tests were difficult but fair, and his teaching methods
were helpful and memorable. I would definitely recommend him
for BMB 401.
A+ Student | SPRING 2019 | 2019-08-13 | ★★★★★
Overall the class was a great challenge to my academic
career and helped me to improve my learning capabilities.
The Spring 2019 course helped me prepare for other harder
courses and for studying the MCAT. Professor Farooq is also
an excellent teacher and was very thorough in his lectures.
A Student | SPRING 2019 | 2019-06-17 | ★★★★★
I am happy I was able to take BMB401 with Professor Farooq.
He was both informative and entertaining. He was able to
make the class engaging. The material covered was excellent.
I would take this class again if I could.
A Student | SPRING 2019 | 2019-06-02 | ★★★★★
Taking BMB 401 with Dr. Farooq was an unbelievable
experience. Dr. Farooq's lectures are organized and concise,
and he presents the material in a logically progressive
order. His slides are easy to read and all concepts are
methodically explained, making the material less difficult
to remember. If you study properly and prepare for the
weekly quizzes you will learn a lot without feeling
overwhelmed at all! Dr. Farooq is a dedicated professor and
is always available to answer questions, both in and out of
class. I would highly recommend this class to anyone!
A- Student | FALL 2018 | 2019-05-31 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq embodied the characteristics of a dedicated
teacher. He was available at any moment when a student
needed help with the material, and first-handedly answered
questions that I had about the topic at hand. BMB 401 gave
me a larger appreciation for the topic of science, as he
helped create a picture in my mind of the material
presented. He did not just present the material, he taught
it and explained it with such passion. He challenged the
students to the best of their knowledge, and encouraged me
to think in ways that I have not before. In retrospect, I
would take this class again and highly recommend this
course!
A Student | SPRING 2019 | 2019-05-15 | ★★★★★
Dr Farooq is very passionate about what he teaches and
always willing to help students better grasp concepts.
Always available before and after class and makes an effort
to learn student's names. The course is based off his own
slides that makes for very good learning material. They are
well organized and packed with information. If you dedicate
the time to understand the slides, then you will do well in
the class. Lectures are very long, although the material is
dense it can also be interesting to learn.
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2019-05-07 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq's powerpoints were very clear and helpful. I
liked how the lecture were continuous. This course was not
easy, but if you prepare well it is possible. The post class
quizzes allow you to keep up week to week. The practice
exams are good representations of the actual exams. Overall,
I learned so much in this class.
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2019-04-15 | ★★★★★
This class was an excellent base for any future biochemistry
classes you take. This course was not easy but I did learn a
lot. In this class you learn how to study and retain a lot
of material. It does take extra dedication, but the concepts
make sense. It is great preparation for exams such as the
DAT, I felt it has prepared me well for all my higher level
biochemistry classes.
A+ Student | FALL 2018 | 2019-04-10 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq's powerpoints are the secret treasure of this
class. They explain mechanisms in a very logical manner, and
their availability has allowed me to use them for studying
for my MCAT. I have appreciated Dr. Farooq's direct style of
teaching and believe that everything is structured and
planned out to avoid any miscommunication. Not only did I
gain knowledge about the biochemical mechanisms that govern
life through this class, but I also gained an appreciation
for a different method of understanding these mechanisms.
A+ Student | FALL 2018 | 2019-04-10 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq's powerpoints are the secret treasure of this
class. They explain mechanisms in a very logical manner, and
their availability has allowed me to use them for studying
for my MCAT. I have appreciated Dr. Farooq's direct style of
teaching and believe that everything is structured and
planned out to avoid any miscommunication. Not only did I
gain knowledge about the biochemical mechanisms that govern
life through this class, but I also gained an appreciation
for a different method of understanding these mechanisms.
A+ Student | FALL 2018 | 2019-04-06 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq's Biochemistry course does an amazing job of
preparing you for future BMB courses. His passionate
teaching style and well organized power point slides are
very organized and easy to learn from. He uses a very
logical approach in ordering the units of the class so that
the material makes sense, making memorization unnecessary to
do well in the course. Overall, I'd highly recommend this
course to everyone.
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2019-04-03 | ★★★★★
The class was extremely comprehensive, allowing me to
develop an in depth understanding of biochemistry. It
greatly helped me prepare for the MCAT, providing me with an
extensive background in necessary material. This class was
definitely challenging, but if you put in the effort and
time to fully understand the material you will do well.
Also, make sure to pay attention in class and prepare for
the quizzes. This will reduce the time you need to study for
the exams and help you do exponentially better in the
course.
A+ Student | FALL 2018 | 2019-04-01 | ★★★★★
I learned so much in this class in just a short period of
time. It is a lot of information but it is all
interconnected which flows very well. It is very useful
information that will be very useful in any medical field in
the future. Definitely a class that I will never forget.
A+ Student | FALL 2018 | 2019-03-27 | ★★★★★
Taking Professor Farooq's infamous biochemistry class was
truly a gratifying experience. The structure of the class
was extremely well organized and the lectures were
exceptionally advanced. For those of you currently enrolled
in the class, I am sure that you have heard Professor Farooq
exclaim that Biochemistry is very logical. That being said,
I could not agree with Professor Farooq anymore. When
studying the material, I highly advice for you to first
attempt to master the overarching concepts. Without doing
so, you will find it is very difficult to comprehend all the
details. I personally spent approximately 2-3 hours
reviewing the lecture before class. I did not simply read
the slides, but instead spent my time taking thorough notes
and always made it a point to revisit the slides I already
covered every 30 minutes to ensure that I did not forget
what I just read. Furthermore, I found it very helpful to
review the material with a friend before the exams. I am not
a person who normally has a study buddy, but I found it
especially helpful for Professor Farooq’s class. I am
beyond thankful and proud of all the hard work I put into
the class and I will forever be grateful to have had the
opportunity to get a glimpse into the mind of such a
knowledgeable Professor. I wish all of you the best. May
logic be in your favor.
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2019-03-26 | ★★★★★
I really enjoyed this biochemistry class, it was fun and
easy to follow along. The material was presented in a
straightforward manner and no time was wasted in class. Dr.
Farooq runs a very efficient classroom and I wish I had more
academic experiences like it. Do not be intimidated by this
course! You can succeed if you study well!
A+ Student | FALL 2018 | 2019-03-18 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq is a very straightforward and organized professor
who creates an optimal learning environment for his students
to succeed. All the material for the entire course can be
easily accessed through his website and his PowerPoint
slides are easy to read and comprehend. Additionally, every
class is set up to provide students with instant feedback on
whether they understood the concepts presented. Biochemistry
can be quite an overwhelming subject, but Dr. Farooq not
only has a talent for breaking down complex concepts but
also is an effective communicator who is easily
approachable. I highly recommend taking Biochemistry with
Dr. Farooq!
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2019-02-25 | ★★★★★
I loved everything about taking Dr. Farooq’s class! He
teaches with enthusiasm, tells many science- related jokes
and is really easy to talk to. His PowerPoint slides are
straightforward, and his quizzes will keep you on track. Dr.
Farooq truly wants his students to succeed, and he will
provide you with all of the material to do so. He even goes
as far as holding review sessions for the entire class
before each exam to give us every opportunity to ask
questions. If you have the chance to take BMB 401, you
should definitely take it with Dr. Farooq. He is an amazing
professor!
A Student | SPRING 2018 | 2019-02-20 | ★★★★★
A professor that goes above and beyond what is expected of
him. His lectures are designed in such a way that maintains
a logical flow, making it easy for students to follow along
with no difficulty. He is willing to stay after class for as
long as you need and is extremely personable. He will teach
you the material of the course with ease and if you have the
opportunity to take this class I highly recommend that you
do.
A+ Student | FALL 2018 | 2019-01-30 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq's BMB401 class was one of the most straight-
forward and fair classes I have taken thus far at UM. While
the content is extremely difficult, Dr. Farooq presents it
in a way that sets each and every one of his students up for
success in his class and afterward. I thoroughly enjoyed his
class, worked very hard, and it payed off. I recently took
the MCAT, and thanks to this class I was confident on a lot
of the high yield concepts.
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2019-01-23 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq holds all students to a high standard something
in which a lot of other professors do not do nowadays. His
class is by far one of the most organized classes I have
ever taken. There are no surprises or random assignments.
Biochemistry is a tough subject but with Dr. Farooq's
organization and knowledge on the matter, he makes the
information much easier to learn.
B+ Student | FALL 2018 | 2019-01-23 | ★★★★★
I loved how Dr. Farooq set up this class. It was almost as
he planned it this way so that the students had to be on the
right track. The quizzes were my favorite part about
Biochemistry (I know it's weird), but they made me focus
during lectures so then I was able to apply it. Also, there
was a lot of information, but it was easy to manage as long
as you stayed alert in class and looked over the slides
regularly. This class taught me a lot about how work outside
of class is crucial to succeed when there are loads of
information that is being covered. I appreciate all of the
lessons this class has taught me.
A Student | SPRING 2018 | 2019-01-18 | ★★★★★
As a tutor, Dr. Farooq's BMB-401 is one of my favorite
courses to assist students with because the material is laid
out systematically, concisely, and with interesting and
applicable factoids that may be applied to the medical
profession. I appreciate that the course as a while is very
fair, and that the emphasis is on an authentic understanding
of the material rather than rote memorization. This course
remains one of my favorites that I've taken thus far at UM
and I find myself frequently revisiting the powerpoint
presentations in my higher level Biochemistry courses.
A- Student | FALL 2018 | 2019-01-17 | ★★★★★
This course is demanding and the material is intricate.
With that said, that is exactly why if you do your part, as
Professor Farooq had done his, you will succeed. The post
class quizzes allow you to keep up week to week. The
practice exams are good representations of the actual exams.
The powerpoints are organized and presented in a condensed
and thorough way. The material is instilled in your head as
a result and preps you best for future exams, challenging
coursework as well as the MCAT. I appreciated this course
to say the least.
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2019-01-17 | ★★★★★
This is, without a doubt, the best class in University of
Miami by a wide margin. Professor Farooq's ability to
explain topics beyond the threshold of what one would
consider adequate by other teaching standards gives promise
to a new era of biochemical teachings. Should any other
teacher of a similar discipline follow Professor Farooq's
methodology and persistence in performing above and beyond
all expectations, they would see enormous gains in the
attention given by their students, and their respective
performance guaranteed. Furthermore, the difficulty of the
course, expected by some, can easily be made manageable by
the layout and format of the PowerPoint slides, ease of the
exam questions, and the support given by follow classmates.
The post class quizzes are easy ways to retain the
information learned in the class, and provide a valuable
resource for doing well on the exams. This class is not only
enjoyable, but has very realistic expectations from its
designer(s), which are subsequently met by all of its
students. Therefore, I conclude by stating that this class
is an absolute must take and is highly, highly recommended.
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2019-01-17 | ★★★★★
I am thankful for the opportunity of having such a thorough
Biochemistry course. While it is a lot of material, the way
in which the website and slides were broken down into units
made it easy to navigate and tackle this tough subject.
Taking this class helped me on not only my MCAT but my
overall understanding of Biochemistry and helped fill in
gaps I needed to excel as a student of science. Would
definitely recommend this course to any student hoping to
pursue a career in the sciences and/or in medicine.
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2019-01-15 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry is a challenging subject, but Professor Farooq
makes it clear and concise so that students can get the most
out of this course! His meticulous teaching style and
thorough notes are exponentially helpful to student
preparing to take the MCAT exam. This course helped me
tackle the fundamentals of Biochemistry and really enjoy
learning them in the process.
A+ Student | FALL 2018 | 2019-01-11 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry itself is a hard and rigorous subject, however
Professor Farooq does a wonderful job in breaking down the
material and throughly explaining the concepts. I would
highly recommend attending the class in order to fully
understand the material and perform well in class. The class
is well organized and professor Farooq provides you with
well structured notes that maximizes the information
retained from the lectures. Furthermore, Dr. Farooq is
deeply passionate about the subject which is definitely
reflected in his teaching style and his availability to his
students to answer lecture questions and doubts. Overall,
the information presented in this course can be daunting and
intimidating at times, but repetition is the key to success!
A+ Student | FALL 2018 | 2019-01-02 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq is the best professor I’ve ever had. His
lectures were very insightful and thorough. He made complex
subjects such as DNA transcription, metabolism, and protein
easy to understand. The slides are easy to understand,
interactive, and funny at times. Professor Farooq’s
passion for Biochemistry and dedication for teaching the
class are very apparent. The class is the most organized
class I've taken. Each module is very well-written and
organized but what I like most is how Professor Farooq makes
connections between the different topics we covered and also
between the materials we learn in class and the world around
us. I looked forward to every class. I don’t think I can
ever find a Professor like him who pushes me to study hard,
challenges what I already know, provides well-prepared
materials for the class. For example, the website has all
the slides and recordings for each lecture and sessions
prior every exam was very helpful. The materials in this
class are very heavy but passing is made easy. To succeed in
this class, you must study not to memorize but to understand
and you must be prepared for every class. BMB401 was the
best class I've ever taken.
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-31 | ★★★★☆
Biochemistry without a doubt is one of the classes that many
college students hear when we discuss some of the hardest
classes in the sciences. The volume of material and detail
needed to learn and understand the subject can definitely be
overwhelming. Thankfully, Dr. Farooq does an exceptional job
breaking down the material into easily digestible sections
and modules. He is a skilled professor that explains the
material in a way that is very easy to grasp, pointing out
the most important things for you to remember. I enjoyed his
class and teaching style immensely. Overall, you will not
regret for a second learning biochemistry with him.
A Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-12-27 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq's class had taught me how to truly understand,
not just to mindlessly study, how Biology and Chemistry are
interwoven together at the molecular level. My initial
reaction to the class was intimidation but after a semester
of immersing myself in the material, I found that finding
the logic in the subject was actually more enjoyable than
daunting. The comprehensive and thorough course was an
extremely rewarding and enriching experience, that I can
confidently say has aided me immensely in my current MCAT
preparations. Dr. Farooq is a professor who is truly
committed to sharing his passion for Biochemisty with his
students.
A+ Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-19 | ★★★★★
Due to the immense amount of material that is required to be
learned, Biochemistry itself is an intimidating course to
begin with. However, Professor Farooq does an amazing job of
making this daunting task more manageable. His powerpoint
slides are both highly organized and visually appealing,
making the course enjoyable and the material much easier to
learn. His exams are fair and not based on anything other
than what is presented during lectures, which are recorded
and available online. This was convenient when it came time
to review for exams or answer questions that I might have
had while studying. At the end of the semester there was an
opportunity to retake any exam that you didn't do as well as
you had hoped on during the semester. This allowed for
flexibility in the exam schedule that worked for everyone's
individual needs. Professor Farooq genuinely cares about his
students and wants everyone to do well, which with some
dedication is highly achievable.
A+ Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-18 | ★★★★★
Going into BMB401 I was incredibly intimidated by the
content and overall nature of the class. Though, I quickly
realized that Biochemistry would become one of the most
interesting and beneficial classes I have taken at UM. Dr.
Farooq does a fantastic job at providing and teaching you
the material in a way that is organized and helpful. One of
the most beneficial aspects of the class was the quizzes
every day. They allowed me to be on top of the material even
before coming in, which greatly helped me in the long run.
This course is challenging, but it has provided me the
information necessary for my future classes and examinations
such as the MCAT. I would highly recommend this course. Put
in the effort and dedication, and you will be successful.
A- Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-17 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry is inherently a challenging subject matter, but
Dr. Farooq teaches it in the most logical, understandable
way possible. He is very easy to approach during or after
class with questions or concerns. The daily quizzes ensured
I was steadily learning the information instead of waiting
until a week before the exam to begin reading. The structure
of the course as well as Dr. Farooq's teaching style could
not be more conducive to student success! I would highly
recommend taking BMB 401 with him.
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-17 | ★★★★★
I thoroughly enjoyed going to this Monday, Wednesday, Friday
class where the quizzes each class helped me stay on track
and obtain information. Helpful tricks from Dr. Farooq as
well as his teaching style helped me grow as a student and
develop skills that helped me understand information rather
than just memorizing it. I believe Dr. Farooq is very
passionate about his class and makes it a pleasure to learn.
I would recommend this class to a friend in the STEM
sciences.
A+ Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-17 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq is really great at teaching and presenting the
material effectively. He is very approachable and willing to
help anyone succeed in his course. If you attend class
regularly and prepare for the quizzes every class, you will
surely succeed.
A- Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-16 | ★★★★★
I truly enjoyed Professor Farooq's Biochemistry class.
Although I was nervous in the beginning of the semester due
to the sheer amount and difficulty of the content, my
worries were quickly dispelled after seeing how Professor
Farooq taught the class. Not only did he make the concepts
easier to understand, he also had many opportunities to
discuss difficult lessons outside of class. The way that the
course is structured allows for a good amount of time to
study for each exam, and the daily quizzes were helpful in
keeping me in check with the material. The four sections
contained a great deal of information, but the way in which
the material was taught allowed me to remember the concepts
long term, rather than just for the exam. I would definitely
recommend BMB 401 with Professor Farooq, as it was probably
one of my favorite classes I've taken at UMiami!
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-14 | ★★★★★
I have never learned so much material in one class before I
took biochemistry. The main reason that this class was so
helpful was that Professor Farooq gave us all of the
information that we needed to know in his lecture slides. He
was the first teacher that actually encouraged me to just
pay attention and not take notes during lecture. In other
classes, I struggle to write the information in time and
often miss key points. I must say, if I had any less time to
study for this class, I would not have done as well. If you
are taking this class, make sure you have time every week
before class to preview the lectures.
A+ Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-14 | ★★★★★
BMB401 is not an easy class, simply based on the topics
covered in class. That being said, Dr. Farooq tries to help
students in any way possible, and really wants students to
succeed in the classroom. Dr. Farooq is always available and
encourages students to meet with him outside of class if
there are any difficulties with the material. In class, he
creates a classroom environment that encourages everyone to
ask questions if anything is unclear. Dr. Farooq
introduces students to the most pivotal biochemical topics
in a very coherent manner. After every class, there is a
quiz about the topic covered. While this might seem a bit
stressful at times, it was actually really helpful in
staying on track with the material, and allowed me to cut
down time needed to study for the actual exams. The exams
were always fair and students NEVER encountered anything
that wasn't covered in class. Overall, I found BMB401
extremely interesting. The course raised my interest in
learning about additional topics in biochemistry and
investigating the ones covered in class in greater detail. I
would suggest everyone to take this course!
A+ Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-13 | ★★★★★
BMB401 is one of those courses that is an inevitably tough
class due to the content being studied. It contains a dense
amount of material and in order to understand it thoroughly
and succeed it really depends on your study style and your
professor. With this said, Dr. Farooq was an excellent
professor and truly cared for his students. He was always
willing to help and wanted all of his students to succeed,
which is a great and important quality to have. His notes
were thorough, yet easy to understand. The quizzes in each
class allowed me to stay on track and understand the
material logically and not just "memorize" it. The exams
were fair and the workshops allowed you to ask questions
prior to the exam. If you put forth the effort, you will be
acknowledged and you will succeed! Best of luck to future
students!
A+ Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-13 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry is clearly the most interesting class I have
taken so far at the University of Miami. The material in
itself seems difficult but Professor Farooq's organized
lectures make the fundamental concepts presented in the
course very easy to learn with the right amount of work.
Despite the feedbacks I got before taking the class, I was
really surprised how approachable and friendly Professor
Farooq is. He was always willing to answer my questions and
gave meaningful analogies to clarify what I did not
understand. The structure of the class with the quizzes
pushed me to pay more attention during class which
facilitated my studies for the tests. I am really happy to
have taken this class and I feel now more confident to start
my reviews for the MCAT.
A+ Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-11 | ★★★★★
Before starting the class, I heard from older students about
how difficult biochemistry was, especially with the quizzes
at the end of each lecture. However, I soon realized that
this class was very well structured and not as impossible as
it seemed. In the first lecture, I knew that I was going to
enjoy this class by how articulate and organized Dr. Farooq
was. I love how you know EXACTLY what you need to do and get
on each exam to do well in the class. Out of all the science
courses I have taken, biochemistry is by far my favorite
because it incorporates everything and gives these abstract
processes a purpose. Furthermore, I realized that it really
is important to understand the underlying concepts rather
than straight memorization. Learning this way, focusing on
relationships between concepts and the WHY, has helped me
immensely on preparing for the MCAT. Overall, Dr. Farooq's
passion for biochemistry and teaching has made me really
enjoy his class and appreciate all that is happening within
our body.
A Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-12-11 | ★★★★★
I feel extremely lucky that I had the opportunity to take
biochemistry with Dr. Farooq. Biochemistry can be very
challenging but it is also an extremely rewarding and
applicable subject, especially for pre-medical students
preparing for the MCAT. I am also extremely thankful for Dr.
Farooq's slides, which do a great job at breaking down
complex topics and making them far easier to understand than
reading through a dense textbook. If you put in the
necessary effort and study every day, you will excel in this
class.
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-11 | ★★★★★
I would not have wanted to take biochemistry with any other
professor other than Professor Farooq. The way he structured
his class was very organized and eloquent. He broke down
complex topics into step by step procedures that made the
class uncomplicated and enjoyable. You will have to study
every day and put in a lot of effort, but it will all be
worth it in the end. I would not have been able to learn as
much as I did with another professor.
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-10 | ★★★★★
Before I enrolled in BMB 401, I knew it was going to be one
the toughest classes I took at UM. This class has not only
prepared me for medical school but it has also helped me to
think critically and logically about material. The structure
of the course and daily quizzes, have inculcated a habit in
me of always staying on top of things. The material looks
overwhelming at first but Dr. Farooq shows the logic behind
it which makes it look so simple and with time and effort, I
don't believe it is hard to get an A in the class.
A+ Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-09 | ★★★★★
The class is loaded with information, which scared me prior
to every exam. However, if one puts the effort and studies
every day, the class is very manageable. I was very scared
prior to entering the class because it "involved a lot of
memorization." In my opinion, there is a lot of memorization
to be done in terms of basic information, but this
eventually narrows down to understanding the concepts,
which, once you do, the information makes sense without
having to rely on memorization. The class and power points
are extremely well structured. Even though it might seem at
first like too much information per presentation, all the
information found there is necessary to understand
biochemistry. This class certainly challenged me, and I am
proud of the effort I put. Excellent course!
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-07 | ★★★★★
Coming into biochemistry I knew that the class and the
material presented would be challenging. Dr. Farooq is an
amazing teacher who goes over the lectures in great detail
and makes sure that everyone in the class understands. His
lectures are very structured and easy to follow because
everything is in sequential order. I spent a good amount of
time studying for this class but the end product made it all
worth it. I can safely say that I have learned so much from
this class and it has also helped me immensely when studying
for the MCAT.
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-07 | ★★★★★
This is perhaps the best class I've taken at the University
of Miami. The level of detail and care Dr. Farooq puts into
not only the layout of his powerpoints, but as well as
presenting the material in class in a concise and
comprehensive way is exemplary. You are informed of what
exactly is expected of you so that no excuses can be made as
to what will be on the tests. What is great about his
slides is that although the very basic ideas of them are
easy to grasp through various pictures and comments, there
is more than enough material presented to give a deeper
understanding beyond what is expected. I began to see the
applications of organic chemistry which I had studied a
semester earlier and actually enjoyed it immensely.
Biochemistry very much gives purpose and tangibility to the
abstractness characteristic of the material in regular orgo
class. The quizzes forced me to stay on top of my game with
the lectures and at the same time provided an extra source
of study material once the tests rolled around. The effort
and time you put into this class are very much reflected in
your grade and rightfully so.
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-06 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq’s Biochemistry course was one of the most
interesting and helpful classes I have ever taken, both in
and out of UM. I was nervous going into it because I
struggled with organic chemistry, but the way the class is
laid out and how Professor Farooq explains things
significantly helped me throughout the semester. The best
part about his lectures was that he took very complicated
material and broke it down in a way that was logical and
easy to follow. The quizzes were a necessary evil in which
they pushed me by not only preparing me more for the class
itself but showed what topics and things we should really
pay attention to / what he wants us to focus on. They were
also a big help in part of my grade, which was nice because
so many courses’ grades are determined by solely exams.
Everyone says how hard this class is and it is. But please
don’t be discouraged because it is definitely manageable.
I would definitely recommend summarizing/reviewing before
and after each lecture so it doesn’t completely build up
on you near an exam. Screenshotting the results of quizzes
is also helpful in re-quizzing yourself as well. Because all
the information you need to know is on his slides, I also
suggest that you just listen to him during class. Chances
are whatever you are scrambling down is already on the
slide. I feel very prepared for future endeavors in the
medical field or taking the MCAT because of taking this
class. I have so much respect and regard for Dr. Farooq
because he’s never not been able to answer one of my
questions without great clarification. He has got to be one
of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met. Take his
class; you’ll learn so much!
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-05 | ★★★★★
BMB401 was honestly one of the most challenging, yet
interesting classes I have taken during my college career.
Professor Farooq's teaching style made a difficult subject
easy to understand and enjoyable. The organization of the
lectures and slides were very helpful, and the quizzes made
sure I was comprehending the material properly. In fact, the
material I learned in this class benefitted me in other
courses as well as provides me with a solid foundation for
the MCAT. For anyone wishing to take this course, with hard
work and dedication, success is guaranteed!
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-04 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq's Biochemistry course is one of the best
classes I have taken at UM. I learned an incredible amount
of material at a depth unseen in other large lecture
courses. Professor Farooq himself is a rarity in that he
considers student success his own success and gives ample
room for success, growth, and learning. He is very clear,
concise, and organized. His class is designed for student
success which is clearly seen. Few professors have a level
of mastery over their subject comparable to Professor
Farooq. This class requires preparation and work outside of
class-- I would suggest writing notes on the lectures before
the class so you can be fully engaged in Professor Farooq's
commentary rather than scrambling to write the notes off the
slide-- but a good grade is very achievable. This class was
a joy and I would recommend it to anyone.
A Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-03 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq's class was one of the most difficult classes
I've taken but also one of the most fulfilling. I
appreciated having the quizzes every class period because it
forced me to keep up with the material. This class has
helped me prepare for taking the MCAT in the spring and
talking to Dr. Farooq one-on-one about course material
helped solidify my understanding of it.
A- Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-03 | ★★★★★
After completing BMB401 taught by Dr. Farooq, I feel that I
am well-suited to continue my journey along the Pre-Dental
track. Biochemistry is not a simple course, it demands a
great deal of time and effort to achieve success. Taking
that into consideration, Dr. Farooq teaches with high
enthusiasm and sacrifices a lot of his time to ensure his
students master the material and succeed! He provides great,
detailed slides with information you would not learn from
any ordinary textbook. The course is well organized and the
quizzes at the end of each lecture ensures the student is
constantly keeping up with the material at a high level. I
strongly believing taking this course will prepare any
student studying science or pursuing a pre-health career.
Dr. Farooq is an expert in biochemistry and I am grateful to
have had the opportunity to learn from him.
A- Student | FALL 2018 | 2018-12-02 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq's BMB 401 course is very organized and
straight forward. The effort you put into the class will
reflect your grade, so there are no surprises. I finished
this course feeling prepared for the MCAT. The material was
challenging but completely manageable to understand. Quizzes
at the end of each class help reinforce what you have just
learned. There are a lot of opportunities to succeed in this
class!
A- Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-11-30 | ★★★★★
Although BMB 401 requires a decent amount of work, it is
manageable and if you put in the effort you can and will
succeed! Professor Farooq's class is very organized and
structured, and therefore you know what to expect from day
one. The knowledge of biochemistry that I acquired from
this course has helped me tremendously in my studies,
especially while studying for the MCAT. The PPT notes and
lectures are remarkable in explaining and simplifying the
scientific principles! Highly recommend this class with
Professor Farooq!
A Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-11-25 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry is one of the most captivating and challenging
courses at the University of Miami. Dr. Farooq's clear
expectations and thorough lectures make this course both
intriguing and manageable. The organization of his class
allows you to clearly understand material and actually
learn. BMB 401 challenges you to become an active
participant in your education. I believe this course is the
most beneficial class to take in regards to MCAT studying.
Dr. Farooq's class greatly prepares you for future courses
and especially the MCAT. I would highly recommend taking
this course.
A Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-11-24 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq’s class is one of the most straightforward and
structured classes I have ever taken. All the information
for the course is set up in a way to make it easy to learn
the content in a logical manner. The in-class quizzes
definitely made sure I understood the content. This class
can seem challenging but with hard work and enough time, you
will excel. This course prepared me very well for my MCAT
Biochemistry section and I still use the lecture slides as
study tools.
A Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-10-09 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq’s biochemistry class was one of the best
classes I have taken at the University of Miami. It was a
very challenging class, but Dr. Farooq was always available
to help his students understand the material better. Dr.
Farooq’s powerpoints were very organized and thorough;
they were easy to understand and really helped in
understanding the challenging material. Dr. Farooq made the
class very interesting and engaging, and his lectures were
very helpful when I started studying for my MCAT. The in-
class quizzes allowed me to review the material from each
lecture and helped me to keep studying the material.
Overall, the class was difficult, but the material was
presented in a way to help you learn the material easily and
do well in the class.
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-10-02 | ★★★★★
Easiest five star rating I have ever given. This is not a
class for those not driven to succeed, but with that being
said success is extremely attainable with the proper effort
and preparation. With his masterful instruction, Prof.
Farooq distills the essence of biochemistry into tangible
morsels of knowledge. This allows the student enhanced
interaction with the material, and as such an all
encompassing understanding ensues. My experience is that of
a pre-medical student. The semester following this class, I
prepared to take the MCAT. This class was THE SINGLE most
helpful class I could have taken. Much of the MCAT is
biochem-based, and if you are a student pursuing this track,
you can do no better good for yourself than to enroll in
biochemistry with professor Farooq. Even after his class, I
found his slides to be invaluable in my MCAT preparation,
and am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to
learn under his expert guidance.
A+ Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-09-05 | ★★★★★
After completing BMB401, I felt that I had a very thorough
knowledge of Biochemistry. Though Biochemistry is a
difficult subject to learn for many students including
myself, Professor Farooq facilitated the learning process by
breaking the class down into manageable sections. The
powerpoint slides as well as the overall layout of the class
are clearly organized. Additionally, Professor Farooq is
very clear and direct about his expectations for his
students. He provides all of the necessary tools in order to
succeed and makes himself available to his students via his
cell phone at all times. Though a quiz at the end of each
class can seem daunting, the quizzes were one of the most
vital components of the class which pushed me to succeed. I
felt extremely prepared for all biochemistry topics in the
MCAT, and would recommend the class to anyone looking to
pursue a career in medicine or the sciences.
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-08-29 | ★★★★★
I was excited going into biochemistry because it is a topic
that particularly interests me, but I had apprehensions
because biochemistry is notoriously an extremely challenging
course. Going into the first day of class Dr. Farooq was
very thorough on his expectations of his students for the
semester. The slides outline all the knowledge you need to
know for the exams and understanding the slides thoroughly
is key to succeeding in this class. Dr. Farooq is very
thorough and complete in his lectures and the quizzes at the
end of class really help you continually study the material,
so that by test day you already know all the material
completely. If you put in the hours to study, this course is
definitely manageable and if you ever have any questions Dr.
Farooq is a readily available source and always willing to
answer questions prior to class or over the phone.
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-08-29 | ★★★★★
When I first enrolled in Biochemistry, I was very nervous
because I have heard that Biochemistry as a class can be one
of the hardest science courses I would take in my
undergraduate career. But Dr. Farooq explained everything
perfectly and with very detailed and easy to read slides. I
really enjoyed this class, and I felt the topics covered
were very interesting. I met with Dr. Farooq a couple of
times, and he was very approachable and explained every
single one of my questions. It's a tough class, but if you
dedicate several hours per week, you can do very well.
A Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-08-22 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq is one of, if not the best professors I
have had at my time here at the University of Miami. His
notes for the course were very thorough and easy to
understand. He taught the material even better by explaining
every detail and made it easy to understand as well. He
wants every student to succeed and do well in his class. He
is always willing to answer any questions or resolve any
doubt a student has on any topic he teaches. Overall, he was
an amazing professor and I really enjoyed his class.
A+ Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-08-22 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq's biochemistry class is one of the best
classes I have taken at the University of Miami. Professor
Farooq is extremely organized and uses a very methodical
approach to break down difficult subject matter into
simpler, easy to follow units. He is also readily available
to answer questions and go deeper into course material.
While his class does require a lot of work, a good grade is
very attainable.
A- Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-08-21 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq is a great and knowledgeable professor who
truly wants to see his students succeed and gain a better
understanding of biochemistry. He is also very approachable
and always available to students who need further
explanation of material. His class and powerpoints are very
organized and easy to understand. This class will definitely
help and prepare any student in the premed track for the
MCAT exam. If you are a dedicated and studious student who
wants to learn about biochemistry, this is the class for
you. As long as you put in the work by going to class
prepared and reading the slides in advance, you will
succeed.
A- Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-08-17 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq's class was an eye-opening experience. Not
only was I able to finally learn about the connections
between biology and chemistry but I was also able to
appreciate every little thing our body does. The material
can be difficult but Professor Farooq ensures you have
everything you need and even makes it easier for you by
giving quizzes every class and having access to all the
lecture notes. The organization and layout of the class is
well-planned and pleases the heart of anyone who appreciates
order and consistency. If I could take another class with
him I would love to.
A+ Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-08-17 | ★★★★★
BMB 401 was a difficult yet intriguing class. I liked the
daily quizzes because it forced me to keep up with the
material. The lectures were interesting and also
informative. I overall had a good experience in the class
A+ Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-08-17 | ★★★★★
Dr, Farooq explained everything beautifully. The course was
well put together and straight forward. He also gives you
many opportunities to do well.
A Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-08-17 | ★★★★★
At first I was very intimidated by the class since there was
lots of material and understanding involved than I first
expected. However, Dr. Farooq's lectures and very well
written slides helped me excel in my knowledge in
biochemistry.
A Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-08-17 | ★★★★★
At first I was very intimidated by the class since there was
lots of material and understanding involved than I first
expected. However, Dr. Farooq's lectures and very well
written slides helped me excel in my knowledge in
biochemistry.
A Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-08-17 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq has been one of the greatest professors I have
had. From the first time he sent us his website, I along
with several of my friends were astonished by how organized
his syllabus and website content was. Although Dr. Farooq
did not have an office at the Coral Gables campus, he was
always available via phone for us to ask him any questions
we had. The coolest thing for me was getting my test score
instantly after finishing each exam in class. Lastly the
slides are super well organized and detailed with
information that correlate to the topic, with good
transitions between subtopics.
A Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-08-13 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry with Dr. Farooq was the best that I have taken
at University of Miami. The organization was impeccable and
the powerpoints an amazing study aid. Professor Farooq has a
way of taking difficult material and simplifying it into a
way that is very approachable and understandable. Professor
Farooq is approachable and genuinely wants his students to
do well. His class is challenging, but his transparency with
his expectations of you really allows students to apply
themselves and thrive. The tests are a fair assessment of
knowledge and test how well you can understand and apply the
concepts from class. If you apply yourself, Professor
Farooq's class will teach you how to go about understanding
tough biochemistry topics and make you a better overall
science student!
A- Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-08-08 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry can be a challenging subject, but this class
is laid out in a manner that is very approchable and easy to
navigate. The powerpoints break down the content into
manageable sections. This class requires a lot of hard work
and time, but overall it is a very rewarding experience.
A- Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-08-08 | ★★★★★
Coming into the class I was very nervous, as I had heard
that the class was very difficult and fast paced. While what
I had heard was indeed correct, Dr. Farooq made the material
easy to understand and organized the class in a very logical
way. He was extremely helpful and easy to reach, which was
particularly helpful when I came across an unfamiliar topic
while studying late at night and could easily reach him by
phone. I truly enjoyed the class and the challenge it posed,
as it taught me to think about science in a different way
rather than just rote memorization as I had previously
learned. Would definitely recommend the class to others
A- Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-08-08 | ★★★★★
BMB 401 is a very challenging, yet rewarding class. Every
piece of information we learned has proven to be extremely
important not only for research, but especially for the
MCAT. Although the work load is a lot, it is necessary in
order to achieve the high level of understanding required.
Dr. Farooq does a great job of making sure the lectures are
thorough and that his students understand the information
being taught. He makes himself very available to the
students if they need help and the syllabus is also very
fair. I had an overall great experience in this class.
A Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-08-08 | ★★★★★
I have never taken a more well structured or more organized
course in my entire college career, nor do I think I ever
will in the future. Professor Farooq has laid out everything
you need to know for you in advanced so you have the
privilege to familiarize yourself with the material at your
own pace. He makes himself incredibly available for
questions both before and after class, as well as by phone
for your convince. Over all I am very pleased with the
structure of this course and I feel that I actually learned
the content much better because of it.
A+ Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-08-04 | ★★★★★
Gaining a solid background in biochemistry has enhanced my
career as a social-science major. Dr. Farooq's BMB 401
provided some of the most interesting and useful science
content I've taken at UM, and, among the introductory
science courses, offered the closest link to medical
science. Not only did the course provide an opportunity to
understand key biochemical molecules, pathways, and
interactions, but also I felt challenged as a colleague
through his exams that required conceptual application. Dr.
Farooq tied biochemical concepts to real-world topics (e.g.
nutrition, biotechnology, oncogenesis) and did so
masterfully. As a public health and sociology major, being
able to visualize medicine, health, and society from a
biochemical standpoint was beneficial in developing unique
habits of mind. Finally, on a personal note (one that is
lacking elsewhere in education), Dr. Farooq is a gifted,
passionate, and approachable professor. He encourages
questions before and after class which, for me, made me feel
comfortable and valued as a student. At the end of BMB 401,
I understood the foundations and essence of the subject,
which was worth gold.
A+ Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-06-23 | ★★★★★
This class is fairly challenging with a lot of information
to grasp with each unit. However, the way Professor Farooq
sets up his slides makes everything VERY easy to comprehend.
The way each unit is broken down makes it even easier to
understand each specific concept. He is also willing to
answer every question you have.
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-06-05 | ★★★★★
This class had a profound effect on the way I study and have
never had such an influential course on my academic career.
The class itself is very organized and is set up in a way
that allows any student who is willing to put in effort to
succeed. It is very structured and taught me how to
reinforce knowledge in a way that drove my success well past
this class.
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-06-05 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq is an exceptional professor. His class was
structured in a way that really enables the retention of the
material being taught. His course was especially helpful for
my MCAT studies. Overall, it was a great course!
A- Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-06-04 | ★★★★★
This class has been a very challenging course that has
required hard work and long hours of studying. Dr. Farooq
has managed to divide this class in such a way where the
material all connects and displays it in a logical and
concise manner that allows you as a student to focus on the
important material and not just learn it but really
understand. Dr. Farooq is readily available to talk to
students and help in any way he can, he encourages you and
wants you to succeed.
A- Student | SPRING 2016 | 2018-05-29 | ★★★★★
I took BMB401 with Dr. Farooq the first semester he taught
Biochemistry at the University of Miami. I had no doubt that
Biochemistry itself would be a difficult course, however,
Dr. Farooq’s teaching style and approachability made it
more than manageable. His exams were straightforward,
structured solely to test your knowledge on the material -
not try to confuse or trick you. Although, I found the third
exam to be quite challenging, Dr. Farooq is beyond
accommodating when it comes to make ups. You have the
opportunity to learn from your mistakes in this class,
whether you bad day the day of the exam or you just
weren’t simply prepared for it, you’re given the
opportunity to show your true potential. All in all, I found
this class to be one of the most straightforward and
manageable classes at the University of Miami, given you do
your part and put in the adequate time and effort needed.
A+ Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-05-27 | ★★★★★
It is far and few that you have the pleasure of being taught
a course by a professor like Dr. Farooq in your academic
career—and a course as challenging as biochemistry no
less. His enthusiasm and pure love for the subject
reinforces why you decided to pursue a STEM degree. If I had
to describe him in a few words, I’d describe him as a true
facilitator of learning. From the introductory class, you
are given the course material, expectations, and grading
scale of the course, providing a structure with which to
succeed. I have noticed a trend in my time as a STEM major
that professors, more often than not, seem to thrive on
making their courses impossible to excel in; while BMB401
requires hours of dedication and excellent study habits, Dr.
Farooq makes excelling in his course attainable, so long as
one is willing to put the effort. As someone who likes
clarity and lesson planning, I admire professors, like Dr.
Farooq, who have a clear course structure with—among other
qualities—intended exam dates that are not subject to
change. Furthermore, he exploits that innate drive for
success that STEM majors possess by displaying your grade on
Blackboard throughout the entirety of the semester. It then
becomes a constant reminder of whether you need to increase
your studying time or as a means to determine whether your
study skills are proving to be efficient—and sometimes, as
a reminder that you totally aced that exam. If there ever
comes a time when a student becomes dissatisfied with
his/her grade or simply needs help clarifying a concept, Dr.
Farooq is always available via phone or before and after
class time. There are many times when this course will seem
frustrating but in all, it was one of the most rewarding
courses I’ve taken here at the U. As I’m preparing for
the MCAT, I find studying for biochemistry—a course that
is challenging to most—a fairly easy subject and I have
Dr. Farooq to thank for that.
A+ Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-05-26 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry is a tough course with an enormous volume of
material packed into a short time. I appreciated Dr.
Farooq's approach to the class however because he created a
schedule that broke the class into 4 digestible chunks. The
material in each of these modules were interwoven and meshed
well together. I appreciated the structure and organization
of Dr. Farooq's teaching as well. I was always clear of what
was expected of me, his teaching style, his testing style,
and his grading. I never had to question where I would end
up at the end of the semester, as I was given all the
information to do well and it was up to me to execute. Dr.
Farooq also has a fervor for biochemistry which makes the
class more enjoyable. Biochemistry is the most critical
class for anyone trying to pursue a career in the biomedical
sciences. It integrated everything I had learned prior, and
showed me how to connect the random tidbits of knowledge I
learned in my introductory science classes. This class was
the most beneficial class I took at UM.
B Student | SPRING 2017 | 2018-05-21 | ★★★★★
I came into this class not knowing exactly what to expect
and how it was going to go. Professor Farooq was a professor
I haven't heard of since it was only his second semester
teaching but surprise to me Professor Farooq became one of
my favorite Professors. His class was straightforward,
structured, put together and interesting. He used clear cut
power points delivered in lecture format where he was able
to clearly expand and define everythign within the slides.
In addition he provided great incentive to paying attention
in class by providing quizzes at the end of each one.
Quizzes which made you learn the material enough that when
it came to studying for the test, the foundation already
existed. This course also served to be the best solution to
my problems when it came to studying for the biochemistry
section of the MCAT. Every topic was covered in depth and
with Professor Farooq's guidance you're bound to understand
it all. As a person Professor Farooq is extremely kind and
understanding and he takes the time to answer all your
questions, make sure you comprehend and understand the
material, and provides a welcoming environment to bring
forth your concerns. Being in this course has been nothing
short of a privilege.
A- Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-05-16 | ★★★★★
Overall, starting the semester I was skeptical of this class
because I heard of so many students struggling with the
material while putting in maximum effort and not obtaining
the grade they expected. My mentality tackling this class
was to stay on top of the material and graduate with all A's
my last semester at the University of Miami. I am proud to
say I completed the goal I had set for myself although it
took long hours of studying on my part. Biochemistry is a
different monster than general or organic Chemistry and
although a strong base is needed to understand certain
concepts, the way I studied for Biochemistry tests was
radically different than any other class I had taken so far.
The motivation and slight fear to do well in this class made
me truly understand the material and not just memorize
facts and then forget them once I submitted the test.
Professor Farooq was very knowledgeable in his field and
taught his class with a vigorous passion. He was there for
the students and laid out the foundation to succeed in his
class. On one occasion after the second exam, Professor
Farooq was outside asking people how they felt they did on
the exam. We spoke for a while outside of class and I told
him my grades and he gave me hope that if I keep up the hard
work I will see my goal to fruition. After speaking with
Professor Farooq I truly saw how he challenged us in the
classroom to grasp the material in a new way of learning. He
made himself available to his students and for that I am
proud to say I came out with a new love for the subject of
Biochemistry.
A Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-05-15 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq's class has prepared me for any future endeavor
in science that I mat have. After taking his course, I have
been able to better understand concepts and ideas that I
learned in other courses years ago. I believe this is
because of his teaching method which is incredibly
insightful. Not only did he break difficult concepts down
into easy to understand information, but he presents the
information in a concise and purposeful manner. I thought he
was being hyperbolic when he would always stress that
biochemistry is based on logic and not memory, but once I
met with him to go over concepts, such as enzyme kinetics,
it was clear that it was based in logic and not memory.
With Dr. Farooq helping me understand this fundamental idea
about biochemistry, I was able to succeed and receive the
grade that I did.
B+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-05-13 | ★★★★☆
Great class it was very enjoyable and thorough. However one
of the main problems I encountered was during the third
test. It was very hard to visualize the pathways such as the
citric acid cycle so perhaps include a wholistic diagram of
the cycles in the notes.
B+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-05-13 | ★★★★☆
Great class it was very enjoyable and thorough. However one
of the main problems I encountered was during the third
test. It was very hard to visualize the pathways such as the
citric acid cycle so perhaps include a wholistic diagram of
the cycles in the notes.
A+ Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-05-10 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq's BMB 401 class is unparalleled with regard to
its methodical organization, logical structure, and content
clarity. While the material itself is specific and in-depth,
Dr. Farooq leaves no stone unturned as he breaks down
complicated biochemical processes to their most basic
levels. Each self-contained module (4 in total) builds upon
itself, starting with foundational elements and building to
complex concepts. Through this we learn to appreciate the
science of biochemistry, and it also gives excellent
preparation for future studies (graduate school, medical
school, etc.). However, the best part about the class is Dr.
Farooq's desire to see each and every one of his students
succeed. All the tools needed to earn an A+ are at the
students' disposal online, and if there is any confusion,
Dr. Farooq is happy to answer questions either in person
(in, before, after class) or over the phone via his special
BMB 401 phone line, which you can call at any time. In
addition, Dr. Farooq supplies you with a practice test that
is nearly the same as the real exam to help students see
where they stand with the material. Along with this practice
test comes detailed feedback for which answer choice is
correct and *why* it's correct during the review sessions. I
highly recommend that future BMB 401 students take advantage
of this amazing resource. After exams, Dr. Farooq may ask
you how the exam went for you, and he is absolutely
overjoyed to hear when his students earned high grades. I
wish all my teachers and classes were like this one. In sum,
this is an excellent class, and I can't recommend it enough.
A+ Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-05-02 | ★★★★★
Interesting. Challenging. Organized. Dr. Farooq’s class
has been an enriching educational experience. Prior to
taking this course, I was largely unaware of what the
subject of Biochemistry was all about. After four modules
and 28 classes, it is remarkable to see how much knowledge
and understanding I have gained about this fascinating field
of study. The class is challenging at times since, for many,
it is the first time seeing some of the material. However,
the class is organized so carefully that it is manageable.
Concepts are introduced first at the most foundational level
and then gradually complicated (making it very important to
keep up). Dr. Farooq himself is so contagiously enthusiastic
about the material, and he cares about his students- staying
to answer questions well after class ended on some days.
Make sure to leave enough time to study the material before
each class and try to understand the “how” and reasoning
behind concepts. It’ll be great!
A+ Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-05-02 | ★★★★★
After getting to know Dr. Farooq during this vigorous
semester, I have no doubt in my mind that he has prepared me
for my future goal in becoming a physician. His joy and
enthusiasm for the material are conveyed to his students,
making it easier to stay engaged and learn. Throughout the
semester, I witnessed his dedication to his students and
profession. I am a second-year college student and I would
rank Dr. Farooq as one of my top 10% professors, which is
noticeably supported by other students’ testimonials.
Such characteristics listed below, but not limited to, lend
me to believe you will be troubled to find a professor who
can do a better job than Dr. Farooq. 1. Dr. Farooq
is exceptionally organized and logical. This is reflected
in his manner of teaching. His concise PowerPoints enable
students to understand the material with clarity and
purpose. Moreover, his in-class quizzes highlight the
important concepts that you will be later tested on, further
assisting students in the studying process. Although Dr.
Farooq’s office is in the medical campus, he makes himself
available over the phone at all times to answer any
questions his students might have. 2. Dr. Farooq is
challenging. Although the word ‘challenging’ might
deter you from taking his class, I urge it not to.
Challenging courses are helpful because they teach you a lot
about yourself and how you learn. This is especially
important for those of you who are Pre- med and plan on
continuing to take difficult courses. Furthermore,
everything about this course is do-able and Dr. Farooq
offers many chances to succeed. Overcoming this
“challenge” and succeeding is a rewarding experience for
both you and Dr. Farooq. The countless hours of studying,
end up paying off when you see your letter grade. 3.
Dr. Farooq is an enjoyable professor. At a personal level,
Dr. Farooq is lighthearted, telling a minimum of two jokes
during his lectures, in attempts of making his student relax
and enjoy their time learning. In addition, he is very
approachable and respectful. He always conveys utmost
concern for the well-being of his students and after exams
he consistently shares continuous words of encouragement to
commend a job well done. To those interested in
taking this class in upcoming years, I give you my highest
mark of recommendation to take Dr. Farooq’s class. You
won’t regret it; rather, you will applaud your hard-work
and success as a student.
A- Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-05-02 | ★★★★★
What I especially loved about Dr. Farooq's class was his
teaching method. It was wonderful to have all the necessary
information written in a clear, concise and understandable
way, without ever needing a supplemental textbook. I also
find it incredible how valuable his lectures are. Dr. Farooq
is able to take a complex process and break it down in a
manner that is not only easy to retain, but it is also
completely logical. If you ever need extra assistance, he
always willing to stay after class to clear any doubts,
which is something to be valued and appreciated. Overall,
Dr. Farooq is very approachable, very kind, and very caring
toward his students. His class was a wonderful and rewarding
experience.
A- Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-05-02 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq’s biochemistry course is one of the most
organized and straightforward that I have taken throughout
my undergraduate career at multiple institutions. He
presents all of the material using Powerpoint presentations
in the most clear-cut and direct manner, which allows
students to spend more time absorbing material rather than
navigating through a text book to discern the most
significant concepts and topics. As a student preparing for
the MCAT, I can confidently say that this course has
provided me with the knowledge and foundation in
biochemistry to perform well. In addition to the course
structure being designed to help students succeed, Professor
Farooq is one of the kindest professors, who makes himself
readily available to help students understand the material
and answer any questions. He encourages students to
understand the material rather than memorize it, which is
proving to pay off as I continue my studies in the sciences.
I am extraordinarily grateful to have been able to take his
course!
A- Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-30 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq's constructive and logical approach to
Biochemistry enabled me to learn and understand the subject
with clarity and objectivity. Biochemistry can be quite
confusing if not structured in a logical, step-by-step
approach, and Professor Farooq's material definetly meets
the criteria. His powerpoints are thorough and easy to
understand and visualize, providing students with all the
information necessary to excel. In addition, the grading is
very fair, with quizzes after each class that help students
stay on top of the material and give an extra stimulus to
attend every class and obtain points towards the final
grade. Furthermore, Dr. Farooq was always there to answer
any questions that I had and I personally sympathized with
the way the course is structured. It starts with the basics
of Biochemistry and builds up to explain all the intriguing
processes that occur in nature. I had a good experience and
definetly recommend the course to other students.
A- Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-30 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq is an excellent professor that pushes you to
excel in biochemistry. I was able to succeed in the class
because of all the resources he provided. It was good to
have a quiz in every class because this way I was able to
study the material as the course went on until test day. Dr.
Farooq provides a good practice test that prepared me with
the type of questions I would expect on test day. He is
always eager to help his students and does not give up until
you understand the material.
A+ Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-30 | ★★★★★
Taking biochemistry with Professor Farooq has been an
extremely rewarding experience. The material in biochemistry
is unquestionably challenging, but Professor Farooq puts the
material in a way that is so clear, organized, and concise
that it makes the material very easy to understand. The
material still requires a lot of work to properly understand
but all the tools to get an A+ are given to you by Professor
Farooq, whose course is put together better than any other
I've ever seen.
A+ Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-30 | ★★★★★
Although biochemistry is a significantly challenging class,
the material is essential for future endeavors for students
interested in the medical field and other fields as well.
Dr. Farooq's initiative to organize the complex intricacies
of each topic into organized and clear presentations ensures
that each student has the opportunity to be successful. Very
simply put, if you want to do well in the class, you can as
long as you put in the work. I not only worked very hard in
this class, but also I learned a lot and feel more prepared
for the MCAT and future courses. I enjoyed the engaging
material and believe that the relevance can be used to
inspire me . There are many opportunities to improve your
grade if you are struggling and Dr. Farooq is very
knowledgeable and approachable if you have any questions. I
truly loved the structure, clarity and usefulness of this
course. Study hard and good luck!
A+ Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-30 | ★★★★★
Taking BMB 401 with Dr. Farooq was an extremely rewarding
experience. Although it is without a doubt a challenging
course, Dr. Farooq’s organization, clear expectations, and
mastery of the subject make learning biochemistry truly
enjoyable. Unlike any other, and undeniably one of the best
professors I have had at the University of Miami, Dr. Farooq
goes above and beyond to teach his students and to organize
the course.
A- Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-28 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq’s biochemistry class is extremely
organized and straight-forward, giving you exactly the score
you deserve in the class. If you end the class with a B, it
is because you deserve a B. From the very first class,
Farooq explains that the class is very structured, and
everything is online and accessible everywhere. The class is
difficult as biochemistry is not an easy subject, but
everyone can definitely get an A with enough effort.
Memorization and logic are both required, and it is a
rigorous class but manageable. Through the powerpoints and
practice exams, you know exactly what you are getting
yourself into and what will be on the test. You could even
study all the material a month in advance if you wanted to.
There are quizzes every class which are fair and
representative of the material learned. I am very happy with
Professor Farooq’s class and would take him again.
A+ Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-27 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq stated at the beginning of class that if we
were to follow the course material with due diligence, we
would find that BMB 401 is stress free. At the end of the
course, I can attest to the validity of this statement.
Professor Farooq truly made the course stress free, as his
quizzes and exams were fair representations of his
expectations for this course, and his slideshows were laid
out very clearly, making the class even less stressful.
A+ Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-27 | ★★★★★
Taking BMB401 with Professor Farooq this semester was
extremely rewarding. Professor Farooq's organization of the
class allows you to know exactly what to expect starting Day
1 of the class. The course is rigorous, and there is
definitely a lot of material that you are required to know.
Of course memorization plays a role in remembering the
information, but Professor Farooq emphasizes the importance
of understanding the underlying reasons behind why something
is the way it is. Memorization allows you remember a
concept briefly, but understanding why allows you to retain
it. Dr. Farooq possesses great knowledge on the subject,
and there is no ambiguity in any aspect of the class. Be
prepared to keep up with the lectures because each unit goes
by very quickly. Overall, I had a great experience in the
class, and I would tell anyone that is willing to put in the
work and looking to get rewarded at the end of the semester
to not hesitate to take BMB401 with Dr. Farooq.
A+ Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-27 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq is the best professor I’ve ever had at the
University of Miami. He is an amazing speaker with a
contagious enthusiasm for the science of biochemistry. He
explains everything in incredible detail, which helps when
you’re trying to understand the material. Although
Biochemistry is a difficult subject with a large amount of
material to cover, Dr. Farooq’s slides are the best I have
ever seen from a class. They are order logically and the
information is concise. Dr. Farooq explicitly tells you what
he finds important during lecture, and he is true to his
words. Dr. Farooq’s exams are very fair, as he never tests
you on things that aren’t on the slides. Overall, this
class was very challenging but a highly rewarding
experience.
A+ Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-27 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq is by far the best professor I've had during my
three years here at UM. Not only is he great at
communicating and making difficult material very easy to
understand, but he is also incredibly passionate and deeply
cares about each one of his students. After taking certain
classes such as Organic Chemistry were the professors are
malicious and want their students to fail in order to "weed
people out" it was so refreshing to hear a professor say
that he wants every student to get an A. Before every exam
he would give an encouraging speech telling us he hopes we
all get As and he can't wait to see us walk out smiling. It
was this positive attitude combined with his teaching skills
and strong passion for biochemistry that created the perfect
learning environment. Beyond all of this it was obvious that
professor Farooq truly cares about his students when he
would go above and beyond to teach us lessons that were not
even related to biochemistry. A perfect example of this, and
something that will stick with me for the rest of my life,
was on the first day of class when he told us that when we
speak to him we should address him by his name and tell him
our name. For the rest of the semester when someone raised
their hand in class he would either address them by their
name, which he make an excellent effort to remember, or ask
them to state their name. He did this to teach us the
importance of the lost practice of using people's names. It
was after he brought this issue to my attention that I
started noticing how little attention people pay to a
person's name. Now whenever I talk to someone, even if I
know I will not see them again, I ask them their name and
tell them mine. This goes to show that Dr. Farooq has a
passion for teaching that extends beyond just biochemistry.
Dr. Farooq is truly an inspiration and has had a remarkable
impact on my academic career that I will truly never forget.
B+ Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-27 | ★★★★★
I took this class post-graduation to prepare myself for the
biochem section of the MCAT. While I haven't taken the test
yet, the material covered in class followed right along with
the MCAT materials I had been studying. This class really
forces you to learn the material to a mastery level. If you
have not mastered the material it will be really hard to do
well on these exams. I thought the class was very thorough
and the material was presented in a logical fashion. After
just 28 classes I feel exponentially more confident taking
on the biochem section of the MCAT.
A Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-27 | ★★★★★
Although a very challenging course with a high amount of
difficult material I found myself actually enjoying these
topics. Professor Farooq gives students all the materials
they need to succeed and presents them in logical manner. He
is extremely willing to go over any questions any student
may have and explain topics that are not as clear as others.
It is rare to see a teacher be so in favor of all his
students doing well. His tests review sessions were
extremely helpful, and were a crucial part of my study
routine, do NOT miss these. The lectures were based off the
powerpoint slides, which was both helpful and convenient
when it came to paying attention in class. The in class
quizzes although many in number, were great at letting me
know what material I did not understand well enough yet and
what areas I was doing well in. The quizzes also forced me
to study before class, something that was really beneficial
for me. I have taken away so many skills and study habits
from this class, thanks to the organization and style of
Professor Farooq’s teaching. To anyone concerned about the
rigor, as long as you put in the time and work you will be
rewarded.
A Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-27 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq's class is one of the most structured classes
I've ever attended and led me to success in the course by
teaching me strong study habits. His notes were phenomenal
and has eased MCAT studying a lot. Although the class can be
difficult at times, it most definitely manageable and very
rewarding.
A Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-27 | ★★★★★
This was by far the best and most rewarding class I have
taken at UM. The class is structured in an organized manner
that makes the material feel less overwhelming. However, the
class is still rigorous but fortunately Dr. Farooq has clear
cut lectures and powerpoints that explain the details and he
is always open and ready for any questions you may need to
ask. I feel as if I have learned more in this class than I
have in any of my other premed classes. I wish all my
classes were structured in this manner.
B Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-26 | ★★★★★
On the first day of class, Dr. Farooq said his goal was to
teach the course in an extremely organized way in order to
take the stress out of learning. At the end of this
semester, I can say he definitely accomplished this goal. I
cannot imagine having to take this course without
Dr.Farooq's powerpoints and lectures. This was one of the
toughest, yet most rewarding courses I have taken in
college. I am taking the MCAT in a few months and because of
this class, I will only have to review the subjects instead
of having to learn it all on my own from textbooks. Even
though I did not receive an A in this course, I still
learned more than I have in some classes in which I had an
A.
A Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-26 | ★★★★★
While this class is definitely not easy, its totally
possible to do well if you read before each class and spend
time studying for the tests. The material is complicated and
can at times seem overwhelming (especially metabolism unit)
but if you stay on top the work, take the practice tests and
review regularly you will be fine. I was nervous going into
the class because I had read mixed reviews on Dr. Farooq,
however I found him to actually be very approachable and
eager to help. The structure of the class and grading was
very fair and it was an added bonus that there was no
required textbook.
A+ Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-26 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq has been one of the best professors I have had
thus far...in terms of his lectures, enthusiasm, and
especially the organization of the material he teaches. The
PowerPoints that he creates for class are awesome! You can
tell he puts a lot of effort into ensuring that they make
sense, and that all of the information flows well.
Biochemistry is a difficult subject, and although Dr.
Farooq’s class is challenging, he really puts forth his
best effort to make sure all of his students succeed and
that they get the most out of his class!
B Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-26 | ★★★★★
This Biochemistry course is very organized. I believe that
more professors at UM should adapt to a similar class
structure, because having a quiz every class encourages
students to look at the material before coming to class.
This class is very do-able, as long as you are coming to
class and reading the lectures. The material is very
interesting because you learn a lot!
A+ Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-26 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq's class is obviously challenging, but every
person who takes the class can succeed. His powerpoints
break down all of the information in the class into simple
and understandable pieces, the tests are just derivatives of
the practice tests, and the quizzes come directly from the
power-points. While Dr. Farooq himself can seem
unapproachable at times, he is very passionate about
Biochemistry and wants to help you not just pass his class
but truly understand the subject as well.
A Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-26 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq is one of the best professors I have ever had.
His lectures are beautifully organized and I really learned
a lot from this class. Strongly recommend for Pre-meds.
A Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-26 | ★★★★★
This class is hard but I don’t think it’s as bad as a
lot of people make it out to be. When Dr. Farooq says
you don’t need to memorize he means if you understand it
as well as your supposed to you won’t forget it. He
gives countless examples of how to understand things simply
and logically, and plenty of practice problems in the form
of quizzes and practice tests. But of course you’re have
to remember stuff. It is a hard class but don’t make
excuses for yourself and you’ll do well.
A- Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-26 | ★★★★★
In my two years at the University of Miami, never have I met
such a genuinely engaging and passionate professor as Dr.
Farooq. His ability to explain extremely complicated and
challenging concepts in a clear and simplistic manner is
just incredible. His sheer knowledge of Biochemistry is
truly inspiring and anyone can see how much of effort and
work he puts into making the class as enjoyable as possible.
Biochemistry is a challenging course, but Dr. Farooq does as
much as he can for his students, from helping and assisting
you whenever you have a question to allowing you to retake
one exam! His passion is unprecedented and I can't respect
him enough for it. I truly thank him for making my semester
an extremely engaging and enjoyable one, I truly love
Biochemistry after taking this class and am looking forward
to applying all of the knowledge and skills I gained from
this class on my MCAT and future Biochemistry classes.
A+ Student | SPRING 2018 | 2018-04-26 | ★★★★☆
Dr. Farooq's Biochemistry class was a valuable learning
experience. It combined memorization, fast-paced learning,
and logical critical thinking into one class. Also, his
organization of the class was well done and made the
material approachable. Additionally, having quizzes at the
end of every class period made you prioritize studying the
material in advance, which prepares you better for exams.
Finally, students learn in an environment where they are
working hard and the material is challenging, but they are
ultimately rewarded for their hard work.
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-04-26 | ★★★★☆
This class is hard and it is ALOT of work--there is no doubt
about that--but it is also doable. If you put in the hours,
you will get the result. Come to class and pay close
attention to his lectures. MOST IMPORTANTLY- come to the
review sessions before each exam. He not only reviews the
practice test but also explains, in great detail, why the
correct answer is correct and why each incorrect answer is
incorrect. This class is not something you can study for the
day before, or even the week before. Don't be discouraged,
though, as it is very possible to get an A.
A- Student | SPRING 2017 | 2018-04-26 | ★★★★★
In my two years at the University of Miami, never have I met
such a charismatic and passionate professor as Dr. Farooq.
He truly goes above and beyond to explain extremely
challenging concepts in the most simplistic manner any
student can truly understand Biochemistry. I have never
appreciated a subject as much as Biochemistry, and Dr.
Farooq made my experience extremely enjoyable. I am
genuinely going to miss him and I wish I could have taken a
few more classes with him. Do not confuse his passion for
arrogance, there isn't a single professor here who can do
their job as well as Dr. Farooq. I would love to thank him
for the incredibly engaging semester. He truly changed my
life and any future successes I have in Biochemistry will be
attributed to his wise teachings.
A Student | SPRING 2017 | 2018-04-22 | ★★★☆☆
Class was too memorization focused at times. Modules are
easy to study from on your own time. Study in advance or you
will FAIL the quiz, especially when he starts using
Respondus for it next year. In general, it prepares you well
for future studies in biochemistry, although it might be the
bane of your existence if you have a heavy course load. Dr.
Farooq may be a bit abrupt, but don't mistake his passion
with rudeness.
A+ Student | SPRING 2017 | 2018-04-12 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq's class was a great learning experience. By
taking his class, I learned that no matter how much a class
seems like pure memorization, logic can help you get through
the various questions his test pose. His class provided me
with a strong backbone in the field of Biochemistry and his
in-depth power-points and smooth and liquid lectures allowed
me to excel in the course. The course and the material
provided also assisted me in my preparations for the MCAT by
providing for me a solid foundation to work on. One of the
best aspects of having him as a professor is the time and
effort he puts forth for his students and by doing so he
ensures that we, his students, feel prioritized. Although
many feel he is harsh and rude with his comments at times,
it should be taken as constructive criticism because all he
wants is for his students to succeed. Ignore all that you
have heard about him from others when you walk into his
class and keep in mind he is not like all professors but if
you treat him with respects he will treat you with the
respect you deserve. He is very passionate about what he
teaches and his class is a great experience overall.
A- Student | SPRING 2017 | 2018-04-06 | ★★★★★
I really enjoyed learning biochemistry in Professor Farooq's
class. Professor Farooq provides in-depth and extremely
organized power point slides that directly correlate to the
material that he puts on the exam. The rigor of Professor
Farooq's class exposed me to complexities and intricacies of
biochemistry. Professor Farooq is very knowleadgable and
well receptive to questions. I had a great experience and
highly recommend his class.
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-04-04 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry is definitely a challenging subject because it
covers a wide range of topics and also dives deeply into
each of them. Dr. Farooq does a great job of delivering
this information to students in pieces, which makes it much
easier to understand. Everything about this class is
straightforward, so there is no confusion about what you
need to know for the exams. I have been in other classes
where I don't know what information I need to study, but
that is definitely not the case here. Also, there are
quizzes after every class which help a lot because they
force you to study the information while you're being taught
it, as opposed to waiting until the last minute. Professor
Farooq helped me a lot because, if I ever had questions, he
could break the information down into very simple terms that
made it easier to understand. If you are willing to put in
the work, BMB 401 with Dr. Farooq will be a valuable
learning experience.
A+ Student | SPRING 2017 | 2018-04-03 | ★★★★★
Although Biochemistry is not an easy subject, Professor
Farooq made the material easy to engage in an extremely
effective and comprehensive manner via the online lecture
slides. Many of my peers struggled in the class because they
were more focused on frantically writing down every detail
instead of just sitting back and trying to understand the
material as Professor Farooq explained it in class. By
attending each lecture, sitting close to the front, and
absorbing the content of this class as it is presented
logically, you too will succeed in this challenging class.
A- Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-03-30 | ★★★★★
This class is a very challenging course that will push you
to your limits and that's exactly what this course should
be. Farooq explains exactly what will be on the test which
is a lot and yet they are fair. He won't add something into
it that he doesn't have in the slideshows. The textbook is a
great buy in terms of additional information on the topic
but it isn't required as again the info on the slides is the
test. Overall, this class is one I'll always remember for it
challenging yet interesting topics.
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-03-27 | ★★★★★
While this class is extremely difficult, Professor Farooq
works very hard to ensure that you will have all the tools
necessary to succeed. He is always willing to answer
questions to clarify things you don't understand. His
slides are very well done and by studying them you will be
able to do well in the class. An important thing to
appreciate is that you need to truly understand the material
rather than just memorize, this will make the tests much
easier to do well on
A- Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-03-27 | ★★★★★
While this course was a VERY difficult, Dr. Farooq provided
everything necessary to succeed in the class. His material
was straightforward and taught everything in a very
consistent manner. He was more than fair in his grading
policies and the exam retake helped my grade so much. I was
very surprised at how well I did in this class, because of
the powerpoints and straightfowardness of the course and how
Dr. Farooq structured it.
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-03-23 | ★☆☆☆☆
Based on the reviews, I see here, this was a very
disappointing class. I came in with high expectations, which
were met with endless memorization. While Dr. Farooq does
say it is logic, it is only 10% logic and 90% memorization.
Dr. Farooq can also be unapproachable and rude at times. It
is better to show up to class and not listen, because
reading the powerpoints is a much faster method of
memorization then listening to the lectures.
A+ Student | FALL 2016 | 2018-03-15 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq's biochemistry course was an enjoyable experience
overall. Biochemistry is a challenging topic to master but
the presentation of materials and organization of the course
made it much more doable. Dr. Farooq has a passion for
biochemistry which can be seen in the way he conducts the
lectures. Dr. Farooq presents the material in a way so that
you really understand the major concepts rather than just
memorizing them. The practice tests he gives before the exam
are very similar to the actual exam and allows you to assess
what you understand. Dr. Farooq is also kind enough to post
his lectures online so that you may refer back to them when
needed. The lectures are structured in a way that you build
on what you learned in the lecture before. Dr. Farooq also
understands that biochemistry may be a tough subject to
master so provides many chances for you to do your best such
as by allowing you to retake an exam. He is also always
available to answer questions either by phone or in person
before and after class. Overall, this biochemistry course
was a very rewarding experience.
A- Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-02-27 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry is a rigorous course and requires you to put in
hours of work. Luckily, Professor Farooq makes the content
for the course readily available in his powerpoints. KNOW
everything on those slides ! Do not take it lightly, there
are questions that ask you to the finest detail. Professor
Farooq's lectures are fast paced and sometimes he may not
see you if you raise your hand to ask a question so make
sure to speak up and address him professionally. Study the
notes before going to class and use his lecture as a review
for the daily quiz. This class will help you prepare for the
biochemistry portion of the MCAT.
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-02-26 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry is a very challenging course that requires
dedication to successfully understand the concepts. Although
challenging, Dr. Farooq makes the class very doable and
teaches it in a way that helps you to understand the
material instead of just memorizing it. This class was very
enjoyable and I have begun to realize how much this class
and Dr. Farooq really taught me since I have been studying
for the MCAT. The lectures are very straightforward and the
professor gives you many opportunities to do well in the
class as long as you put in your best effort. Dr. Farooq was
also always available whenever I needed to reach him for
questions.
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-02-19 | ★★★★★
Although this course was challenging, Professor Farooq
organized it in very concise and clear manner. With quizzes
every class, it is very important to stay on top of the
material, and although the amount of studying necessary may
seem daunting at times, I learned so much from taking this
course and Professor Farooq was very good at explaining
difficult concepts. If you work hard to grasp the material,
it will pay off and reflect in your test scores. I am
taking the MCAT in April and this class has helped immensely
in my studying and understanding of the Bio/Biochem section.
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-02-15 | ★★★★★
This course, although challenging, is very interesting and
engaging. The topics covered in class are applicable to
everyday life and science. This class does require a great
deal of time and effort to successfully master and
understand the concepts, but it is fair and doable if you
are willing to work hard. Professor Farooq does a wonderful
job of presenting the material in a well organized, easy to
grasp way to maximize the success of his students. He is
easy to reach if you have questions or need help.
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-02-09 | ★★★★★
I was super fascinated by this class even though
biochemistry had never interested me in the past. I feel as
if I've learned the most in this class about biology than I
have ever learned in all my years of taking biology courses.
Dr. Farooq's slides have exactly the information that you
need to know and that is important. He is always willing to
answer questions and explain material. Although the quizzes
are very difficult at first, they keep you up-to-date and
prepared, which I definitely benefited from. The practice
exams are also very helpful. If you put in the time to
learn, you will surely gain a lot of knowledge and use from
this class!
A- Student | SPRING 2017 | 2018-02-06 | ★★★★★
This class was very different from my previous science
classes at UM. Professor Farooq was straight forward,
detailed, and let you know exactly how things were going to
go for the entirety of the semester. Honestly, I liked that.
I knew what I was getting into and what was expected of me
as a student without any surprises. The material was
challenging because of the volume of information, but it
forced me to pay attention to detail and synthesize it
holistically. I used Quizlet religiously for this class, and
I've been using it to study in all of my classes ever since.
BMB401 forced me to fine tune my study skills, and I've been
able to find the best method that works for me now.
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-02-04 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq’s lessons to me went beyond the subject
material. He taught me, directly and indirectly, how to be
a better person and future professional. My advice to him
is that kindness can go a long way when guiding others.
Regardless of his stern demeanor, however, he is a good man.
And if you observe him, you will notice that he has a good
heart. May God bless him and all the lives he touches.
A- Student | SPRING 2016 | 2018-01-31 | ★★★★★
While the subject material for BMB 401 was challenging, the
course structure and grading system were very fair.
Biochemistry is undeniably highly dense in content, so the
time and effort you put into studying the material reflects
in your grade. Like most other science courses, attending
class and consistently reviewing the powerpoint slides is
critical to succeeding in this course. I recommend future
students to be inquisitive and proactive by looking over
lectures in detail before class lecture. I feel that it is
highly effective for solidifying a strong foundation in
biochemistry, which is key for pre-med students preparing
for the MCAT. I even found myself utilizing Dr. Farooq’s
notes (which are straightforward and concise) to supplement
my MCAT prep. In terms of lecture presentation, Dr. Farooq
taught the information in an organized and succinct manner,
which helped ease comprehension of the material. Throughout
his teaching of the course, it’s clear to see how
passionate he is about the subject and how genuine he is
regarding students’ learning.
A Student | SPRING 2017 | 2018-01-29 | ★★★★★
BMB 401 with Dr. Farooq was one of the most complete and
well done courses I have taken at UM. Dr. Farooq has
compiled crucial information that will give any student a
strong base going into Biochemistry. The course builds on
itself, continually expanding a student's knowledge without
giving too much advanced material at once. Dr. Farroq does a
good job explaining anything that may be a source of
confusion and will always stay after to explain material to
students. Overall, this course has influenced me to become a
biochem major and I would highly recommend.
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-01-21 | ★★★★★
I'm not a biochem major but this class made me wish I was.
Dr. Farooq's lectures are amazing-he thoroughly explains
concepts and teaches you how to apply logic so you won't
even have to memorize all of the material. That being said,
make sure you know EVERYTHING on the ppts for an A. Tests
are straightforward and questions come right from the ppts;
no surprises. I always rebooted my laptop before exams and
had no problems. Practice tests are representative of the
exam and I highly recommend taking them. If you're premed,
don't just memorize for the exam and forget it later; you
will need to know it for the MCAT and medical school. His
notes are very useful for MCAT prep. Dr. Farooq's
straightforward nature is often confused for rudeness-he
truly cares about his students and prepares them well. His
office hours are on the med campus, but I always asked him
questions before/after class. Know everything on the ppt
before class and you will do well on the quizzes. The
quizzes helped me stay on track so I felt confident about
exams well before the exam date instead of stressing the
night before. He is more than fair as he provides
opportunities to boost your grade like dropping the lowest
quizzes and 1 exam retake instead of a final.
A+ Student | SPRING 2017 | 2018-01-20 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq is a great professor. He helps you learn and
understand the material and not memorize it to pass the
class. He is always willing to answer questions at any time;
even though his office is at the UM Medical Campus he makes
sure that you have time to ask questions before and after
class and you can even call him and he'll respond as soon as
he cans. Biochemistry is not an easy subject but Dr. Farooq
definitely makes it easier, doable and enjoyable. His
lectures are comprehensive, organized,clear and
straightforward so you know what to expect for the test. He
gives practice test which are really helpful and resemble
the actual test. The course requires dedication but he
definitely gives you plenty of opportunities to do well in
the class and to be familiar with the topics covered. While
studying for the MCAT I noticed how much I learned from this
class and it's thanks to Dr. Farooq.
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-01-17 | ★★★★☆
Professor Farooq is an excellent professor in that he is
able to connect material in a manner that it builds on
itself and makes sense. However, the student has to put in
effort themselves or else they will be lost in terms of
following the lectures. The material is dense and Professor
Farooq teaches in a manner that makes it much easier to
digest.
A- Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-01-16 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry is not an easy subject but Farooq definitely
made it manageable. He was very generous in allowing us to
drop the 5 lowest quiz grades and allowing us to retake an
exam at the end of the semester. Reading and understanding
the PowerPoints before class is extremely important in
succeeding. The quizzes and the exams are fair, everything
you will encounter on them can be found on the PowerPoints
Farooq provides. This class can be fun as long as you put
your time and dedication.
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-01-16 | ★★★★☆
A challenging class, but Dr. Farooq was enthusiastic about
the subject and was willing to help learn. The tests were
fair based of the material learned in class, but must be
studied. The quizzes in class helped to reinforce the
material learned during the day.
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-01-15 | ★★★★★
This course covers some difficult concepts, but Dr.
Farooq's thorough organization of the topics really
emphasizes the connection between them, helping to develop a
deeper understanding of the material. He is also very
generous in allowing students to retake an exam at the end
of the semester, as well as dropping their 5 lowest quiz
grades. Overall, if you are willing to put in the work, it
is very easy to succeed in this course.
A- Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-01-12 | ★★★★★
This class was a great experience to say the least. The
material over the course of the semester covers all the main
topics of biochemistry. As a pre-medical student taking the
MCAT in May 2018, I feel much more comfortable studying the
biochemistry topics which will be on the exam. Professor
Farooq's notes are organized in an easy-to-read manner. The
notes are so detailed that a textbook is not even necessary
to master the material. Professor Farooq presents all the
important details. This course requires a lot of hard work
and dedication, but it really pays off in the end. I am very
grateful and appreciative of Professor Farooq's dedication
to not only the subject of biochemistry, but also his
students. The way he set up the structure of this course is
unique and effective. Having a practice test before the exam
helps guide studying and shows what topics are needed for
review. Overall, this course is one I will remember and
reflect on through all my future years of study.
A- Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-01-11 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry can be a difficult subject, especially with the
breadth of material covered in a single semester. However,
having a professor as upfront and clear with expectations
like Professor Farooq makes the experience much easier! His
lecture material/slides are very concise and fully
comprehensive of what to expect on the exams. The grading
system is fair and students have multiple opportunities to
get the grade that they work for, and few professors offer a
practice test as helpful and accurate to the upcoming exam
like Prof. Farooq does. As a fellow premed student, I am
sure that you will be very thankful for this course while
studying for the MCAT - I even found myself reviewing from
previous lecture slides in place of purchased MCAT materials
as I was already familiar with them.
A- Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-01-10 | ★★★★★
BMB 401 is a difficult class, but with Professor Farooq's
dedication to helping students learn the material it is a
rewarding experience. His powerpoints are clear, concise,
and contain all the material you need. His lectures are
energetic and extremely informative. The practice exams he
conducts and reviews in class are a lifesaver when it comes
to studying for the exam, as he explains not only why an
answer is correct but takes the time to go through and
explain why the others are wrong so that students can learn
from their mistakes before the exam. All in all BMB 401 is a
difficult course, but with Professor Farooq it is a both
fair and enjoyable.
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-01-10 | ★★★★★
I was pretty apprehensive about this course after hearing
about it from previous students, but I went into it knowing
I was going to have to put in a lot of work. Dr. Farooq is
a very fair professor, allowing you to retake an exam at the
end of the semester to better your grade if needed. The
quizzes every class seemed intimidating at first, but they
kept me focused and on track so I wouldn't fall behind in
studying. The practice exam he gives is very representative
of the actual exam, so it is helpful to use as a study aid.
If you stay on top of the material and prepare before class,
this class is extremely fair and rewarding. It has also
helped me prepare for the MCAT.
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-01-10 | ★★★★★
BMB 401 with Dr. Farooq was both challenging and rewarding.
He provides enthusiastic lectures and thorough slides.
Students can tell that Dr. Farooq is very invested in the
subject as well as their success in the course. The quizzes
administered at the end of each lecture compel students to
actively study the material rather than cramming before each
exam. Overall, I personally had a very enjoyable experience
in this course and would recommend this course to my peers.
A- Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-01-08 | ★★★★★
BMB401 is known to be one of the most challenging science
courses at UM, but Professor Farooq wants all of his
students to succeed. His powerpoints are extremely detailed
and have everything you need to know for the exams and even
for the MCAT. This course is really informative and you will
learn a lot of material. The powerpoints will become your
best friend. This isn't a class where you can just skim the
slides and expect to do well; you need to put in the effort
to really understand all of the minuscule details in order
to succeed. Although the quizzes each class may be a little
tedious, they are really helpful in the fact that they
reinforce important and small details that you will need to
remember. If you come to class ready to take good notes and
pay a lot of attention, you will do well. This isn't a class
you can slack off on! And while it is a difficult class, I
really enjoyed my time and having Professor Farooq as my
instructor.
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-01-06 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq is one of the most helpful and energetic
professors I have ever met at University of Miami. His
passion for biochemistry is so strong that it radiates off
of him throughout an entire lecture. This passion along with
Dr. Farooq's multiple resources (his anytime phone calls,
review sessions, and practice tests, and end of lecture
quizzes) are more than enough to lead one to success in this
course. For those of you who are incoming students, the best
advice I could give you is to make sure you review every
lecture before coming to class to get the most out of Dr.
Farooq's lectures and to maximize your scores on the
quizzes. Also, do not procrastinate in studying for the
exams as they are very challenging but fair. Give yourself
at LEAST 3 days of solid studying and review to ensure your
success! Good Luck!
A- Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-01-05 | ★★★★★
BMB401 is a challenging course, but Professor Farooq gives
all the tools necessary to succeed. Understanding his
powerpoint slides in detail is key and will definitely help
with future class content. If you take the time to really
absorb and connect the information he teaches, you will
learn a lot. For premed students, this class is crucial for
the MCAT and medical school so give it your full and
undivided attention! For those who are not premed, the
course content is valuable to understanding life functions
at a deeper level. In order to do well in Dr. Farooq's
class, make sure to come prepared to class, having already
reviewed the powerpoint slides. Take notes during class and
ask questions. If you understand the basic concepts, you
should do well on the quizzes. Make sure to review in full
detail for the exams, attend the review sessions, and take
the practice tests!
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-01-05 | ★★★★★
As a student on the pre-medical track, Biochemistry has been
a class known to be difficult and daunting. Upon first
glance at the syllabus, I knew the course held challenges
ahead for me , but what I didn't know, was how fun and
intellectually stimulating these challenges would prove to
be! I can whole-heartedly say that Professor Farooq is
passionate about his material and truly cares for his
students. His in-class quizzes reinforces his rhetoric of
studying everyday, making exams a more approachable task.
Taking a biophysical approach, this course has made
molecular and metabolic sense of my biological, chemical and
physical undergraduate knowledge. His dedication to student
learning is exemplified by his quick in-class responses and
promise to always return calls! During the hurricane season,
I was a victim of auto-theft and the culprits threw my book
bag out of the window. A good samaritan found Professor
Farooq's number written in my notebook and to my surprise he
answered! When I retrieved my things I answered his call to
which he also gave me great advice about security. Professor
Farooq is clearly not only a great instructor in that he
relays his material is legible and concise slides, but also
in that he looks after his student's well being. I would
highly recommend taking this course, especially if you are
"science-philia". After completing the course I feel
enriched in my ability to explain the behavior and fates of
carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, and nucleic acids in
metabolic energy pathways and gene regulation to maintain
homeostasis. Study hard, be inquisitive and I promise that
this course will feel fair and fulfilling.
A- Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-01-02 | ★★★★☆
Biochemistry is a difficult class and requires a lot of
studying if you want to do well, but Professor Farooq really
emphasizes understanding the material rather than memorizing
it. I think being guided in approaching the class this way
helps a lot in the long run. Professor Farooq also makes
himself available to talk to students through several
different platforms, which is highly appreciated.
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-01-01 | ★★★★☆
Dr. Farooq is definitely different than any other professor
you will have at the University of Miami. He is extremely
passionate about biochemistry and genuinely wants you to
know, and most importantly UNDERSTAND the information. This
class will definitely challenge you, but Dr. Farooq gives
you every single resource you need to be successful. His
slides are detailed, and he is always just a phone call away
whenever you have questions!
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2018-01-01 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq is an excellent teacher who is always
willing to address concerns. His slides are very well
organized which helps with understanding the complex topics
within the course. You have to study a lot to get the A but
it is definitely achievable. Always attend class to ask
questions and take the quizzes. They keep you on track for
the exams. Overall, one of the best courses I have taken at
UM.
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-29 | ★★★★★
This class really challenged me in two separate ways. The
first challenge was the amount of material that had to be
navigated and scrutinized. Countless hours were spent
learning all the material. The second challenge was the
rapid pace of the class. It truly felt like a medical course
but also a little less complex. Although the daily quizzes
were overwhelming, they also allowed me to keep up to date
and avoid procrastination.The questions were straight
forward from the slides for the most part. Overall, I had a
very solid experience with the class.
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-27 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry with Dr. Farooq is a challenging but greatly
rewarding course. The structure of the course is very
organized and easy to understand. Dr. Farooq efficiently and
thoroughly presents course material and ensures that
students completely comprehend it. This class requires a lot
of time outside of class preparing for quizzes and exams but
if you put in the time and dedication, an A in the class is
very attainable.
A- Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-27 | ★★★★★
The many rumors surrounding BMB401 (it is impossible to get
an A) is not true. Hard work and dedication to the class
will allow you to achieve the grade that you want, along
with Dr. Farooq’s presentation of the course material. It
is clear, concise, and structured in a logical manner. The
material learned in this class is very valuable to those in
Pre-Med, as it will show up on the MCAT.
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-26 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq makes biochemistry, an otherwise
challenging subject, easy to learn. He presents all of the
information in a succinct and organized way that allows
students to effectively understand and learn biochemistry.
From his lectures, it is clear just how passionate Professor
Farooq is about the subject matter and how much he wants his
students to learn. The structure of the class encourages
active learning and good study habits that are helpful both
inside and outside of this class. Professor Farooq’s class
was very fair and straightforward and the information I
learned in his class has helped me prepare for the MCAT.
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-26 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry (BMB 401) with Dr. Farooq is at times a
demanding course, but its structure allows for great success
should a student put in the effort. The online notes are
very detailed, which take away the stress of taking extra
notes during class. The notes have everything that Dr.
Farooq would ask on a quiz or exam and are available online
at any time. There are quizzes every lecture class based on
the material covered that day, but one just has to read over
the lecture notes beforehand and pay attention during
lecture to perform well. These quizzes also keep a student
up-to-date which is imperative to doing well in the overall
course; there are even a few available drops which account
for the odd sick-day. Exams are straight-forward. There is a
very fair schedule for make-ups and there is even a retake
in case a test does not go as planned. Overall, Biochemistry
was a very positive experience. It is easy to see the great
care put forth by Dr. Farooq. I have retained much of what I
have learned, and I would recommend this course for anyone
interested in the material.
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-23 | ★★★★★
This class is invaluable for anyone who plans to go into the
medical field. It is a demanding course; you need to be
willing to put in a significant amount of time and effort to
succeed. However, Dr. Farooq takes care to organize and
structure the class so that the workload is not
overwhelming. The information is streamlined and
methodically presented, which makes the challenging
curriculum easier to follow. Dr. Farooq’s exams were fair
and he really does provide all of the necessary tools to
succeed. I am leaving the course with an in-depth knowledge
of biochemistry that will serve me in dental school. Pay
attention to the diagrams and illustrations that Dr. Farooq
includes in the slides. They really helped me to visualize
the information, understand the topic, and recall it for
exams. I would also recommend attending the workshop
sessions and practice exams. In particular, listening to
Dr. Farooq review each practice exam was tremendously
helpful. If you have questions throughout the semester, ask
for clarification. I often went to Dr. Farooq after class
if I did not understand why I missed points on a quiz, and I
appreciated that he was always available to address my
questions. He truly is the best resource, and he is always
willing to provide help when needed.
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-23 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry is a difficult course. However, Professor
Farooq makes it as easy as possible. The material is
straight forward. The tests are ever more straight forward.
If you take the time to study, you will do well. I walked
away with a large amount of knowledge in biochemistry and
believe it will greatly help me in the future.
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-23 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq was honestly one of the best professors I
have had at UM. The way the class was structured really
pushed me to master the material and make something
intimidating much more feasible. Professor Farooq’s
engaging lectures and his genuine passion for Biochemistry
paired with notes that are nothing short of a masterpiece,
makes this class a great conclusion to the premed
curriculum. Keep up with the material, spend time actually
understanding the concepts, always keep the bigger picture
in mind, and utilize your resources; your efforts will
surely pay off in the end. 10/10 highly recommend to all my
friends!
B Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-22 | ★★★★★
Even though it was difficult at first for me to become
acclimated to his exams and I did not receive an A, Dr.
Farooq's BMB 401 class is probably the most important
science class that I have had to take at the University of
Miami and probably the one that has best prepared me for my
future. The applications of this class go well past just
getting the grade, but rather Dr. Farooq applies the
material to things that his students wish to accomplish in
the future as well as uses a technique which implores his
students to not only memorize the material, but be able to
use and apply it as will be necessary in the future when I
enter the "real world." Thank you Dr. Farooq.
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-20 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry is a challenging course of itself but Dr.Farooq
try to make it as easy as possible through his organized
slides and logic ways of thinking. He does an exceptional
job of explaining the materials and is always willing to
help his student. Dr.Farooq is very passionate about the
subject and want his students to be successful not just in
his class but in others as well. The course demanded a lot
of my time but it was fair and challenged me to think beyond
scope of the class.
A- Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-20 | ★★★★★
Overall the class was well structured and Professor Farooq
does a great job motivating his students to learn the
material.
A- Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-20 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq was a very fair professor, he gives you
everything you need in order to succeed. It is a hard course
that requires a lot of time, however it is manageable and
his grading is very fair. He encourages you to prepare for
the lecture material before the corresponding lecture, a
good skill to master before medical/graduate school. The
material he teaches us is also much more comprehensive than
what is tested on the MCAT, leaving you very prepared for
the exam if you do need to take it.
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-19 | ★★★★★
This course was one of the most intense and worthwhile
courses I have ever taken. I feel prepared and ready for
the Biochemistry section on the MCAT from the level of
detail that Dr. Farooq demanded in understanding. However,
this high standard was not unwarranted: Dr. Farooq
explained the material tremendously well. Attending
lectures, workshops, and practice test sessions is critical
to being able to truly understand and not memorize the
material. The material itself was extremely interesting and
made me actually love studying and learning the information.
This course is a very exciting, fast paced and enjoyable
experience. Buckle up for the ride!
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-19 | ★★★★☆
This class may seem overwhelming at first, but do not be
afraid. Professor Farooq is very passionate about the
subject and does genuinely want to see his students succeed
and will provide them with every opportunity to improve. It
is up to you though to take those opportunities. As long as
you study the lectures before class, attend the lectures,
and plan out your studying before exams, you are sure to
succeed!
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-19 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry with Dr. Farooq might seem like a very
overwhelming course at first, but please do not be
discouraged after the first few lectures. Dr. Farooq
presents the material in a very effective manner. If you
put in the work, Dr. Farooq gives you the tools to succeed
in his class. Although the daily quizzes may appear to be
a burden at the beginning of the semester, they force you to
actively learn the material and are helpful in the long run.
Dr. Farooq is very enthusiastic about Biochemistry and makes
it seem like he really wants his students to learn
Biochemistry and to be as excited as he is about the
material.
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-19 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry with Dr. Farooq might seem like a very
overwhelming course at first, but please do not be
discouraged after the first few lectures. Dr. Farooq
presents the material in a very effective manner. If you
put in the work, Dr. Farooq gives you the tools to succeed
in his class. Although the daily quizzes may appear to be
a burden at the beginning of the semester, they force you to
actively learn the material and are helpful in the long run.
Dr. Farooq is very enthusiastic about Biochemistry and makes
it seem like he really wants his students to learn
Biochemistry and to be as excited as he is about the
material.
A- Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-18 | ★★★★★
Farooq was an fair teacher who provided all the necessary
means to succeed. Everything was straight forward and
provided to you. He was available at all times to ask
questions. His grading was very fair and having a make up
test was one of the best parts of the class grading system.
I have learned a lot from this class and it has prepared me
for the MCAT well.
A- Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-18 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq provides everything you need to know in the
most organized way possible. The lectures and exam materials
are separated into concise modules consisting of only the
most important information needed to excel in the class so
it does not distract you with extra information that may not
appear on the exams. I have learned that his teaching method
is the most efficient way of learning and I hope to see more
of this type of teaching in other classes as well.
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-18 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq is the most organized and straight forward
professor that I have ever taken. He single-handedly created
an outstanding curriculum, and sticks to the syllabus to a
T. After the first class meeting, you know exactly what to
expect from the course. Regarding his teaching ability,
Professor Farooq does an exceptional job of explaining the
difficult material presented in his class. Although there is
a lot of memorization that goes along with Biochemistry, he
does a good job of emphasizing the importance of
understanding the material. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed
my experience in BMB 401, and I appreciate the fact that my
hard work was rewarded.
A+ Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-12-18 | ★★★★★
Everyone come into this class with the perception that it is
going to be a dreadful experience and you're almost destined
to fail , but this is nowhere near the truth. This class is
most definitely challenging but extremely rewarding. I've
never learned so much and been so excited to actually be
rewarded for the hard work. Professor Farooq has a passion
that few others can compare to which makes the whole class
so much more enjoyable. He is also extremely approachable
and always willing to help you! Personally, I took this
class after having a really difficult time with Orgo 2 and
was really discouraged but I ended up excelling in this
class because of how fair and structured it was. Put in
effort, study the notes and ask questions and you will
succeed!
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-18 | ★★★★★
While a challenging course due to the nature of
Biochemistry, Dr. Farooq presents the material with clarity
and precision both from his lectures and the powerpoints
that outline his course. A student taking this class should
be prepared to be proactive in their studying, making sure
to read the lecture notes prior to the lecture for greater
understanding of the material. They should also be prepared
to come to Dr. Farooq or any of his Workshop leaders with
questions regarding the material as they are always
available to answer. Overall, if you give this class the
appropriate study time it deserves, you will be able to
achieve an A.
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-18 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq makes this Biochemistry class significantly
easier and more interesting than it could potentially be.
You have to choose your questions wisely when asking,
because he will be taking into account the fact that you
already know the material that has been taught. He genuinely
wants you to understand the material, and uses his
enthusiasm for this field of science in order to do so. If
you put in the effort, you will do well, guaranteed.
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-18 | ★★★★★
While the course is challenging, Professor Farooq presents
the material in a very efficient manner through his
powerpoint slides. They are very comprehensive and withhold
all the information necessary for you to thrive in the
class. If that is not enough, Professor Farooq also goes a
bit more into detail and explains his slides in class and is
always ready and willing to take questions both during and
after class. Don't be afraid to approach him with any
questions or concerns as he always answers to the best of
his ability and makes sure that your question is answered to
the fullest extent. A great class overall!
A- Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-18 | ★★★★★
Profesor Farooq makes an honest effort to make a hard class
more digestable. Even if you have a hard time learning from
him as a teacher you can always just use the awesome slides
he makes. His online resorces are exelent and WILL have
everything that may be on the test. He gives a fair amount
of flexability by dropping quizes and allowing one re-take.
Study hard and you will succeed.
A- Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-18 | ★★★★★
Very rarely do you find courses so well structured and
concise. Dr. Farooq's BMB 401 is one of those rare gems that
allow you to thrive and show yourself what you are capable
of. His lectures and slides are put well composed and leave
no room for questions. What you put in, is what you get and
it clearly reflects in your grade here. To anyone having to
take Biochemistry, I highly recommend this class with Dr.
Farooq. He knows what he's doing and enables you to be
successful if you are willing to do your part.
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-18 | ★★★★☆
When I first joined the class I was very cautious after
hearing how hard the class was from previous students.
Nevertheless, Dr. Farooq's powerpoints and lectures are
extremely helpful and are all you need in order to pass the
class. Also, although rude at times, he is always helpful
and answers every question with great detail. He is a great
professor. With the right amount of effort, passing the
class with a good grade is completely possible.
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-18 | ★★★★★
When I initially enrolled in this class, I was extremely
apprehensive because of the rumors surrounding BMB 401 —
how this was an extremely difficult class to pass, let alone
get an A in, regardless of how much time and effort one put
in. After a couple of weeks, though, I realized it is not
nearly as bad as people make it out to be. Professor Farooq
is extremely helpful in how he organizes his powerpoints and
he is able to articulate huge sums of information in an
easy-to understand-and-follow-along way. He also takes the
time, in class, to fully explain more difficult concepts to
be sure that we comprehend the nuances and little details
that are actually very important in Biochemistry. And if
that isn’t enough, Professor Farooq is extremely available
most times (before/after class or via cell-phone call) to
answer any other questions one may still have. I found this
class to be overall an extremely positive learning
experience and, if you plan on taking the MCAT, a great
class to take in preparation. I’m shocked at how much
information I learned. This class is only difficult if you
don’t keep up with the material. If you take the time
everyday to go over what we learned the day before and also
read the upcoming powerpoint in preparation, you will do
awesome!
A- Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-17 | ★★★★★
To be frank, I was a little discouraged when I initially
enrolled in the course; however, after meeting Dr. Farooq on
the first day of class I felt more at ease. He was very
reassuring in that he was going to present the material in
the clearest way possible and that he would be more than
happy to help if we ever had any questions. The class was
challenging. I worked very hard, not just because I wanted
to do well but, because I genuinely wanted to learn the
material. Dr. Farooq has given me a new found appreciation
for Biochemistry. I am no longer intimidated but rather my
interest has been peaked and I hope to learn more. Do
yourself a favor and take a look at the "Publications"
section. You are going to learn a lot of exciting things. I
highly recommend taking this course with Dr. Farooq. You
will not regret it!
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-17 | ★★★★★
This class was an incredible learning experience and I would
highly recommend it to anyone who needs to complete the BMB
401 course. Like most students, I was nervous entering the
class and didn't know what to expect from it. I had heard
that it was one of the more vigorous, intensive courses that
you can take at UM, but after a few classes of adjusting to
the class structure and Professor Farooq's teaching style,
it became very manageable and easy to keep up with.
Professor Farooq's class structure is remarkably organized
and he provides help with whatever you need, whenever you
need it. It was certainly a very difficult course and
demanded intense study efforts, but above all else it was
very fair and it challenged me to think critically in class,
in the library, and during exams. I was very happy with the
learning experience. Thank you professor Farooq!
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-17 | ★★★★★
When I first registered for biochemistry I was scared about
what I was getting myself into. Contrary to popular belief
Professor Farooq made the class fun and interesting each and
every day. His slides are crystal clear and detailed with
pictures. Being a visual learner, the slides put the words
into perspective. In addition, Professor Farooq has a
passion for the subject like nothing you will see from
anyone else. He wants the best for each student and he will
be there for you before and after class to answer any and
all questions. By no means is this class easy, but with an
adequate amount of work and effort into preparing for class
each day and studying ahead for the tests, an A if very
achievable.
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-17 | ★★★★★
When I first registered for BMB401, I was nervous having
heard about the professor's reputation. On the first day of
class, I was able to see first hand the intensity and
passion Dr. Farooq held for this biochemistry content.
Throughout the Fall, my love for the science grew as well -
largely in part of Dr. F's constant enthusiasm and logical
lecturing approaches. In this class, every point matters;
the quizzes should be taken seriously and the exams are
challenging, yet doable. Overall, I learned more in BMB401
than I have in a lot of my cellular biology or chemistry
courses combined, and would recommend this course to anyone
looking to pursue a career in any field of science!
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-16 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq was able to make a very difficult class very
manageable. Although it was a lot of work, his organization
and enthusiasm were of immense help. His powerpoints were
organized in such a way that the material flowed logically
and where each lecture built upon the last. He was an
excellent teacher and taught me how to understand the
material rather than simply memorize it which is a skill
that will undoubtable be very useful int he future. Thank
you Dr. Farooq for a wonderful semester.
A Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-16 | ★★★★★
This class has been one of the most rewarding learning
experiences at UM - it thoroughly prepares you for the
Biochemistry portion of the MCAT. Professor Farooq clearly
outlines the most important concepts learned throughout the
semester, and maps those topics well in his lecture notes.
Overall, I believe this class is truly beneficial for any
pre-medical students that need to prepare themselves for the
MCAT and medical school. Professor Farooq was always willing
to answer any questions I had about the topics at hand, and
was always accessible through email and by phone. The time
and effort you put into this class is directly reflected in
what you get out of it - the quizzes help you stay on track
and learn the material as it is presented to you. I had a
great experience this semester!
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-16 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq broke down the challenging concepts of
biochemistry in a remarkably organized and elegant manner.
His excellence in teaching sets a high standard for all
professors of all disciplines. He does not sugarcoat the
material. His classes are straightforward and to the point
as he does not waste time with irrelevant information.
In order to master the course, you must live and breathe the
material every single day. You will not get an easy ‘A’,
but if you dedicate the proper time and energy, you will be
rewarded. Professor Farooq’s exams are fair, all the while
ensuring that you will have an in-depth grasp of the
material at hand. Looking back, Professor Farooq’s quizzes
forced me to learn the material in little bites at a time
and left me with no option to procrastinate. My advice
to current and future students is to not let yourselves get
intimidated by the material. Ask questions! During class,
after class, or before class. I especially enjoyed the fact
that Professor Farooq encouraged students to call him at any
time when faced with any doubts. Overall, I am very
grateful to have had Professor Farooq as my biochemistry
professor. He really cares about his students and is
passionate for what he does. I firmly believe that his
course has equipped me with a solid foundation which will
most certainly be put to good use on my journey as aspiring
doctor. I give professor Farooq and his biochemistry course
my highest recommendation to all of my peers.
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-16 | ★★★★★
This was one of the most well-structured and informative
classes that I have ever taken at any university. It was
clear that Professor Farooq is an expert in the field of
biochemistry, but also that he understands how to teach
students and in what ways they learn best. This is a
rigorous course and not one to be taken lightly. The key to
doing well is to stay on track, attend classes, ask
questions, and attend the workshops. If you do so, you can
expect to do well in the course. To do exceptionally well,
however, you must put in the additional time. It is possible
to do! Professor Farooq ensures that he supplies all
students with the necessary tools to succeed, but it is up
to you to take advantage of them. I very much enjoyed this
class and would recommend this course and professor to
others.
A+ Student | FALL 2017 | 2017-12-15 | ★★★★★
Overall, I am very pleased that I had taken this class. Dr.
Farooq has done an amazing job with constructing this course
and its material in order to present students the necessary
knowledge of biochem. Dr. Farooq is a great professor and a
very nice man who tries his best to be present for his
students. However, he can be a very unapproachable at some
times, so he does need to work on his relationship with his
students. Don't let this stop you for taking this class,
though, as it is so informative and edifying. I would be a
liar to say this course is not challenging, and students
must work very hard to earn a good grade. This is a very
demanding course, and you receive as much as you give. With
that said, I would say that exam questions did not truly
test comprehension but rather an interesting form of
memorization. You must memorize and comprehend the material
very well in order to master the exams. If you think that
you have a good grasp on the material, and understand how
certain processes overall, that's great, but you MUST know
the nitty gritty details and SPELLINGS of words. Thus, when
Dr. Farooq says, "Do not memorize," he means do not learn
the material through memorization of words. You need to
comprehend and then memorize everything. Don't be too afraid
or daunted to take this course. After the first test, you
will become aware of the way questions are asked, and you
will do well as long as you work hard. As I said before, if
I were to change anything, I would want better questions on
the exam to truly test intelligence rather than which slide
I memorized the best. I hope this helps!
A Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-12-15 | ★★★★★
I just want to say Professor Farooq is one of the best
professors I ever had at the University of Miami. His slides
are very clear and the textbook is not even necessary.
Professor Farooq also has amazing enthusiasm for
Biochemistry and makes the subject very engaging. He is
extremely helpful and helps you approach Biochemistry in a
logical manner rather just memorization. He is very helpful
during workshop sessions and practice test sessions. He even
goes above and beyond to allow students to call him when
ever they need help understanding the information. He was
also extremely nice to allow the students to retake one of
their worst exams. Professor Farooq is such a blessing and I
am extremely grateful that I took his class.
A+ Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-12-15 | ★★★★★
Like all classes, you get what you put into it. A lot of
times it is hard to know what you should study and what you
shouldn't, but Dr. Farooq makes sure his slides are filled
only with the most relevant information critical to having
an understanding of Biochemistry. Dr. Farooq isn't so
concerned about teaching extraneous information as he is
about providing the foundations of understanding so that
when you encounter anything new you may be able to tackle it
correctly and efficiently. Biochemistry is dense so at the
end of the day... Take your time.
A Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-12-15 | ★★★★★
This course might seem challenging but Professor Farooq does
a great job of being as detailed as possible when it comes
to lecturing and his powerpoints. He will answer all
questions and all you need to succeed in his course is on
his powerpoints. Studying before class is highly recommended
in order to do well on the quizzes because he has to move
quickly in order to cover all the material. Overall, the
class was a joy and you will have learned biochemisty very
well by the end of the course
A Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-12-15 | ★★★★★
I think Professor Farooq does a phenomenal job of conveying
to his students what information is necessary and what is
not. He says that the best way to learn is to think about
things logically, which is so accurate and is truly the best
way to retain information. Dr. Farooq is more than fair and
gives students the opportunity to retake an exam because he
understands that college is a busy time and sometimes you
have an off day or week and need to redo a test. He is the
only professor I've ever had to grant this opportunity to
students and I am so grateful for his generosity. He also
offered review sessions before every exam, and although many
students opted not to go to these, I found them incredibly
useful and took the opportunity to ask Dr. Farooq questions
one-on-one. I highly recommend this class and truly think it
was one of the best classes I've taken at UM.
A Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-12-12 | ★★★★★
I enjoyed this class very much, Dr. Farooq entertains all
questions and makes himself available at all times over the
phone. The exams test exactly the material taught in lecture
and does not pull any punches. Although difficult BMB 401 is
a class that every student can get an A in if they put in
the work which is unique within the premed required classes.
A Student | SPRING 2016 | 2017-12-11 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq's BMB 401 class was extremely insightful. The the
information load is heavy, but it is all necessary and it is
provided to us in a very organized manner. His lectures are
very informative and he answers questions with great detail
and background. He was always willing to give help on
puzzling topics before or after lecture and shows concern
for the students he teaches. I enjoyed the class very much
and find the knowledge that I gained from that class to be
invaluable!
A Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-10-12 | ★★★★★
I had previously taken BMB401 with another professor but had
to withdraw the class after the second exam due to really
low scores. Thus I was very apprehensive taking the class
again. However, I was extremely happy with my decision after
attending the first week of lectures. The PowerPoint slides
are so clearly and logically arranged that I understood the
material much better this time around. I am currently using
those same slides to study for the MCAT and the way
Professor Farooq logically explains each topic during the
lectures has definitely helped me understand biochemistry in
a more comprehensive manner. Not only that, due to his
enthusiasm towards the content and efficiency in the class
structuring, I also enjoyed learning the material and had a
great time trying to apply that knowledge onto the
challenging questions offered in his exams. This class is
geared towards helping you achieve your best score and
provides you with all the resources you would ever need, you
just have to put in the time and energy to get well-
acquainted with the large amount of information and
concepts.
A- Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-09-27 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq's powerpoint slides are very clear and concise,
eliminating the need for a textbook. If you are pre-med,
his lectures are very beneficial for the MCAT. His exams
are very detailed so study hard. Plan on studying a week
and a half before the exam.
A- Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-09-27 | ★★★★★
While I was apprehensive of taking Biochem going into the
class, I rapidly learned that the material is taught very
well and efficiently by Dr. Farooq. His slides are concise
and clear and he presents the info very well. Dr. Farooq
is also very accessible, both before and after class, in his
office hours, and via phone, which I used multiple times
when I had questions about the topics we covered.
Personally, the information was very interesting and I
enjoyed learning the inner workings of cells at such a deep
level. Additionally, this class undoubtedly helped me
for the MCAT. The Biochem and biology section was my
strongest of all sections. I credit this to having taken
biochemistry with Dr. Farooq.
A- Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-08-27 | ★★★★★
BMB is a difficult class, but not impossible . You will
succeed only if you are willing to put in the time and
energy that the material requires. Do not hesitate to ask
questions. Professor Farooq is happy to answer questions.
Not only can you make an appointment in office hours, but
you can also reach him over the phone for explanations while
you are studying. I found this to be very helpful because if
I had any doubts about the material I could ask right away.
A- Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-08-26 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry is notoriously known for being a difficult and
challenging course amongst college students everywhere.
However, Dr. Farooq has broken down and structured his
course to present and teach the material in the most clear
and concise way possible. Every one of his lectures reflects
his passion for the material AND his students. He is very
open to answering questions and will halt the lecture to
explain the content if a student desires. After taking his
course, I can confidently say I have not only learned the
material but have also retained it.
A+ Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-08-24 | ★★★☆☆
Pros- Powerpoints are excellent. Very clear and concise, and
material outside this is not tested. Cons- Just memorizing
them is required, no actual application of the concepts.
Class is also very uninteresting, and Professor Farooq can
be rude at times.
A Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-08-22 | ★★★★★
Very good professor! Comprehensive slides so no textbook is
needed, and you learn to think about the subject in a
logical way. Definitely challenging at times, but the
quizzes and practice exams help. Professor Farooq is very
helpful in his teaching and answering any questions along
the way. 10/10!
A- Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-08-22 | ★★★★☆
Professor Farooq's powerpoint were very detailed and
structured in a greatly comprehendible manner. Biochemistry
is a very difficult subject, but with diligence, time
management, and conscientious effort, this course is
achievable. The key to this course is class attendance,
which allows you to gain a thorough understanding of the
material.
A+ Student | SPRING 2016 | 2017-08-21 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry was a unique course in my time here at UM so
far; it is the only course where the PowerPoint slides were
fully representative of the material in a clear and concise
manner, and the professor was able to answer all of our
questions with clarity. Although the tests were not easy,
they were reasonable given the material presented and the
practice tests were very representative of the tests, giving
students a clear picture of a path to success.
A Student | FALL 2016 | 2017-08-21 | ★★★★★
As someone on the premed track this course was one of my
favorite at UM. It combines all the biology and chemistry
you have been learning for the past 2 years into a
fascinating class. The lectures are well organized and the
notes provided online make them extremely easily to follow
and use as notes for the exams. Also be sure to take the
practice exams but don't rely on them too heavily for what
the actual exams will look like.
C+ Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-08-16 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry it’s an exciting and interesting subject, and
professor Farooq made it even more interesting. In the
beginning I was scared because I knew it was going to be
challenging, and sure it was, but professor Farooq was
really successful at explaining and dissecting the material
in the best possible way for students to comprehend. His
passion for biochemistry is noticeable in every lecture he
gives, and he really cares about teaching students to learn
and understand the material rather than just memorizing it.
His exams are very fair and straight forward, all you need
to know for the test is in his power point lectures so you
have to make sure you study ahead of time and put in the
effort to be successful in the exams. Furthermore, it is
very helpful and necessary to read the lectures ahead of
time and prepare before class to be able to follow along
with the class and do well on the quizzes. Although my final
grade might not reflect the best grade, I can say that I
truly learned a lot in this class, and professor Farooq was
an excellent instructor that truly cares about his
student’s success.
A+ Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-08-16 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq was an awesome biochemistry professor! His
notes were exceptional and prepared you well for the exams
as well as the MCAT. His class is structured well, with end
of class quizzes to test your knowledge which helps you to
be better prepared for exams. You get your scores back
immediately which is also cool! Overall, best biochemistry
professor you could have!
A+ Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-08-16 | ★★★★★
I thought Dr. Farooq was a very good professor. His notes
are very straight forward and concise, and they are the best
tool to use to study for the class. Dr. Farooq goes over the
notes in great detail during class. I believe the exams and
quizzes are fair. Although they are challenging, all
material tested is provided for in the notes. Overall, I had
an awesome experience in this class and enjoyed the teaching
style.
A+ Student | FALL 2016 | 2017-08-16 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq is an excellent teacher that challenges
every student to be the best student they can be. By
focusing his attention on important Biochemistry concepts
that are important in the medical field, this class prepares
you very well for the MCAT exam and can translate to other
courses at Miami as well.
A Student | FALL 2016 | 2017-08-15 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry is a difficult course. There is no doubt about
that. However, Dr. Farooq does an EXCELLENT job of providing
you with the materials that you need to succeed! If you want
to do well, you need to put in the time! Dr. Farooq was very
concise and specific about what he wanted you to know. It
was a very fair class, to say the least. He is very
knowledgeable about the subject and I urge future students
to go up, introduce yourself, and ask questions whenever you
need help. I would recommend this class to all students
thinking of taking Biochem.
A+ Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-08-14 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq is one of the best professors at the
University of Miami! There was never a hesitation in class
to pause the lecture to further explain a concept/topic
before moving on! His notes were always helpful and arranged
in a manner that was easy to comprehend! His class alone
prepared me extremely well for the MCAT and when it came
time to study the material in the biochemistry section, I
was amazed at how much material I was able to recall and
immediately understand as a result of taking Professor
Farooq's course!
A+ Student | FALL 2016 | 2017-08-14 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq was by far one of the most amazing professors I
have had here at UMiami. Although the class may seem
difficult, he gives every student multiple opportunities to
demonstrate their knowledge. By challenging yourself to
succeed, you truly develop an understanding of biochemistry
that is useful throughout college. I would definitely
recommend this class to any one following the pre-health
track, as well as those studying for the MCAT. Best of luck!
A Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-08-14 | ★★★★★
Though I was a little overwhelmed at first, this class
proved to be, if not the best, one of the best classes I
have taken at UM. Professor Farooq emphasized the need to
understand the material rather than just simply memorize the
details, and for the first time, I was able to see how doing
so really pays off. I think the class is very fair in how it
evaluates its students, and I believe it is set up in a way
where your grade will truly reflect the effort and work you
put in. I learned a lot from Professor Farooq, and would
strongly recommend this class to anyone with a drive to do
well.
A- Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-08-14 | ★★★★★
Biochemistry is a tough class, especially with all the
material that is being covered in one semester only. Yet
professor Farooq makes it easier in terms that all you need
to know is very precise and clear on the slides. Professor
Farooq makes sure to go over every single detail on the
slides, which is extremely beneficial when studying for the
MCAT for his way makes you remember the information, not
only for the BMB exams, but later when taking the MCAT. The
grading system is very fair and students have multiple
opportunities to boost their grade and get the grade they
deserve.
A- Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-08-12 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq is by far one of the fairest professors at the
University of Miami. Although his class may seem difficult
as the material is very dense, he gives every student
multiple opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge. Not
only does learning this material help you succeed in the
course, but also prepares you for a more further
understanding of the material, thereby allowing mastery
while studying for the MCAT, DAT, and other qualifying exams
to further education.
A+ Student | SPRING 2016 | 2017-08-12 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq's Biochemistry class gave a great overview of the
course. I found it incredibly helpful and the way in which
it was taught allowed me to retain the information well
after the course. I found it to be a great intro to the
course before studying for the MCAT as well. I would highly
recommend his class to others.
A Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-08-11 | ★★★★★
Dr.Farooq teaches one a comprehensive overview of
biochemistry. He was able to provide me a background great
for research purposes as well as preparing me for tests such
as the MCAT. Would highly recommend to any student looking
to fully understand the materials if willing to study
diligently!
A Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-08-11 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq's class will prepare you well for any
further courses or research in the field of Biochemistry. He
is extremely detailed in his slides and lectures and
structures his class in a way that forces the student to
stay on top of the material, maximizing their learning
experience. He goes to great lengths to ensure that every
student succeeds in his class if they put in the effort.
A+ Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-08-11 | ★★★★★
You learn a lot of really important things in this class.
Taking this class before I studied for the MCAT was
incredibly helpful, it made all the biochemistry material on
the exam a breeze. Tests and quizzes are fair, you just have
to put in the work, and you can definitely get the grade you
want.
A Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-08-11 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq is a fantastic teacher. Thoroughly enjoyed
attending his classes. Because of the end-of-class 10-
question assessments I can truly say that I learned
something new each and every day. I would recommend Dr.
Farooq to anyone. Ps: For all premed students out there, a
strong understanding in biochemistry is critical for doing
well in future STEM oriented courses, the MCAT exam, and the
career of your choosing. Dr. Farooq strives to maximize your
understanding of biochemistry. Overall, great class...great
professor.
A- Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-08-11 | ★★★★★
Honestly one of the best professors I've had here. The
course material obviously isn't easy but he explains complex
ideas very well and has amazing slides to go with them.
Every class he would stay after and answer any personal
questions or concerns students had. Professor Farooq is an
incredibly friendly and genuinely cares about this subject
and his students. The format of the class was helpful as
well. His quizzes weren't fun for sure, but they definitely
kept everyone on track and helped a lot come test time. The
info is very relevant on the MCAT, too. His tests are
challenging, but if you study you will do well in the class
and everything you need to know is on the slides already.
Good luck!
A- Student | FALL 2016 | 2017-08-11 | ★★★★★
Dr. Farooq was a very dedicated and diligent professor. He
cared about students doing well in his class and always gave
opportunities to bring up our grades. He vas very helpful
and knowledgeable about the subject and I believe that he is
the best qualified person to teach this course!
A- Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-08-10 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq makes the concepts of biochemistry easy to
understand. The key to succeeding is going to class and
dedicating time to reading his slides. Everything that he
expects you to know are in his slides. His slide notes are
valuable for not only his test, but as well for studying for
the MCAT. I will always be grateful that I had professor
Farooq as my biochemistry teacher.
A+ Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-08-10 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq was an excellent teacher. I found that
there was no need to refer to a textbook because his slides
and lecture were very concise and comprehensible. His
examinations are fair and the quizzes at the end of the
lecture offer an excellent means to test your understanding
of the material and determine how much you should prepare.
You won't find another professor that puts in as much time
for his students. For instance, he tries to learn all his
students names and puts in the effort to establish
relationships with his student. He will always make time to
answer questions before or after lecture. It is very evident
how much he wants his students to learn biochemistry and I
encourage any prospective students to take his class.
A+ Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-08-10 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq was one of the most dedicated and
hardworking professors I've had. His dedication to
delivering quality lectures, addressing student's questions,
and creating holistic intellectual lessons is reflected in
each of his classes. Professor Farooq has high expectations
for himself and all of his students, which leads to a
respectful, and responsible environment. Dr. Farooq will
always help students that are struggling and looks for
innovative, new, and effective ways to advance the
classroom. I would give interested students my highest mark
of recommendation to take his class.
A+ Student | SPRING 2017 | 2017-08-10 | ★★★★☆
His powerpoints were very clear and going to class really
helped me understand the material presented. I felt as
though I learned a lot from this class.
A+ Student | FALL 2016 | 2017-08-10 | ★★★★★
I learned more from Biochem 401 than any other class I have
taken at UM, thanks to Professor Farooq! Everything that is
expected of students is outlined very clearly at the
beginning of the semester. Furthermore, the slides Professor
Farooq created for the class are one of the most valuable
tools any student could have, I still use them to study for
the MCAT and as help in understanding academic journals! Put
in the work and you will receive an excellent grade and a
wealth of knowledge.
A+ Student | FALL 2016 | 2017-08-10 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq's lectures clearly indicate exactly what
you need to know. His power points are efficient and help
you prepare for not only the in-class tests but are also a
useful tool for studying for the MCAT if you're on the pre-
med track. The tests are fair and straightforward but you do
need to put in time to study and clearly understand the
material. Overall, a very fair class with expectations
clearly outlined at the beginning.
A+ Student | FALL 2016 | 2017-08-10 | ★★★★★
Professor Farooq is one of the most prepared, dedicated and
intelligent professors at UM. His notes that he provides are
the keys to success in the course. It is rare that
professors give their students absolutely everything they
need to succeed in their course and he does exactly that.
The time, work and effort put into BMB 401 is exactly what
you get out of it. Professor Farooq is also extremely fair
and easily reachable. I am very happy to have had the
experience to take this challenging yet rewardable class
with Professor Farooq and I will use the information I
learned for the rest of my academic career.