Kirsten Fertuck is a Biology professor at Northeastern University rated 3.06/5 by 460 students, with 3.61/5 difficulty and 33.0% who would take them again (TRACE + RateMyProfessors + Reddit, updated July 2026).
Kirsten Fertuck professor reviews and ratings: 3.06/5 from 460 student reviews at Northeastern (33.0% would take again). TRACE + RateMyProfessor + Reddit.
I was honestly really scared to take this class based on her reviews but it was much better than I anticipated. Biochem is hard but she's a great teacher. if you use the resources she gives you and actually study you can succeed. also really helpful if you have to take the mcat, i feel like i got a great biochem comprehension from her course.BIO3611 2026-02-17 19:37:41 +0000 UTC
The class was VERY organised and VERY structured, and Professor is very knowledgeable and caring, but can come off as condescending. Exams were based very similarly to the study guides, and there is honestly not a ton of material, so it ends up being pretty easy. But attendance is VERY important, and participation matters to make her like youBIO2299 2026-01-04 23:49:23 +0000 UTC
Her class was structured extremely well and her expectations were clear. The lectures were interesting and this was honestly my favorite class I took this semester. She provides practice tests for exams, which helped me a ton. However, she is condescending and rude. If you participate too much, she gets snippy. Good professor, not too nice, though.BIOL2299 2025-12-02 03:54:11 +0000 UTC
I actually enjoyed her lectures and understood concepts well, but her exams are extremely difficult. They are unnecessarily complicated and if you are a slow test-taker, they are hard to finish. I've never done so poorly in class, esp with concepts I really knew/understood. Additionally, she is very condescending and not easy to approach.BIOL3611 2025-08-23 14:59:49 +0000 UTC
I thought that the exams were way more difficult than they had to be, and were much more difficult than the practice done in class. The entire class is a lecture besides 10 minutes of group work every class that she uses as attendance. I think she seems to be a really nice person and is very knowledgeable about biochemistry, but it was very hard.BIO3611 2025-06-18 15:27:52 +0000 UTC
Attendance mandatory. Tests are so wordy and like an SAT. Would not take again with this Inquiries topic, take an easier one.BIO2299 2025-09-03 01:11:54 +0000 UTC
Feel like other reviews are being overtly harsh. Lectures could be slow but were thorough + there was ample review material from past lessons which made studying for exams extremely easy. Reasonable amount of hw & other assignments given with clear deadlines, instructions & rubrics. Prof was also very understanding & made it interesting to learn.BIOL2299 2025-04-24 04:48:05 +0000 UTC
prof fertuck is not horrible, but her explanations are unclear and i learned far more from youtube and other supplemental sources. exams are formatted like the SAT where there's a bunch of meaningless jargon to trip you up and it doesn't even help with finding the answer. 35% of your grade is basically padding, and trust me, you're gonna need it.BIOL3611 2025-06-29 20:45:30 +0000 UTC
She's very knowledgable, but talks down to students so you feel like you're in kindergarten all over again. The gremlin voice is funny at first, but gets annoying VERY quickly. Exams are EXTREMELY nit-picky, require you to read a paragraph before you even get to the question, and were 18 pages (front and back) for 30 questions for reference. BEWAREBIO3611 2023-06-24 01:55:26 +0000 UTC
She tries to be nice but it comes across as very condescending and treats you like a kid. Her lecture slides are fine but the way they're explained in class is very inefficient and very slow. She is very controlling and I would not recommend.BIO2299 2025-03-29 17:39:12 +0000 UTC
You can tell Prof. Fertuck is very knowledgeable about the subject but she's an incredibly boring lecturer as mentioned in other reviews. Exams are wordy and could be confusing but if you pay attention in class you will do well. Attendance, PollEv, and weekly quizzes are easy points and will bump your grade up. She will also curve the exam scores.BIOL2299 2024-04-14 21:57:36 +0000 UTC
Her exams resemble the SAT questions a lot. She is very condescending and in my opinion, she lacks social cues. I would avoid her at all costs. While she is extremely knowledgeable, she is not very approachable. Exams are only 30 questions, so you cannot get like more than 5 questions wrong.BIOL3611 2024-06-14 14:22:27 +0000 UTC
I feel bad for everyone taking Biochemistry and have no choice but to take professor Fertuck. She is by far the worst professor I've ever had here at NU. She will trick you on exams!! But my advice to you is to study her ppt slides and read the book! You have no choice but to take her! I think it's time NU hire others Biochem professors! Good luckBIO3611 2019-05-01 04:06:34 +0000 UTC
Eh she was a good teacher and cared about how much we learn. But it did feel a little like I was being babied and even if I did know what I was doing. Tbh it's not hard to get a decent grade but I wouldn't say I looked forward to going to class.BIO2299 2025-03-27 19:48:20 +0000 UTC
Literally the worst person at this university. Treats kids like 5 year olds. Avoid at all costs. Prayers up to all biochem majors forced to deal with her.BIOL2299 2024-04-12 16:47:07 +0000 UTC
Kirsten Fertuck has an average rating of 3.06/5 from 460 student reviews. 33.0% of students said they would take them again.
Kirsten Fertuck's classes have a difficulty rating of 3.61/5 based on student reviews.
Kirsten Fertuck has taught BIOL3612, BIOL2299, BIOL3611, BIOC1000, BIOL4701, BIOL2323 at Northeastern.
Data updated July 2026.