Michele Zee is a Psychology professor at Northeastern University rated 2.8/5 by 28 students, with 4.0/5 difficulty and 22.0% who would take them again (TRACE + RateMyProfessors + Reddit, updated July 2026).
Michele Zee professor reviews and ratings: 2.8/5 from 28 student reviews at Northeastern (22.0% would take again). TRACE + RateMyProfessor + Reddit.
She is very intelligent and knows her stuff. She is a great lecturer as she explains things into great detail. She can be condescending at times, but really wants her students to understand the material. Her exams are difficult as they aren't based on her lectures. They are based on your knowledge and how well you know different processes.PSYCH3458 2019-05-05 18:00:14 +0000 UTC
Literally the worst teacher. There is no doubt that she is very intelligent, but she does not know how to teach. Specifically, she does not teach in a way that attempts to make sense to students, and makes units far more difficult than they need to be. Her lectures are so confusing and impossible to follow. Exams are extremely difficult.PSYC3458 2019-03-21 20:02:07 +0000 UTC
She reads off the slides. She is clearly knowledgeable about the subject material but is not able to translate what we have learned in class to the exams. When a lot of the kids get a question wrong in class, she nods and then moves on without explaining it. Find another professor if possible, if not, good luck because it's not going to be easy.BIO3403 2018-11-14 18:24:42 +0000 UTC
I know of at least 6 people out of 60 that dropped her class. I think I'm pretty middle of the road for NU, and I couldn't get above a 62 on her exams. Teaching style was ineffective and her tests are made to trick you.BIOL3405 2018-05-01 09:19:06 +0000 UTC
Made relatively simple concepts much more difficult than they needed to be. Lectures were unclear and exams were made to trick you-even with the study guides. Few students enjoyed and did well in class. If you take a class with her, good luck!BIO3405 2018-01-11 21:16:06 +0000 UTC
While she is an incredibly organized and helpful professor who is well respected by students, her teaching this semester was not very helpful. Her lectures were packed with information and her tests were made to trick you, which is unnecessary for a basic level course.BIOPSYCH 2015-07-11 14:39:33 +0000 UTC
STUDY! If you read the case studies, pay attention to the lectures (easier said than done), participate in top hat and study everything, you will pass. It's not a class you can slack off in, but it's not impossible either. Go to her if you are confused about something and ask in a polite way. She can have a bit of a 'tude.3458 2015-05-20 22:56:56 +0000 UTC
By far the worst professor I have had at NEU. Psychobio is fairly easy when taught properly. Sadly, Zee is an absolutely terrible professor. She makes everything infinitely more complicated than what it needs to be. I actively don't listen to her in class because she is so confusing. Instead I watched lectures online from other professors.PSYCHBIO 2015-02-08 13:14:32 +0000 UTC
Her powerpoints were the most confusing thing ever-very random and PACKED with information. She rambles (very fast) and lacked organization. Definitely needed to read over the pwrpnts before tests multiple times. Thing that saved me was the study guides- most information on test is from the study guide so make sure you look at them3508 2014-11-04 23:07:45 +0000 UTC
Animal Behavior sounds interesting but Zee made it so boring. She was quite disorganized in her methods and answered questions unclearly, sometimes not answering them at all. Also, she doesn't realize neurobio is not a prereq, so she talks about hormones, etc. without properly explaining. You'll do fine if you go to class and take notes.BIOL3404 2012-03-29 18:14:02 +0000 UTC
Third class with her. The best teacher i've had by far. Extremely helpful, always answers questions, ppts are online. She makes study guides for her tests which are super helpful, but she likes to make you think so tests are not easy. Take this with her if you want to learn a lot, but be prepared to put the work in.BIO3458 2012-03-25 19:32:19 +0000 UTC
Do not take a class with this professor and avoid all interaction if possible. No class structure, imcomprehensible handouts, 5th grade projects, grades papers 3 months after assigned, unecessarily hard exams and will argue with you until she is out of breath. She may be knowledgeable but is not helpful or clear. The worst class I have ever taken.BIOU3403 2010-04-16 00:53:05 +0000 UTC
Tough teacher but very good. Test are hard because she goes much more in depth than the other Psychobiology teachers. Read all of her power points and any videos that she posts cause it will be on the exam. She is very nice and is willing to help you if you reach out.PSYCH3458 2009-12-14 14:41:17 +0000 UTC
I am an honors student and I struggle in her classes greatly. Her tests are formatted to trick her students and she seems to be apathetic to students who struggle or don't understand the content right away. She doesn't test her students on their knowledge, but rather expects them to know the answers to things she never actually explained. TERRIBLEPSYC3458 2019-02-06 19:44:48 +0000 UTC
Her exam questions are designed to really make you think but she omits questions if most of the class gets it wrong, which is VERY generous. I got a C on the first exam, went to her office and looked it over to see what I got wrong and why, and the exam after I got an A. She's overall a great professor who will help you if you ask.BIO3403 2010-03-27 14:32:03 +0000 UTC
Michele Zee has an average rating of 2.8/5 from 28 student reviews. 22.0% of students said they would take them again.
Michele Zee's classes have a difficulty rating of 4.0/5 based on student reviews.
Michele Zee has taught PSYC3508, PSYC3458, BIOL3403, BIOL3405 at Northeastern.
Data updated July 2026.