David Polson - University of Victoria, Victoria, BC

Professor: David Polson

Department: Psychology

College: University of Victoria, Victoria, BC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PSY201
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Polson is a very kind prof. The course material is dry, as is his delivery, but his soundtracks and quirky slides make it bearable. Plenty of opportunity for extra credit, and if you put in the time you will do well!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PSYC201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He does a grade job teaching what is probably the most dry material in existence. Very detailed lecture slides, fair tests, and lots of opportunity for extra credit. He made this course bearable.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PSY201
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He seemed like a fair teacher although some of his material seemed outdated. He was fairly approachable and provided extra examples if the class wasn't getting it.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PSY201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He was a good prof. The class is dry, technical, and boring and his exams were quite tough, but he was clear about what to pay attention to, what to know for exams and was thorough in his lectures. He was very helpful when I emailed or went to see him in office hours. The assignments and quizzes were useful in learning the material.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PSY201
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He was truly a tough grader but he is a good teacher. He is very thorough and detailed in his lectures. He sometimes uses youtube videos in class which surprisingly worked to explain stuff people had a hard time grasping. The lectures were sometimes boring but overall his class prepared my very well for psych 300A so I am happy.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PSYC201
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Polson does try to make lectures better by playing music and using study examples that catch your attention, but he does not reply to emails seeking help or clarification, ignores people's hands in class, tests on the hardest material, has unclear expectations and is quite frankly impossible to pay attention to. I doubt he likes teaching at all.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PSYC387
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He really takes time to help students understand. Very helpful if you contact him. He expected a lot, I had to put in double the amount of work for this class than comparable 3XX Psychology classes. I recommend you learn any peg-words he recommends, because they will be on your final.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PSY201
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Dr Polson is extremely clear. The material is well structured, and the expectations are plainly laid out. Stats is not my thing, but got an A+ and even became a little more open-minded about stats. He's not particularly exciting or inspiring, but he's a great teacher anyways. I was VERY well prepared for 300A.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PSYC338
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. Polson is extremely monotone, so lectures can be boring. However, he provides a million little assignments, which is annoying at first until you realize they do actually help you learn the material.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PSCY210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Reads directly off the powerpoints in a monotone voice the entire time. Cringeworthy animated powerpoint slides with a classic rock sound track. So much homework, tons of readings, he even includes questions on tests based on his own opinions that directly oppose what is stated in the textbook he assigned for this course.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PSYC338
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He really encourages students to become engaged with the material. At first, some of the assignments feel overwhelming, but they really help your understanding of the material. He offers many opportunities for extra credit, so if you show up, put in an effort, and take advantage of extra credit, there's no reason you shouldn't get an A.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PSCY210
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Polson assigns a ton of homework and it seems overwhelming at first, but it helps you keep up with the course work and his little assignments really help to boost your grade. His tests are very fair and his lectures are structured. It it very clear what is expected of you, all in all a very good prof!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PSYC210
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Best prof ever - learned so much that I can apply to my daily life. Fair, prepared, organized, knowledgeable. Highly recommend.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PSY201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I really liked the prof. Learned a lot from different course components!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PSYC338
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He is awesome! This was my favourite class this semester. He's super approachable and really wants you to succeed. I got 100% in this course and I was taking 5 other classes.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PSYC338
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

This class takes up a lot of time because of all the different components; however, those components do help with learning rather complex subject matter. This class wouldn't be ideal for people who prefer a slower pace to their lectures. If you like fast paced courses and you're interested in the subject matter this class is a good choice.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PSYC338
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Polson is one of my favorite profs of all time. He genuinely wants his students to succeed, and even provides extra credit opportunities. Psyc 338 is a great class to take with him, as it is his speciality. Attending lectures is VERY helpful, as he explains the material very well, which really helps prepare students for his exams. Highly recommend!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH338
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Hated this teacher. Lots and i mean LOTS of homework. Pre Class Quizzes InClass Pop Quizzes Group activities that take over an hour to prepare ( Theres 10 of them!! ) Pre Test for the Test Lots of chances to get grades, and bonus. Will Make you work for it. Way to Overwhelming when I had 2 other classes to deal with. Never again.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH338
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Worst prof ever. Tests are hard and tricky. You have to go to lectures or you won't be able to understand the material just from reading the textbook and you won't understand the slides he posts online without him explaining them. But hard to pay attention to him when he's so monotone and makes the material so dry!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PSYC338
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Polson puts a lot of effort in to the course material, plus he makes it very clear he wants you to succeed - he even gives you the opportunity for up to 3% in bonus marks. Definitely recommend him, just be prepared to do lots of homework and in-class discussions.