John Burbidge - University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON

Professor: John Burbidge

Department: Economics

College: University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ECON401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

the way he explains concepts is just boring, sometime doesn't even make sense. Would have been easier if he threw out some examples. Would have been much easier if you self learned the textbook.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ECON393
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

If you do all his practice problems you will get nothing short of a 95.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ECON211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Really knows his stuff, a bit hard to follow at times esp to those who don't have a clear math background and doesn't always grasp the class's attention. Very fair marking schemes, tries to be clear at explaining.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ECON401
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I would say this course itself is difficult. The notes and handouts can be very difficult to understand. If u just want to have a high grade, then remember all his sample questions. However, if you do wanna learn something , better understand his notes.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ECON401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Prof Burbidge is not a good teacher by any means. He talks at the students rather then to the students. His style of education is something that might have worked decades ago, but now it's just outdated. Combined with his monotonic voice, and bored appearance, I'd recommend not taking his course if grad school is in your agenda.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ECON401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I am speaking to those who're not planning on going to grad school for economics...just MEMORIZE all the solutions to all his sample questions and past exams (only for proofs). Calculations you would have to learn how to solve (not difficult). Don't buy the textbook (again, unless you want to go to grad school for economics)

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ECON401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great professor, Tests and assignments were fair in both content and how he marks them, The class is quite technical but he will explain and re-explain anything you want. Gives many resources and practice problems to allow you to do well.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ECON211
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Sweeping overview type course, lectures were dry and disengaging, organized delivery of content but could have discussed economic applications in more detail, answered questions poorly and totally lost class' attention, everything bellcurved

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ECON401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

The lectures had too many pictures and diagrams presented as proofs. As for the tests, just memorize the solutions to the practice problems and that should be at least an easy 80.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ECON401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Interesting yet dry. Do tons of practice and you'll be alright.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ECON401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Grumpy and rude.Needs to retire.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ECON401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

do the problems, go to lectures, practice like crazy and memorize his solutions because he likes the way he writes things out. 50% memorization, 50% understanding...sometimes uses the exact same #s

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ECON401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

just do his examples, and you'll be ok, sometimes he seems like he's bored, but overall not bad

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ECON401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He's ok..sraightforward and to the point. No tricks usually. Just study hard and listen to all the things he says but doesn't write down.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ECON401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Whoever said this is not a class for memorizors is crazy. His exams are literally the exact same as his practice problems (not even numbers changed!) There are 1 or 2 tough problems at the end but if you go to class and take notes then you are fine! Really nice and interested in the material.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ECON401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This course is unbelievably hard! I had to study 20+ hours per week just to understand what was going on -- Burbij is a neice give tho, easily finished with an A plus

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ECON401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

such a kind prof! the course is hard but when you do well it feels so good! he has a very oldschool style of teaching but he is truly the best around! i hope he teaches me if i do my masters at waterloo :)

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ECON401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

a hard course and very different style of teaching, need to understand the concepts very clearly to do well. not the cup of tea for memorizers!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ECON401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very different...VERY different. Read the notes and you'll be fine.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ECON291
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Awesome prof. If you understand his notes, you can get 100% in the class. Straightforward tests and final, doesn't try to trick you.