John Sievers - San Diego Mesa College, San Diego, CA

Professor: John Sievers

Department: Science

College: San Diego Mesa College, San Diego, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ASTR101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very nice professor, lectures can get kinda boring at times but okay overall. He gives you a sheet in the beginning of the year that spells out what's going to be on the test, but it's still very hard material. However, you can drop your lowest test grade, and there's also easy extra credit. The scale is very forgiving as well (A 88%+, etc).

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: AST101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very knowledgable. If you have the grade you want after the last test, you don't have to take the final. Not the most interesting or strongest subject for me so I did have to force myself to pay attention and study.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ASTRONOMY101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Prof Sievers loves what he teaches! Very sweet and helpful. I actually found an interest in this class and never missed a day. Follow along with the booklet for lectures, I used my book twice, I don't recommend getting one. You can google most of the answers if you miss it in the lectures.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His lectures were boring at times. Bottom line is, just buy the lecture book, do the super easy extra credit, study from past exams and you will pass.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ASTR101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Boring. His class is just a monologue. He doesn’t involve students in class. He deviates from the class subjects to tell irrelevant stories about his niece and family. You have to learn everything from the book. Going to class is useless. If you want to be bored to death and loose interest in astronomy, take his class. Random questions in tests.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ASTR101
• 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:

I wish I would've really understood how much the practice tests would help me from the beginning of the semester. Sievers is very passionate about his subject but class can be a little boring at times. There are 5 exams and that is all. No homework. 15 extra credit points are possible if you turn in lecture guide. Don't buy textbook only lecture guide is needed. Do study the practice tests most of the questions on exams are on those tests. I ended up getting a B in the class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: AST101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

all his class consists of is: lecture then test lecture then test. no other assignments or projects. personally, i need more so i didnt do well. but if thats what you like, then he is perfect!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: AST101
• 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:

Really bad at explaining things. The subject is somewhat hard and the tests are in-depth, but things got much better when I just looked up the topics on the NASA's Imagine website (I think its for kids even). The site gets straight to the point. He also quizzes you on such random things. Complete memorization class. Sievers - better off a scientist

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

this class was somewhat hard for me, but all the old tests are available. take this class if youre ready to study or listen to a buncha lectures. nice professor though and he definitely knows what hes talking about

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ASTR101
• 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:

This class is easy. Bottom line. The only grades are 5 multiple choice exams, which he drops your lowest. If you have an A after the 4th one, you don't even have to attend the last 3 weeks of class and he tells you this. The expensive textbook is not needed at all, just the cheap 30$ lecture guide (this is what all exams and notes are from).

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Interesting class. Sievers is very passionate and knowledgeable about Astronomy. Lectures are kinda boring but you should still pay attention. Definitely go to the library and take advantage of his old exams. Majority of the questions from the old exams are on his exams. :) If you study, you'll pass!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher! Very knowledgeable in his subject, very helpful. Class requires his Lecture Guide to help you with the note taking process, which I found helpful. Class is all lecture and slides, so if you fall asleep easily, take a later class and not an early one! Sometimes may go off on silly tangents during lecture, but overall stays on point!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ASTR101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

You can tell that he's intelligent and that he's passionate about his subject. His class does drag sometimes. He lets you study old exams before the test and there are often several questions from the old exam on yours

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHYS100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I enrolled in this class only knowing I was interested in the sciences but unsure as to which specific study I wanted to major in. This instructor didnt help me narrow it down much because he made them all sound fascinating. Provides great lectures with a pinch of humor. Teaches right out of the course material so its easy to follow along.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ASTR101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I was so excited for this class and i really wanted to learn new things. His entire class is just lecture and slides and no homework. Fairly boring but my mistake is taking the class 8am and he turns off the lights so i fell asleep most the time. Grade is based on test little extra credit. But very nice, willing to help, and very knowlegdeable.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHYN100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This professor is absolutely amazing. I was not very interested in the subject he teaches but now I am considering adding a second major in Astronomy. Very helpful, very clear, and very funny. If you go to Mesa you must take this guy. Highly recommended.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ASTR101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Probably the best teacher ive ever had. Uses great examples and is extremely clear and helpful.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He is awesome. He give you the access to the old exams and he has his own study guide. Study them and you'll get an easy A. I loved his class. He is the best!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ASTR101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If your up for the work it should be an easy A. Professor gives you access to previous exams and if you just study those and your study guide you should do great.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ASTR101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He looks like a gnome and is super nerdy, great teacher! knows his stuff!