Mitch Singer - University of California Davis, Davis, CA

Professor: Mitch Singer

Department: Science

College: University of California Davis, Davis, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MIC102
• Grade Received: INC
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Avoid at all costs. He is unorganized and slides only scratch the surface of what he tests you on. Read the text book he even says that anything in the textbook is fair game for the test. So read!! Also the textbook isnt the most enjoyable book to read. Very information heavy and he expects you to know it all!Tests are also very specific and wordy

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIS2A
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

For other lower division classes, I usually spend one a day to review before midterm and probably get a B+, but for his class, I have to spend a week . No midterm sample would post before midterm. exams are super hard and he will test something that is unexpected. Avoid if you can.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIS2A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Singer is an enthusiastic and passionate guy, and he's knowledgeable about his field. However, he expects students to already understand the material -- he doesn't go over basic concepts because he assumes you know them (and he's not the best teacher anyway). If you've taken AP Bio and AP Chem you'll be fine; if not, get prepared to work hard.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIS2A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

By far, my favorite class of the quarter. Dr. Singer has lots of enthusiasm and asks students to think critically about the subject matter. Would definitely take again.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIS2A
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Homework isn't too tough, but the readings for the homework are exactly what the tests are on! Make sure to read those and take notes! Discussions are super helpful and come with questions and take advantage of TA hours! Dr. Singer isn't always the clearest professor at times, but he is passionate which makes the class enjoyable.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIS2A
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I entered his class thinking about all his horrible reviews. But then I ended up with an A on the first midterm and I realized he wasn't half bad. His lectures aren't great but his enthusiasm makes up for it (as opposed to Igo). Lot of work but it definitely sets you up for success. Bottom line: NOT AS HARD AS YOU MAY THINK

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIS2A
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Worst class I have taken at Davis. If you did not take biology in high school you are doomed because Singer teaches you nothing. Horrible.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIS2A
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I am not a strong biology student and didn't enjoy learning the material. This class was a lot of work and if I were to do it again, I would read the Nota Bene more in depth and do the pre lecture study guides. Discussion was helpful for me; lecture not so much. Professor Singer knows what he is talking about but isn't the best teacher.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIS2A
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He's really not the worst. The best thing that helped me were listening to the podcast and office hours. So many resources and opportunities to help you pass honestly just put in the time and effort. Study groups make a huge difference.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIS2A
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Listen to podcast. Everything he says is relevant and he actually teaches a lot. He just talks so fast because it's a short class you probably can't make sense of it( I couldn't) Pretty intense don't get overwhelmed find what studying works best for you. Study groups office hours podcasts an for YouTube videos

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIS2A
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Funny professor and knows what he is talking about, but goes really fast during lecture. Do your Nota Bene and Discussion assignments because the points add up and potentially save your grade. Exams are difficult, but going to office hours and workshops is extremely helpful.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIS2A
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Class was difficult to follow, but there are great T.A.s for this class!!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIS2A
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a tough teacher. His exams are tough and he goes quickly. That being said, you can get a lot of points from Nota Bene and Discussion. He is also funny and extremely knowledgeable. I didn't do very well, but still enjoyed the class. The midterms were deceptively difficult, but his final reflected every midterm prior which really helped me.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIS2A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Literally skips over covering stuff we need bc "you already should have learned it in HS". If you never took Bio or are a transfer who graduated years ago-AVOID. Tests not based on the convoluted, unedited reads, lectures are only good for iclicker points. TA taught us how to take his tests, its the only reason I am passing the course.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIS2A
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Listen, this course is NOT as introductory as it sounds. Chemistry background, Heavy critical thinking, and depth understanding is essential to pass. Professor is funny and approachable, but exams are no joke! BIS 2A is the hardest course in the entire BIS 2 sequence, so be ready for some frustration. TA is rude and have little knowledge.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIS2A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Singer basically just goes over information that he thinks you learned/remembered from high school. You will realize that he doesn't even teach anything. Take at least Che2A before taking this class! Singer likes to go on tangents that have nothing to do with anything and is why he is always pressed for time. Don't sit on the edge bc he cold calls

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIS2A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

His tests are HARD. Very few questions! BUT each worth a LOT of points. You literally only need to miss like 2 to kiss an "A" goodbye. He is CONCEPT HEAVY. Forget FACTS, make sure you understand the CONCEPT. This is where you will go wrong on the exams! The answer won't always be whats technically true if he's asking about concept. Remember this!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIS2A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Don't take him. When is saw his reviews, I thought "there is no way he could be THAT terrible" but I was very wrong. This is an incredibly challenging class and Professor Singer is very rude and unapproachable. He rarely shows up to office hours and goes into a ridiculous amount of detail for an intro to bio class. The tests are REALLY hard.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIS2A
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

You have to have a chemistry background in this class. Prepare to work double time if you don't. Pray for an amazing TA, it's all that got me through. Singer's Motto " You didn't learn this in high school?" Um no that's why I asked.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIS2A
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's not a great professor but he's not as terrible as people make him out to be. It's a hard class, and there's a lot of information to get through really quickly so beware. Be prepared for a lot of (online) reading. You have to comment to prove you've read. Do all the pre- and post-lecture stuff. None of it gets collected but it helps a lot.