Neil Smith - York University (all campuses), Toronto, ON

Professor: Neil Smith

Department: Kinesiology

College: York University (all campuses), Toronto, ON

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: KINE3460
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Neil Smith tells you exactly what he'll be testing for. He gives you all the information you need (may not be the most interesting, but this kind of anatomy is pure memorization anyway) and the tests are always straightforward, no tricks. The averages on his midterms are usually quite high and he still removes questions people find unfair

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: KIN2031
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Do the work. Get an A. Not a hard course if you're willing to put in the work

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: KINE2031
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

-very difficult course, heavy reading

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: NAT1650
• 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:

If you're taking this class, get ready to memorize a bunch of information but not get tested on it. Instead, everyone gets tested on application questions regarding being a doctor!!! I mean, I don't really care what happens to a woman's back when she's pregnant, idk how me memorizing bones is going to help with that. Ridiculous class, do not take!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: KINE2031
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Going into this class, I was scared because of all the reviews on here. Honestly, anatomy is hard. And unless you know how to study for it, you will find the course difficult. Learn structures in relation to each other & similarities and differences b/w them, not just memorizing where things are. Neil smith ain't got nothin on you. He's boring.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: KIN2031
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Don't bother going to lecture. Prof. Smith reguirgitates the textbook for 50 minutes 3 times a week. His teaching style is best described as lazy. His examples are unclear and he blasts through material faster than a pace that is productive. The lectures are only content based while the exams have many application questions. Just memorize everythin

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: KINE3460
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I absolutely adore Prof. Smith! I had him for General Anatomy (2031 if I'm not mistaken), and just finished Regional Anatomy 1 with him. While both courses are content-heavy, his expectations in all tests are very clear and straight-forward. Know the material in and out, and you'll do fine. There are absolutely no trick questions in tests.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: KINE2031
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Multiple choice questions have up to 8 options sometimes. For a course like this, you're given very little time to really think during tests, so studying the ins and outs are the only way to succeed. Overall, content heavy course, prof doesn't make it any easier, tested material heavily derived from course kit, fast lecturer, GPA killer.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: 2031KINE
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you're used to getting A/A+ in other courses, and you put in work for this class you will end up with A/A+. 20% is basically given to you as lab test, the rest of the material is straight from the book. All the people complaining here have to put in too much effort for getting a good mark.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: 2031KINE
• Grade Received: INC
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

The course itself is material heavy and the tests expect too much from students compared to how the profs teach and the duration of time you have to study. If you have no prior knowledge get ready to really push yourself. I really think that this course should be full year or at least material needs to be cut down! Current struggling student!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: KINE2011
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

horrrrribleeeeeeeee avoid

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: 2031KINE
• 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:

dont know how to teach

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: 2031KINE
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Horrible proff I have no idea how he's teaching it like his tests go up to G are you kidding me?

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: KINE2031
• Grade Received: INC
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Gives very good concise explanations. Seems like hes going too fast but thats just the course (kine 2031), so much content to cover, if he slowed down for u he'd never get through content. If you listen to lecture recordings (which you might have to) and slow it down, youll realize how good his explanations are.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: KINE2031
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Its a hard course and he doesnt help much either. He speaks fast and teaches as though we are already very knowledgeable in anatomy. When people would ask questions his responses would confuse me even more. I just made sure to prepare before lecture and teach myself. Exams were about 40 questions with only 45-50 minutes. Take it and teach yourself.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: KIN2031
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This is a very difficult course and needs a lot of memorization. Everything comes from the course kit. If you get a bad grade you cannot really blame the prof because at the end of the day it all depends on how hard you study. He always posts his lecture recordings on time which is really helpful. Class attendance is not mandatory.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: NATS1650
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Approachable, always helpful in Q&A. Responds to emails in abt an hour! Anatomy is a tough subject, be prepared to memorize lots of info. He records his lectures so no need to worry if you miss class & they're helpful when studying. Coursekit is the bible of this course. 3 exams (MC), 3 lab tests. 1st exam and lab tests are easiest, so take them!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: NATS1650
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's great, answers questions, knows his stuff & consolidates all the info you need into 2 formats: a coursekit & lecture videos. Ppl complaining that he repeats the coursekit don't realize he's giving u all the tools to succeed. If u don't understand readings, watch his videos to clarify. Definitely spend time & pace yourself memorizing info.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: KINE2031
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This course was the worst experience I've had in undergrad. Neil Smith doesn't teach, he reads you the course kit. Lectures at lighting speed and is rather brash. His test is just out of this world. Extremely detailed application questions that he doesn't prepare you for at all. The labs will be your saving grace. Avoid this course if you can!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: 2031KINE
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Don't bother going to class, just listen to lecture recordings since he goes way to fast for any student to keep up. Tests are difficult BUT fair. If you want an A you have to work for it and put in hours of studying.