Paul Sykes - San Diego Mesa College, San Diego, CA

Professor: Paul Sykes

Department: Biology

College: San Diego Mesa College, San Diego, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIO107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Sykes test expectations are way to high for an intro bio course. Almost all the questions are critical thinking. People get excited when its a multiple choice test, but you shouldn't with this guy. Trick questions/answers. With the occasional choice "E. We have nothing else to support our lack of knowledge!" -_- I don't find that amusing.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIO115
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I had him for marine biology and lab, it took a while to get used to his lecture style but once you get the hang of it your good. Lab is not a normal lab its extremely easy and almost no work. I never opened the 4 books he required. you can tell he's very passionate about what he teaches but get ready to memorize!!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO107
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Awesome lectures. Don't use book too much. Not an easy pass if you don't like science but if you do this is definitely the guy to take. One 5-10 page paper on anything that has to do with bio. Grand total of 4 tests. No mid term or final. Record the lectures and write down EVERYTHING he puts on the board. Attendance is mandatory in the beginning.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO107
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Take good notes in his lecture and you will do fine on test. Follow lecture word for word for quizzes

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIO107
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

At first I was intimidated of taking biology, but Dr. Sykes clearly explains the course material. There is built in extra credit throughout the assignments. If you are a slacker, then do not take this class but if you are willing to work hark then you'll do fine in the class. Dr Sykes is very enthusiastic about biology and he makes lectures fun!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Sykes is the best! He is very passionate about his work and he's always there for his students. Easy to talk to, and his tests come straight from the lecture so make sure you take good notes! Read your notes and make sure you understand them the week before the test and you will do fine.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIOL110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took Oceanoraphy online over the summer. The class is VERY fast paced, if you are not willing to spend the time everyday reading and preparing for the quizzes and tests I do not recommend this class. Overall I had a good experience with Professor Sykes. You will get out what you put in .

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO107
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof: Sykes is very Honest guy please take with him. he respect his students. He teach pretty good trust me you would love. He has one of the best teaching method I have never seen. He makes the class very interesting and every body liked the way he teaches. Very honest guy, he grades very honest and at end you would appreciate. Good professor

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO107
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Easily my fav. professor at Mesa. He gives 3 tests, 1 take home, 1 easy term paper. Makes lectures interesting, really nice and funny, I dreaded taking bio and he made it my favorite class in spring. Listen closely in lectures, copy everything down and study and you should do well!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Biology intimidates me! But I was so happy to of taken Dr. Sykes, he explains things pretty well but taking good notes is a must! Write down everything he puts on the board. There are 3 test and one take home test, they are pretty long. Start studying at least a week in advance, mostly notes. Extra credit built into everything. 1 easy term paper.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO19
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

My favorite teacher at Mesa. I would recommend Sykes to anyone !

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO115
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Not an easy class, be prepared to work. Professor Sykes is very helpful and knowledgeable about marine Bio and makes it interesting. Take notes, get in study groups, and study study study. If you the work the grade will follow.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIO107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Awesome teacher! Very helpful and makes lectures easy to follow and interesting. Only hard part is the amount of material he puts into a test, it's a lot to remember at once but if you take a lot of notes and pay attention during lectures it's not too bad. Probably one of the best teachers I have had overall!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIOL107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a good, thorough teacher who loves his job/biology and encourages students to ask questions. You absolutely must attend lecture and lab to do well in this class. The tests come straight from his lecture notes so focus on memorizing them! Make sure to write down anything and everything he writes on the board.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIOL107
• 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:

Four lecture exams, 150 points each. Two take-home assignments, 50 points each. One term paper, 200 points. One lab quiz for every lab. Attendance not mandatory. Grade Scale: A=90%, B=80%, C=65%, D=50%, F=<50%. One of his four exams are a "Take Home Test" and both take-home assignments are easy points. Must attend lab to do well on lab quizzes.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIOL107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Sykes is very passionate about what he teaches. He loves what he teaches as well. Don't think it's an easy grade, though. It's anything but that. I recommend you take very good notes and be ready for each class. It wouldn't help to share notes with peers as well. Also, start studying at least a week in advance. I learned the hard way.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIO107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Sykes is an outstanding professor! Students are provided with clear instructions on how to succeed in the course. We received ample time to prepare for a term paper and exams. Attendance is critical as exams are at least 90% of lecture notes. Material is presented in a thorough and organized manner. Lectures are fast-paced, and interesting.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIO115
• 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:

At the beginning of the class is somewhat hard to follow because he throws a bunch of info at you. Specially if you are not a BIO major,you may get lost. Take good notes & put a lot of effort to study them. The prof is cool, a bit arrogant, but very knowledgeable. Proff Sykes will help you if you show interest,& do your homework.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIO103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This guy is extremely passionate about what he does. His notes are crystal clear in what he asks of you for tests, and the book isn't used at all. I only received such a low grade because I know I didn't study as much as I should have. (His C's = 65% and up) This class requires effort on your part. Sykes is an awesome teacher that knows his stuff.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIO0000
• 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:

Major inconsistency between information given in class and the information in the book, making tests VERY hard. The notes he writes on the board are unclear and disorganized. After every lecture I would have to go through the book just to understand what was being taught. Good guy, but all over the place. Would not ever take him again.