Ralph Mistlberger - Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC

Professor: Ralph Mistlberger

Department: Psychology

College: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PSYC280
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I slept through all of his classes; his lecture slides are useless and everything he tests on is from the textbook. There's a lot of info to remember so if you like cramming, this is the course for you! Don't cram for the exams the day right before like I did...

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PSYC280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a nice prof but the class is very hard to sit through (3 hrs btw). The lecture slides provided are also not really helpful for the exams, so just read to textbook and you'll do fine. Lots of information and material to remember, basically the whole textbook. This class is more of a BIO class rather than PSYC

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PSYC280
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's a good prof but the lectures are very hard to sit through no matter how hard you try. That being said, Quiz 1, MT 1 and Quiz 2 mainly have 90% questions from the study questions on the textbook website (USE THEM!!). Study lectures for the final! Anyone that has taken any BPK or BIO courses will find this course easy. Tests aren't cumulative.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PSYC280
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Oh man... not a good prof. He knows about sleep (his area), but he "can't exactly remember" a lot of other things. If you are a science student and have taken any bpk courses of the nervous system you will get an A (the material is super basic and easy). He said a few incorrect things in class as well. Try to take it with someone else.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PSYC388
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Biopsych courses are not intended to be easy. Ralph is a great lecturer (but lacks energy) and is very knowledgeable about his field. He s a supportive prof, and can break down the concepts pretty well, but this course can be challenging if you ve only taken social psych or are lazy. Read BEFORE class, understand the theory, and ask for help.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PSYC388
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Tough course. quiz 1 easy, midterm brutal (went into specifics, know your PRC curve and studies), quiz 2 hard, final was just like the midterm. I had a week to study for the final as to why I passed it. He scales but didn't help me get the grade I wanted. Study hard and understand instead of memorizing.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PYSC388
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Honestly, you don't even need to attend his lectures because he makes everything easy for you (detailed notes, audio recordings, the works). It's really clear he's passionate about the topcs though so you will get so much more value for your tuition if you actually attended classes and asked him stuff. Only take if you're interested in the subject.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PSYC280
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Skip class? Won't affect you AT ALL! He is very monotone, like the other reviews say, and tests entirely from the textbook! The 3 hour lectures are very boring and basically summaries of the textbook in a more boring way. Use the online component of the textbook and you'll be fine! A lot to memorize but quizzes and tests are not cumulative!! :D

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is not the greatest professor to have this course with. He is in no way consistent throughout all his lectures and sends multiple follow up emails on the mistakes he made towards marking/quizzes/missed information - showing lack of organization. Does not follow the syllabus, as he changes the way things are based on his liking. BIG NO!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PSYC280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Ralph knows a lot about the subject but talks in monotone the ENTIRE time! Easily the hardest lecture I've ever had to sit through. The lectures are pointless too because he only tests on the textbook information. Make sure you read every word in the chapter readings because he tests on the smallest details.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PSYC280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class was basically memorizing the text or else you wont do well. His lectures were long and boring, with the exception on circadian rhythms which is his area of expertise. I managed an A but worked for it.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PSYC280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Ralph is a very informative guy! But it does get very difficult to sit in his class for 3 hours long. Read the textbook carefully as he tests on details. You can also read his lecture notes and probably the lecture as well. Overall he's an alright professor.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PSYC280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He was very boring. It was hard to pay attention past the first 15 minutes. He is very knowledgable about the subject but drones on in monotone and his slides are hardly informative. However, if you read the textbook WELL you'll be okay.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH280
• 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:

Very monotone,no need to attend lecture barely anyone showed up. Just read the textbook the exam questions are literally from the textbook test bank. He used last years slides, put no effort into the course. I ended up with a B+ but instead of going to lecture I should have just read the textbook over and over because that is what he tests on exams

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I am a B student and this was my first class after transferring from Douglas. WHAT A MISTAKE!!! No need going to class, just read the text, no participation, no assignments, no papers, just multiple choice exams with a couple fill in the blank. If you need interaction and teaching like I do, then I highly recommend looking elsewhere.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PSYC280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Hard to survive a 3hr lecture with his monotone voice. Lecture slides aren't really helpful either. Memorize the textbook, use the slides as a supplement and you will be fine.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PSYC280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This prof is quite inconsistent. While he obviously knows the topic in depth, there is a lack of ability to transfer that knowledge in his lecture. Honestly, he tends to attempt to level the information in a modern way, but completely fails at it. Isn't the most responsive or supportive when you email him too. Good luck

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PSYC388
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This course definitely requires a lot of time and effort. Exams require understanding of the material and not just memorization and regurgitation. Lectures can be a bit dry because Ralph's voice does tend to be quite monotone. I wouldn't recommend this course with a full course load.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PSYC388
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Material isn't too difficult, but the exams are brutal. I received an A with 73% at the end of the course. Don't let that frighten you though. The material is incredibly interesting and applicable to real life, and the man knows his field very, very well. Great lecturer, just a little tough. Would take more courses with him.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PSYC106
• 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:

He clearly has a passion for the material, but the course was very heavy for a first year course. Lots of readings to do. He goes off on tangents a lot, which makes it hard to pay attention for a whole 3 hours. Midterm was a lot easier than the final, but with the curve of the class, I ended up with an A even though I struggled through the final.