Ray Goralka - Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill, CA

Professor: Ray Goralka

Department: Science

College: Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIOSC102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Goralka is an easy going dude. As long as you take his practice quizzes online and review your class notes, you're set for getting an A in class. I wouldn't even bother getting the textbook.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIO131
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Ray is the bomb. He gives you online quizzes for all the lecture and lab exams that are so helpful. There is one presentation, 5 lecture exams, 4 lab exams, and optional final. Prepare to read and memorize a bunch of phylum.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO131
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Clear lectures. Would take again

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO131
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The man is clearly interested in the material that he teaches. His lectures are fantastic and his exams are straightforward. There is very little homework, and if you study his lectures and lab material as well as come to class regularly, you will have little trouble passing his class and doing well. I enjoyed this course very much.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIOSC102
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

There is a ton of memorization in this class, particularly the lab exams, so beware of taking other memorization courses at the same time. I felt like nearly every week there was an exam or lab exam, that's an overstatement, but there are a lot of them. Thankfully, the online quizzes show very similar (sometimes identical) questions. Study hard!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIOSC102
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Mr. Goralka is one of the best teachers I have ever had. Makes Biology fun and interesting and is extremely knowledgable. Try not to miss class and take the online practice tests for an assured good grade on his exams.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO131
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Goralka is a cool guy and knows a lot of information about biology, but I would recommend not taking his class if you are a DSS student. Lab exams are unable to be taken in DSS and he isn't very accommodating. The class is graded mostly on Lecture and Lab exams, but the exams themselves are very confusing and hard to study for. unorganized.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO102
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I passed with a B and didn't even take the final. He drops your lowest lecture exam. I did not read the book once, so don't waste your money. I missed so many classes but it was fine because he posts all lecture slides online. Don't miss any labs though. 10/10 teacher totally cares about his students.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO131
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

All I can say is stay away from this professor. His class is extremely difficult and he gives no help teaching it. Will put material on the test that was never covered in class and lab and lecture exams are your whole grade. Take this class with another professor.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIOSC102
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher, I had some health problems going on and he was more than happy to let me know what i could do to make up the work. He has all his lectures online and is also very interactive in class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO126
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

126 was conservation bio which has lots of fun field trips for labs. You go to yosemite, bodega bay, and other cool places. The labs were easy, the lectures were fascinating, the tests were straightforward, and Goralka's quirky personality makes the class really enjoyable. This satisfied my IGETC science with lab requirements.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO131
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Clear and straight to the point this class was TORTURE!!!!!!!!!!!! :( All my other classes suffered from this class.. His lecture exams are really hard. It is the most demanding class I've taken. However, it's good prep for upper division.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIO131
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Goralka was very passionate about the material, but his lectures were all over the place. He jumps powerpoint numerous times throughout each lecture. Tests questions come straight out of the online homework, and he does a good job highlighting the important topics from his lab exams. Had to put in the work to get an A, but not a crazy amount.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO102
• 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:

Dr G. is the boss. He is passionate about the subject and would definitely answer your questions. Just online hw to practice before a test and you can do it as much as you want. Tests are mostly based on it.otherwise no HW at all. Weekly quizzes but pretty simple. Btw his grading range is fair. 85%-100% is an A. Take him !!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO131
• 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:

I truly wanted to write a bad review, but I just can't. He is extremely knowledgeable, very energetic, crystal clear and very demanding. He also provides lots of additional tools for students to succeed. But is kind of a major douuche

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO131
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Class is extremely demanding. But the material is not hard whatsoever. Goralka is really clear and good at explaining what is going to be on exams. He's really helpful and friendly. Make sure you know everything on the exam reviews and you will get an A.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIOSC102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I took several biology-related classes before this but he was the most happy and engaged professor ever to teach biology. The material isn't that hard if you pay attention to the powerpoints. I just studied them the night before and it was all okay. 85% is an A in his class and he gives out extra credit in test questions. Overall good.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIO102
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Ray Goralka is simply a really great teacher. He is energetic and truly enjoys what he teaches. He is always willing to help you with what you don't understand. His tests hard but are directly from notes; a book isn't necessary but recommended for extra help. He really enjoys students that answer in class, he picks on the back rows. Enjoyed it!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIO131
• 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:

Energetic, nice, and helpful teacher. He is really interested in the material, and he is always willing to explain to you when you dont understand. The material is demanding, but he helps you really understand it. Hard lecture and lab exams. Highly recommend him.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIO131
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is an extremely boring lecturer. Unorganized. He is indeed a very smart teacher but he fails at passing down his knowledge to his students. Avoid if possible. His class sucks the soul out of you.