Susan Rivera - University of California Davis, Davis, CA

Professor: Susan Rivera

Department: Psychology

College: University of California Davis, Davis, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PSC148
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof Rivera is very passionate about the subject. I'm usually one who can teach myself material without having to go to lecture, but I needed to go to lecture in order to get a good grade. Prof Rivera and TA's really want everyone to get a good grade and they make that clear. I would HIGHLY recommend going to the review sessions.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PSC148
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Truly cares about her students and wants them to be successful. Class is made up of 4 exams (3 of which count for your final grade) and a short paper (instructions are very clear- if you follow them you'll get an A). The material is very interesting and exams challenge your understanding of it. No textbook, but she uses research articles (read!!!)

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PSC148
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I loved this class. Her lectures were super interesting. She is a fair grader and will drop any questions if majority of the class didn't do well. She really wants you to succeed. Will definitely recommend her to anyone. I wish she taught other PSC classes. Also, she does not tolerate anyone who shows up to class late/leave early/use internet.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PSC148
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I was really discourage when I enrolled in her class because of the negative reviews. I was so close to P/NP, but glad I didn't. 4 MT and she drops the lowest one. One easy two page essay and she gives a total of 15 extra credit points. Exams are pretty straight forward if you study. I have taken harder psychology classes. This one is doable.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PSC148
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Rivera is an amazing instructor. She genuinely cares about her students and their success in her class. By far one of my favorite professors and classes.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PSC148
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

OK- I don't understand why Prof. Rivera has such a low easiness rating! She is a phenomenal teacher who provides you with all of the knowledge and information you need to get an A. Yes, don't expect to never come to class and get a good grade. If you go and simply listen and engage, you will do great. I would take this class all over again.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PSC148
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Susan Rivera is one of my favorite professors I have ever had. Her class was amazingly informational. I learned so much from her in just one quarter, I could not imagine how much I would learn from working with her. If you thought this class was hard, then you did not listen to exactly what she says to do. She tells you, in detail, how to get an A.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PSC148
• 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: N/A

Comment:

She lectures incredibly well. Keeps your interest throughout. Read the book and make sure you truly understand her lecture notes/slides, don't try to memorize them because it won't do you any good on the exam. The tests require deep knowledge of the subject content. Very generous with extra credit, which help a LOT, make sure you do them.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PSC148
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very hard tests and thats coming from an honors student. Practically impossible to get an A. You have to memorize and understand everything about everything. She tests us like we have PhDs on the topic. She is VERY defensive of her teaching style. Nice person but awful class. This should be a nneuroscience course instead of psychology.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PSC148
• 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: N/A

Comment:

Tests are difficult, but she is very willing to help before and after- she wants you to succeed! Read the textbook, she uses it frequently on tests. Encourages class discussion/questions. Extra credit opportunities. 4 tests, drops the lowest grade. She seemed intimidating at first, but she's so nice and willing to help you out!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PSC148
• 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:

Rivera is an excellent professor.Exams are difficult (40 MC and 4 essay exams you choose 2/4)They cover IN DETAIL lecture notes and required reading. Must attend class,read every single chapter & study,as well as memorize lecture notes inside and out.Questions are often tricky!The average score for the 1st exam is in the low-mid 70s.MUST STUDY!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PSC141
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

one of the worst professors ever.Exams were impossible. no curve even though most of the class didn't do well.treated us like children. When it came to the paper draft she was mad again for wasting the tas time because we did the bare min. of the requirements rather than write the final version.than why didnt you write it on the guideline instead?

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PSC148
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class was interesting but extremely hard for a psychology class. Susan was a good professor and an expertise in the subject. You must know the lectures inside and out. Most questions on the exam are tricky and some are ambiguous. You must fully understand the concepts to do well. This class is definitely not an easy A but very interesting.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PSC148
• 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:

Loved this class! Rivera is very helpful and enthusiastic about the class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PSC146
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very straight forward and clear professor. Print out lectures and attend class. Poster and paper assignments are easy. Tests are consistent with material covered in lecture. Overall good teacher.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PSC146
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Good lecturer, enthusiastic about the material, and very friendly during office hours, but gets visibly annoyed when students walk into lecture late. Tests aren't too hard (40 multiple choice, 2 essay questions, drops the lowest score) - I thought attending the review sessions were essential.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH146
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PSC146
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You can to her office hours numerous times then turn something in ans still receive a poor grade. Doesn't manke sense. Better in person than during lecture.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PSC141
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

i would have to say that she is the worst prof. yet here at Davis, she didnt care about the students and she seemed to always be disappointed in the class, she read directly off her slides. all she seems interested in was letting everyone know about her research and why she thought she was so good

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PSC141
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Hard hard hard exams. Study your butt off especially the supplemental readings. She is nice, but just tough. I squeaked out an A-. Do a good job on paper and you'll be OK. Optional final! Long long long lectures. No point going to class.