John Dawson - University of Guelph, Guelph, ON

Professor: John Dawson

Department: Science

College: University of Guelph, Guelph, ON

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIOC2580
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Had him for the first half of 2580 and he was great. Good at explaining some of the harder concepts, and always entertaining. Puts his lectures up on YouTube for those who can't make it to lecture for whatever reason. Told us what would be on the midterm and there weren't many surprises. Did really well in his portion of the course.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIOC2580
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Really enjoyed him as a lecturer for the course and he made you feel prepared for the midterm until you got to it. Two different versions of exams, one extremely easy and the other very brutal. Totally not fair in my opinion and many would agree with me. Wouldn't take another course with him.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIOC2528
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Amazing professor and nice guy! Genuinely invested in making lectures interesting while ensuring that his students learn the material.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIOC2580
• 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:

One of the best Profs I've had so far.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIOC3560
• 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:

Amazing and genuine guy. I really enjoyed how enthusiastic he was about the material and seemed genuinely happy to teach it. The course was tough though, you need to memorize every detail to do well.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIOC3560
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Not a bad professor but the course itself is kind of poorly done, in my opinion. The grading is brute memorization of minutiae and small tidbits of biochemistry information scattered over a wide range of topics. There is no calculation here but if you don't like to memorize, stay away!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIOC3560
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Best. Prof. Ever. This guy really knows his stuff and engages the class so that everyone is on the same page whether he does it by polling questions or interpretive dance. He even posts videos of his lectures that you can review later on in the course! I'll say again, BEST PROF EVER!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIOC3560
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

great teacher just stay on top of reviewing your notes and you will be fine.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIOC2580
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's a great guy and if anyone knows biochem it's him. LEARN THE AMINO ACIDS!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIOC2580
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Amazing teacher!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1090
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Good prof, very engaging and funny. Keep on top of the material because it's easy to get left behind. He is very clear and a good lecturer, and he gives little tidbits about his personal life and research every so often. The midterm was also easy if you study hard (so study hard!!) and he will explain anything if you go and ask him. Recommended.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIOC2580
• 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:

I found him to be an interesting prof to begin with but he gets of topic quite easily. If you like hearing about all the courses he teaches as well as actin and myosin (not part of the lecture) then I'm sure you will be fine. Otherwise, steer clear.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIOC2580
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I thought Dawson was really great and engaging at the beginning of the semester and then I realized that he spends most of the class telling stories that don't relate to material and hardly any time explaining difficult concepts.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIOC2580
• 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:

I absolutely love Dr.Dawson! He is so funny and always keeps his lectures entertaining & on topic. He is very good at explaining everything and making sure everyone understands all the concepts. He goes out of his way to record and post all of his lectures, and do many hands on in lecture activities with us! Most outgoing & fav prof I've had yet!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIOC2580
• 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:

I love him!!! He's an amazing prof and absolutely hilarious! I found his lectures really interesting and I actually enjoyed biochem, which I never thought would happen. Really helpful and friendly outside of class as well!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIOC2580
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's very enthusiastic and always willing to help, he posts his lectures to youtube and he always has great little tricks to help out with concepts

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIO1090
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Dawson is passionate about his subject and connects really well with the class. His lectures about Actin (his research topic) were the best. The midterm was relatively easy.He makes a lot of jokes in class and gave us THE BEST sermon about studying over thanksgiving! I will definitely look to take more of his classes in the future!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1090
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Awesome prof! Such a nice guy and really cares about his students. Posting his lectures on youtube really helped. Hope to have him in upper years.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1090
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Entertaining lectures. Study well and you will be fine. Do the assignment EXACTLY ass in instructions on order to get a good mark.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1090
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Really fantastic prof. Cannot say enough good things. Funny, energetic, enthusiastic, approachable. Humor helps keep you awake in those long lectures in warmem! Makes learning tedious bio concepts easier and gets students involved. Ignore these negative comments- most people I know had none of these issues with him.