Ken Shackel - University of California Davis, Davis, CA

Professor: Ken Shackel

Department: Biology

College: University of California Davis, Davis, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PLS100CL
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Shackel might have done great research as a researcher, but not as an instructor. He confused his student to a certain unfavorable extent, and he seldom replied the emails or questions. He knew about the plant science field profoundly, but what compromises him is the public presentation ability. Also, he is a tough grader on every detail.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: FRS
• 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:

I took the integrated studies freshman seminar with him. He really cares about his students and overall made this class a really enjoyable experience.

Rating # 3

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

[BIS 1C] He is a good lecturer who tries to make sure his students understand the fundamentals. If you have questions, you can ask before or after class. He also answers his e-mails and holds extra Q&A discussion-style office hours. If you have even a moderate interest in plant biology, just study the textbook, go to lecture, and you'll do fine.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If it weren't for my TA, I would have failed this class. Shackel was pretty awful, couldn't really decipher what he was trying to teach us, didn't learn anything and the test were hard. NOT recommended.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This is one of the easiest and best classes I've ever taken in my four years at UCD. If you think it's way too hard, then you don't know how to work for your grade. The upper division sciences only get harder, so stop blaming the teacher for your shortcomings and take some responsibility.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

excellent class. Tests can be tricky but if you read them carefully, the multiple choice questions are easy because they are wordy, which gives you many clues. Dont be scared by what others say, i was worried taking bis 1c but i ended up with a 100% on all their tests. Great class

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

As long as you do the practice questions with feedback online, you'll be fine. Can be kind of tricky in wording questions, but not too bad. Actually came in to labs and helped, which was cool. His online notes aren't worth much, so either read the book ar take good notes. 1C isn't as hard as people say it is, just a lot of memorization.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Horrible teacher. Trust me take this class only if you ABSOLUTLEY have to. He spends more time correcting his horrible spelling than he does teaching. Tests are a horrible representation of his lectures and they are tricky. Stay away unless there is no other choice

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class was more tricky than OChem. The way they write the tests doesnt test your knowledge of the material but on your ability to figure out waht the heck their question is asking. My TA, who was excellent and really smart didnt think he could even pass their tests! If you're thinking of taking a class with labivitch and shackel, DONT!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The teachers are fun. They try to make jokes, it might come out lame, but you do chuckle. Labavitch's lectures are a bit disorganized. Read the questions carefully!Exams w/ feedback are important! Tricky tests, they dont believe in curves. Anal report grading. Tricky tests, but teaching isnt bad. Enthusiastic teachers

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Shackel and Labavich are good lecturers. They post their lectures online in MP3 form now which helps a lot (podcasts). I do think their tests are too hard to be in an introductory plant bio class though. They should be considered a combination of intermediate plant bio and english.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

They are really nice guys and they will help you if you approach them and need help but as far as their tests go they are written incredibly tricky and you will have to REALLY know your material to get an A or B in the class. The TAs for his class even admit the tests are very hard, so be prepared to study a lot if you want a good grade.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Shakel and Labavitch are both horrible teachers, but Shakel is definately the better of the two. The tests for this class are really tricky and the labs seem a bit unorganized compared to 1B.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you crybabies can't handle introductory plant biology then you have no business thinking you should have a degree. Dr. Shackel is a good teacher. The fact that he makes corny jokes and you managed to flunk a Freshman biology course does not mean he deserves negative reviews.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Bad, bad, BAD!!! Horrible class, horrible teachers. I didn't care much for botany when I started this class, and now I hate it. Which is just perfect since I have to retake it as these guys seem to go out of their way to fail people. Save yourself, STAY AWAY!!!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Just because of this class, I got a super dark eye circle and horrible eye bags from all the all nighters that I have pulled; Just because of this class, I had nightmares about failing exams every single night during my spring break; Just because of this class, my GPA was lowered!! >.< STAY AWAYY

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

His tests are TOO TRICKY! You'll find "a and c" "all of the above" and "none of the above" ALL IN THE SAME QUESTION. It's like he wants you to fail. It's pretty much pointless to try studying since they just confuse you no matter what. Nobody clapped on the last day of lecture, if tha tsays anything

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• 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:

Poor color-blind guy tries so hard to be funny and amusing, sometimes it works i guess.He co-teaches w/Labavitch, both do a pretty bad job. Surprising that they've been teaching for seven years and still haven't been shot down by an angry psychotic student cuz it seems like they aim to fail every1.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIC1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

These guys are jerks and they dont know how to teach. I saw all students should protest their grades and get these guys out of davis.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

STAY AWAY, especially if you actually value your grade. Can't understand that it might not be the students at fault when you are looking at a D average.