Mason Byrd - Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

Professor: Mason Byrd

Department: Criminal Justice

College: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: FRSC677
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The testimony experience was great. Mr. Byrd's cross examination is stressful. He has memorized potions of the Butler textbook. I watched him take notes during another students direct testimony and he then turned directly to a page in Butler to contradict it. Current DFS examiners are present and give feedback. Choose your words carefully.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: FRSC677
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Fun class. Learned a lot. He and Tracey are great.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: FRSC670
• 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:

This class is about Search & Seizure and Evidence Law. However, he is all about ethics and professionalism. Even if you don't buy into all of the ethics stuff, act like you do. He's real nice and easy to get along with. He appears to know everything there is about law enforcement. Although he's currently a lawyer, he's clearly a cop at heart.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: FRSC670
• 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:

Mandatory course. Great professor -- lots of real world experience as an attorney and a police officer. Has been teaching in the FRSC department for about 10 years. Class is really interesting. Paper as a midterm. Final exam is open book and open notes. However, the exam is REALLY stressful. Study for the final even though it's open source!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: FRSC677
• 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:

Just had my mock trial. I learned some lessons. I'd like to say that it was fun ... NOT. However, I think that I'll be much better prepared for a real trial after going through this.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: FRSC677
• 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:

Real nice guy. He teaches how to testify and makes you attend some trials. This portion of the class culminates with mock trials in a real court. He is the defense attorney and will beat you up (fairly though). For cross-exam on DNA, he will pound you on what the statistics mean. Watch what words you use and check your lab report for its wording.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: FRSC677
• 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:

Mr. Byrd taught the expert testimony portion of class. I learned a lot. There are mock trials in a real courthouse. Like he says, you better know the science. He brings in an attorney to act as the prosecutor and then he cross-examines you. Watch out! He knows the science well enough to make you even question yourself. It's a great experience.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: FRSC375
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He teaches class like law school. It's different. He doesn't lecture, makes you read cases and tell the class what they're about. Once you figure it out it's fine. But it's a little scary at first. Grades are based on how well you do in relation to everyone else. If you actually do the work and pay attention you'll get a good grade. Got an A.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: FRSC375
• 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:

SO HOT!!!! I loved going to class just to stare at him. he's a great professor, too.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: FRSC375
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Mr. Byrd was a wonderful teacher. He doesn't use a text book and is very clear about assignments, which are mainly reading cases to discuss. He makes case law interesting and I learned so much. I know Mullen is the favorite for this course, but I believe you'll learn more with Byrd. :)

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: FORENSICS
• 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:

No Comments

Rating # 12

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

One of the best professors in not only the criminal justice dept., but the whole university.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CRM
• 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:

Wish all professors were like him!!!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CRJS324373
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This prof was the best! Clearly made my years here at VCU in the 2 classes that I had that were taught by him. If any of you out there were fortunate to be in class - then thank yourselves,. for he is unfortunately leaving after the '05 school year

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: FRSC375
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Interesting cases, assignments aren't very clear, but he'll explain if you ask. Read cases before class, highlight what he points out and write notes from class discussion. Don't need book. Keep notes and cases organized for quick reference.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: FRSC375
• 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:

very good professor, he will be missed

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CRJS373
• 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:

I have had him for two classes and they have been enjoyable. Go to class and pay attention to what he says b/c more than likly he will tell you what you specifically need to know. Fun class take him if you can.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: FRSC375
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Required class. You must read the cases before coming to class. If you come prepared for class, you will learn the material. He gives good feedback on writing assignments but you have to make an appointment to meet him. Fun class.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CRJS324
• 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:

The class is easy if you follow directions. He makes it clear that the exam questions will come primarily from the book. Just coming to class will not help your grade. You must study the book. The questions are straitforward from the book. Not bad.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CRJS305
• 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 wasn't hard material, but the tests were very confusing and hard. Multiple choice. Real life experience and sometimes answers to test questions were given in class. Class did not prepare me fully for the tests. Read, study, and memorize the book. I was at every class and got a C.semester 12/03