Matthew Schmidt - Stony Brook University (SUNY), Stony Brook, NY

Professor: Matthew Schmidt

Department: Biology

College: Stony Brook University (SUNY), Stony Brook, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIO315
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Makes the class feel like it's not just a shove-as-much-MCAT/ pre-med-info-down-your-throats type thing. One "tip" for Prof. Schmidt if you read this: give your presentation by yourself out-loud that way we don't have to hear the brainstorming/rambling and it's pre-written on the slides. Still, sincerely, you are miles ahead of other BIO300+ profs!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIO315
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Goes off tangent all the time but really nice guy and cares about his student. He wants you to do well. He can be very disorganized because hes not used to teaching huge classes like SBU has. So, for optimal help talk to him after class or his office hours.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO315
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He was a fine professor until the final grades came in. I did not do bad on the exams and received a far lower grade then expected. When trying to email about grading criteria the professor pretty much said it is what it is without explaining the cutoff for each letter, and then stated not contact him about grades anymore. Truly disgusting!!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Took his class over the summer. Literally, study the slides and the EDU pack and you will be fine. A lot of the test questions are already on EDU Pack. He gives extra credit in the end. I was the last person to stay for the final and yup got an A. He's funny with his stories but mostly he wants you to do good.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Took for summer class. His lecture slides are clear and it's clear he cares about his students. Can get off topic in class, but genuinely wants you to pass and do well. The textbook is a topic I can't say for or against - if you think you need it, get it. His lectures and studying were enough for me to pass well off.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO315
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Nice guy, obviously passionate about his field. That being said, his lectures are very frustrating because he constantly goes off topic and spends a lot of time talking about irrelevant things. If you are a Type A student who prefers to stay on topic, choose another professor. Otherwise, he's fine.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO315
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Schmidt is highly knowledgeable about the course material. During his office hours, he is good at answering questions and explaining things. Yet, during lectures, he rambles on a lot and gets distracted quite easily. This would often result in him not going over all of the material in lectures.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Overall great class, so many opportunities for extra credit. Makes learning basic biology a lot of fun! You don't need to buy the book but the online edu-pack gave me an A.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO315
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Schmidt is a wonderful professor. He summarizes the contents of the textbook, but it is also helpful to look at the textbook from time to time. Try visiting him during office hours. He is interesting to talk to. Exams are straightforward. Just spend time committing the lectures to memory.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO
• 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:

general biology; human biology

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: 101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Definitely tied with a few professors as the kindest at Stony Brook. Helpful and understanding. Posts slides and lectures are available with the purchase of the textbook.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO315
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

go to office hrs or never get help with this prof, but he warns you of this first day of class. Ignored emails are common; don't take it personally. homework is annoying and can be the difference between an A and an A- if you're not getting 98s on all the tests. He backtracks hella often during lectures; textbook is better than him tbqh

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIO315
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Taking this class currently. Schmidt is one of the nicest guys in the Biology Dept. He IS a good lecturer but he would be better if he was more sure of himself. Microbiology is an ever-changing field so it is difficult for him to know the material inside and out. However, a very straight forward class. If you study you will get an A. Simple.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO315
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This professor is dope. I haven't enjoyed a science class in a while and it's not like it's my favorite now, but the way he teaches makes everything relatable and even interesting... plus he's a funny dude. Props to Professor Schmidt! You only need the textbook for homework. But his exams are on slides. And there are Echoes.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Schmidt was an awesome teacher for BIO 101! It was a large lecture class but very few people actually went to class. I, personally, went to almost every lecture; even though the slides are posted online, he gives really good tips and pointers during the actual lecture (sometimes he'll even reveal something that will be on the exam!).

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: NFS2020
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are always super interesting and relevant. Seriously the best nutrition teacher I've had. He's very straight forward, tells you what is and isn't on the test. Love the way he gives us the powerpoint packets. Office hours are also very helpful

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: 101
• 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:

he's a GREAT professor upto 10 points for extra credit, exams based off of slides he really wants you to do well. cares about his students which is so pretty much rare in any bio class TAKE HIM!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: 101
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a good Bio Professor but I had a hard time understanding him. He's a bit unorganized and his test are hard. He will help you out, only if you ask him for help.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is good guy, but you never have to go to class. His lectures were boring and they should not have been an hour and 20 minutes. He thinks he is funny and the class just drags on. Besides the point that he never answers his email, he is a good teacher and you will get good grades. But does not provide a review session :

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIO315
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Drop dead easy professor. For an A: 1. Do homework 2. Memorize the slides