Thomas Shea - University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA

Professor: Thomas Shea

Department: Biology

College: University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: LIFE1010
• 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:

Here's a guy who gets it. Prof. Shea knows his class is taken by students in other majors. He didn't dive too deep, and instead wanted us to get the big picture. He didn't have difficult exams or attendance requirements, and I still did plenty of learning. As a CS major who was also taking 3000/4000 level CS courses, thank you Professor Shea.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: LIFE1010
• 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:

Fantastic professor for Life Science 1. Did not need to go to class but if you did there was opportunity to get a full letter grade added to your final grade. All tests were take home, open note open collab. Easy to read textbook. Very funny. Would recommend the lectures.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: LIFES101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

If you are looking for the easiest A of your college career take Life Sci with Prof. Shea. Attendance is never taken and the entire course is based off of four take home exams. Google the answers and your set.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: LFESC101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Absolutely rude and unprofessional when teaching. He is rude when responding to emails and makes culturally insensitive jokes during class. He calls people out when after they get to use the bathroom. If you can switch out before it is too late.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: LIFE1010
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Shea is an amazing lecturer. He warned us that we could pass the class without showing up as exams and textbook are done online, but I would HIGHLY suggest going to each one. He makes the subject matter very interesting as he is very passionate about it and the lectures make you think. If you need a science with lab, take this course with him.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: LIFE1010
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

You have to buy the e-book in order to do the online homework ($56). Also, the professor was extremely rude to me over email. However, you do not need to show up to a single lecture to get an A, so I'd recommend this professor to anyone who is looking for an easy Natural Science elective.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: LIFE1010
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

You never have to show up to class. Ever. There are 4 exams -- done online and open book. He emails everyone to announce when the exam is posted, and you are given a week to complete it. This is practically an online course. Easiest A I've ever received.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: LIFE1010
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Professor Shea is a really funny and kind-hearted man but I only went to at least 5 classes throughout the semester. You don't even have to show up to know what's going on since all of the online quizzes require you to look up the answers. Talk about an easy A!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: LIFE1020
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Life I was easy. Life II took a lot of work. First exam took about 4 hours, second about 3, third and forth about 1.5 hours each. Questions are tricky and getting a good grade is hard this time around.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: LIFE1010
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I highly recommend taking Life Science with Professor Shea. His lectures are inspiring, engaging, and thought-provoking. If you show up to class, you will gain a lot from this course. He structures the course in such a way that lessens the burden of getting grades and focuses more on thinking about the world in an educated manner.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: LIFES101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Ummm honestly, I couldn't even tell you what Thomas Shea looks like. I went to one class all semester, and passed with an A. 4 exams all online, and the answers are either common sense high school biology/chemistry, or can be googled. If you want to be part of the 5/200 students that go to class, he will give you bonus points on your final grade.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: LFESC101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

You don't need to show class. I showed up to every lecture and honestly enjoyed them as he can be very funny and educational. Having no stress in science can really help you learn when hes very forgiving about the subjects.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: LFESC101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Shea is an extremely funny man. But more importantly he is enthusiastic about what he teaches and understands that cells may not be interesting to everyone, but at least he tries to make it as entertaining and easy to comprehend as possible. I thought I would be bored but the content covered is extremely interesting. Highly recommend.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: LIFE1010
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

His Life Science class is the easiest. Attendance isn't mandatory at all. He only gives 4 online exams, in which you can search for the answers. You take it wherever, whenever. It's the real "sounds too good to be true", but trust me, it's true. If you're in Exploring The University, do yourself a favor and switch into his class and get the A!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: LFESC1010
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Went to his class and half way in I stopped going. His class holds a lot of people in an auditorium. You don't need to show up, but showing up could get you a higher grade. I read everything online as I was doing his online tests. he has 4 and that makes up your total grade. If you plan on going into LFESCI 2 be sure to try to learn as much

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: LFESC101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I took life 1 and i signed up for life 2. I went to the first class for about 20 minutes. Everything is online, open notes, open book, open google. Im a cj major and hate science, and I got an A.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: LIFES1010
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Easy A. Some interesting points but honestly did not attend 50% of lectures.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: LIFE1010
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Take this class if you need an easy science with lab. Thomas Shea is a super cool guy, tries to entertain with his lectures and stays informative. All exams (even the final) are online and open book.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: LIFES101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Super easy professor. Gives 2-3 online exams. Take both Life Science 1 & 2. You can take them at the same time. You NEVER need to go to class, he even emails you to remind you to take the exams. Beware, he gets salty if you don't email him with the highest of manners, but I imagine hes tired of teaching a 200 student class where 4 people show up..

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: LFESC101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great professor! Took life science 1 for non bio majors. Really enjoyed the class. Can't get anything lower than a B. I've heard that nobody has ever failed his class as long as you do the tests. He scales big time.