Barry R Chess - Pasadena City College, Pasadena, CA

Professor: Barry R Chess

Department: Science

College: Pasadena City College, Pasadena, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MICRO1
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Mr Chess is truly an excellent professor for Microbiology. His lectures are fun and he is always willing to answer many specific questions regarding class material and lab tests. Make sure you take the advantage of office hour cuz he is very accessible to students. He uploads the grades super fast as well, like 5 hours after the test!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIO39
• 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:

Professor Barry is awesome! He is hilarious, which makes the material easier to learn. He talks about current topics in genetics, linking the information to the curriculum. Quizzes online with unlimited attempts. Tests are fair, but surely difficult if you did not put effort into studying. Labs were fun and useful to know!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIOL039
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

16 quizzes (online, may be taken as often as you wish) make up 1/4 of your grade. His grading is not transparent, but for the most part, he hands out As for lab assignments. He grades lab report more strictly, but nothing to be afraid of. Study guides match exams for the most part (do them and you will receive an A ). Very easy class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO39
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Amazing professor. Attendance is key if you want to pass his class and participation. He'd had pretty awesome stories, learn as much as you can from him. You won't pass his tests if you dont study both his lectures or the book, he does have study guides for all exams. There are very few good professors at PCC and he is definitely on top of the list

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MICRO1
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Chess was a great! He does have really high expectations of what you should know and you have to study in advance and keep up with the reading! There are many lab and lecture exams that can really begin to feel like you have an exam every week. He is tough but he is a great professor. If you are willing to work for it you will pass.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MICRO002
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Chess has been my favorite professor at PCC so far! He makes his lectures very fun and entertaining! His tests and labs are pretty challenging, but he is always there to help answer questions and makes sure you really understand. He def. wants his students to do well. As long as you're willing to put in the work, I would DEF reccommend!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MICRO2
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Chess is hands down one of the best professors at PCC. It's Micro so it is one of the harder classes, BUT professor Chess makes it easy to understand. His teaching method is amazing and he ensures you understand the material by answering all your questions. Study his slides and read the chapters because both will help. Loved his class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MICRO2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is a really funny person who is also very knowledgable! His class wasn't easy so don't fall behind on studying because before you know it there's another test creeping up on you. He really welcomes any questions and concerns so ask away! Time management is crucial in this class, I can't stress it enough. Half of each class dropped so be ready!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MICRO1
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Awesome teacher, will help you with any question, so ask! You have to work hard to get an A, it doesn't come easy. It was a fun class, I took it the winter course, you need the book to be successful, his study guides are exactly the test, know them by heart and you will get an A. You don't have to attend lecture but you do have to attend lab.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MICR002
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

With Professor Chess what you see is what you get. He knows micro and he knows how to teach. He wrote the book you will use in class. Don't expect to take his class and do the bare minimum and slide by, it won't happen. Micro is not an easy course. Put in the time and effort required, and you'll do well. Great professor and a great person!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO39
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Chess cares about his students and he wants to see you succeed. If you do the work, even if it's not your best, he will grade you fairly. Attendance does matter. Just show up, do the work and you'll be sure to get an A or B easy.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MICRO1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

my fav teacher at PCC. you have to work. but he wrote the lab manual and knows what hes talking about and is very clear. you have to do some online assignments but they really help you study and you get points for it. this is my second time taking this class and he is so much better than the other micro teachers here. really nice guy

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIOL39
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He's very good but you must work

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MICRO1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

LOVE professor Chess! His exams are not easy, and you do have some work, but he is an amazing teacher. The way he lectures is very easy to understand because he gives great real life examples. By far my favorite professor I've ever had at PCC!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIOL039
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

online WEEKLY QUIZZES 3x/week. TESTS are similar to online quizzes--MULTIPLE CHOICE 50 questions/40 minutes time for each exam. Do extremely detailed lab report write-up with citations and abstract just for 30 points. WORK hard, teach and red textbook ourself, does NOT explain well so student comprehends and digests human genetics. TAKE other prof.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO39
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You have 5 exams, 23 online quizzes, some labs - one where you write up a report and another w a small group activity, and a presentation. The online quizzes and presentation are easy but he grades REALLY hard on the labs you turn in. He curves the test but don't expect that to save you. Just go over the practice tests online before exam day.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIOL039
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Hard but fair. Make sure you read the book and go over his quizzes. The majority of the tests are from the quizzes. He explains everything with amazing clarity. Take hime if you want to learn something

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIO39MICRO2
• 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:

He's a great professor, and a funny one too! In micro, as long as you take lecture notes and then supplement your notes with the book (in accordance with the study guide), you should be fine. In genetics, all you really need is the powerpoints and study guide. His lectures are that good! His tests are a bit challenging, but he curves them.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIO39
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Although I had trouble trying to keep my grade up the professor was always willing to help. It is an absolute MUST to thoroughly read the chapters he assigns in order to pass weekly quizzes. Really nice guy but the class is hard!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MICRO2
• 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:

Truly one of the hardest courses I've taken in college. He is an awesome teacher and makes lectures beyond fun. He's really funny as well, I enjoyed this class very much. BUT the exams are extremely hard and sometimes confusing. You have to study like crazy to pass this class. I like a challenge, so I liked this class.