Gene Cota - Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley

Professor: Gene Cota

Department: Biology

College: Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I love this man! He has been a great and fun teacher. His labs are always so much fun and lectures are alright too. His lab exams are easy, but the lecture exams are pretty tough. Study outside of class and make sure you go to a tutor for any additional help. I would defiantly recommend him to anyone looking for a humble and fun teacher.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Cota is an amazing professor. His tests are exactly what he lectures on. Lab exams are straight memorization. The class is only hard if you don't show up and don't study. I studied at least 30 minutes every night and was just fine. Do not wait until the last minute. He says "study every day like the test is tomorrow." I passed no problem

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIOL110
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Cota, is an awesome professor. His love for his career shows within his teaching skills. He is very knowledgeable and definitely challenges your ability to retain information and learn. I actually looked forward to going to lecture and lab and wish he taught more classes. review, review and review your notes again and again, you'll pass.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I think he is by far the best teacher I have ever had. He makes jokes and says things to help you remember the material. it is not an easy class. his test are not easy. study your notes and memorize what you can. Good luck!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIOL110
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Worked hard for my 89.9% ! Cota posted a list of what was going to be on the test and I used it to make a study guide for lecture exams. Still only got 1 A. Only 1 lab exam was not an A. I recommend using biology lab for lab practice. But I'm proof if you take the time to study properly you can get an A and Cota provides all the info requiired

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIOL110
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Cota was fun and caring, but very tough. He definitely prepared me for knowing the anatomy and the relation of each part. If you attend his class, come every day and be prepared for tough tests.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I don't get why people like him so much. I have a good grade in the class, but I feel like it's due to my extra efforts and not from his help. I constantly see people struggling in his class that work so hard, and his great advice is for them to "figure it out." He is sorta funny, but not very compassionate and determined to help students succeed.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Do NOT take this class if you aren't ready to spend 10+ hr every week studying. Points only come from exams which are hard! His lab exams are some what easy if you study/make make flash cards and are willing to teach yourself. Lecture exam are only over what he lectures on so record them! Overall I would not recommend him and or take him again.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He's okay. He knows his stuff, and he's hilarious. If you want an A, record every lecture and read the textbook. You're only graded by exams. Lecture exams are very tough. He wasn't really available during lab, he left a lot, so that wasn't helpful.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a great teacher his lecture exams are tough and lab exams are a piece of cake. My best advice to you is to record every lecture take all his notes and read the chapter. Then you will succeed in his class but its doable just got to put in the time and effort.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His lecture exams are hard but the lab exams are easy as long as you study. I took pictures of what we were dealing with in lab and it helped a lot! He is really funny during lecture and lab, he makes them fun! He is always willing to help you if you're struggling with a topic.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIOL110
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Cota is an awesome teacher! He's patient and helpful but makes you work for your grade. Loved his class and I don't think I would've liked it as much if it was a different teacher.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

LOVE THIS MAN. Gives good mnemonic devices in his lectures (and forewarning of what will be on test, including extra credit questions). Some classmates had a hard time with his teaching style. I attended every class, took good notes and recorded lectures and labs, and got a 97%. Doesn't assign reading, but some book material will be on tests.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Attend and RECORD every lecture! What he discusses in lecture WILL be on the test so take good notes. Use the book as an alternate resource to dive deeper into the material. He gives you all the information needed in both lecture and lab tests so STUDY STUDY STUDY and you WILL pass with a great grade! Gene Cota is one of the best professors.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Clear course structure. Don't skip lectures, if you do, have someone record them. Lab tests are memorization of structures. Some lecture exams had ironic/funny contexts that either helped you with clue or indicated an obviously wrong answer. Enthusiastic instructor. Immediate grade return, often the same day. High recommendation.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIOL110
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Awesome class! Never any homework but studying for tests took place of that. He had great examples to help remember things and stuck to information you truly need to know. FYI take notes! Anything he writes on the board, write it down. I found that colored pens helped a lot. He was also very funny and taught the material in sections which helped.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIOL110
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Your grade is based off exams only. There is no homework. There is some extra credit available on tests though. Take good notes! He often shares stories to tie concepts together- pay attention to those! Don't expect any sympathy if you get sick, there are no makeups on tests. He knows his material and is very funny. If you need help ask him!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIOL110
• 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:

Cota is a super cool teacher. He has a long, graying ponytail and is part of a Grateful Dead tribute band. He often makes jokes and is easy going in his Anatomy course. He uses layman's terms and tells you exactly what to study and how the course will go. Successful students spend time studying. DO NOT LEAVE LAB EARLY- or you won't get the grade.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher ! But this class is though expect to take 5 lecture test 6 lab tests and about 8 pop quizes in lab. Things to do for success in this class take notes, bring a tape recorder, pay attention to test dates, if he makes a funny comment it will be on test, study notes, DONT Drop class easier towards the to bring grade up

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIOL110
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He writes everything you need to know for the lecture tests on the board, so if you take solid notes and study them, you will pass. He is happy to answer any questions, and gives good feedback on how best to prepare for the exams. There's no homework and no papers. Great teacher, and he makes sure to keep the class interesting.