Philip Motta - University of South Florida

Professor: Philip Motta

Department: Biology

College: University of South Florida

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ZOO3713C
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Motta is a legend amongst ichthyologists. He is extremeley knowledgeable of his field and even surrounding fields. You need to come to lecture/lab to pass, but he will make every second exciting and hilarious. It was a privilege to have had him for his last 2 semesters. The most inspirational professor I've ever had.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ZOO4454
• 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:

Dr. Motta is amazing! His classes may be tough but you can tell from the way he teaches that he truely cares. I've never had a professor with such passion for conservation and research. He is always willing to help. He is by far the best professor ever. He definitely inspired me!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ZOO3407
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

What can I say Professor Motta is a God! I will say I definitely struggled but it was more of my fault because I packed myself with 6 fairly crazy classes but I can say this was the greatest class ever!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ZOO3407
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Motta is amazing! He is one of those people who you will remember for years to come for all the right reasons. He is always happy and upbeat. Dr. Motta is passionate about everything he teaches and that passion is passed on to his students. One of the greatest pleasures of my entire academic career up to this point was having him as a teacher.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ZOO3407
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's very passionate about what he teaches, and it shows. His lectures are dense with information, its hard to catch up if you miss a class. Anything he says in lecture is fair game for the test, so be sure to pay attention. Dr. Motta is a really nice guy and his class is going to stick with me, I'm glad I got a chance to take a class with him.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ZOO3713C
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dudes a living legend among Ichthyologists. He's also a real life Jaques coustau. Attend all classes. Write everything he says in lecture is fair game for the exams in shark bio. Lab book for shark bio must be impeccable with drawings. Cant wait for his last fish bio class in the fall.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ZOO3713C
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Motta is one of the best professors I've ever had. He makes lectures very interesting and gives you a notebook of everything you need to know. There is a lot of studying needed for both lab and lecture. Both are very dense in material but if you enjoy this subject it's not too bad. Definitely worth the time and you actually learn useful info

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ZOO3713C
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Awesome course. You will have to basically know the material by heart, but the lectures are fun. Get the notes packet and know it for the exams! Essays are taken from the notes (what he wants you to know). He always drops in for lab, too :)

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ZOO3713C
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Great professor, TOUGH grader. This is a difficult course that he makes fun to come to lecture for. The essay portion of his exams have very vague questions and therefore it is difficult to figure out what he wants you to include in your response. Toughest grader I've ever had. He never makes you feel stupid when you ask a question, very nice guy.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ZOO3713
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I have taken Dr. Motta for two classes. I've taken "sharks and rays" &"cva" and I wish to take him again for any future classes. You have to be prepared and start studying for his classes. But he makes lectures interesting. In both classes there was 3 exams. For cva there was essay questions (tough need to be detailed).Your grade is based on that.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ZOO3407
• 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:

From the moment you meet Dr Motta, you feel this immense respect for him. He has so much knowledge to offer and it's clear that he's passionate about his work. He's a very busy man, but always makes time for you if you need extra help. Interesting class and lectures, don't skip - you won't do well. Can't wait for more courses with him!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ZOO3713C
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This was my favorite, but most difficult course I took at USF. Gives 10+ years of previous exams + answers. You buy his notes that he has written for you from pro copy for like $20 so you don't have to waste your money or time. You have to study from day 1 but I can say I've never actually retained so much info from a class. Get ready to work hard.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ZOO3713
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Motta, is one of the best professors I have taken. He not only gives awesome lectures but he is very clear in what you need to know in order to succeed. I took fish biology with him which was also a great class. But this is definitely a class that you have to work for your grade; very worth it though. I learned so much! Thanks Dr. Motta :)

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ZOO4454
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Motta is definitely one of the best professors at USF. His tests aren't easy because of the essays, because they really test all you know about the topic down the the last little detail. I love hearing him lecture and learning about fish. Hes so knowledgable and truly loves teaching. Work hard and go to class and you'll get a good grade.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ZOO3713
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

TAKE THIS CLASS!! but make your schedule so that you have enough time to devote to it. Comp anatomy is amazing with Dr. Motta. You will learn so much and he is such an interesting guy. I took two more classes with him after CVA because he is such a fantastic teacher and he will work with you until you understand it.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ZOO3407
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

AWESOME PROFESSOR. You can definitely tell he loves what he does. ZOO3407 contained a lot of material and a LOT of reading, as well as class participation. Wouldn't recommend if you're not a MRN major (I'm not) since it takes a lot of effort to get a good grade. However, it was very enjoyable and I loooved going to class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ZOO3713C
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr Motta was an excellent professor. He's really interested in the class and what he does. He's every helpful and clear during lectures. However, it's not something to take lightly. The class itself is difficult. There is a TON of information you need to know. ESPECIALLY for the lab. He curves it so even a 50 passes with a C- I am thankful!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ZOO3407
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Motta is an excellent instructor. He is one of the most interesting professors I've had at USF. He's got a lifetime of research experience that he shares with those in his class. He threw out a bunch of ideas for undergraduate research projects. He is genuinely interested in his students.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ZOO3471
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Motta is a great professor. He is really easy to approach/ask questions and seems to genuinely care about his students. I am excited to be taking him in the Spring for Comp. Anatomy!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ZOO3713C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Motta is the most incredible professor, and instructor, I have ever had. His knowledge of animals, and their functional morphologies is unmatched. I received an A in this course, but it was an A that I had to devote most of my time to. The lecture and lab are combined for one grade. The knowledge you obtain during the course is so rewarding.