John Beck - Foothill College

Professor: John Beck

Department: Astronomy

College: Foothill College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: AST10A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Cool group projects. Going out on a dark night with a green flashlight searching for the stars and measuring astronomical data. Lively, interesting lectures. When there is water, there is life! I fully recommend ! Great sense of humor, too.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ASTR10
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

First of all, just so you can get an idea of his appearance, he looks like Jay Leno. Despite this, his class on astronomy was easy. Didnt remember if textbook was needed. If so, didnt even remember using it much. It was so easy to a point I didnt even pay attention and passed. His lectures are pretty funny. His quizzes are pretty funny too.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ASTR10B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

John is a good professor who keeps his lectures laid back with a few jokes thrown in on the side. His tests are difficult but they are curved so you should be okay. He also drops your lowest test score (not including the final) so you should be able to get a good grade. The only negative thing I can say is that his tests are very hard but that's it

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ASTR10
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I found Professor Beck's course to be quite confusing and unstructured. Beck is a hilarious guy and made night class more enjoyable, but he often went off topic, making it hard for students who need organization. His tests are really difficult, but there is usually a curve. He was inflexible at times even with reasonable requests and questions.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ASTR10B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a chill guy and gives really laid back lectures, but if you do have questions outside of class don't expect them to be answered through email.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: 10A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is lit

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: AST10A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His class is fun, a lot of jokes going on. Contents are straightforward. However, I personally don't think his tests are easy.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ASTRONOMY2B
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

BEST PROFESSOR EVER. This guy was wonderful. I had work from 7-5 and then class from 6-10PM and he made it so good. He was very fair. he wants all his students to succeed and he will do anything to help. He gives extra credit and is very fair. His lab was super easy too. Do NOT pass this class up. Its too good.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO10A
• Grade Received: D+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very confusing. Harsh course but funny professor

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO10A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Awesome lecturer! Connects the importance of biology, chemistry, geology to astronomy. Haven't met a professor like him, and I don't believe I will, because he's phenomenal :) Crude sense of humor but super laid back. Don't see why people skip his class, because why would you -- He's such an interesting feller.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO10A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

John is an amazingly passionate teacher who totally gets the importance of teaching for long term learning rather than making you memorize a bunch of minor details. I did not want to take the class but am so glad I did. He opened my eyes to how the info we learn in chem, bio, maths, physics etc all have significance in Astronomy too. Who knew?

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ASTR10A
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Excellent professor, and excellent class. Key to a good grade is sitting in the first 5 rows nearest to the board and taking good notes. Bring a joke and participate in lecture makes the class even more enjoyable.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO10B
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Wonderful professor. He is very friendly, approachable and extremely knowledgeable on the subject. He is laid back about most things, and while studying for exams is a good idea, as long as you pay attention to the lectures you willbe good. Textbook is recommended but optional. He will love you especially if you come into class with a joke everyday

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO10A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great Professor! very understanding and teaches well. keeps it interesting and doesn't believe in treating his students like children. I took this class for G.E. but ended up enjoying it. Also has great sense of humor.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ASTR10A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He is very relaxed and gives his lectures in the same manner. Attendance is at your discretion, but exams are serious and worth your overall grades. He tries to keep it interesting and therefore uses profanity and lamen terms when possible. Easy class!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ASTR10
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Greatest professor I have ever had. I did not know anything prior to his class, nor did I care to be interested. He made me beyond interested in this class. I was engaged in every lecture. He helped me to understand, not just regurgitate text. I love this class and look forward to every one of them.TAKE THIS CLASS. Funny as hell to boot.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ASTR10A
• 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:

Dr. John Beck is a very insightful instruction whom is passionate about space exploration. His class is structured to prepare you for the final exam and to help you give educated answers to some of the most intriguing questions in the universe. Unless you are comatose in class, like a certain punk kid was in mine, you will do well.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ASTR10A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

A very lively and funny teacher. If you get offended easily, don't take this class. He gives extra credit and a study guide to help, but his clarity could use some work. Needs to show images of more things--he has pictures in his head we don't. Book isn't needed--pay 100% ATTENTION and take A LOT of notes. Overall, loves astronomy, a great guy!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: AST1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

bets professor he rocks we learnet so much