John Bickford - University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Professor: John Bickford

Department: Psychology

College: University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH100
• 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:

He is a very kind, sympathetic, and hilarious professor who explains things very well and makes sure that all the grades that go into the system and all of the assignments are very reasonable and he is open to talking about any issues that may happen. One of the best professors I've ever had

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH380
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Bickford is the most empathetic, kind, and funny prof ever. He schedules exams to be the weeks before midterm/final week so that you don't have to worry about his class on top of everything else. The class is very easy but I always attend class anyway because he's awesome. I've taken 3 classes with him and wish I could take more.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PSYC370
• 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:

Great guy. He explains things very well and often gets into his personal experiences which is pretty cool. His assignments are cake, he has make-up exams (takes your better score) and you get to use your notes, doesn't believe in finals, and half of his assignments are optional. He also gives A TON of extra credit (peep syllabus ��)

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH100
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Homework may feel like too much work at times, but that is the easiest wayto study for his exams. He allows cheat sheets for all exams and makeup exams. Lots of different things factor into grade, with some important categories. In class is random attendance (part of grade). Fun lecturer and really enthusiastic about student success

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Best teacher for Psych 100!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PSYC370
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This is my second class with Prof. Bickford and I can say, without a doubt, that he is my favorite professor that I've had here. You can tell he cares about having his students succeed and actually take something away from the material assigned. The course load is a little heavy, yes, but is still a quality class that you can take and use in life.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH360
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Legitimately one of my favorite profs at UMass. He's so funny, tells relatable stories from his childhood, and is visibly passionate about the subject matter. He's very approachable, so if you wanted to chat with him about studies, grading, etc. he had no problem taking time to speak with students. Such a wonderful man

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PSCYH100
• 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:

Very tough class to do poorly in. John is a great lecturer and gives ample opportunity for extra credit. Even if you are not a strong test taker, you're likely to do well in this course if you stay engaged.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHSYC100
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lectures were funny and interesting as well as interactive. Homework was very clear and was all through an online textbook/ interactive learning system. Tests were fair and reasonable and matched up with the study guides. Best professor I've had here highly recommend

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH360
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Bickford has been my favorite professor at Umass so far. There was never a lecture I was not laughing in. Exams are open note and pretty straightforward as long as you pay attention in class and take notes.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PSY100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I would take every class with him! He gives you a monster syllabus at the beginning that clearly defines his expectations and following them nets an A. Constantly gives extra credit opportunities and exams are simple double-sided cheat sheet to the exam. Lectures are standout and funny; you have to go for reaction paper + iClicker credit.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PSY360
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Bickford is the man. This class was pretty easy with 4 open note exams, two individual papers, one group paper and a few participation papers. If you look at the study guides before the exam you're fine. Attendance only natters for the participation papers (you can miss 2 out of 7)

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHSYC100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Bickford is one of the most respected and amazing professors you are ever going to have for psychology. He is a very understanding man and approachable. You can literally pass without much of an effort. Don't miss those reaction papers though!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH360
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Easy grader on papers, many chances to get extra credit, allows a cheat sheet on exams. Class is easy but engaging, and Prof Bickford really cares about his students! I'd take every class with him if I could. Also textbook is free online if you google it.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Make sure you get John if you're taking Psych 100. His lectures are engaging - while his speaking seems dry at first, he frequently sprinkles in ridiculous analogies and wicked jokes without changing his tone of voice. There's a lot of leeway with missing assignments and you get 2 chances for each exam. It'd be hard not to get an A in this course.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH391ZZ
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Easy and fun class, very discussion oriented. Don't take this class unless you are genuinely interested in the subject matter and open to talking about it. John is accessible and the TAs are helpful too. Assignments are straightforward. I got so much out of this class, genuinely life changing.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Bickford is the best to take PSYCH 100 with. If you do all the required assignments you will get an A. There are also opportunities to get extra credit and he allows a cheat sheet for the exams!!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH391ZZ
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Great seminar class with lots of interesting discussion. John leads it well but also knows when to back off and let the students take over.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PSYC370
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I liked everything but Bickford in my opinion was weirdly hard to talk to, he seemed to have an attitude or be uncomfortable by direct conversation after class. Other than that great class, I loved the way he lectured it was funny and also informative. SO MANY oppurtunities to get an A or a good grade. Woud recommend to take this class again.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH370
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Amazing professor. Gives you tons of free passes to miss stuff or drop a bad grade. Lectures were always interesting and the material stuck. Exams were open note but even without looking at notes, straightforward and easy. Tons of extra credit. Hard not to get an A in this class- it's literally set up so that you can get a good grade very easily