Larry Friesen - Santa Barbara City College

Professor: Larry Friesen

Department: Biology

College: Santa Barbara City College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BOT121
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is all about reading and getting things done on time. The professor is very generous and his readings are interesting. His exams require a lot of typing but are doable and the labs I thought were kind of fun. I enjoyed this class overall.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ZOO122ONLINE
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Friesen was an amazing online teacher. He was so clear and responsive, and overall super knowledgeable. His whole class was based off of his own textbooks and website that he developed. However, you are definitely going to LEARN that information. I would definitely recommend this class for people with bio/zoo majors.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

It was quite difficult in the beginning, but I would improve my scores each exam until finally earning a 97 on my final. You definitely have to spend a few hours per week on this class, however as long as you are good at scanning his online textbook (he made it himself) and using ctrl-F to find what you need, you should be okay. Lots of writing!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ZOO122ONLINE
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very educated teacher with an amazing online site for course work. I literally have learned so much from this class that I have actually obtained in memory. The essays make me think and challenge myself I love it. Everything is open notes/ resources so no reason to fail. I love how all the pictures are his own on his website and very facinating.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ZOO122ONLINE
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His online textbook you use is terrible and outdated. His papers are well laid out but the material and requirement make the essay difficult due to lack of materials you can use.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ZOOL137
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Larry is the reason I switched from being a culinary arts major to a Zoology major! Courses are essay heavy, but the text is so fascinating (especially if you're into science) that I was excited to write my papers because of all the cool stuff I was learning. Did you know that birds are dinosaurs?!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO112
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Took the 6-week online summer course. This course, in particular, is essentially writing a paper every week. It was incredibly time-consuming. However, he lays out exact guidelines of how to write the papers and they consist of essentially re-wording his lectures/textbook. Weekly quizzes were open book, but surprisingly hard.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO120
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Thought exam questions were fair and interesting. Provided a comprehensive understanding of the material. Could see how this class would be difficult for somebody who has never taken college level biology courses . I thought the text was interesting, most sections are good and have great photos but some sections did not come to conclusive point.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO120
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is not for slackers. This is probably the only class that does not require dissecting, so that's why I took it (online). The papers are definitely difficult, easy quizzes, and the labs - start EARLY on them. I managed to finish the class with an A but it was not easy. Just plan ahead and remember it's just a class! You can do it!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tough online course, but one of few GE science courses offered online. Weekly quizzes are open book and easy. But four long essays require tons of reading/research on dry subjects. Several people failed b/c essays included too much material not "in own words."

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BOT121
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The course is very well set up, clear due dates, professor gives plenty of time for essays, and exams, is aware of other classes and encourages to start early. He responds to emails quickly. Class is time consuming I will say, the hardest class I have ever taken, but got an A. If you want that A you have to work hard, but then again Im an ECE major

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very tough online course. Weekly quizzes are open book and easy. But 4 long essays on science topics were deadly uninteresting to this non-science major. But it was one of few GE science courses available online. Several people failed course for copying too closely to original text, not putting really hard concepts "in own words."

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIO120
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Only take Larry's class if you're interested in science or fine with writing essays. His book jumps right into sophisticated scientific language, so not easy for someone just trying to get the science GE done. No need to do the weekly reading, you learn everything by searching for the right information through the text for the essay exam questions.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO120
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He only teaches to sell his book, which is outdated. Instead of using either moodle or canvas, which work wonderfully, you have to use different 3rd party sites to check in, buy the book, access the material, and turn in assignments. Class is easy though, as long as you don't want to learn anything and don't mind funding his vacation.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIOL122
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His online book is very clear and organized. There's a quiz about once a week, but they only take about 15-20 minutes, and there are 2 essays and 2 essay-like exams. He provides where the answers are found for both. He responds to emails very quickly and is helpful with his answers. If you're comfortable with essays, this class should be an easy A

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Wouldn't suggest taking a course like Biology online. Much better professors and more interesting classes on campus.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIO110ZOO122
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Good teacher- a lot of quizzes and a few big papers but as long as you're following along with the reading you'll be fine. Nice guy.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof. wrote the book, his questions and essay prompts have to be re-read multiples times. Difficulty trying to do outside research because his book and outside sources do not coincide. He is available to answer questions by email, which was the only positive about this class.

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I took natural science 110 online with Larry. Awesome teacher! Just try as hard as you can on the weekly quizzes (some were pretty tough) and follow all the essay guidelines and you'll do fine! 10 quizzes, 2 essays, and 2 exams. The material is kind of tough to write about sometimes but I'm a polysci major so this subject isn't very interesting.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIO103
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Larry's class is very tough and it doesn't help that he is unorganized. There was set dates for our exams all of which changed. He claimed that we would have no final just a paper and we ended up with both a very difficult final and paper on the last week of school.