Jeffrey Ihara - MiraCosta College (all)

Professor: Jeffrey Ihara

Department: Biology

College: MiraCosta College (all)

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BI202
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I absolutely loved Jeff Iharas class. It's true- he is challenging and makes you think but you will know the material really well when you're done. He comes off as aloof and stern but he genuinely cares and is a total gem if you put in effort. Go to class, do the readings, answer all his lecture questions and you should do well on the exams.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIO202
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

terrible professor. Treated us like were grad students with the level of difficulty in his course. He knows the stuff but a terrible professor. Probably shouldnt be teaching. For the sake of your GPA, DO NOT TAKE HIM. Due to school politics, he is tenured. Meaning he cant be fired, but his classes are usually down to 4-5 people from 24 people.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is a great professor IF you are a Bio major but otherwise it is so difficult. I took this class twice now and my first professor explained everything much better than him in my opinion. If you are not passionate about Biology than this class with be difficult. Listen to the audio videos he records over and over until you feel confident enough!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you want to be successful in Bio 202, do not take his class, the way he teaches is awkward. He doesn't care about his student. I regret taking this class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIO202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

You cannot put enough time in for this class. The amount of work he expects is insane. He basically tries to get through graduate level class worth of material in each unit. If you have to take this class, and you want to be successful in it, make sure that you have a very light load of classes and work. All your time will be spent on this class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO100
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I can't believe I got a B in this class! Its hard! He is a good professor but I took the hybrid class which was lectures online and lab once a week. There was zero lecture from him which even he admitted was not working, I do not think MiraCosta does hybrid biology anymore as most prof wont attempt it. He'll work with you if you need it.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO202
• 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:

He's nice but I wasn't much of a fan. I'm usually good with writing papers but he would grade so hard and give low scores. His class wasn't that organized since he was starting the flipped classroom. Tests were difficult but I'd say do the lecture questions to get you ready for exam. Lab was fun/easy though.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO202
• 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. Ihara is amazing! You have to come to all of the lectures and take detailed notes, because the tests can get kind of intense. People complain about the difficulty, but if you put in the time, you can do really well in the class, and learn a ton. I would definitely recommend the class if you're willing to pay attention.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO202
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Ihara is an incredible but difficult professor. Don't buy the textbook because his free response tests are based entirely on his lectures. I found myself typing his lectures out verbatim because every word that comes out of his mouth is important. There are also many papers to write and lots of EC. Answer and memorize EVERY single lecture question!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO202
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Ihara is one of the best professors I have ever had. Although the class is definitely not an easy A, by coming to class and paying attention, an A is totally achievable. Your notes will become your best friend in your class since the textbook is not referenced much for information. So be sure to pay close attention during lecture!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO202
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Ihara is basically a genius. His class is very difficult, but if you put in the effort, show up, ask questions, and show him you care you're likely to get a good grade. We all know we should read prior to lecture, but this professor I would highly HIGHLY recommend reviewing before going into lecture. He's not as terrible as others say.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO202
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Jeff Ihara of the most confusing teachers I have ever had. While Professor seems to be very knowledgeable about the field of Biology, he may not be the best teacher. His method of asking questions and his communication skills are awkward at best.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BI202
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Jeff Ihara, he's a cool guy, but he's a challenging professor. Of course the subject matter isn't easy, but he defiantly makes things more complex than they need to be. I think he's meant to teach upper division biology so if biology is your thing I would take him because he's super intelligent. I wouldn't take him again.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO202
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Ihara is by far one of the best teachers I have ever had! listening very very carefully to the lectures in class is essential. I kept a very detailed notebook for lectures and labs helped significantly. No reading of the textbook is needed to get a high A (never opened the book). Tests can have tiny details from the notes (Beware)!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I had to drop the class halfway through the semester cause of personal reasons, but Dr Ihara was the best. This was the hardest class I ever took by far, but he makes it engaging and gives great criteria/feedback. Requires a lot of work and expects you to do it & be all in. Not for slackers, but totally worth it if you can commit & follow through.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO202
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I feel like there are so many comments about how Ihara is a bad teacher, but that's ONLY if you don't care about the class and don't put in the work to do well! He gives out what he calls "Bad Extra Credit" and there's seriously SO many opportunities for it. Go to class, take good notes, and study like you're supposed to and you will pass.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is tough cuz it's meant to prepare for A&P. Prof. Ihara does that well. There's a test every week (helps study each week instead of cramming for Midterm and Final). He expects you to know your stuff, but isn't picky if use explanations over specific terminology. Take advantage: all BEC, STEM Lab /Tutoring, BB-Collabs (GEMS!), ask q's??

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIO100
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Please do not take his BIO 100 class. There is a test of 20 points every week. I took the half online/half lecture and it was horrible. His videos make no sense, he is so dull when he talks you have 4-5 mini quizzes each week on top of that. He is a tough grader and the midterm is more points than you accumulate all semester. Avoid.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIO202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Ihara knows his subject extremely well. He's fun for the more advanced student. For the more pedestrian learner, he is a nightmare. Completion rate: 30% Take excellent notes in lab and answer all the discussion questions, and you'll probably pass. Ironically, very laid back in dress and demeanor. Don't let that fool you; this is a madman.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIO202
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Ihara's class is NOT easy. If you plan on taking a full load (I made the mistake of taking chem110 &bio202 in the same semester), you will have no free time. His class requires a lot of work outside class. He gives "optional" 100-question study guide that are ESSENTIAL for passing exams. He is very knowledgeable, funny, and gives great lectures.