Monty Vacura - Orange County Community College (SUNY)

Professor: Monty Vacura

Department: TBD

College: Orange County Community College (SUNY)

Rating # 1

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Professor Vacura was overall a good professor, he has all his notes available online ad the textbook isn't really used and free online or $20 at the book store. The lectures were quite boring but he was a jokester from time to time. One piece of advise TAKE THE SAME LECTURE AND LAB PROFESSOR if you don't you might struggle a lot with teaching style

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIOLOGY
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The professor himself is nice, it's just that he could go more into detail on the subjects that he is teaching.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I absolutely love prof v. Reading about him on here made me nervous to take his class, but hes awesome. Its bio so its hard and tests are difficult, but hes hilarious and makes lectures and 3 hour labs enjoyable. He gets to know his students and jokes with us all the time. I wish he taught chemistry so I could take another class with him!!

Rating # 4

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

GREAT. Quizzes are online and there was almost zero HW. He offers extra credit and explains the concepts very well. He also posts practice tests online before exams that are almost identical to what you will get. Do the work and you will get an A!

Rating # 5

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Took 110 online because it's way easier to manage with my school and work schedule. However, do NOT take this class online if you think you're getting out of dissecting something. Paid over $200 to have lab kits shipped to my house, and in one I got a pig fetus, sheep heart, and sheep kidney. Don't wanna dissect, don't take this!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His course can be hard due to the material BUT he does a great job at breaking it down and helping as much as he can. He's a great professor ! He gives quick feedback and is good at preparing you for his test.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

No. For people who struggle with science, like myself, this was a very challenging intro to bio lab class. Quizzes before every single class, vague, and favorites certain people in the class. He does have a good sense of humor, however, not helpful when you are struggling. Barely passed the class only because I had a great lecture professor.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I started the semester very weak and steadily brought my grade up. Prof. Vacura is fair, helpful and patient. I recommend him for Intro to Bio!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Funny guy - likes to make jokes to make the lecture more interesting. Overall, the class is pretty straightforward. Can be tricky to understand at times, but he will help clarify for you if you ask.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Favorite professor this semester. He moves fast in lecture because there is so much material to cover, but all of his notes are online and printable. He also has quizzes online for every chapter to add cushion to the grading process. Overall I really like him and he has an excellent understanding of what he is teaching

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• 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:

I had Professor Vacura for Lecture last semester and it was awful! Im a very good student but whenever he would take it was gibberish to me. He never explained thoroughly and he would get mad or even chuckle when you didnt understand something. As a future teacher myself, the only thing he taught me was what not to do.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Vacura is an excellent teacher. He listens carefully to questions students have and answers them thoroughly. I felt that I learned a lot in his class, simply from his lectures.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took Vacura because many people said he was great. Well, hes not. Hes extremely difficult and doesnt elaborate on things with easy terminology for someone without biology background to understand. He makes you do 2 lab reports that range from 10-12 pages long and are honestly just busy work, but its really hard bc he doesn't teach well to get it.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof V. is a very good teacher. He gives only online quizzes which you get to retake three times and then he puts up study guides and review material prior to the test to help. Tests were a little difficult just be ready to study for them. The final at the end of the semester is also optional and can drop the lowest test grade. I would recommend.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Took Intro to Bio summer session 2. Highly recommend this teacher. Info was easy to digest. Gives ample opportunity for students to succeed. Excellent lecturer, and easy to approach.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Had him for lecture. Not good. Vacura knows his stuff and is a nice enough guy, but his manner of delivering information is unhelpful and frustrating. I recommend YouTube for clearer explanations and reading the corresponding text chapters religiously. Can't emphasize the text enough. Do NOT rely on his lecture slides or study guides for tests.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIO110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is a very good teacher, explains everything very well and thorough. He is always willing to help and will always let you retake missed assignments. he is very cool.

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I loved Vacura! Unfortunately, I only had him for the lab section of my bio class but he was easily one of my favorite teachers. He is funny and does provide help (if you ask for it). His practicals are not that hard as long you review the previous material(s) and are able to use a microscope properly. I definitely recommend him for bio lab.

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Professor Vacura is great. I got a solid A in his class. He was very helpful in class and provided visuals through his powerpoints. He's a challenging grader but gives extra credit. He offers lots of study guides which end up being great material for flash cards.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He's a nice guy, but very vague. Anytime I didn't understand something and asked for help, I was left with more questions than answers. Lectures and exams are all over the place, study guides didn't help much, notes lack depth/explanations. I struggled to keep up with each unit, but maybe it was just me?