Robert Tombes - Virginia Commonwealth University

Professor: Robert Tombes

Department: Biology

College: Virginia Commonwealth University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIOL218
• 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:

He is very passionate about science and also about teaching it. He's tests come straight out of lecture but also require critical thinking which is expected at this point of your educational career. Great teacher, highly recommended.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIO218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Hardest class i've EVER taken. You can study for days and still not get A's on the exams, which are mostly fill in the blank and short answer with a few multiple choice. His lectures aren't very helpful. He goes over the figures in the book. But you need to go to class and pay attention to the things that seem insignificant.They will be on the exam

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIOL218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Tombes lacks interpersonal skills. He was very awkward and often unkind when I met with him in his office to get help. He has unrealistic expectations for his students and his lectures are disjointed making it hard to understand.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very challenging its true, but if you take good notes, read every chapter, pay attention to him, his test questions are crystal clear. Tough, yes, but he makes you work harder so you can actually take the material to yourself, this hard class will prepare you for any other classes.Awesome professor!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIOL218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tombes is intimidating. Lectures are WAY too full of stuff you don't need to know. When he starts writing on the board - WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN. Learn major concepts and don't worry about every single detailed example of every single concept he goes over - or else you'll drown in material. Randomly gives insight into tests during lecture - so GO

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Tombes' classroom discussions are much too detailed and his test preparations and explanations after class are useless. He does not post or give out his notes. His grading system makes it hard to get an A not matter how much you study. Tombes is a researcher and an expert in cell biology. However, his teaching skills are poor. Take regular cell bio

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CELLBIO
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

took cellbio an year ago, what an awful, non-helping professor. All the helpings are from preceptors, and all he does is just writing stuffs down on the board from his note. He goes into too much detail that's not required for MCAT or PCAt or whatever! not needed!!! this class will make your life miserable. If you purely want to learn, take it.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CELLBIOLOGY
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Tombes is the least helpful teacher ever! I drove 30 minutes to meet him to discuss a test and he was "at lunch" and we had an appointment! I then had to leave after waiting another 30min. b/c I had to go to work. He is also extremely arrogant and I think the only person who would rate him as "hot" would be himself!

Rating # 9

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Assertions that he failed half his students is absolute trashy gossip by bitter people. Tombes is indeed challenging, but its certainly doable.getting an A does not require a light schedule or giving up your social life.Bullock may be easier for those who are willing to exchange getting a lesser education, but taking tombes will help you in the end

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIOL218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

difficult teacher...i'm a great bio student, but this class breaks down the boys from the men and shows you how well you can really study...do not take this class softly, read the book and rehearse the various mechanisms in your head and rewrite them...a B is possible...an A improbable

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CELLBIO
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This is the hardest class I have ever taken.You will not get an A unless you read the book ENTIRELY,study your notes,go to SI sessions,and study so hard your eyes fall out.I got an A and it was the hardest A I have ever gotten.But I learned so much that I will never forget about RAS,the G proteins,etc..LOL..He's a super nice guy, too!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CELLBIO
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

are you ready to take the hardest class in ur entire undergrad ? You might read the other comments that hes a good teacher , i think yea he does know his stuff but teaching it i think his way of passing the information over is not clear and if you do take it, take it with lighter semester and be ready to start reading the book because it will be u

Rating # 13

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

He is one of the greatest teachers I have had. Yes, his class is challenging, but if he was such a bad teacher, then why is it a year from know I can explain everything there is to know about the cell. Even if I had failed his class, I would still give him a good rating. All of his tests come straight out of the book or notes. If you fail it is your own fault not his. My advise, take this class with a light course load because this man does no joke!!!!!!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I don't know if he suddenly switched syllabus' but he was immpossible when I had him. Over half the class failed and then went on to repeal their grade claiming he taught at too high of a level. I have gotten A's in all other class but his - take Bullock - she is a walk in the park compared to him

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIOL218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Tombes is a great teacher. He's really sparked my interest in the cell. Also a really nice guy. There's a lot of material, but if you study your notes and do the practice quizzes you'll do well. And i now know what receptor mediated endocytosis is.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CELLBIO
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's going to say something like "come to class, i'll tell you everything you need to know for the tests" but dont listen. study his notes AND the book. Tests are pretty difficult but he makes class as enjoyable as cell bio can get.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIO218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Not always straightforward, but a pretty easy professor. In other bio classes I have had 10 pages of notes a day- with him, its about 2-3 so not as much material covered. Class is boring even tho hes nice and moderately funny.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIOL218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Tombes is wonderful. He makes class interesting. He is also very easy to talk to. Preceptors are very helpful--definitely go to their review sessions. Not a hard class as long as you keep up with the material

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

AMAZING PROFESSOR! Very cool and willing to help his students! Def. recommend taking a class taught by him

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIOL218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Pretty good teacher. I just crammed before the exams and did well. Reminds me of Al Gore.