Jan Dobias - California State University, Northridge

Professor: Jan Dobias

Department: TBD

College: California State University, Northridge

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ASTRN352
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Pretty difficult class, but not undoable. Make sure you show up to hear the lectures. He has an accent and monotoned voice. I've never fallen asleep in a class before, but by god, I took some of the best naps of my life in that class.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ASTR152
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Overall a very mediocre teacher. He has a very monotone voice and the dark reclinable seats in his class make about 80% of the people fall asleep. His tests are usually 30% book and 70% lecture. Show up, but know you can afford to skip if you wanted. He's nice, he makes his textbook 15 dollars, but it is littered with SIMPLE mistakes.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: AST152
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

To pass take a picture of the lecture slides and take his extra credit quizzes. The quizzes are the curve. He curves his tests a lot because people don't look over their notes before coming to class. If you study for an hour or two, you should be set. The only negative is that you have to buy the useless textbook in order to access study guides.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ASTR352
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Knowledgeable but boring and monotonous. Takes the fun out of Astro. Lectures from PowerPoint but doesnt post online so come everyday and take notes. Study the notes (dont really need textbook) and youll pass easily. Three tests and one paper. Plus extra credit for attending planetarium shows on campus. Easy but would not take again.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: AST352
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's aight. Dry lectures(mostly, the material is pretty neat if you care at all about space and stars and things like that). Gives extra credit if you go to planetarium shows. Doesn't post his slides so just take pictures. Study the slides hard and you can ace all his tests.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ASTR352
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The topics discussed in class were fascinating but Prof Dobias's lectures are pretty dry. He knows his stuff, though. He thoroughly explains every slide. Take good notes since all 3 tests are based on the slides. Didn't use the textbook. Probably a good idea to have some prior astronomy knowledge before taking the class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ASRT152
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

His classes are very interesting and he explains space and galaxies in an awesome style along with the planetarium shows and cool graphics. Best class I ever took and wish that I could take it again

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ASRT152
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His lectures are very boring but no homework and showing up to class is not necessary as he posts study guides and samples for quizzes and exams online, and as long as you study really hard you will pass. The 3 quizzes given are optional but if you score a 5 or higher they are extra credit. Also offers other extra credit opportunities.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a good guy but his lectures are very monotone. You can see he tries hard to make it fun and exciting. It can be hard to follow sometimes but if you so the hw, do the extra credit and study for the tests you will do fine. Make sure to take notes during class. Loved this class.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ASTR352
• 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:

I took him for two classes, his accent might be difficult to understand but his lectures are interesting and easy. He is nice and understanding but his face might not show it lol. Study and do the extra credit , you will be fine.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ASTR152
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Hes very monotone during his lectures which makes the lectures boring and long. However, hes very clear about his grading criteria. Take notes, read, take the tests. No homework either, and his lectures are straight-to-the-point.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ASTR152
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

has monotone voice. I took 9:30am class and i fell asleep every single time. curves tests ALOT.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHYS220A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Dobias is a cool dude. He is very monotone and his lectures can be boring. But try to learn!! His tests consist of multiple choice and FRQs. the multiple choice are concept based questions from the lecture. If you can apply the principles from lecture and work out the FRQs you WILL pass effortlessly. TAKE NOTES every class!!!!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHYSC220A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He allows one side of a paper for a cheat sheet. For this professor prepare to do a lot of studying outside of class. His writing is not the best but it takes time to understand it. His exams are multiple choice and short answer response.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ASRT152
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took his class online and basically failed everything in the beginning but later on got the gist of it and started passing every assignment self discipline is required. I would definitely recommend the class, I honestly thought I was not going to pass but certainly did.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO352
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very monotone and boring to listen to sometimes, must show up to class to copy slide show notes. Don't really need book i never used it. I studied about 1 hour before exam and got an A in the class. He curves and gives extra credit opportunity. One paper due at the end of semester. If you try just a little you will get the A.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: AST352
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

3 exams graded on curve, 1 4-page paper, extra credit opportunities, does NOT post ppt slides on moodle, exams are very specific, grades fairly, available during office hours to answer questions, final exam is NOT cumulative, consistent & reliable, response to emails, cracks jokes, has a cute accent, nice guy, lectures are boring but comfy chairs

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHYS220A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

His class was the hardest class in my whole life.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: AST152
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The king of monotone. Lectures are long and boring because he doesn't show any emotion towards the subject. If you get the 9:30 am class get ready to sleep because the chairs decline and you just can't help but to sleep. Make sure you read the notes and ebook and you should be fine. He doesn't put the lecture PP on moodle so take notes.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: AST152
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I was looking forward to taking Astronomy class but this professor is so boring. You don't need to show up in class, and it's not worth your time. If you're registered for this class, drop out immediately, you will not pass this class. Exams and quizzes are so HARD His voice is monotone, does not engage with his students, horrible teaching skills.