Raymond Novaco - University of California Irvine

Professor: Raymond Novaco

Department: TBD

College: University of California Irvine

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: C149
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Worst professor I've had since my 3 years at UCI. Since the first couple of classes, prof Novaco would often scold his students. He would also cold-call students during lectures. Novaco also made students take an in-person quiz during the last lecture despite suggestions by university officials during COVID-19. The extra credit paper does help.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: P178S
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He definitely knows his stuff and has done some great research. He's a nice guy but is hard on the class when needed. There is a lot of readings but I will say that they are all very interesting. Tests I feel are very straight forward, only focus on core concepts, not details. He also straight-up tells you questions that will be on the tets.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: C149
• 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:

Take class with different professor he ruthless. He literally shows no mercy if you aren't perfect and will call you out if he gets the chance. If you are not ready do eat sleep and breathe this class do not take it. Exams are insanely hard. SOOOOO much reading also. Save ur mental health and take a different class, you heard it here :( !!!!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: C149
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He will make you work for your grade. He goes on long random tangents that arent very helpful and also mumbles during them. He will make you feel bad for not knowing what a word means and tells you to look it up. He has good knowledge of violence, but teaching it through his arrogance wont help students learn or inspire them to try harder.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: C149
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Novaco is a fantastic professor. I found his class to be very straightforward and somewhat easy. If you do the readings, you will pass no problem. I heard he modified his class to make it "easier" and it sure seemed that way after missing class and still getting an A+ in the course. He also holds discussion hours for students doing research!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: C149
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Novaco is incredibly intimidating yet very much knowledgeable in his profession. His lectures I find to be very interesting and are important as sometimes he gives key hints to the question on the exam and explains the content clearly. Reading is SUPER important and the articles are fairly long so do not procrastinate!!!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: 178S
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor is hard to understand in class because he mumbles. can be hard to understand how the readings relate to the lecture and how the lectures relate to psychology

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SE195
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Don't take him unless you're ready to take his course(s) SERIOUSLY. He has great experience in his field but he is brutal when it comes to grading and he will hold you to the highest standard. He's not for the faint of heart but it's very rewarding when you put in the work and challenge yourself.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: P178S
• 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 Novaco is truly an expert in the field of violence within society. He is extremely knowledgeable in the course content and knows what he is talking about. However, this is a very hard class and he definitely makes you work for a good grade.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PSB194W
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I am a major fan of Professor Novaco. He is virtually integral to the PSB/School of Social Ecology. I took him twice back in 1997 and I still like him. He is not the friendliest of professors, but I have had contact with him since and it is a bit of a persona he shows to current students. He pushes you, sometimes perhaps too hard. But you learn!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: 178S
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

1 midterm, 3 quizzes, no final, and the option of an EC paper. Currently have a 96%. This course is very interesting. Attendance is not mandatory, but going to lectures will give you an advantage since Novaco will emphasize/give hints on what might be on the exam. At least 90% of the quiz/exam questions can be found through his posted ppt slides.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PSB178S
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you're a slacker don't bother, but if you are actually at university to challenge yourself and LEARN something then Professor Novaco is one of the best people to associate with. He will push you to be better, and truly cares about students that show that they care. Seriously if you love psychology (as PSB majors should) don't miss out.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: C149P175
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I think Novaco is an excellent professor. There is a lot of reading but most of it is really interesting, and by the end of the quarter it gets easier to skim to find what he wants you to get out of it. I think he's hilarious and very intelligent, definitely not a class if you're a slacker and want an easy A. I'm glad I took this class

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: C149
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is the hardest professor I have taken. Material is interesting but his exams are hard af. He randomly calls on you in class so be prepared to answer correctly or he will be rude. If you put in the work you can get a good grade. He also teaches you active shooter survival tips which was cool but overall avoid his class if possible.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PSYB102C
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I think Dr. Novaco is a great professor. He will challenge his students to think critically about the materials so therefore he will not hold your hand. I took his Abnormal Psych course last summer and passed with an A. If you read the book, take really good notes during lecture and review his ppt slides thoroughly, then you'll do fine.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: VIOLENCEP175
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

It's ironic how someone who researches domestic violence is so verbally abusive toward students.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: VIOLENCEP175
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

THIS IS THE WORST CLASS. The subject matter isnt hard. He is just so rude, and boring. This is not worth your time. He has one midterm and 4 quizzes. The final is a 15 page paper over a serial killer that you pick. The class could be really fun and the title and concept sound amazing. But he just makes the class so horrible. DONT DO IT.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: 102C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Took his abnormal psychology summer course and it was quite stressful. One midterm, one final, and two quizzes. All was very tricky and hard. His lectures were dry, and he did not show much enthusiasm for the topic.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: 102C
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Novaco is strict. His tests are difficult. Prepare to self study. Sit in the front of class because he doesn't speak very clearly.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: 178S
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I would DEFINITELY not recommend his class. He does care about his students and wants to see them succeed, but he reminds me of a strict parent who believes you'll be a failure and live on the streets if you can't answer a question right. DROP BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!!