John Labavitch - University of California Davis

Professor: John Labavitch

Department: TBD

College: University of California Davis

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: FRS2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

i had him for intro to plant biology, freshman seminar. he is a great professor and a nice old man. he knows what he is talking about and is very thorough in what he does. he cares about his students and enjoys teaching. i highly recommend this teacher

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• 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:

Stupid students who complain about tricky tests just didn't do the practice tests. The prac t questions are similar to the real tests. Labavitch/Shackel do everything they can to give their students resources: podcasts, online notes, quizzes w/ explanations for wrong answers, etc. Stop complaining if you don't take advantage.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

WORST PROFESSOR EVER. He should not be teaching at Davis anymore. His lectures are unorganized and unclear, and he never knows what he's talking about and can't explain it to the class. The exams are hard and do not reflect what was taught in lecture. Very had to get a B, very little curve, if at all. Avoid him at all possible costs!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

WORST CLASS EVER. WORST PROFESSOR EVER. HIS LECTURES ARE JUMBLED, HE NEVER KNOWS WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT, AND THEY DO NOT RELATE TO ANYTHING IMPORTANT AND DO NOT SHOW UP ON THE TEST. LABAVITCH IS THE WORST PROFESSOR I HAVE EVER HAD. AVOID HIM AT ALL POSSIBLE COSTS.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• 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:

Nice old guy. His online notes are pretty good. DO THE FEEDBACK QUESTIONS, they ALWAYS show up on tests. This class isn't as horrible as people say it is. If you don't do the practice stuff, it's hard. If you do, you'll start to understand what they're asking and it's ok.

Rating # 6

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Cool!!!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Terrible. He spends most of his time talking about unimportant stuff. Contradicts himself all the time. Tests are a hard and HORRIBLE representation of what you learned in class. I do not recommend this class for anyone who likes their GPA or their sanity

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class was more tricky than OChem. The way they write the tests doesnt test your knowledge of the material but on your ability to figure out waht the heck their question is asking. My TA, who was excellent and really smart didnt think he could even pass their tests! If you're thinking of taking a class with labivitch and shackel, DONT!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I'll give you some advice on how to survive this class. If you take their practice tests and honestly go through and figure out why each choice (multiple choice tests) question is either right or wrong, you'll get a good grade in this class. I did that and I realized the real final I took was 80% the same as the practice final! No joke!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Got Labavitch/Shackle? GET OUT NOW. HONESTLY, GET OUT. No curve, extremly difficult tests... class average was a D and they would not curve. If you get them, start changing your summer plans, YOU WILL RETAKE PLANT BIO. GET OUT!!!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Labavitch is definately a worse lecturer than Shakel. He rambles, taking about 5 min to say what i could summarize in 3 sentences. He tries but is just not very clear about what he's trying to say. tests are very tough.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Labavitch is one of the most clear lecturers that I have had here at Davis (this is my third year). The tests are worded in a way that requires an UNDERSTANDING of the material, rather than a simple memorization of terms. He also holds weekly review sessions, AND gives you extra credit for simply submitting questions that you have about plants.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• 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:

really tricky tests, and what's brilliant is that they dont post the answer keys for the midterms online. and the TAs dont have them either. these guys suck. stay away from them if you want to get a good grade in BIS 1c.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: FRS002
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

His seminars were very boring and detailed. He was easy but unclear at times. He was very repetitive with the fact that everyone should be involved. Geeze give us a break!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He was terrible...end of story. i dropped the class to save my gpa.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Laba-WITCH..that should be his name, because he's HORRIBLE. I think it's time for him and Shackel to retire. Tests are worded horribly, they make you feel like you don't know any of the material, when in actuality you do. I think they honestly don't want students to succeed.

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

The tests are frustrating and very difficult, because it feels like the intent is to trick the student and not measure knowledge of the subject. Questions are poorly worded, confusing, and sometimes come out of nowhere. I loved bio before this class, now I am just disgusted. AVOID THIS TEACHER!!!!

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

He's a nice person, but seriously he grades pretty hard..he expects a lot. Also, his class is kind of boring, it's so monotone and bleh...But yeah, he's helpful if you need him though and is very considerate.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Sure, he's not always clear, if you do the readings (his notes aren't very good, take good notes of your own), the tests might be a bit tricky sometimes, but are overall pretty much a breeze.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIS1C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Just as bad as Ken Shackel. You should check out his reviews too since they taught together (alternating). Look for another teacher, if you want to save your grade.