Donald Ruch - Ball State University

Professor: Donald Ruch

Department: TBD

College: Ball State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BOT440
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Ruch is super chill. He really cares about plants, so with most of the upper-level classes, he mostly just cares whether you get something, even something small, out of the class. He is very flexible with your schedule if you have a conflict and have to miss class, a quiz, or an exam. I'd definitely recommend him!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIO210
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Ruch is friendly toward all his students and does his best to make his lectures engaging, but at 8 am, it's very difficult. There are a LOT of exams, and he only provides study guides for the first two so it's crucial you go to his review sessions. He takes attendance, but it's not mandatory.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO210
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Ruch is a reallynice guy and tries his best to make sure everyone understands by stopping lecture frequently to ask if everyone is on board with the info. It's a struggle sometimes at 8am but it's doable. Tests are every 2 weeks and can be extremely difficult even after studying for awhile. Overall, I would recommend if you are willing to work.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO210
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's a very sweet guy. He's not the best professor around but definitely not the worst. There are quite a few pop quizzes if he notices people aren't showing. I struggled with the class because of the exams. The first 2 tests have study guides but none after that. t's super important to go to his review sessions.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIO210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Super nice guy, but there is way too much information. About 300 slides each test and you have a test every other week. Wouldn't recommend taking with other hard classes because you will need to devote a lot of your time studying for his class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Ruch is such a nice guy, and extremely knowledgable about the subject of Botany. While he's great, the class itself is difficult. There are tests every two weeks over a lot of material so be ready to study a lot, but the review sessions he holds are extremely helpful. The required lab is pretty straightforward as well.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO210
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Ruch is a pretty cool guy, and my problems with him were mostly with the subject (botany uses a lot of unfamiliar terms, even for a biology major.) The tests are difficult, but he provides other opportunities to get your grade up, like quizzes, lab practicals, and the final project, which are all fairly easy.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO111
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Ruch is your typical plant nerd; he loves them. He's a little dry and boring. (He makes James Bond jokes when talking about hydrogen and covalent bonds.) But, he really loves biology and botany. If you can get through the lecture without falling asleep, you'll do well on his tests. He does reviews and practice tests. He's a great professor!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO210
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I had to miss class and a lab practical because I was out of town for a winter guard competition. He was SUPER understanding about it and told me it was no big deal and I could take it another time. I was surprised by how understanding he was about it. He's a very nice professor and wants his students to do well.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO210
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tests every 2 weeks so be prepared to study a lot. Go to class and you will do well. I had lecture at 8am.... I often skipped class and my grade reflected that. Lots of opportunities to boost your grade at the end of the semester. Guaranteed to do well on the last project. Final exam is HARD. Go to review sessions. Go to lab!!!!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO210
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Long winded in lecture, but overall easy teacher as long as you take good notes and attend his study sessions.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO210
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Nice guy, but very difficult class that he doesn't make any easier. Very hard exams every 2 weeks that cover a large amount of material. Lectures are very boring, but attendance is not mandatory, except for a few quizzes. Lab is very easy and helps a lot. Their is also a large poster/presentation project at the end isn't too bad.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIO210
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

lectures are very boring and tests are extremely hard. be ready to memorize hundreds of power point slides if you want to do well. if you study for under 10 hours don't expect over a C

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO210
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I really liked Dr. Ruch. He is a really nice guy and knows his stuff! However, I really disliked the subject and felt like there was an information overload! If you like plants, then you will love this class, but I personally had to force myself to sit down and study for this! Tests cover A LOT of information.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is an overall great professor. He really likes to help students out. Usually offers study sessions before an exam, so go to them! He gives out lots of hints! Lectures are long but the powerponts save you in the end.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Lecture was hard to listen to because he was just reading off the power point presentation. Lab was more effective and interesting. Tests are really difficult and cover a lot of material.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIOL210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

very nice guy, very boring subject. Tests are pretty hard, memorize powerpoints and read text and you'll do ok. Lab is easy..just anatomy of plants. There is also a partner project that is worth alot of your grade, and its easy. Only mandatory to come to lab...does give extra credit when not very many poeple come.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIO210
• 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:

Very smart, knows what hes talking about, tests are hard but lab is very easy if u pay attn.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIO111
• 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:

It's hard to stay attentive when a professor just reads straight for a power point screen the entire period. His tests were difficult, and the labs were no fun, but there was plenty of extra credit to get by and do fine, with some work.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIO111
• 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:

I think this guy is a horrible teacher. He only revises he material every four years, which he admitted in front of the entire class. He reads of of his PowerPoint and gives notes that make attendance in class pointless.