Marcel Holyoak - University of California Davis

Professor: Marcel Holyoak

Department: TBD

College: University of California Davis

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ESP001
• 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:

Two professors taught this course together for lecture. Assignments were well-explained. Discussion section did require a good amount of reading, do not try to read all the material the day of discussion. Tests are not regular ABCDE multiple choice. They will make you think of the concepts. Tests are mostly fill-in-the-blank and short response.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ESP001
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Marcel was a great teacher, very clear in what he's looking for with papers and exams. This class covers a wide range of info so you do need to review prior to tests. He posts podcasts of the lectures which are key because his slides don't have same level of detail as he gives during the lecture. Also, participation is part of your discussion grade

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ESP001
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Holyoak's lectures are easier to understand than Prof. Arnold's super speed overloads, but most of his slides are useless, mainly consisting of pictures and graphs. Attend every lecture to do well on exams.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ESP001
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Holyoak is an awful lecturer. He goes on tangents and rarely even explains what is actually supposed to be covered. Trying to review his lectures is nearly impossible as well, his slides are often just random graphs or pictures with a term he never defines. Put this on top of ESP 1 being at 7:30am and its awful.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ESP001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Definitely underestimated this class. Heavy load of information is expected for students to learn. Both Marcel and Gwen Arnold both are passionate and knowledgable about the subjects. Not too much work, but the 2nd paper was a bit difficult. Both are accessible outside of class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ESP001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Holyoak is a sweet funny guy who is passionate and actively studies his ecological sciences (was gone studying birds in Indonesia first week of class). Him and Gwen Arnold are both charismatic and accessible, and while the class is at times an overload of info, both are happy to break it down and help you out in any way they can.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ESP001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

There are 2 research briefs, midterm and final. Do not miss discussion. Provides a study guide make sure you attend lecture but he does upload podcast. A lot of reading for discussion.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ESP10
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He had a funny accent and a lisp but it just made lecture more entertaining. The topics were up-to-date and class is somewhat boring but not bad. I actually quite enjoyed the class and would recommend.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ESP10
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

As a Genetics major I found this class lacked a sufficient explanation of ecology. The policy side of the class was absolutely dry. Never bought the book, just attend lecture and participate in the in-class assignments. There's one midterm, a final,& a few smaller assignments.Good class if you're interested in policy but "dumbs down" the science.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ESP10
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This class has two teachers. Marcel and Meredith. Meredith is the better lecturer. Interesting and easy course material if you pay attention. Taking notes will help but its not needed. They have random in class activities making attendance mandatory. They have study guides for the midterm and cumulative final. Study those and you should be ok.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ESP003
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Absolutely obsessed with Marcel Holyoak. This was by far my favorite class freshman year! If you have interest in environmental science and need science GE credit, TAKE THIS!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ESP10
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very funny and nice professor. His lectures are a bit boring. The first half of the class is much more interesting. Midterms are relatively easy. The final is much harder but there is a very generous curve. The readings are not at all mandatory. Just study the lecture slides, work hard on the assignments, and it should be an easy A.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ESP10
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

At first the class was interesting, then half way through it was tortuously boring. Holyoak and a PHD candidate taught the class. Final was worth 50% of the grade, but it was curved. 1 essay, 1 mini essay. I got an A without reading too much of the textbook

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ESP10
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Loved his British accent! His lectures aren't always the most fascinating (though still good), but hte class is fairly straightforward and pretty easy! Definitely recommend!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ESP10
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Holyoak is a nice guy willing to work with you on deadlines. He is laid-back, but his lectures can be a bit boring.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ESP10
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

kinda boring, but good professor.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ESP1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

uses office hours to boost his own ego rather than help students. Absolutely dry and boring. A horrible prof.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ESP1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I almost always fell asleep.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ESP1
• 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 a nice guy, but lectures were really long and boring.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ESP1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Nice person but boring lectures.