Ted Powers - University of California Davis

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Ted Powers - University of California Davis

Professor: Ted Powers

Department: Molecular/Cellular Biology

College: University of California Davis

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: BIS103
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Super kind and caring professor and very enthusiastic about biochem! The exams were fair and about what you would expect from an upper div bio class. Skip the textbook.

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: BIS103
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

As someone who finds biology to be difficult Professor Powers made it completely achievable to get a decent grade. Do the practice problems and listen to the lectures attentively and you will get a good grade. He is the best Biochem professor out of the other options for 103!!!

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: MCB121
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I went to the first lecture and all the midterms and that's pretty much it. That being said, I listened to every podcast and wrote every word that came out of his mouth. Basically, if you pay attention to all the details, the tests are fair. I studied a whole lot, but was able to get >90% on all his midterms. Work hard and you can get an A.

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: BIS103
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I like Ted Powers as a person. He's really funny and his personality makes learning about biochem entertaining. That being said, I dislike his grading scheme. You are only graded using 4 midterms that are 25 questions each, all multiple choice. Every question you miss, you lose 1% of your final grade. Also, curving probably won't happen.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: BIS103
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He was very understanding of students situations, and tried his best to cope with the shortening of the quarter. He also provides mental health resource links on his canvas page.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: BIS101
Grade Received: A+
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This was for SS1 2018. Lectures were clear and well podcasted. His midterms and final were very detailed but he never tests on anything outside his lectures, so just take good notes and rewatch his podcast. Him and his TA Jisoo have various office hours that they're both really helpful in. He gave a small curve at the end of the session too.

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: BIS101
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I don't know why he has such bad reviews! He's such a nice professor who genuinely cares. He reuses a lot of questions from practice mt's and the homework (optional). His exams are fair if you know your stuff and also gives extra credit points for being in lecture! His lectures are easy to understand for the most part! Just don't fall behind!

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: MCB121
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:

He's a great professor and a good person to know if you're a genetics major (he's the head advisor). He isn't the most exciting lecturer, but he does handwritten notes that are easy to follow (though not always completely legible) so it's good to go to class and ask questions. He recycles questions from his practice onto the midterm and final.

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: MCB121
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took this class with both Burgess and Powers, so Burgess taught up to MT1 and wrote MT1, and Powers did the same for MT2. I've found Powers to be slightly easier than Burgess, but not by much. Neither is a bad professor but I think I prefer Powers. he brought in his dog on the last day of class. 2 MTs and a final. Puts his study Qs on tests.

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: MCB121
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Took together with Burgess-- Powers is a good professor, clear material but sometimes can be tricky. Overall I think he balanced the class well in regards to Burgess who always seem to be a little frantic. I would recommend, not the best, not the worst. He will do just fine.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: BIS103
Grade Received: B-
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Powers is very nice and approachable and wants his students to succeed. He gives us points to questions he thinks were unfair and will give students extra points if the class average is too low. Despite this, his tests were a bit hard but the final I thought was easier. Study everything and you should do well.

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: BIS101
Grade Received: A+
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This was my 1st upper division class at UCD and I'm very happy I took it with Dr.P. Ted would always take time to answer questions and ensure that students understood the material before continuing on with new information. don't be discouraged by lazy students who tried to learn information the week of the MT or final. Very straightforward on exams

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: BIS101
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

first time teaching BIS 101. The class was a bit unorganized, only points come from the 3 test, 25 Q's 1st 2 MT, 50 Q final, 50% of your grade. Review the 2MTs, will help tons for the final. 4pts per Q!! writes lecture notes on chalk board, handwriting unreadable. HW doesn't help for MT's. Reading the book helps. clicker Q's and board notes help.

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: BIS101
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:

Cool guy. His first two midterms were pretty tricky but he was really really nice on the final. Genuinely tries to help us out(free points if he thinks mt questions were too hard), answers questions patiently and thoroughly, makes jokes here and there. Cool guy. Can't find anything bad to say about him.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: BIS101
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Power is extremely knowledgeable. However, he is very monotoned and usually confusing. This gets even worse when Summer School lectures are 2 hours long! Tests were all multiple choices no curve no EC. Plus the hard material makes his classes even harder. Don't miss classes, because you'll get lost easily and catch up is pretty much impossible.

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: MCB121
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

LOVE Ted. Yes, very difficult class, so do the Practice Sets to prep for midterms. Only two midterms and a final, the averages are standard (71%). Really cool guy, super helpful and friendly with questions, and will try to know you in OH. OH are valuable, helps lots for midterms. Reading the book is only necessary for parts you are confused on.

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: MCB121
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This is a hard class. He will draw things and point to things on the board so it is best to go to class. It will be hard if you just listen to podcast because you'll be matching podcast with lect.slides that are already confusing in itself. Plus he's monotone so you'll lose focus A LOT. All multiple choice, class is out of 400pts so NO CURVE. gl...

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: MCB121
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

The averages for his quizzes were VERY high - 39/50 and 42/50 so don't expect a curve. However thats because the tests were so easy. Reuses the practice quiz questions or rewords them on the real quiz. Overall easy class but he is boring most of the time - use the podcasts they help!

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: MCB121
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Overall he is a great professor. Recycles some questions from practice tests. Only concern I had was how the final exam was worth 50% of my grade, and how it was much more difficult than the quizzes. There's a small curve. No book needed. Be sure to work hard for an A!

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: MCB161
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I can't stay awake in his class even if my life depended on it. Very monotone voice and it's like he doesn't even try to make the subject interesting.

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