2.6
Quality3.1
Difficulty15%
Would Retake381
Reviews15%
Would Retake
381
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
381 total ratings5
49
4
66
3
86
2
72
1
108
What Students Say
“1 of the worst professors I've ever had”
APSY214 - 2.0 rating“What a miserable old man”
APSY101 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
63%
Textbook Required
45%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-1.02 avg changeRatings by Course
AREPSY214
5.0
(1)PSYCHOLOGY
4.0
(1)ASPY110
4.0
(1)PSYC101
3.8
(4)ASPY101
3.5
(2)Difficulty by Course
PYC101
5.0
APSY211
5.0
APSY100
4.2
PSYCHOLOGY
4.0
PYCH101
4.0
Reviews (299)
All notes go into his class workbook. Only real work is the Supplement - hand it in early and do extra credit at the end for A LOT of extra points. Experiments are a joke. Best ones can be 30-min for 1-hr credit. Cocky in beginning of the semester (see Test 1 questions). Def. a smart teacher though.
I loved psych before I took this class, now I loathe the entire subject. After having class with Svare all I wanted to do was drink a handle of turpentine to erase the misery I just went through. He destroys you with the cost of his books and slowly kills you with every word he utters. If you like pain take this class.
The minute i walked into this class i knew i would hate this man.he talks as if he is better then everyone else, and if u ever have a question dont bother asking during a lecture because he is a robot & will ignore u.he makes u buy a $200 book package just to rob u of ur money because u cant sell them & u dont use them. he is evil dont take svare
He is arrogant and wastes lots of time. His books are way too expensive. He writes $100 worth of them himself...most of which probably goes in his pocket. The class was easy at least. Just do the supplement and look at the practice tests.
His class was easy. but u need to be rich to take his class (cus u will have buy a lot of books) lolz.. student the sample tests and do extra credits and supl early....
Easy A. Dont leave the supplement for the last min. like all these idiots, its so easy! Half the test is in the back of the study guide, all u have to do is skim the chapters and watch the videos which are interesting. Books are $200...****!
There are a lot of complaints about his expensive books, here. This is the story: Svare writes most of the material for the class, himself. He uses the same books every year; yet, he prevents used book stores (like Mary Jane's) from selling them to the following year's students so he can make a heafty profit with every wave of freshmen. Huge JERK!
this guy is the man if you didnt get a a- or a then you really did nothing
No Comments
Im starting to hate psych because of this guy. His lectures are extremely difficult to follow+ take notes on. They dont realy follow an outline but more of a... i dont even know. It doesnt feel like we're learning psych in his lectures but instead why hes
The unreturnable books he made you buy were the worst part. The journal book assignment was awful. But the tests weren't bad as long as you read the one book with practice questions in it.
No Comments
hey loves to talk about mice ejuculations...
True his books are VERY expensive, but I think he is a very good teacher. I understand everything pretty well and he gives you an outline of what he is covering...It's pretty easy. Except for the supplement book. I just really don't feel like doing it.
Practice tests include ALOT of information not given in class or in the book... hmm...
The worst. He expects a Business major to care about his useless field as much as he does? We're forced to take your class. Do not make it any worse than it has to be. How arrogant. The blue book? I have no words horrible enough.
he's good; a bit hard to listen to, knowledgeable, and his tests are straightforward if you read and take notes, but it's a lot of work.
You're not a UAlbany student until you take Svare's Intro to Psych course. He teaches one almost every hour. The supplement is a lot of work, but if you get it done you will get an A. The tests are fairly easy too, and I think the white test pink test thing is part of some screwy psych experiments he's runnning on his students.
i hope i never have him for a professor ever again... hes impossible to contact and really only cares about himself... the class was easy but hes a jerk
Kind of a boring man. Once left class to go to the bathroom and left his microphone on! That was the most interesting thing to happen in that class! When you go to his office hours, he makes faces as he talks to you, then gets annoyed at the questions. Partial to Psychology majors. Watch out if you are not one and let him know if you are.
hates animals. Also figured out a way to make money being a prof. write your own books! then make a couple other useless ones and make it required for students to have to buy them! plus if they write in them, no used books!
i really dislike bruce svare.
seriously, this class is awful, i got an A, but svare is a horrible human being.
Yes I will admit the books are expensive but are every other class'... He knows so much about his field and loves to share it with us.. I think this man is brilliant and one of the best teachers I've had.. i said teachers, not friends... He answers all my questions after class and even jokes with me and im not a psych major at all.. GREAT Professor
dr svare is a great teacher, you just have to study for his tests. he makes the notes easy and the tests are all multiple choice. also there are practice tests in the back of one of the notebooks. almost all of the questions for the tests are the same!
I liked this class quite a lot. You have to read the textbook because he likes to throw questions from the reading on the tests. The first test is the easiest, it is most like the practice test. Each test is similar to the practice tests. For the quizzes if an answer is false find out the correct one, thats a big hint! Good class!
Gives alot of work ex. Supplement and Experiments are annoying. Good teacher though
Ridiculous amount of work for an intro. course, good teacher, very passionate about his work, but the supplement took me over 30 hours to do, not to mention he wrote his own book that you HAVE to read (test Q's from it) word of advice, do the practice exams the tests have a lot of questions from them
very intimidating man but he really does know his stuff. he isnt as bad as everyone says and so many of the test questions are similar to the practice tests. sooo much notes though and a lot of work. if you cant get another pysch teacher, dont worry. just plan on working a lot.
i didn't learn as much as other people i know who have taken psychology, i'd go for another professor, he made me not want to study psychology. the class is big so obviously he doesn't care about the individual, the problem is it shows. the tests are easy if you study the notes you take in class and the practice tests in the back of the book
loved this class! he really knows his stuff. i found it really interesting. the supplement is way too much work. the tests are pretty easy bc of the practice ones he gives you..it just sucks that the quizzes arent announced. the experiments are annoying but not bad...just get them over in the beginning.
His class is a waste of time. He's a jerk who represents all the administrative savvy prof's who can't teach but still make money from it. His redeeming quality is that if you pay $120+ for all the books he wants you to buy, you will most likely get a good grade (the practice exams are similar to his exams).
welcome to the nature vs. nurture tour. great lecturer dont miss a class cause you will probably miss a quiz...i did and screwed me over. he is a jerk if you go to his office hours. The books are over priced but the notebook thing is useful. the tests arent bad and the lowest one gets dropped.
Wow, what can I say besides he's the worst professor Iv'e had in my life. He makes kids feel stupid when they get questions wrong. He's unhelpful and won't give you a break on grades. Plus you need to pay $200 for books and the money goes into his pockets. Don't take this class!
SUCKS!!! and hes a jackass... take rosellini ull be much better off
He is a "by the book" type of guy. Zero personality. Tried to go to office hours and the guy just was not helpful. Take the class if you cant get another professor.
told me to consult the textbook in office hours after asking him a question that was unclear in the text.. a prick but knows his stuff
Teaches the course in a cold, business-like manner. His lectures are somewhat interesting..be prepared for busywork-research participation and supplement are irritating to complete. Svare glossed over some really vital information that my dad, a former professor, told me was really pertinent to the field of psychology. I don't recommend him.
Like everyone has said: the experiments and supplement suck- everyone on campus knows that, even if they never took the class. The practice tests are very similar to his tests so I had no motivation to go to class except for the pop quizes. Solution: do other homework or the supplement in class. The guy is an ass with no personality too.
wanted to kill myself every single class...the most boring uncool guy in the world....writes his own books which he is way too proud of...they are extremely boring...all about rat aggression.....DONT TAKE THIS GUY FOR ANY CLASS!!brief movies are awful...u dont learn anything in this class....but the tests are easyoh and the workbook is long& annoyi
This guy coined the term "by the book". Bruce, relax a little. The PSY 101 supplement was by far the most mindless thing that I have ever done in my life.
OMG!!! I really thought about killing myself everyday I had to walk into this class! It was a nightmare... DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS... WELL AT LEAST WITH HIM... SVARE = DEVIL
i really liked this class!the tests are easy just study the back of the bookwhere it gives you practice questions.go to class and you will never have to open a book..
$200 worth of books that he wrote,so ull hate him from the start;makes you do this ridic research project which is the biggest waste of time ive ever seen;most of test q&a are given before the test so do practice tests!;no attendance but gives 2 pop quizzes which will kill ur grade if u dont go; makes takin notes easy w/ his outlines; kinda a d*ck
I got a B+ and I never read the book! Ever
Hes very passionate about his work. He makes everything very clear. You will have to work for this class. I think hes very fair and i rlly learned a lot and enjoyed it. Your required to participate in experiments, and i highly suggest you try to get them done EARLY in the semester so tht u dont have to worry about them later.
If your not lazy, this is a really good class. He really knows what he's talking about and is very interesting to listen to. As far as experiments go its required for all 101 classes no matter who you take it with, and most of his tests come from the practice questions in the back of the review book. He is a great teacher!!!
Professor Svare really knows wat he is talking about. he is a good teacher but goes really fast and changes the slides before you can finish copying. test come from the practice test in the back of the book so theyre not that hard but start doing the supplement early because it's really long! like him a lot and reccomend anyone to take this class
Good teacher. Supplement worst thing ever created by man.If u dont like doin work out of class don't take it.
He is obsessed with rat sex(his area of research). Goes through the slides too quickly to write everything down and he wont give them to you if you ask, and he is talking at the same time your writing so you cant even listen sometimes. Easy to get a good grade on the tests, go to class and take notes, but dont put off the rediculous supplement
I don't understand how anybody could like this guy, (even psych majors) He's a horribly dull manand the supplement is horrible. He talks about things that are beyond a 101 and loves discussing rat mating. If you think this is an easy Gen-ed, you're wrong, take something else to fill the requirement. And if your a psych major, godspeed.
Svare's class is very boring and he's completely full of himself espcially when it comes to him and his rat research. Whenever I went to him for help he never looked at me and was always involved with something else. He rushes through notes also, but do the practice tests and the horrible supplement and you should do fine in this class.
the class really isn't as bad as people say. he isn't "full of himself", he is simply really into his work and what it is about. Tests are easy mostly all of the questions can be found from the practice tests in back of the book. the supplement is a pain in the ass, don't wait until the last minute. but ll in all, its a good class to take.
Except for the supplement, the class is pretty easy and straightforward. 2/3 of the test questions are from his practice tests. If you start the supplement in the beginning of the semester and work on it throughout the course of the class, you can do well on it.
It's possible to put off the supplement until the day before it's due, but I don't recommend it. He changes slides quickly, but all you have to do is bring a tape recorder. Very interesting. Just take the practice test 20 - 30 minutes before the real one so the answers are fresh in your mind - that's where most of the test questions come from!
he's too full of himself, but the important thing is that you get a good grade in his class. the textbook isn't that necessary for tests, but you need the supplement which is in the book. if you take the practice test and quiz like an hour before the test, you'll definitely pass. but his office hours are useless- he doesn't listen.
This professor has the most idiotic grading system I have ever encountered. The Entire grade for the class consists of "tesquis" which are 20 question multiple choice tests given randomly throughout the semester. Take this class if you love going to class every single day and never knowing when any of the tests are going to be. Also this guy really
overall this class is an easy A...his tests are all basically review tests he puts in the back of the book....the bulk of the grade is from the supplement which is an easy 100 if u do everything in it...he rly isnt that approachable to talk to but his TA is pretty nice
Very smart prof. really knows his stuff. He is very passionate about what he does. Its a fairly heavy workload for a 100 level class but you can definitely learn a lot from attending his classes. He covers very interesting stuff in as interesting a way as possible, incorporating short videos and pictures into his slides. I recommend this class.
Wouldn't recommend this class. Lectures are very boring and he goes way to fast. expects you to know insignificant info for tests, just to see if youve read EVERY word in EVERY chapter. Im doing the supplement now and i want to kill myself!
Do NOT take this class unless you are 100% sure that you are going to be a psych major, the amount of work outside the classroom is unnecessary for students just trying to get rid of a GenED, and its just going to piss you off.
This class is really easy. It's as simple as going to class, taking decent notes and doing the practice tests. I pay attention and do the practice test the night before and do well. Easy A, make sure to do the supplement.
You do not need the textbook. Use the practice tests and you will get guaranteed 80% on every exam. The supplement is really the only thing difficult about this class. If you are someone who waits to the last minute, you?ll fail. Stay on top of the work, use the practice tests and you will guaranteed have a B +
I was a pretty good class. The only thing that sucked was that it was based 100% on pop quizzes and the class was 9:20 MWF so you had to be there. He's not the friendliest but he knew his stuff. He really has a thing for rats/rat sex.
He was rude,specifically called out students who did wrong, mocked and made fun of them. Gives test that are rarely relevant to the class. He has a horrible teaching ethic and is never available outside of class. Had to go to a funeral, notified the dean filled out paper work, and he would not allow me to take a make up quiz w/o death certificate.
boring as hell...but briefly take notes, definitley do the practice tests and look over them right before the test-youll be ok...and for a heads up...start the supplement with a few people once the class starts b/c everyone puts it off and doesnt realize how much work from hell it is. if you do all that, youll be good to go
He's a good professor, but you definitely have to work in this class. Exams weren't hard since it all came out from his study guide in his book. Grading was fair. I only got a B in this class, but i felt like it was a fair grade since I did get lazy waking up. His lectures were interesting and clear, never boring. Overall, a recommended professor.
Not a terribly hard class, just make sure you get something out of the lectures; the tests are based on them. and he takes most of his test questions from the practice exams, so make sure you know them before hand. He knows his stuff, and makes his lectures decently interesting.
Easy course but it's very demanding outside of class. Make sure you keep up with the experiments and supplement. Read all the assigned chapters. Take notes during class and do the practice exams since this material is a majority of the exams. Svare isn't helpful if you ask him a question and seems very condescending, as well as arrogant.
He really knows his stuff, and lectures are never boring. However, he flies through the slides and assigns a huge supplement outside class. Hes REALLY hot too ;)
Take Psych 101 with another Professor. Do not submit yourself to this for a 100 level class, should be Advanced Intro to Psych, (which is 102) rather than regular 101.
Course is completely made up of pop quiz. Dr. Svare's enormous ego/attitude interferes with his capability to teach.
the class is easy you just have to be willing to do work. most kids fail the class because they are lazy and fail to do the assignments outside of class. i got an A in the class by doing all the readings and working on the supplement in the beginning of the semester not the end!!!
Way too much work for a 100 Level Course, However it is NOT HARD to do well if you do the supplement EARLY (and remember to) as well as the research requirement. The tests ARE the practice tests, but as they go on fewer questions are from the practice tests. Personally, the way he talked (he emphasizes everything ridiculously) distracted me.
Many people do not understand him and then whine about how hard his class is. He knows what he is talking about. His tests are easy: you can get around 70-80% on his test if you practice the exams back from one of the textbooks. 2 Pop-Quizzes, 1 before break and last day of class. Do the WHOLE supplement and get over 80, you will get an A.
Hard to understand how an entity with no cognitive function of its own can teach a class in Neurobiology. This guy is full of himself, contradicts himself, makes idiotic pronouncements which conflict with other members of his own field. Try to avoid him.
Lectures are very interesting. But grading policies are just stupid. Make sure you don't miss his class, becuase missing one pop quiz will ruin your grade. Somewhat annoying but material is exciting.
The dude is full of himself. I've never had a class where the professor tested us on his own life. Books are ridiculously expensive, yet necessary. The guy tries to single people out. For example, at the beginning of class he wanted to know who was a vegetarian, then proceded to talk about why cruel testing on animals was necessary. Ass.
Although he seems to know what he's talking about. He is very biase, and doesn't make his class interesting. He flies through the slides, and the tests have nothing to do with what he taught. AVOID TAKING HIM..take Rosselini instead.
Way too much work for 101 class. Some test questions are based on his research, many of which are about something he never mentioned in class! The suppliment takes rediculous anount of time. Start it early. I procrastinated and it took me two days including an all-nigter. About 18 hrs of work. If you do the suppliment A is possible. Tests r tricky
Garbage
DO Not take svare, whatever you do. He gives about 2-3 pages of notes per class and almost non of it is covered on his tests. By the end of the semester you have to complete a 95 page supplement with short answers and about 7 questions per page. His tests are easy, but its almost nothing from class and comes mainly from the practice tests.
He's a terrible terrible person. He's uninteresting and he talks too much about his own rats. Way too much work for 101 class. Stay away from Svare!
Horrible person & horrible professor. The subject material is interesting on its own, he just makes you lose interest in it. Grade based soley on 10 pop "tesquis" that are pretty difficult and tricky. Doesn't take attendance, but if you miss a class, you could be missing a popquiz. No curve at all. Poor grading system. AVOID taking him @ all costs
not great, but decent. wish there was more one on one with the student, but its generally a large class, so it's understood as to why.
he is a simple teacher...he expects you to read the textbook and come to class...simple as that...there are 4 exams and 2 pop quizzes...no hw...simple...study come to class and u do well...some people complain that because he makes us read a whole book about his experiments with rats is a waste..but it is informal...plus the man gotta feed his fam
i tihnk he's an awesome prof. could do without the pop quizzes but he gives them to you in the back of his notebook *that you buy for his class* and only a few questions change. it is very straight forward class. flies through the notes but once again they are all in the notebook. loves what he teaches and gets students involved in discussions.
Svare really knows what he is talking about. However, if you do not buy his review book, that helps you with the lectures and test, you will fail. Without a doubt, buy the book even though it is expensive.
He's really not as bad as people say. Don't bother spending the large sum of money to buy the textbook, you will never open it. Just buy the spiral bound book with the slides and room for notes, which also includes practice tests. If you go to class and take notes, and do these practice tests, you will be fine.
Not bad. He uses the same practice questions from the book in his exams. He's not hard professor. Did hear hes kinda of rude when talking to him.I would recommend
Unhelpful and doesn't seem to care much about the well-being of his students. Likes to hear himself talk. Brags about his work and thrusts his opinions upon students. Very rude.
Bruce is something else. He makes his students buy his books, which is not a completely horrible thing, there are practice tests and quizzes that will clinch at least a B, provided that students memorize the questions. Know that there is research component to the class, when in ANY APSY 101 class, students must complete at least SIX hours.
hes a tool and he has bad breath
Terrible morning breath, loves to hear himself talk. One of his books is about him. Repeats himself a lot. Extremely annoying to listen too.
Every testqui is in the back of the supplement, so easy just read a little, study the practice testqui's and go to class, EASY B+, A-
Way too full of himself and condescending. He looks to get kids in trouble. Shows up late and keeps teaching past when the class is supposed to end. He makes you buy his books, one is about rat sex and the other has practice problems that he puts on the tests. Any question you have, he says "ITS" (in the syllabus).
I do not understand his grading system and his godforsaken pop quizzes. I'm not paying so much freaking money to get a C in a class because I missed some idiotic pop quiz. I mean whoever heard of pop quizzes in COLLEGE? I've never even been exposed to one in High School, at least not ones that counted. If you miss one 1 you can say bye to an A or B
The entire course is contained in the review book. Use that strenuously and you will get a high score. As a person, he is dreadful. Completely unhelpful with anything and everything. Relatively easy class. Take it and pray you don't have to deal with him outside of his lectures.
He doesn't tell you when the quizzes are, which makes attendance pretty mandatory. If you study the testqui in the back of the handbook you'll get an easy A in the class. The practice and the actual quizzes are pretty much the same. Easy A, not to keen on helping you out individually though.
Svare has his moments but mostly just goes through the motions of teaching. He teaches 3 classes per day and it shows.
As stated in previous comments, his tests are no longer easy copies of the practice tests, about 35% of the practice tests are on the real tests now. Reading mandatory, I don't recommend him since changing test policies. Rosallini is much easier.
A logical fallacy. A teacher who brings arrogance into the classroom is indeed a deviance from the material and the course. This isn't a seminar about dealing with people. For a person who seems to dislike his job, dislikes dealing with students and doesn't seem to care in general, it certainly is curious as to why he teaches to begin with...
Thank god 4 his TA when I took the class. He owed me, so I knew when the 2 pop quizzes were (This is well over a year ago). Also, so you know... I do think I changed him with all the complaining i did. So, know that he was much tougher before he met me.
In hindsight, I should have waited to take this course with someone else, but Bruce isn't terrible. He assigns a workbook with practice tests just as he does in his APSY 101 classes. His course isn't that much of a challenge so if you get locked out of Dr. Wagner's section, Bruce's won't be a poor choice.
Literally the worst professor I've ever had. Despise this guy. He doesn't teach anything, just read his review, and stupid mouse experiment book. Such a tool, thinks he's the man for no reason, and loves himself. Says indeed all the time. Indeed. Indeed indeed indeed. All the time. Should be removed from teaching, easy class though. INDEED.
Make sure you buy his lecture notes, the practice tests in the back are on the test, 35 out of the 60 to be exact. If you ask any questions he'll send you to the syllabus. For the test/experiment/seminar thing, do the experiments, they don't ever take as much time as they say but you still get credit for the time they said. Class is a bore.
He seems like a fair teacher, just the most boring way of teaching. He reads the slides, and gives us 11 pop testquis- which count for our tests. Its annoying that we don't know when they are coming but you must show up or else you may miss one-and there are no makeups.
Here is the scoop on Svare. He is robotic. The classes are mandatory because he refuses to tell you when quizzes are going to be given. Sometimes he gives them back to back. If you ever have to ask him a question, he will answer you quickly to get you out of his office. You wonder why he even teaches. Everyone I know gave him a poor evaluation.
annoying but overall easy class
He reads from the powerpoints, and barely variates from that. Make sure you study the practice tests and practice pop quizez in the back of the blue book, he uses most of his questions from there. He sometimes speak softly, so pay attention. Dont bother asking him a question during lectures, he'll shut you down.
Very cold man. As long as you learn how to read him you should be fine. Learn the practice pop quizzes by heart. When ever you think there will not be a quiz...there will be.
His test are based off the practice test. Go to class and pay attention, and should be an easy A.
He's really not as bad as everyone is making him out to be. If you want a bad professor for this class, take McNays class. The pop quizzes aren't terribly hard as long as you pay attention and do the practice quizzes. He starts class early which is REALLY annoying and he can be very arrogant but overall not terrible.
you can get at least a B by only reading 240 multiple choice practice test questions
Not that easy for an intro level class. His tests are very closely related to the practice tests. Definitly go to every class to take notes which youll need for the tests and there are 2 pop quizes which are 100 pts each. 4 tests each out of 300 points, lowest one was dropped. No curve, what you get is what you get. 60 MC 5 pts each.
Svare doesn't want to talk to you or you to talk to him really. Attendance is not mandatory, but there are 2 pop quizzes. Both have most of their questions answered in the $30 review book authored by him. The 1st test is the only that uses info from the rat book & for the rest study the $30 book & the section reviews at the end of the ch's. Easy A
Class is actually really easy, go to class, he freakin outlines his notes for you..a lot of his questions are straight from practice tests that are in one of the books you buy, and THERE IS A CURVE tests are originally out of 300 points but whatever the highest grade is, is the new "100" &all grades are based off that, pretty easy and fair if u go
Buy the review book for the class. Boring class. There are two pop quizzes.
Teacher is very goat making class interesting! Only used the text book for 20% of each of the four exams he gives. No homework except reading for the exams. Two pop quizzes, so even though there's no attendance it is important to not miss class because of the two pop quizzes throughout the year. Svare is very knowledgable and knows his subject.
Class is fairly easy. As long as you go to class, and take notes you should be fine. Buy the blue book that has the practice test and MEMORIZE those answers. If you know all the answers to those, then you should do good in the class. 4 test, 2 pop quizzes. And hw is to read in the Kalat book. But you dont really have to do it! TAKE HIM FOR PSY 101!
Buy the review book and textbook. It's a okay class. Teacher does'nt care whether you are there or not. He gives two pop quizzes.
Entire first exam is on the book he wrote. Every exam consists of the practice exams in the back of the optional book. If you memorize those you should pass.
Easy Class. Just memorize the practice questions in the back of the book and you'll do fine. plus theres two practice quizzes (T/F) that he leaves till the end of the semester to give.
He is a really nice guy. If you do not understand what he says in class he is completely willing to work with you. People that dislike him are not willing to go to his office hours.
Very Easy class... You don't even have to go to his class that often to pass... Just study the practice exams in the back of the spiral book and you'll get an A and as for the pop quizes go to class once a week and you'll know a weeks worth of info. If you go to him he'll help you. His lectures are clear and comprehensible
Not really personable, but the class it super easy. Practice exam questions are in actual exam, so memorize them!
I'm not really sure why he has a bad rep at alb, he is an easy and fair prof. He presents behavioral neuro in a very clear manner, shows movies almost ever class, and really explains difficult concepts. if you read the textbook a little, go to lectures, and buy his book of previous "testquis" you will be fine. he even prints out the slide there!
Straight forward class, he demands respect. Tests aren't easy but aren't hard.
He's a bit of a carp in that he makes you buy his own book of research for the class, but overall his lectures are easy to understand. He outlines his lectures & gives practice quizzes/exams in a book. It's INCREDIBLY helpful! He drones on though and often explains the same thing over & over - waste of time. He's very thorough for PSY101. EASY A.
Easy class, but very unhelpful won't answer questions during class and very rude about it. Doesn't respond clearly to email and wont work with office hours.
Easy A; only homework assignment is to read the textbook but 20% in exams comes from outside material. The other 80% are class notes and many of them are the same questions he used in the practice tests. Not very approachable and won't answer questions. Attendance isn't required but don't miss pop quizzes. Shows that he knows a lot about psych.
Terrible class. Tests are not what he says they are on percentage-wise, the material on the test is barely from notes at all. Frequent pop quizzes will ruin your grade, if you make it to them or not. Has useless slide sometimes where he talks about who he thinks will win in upcoming sports events. This Class was as fun as a rat in a Skinner box.
Bruce is essentially the epitome of what you would call the ultimate teacher. He instills the fundamentals that will lead you on to be successful in the field. Explains things with clarity unrivaled by any other. I was in horrific despair upon completion of his course. He is a man that is inspiring for his conceptual awareness on the subject.
A very smart man. Sometimes his smartness scared me when he called on people to answer his questions (no lie). Goes over the slides very fast, so look over what you learned that day at least 3 TIMES. Share binder textbook with classmate to save money, but BUY HIS SPIRAL-BOUND BOOK! It's a need; you won't pass without it.
Class seems easy in that you don't have homework, & all you should do is study.. No matter how much you do, his exams are HARD. A lot of it is small detail, while you study concepts (it's a lot of information). Smart but NOT approachable, seems snide. I didn't buy his spiral-bound book, probably why I'm failing. Studied a lot, doing terrible.
You go in expecting it to be easy. Notes are good and he's good at lecturing. Then the test comes with minor details and practically impossible answers that you couldn't have hoped to remember. The only way to pass his class is to buy his note book that has the test and answers right in the back. And it is over $100. Dont take his class
Dr. Svare in my opinion did a poor job of teaching this course, his lectures were interesting however he is extremely unapproachable and when i went to see him in his office hours he came off as rude and uninterested in helping me. his tests are extremely difficult and mostly unrelated to the lecture material.
Svare is awesome, attendance is not mandatory but you should definitely go to every class or you will fall behind. 80% of tests are on material taught in class, 20% on the textbook. He drops your lowest test grade, but gives two pop quizzes. Everything is fair and spelled out in the syllabus. Just go to class, and make sure you buy the workbook
ONE OF THE TOUGHEST PROF
He makes you buy his (revised) new edition book every year. Where professors are trying to help students save money on books by putting readings on blackboard or eres, svare is trying to swindle every penny from students at their expense. He makes you buy his pseudo biography which covers only 2 test questions ever.
I definitely don't remember anything from this calls. Oh wait the rats experiment lol. But the review exams in the back of his book did help me pass with a B. Good luck
Boring Lecturer, Self Involved, Annoying
Horrible: do not expect to learn anything in this class.
He makes it a lot more boring than it has to be. His class is unbelievably boring and he is unhelpful with questions in and out of class. It is a waste of money to buy the textbook because you will never use it; instead, buy his spiral book because it has some of the answers to his "testquis" in the back. You need this class for the major.
Worst professor I've ever had. doesn't use the textbook that is required and he makes you buy his own book he wrote. doesn't give you enough time to copy slide notes either. also, if you don't agree with his opinion in class discussions, he will make you feel like an idiot for expressing your opinion. don't take the class with him.
Easy class...almost too easy study the tesquis in the back of his book that he wrote but don't buy the other book...besides the class being easy he is not a good person he does not care about his students in anyway ...he is honestly a below average professor
He is a good professor. He gives you the grade you deserve, and the quizes are easy if you just study. He is helpful outside of class and helps those who are willing to help themselves.
Svare's course is strongly geared towards lower animal research, rather than a lot of human psychology. As a professor, he is unhelpful and boring at most times. His overpriced books are needed to hint towards the completely random questions asked on the exams. Would not recommend this professor.
Svare can be boring at times but he is a wonderful professor got above 90's just by class material and practice exams on the workbook . overall take his class just don't slack and make sure to get the workbook. the textbook is rarely used.
Svare is boring unless you actually listen. He's very monotone but the information he provides is actually pretty cool. The class is very interesting if you give it a chance and his quizzes are easy. You dont even have to study if you just pay attention. I highly recommend you get the workbook but NOT the textbook, I didnt use it once.
worst professor I've ever had. Those who are saying that 'study and you will be fine' make nonsense. dont take it unless you want to become to give up the psych major. he's extremely boring, I have to buy his book which is $120, and he is a fast-speaker though he dosent upload his ppts on bb.
Its just boring. Just go to class for the pop testquis. Even though your ears will bleed from him talking just suffer the 55 minutes and deal with it. As long as you get his notes and don't buy the textbook you'll be fine. Textbook is a waste of money. Just study the back of the notebook and a little bit of the notes and you'll be fine.
Bruce is by far the MOST ADORABLE professor at UA. His class is so good and he makes it soooo interesting especially if you have a prior interest in psych. His tests are very easy (only if you study)
Svare is a bit narcissistic but he is very smart. You do not need to attend class everyday but do be aware of the 2 pop quizzes he gives randomly during the semester. You NEED to buy the textbooks(which he wrote) other wise you wont pass. Real exams are almost exactly the same as the practice tests in the back of the book. and Read the rat book!
Easy class. All of the tests are directly from the workbook. BTW DO NOT BUY THE TEXTBOOK, WASTE OF MONEY!!!! I bought the workbook, was gonna buy the textbook but glad I didn't cause you don't use it at all. All you have to do is make sure you go to class for the pop quizzes and study the tests in the back of the workbook and you'll be fine.
This class was extremely difficult & very boring. Dr. Svare is rude & unapproachable, especially if you go to his office hours for help. I bought his $120 book, attended class, studied & still failed! His weekly tesquis are extremely hard & almost impossible to pass. Those alone will ensure a below C, if not a failing grade! Not a good professor.
Amazing professor every lecture is super interesting. He really cares about students. He gives 11 pop quizzes and drops lowest from grade. Gives a take home final! In his textbook are all of his lectures and samples questions to previous pop quizzes. So you don't have to take detailed notes, allowing you to focus on what he is lecturing about.
Easy class. He gives 11 pop quizzes and an 800 point take home final. Be prepared to go to every class. I missed 5 out of 11 quizzes and still managed to get a C+. Buy his workbook, but forget the textbook. The work book saved my life, and all his slides are in it and so are previous quizzes. BUY IT AND GO TO CLASS.
Do not take his class! While some of his classes are interesting, his tests are strange and outdated. His yearly revised textbook scam is obnoxious. Unapproachable professor. Smart guy but awkward and odd class that leaves you feeling like your in a psychology test without any way out. Don't do it.
Only take this course as a last resort due to the ridiculous amount he expects students to pay for textbooks in a 101 general ed class
A controlling micro-manager. Be prepared to run to the doctor for a note for every sick day this semester because there might have been a quiz. He makes it very difficult to take make ups, even with valid excuse. Office hours are written in stone, unavailable, unapproachable, lacks empathy for special circumstances. Interesting class, though.
He's the most egotistical person with the largest superiority complex I've ever met. He acts like he's a professor at Harvard, when he teaches at a mediocre public institution. His lectures are the epitome of boring and he has no compassion for missing class. You don't need the textbook or the book about him. Don't take his class unless you have to
I spent about 300 bucks on books, won't let you copy the notes, and if you raise your hand in class he won't even look at you, wastes class time talking about football and if he schedules a review session, it'll be trash. The upside is he's a good teacher, you're going to learn, and if you get his workbook, there are practice tests and slides.
Very easy professor. I took intro to psychology with him freshman year. Make sure to study the questions in the back of the textbook on rats for the first exam. There will be a lot of questions from there. Don't get the textbook. Just get the review book with the test questions. Memorize those and you get at least a B on every test
He's not a bad teacher, just arrogant. You HAVE to buy the books he wrote, otherwise you wont pass his class, and these books are more expensive than the actual psychology textbook. He doesn't let you ask questions, but he wastes 10 -15 minutes every Friday talking about football. I can't say I didn't learn, but I can't say I'd retake it.
He is an okay professor, you can tell hes passionate about the subject. But towards the end of the semester i became uninterested. Honestly, its ridiculous how you have to legit buy all three books to pass and they are expensive. We are paying for slides basically, that other professors would post online. Avoid to save money. I didnt do bad though
I would recommend getting another professor. He reads off of power points and delivers the material in a very dry fashion. His tests are hard because you don't absorb enough from class. Gives 4 tests and 2 pop quizzes. Makes you buy his book and recommends you buy a book on how to pass the class. It's worth it because it has practice tests in it.
Dr. Svare is a very intelligent professor who has been working in the field for decades. Even though he knows what he's doing, he does not know how to effectively convey the information to students in the class. His lectures are off the powerpoint, dry, and boring. Expect to work hard and receive a grade point below your average. Switch if possible
Svare can seem sort of condescending, and he tries to be intimidating. Besides that, he teaches very well in terms of psychology. His workbook is necessary because it contains all of the powerpoint slides and practice exams which have the exact same questions as the tests. Just study those and you'll do fine.
Dr. Svare is good at what he does, and he definitely is clear when it comes to teaching the material. But, he is not the most helpful of professors. There were a couple of times when I noticed him ignoring students raising their hands during class. He seems to be condescending and does not really care about his students.
Dr. Svare knows what hes talking about as a psychologist but it doesnt translate well as a professor. He basically recites the information in class and expects you to absorb it without explanation. The only grades he has in the class are 4 tests and 2 quizzes which are quite hard, so prepare to read the books and essentially teach yourself to pass.
1 of the worst professors I've ever had. Recommends you buy a workbook he wrote himself, its over $100 and is riddled with spelling errors, wrong, and missing info. He is the only professor I've ever encountered that doesn't put his slides up and basically makes you buy them. It should be a crime. He's pretentious and just reads slides verbatim.
Doesn't help at all even if you go to his office hours. The test are ridiculously hard to understand and are tested on the randomest things (like himself.. Yes he asks questions about himself). Be ready to read and do a lot of studying, if you don't you will fail. Go to class!! And make sure you get the book he wrote its super helpful.
I was very disappointed in this class. Initially I was very excited to take it but throughout the course I became more and more frustrated. Tests focus on very meticulous details and overall doesn't promote learning, rather memorization. I personally don't feel like I got much out of the class. Svare just talks AT you, doesn't engage you.
What an awful professor and awful person. There's 2 pop quizzes and if you show up unprepared, he makes you leave but how can he expect you to come prepared when it's unannounced?! Exams are also full of the most arbitrary info and like another said, focuses a lot on memorizing random details instead of learning. makes you buy his books-mad guap..
Okay, so here's the thing with Bruce: As a person, he sucks because he won't give you any opportunities to retake a missed pop quiz unless you were pretty much dying. As a grader, the class is pretty easy. 8 straighforward pop quizzes (at least half cone from the practice ones that are provided with the answrs) and a straightforward take home final
I agree with the person below me except there were 11 easy pop quizzes (drops lowest one) and 8 questions for the take home final. Bruce doesn't care about his students bc he makes you spend $ on his txtbks and doesn't care why you missed a pop quiz. DONT FORGET YOUR ID FOR THOSE! Overall, easy class, just a very rude professor
Class was made up of 11 pop quizzes so you have to show up to class to pass. He gave me a 0 on one of the quizzes because I forgot my suny card. Hes tough and the material is difficult but the textbook is written by him and helpful. If you work hard youll do fine.
Very boring professor. Lectures are long and irrelevant because he reads straight from the slides which are provided in the workbook for the class. Every test is graded on a curve and the lowest score is dropped. Just memorize the questions in the back of the book and skim through the chapters before each test and you'll get at least B
Theres 11 pop tests and a take home final. He drops your lowest pop test. They're all pretty easy because most of the questions come from the book he makes you buy. Buy the workbook NOT the textbook, it sucks that you have to buy the workbook, but it will secure you an A. All I did was study from the workbook and got an A.
For the quizzes he changes words from the workbook so try to understand the topic, not just the answer. For the final, I wrote a lot directly from the wb and did well. I personally hated the way he taught and I would not recommend him. Not having my laptop made it hard but It is possible to do well even if you don't understand. Come and take notes.
He is a nightmare. I would not recommend taking his class. You have to buy the book! It is the book written by him. If you want an A, you have to buy it. 11 quizzes and he will drop 1 lowest. Take home final, 8 questions, worth 800 points. He class is really boring, some students asleep in his class. If you have another chance, not him!
This professor doesn't care about students, if you have questions in the class, he will ignore you when you raise your hand. Also, you HAVE TO buy his textbooks in order to pass this class, because he DOES NOT give you enough time to take notes; in addition, he WILL NOT put slides on blackboard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
People have so much hate for this professor and I really don't know why. Yes, he doesn't care why you missed a pop quiz , and doesn't care if you left your SUNY ID card but just buy his workbook,look at the practice quizzes, and read through the lecture slides, answer the questions for the take home final and there's no reason to get less than a B
He knows what he's talking about, and if you're interested in neuroscience you'll do well, its not an "Easy A" class, though you have to work for it. Weekly quizzes in lieu of HW. Doesn't use blackboard- prints out his lectures as a textbook and you need to buy it (which sucks, but his quizzes and answer sheets are in the back)
He goes way too fast! Nobody has a chance to write down whats on his slides & he doesnt put his slides on blackboard either! And he makes you buy all 3 textbooks!
He is very monotone, and never smiles/cracks jokes. He occasionally plays episodes from a 1980's psychology tv show and it's the worst thing I've ever endured.
Overall, Svare is a one of a kind. For one, he is very monotone with his lectures. He does not encourage student participation either. One thing I can say though, is that if you put the work in to his class (which isn't much), you will obtain the A. Just buy his workbook pretty much everything you need is in there. Somewhat barely read the textbook
People say negative things but truly is not that bad. You do need to buy all 3 textbooks to do well in the class. One has all his slides and outlines with practice quizzes, which have questions directly on the test. Goes by the book, no makeups, extra credit, etc but as long as you pay attention and study you will do fine.
This class is somewhat boring but SO easy! DONT buy all the textbooks only buy the one thats "optional" that he wrote and it has all the slides and practice tests in the back. Memorize all the questions of the practice test before the actual test and you will get an 80 at least. Worst part is no phones or laptops in class, TAs come around to check
The class will seem very difficult at the start, but all you really need to do is buy the optional review book and this class is an easy A. It has all the notes and practice tests which are almost exact copies of the real tests. I can not stress it enough, all you have to do is buy the optional review book and show up to class and you're set.
Forces you to buy 3 books (2 of which are written by him) and the ones written by him are the ones that actually help you. Don't bother getting the big textbook. He grades on a point system so make sure to do the practice tests because those same questions are often repeated and put on your exam. He's really not the nicest guy. Wouldn't take again
Class graded on a few tests and 2 pop quizzes. The questions are pretty trivial even though he says they aren't. You will only get a good grade if you purchase a book he wrote with many test questions in it. Definitely do not recommend.
There are four tests which are very difficult. Majority of the test questions are from the test within textbook he makes you buy. I would not suggest taking his class because his grading system is not out of 100 and it is hard to come back from a failed test.
This professor isn't as bad as everyone says. Buy the optional "Learning About Psychology" book and take the practice exams and you'll get an A because a lot of the questions are the same. There's 4 tests (he drops the lowest score) and 2 pop-quizzes. He also grades on a curve so whoever has the highest point score becomes the new 100. I got an A+.
The material is very interesting and you'll do good on the quizzes if you buy only the optional book and study the questions in the back. Attendance is mandatory because there are pop quizzes and only the lowest score is dropped. Overall the class and professor are great. Bring your ID card to class everyday in case of a quiz.
He says that you need 2 textbooks and 1 is optional. Only buy the optional one. The pop quizzes are usually doled out on subjects that you learned 3 months prior. He doesn't put the notes on Blackboard. Moves fast through slides and never takes questions or engages class.
Makes you buy 3 textbooks and the textbook that he says is optional is the only one you really need. Doesn't take questions and is rarely available after class. Calculates grades by taking the highest score in the class and dividing your grade into it. One of the most confusing grading rubrics I've ever seen, you never know exactly where you stand
Svare is a great professor, this class is pretty easy as long as you buy the book he wrote. All the quizzes are in the book so as long as you study those you will be in good shape. Do not use technology in his class, it will get you removed. Also show up for every class because you never know when there will be a pop quiz. All in all a good teacher
He is an ok professor. Yeah, he's very rude and has monitors that walk around the entire classroom each class, but he does know what he is talking about. When he says buy all his books, DON'T! Only buy the optional book with the slides in it, as that is the key to doing good in that class. As long as you study those, you'll be fine
Probably the worst professor I've ever had. Makes you pay for a book with the slides in it (instead of just posting them on BB) , has TAs walking around watching you like hawks, and his tests are multiple choice with the last option as "none of the above" so good luck narrowing down your answers. No electronics and goes so fast during lectures.
This is the worst professor at SUNY Albany. His tests are absolutely absurd. 60 questions and every question has "none of the above" as a choice. It is sad to think that he will probably read this and just laugh it off. He genuinely does not want students to do well. I hope he reads this and takes it seriously to change the ways of his class.
If you're prepared to read ALL the stuff he assigns in the textbook and attend almost every class you'll do fine. While I was the top scorer in the class, this class required way too much of my time. The only way to do well is read the text book, take the practice tests and quizzes, and pay attention in lecture. Do not take this class with him.
He is an amazing professor, and he knows what he is talkin about , but the test are really hard . You have to memorize alot of things, which will not even make sense .
He is the most uncaring professor in this University. He is extremely rude during office hours. He makes you buy 3 textbooks and 2 of the 3 are written by him. He has pop quizzes that are worth half a test grade so if you miss a single pop quiz you basically fail the course. I missed one pop quiz and my overall grade went from an A to a D.
He will ignore your questions in the middle of lecture and continue talking about whatever it is that he wants. He is also terribly rude and demeaning. I missed a class for a FUNERAL which happened to be a pop quiz day and despite my most polite and sincere email, he literally emailed back "not my problem" complete with no punctuation.
Do not take his class. If you have option then choose other professor.
Do not take his class!!
Take his pass if you love to memorize unnecessary things. You have to memorize terms, which will not even make sense.
Uncaring professor
13 quizzes, two of them are on his own research that he does and he gives you them out of no where. He genuinely doesn't care if you do well, don't even bother raising your hand in class because he will not even look at you. My final paper ended up being 13 pages long.
Knows a lot about the field but his policies are just ridiculous. Never knew pop quizzes were a thing in college until I had him. Final's not cumulative yet he expects you to study previous material, being on pop quizzes. He Just lectures and forces you to listen, not allowing conversations. Can't use phones and has monitors watching you. $$$$$$$$$
Do not take his class !!!!
He has the worst teaching style I've ever seen in my 5 years at Albany. He seems to hate technology. He will kick you out of class if he thinks you are doing something other than DILIGENTLY taking notes. He also DOES NOT utilize BlackBoard, something that students have criticized him on. He does not seem to care about what students think of him.
One of the most unpleasant people I have ever met. Makes you buy 3 textbooks, wrote two of them himself. Hates technology with a passion and will halt his lectures if he sees even one person on their phone. Will ignore raised hands. TAs stalk around the room looking for phones. Have your ID on the day of the pop quizzes, or you will be kicked out.
Do not take this class. Arguably one of the most difficult human beings I had ever had to work with. He calls students out in the middle of the lecture & exposes them on the spot, doesn't utilize BB, & simply does not do anything to help his students do their best in his class. He genuinely does not care for his students, and only cares for himself
I honestly have never met someone more rude in my entire life. I have no sympathy for this man for whatever happens to him. Because of him, he ruined my gpa. I missed a pop quiz for a personal reason, one that I almost didn't wanna tell him, and he almost didn't care. HOWEVER, According to his syllabus if i had a cold i could retake it..........
What a miserable old man. He is rude and pretentious. I like to think Im a good student, yet I can barely stay awake throughout his incredibly boring and slow lectures. 3 textbooks, 2 of which he wrote. Coincidentally, these books are necessary to pass the class because he doesn't use Blackboard. What do you expect from a man who studies rats?
Dr Svare is truly a miserable man. His "bluntless" is really just rudeness and a disregard for student wellbeing. It is ironic that someone with such little empathy and understanding of human behaviour is teaching a course in psychology. God help us all.
Professor Svare is highly biased and opinionated in his lectures, which include none of the content that is tested. He is non-specific in class and tests on very specific topics he's never even mentioned.
This class was very frustrating and hard to understand due to the lack of attention he gave the slides. He moves too fast and doesn't take questions.
Bruce is pretty bad. His lectures are pretty boring. When it comes to taking tests, make sure you do and memorize the practice tests! They're pretty similar to the actual tests. Best of luck.
Svare expects a lot out of students for an intro to psychology class. His practice exams are extremely helpful, but the other questions on the test are very specific. Extremely strict and boring. Would not recommend!
Don't take this class with this professor. Svare is rude, dismissive, and doesn't care about the students in his lecture. I have heard him telling students straight off the bat that he won't help them with the subject material and they shouldn't come to office hours if they aren't doing his recommended amount of studying outside of class.
Based on reading previous reviews, I came into this class with prejudged, negative thoughts about this professor. Let me tell you guys - he's not a bad professor at all. He is straightforward in his lectures & I can tell how passionate he is about Psych. Read the textbook Intro to Psych by Kalat, read his research book, & buy the Learning to Psych.
Best professor!! If you only study quiz or test questions on the back of the book you will easy b.
Svare makes you pay him $200 for textbooks he wrote that are just poorly written lecture slides. He flips through slides too fast to write down, and does not allow you to take pictures. This is probably because some of their content is racist (i.e. saying that the eyes of people with Down Syndrome look like the eyes of "orientals"). I could go on.
He is very knowledgeable about his field but you MUST put in the work and go to class. Really, GO TO CLASS.
Only grades are pop quizzes. Had 3 pop quizzes in a week. Very hard to catch up if you get behind. His syllabus recommends studying 3 hours a night
Alright- honestly I'm a good student but I'm lazy and this class requires WORK. Thought he was kidding when he said "study 3 hours/night" in the syllabus but nope. This class was a STRUGGLE to pass if you're trying to do the bare minimum. I do not recommend, he's not very helpful, nor nice. "Bring your ID; leave your technology"
his lecture includes outdated language that has since been deemed offensive and he comes off as condescending when spoken too outside off class and his class is borderline racist and misogynistic , his entire lecture is just him talking at you and not at all engaging I would be happy to never take a class of his again
Beware of the random pop quizzes lads. Oh jeez, this man will knock you out faster than taking 18 shots under 2 mins. But overall if you want to pass this class by his book. The test is 60 questions about 38-40 questions come right from the practice test. So that one way to pass but prepare to just want to die slowly in this class.
he does not really care how the students due. The class is made up of 13 pop quizzes that he gives no warning about. if you forget your ID, you fail the quiz, no exceptions. He is not flexible when it comes to meeting outside class unless he wants to yell at you. he is rude and teaches as if it was a graduate level course. DO NOT take him.
This is one of the worst Professors at the University of Albany. No matter what excuse even when given proof he is USELESS. Does not let you retake much unless you've been in a coma for 8 damn weeks. STAY AWAY!!!!! Grades you based on three test and a few pop quizzes. Svare shouldn't even be your last option if you need to take this class!!!
Just don't... worst class ever. He grades the class off of extremely hard exams that everyone does poorly on and two pop quizzes that have absolutely nothing to do with the lectures he teaches. On top of being a bitter old man to everyone in class, he requires you buy his textbook to do even moderately well in his class.
Bruce is literally the hardest professor I've ever had. you have to read from TWO of his own textbook, which cost like $200. Then you have three test and two pop quizzes. You have to dedicate every single second of your free time to this class to remotely do well. lectures are boring and test are extremely hard. DO NOT TAKE
Extremely lecture heavy, I almost fell asleep every class
Easily one of the worst professors ive ever had. Thought about double majoring criminal justice/psychology and this guy took away all my hopes and dreams
He may be good at his profession but he is a terrible professor. I would not take him again nor would I advise anyone to take his class.
Let me tell you something about my pall Bruce, he's just horrible. He force feeds you his own work and study's by making you buy his own text books and putting his own research and stuff like that on his tests. Which sucks because I resent this man and therefore don't care at all about his research and what he's doing with his life.
Worst teacher I have ever had. Completely unfair and does not care about students and if they learn anything. I would advise people to not take him ever.
Dr. Bruce Svare may be one of the WORST professors to teach psych at the university. He has no regard for you to do well in the class. he has no morals of being lenient and will seldom allow you to do your best. Actually your best is never actually enough for this class. you have to be some kind of amazing psychology genius to pass this class.
1. He published a book with only his PPT and past exams. That book sales $100, if you have the book, you will pass. 2. If you are not going to by his book, do NOT take him.
I have to say it seems most of the people here are just whiny sad lads who are mad that they're retarded and didn't put in enough effort to get an A. That said, Bruce is still certainly one of the most dry, uncaring, uninteresting professors I've had the displeasure of having, who seems content to ride out his tenure knowing he'll never be fired.
Bruce Svare is one of the kindest, cutest, cuddliest professors I've had. His class is super easy, and you don't even need to show up to get an A. I love this man, and I highly recommend anyone who likes to have a good time to take his class.
It's no secret that Bruce is very tough and unreasonably strict, but the work was not bad. If you do the OCAs and use the practice tests from his book to study you can easily get an A.
I go back and forth with Svare over liking/despising him. He is a bit callous. His pop quizzes are annoying because it means you have to attend class every day, but they're helpful in upping your grade if you just study. Lectures are interesting, but don't expect him to answer any questions, no matter how long you hold your hand up for.
Very mean and bitter, makes you buy his useless textbook that has the slides that is required for class since he doesn't post powerpoint slides to view after class. Do not take this class take it with another professor. He also goes through very fast so try and keep up.
Class is easy, he teaches is much better than the other Prof for this course. Entire course is graded off of 4 homeworks (fill in the blanks), 13 pop quizzes (lowest is dropped, and all multiple choice or t/f) and a final. Entire class is curved to the highest score in the class so the A-E scale is always Changing. Great and down to earth guy
Not as bad as people make him seem, I showed up for class only towards the end of the semester for the pop quizzes, barely did the readings, and memorized the practice tests. He curves, so its honestly an easy A if you're not lazy and expect to be spoon fed.
Bruce Svare. He didn't allow any extra credit, and your entire grade comes from four things. Bruce Svare should be fired, he's so terrible. I'm a good student and didn't miss a single class and I did terribly. He is really horrible and his only solution for his tests being too hard (from multiple students) is to study harder. PLEASE DONT TAKE!!
awful
just don't do it
Its not make time for students, does not even answer questions in class. Does not care about whats going on in your life especially if youre military
Only good memory will help you past this class.
He is a terrible person and professor. He goes through his slides too quickly and doesn't allow modern technology. If you try to go online and get the notes you cannot because he only posts the shell which are pictures. There is no way to pass class he supposedly curves grades majorly at the end of course but you won't know your grade while taking.
He changed the class from previous years. He doesn't have his textbook (which has the slides from class, practice quizzes and tests in it) this year. He wants people to come to class. If you don't have his textbook from someone who took his class in past years, you're going to get an F. The class average is basically a D. DO NOT TAKE HIS CLASS!!!!!
He zooms through his slides especially during the end of class or nearing an exam. He puts his powerpoint shells online, meaning its basically the slides without anything but the heading. He asks trivial questions even though he says he doesnt. Just dont take his class.
2 Pop Quizzes , 4 test lowest grade dropped. His test are HARD. HIS lectures are boring you have to write fast because he will change the slide & you have to read all the chapters
His tests are the most annoying and impossible tests I have ever taken in my life. I'm a straight A student and I am barely passing his class. If you don't read the textbook chapters everyday for multiple hours, you will not get good grades and that's on Jah. Do not take this course.
This professor is horrible. If you want to pass his class you should buy his book for around 100$. He gives 60 questions in 55 minutes plus 2 Pop Quizzes. The worst professor I ever had if you want to take Psychology never ever take it with him. Half of my class either dropped or it is going to fail. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND DO NOT TAKE HIM.
Went to every lecture, took good notes and read the textbook. When I went to office hours after failing every test, he just told me to study 9 hours a week and Ill be fine. Doesnt take responsibility as a professor for making exams extra hard and always rants in class instead of teaching. Incredibly stubborn.
pop quizzes every few classes, does not announce tests and prohibits all technology use in the class
Absolutely horrible professor, puts only slide shells up on blackboard so we can only see the headings of each slide, so if you're ever absent to a class you can't see what slides you missed unless you exchanged contact with someone else in the class and ask them. Doesn't allow phones in class at all. Tests/pop quizzes are extremely difficult.
Worst professor Ive ever had. This 100 level class is so hard for absolutely no reason and about 75% of my class is failing. He LITERALLY expects you to study 9 hours a week as if you have no other classes. Tests are extremely hard. This teacher doesnt care about your grades or success and doesnt offer any extra credit. Just dont do it.
This course is awful. Bruce teaches like he wants us to fail. He goes through the slides quicker than it is humanly possible to take notes, then posts them to blackboard with only the titles. Only graded on pop quizzes and CUMULATIVE final. Enjoys hearing himself talk for 55 min. Also ignored me when I tried to tell him about an excused absence
Bruce wants you to fail. Goes through the slides faster than anyone can write & only posts the slides with the titles but you can't use any technology in his class. If he catches you on your phone he will call you out and yell at you after class. He doesn't take attendance but pop quizzes make up for that. If this is your only choice GOOD LUCK
Worse professor I have ever had hands down. Quizzes seem to be irrelevant to the readings and textbook. Completely inaccessible outside of class. Most annoying part is that you are not allowed to see the questions you got wrong on quizzes SO THAT YOU CAN LEARN AND IMPROVE. All he provides is your grade and class score distribution. So bad.
He doesn't let you ask questions in class and has only one day available for office hours. He only grades based on performance which leaves a small curve for your grade at the end of the semester. No matter how hard you work he will not award you for it. No homework and he says to study the textbook and class notes for the test. THE WORST!!!!
This man is the epitome of a bad teacher, the man sits at the front of the classroom, believing he's a savant of some sort, and expects you to copy notes that he blows through, while also saying that his notes are the key to success in his class. Gives very little room to learn.
For a man who studies the human brain, he is quite insensitive of the different learning abilities of his many students. As a professor it is expected that you try your best to get the most students you can to understand material. I believe he simply gets joy out of having a "hard course" just to make himself feel like the smartest guy in the room.
Classes were so boring you don't want to show up. If you're texting in class the TA or Bruce himself will call you out in the middle of lecture to stop. His tests were really hard you definitely need the textbook to pass. He gives no extra credit and has no remorse when it comes to you passing or failing.
he is just plain bad.
Easily the worst class I have ever taken. He gives 1 to 2 pop quizzes a week for the entire semester and there is not a midterm. Your end grade is based off the 12 impossible quizzes and the final. The average for the final this semester was a 55 and only 7 people got higher than a 70 on it. The final is out of 600 points and has 100 questions.
The content in Bruce Svare's biopsychology course isn't difficult at all. Not once will you have to work to understand a concept outside of class. What he does is test on obscure, random facts that he fails to tie together with larger concepts. Try harder man
I wanted to add an example of one of his exam questions. "what are the two most prestigious journals in biopsychology?" Obviously one of the answers is Nature, but the other one I have no idea because that's his personal opinion. Real riveting stuff right there
All I have to say is..........I should've read "Rate My Professor" reviews on Svare before I took his course. I should've dropped the course. Never again.
sits in the from of the lecture and reads off the lecture slides all class. speeds through the slides, it's impossible to copy everything or even enough to completely understand. also doesn't post any lecture slides or any material at all. if you dont buy the textbook and read it you will fail. has 12 pop quizzes and 1 cumulative final.
His class was the most difficult class I have taken so far. I really had to put in crazy amounts of effort to pull the B. He doesn't respond to questions during lecture and he gives crazy amounts of pop quizzes sometimes on the subjects he taught that same day! His final was difficult and I put in HOURS studying for it. Would NOT take again!
Brett doesn't care what your circumstances are. I needed major surgery mid semester and all he says is find a study buddy. As if the study buddy can show pictures, videos and charts shown in class when he doesn't allow phones in class. He will stop the lecture and stare at you if you're on your phone. He is ruthless and the pop quizzes are intense.
Might be the worst professor in the entire united states
Bottom line is, this class isn't as bad as everyone on here makes it out to be. Is it an easy A? Absolutely not. Is the class boring? Yes. Do you have to do work? Yes. Will you fail? Probably not. Take notes on the lectures, read the text book, and you should do just fine in the class. The whole class is curved, which helps a ton.
Bruce Svare just made psych a horrible experience. I will never forget that name. Never answers people with their hands raised. He refuses to go back on slides when the class clearly does not have them copied. Does not post the slides on blackboard. Your entire grade is based on 4 tests and 2 POP quizzes. The environment is very hostile and boring.
Your entire grade comes from 4 tests and 2 pop quizzes. The quizzes are cumulative and don't happen till the end of the semester (g bless covid for making them online i guess). He makes no effort to make class interesting, his entire demeanor is negative and makes it hard to even want to go to class. Absolutely do not take him unless you love psych
I'm a TA for Bruce's APSY101 class and I apologize if I ever told you to put your phone up. I'm suffering just as much as you are.
Lectures and homework readings did not reflect what was on the test. Test questions were so hard, I never passed a single exam. Study guides were never provided, once we were told the exam was on Chapter 7-10 of the textbook and he pulled questions from chapters 11-14!!! DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS I AM WARNING YOU!!!!!!!
just watch the lectures and you're good. the quizzes are pretty easy.
Hes nice and understanding
Unclear grading on top of being the most stressful class during a pandemic. The tests and quizzes were on different time requirements compared to other online classes making them confusing (most classes give you till 11:59 but hed end a quiz or test in the mornings). This professor didnt seem to show empathy.
Took his class online synchronously, as long as you watch the lectures you should be fine for the quizzes and exams.
Easy A class. His online lectures were really slow I always had to speed it up. Says uhm ALOT, looses his track of thought but its understandable considering his age. He explains good and the class content is interesting. We had East quizzes and like 4 exams. The quizzes were SUPER easy and the exams were ok but very long, attendance not mandatory
He is a very good professor but his class isnt necessarily an easy A. He cares about your grade and that everyone understands the material and as long as you do the assigned work and study then you should do ok. Most information is found in his syllabus and he does send reminder emails every week for tests and quizzes.
The class has not started and as I am looking at the syllabus I could see that this class is not it. I would not recommend to anyone
OK professor, class is easy if you take notes on the yt lecture videos he posts. Zoom lectures will frankly put you to sleep. Definitely a knowledgeable guy who cares about psychology. This class isn't an easy A though.
Oh my god. I read these reviews before taking his class and said to myself, How bad can he be? Well, the answer is: BAD. If youre reading this, do not take this man. He is the worst professor Ive ever had the displeasure of having. He just sits there, chewing gum obnoxiously loud and making fun of his students. Despicable. Youve been warned.
He's an ok professor and you will have to work hard for the grade. His teaching style is through videos and answering him in the class. Quizzes once or twice a week and 4 exams in total.
THE WORST PROFESSOR I HAVE EVER HAD. I am appalled with how bad he was. Pop quizzes left and right, will yell at you in a class with 100+ people because you are on your phone. Anti electronics. Tests reflect little-nothing in the power points. Horrific all around, I have nothing positive to say. Dreaded coming to class. New students beware...
Take another psych class you'll do less work and get a better grade. Work smarter not harder. I have a 4.0 because I stayed away from professors who make material harder than it needs to be. Especially if you are just taking this class as a pre req for the school of business. Do not stress yourself out when you do not have too.
It's really appalling how this man still has a job at the school. This man is TERRIBLE.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
63%
Textbook Required
45%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-1.02 avg changeRatings by Course
AREPSY214
5.0
(1)PSYCHOLOGY
4.0
(1)ASPY110
4.0
(1)PSYC101
3.8
(4)ASPY101
3.5
(2)Difficulty by Course
PYC101
5.0
APSY211
5.0
APSY100
4.2
PSYCHOLOGY
4.0
PYCH101
4.0