2.9
Quality3.7
DifficultyN/A
Would Retake86
ReviewsN/A
Would Retake
86
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
27
4
9
3
15
2
14
1
21
What Students Say
“C is whatever the class averages”
SCIENCE - 3.0 rating“Pretty Much impossible to fail, but he's still pretty annoying”
PHYSSCI - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.12 avg changeRatings by Course
AST2031
5.0
(1)AST1102PSC112
5.0
(1)PHYSCIASTRO
5.0
(1)AST01
5.0
(1)AST1101
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
PHYSSCIE
5.0
PSC1101
5.0
PSY1121
5.0
PSC1010
5.0
PSY1102
5.0
Reviews (86)
grades on class average...C is whatever the class averages..ex. class averages 50%, 50%= C
Pretty Much impossible to fail, but he's still pretty annoying.
Impossible to fail, very difficult, not a good teacher, tough it out and you will pass, no one does good on his tests
He lectures AT you, not to you...but you learn a lot if you make it to class. You can use a notecard for the tests.
Books and lectures are useless for this class. You can pass if you are lucky enough to guess the right answers on the test.
what a Sexy, smart, wonderful man !
If you like the subject it'll help, but not by much. Definitely show up for lectures. Even though he wrote the book you'll be using. It's a little bit clearer when he lectures. Watch out! he screams when he makes an important statement.
this was one of the hardest classes i took in this school. his lectures were confusing and book was boring but the tests (impossible) but his grading scale helped me pass. lectures help a bit but subject was incredibly boring.
If you actually show up, take notes and study-- you are good to go. If you are unmotivated, you give the people that actually pay attention a better chance at getting an awesome grade.
No Comments
"Dr. FoamAtTheMouth", his leactures are awesome, but his tests are hard. Get used to the phrase, "Hurray, Yeah, Woopie!" Grades on the Curve so get in a late day class w/ stupid people in it. Do your notecards.
Hmm...I didn't do too well in this class but I'll assess that blame to myself. He really is a smart guy and he's funny as well. The lectures are good and the problems he makes up are usually humorous. He's also strict though and the difficulty is high.
I actually liked the guy :P He's tough yeah, but he's funny as hell, and at least he isn't boring. And impossible to fall asleep in his class, he screams too much when he's trying to make a point ;) Just attend and take good notes.
Great teacher!! His lectures are very interesting and they actually kept me listening for the entire 3 hours of the class. The tests are hard, but he grades heavily on a curve so just listen to the lectures and you'll do ok.
Tests are hard but grades on a curve so it's not that bad. Go to class, take notes, read the book, study and you are golden. He is clear in his teaching but if you don't get it he's not very helpful. Watch out for his sudden voice level changes and sound effects. Very intelligent educated professor.
This man was one of the smartest people I've talked to. He wrote the f'ing text book for God's sake! I loved his interesting little tangents. If you can pay attention to truley intelligent lecturing for an hour you will do fine, especially considering his curve.
He's a credit to the school. If you show up with a genuine interest in the subject matter and aren't just there for the grade you can learn a lot. If you are just trying to get a grade and get it over with, consider someone of lesser quality.
Grades on a curve or everyone would fail. Tests are long, usually 80 questions and 20 bonus. Don't know how I passed, 30% tests curved to like 80s-90s, curve calculated from class avg. Pay attention to pass, has lots of stories. A tip I learned too late, read chapter summaries at end of chapters.
Just started... Seems intresting, we will see as the Semester goes on. He seemed not to talk about the subject he just talked about what he wanted to. He seems intresting. I couldnt really rate him on easyness, so I put a 3 ;)
Is it possible to get an A, he has 4 tests, and u need 500 pts to get an A.???
Extremely hard tests, class average was twenty out of seventy questions- he went off topic during lectures and announced which students had poor grades in front of the class.
Nice man, but very very very very boring class. AND, the tests were hard.
Class is very intresting. The teacher is very smart and actually knows the material. The test's were extremely challenging! I never took a test so hard ever. but with all respect this is college and it is not meant to be easy! Nice Teacher, Intresting Class, Hard Tests!
RUN AWAY
Do not take David Riban. Avoid him if at all possible. His class is extremely challenging.... YOU MUST STRUGGLE TO GET A D!
I am a 4.0, grad next semester & this is the hardest class ever. Tests are all higher order ?'s. No rote memory. Class test avgs about 30%. Curve allows for A's. Average student cannot get above a C. Below avg student should take someone else. Extra credit=measure a moon crater? That will happen:-)
Easy A. He gives extra credit and grades on a curve.
Very boring class with hard tests. It seems like there has to be a better way to take astromony. I wouldn't recomend this way if I had to do it over again.
Run. Run while you still can. His tests are ridiculous, everyone gets F's and after the curve you're lucky to get a C. Choose a different professor if you still have time, if not, good luck.
I love this subject and it was by far one of the HARDEST classes I've ever taken. So study your brains out for his tests and study things you wouldn't normally study. Be careful for sudden out bursts from him. I would think twice before taking him. You have to work for your A.
He gives passionate lectures, but when the class average is 30 for EVERY test, it should give him a clue his tests are way too hard! Frustrating, thank god for the curve.
EASY A!!!!!!!!!!!!! AWESOME TEACHER, AWESOME CLASS, EASY TESTS. IF YOU GOTTA TAKE ASTRONOMY OR PHYSICAL SCIENCE TAKE IT WITH RIBAN FOR A FOR SURE A!!!!!!
This teacher was awful, all he did was lecture. I think he liked the sound of his own voice, he was rude and unhelpful. The book he wrote himself was horrible, all black and white photos and hard to understand unless you were familar with this subject. I would suggest someone else, if you dont know much about this subject.
He's an mediocre teacher. He also likes to ramble alot. I found that the tests were pretty unclear and so was his teaching. You will get a decent grade if you go to class, pick out the meaningful facts and read the book.
THIS CLASS IS HORRIBLE, IF YOU ARE A STUDENT THAT LIKE TO LISTEN TO BORING LECTURES THEN TAKE THIS CLASS, BUT IF YOU ARE A STUDENT THAT REALLY WANT A CLASS YOU THINK YOU CAN PASS, THEN DON'T TAKE THIS CLASS. I AM AN HONORS STUDENTS AND I FAILED THIS CLASS EVEN WITH THE CLASS CURVE.
No Comments
this man is the devil.
this guy is the worst teacher ever. He is extremely boring and dull. He does nothing fun or exciting to make the class interesting he just talks and talks and talks. I was exciting to take the class because i love astronomy, but it was torture. bloody hell, im telling you.
Took class over the summer. Very difficult. Tests and attendance were really the only things counted in the course. And it helped if you visited him for help. Didn't like the fact he's review questions were posted outside of class...meaning you would need to stand there and copy them for yourself on a sheet of paper. Made more sense if he passed out the review sheets and then you could spend more time studying and reading then standing outside class with like 5 other people copying down a review sheet.
Awe, Dr. Riban! He's adorable and so interesting. The best part is that he wrote the textbook from which he taught and it's filled with photos of himself! "Here's me in front of the worlds largest telescope... and here's me again..." Overall, if you try, you will pass without problems. He's quite agreeable and filled with highly amusing stories!
This guy is an excellent lecturer. We are very lucky to have him teaching at our school. Do not miss class and read the book. Tests may seem hard, he grades on a class average. I got an "A" in both of these classes, didn't have to take the last test in either one because of his point system.
No Comments
He is an ok teacher. I fell asleep a lot, but he tries hard to make the class interesting. I have to admit there were times I thought he was dying in the middle of class. Read the book and I suppose you will do well.
If you ever think of taking this class with this instructor don't. I am sorry I took him, because he does not care about his students. Not only that but he puts you down and makes you want to sleep. All he does is ramble on about nothing for all of the class time. He definitely deserves this rating excpecially when he berates his students.
I thought he was pretty funny and his rants made me want to come to class just to see him yell about nothing. Everytime i talked to him he was nice and he puts the questions to the test up in the hallway before each test. I would say hes pretty good. And he wrote the national standard book for this class.
Inspirational. If you like science, take his classes. And if you just pay attention and take notes, you will take great pleasure in skewing the test curve, much to the dismay of the slackers who like to nap, text msg, whatever. If you do really well, you don't need to take the final. If everyone else sucks, then you might skip 2 tests like me.
Dr. Riban is the best science teacher I ever had. All of his lectures are interesting. To pick out some of his not-so-good students, read through his ratings and the ones that say things like, "He is the devil" are sure give-aways. You have to have been paying attention in high school science to understand what's going on. But you knew that, right?
Incredible teacher. I took astromony with him (after previously failing it with another teacher) and got an A. Granted I paid attention and never missed a class, but he did help make class interesting with his lively lectures. His enthusiam about his subject is very contagious and you couldn't ask for more.
I liked the tearcher alot, everything he teaches is in the book. I mean he wrote the book himself so everything he puts on the test is in it. Willing to work w you if you need to move a test. Gives you guidelines for every test. I am takeing him again for astronmy.
THIS GUY IS BONKERS... HE TALKS THE WHOLE 50 MIN AND NOTHING MAKES SENSE. HE DOES NOT EVEN BREATH WHEN HE SPEAKS. HE RANTS ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE NOT EVEN NEEDED FOR THIS CLASS. AWFUL, AWFUL INSTRUCTOR. SIT IN ONE OF HIS CLASSES AND SEE FOR YOURSELF.
He is a walking encyclopedia, wrote the text book, your grade depends on how you stand out among your peers. You will learn so much with this teacher. He talks the entire time.
Dr. Riban is a nice man.My problem with this class(Physical Science)is that he never reviews for a test(not even for the final),doesn't tell you what to study for,and wasn't all that helpful when I went to him after the first test.You have to guess what will be on the test out of a 30-40 page chapter.It's do-able class, but very frustrating.
This prof is so confusing. He knows a lot of stuff but cannot teach. Dr. Riban is throwing information at you and you can't follow and get lost. Textbook is as confusing as lecture because he wrote it. The only good thing is that he gives a curve for every test. Class average is a C. So, you just have to be 25% above average to get an A.
I had him for an ITS class. I would never take an ITS class again. He is interesting, but sometimes hard to follow. I tried to understand more but he just kept going off on these weird stories. Grading was also confusing, I don't think I would take another one of his classes.
His enthusiasm and passion for science made his class a true pleasure. At times he gets so excited during his (engaging and fascinating) lectures that he'll shout and pound his desk with his fist. Grades are based solely on exam scores, with no attendance or homework requirements. If you're apathetic or stupid you should probably take someone else.
No Comments
Dr. Riban loves his subject but cant teach it. The comments saying he's a great teacher arent true. Your only grades are 4 tests that he gives you nothing to study for. You do a lot of math that he doesnt explain to you how to do. It's more of a history class of science then anything else. The onyl good thing about the class is he grades on a curve
hes an awesome teacher and really fun to listen to will let you in his office anytime you want to talk.
This has got to be the MOST MEMORABLE class I have taken. You will learn so many awesome tidbits of science delight through his stories. What an interesting man! Granted, he does get distracted during class and goes off on tangents about random things. He is a genius. If you are interested in science, take this man. BACTERIUM!!!
Riban's a nice guy but when he speaks u get a whole lota nothin. He talks til he is blue in the face and goes off into these weird tangents.. The tests are ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS, you shouldn't even bother going to class because the questions on the test come out of nowhere. They're INSANE. He does grade on a curve... if he didn't NO ONE would pass
Very interesting professor, very knowledgeable, but you are on your own if you want to pass the tests. His lectures have very little to do with the test contents, and he is never available by phone if you are in his ITS class.
nice guy, and very knowledgeable, but unless you already know a lot about science and math, he is very hard to keep up with and learn from. I could end up getting my first C in his class, because all my notes I take, do not have anything to do with what is on the test.
He is one of the smartest teachers at Daytona state and he has much knowledge in the subjects of physics, math, chemistry, astronomy, and geology. His test can be hard but he grades on a curve. If you want to learn a lot and are a science major it is advised you take one of his courses. He has four doctorates and invented the physics olympics!
Dr. Riban has the most interesting way of presenting a lecture, i wish he taught all of my classes. Very entertaining and I LEARNED a lot. If you enjoy science and pay attention, making an A is easy in this class.
Mr. Riban is extremely intelligent-he wrote the textbook used in class. Hard to comprehend b/c he thinks in his own little world. He will include his wacky test answers in his lectures but you MUST TAKE NOTES> He grades according to the test average curve of the class. This will be good for you if you study, not so good if you don't.
This guy is very hard.He is very hard to keep up with, he is extremely boring, he gets of subject very easily making it harder to keep up. One second he is talking about velocity the next he is talking about Napoleon. I got a C on the class and I was actually happy.DO NOT TAKE HIM
I had to read all the chapters on my own and take notes. I still failed all the tests but he grades on a curve. I finished the class with an A but it was hard work. The subject was incredibly interesting and he is extremely knowledgeable of the subject!
By far the most difficult instructor I have ever had. His tests are ridiculous. The questions are about 50% from the reading and 50% out of nowhere. DONT TAKE HIS CLASS!
Tests are extremely hard to pass.
Oh goodness where to start... I will miss that man... He should have been a stand up comedian instead lol. In order to do well on the test, you have to study the book on your own... His teaching of it won't make any sense. Though he grades on a curve, and it's easy to get an A in there.
Best professor at daytona state. I will miss Dr. Riban very much! He is a walking encyclopedia, very enthusiastic about his material, and his little side stories just top it all off!! I love him!!
Brilliant man! His astronomy class lectures each week are packed with more info than many classes offer in a semester. Wonderfully knowledgeable. If you are interested in learning, do yourself a favor and take his class. If you just want to goof off, and get an easy grade, don?t waste his class space!
Mr. Riban is very smart and really knows astronomy. The tests are multiple choice, but quite hard. He goes over everything you need to know in class, but it's a good idea to read the chapters and STUDY on your own. Pay attention, ask questions and STUDY! Pay attention to DETAILS.
Dr. Riban is an excellent professor. He is one of the most brilliant men I've met, and his stories are the greatest. He is, however, not a high school teacher, but a university professor. He expects you to take responsibility for your studies!
Funny guy! Friendly! Perhaps not the greatest lecturer for all learning types. Goes on a lot of tangents, blows through notes far too fast. It is easy to get lost for some. Be prepared to memorize the textbook AND what he says in class for tests. Odd grading system. Not uninteresting just the same. (Previous edition of book is OK for his class.)
I found his class extremely difficult. Taking notes is a real task because he goes off subject a lot. Tests are graded on a curve so that makes it better. I should have taken the course online. Lectures are long winded and hard to keep up with.
His tests are not simple, you must take adequate notes and be prepared to read the book. He is a walking encyclopedia, and a very funny man! I recommend him to those who are prepared to pay attention. You are not required to come to class, but it will be your loss if you dont! He grades on a curve with the rest of the class.
This class is the worst class you could ever take. I withdrew from the class with about a month left, I knew I was going to fail it and I am an all A and B grade student. He is not helpful at all. He is very rude when you ask him for help. He must get on here and put good reviews himself because no normal person would say good things! DONT TAKE IT!
DO NOT RECCOMEND! I thought I could do it, but all of these responses on here are not true. We do not use the text book. I with drew from the class with about a month left.
I would not recommend this class.
class consisted strictly of lecture and some powerpoints. He has a great sense of humor and pretty much lectures about astronomy in the form of stories. It's really not that bad of a class! But you do have to take notes!
If youâ??re looking for an easy A, you wonâ??t get it from Dr. Riban. If, however, youâ??re interested in an Ivy League education at community college prices, heâ??s perfect. His tests are super-hard, but he grades on a curve and offers 10-20% in extra credit. Take LOTS of notes and read the book.
He's one of the smartest men roaming the planet, i can listen to his lecture for ever but his tests are made for grad students... if you like science and astronomy he's the perfect teacher, if you just want an elective.. take nutrition class
Very brilliant man, and very enthused by science. Lectures can stray from the task at hand, but his stories are extremely interesting if you pay attention. Tests are hard, but they are curved to ensure that it is possible to pass the class. Great, great man, but not an easy A course. Only take if you are truly interested in science
Don't take his class! His teaching method doesn't work for must of the students. The average grade for the class is VERY low, and the only way to do good in his class is by doing good in his tests,which is very unrealistically hard.He lectures the WHOLE class, and is VERY fast in his explanations.I would NOT suggest anyone to take his class!
This class is not an easy A, but if you come to class, take notes, and read your book you will do good enough on the tests to get an A. Since he grades on a curve and most students don't do well all you have to do is be better than everyone else. Can be boring at times but, he is very brilliant. It's lectures, so you have to be prepared to listen.
Class Info
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.12 avg changeRatings by Course
AST2031
5.0
(1)AST1102PSC112
5.0
(1)PHYSCIASTRO
5.0
(1)AST01
5.0
(1)AST1101
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
PHYSSCIE
5.0
PSC1101
5.0
PSY1121
5.0
PSC1010
5.0
PSY1102
5.0