2.7

Derchyan Lin

Mechanical Engineering - Toronto Metropolitan University

2.7
Quality
3.6
Difficulty
38%
Would Retake
83
Reviews
2.7
Quality
3.6
Difficulty
2.8
Helpful
2.7
Clarity

38%

Would Retake

83

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

20

4

10

3

14

2

13

1

26

What Students Say

He is a knowledgeable prof and has good lectures

MEC311 - 3.0 rating

cause his lectures aren't much use

MEC721 - 2.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

10%

Textbook Required

67%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B

95% confidence
Based on 25 grades
Most common grades:
B (5)
A (4)
B+ (4)
Grade Distribution
A(5)B(7)C(6)D(2)F(0)A-/B+(5)
Based on 28 reported grades
B: 5
A: 4
B+: 4
Not sure yet: 3
Common Tags
Tough grader (10)
Test heavy (8)
Lecture heavy (7)
Get ready to read (5)
Tough Grader (3)
Lots of homework (3)
Skip class? You won't pass. (2)
Graded by few things (2)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.24 avg change
May
Jun
May
Jul
Jan
May
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

XXX

5.0

(1)

MEC222

4.3

(4)

MEC311

3.2

(38)

MECXXX

3.0

(1)

MEC

3.0

(1)
+8 more courses
Difficulty by Course

MEC411

5.0

VIBRATIONS

5.0

VIBRATION

5.0

MCE311

4.6

MECXXX

4.0

Reviews (83)
1.0
5.0
MEC721
Oct 9, 2001

If you have him for a class, drop out!!

2.0
3.0
MEC311
Oct 9, 2001

Worst Prof EVER

1.0
3.0
MEC721
Oct 9, 2001

No Comments

1.0
3.0
MEC721
Oct 9, 2001

No Comments

1.0
5.0
MEC721
Grade: B-
Oct 10, 2001

very bad.

3.0
4.0
MECXXX
Oct 10, 2001

He means well, but God help you

1.0
5.0
MEC721
Oct 10, 2001

Doesn't know what he talks about. Not well prepared.

1.0
5.0
MEC411
Nov 14, 2001

Worst Prof you will ever have.....change if possible!

1.0
4.0
MEC721
Dec 7, 2001

He tried... but nobody had a clue what he was talking about.

5.0
2.0
XXX
Jan 27, 2002

I think you have to really concentrate in his class to gain A LOT

4.0
2.0
MEC721
Feb 5, 2002

Very knowledgeable and possess excellent ability in teaching skills

2.0
2.0
MEC311
Feb 9, 2002

Nice guy, but wasn't good at teaching dynamics

5.0
2.0
MEC222
Mar 29, 2002

clear, concise, enjoy it

3.0
4.0
MEC222
Apr 12, 2002

No Comments

1.0
4.0
MEC311
May 5, 2002

No Comments

1.0
5.0
DYNAMICS
Jul 22, 2002

holy moly... its an infitesimal particle in curviliniar motion .......no Dr Lin

5.0
3.0
MEC311
Grade: B
Sep 28, 2002

no doubt about it

3.0
4.0
MEC
Nov 5, 2002

Spends way too much time in his office. He virtually lives in there.

1.0
2.0
DYNAMICS
Grade: A
Nov 6, 2002

No Comments

3.0
3.0
MEC721
Dec 17, 2002

Had him for 2 courses. Improving but needs to be more clear. Use titles!!!

4.0
4.0
MEC311
Dec 27, 2002

somewhat confusing in class...fair marker though...

5.0
3.0
MEC311
Dec 28, 2002

Greate Prof.

5.0
2.0
MEC222
Feb 28, 2003

Awesome prof., classes are always worthwhile to be in... and does a superb job at teaching. A helpful, honest & smart guy.

4.0
1.0
MEC222
Mar 3, 2003

No Comments

2.0
1.0
MEC311
Apr 25, 2003

am I right?!

3.0
3.0
CMEC222
May 8, 2003

This course is very boring - Hate visualization!!

2.0
4.0
MEC721
Nov 19, 2003

Smart Prof, but doesn't take the time to explain things. Just writes the theory on the board without any discussion.

5.0
3.0
MEC311
Dec 9, 2003

Great prof. Excellant notes, so go to class.

5.0
2.0
MEC311
Dec 28, 2003

this guy is an awesome marker...take his class

5.0
2.0
MEC311
Dec 29, 2003

He is the BEST professor to teach Dynamics. TAKE HIS CLASS!

3.0
4.0
MEC311
Feb 18, 2004

He is cool prof, but the course itself is tough, you need a SMART prof who can CLEARLY teach the concept and theory behind the problems. And Lin isn't that smart nor is he clear.So wrong prof for the course,but Lin is helpfull he is always in his office

4.0
3.0
MEC311
Mar 10, 2004

It is a course that requires hard work. I think he delivered the concepts extremely well. So, take his class.

4.0
2.0
MEC311
Nov 17, 2004

well, he's one of those prof's that's teaching a course that he really shouldn't, but the other prof is exactly the same. you really need to do some self studying in this course along with friends. tests are usually assignment questions...and he's a fair guy.

5.0
1.0
MEC311
Dec 27, 2004

He's a very good professor who knows the material very well. However, for the F2004 year, he rushed the last 4 units, as they were tought in a span of 3 classes. This made the exam very hard, as students had to cram everything in. However, the first part of the course was tought very well.

1.0
3.0
MEC721
Oct 12, 2005

boring boring boring prof...monotone speaker and his methods of teaching complicate the simplest concepts...there are no other profs for this course so just brace yourself, grab your ankles n take the 4 months of pain

2.0
4.0
MEC311
Nov 8, 2005

Ryerson does not have enuff money to hire proffs who can teach a subject really well so as far as that is concerned i think he is okey!!!

3.0
5.0
VIBRATIONS
Dec 25, 2005

He can't teach this class, all he does it slap a bunch of formulas on the board. However he tried to make the midterms and final exam easy. But m/c midterms aren't easy, but you can get lucky.

3.0
5.0
MEC721
Dec 10, 2006

Horrible. Notes barely coincide with the textbook, and notes are barely comprehensive. Does not fully solve problems and enjoys complicating topics more than he has to. I would have switched or dropped out of his class if I could have avoided him.

5.0
3.0
MEC721
Jan 21, 2007

I have to say it's not an easy course. But I also think he's clear. What can you do about sine and cosine? Need quite a bit of works. He's fair.

4.0
3.0
MEC311
Apr 26, 2007

take MEC 311 with this prof.His way of marking is very good, and his english is also good but he solves hard examples in class so most students dont understand but he is generous marker.

1.0
2.0
MEC311
Oct 20, 2007

unbelievable... I come to class, first day, and he himself can't solve the problem on the board... after that it was down hill. Lectures were useless. I read the book... twice.

5.0
3.0
MEC311
Oct 25, 2007

Crystal clear with lots of physical reasons (not just math). Like it.

2.0
4.0
MEC311
Nov 1, 2007

This class is a huge waste of time... If i wanted to recite the solution manual I could do it at home and NOT pay the tuition fee

5.0
3.0
MEC311
Dec 26, 2007

Very clear delivery. Follow the notes and lots of problem reviews.

3.0
5.0
MEC721
Oct 1, 2010

No Good

1.0
5.0
VIBRATION
Jan 11, 2011

He thinks after the end of this class everybody will become vibration analyst which is not the case!!

5.0
1.0
MEC311
Oct 18, 2011

awesome class. He made difficult questions interesting. A good professor.

1.0
4.0
ME8139
May 13, 2014

Avoid if you can

4.0
3.0
ME8139
Sep 1, 2014

If you want to know the basics of probability, statistics, this is definitely the course to take. very clear on the basic concepts.

5.0
1.0
MEC721
Grade: B+
Jan 25, 2016

coolguy

5.0
1.0
MEC721
Grade: A
Feb 28, 2016

He is a great prof, his lecture are really informative. Midterms are really tough and theory heavy. However, if you attend lecture you will be fine. He's also a very nice guy during office hours. Don't skip class and understand everything from lecture and you can easily get a A

1.0
5.0
MEC721
Grade: D+
Apr 20, 2016

Only prof that teaches this course at Ryerson.... so um... Goodluck!

4.0
4.0
MEC721
May 7, 2016

Very passionate professor, great at explaining theory. Tests are tough and theory based but if you go to class and pay attention to his examples you are guaranteed a great mark!

2.0
5.0
MEC311
Grade: Not sure yet
May 14, 2016

No Chill

2.0
4.0
MEC721
May 26, 2016
Wouldn't take again

you better get started on understanding the material by yourself asap... cause his lectures aren't much use. Then, just do the problem sets and you should be able to pass easily.

5.0
4.0
MEC311
Jul 19, 2016
Would take again

love how he provide physical reasons not just playing with algebra , Also hes tests are not easy but overall amazing prof

5.0
4.0
MEC311
Grade: B
Aug 18, 2016
Would take again

one of the best prof at ryerson . love the way he relate the way he use physical reasons besides that his lectures are interesting , midterm is hard , final was alright

Skip class? You won't pass.
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
Amazing lectures
5.0
2.0
MEC311
Grade: B+
Dec 19, 2016
Would take again

Easy marker , love the way he teach

3.0
3.0
MEC311
Dec 25, 2017
Wouldn't take again

He is a knowledgeable prof and has good lectures. I you fall behind you are done and have no chance to understand his lectures. Better to go to his lectures prepared so you can get the most out of it. His exams are tough and usually bell curves.

TEST HEAVY
1.0
4.0
MEC311
Apr 9, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Nope.

Tough Grader
5.0
5.0
MEC311
Grade: A
May 20, 2018
Would take again

He's amazing. He teaches the way the course should be taught. No point in learning Dynamics if you don't understand theory, and that's exactly what he emphasizes. Always explains questions thoroughly. I would take any course with him, if I truly wanted to master the theory. Never memorize solutions, he'll find a way to stump you.

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
LECTURE HEAVY
2.0
5.0
MEC311
Grade: C+
May 27, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Teaches very little theory and goes straight into examples and just does examples all class long, not completely explaining why it works or why we do it a certain way

Tough Grader
Get ready to read
5.0
4.0
MEC721
Grade: A+
Aug 4, 2018
Would take again

One of the best profs @ Ryerson. He teaches the most difficult courses ( dynamic and vibration), so obviously students that dont have strong foundation in math will be lost. Please dont blame Prof. Lin for your weakness. If you want to do well, my advice is go to class, do your hw, and go to his office hrs. Dr. Lin is a role model to me.

Respected
Inspirational
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
3.0
3.0
MEC311
May 2, 2019
Wouldn't take again

He's not the most amazing teacher, but he knows the course is challenging. Assignments, quizzes, midterm and exam are all tricky but he's very generous with part marks and curving.

Get ready to read
Graded by few things
Lecture heavy
3.0
3.0
MEC721
Jun 2, 2020
Would take again

You must have strong skills in math in order to get by in this course. Previous midterms were all copy-paste of examples, but this year's midterm was changed up to include some tricky derivations. Quizzes are a piece of cake. Labs, design project and exam all take some effort to do.

Graded by few things
Lecture heavy
1.0
5.0
MEC311
Grade: B+
Mar 25, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Dr. Lin is a terrible professor, to say the least. He makes his own quiz questions that are 100x harder than textbook questions, to be honest, there is no real point in getting textbook answers correct when the quiz and midterm questions are so hard that he probably couldn't answer them. His lectures are even worse, any other prof is better.

1.0
5.0
MEC311
Apr 6, 2021
Wouldn't take again

By far the worst professor I have ever had. He is not qualified to be teaching at all.

Test heavy
Tough grader
1.0
5.0
MEC311
Grade: B-
Apr 7, 2021
Wouldn't take again

If you want to spend countless nights crying because all the hard work, effort and time you put into this course have gone to waste then definitely take MEC 311 with Dr. Bill. Quizzes are way more difficult compared to the practice questions he does in class (which he makes loads of mistakes on). Spends his time skimming through everything. sorry x

Tough grader
2.0
5.0
MEC311
Grade: B
Jul 13, 2021
Wouldn't take again

you better lube up cause you'll need it... let's just say that there is mega difference on what he teaches in class and what appears on the exam... makes loads of mistakes in his lectures and gives out tough exams that no one can solve. just pray and ride the curve because you'll need it.

Lots of homework
Test heavy
Tough grader
4.0
5.0
MEC311
Grade: A-
Sep 9, 2021
Would take again

Those who slack off and don't pay attention will not be able to do well. Prof. Lin lectures well and has very helpful office hours, for those who start off struggling. His quizzes are easy but exams are harder than most, but you can expect to do well if you study well in advance. Tips to do well: go to class, listen well, do your hw, and review

Gives good feedback
Get ready to read
Tough grader
1.0
5.0
MCE311
Grade: A
Feb 4, 2022
Wouldn't take again

Terrible prof. Tests are way to hard and he makes students lives harder

1.0
5.0
MCE311
Grade: Not sure yet
Feb 4, 2022
Wouldn't take again

TEST SO BS. Other class gets easy ass test. While we get super hard ones.

Test heavy
Tough grader
1.0
5.0
MEC721
Grade: Not sure yet
Mar 10, 2022

Over the years of being in university, I've come to learn various things about professors and their teaching ability. There are two types of professors. One will actively try to engage students to the best of their ability in order for them to understand material, so that their lectures reduce wasted time learning at home. The other is Bill Lin

Test heavy
1.0
5.0
MEC311
Grade: C
May 10, 2022

Hands down, he's the worst prof I've had. ive never taken a course where literally no one knew what we were doing. He just doesn't know how to teach, his course is disorganized, and his tests are hard

Tough grader
Test heavy
1.0
5.0
MCE311
Jun 23, 2022

Dr. Bill is a nice person but not a professor whatsoever. The way he conducts the course and teaches the material is not sufficient to do well in the course. The only way that you can receive a good mark is to study from various sources so you understand all the contents properly.

1.0
5.0
DYNAMICS
Grade: D+
May 2, 2024

prefer not to speak cuz i'm gonna violate the guidelines

Tough grader
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
3.0
4.0
MCE311
Grade: C+
May 2, 2024
Would take again

Bill handwrites all lecture notes on whiteboard so that means no lecture slides posted to d2L. Bill gives lots of dynamics examples in class and midterms and finals are wildly hard, but if you do enough to pass the tests there's a heavy curve. thanks bill!

4.0
4.0
MEC311
Grade: B+
Jul 26, 2024
Would take again

The course is tough but if you spend time to review and prepare for tests you will be sure to get a good mark. Prof. Lin is also very helpful outside of class, Ive gone to office hours whenever I am unsure of something

Tough grader
Get ready to read
Lecture heavy
2.0
5.0
MCE311
Grade: C
Jan 31, 2025

His lectures are purely based on solving examples, good luck keeping up. Hard midterms and pointless computer labs but the midterms prepare you somewhat for finals. The midterms are similar to examples but you'll need plenty of lube or the final and to slide along that curve.

Lecture heavy
Test heavy
3.0
5.0
MEC721
Grade: C
May 6, 2025
Would take again

Course itself is fundamentally flawed as tests do not align with lecture materials and textbook problems. Bill is too smart to be teaching undergraduate students anyways but definitely better than alternatives. Expect heavy curve

2.0
5.0
MEC311
Grade: B
May 13, 2025
Would take again

This professor is your only decent option cuz the others can't teach. He doesn't post notes, the assessments are tough, and he likes to deviate from the book in terms of order and problem solving. But the curve is generous, so if you accept the grueling hours of studying for the course (actually feels like chinese water torture), you'll survive.

Tough grader
Lots of homework
Lecture heavy
1.0
4.0
MCE311
Grade: B
May 14, 2025

I'll be honest, if you talk to him and show that you study, he is not a bad guy per say. Issue is that he over complicated concepts imo, and I am a bit dull. He is willing to help you though if you ask him each week (not that I did). TLDR: course hard, midterm 1 hard, midterm 2 a little easier, final tough but do-able since you'll study right? GL

Get ready to read
Lots of homework
Accessible outside class
2.0
4.0
MCE311
Grade: C+
May 14, 2025

If you're taking MEC311 (Dynamics), I'd recommend enrolling in another profs section and going to this guys lectures as his lectures are the best out of the worst. The midterm questions he composed were difficult and resulted in such a low grade average with several people dropping. Furthermore, he barely curves the final and midterm(for this year)

Tough grader
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

10%

Textbook Required

67%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B

95% confidence
Based on 25 grades
Most common grades:
B (5)
A (4)
B+ (4)
Grade Distribution
A(5)B(7)C(6)D(2)F(0)A-/B+(5)
Based on 28 reported grades
B: 5
A: 4
B+: 4
Not sure yet: 3
Common Tags
Tough grader (10)
Test heavy (8)
Lecture heavy (7)
Get ready to read (5)
Tough Grader (3)
Lots of homework (3)
Skip class? You won't pass. (2)
Graded by few things (2)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.24 avg change
May
Jun
May
Jul
Jan
May
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

XXX

5.0

(1)

MEC222

4.3

(4)

MEC311

3.2

(38)

MECXXX

3.0

(1)

MEC

3.0

(1)
+8 more courses
Difficulty by Course

MEC411

5.0

VIBRATIONS

5.0

VIBRATION

5.0

MCE311

4.6

MECXXX

4.0

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