4.3
Quality3.4
Difficulty78%
Would Retake188
Reviews78%
Would Retake
188
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
130
4
28
3
15
2
6
1
9
What Students Say
“I don't like his teaching method”
PHYS1 - 1.0 rating“I think among all Bio professors, he is one of the best at valley”
BIO006 - 4.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
96%
Textbook Required
0%
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B+
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1153
5.0
(1)PHYSIOLOGY
5.0
(3)SCIENCE
5.0
(1)OCEAN
5.0
(1)BIO3LAB
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
PHYSI0001
5.0
PHYSI01
4.3
PHYS1
4.1
PHYS001
4.1
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4.0
Reviews (188)
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Good person, who knows his material wele.
A true calling to teach. Exemplary in every sense. Understands effective communication based on a mutual respect for his students.Only wish tests concentrated less on memorization and more on applied reasoning. More than a teacher, an advisor and a friend
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Cool guy. Doesn't look like one but is one ;> Great helper & interesting field trips! Like the research in Claremont for Bio 185!!
He is very helpful. Clear on what he expects from you. Very clear when explaining lessons, will not be bothered if asked questions, will answer without sarcasm. He has a sense of humor (bio humor). Interesting field trips. Not a boring class.
The best teacher I have ever taken. Puts himself at the students' level - he will not distance himself like most teachers. Genuine interest in students' comments. Makes difficult material easy to understand. Need to study, though - not an easy subject!!
Only the nicest man on campus!!! He's like an angel playing the harp in the middle of a caotic world. Good to see human beings (and especially teachers) that are still truly good in nature.
Well I am in the third week of school, and I still don't really have a great idea of what kind of a teacher he is. I got to admit - the class is HARD! To add to that, I got a different lab teacher, so it can get confusing.. but yes, GOOD TEACHER!
Could you please hire more teachers like this one. We need them badly!
What!!!! I hated his class. He is uninteresting and makes Biology a nightmare too!
Gary is a great easy going teacher. He is very understanding but also demanding...=)
He is a wonderful teacher who will go to the ends of the earth to help you. Lectures were well planned out and easily understandable. He also has many fun feild trips. Great teacher!!!!
oh I don't know about a good teacher!...If he can make u work he WILL!!!.... he's annoying and does not make biology interesting at all. Thinks he's funny but NO!!!!
His class is pretty easy but you have to do your part and study. I had another teacher for lab so it was kind of awkward having two teachers for one subject. But comparing him and professor Roy, he is a better teacher overall. He also shares funny personal experiences. That made the class fun!
Easy material, no surprises, but he's not very interesting, pretty boring guy. Not passionate about this topic.
He is very interesting takes you on field trips related to class. The tests are from the study guide that he provides you with and he also provides you with the essays and fill-ins so that you can study from prior to test day. So he is a good professor. He is also very helpful via e-mail.
Excellent professor! Very considerate of his students and takes great care in being sure that everyone understands the curriculum. I would highly recommend him.
really great
Don't know why some student have a gripe with this guy-maybe they just need to get an oar in the water. I had him for a shortened semester and had no problems with either the material or the teacher. I am going on to another of his classes. QUITYERWHINING!!!
I Liked Gary alot! I thought he was a very funny guy. He tries to make the class fun, c'mon give him a break how fun can bio be?!? If you do your part the class is no sweat!
No Comments
Gary's da sh*t. It's a long 3-hour lab but at least your with him. Kovnat reviews quizzes before takin them and reviews anythinh unclear in the lecture. He's very caring and I am in love with his sense of humor. He can talk less during lab so we can finish quicker but i think he likes us too muc
A very nice guy.
Out of all the other teachers thats are teaching Physio 1 hes the best! This class gets full quickly so try 2 enroll early! In general the class is hard, but Gary trys his best for you 2 undestand the material. He tells corny jokes most of the time, but just bare with it! The best part is his exams are not cumlative compared 2 other professors!
The best teacher at Valley College. He is a science nerd but one who loves his job. Never will anyone have a problem in his class unless it is YOU who is f****** it up, not Kovnat.
Gary has a great personality, really nerdy but in the most cutest way. If you study the exams will be really easy, but if you don't then they can be yucky. Extremely fair with grades and if you're a pre-med, he really likes to give advice regarding that academic path.
He is realy nice teacher.i tooke his class in summer and didn't have problems. He givings so many extra cradites that you don'thave to warry about your grade. what you just have to do is to preapear a leatel bet.so good luck.
As much as I hated Biology, I could honestly say that I had fun in Kovnats class.
Very well spoken and a great listener who covers the material well. Exams can be challenging, but if one is prepared, A's are abundant. Being a Denver Broncos fan is the only downfall of this professor.
This teacher is not too easy but as easy as bio teachers get. He cares and is very clear and understanding. He is fair and if you study you will get the grade you deserve. :)
awesome teacher really cares about his students and will go to any lengths to help you.Physio can be a boring subject but kovnat spices it up with uncle bernie and uncle gene stories.Highly recommend taking him you will learn so much.You will also learn there is a conspiracy theory involving milk and our goverment.Watch out for the multiple choice.
the kind of teacher u should always have. someone that teaches and is very helpful. not a show up get an A class. but he teaches so well that it makes it easy.
Great teacher. He is interesting plus he has a humor. He lectures really well. Give you the fill-in and essay questions to memorize. But you still have to study to answer the mulitple choices. You will get the grade you deserve if you study and complete all labs.
I don't know what these people are going on about. His class is insane. He wastes time on his stupid tangents, causing him to take forever with the lectures, and his testlet's just say that as if there wasn't enough to memorize, you have to 'analyze' the info to come up with the correct answer. I suppose I wouldn't mind him if his tests were easier
Took him on winter. One of the easiest 5 week bio course. His tests are a little hard but if u study the notes and listen to lectures, you'll be ok
this teacher sucks!!! dont take him unless you want to mess up ur GPA. he wastes the whole class time on his lame jokes which dont make sense at all. his tests are bizarre hard(even if you read the whole book and listen the lectures). lab practicals are impossible to pass unless you have a memory build for microscopes. DONT TAKE HIM; WASTE OF TIME.
Professor Kovnat has proven to be one of the best educators that I have incurred. His expectations have been clear and his lectures have provided a greater understanding of the subject matter he is presenting. He is a truly caring teacher who provides indidvidual assistance to his students, and I would highly recommend.
Prof. Kovnat keeps the class interesting. The tests are surprisingly difficult, but you dont get that impression from his lectures or notes, so definitely take the time to study. Not an easy A, but the opportunity to do well, is there. Would recommend him as compared to the other Bio professors who are not good! Nice guy, just Study. Good Luck!
Knowledgable and caring teacher. This is a majors course ... IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE HARD! That means you must read the text and, yes, analyze information. Spoonfeeding will not occur, but if you are a good student and try to do well it is very possible to get an A. Grow up before taking this class.
GREAT LAB TEACHER!!! FUN CLEAR!! HELPFUL WITH QUIZZES!! HINT!! ALWAYS COME ON TIME!! NEVER MISS CLASS!! PAY ATTENTION!!! AND YOU WILL BE FINE!!!!
Dr. Kovnat is a great professor. He has a knack for making difficult subject matter understandable. Moreover, he cares for his students and wants them to do well, so he'll go to great lengths to help clarify the subject. His tests are fair, and if you attend class and pay attention, read the text and study, you'll do well. Congrats to new PhD!
His lectures are pretty boring, but he tries to make them interesting. he makes the class seem hard at first, but as you go along its really not that bad. he gives you the possible essays and fill in the blanks before hand. he gives extra credit opportunies. he really tries to help you out. its not an easy class but its worth taking it with him!
Friendly, helpful, knows his stuff. Wants you to succeed - and tells you how. Clear expectations, clear syllabus. Online lecture notes provided. Great class!
dumb comments... of course it's a difficult class. His lectures don't have direction--which don't help you. If I wanted to just read ALL the text and learn ALL the material BY MYSELF, any teacher would do. Yes, he gives you 'clues' on what to remember--the text does that also. Memorize material w/o going over it? I suppose it's gotta be done....
read the book.... take notes from the book.. his notes are self explanatory and study any cycles in detail.... Prepare your labs before hand ..... tests are hard... but if you sudy you are good..
Great professor. Bio 7 is his field of study so he is very knowledgeble, take advantage of that. Likes to test on applications of ideas rather than just explanations. Willing to compromise if you are.
about the extra credit comment..... Are you ok?? He has only given the opportunity for 5 extra credit points the entire semester... out of a class of about 750-800pts.... People, do not rely on extra credit at all. Read the book, and memorize examples of what is being taught, as well as the notes..
Very knowledgable and funny teacher. Dr. Kovnat gives a breadth of perspective on the material, reviewing the text and his own knowledge base. His tests require that you analyze info, not just regurgitate it! Lecture tangents are entertaining and help make the material accessible and relevant. Loved this class, and he's a soft-hearted cutie pie!
Professor Kovnat knows his stuff! There are 3 test, and 1 final in Marine Biology. The tests and final are based only on 2 chapters of the book, so you really need to buy it. There are four field trips to, aquarium,malibu,wildlife reserve, and cabrillo beach. At the end of the semester you have a lab practical, an exam based on all the labs(hard).
BEST TEACHER EVER! he makes bio so interesting and fun. the class is not an easy "A" but he makes things so clear that only a stupid person wouldnt get it. labs are clear. i am in his summer class now and there are 4 tests that come strait from the notes he posts online. VERY FUNNY MAN! love the jokes.
KOVNAT RULES!!!!! Made Bio easy and clear. love the class and his jokes. i learned sooo much in his class. not too hard to get an "A" just study the notes he puts online and ul b fine.
Dr. Kovnat is adorable and funny and extremely accomodating to help students. Physio is tricky, but he is smart and lays it out clearly. Fabulous man!
Kovnat is the man! He'll take you on great field trips and show you cool under-the-sea things to look at. If you're a classic rock fan, he'll love you...but it's not an easy A - especially the last lab test is a ****. mostly fun and educational - a good challenge with a fantastically absent-minded professor. strongly recommend him!
this man is the best teacher i have ever had. he gets u ready for a university class and makes the learning fun. so interesting and FUNNY!! test are from notes. he posts notes on his website. and makes bio interesting. RECOMMENDED!!!!!
i thought he was boring. some labs were fun and some were tedious. he just sat around talking to his ta during lab.
Dr Kovnat is a dork and I love that about him. He is sensitive and funny in his own right. This class is DAMN difficult, but if you're going into the medical field take him so you know your stuff.
Great teacher, highly recommend him. It’s a challenging class, but read the notes and the text and analyze it don’t memorize. Tests (the multiple choice sections) are based on critical thinking. Don’t take the class expecting an easy A, but if you study hard it’s not difficult to get a good grade.
He is extremely nice and friendly but his test are not. However, they are critical thinking tests similar to the type of questions you will later encounter in the healh/science field. Do not memorize the notes, you must thoroughly understand the content. Very difficult to get and A (but I did). Labs are interesting but tedious.
No Comments
I have to say Dr. Kovnat was by far one of the best instructors that I have had. His knowledge of the material far exceeds the level of expectation required to get a good grade. His class isn't easy but as long as you make an effort you can get a decent grade. He gives students every opportunity to do well,and is very approachable
Easiest professor. Very nice person. Tell you exam questions before test. Get a cope of old labs. He does not changes answers. Highly recommendated. Easy A
Kovnat rocks! makes class interesting..funny guy..one of the best at Valley.
Easy class with a very good instructor. He makes points available on a daily basis, so if you plan on getting an 'A', you must attend class every single day. I learned alot of stuff I never knew I could and found his class quite interesting. Note to Kovnat: Stop talking so much about evolution, you know it's not true!
Excellent professor. Funny as hell, quite dorky but damn funny. Makes seemingly boring material very interesting. The class was tough but very enjoyable. I'm not one to get excited much over professors but I love this guy. Take him over anyone else.
Dr. Kovnat is an excellent teacher. He knows what he is talking about, and keeps your interested in the topics. Only reason I took an 8am class was to take his Marine Bio class. He is funny and very helpfull. He cares about your grade, and is one of the best at LAVC.
Dr. Kovnat makes his lectures entertaining and provides lecture notes on his website. He is very knowledgeable and he is passionate about what he teaches. He's helpful and willing to drop a few extra credit points here and there. Overall, a wonderful professor with such a laid-back, approachable demeanor.
An amazing teacher with an endless amount of interesting stories, easy to get along with but very serious about his teaching. personally i did not have a huge interest in marine bio but after the class i fell in love with it.
aLTHOUGH HE DEFINES THE TERM NERD, DR. KOVNAT IS THE BOMB. HE MAKES BIOLOGY INTERESTING AND HAS A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE. HE IS VERY FAIR AND IS BY FAR THE BEST PROFESSOR FOR BIO7.
Make no mistake Physiology is a tough course, but Dr. Kovnat makes the material more palatable with his in-depth explanations. He's a fun, dorky professor who expects a lot from his students, but he's very approachable and friendly. He knows his stuff and goes to great lengths to make sure you do, too.
Wonderful teacher! His class is fun and he is very funny. I thought his tests were pretty simple, but I know some students were struggling. It is not an easy class, but some people are not cut out for the sciences! If he taught bio6 I would take him again. No comprehensive final.. which is very helpful when that time rolls around.
Good professor. Passed it with a B. Make sure you're a master of his vocabs on tests. Answer the short essays. The toughest part is actually the multiple choice. Field trips were fun.
Dr. Kovnat is really funny. He spices up the class with his real-life stories! :) Although this class is really hard. You have to commit yourself in studying and make sure you download his study guides. He helps you with 20% of his exam... like a freebie. Don't try to trip coz this class ain't that easy!
He is such a cute Jewish boy I love him. Smart, clear lectures and instructions, very humane and considerate and will do a lot to help you. If you don't look to be a Dr. or work in the science field please take Bio 3 and ler the good students focus and enjoy him. I love him!!! The best by far, and he is not a tool!
Good teacher. Provides lecture notes, and test questions on internet. Multiple choice questions can be hard, but 20% of each test is given to you. Just memorize the info. You need to attend class.
Great Professor, extremely nice, lectures are fun with good stories in between, tests are fair if you study right there is no reason for you not to do well. If you are planning on cheating take someone else. Lab practical are challenging, notebooks are not hard to maintain. Like in life, work hard you will get an A. Recommended!
Awww..Dr.Kovnat. He's been by far my fave teacher @ LAVC This class is interesting,fun & he's pretty funny w/ his gestures and stories Kovnat's a sensitive spirit and an awesome proff i really enjoyed this class, the people, and all the laughs!The lab practicals are pretty "GNARLY!" oh and it's "inappropriate" to ripp pages from ur labnotebook BTW!
im so annoyed! y is this class over?! I loved the friends i made in this class & the entire group dynamic Ive never actually thanked a teacher I thanked Kovnat hes AWESOME! pretty funny and yeah if ur a science major u will def love this class WELL WORTH the 4 days a week the class is in session im sad this class ended that has NEVER happened haha
THE GREATEST TEACHER EVER! He is exceptionally hilarious and no matter how stressed out or annoyed by you school, he would make you laugh! I enjoyed that class very much but the lab practicals were HARD! He is extremely knowledgeable and brilliant. His stories during lectures are great!!! I would definitely take him for any biology class.
WOW IM SOOO SAD this class had to end! Extremely fun and enjoyable class. Professor Kovnat is the best professor, you'll love his class. Just dont **** the system or think itll be easy cuz its not easy. Be prepared for the lab practicals. STORIES ARE GREAT!!! From day 1 to final, VERY FUNNY AND HELPFUL, RECOMMENDED TO ALL MAJORS AND NON-MAJORS.
I LOVED THIS CLASS SO MUCH, that i felt like rating Professor Kovnat TWICE! haha! TAKE THIS CLASS, VERY FUN and whats best is that you'll make great friends, in the end youll be like a big happy family! Hhaha, i enjoyed my time always looked forward to class. wished and hoped this class never ended, sad thing is it did. 3 fieldtrips all fun!
Marine Bio. great class. great teacher. fyi: you have to work hard to get an A...
Kovnat is BY FAR my absolute favorite teacher at Valley and I'm so sad I won't have him again!! I have taken him twice because he is such an amazing teacher. The material is hard and his tests are challenging, but he is wonderful at explaining and helping students. You can tell he LOVES teaching. You'll get a lot out of his class. I LOVE KOVNAT!!
He made me believe that I can't open a clam with my hands. Great Professor. Thank you.
Prof. Kovnat rocks! Very humorous teacher I ever met. I enjoyed his classes and he is among the best teacher I ever had in the valley. He is very helpful and follows his syllabus very clearly. Just as long as you read the assigned readings prior to the exam, you'll do fine. I had a lot of fun studying Physiology! Thanks Dr. Kovnat!
He is definitely one of my favorite professors...ever!! It isn't a difficult class. Just show up to class and read the book! Everything on the test is covered in class. There are some great field trips to Long Beach and Malibu's tidepools too. His stories are humorous and actually help you remember the material.. He's amazing!
He is AMAZING!!! YOu want to learn - take him. The subject is hard, so you have to study everyday. But he is crystal clear and you learn a lot!!! He is funny and uses a lot of examples from his life. I love him!!!!!!!!
He was such an awesome teacher! He was hard but so much fun!
The first day of class might make you think he is a little neurotic and overly concerned with students performance but he is truly wants you to learn and enjoy your time in class. He is very easy to talk to, tells great stories, and will go out of his way to make sure you understand difficult topics. Hands down BEST Bio 7 teacher at LAVC. PERIOD.
Kovnat is a great teacher, his lectures & stories are awesome. I would take him again. I highly recommend him. If you want to learn take him. You must study though, I recommend reading your textbook at least 2 prior to each test and you should do good. He is a very fair teacher, gives extra credit and fill ins for exams.
Unlike Dr. Purple, he makes lectures more interesting and ties the concepts with stories. His test are challenging, but then again thats what the book is for, if u understand the chapter, you will do good on the tests. Also he is super helpful during the lab. Overall the best professor at LAVC.
Kovnat dont listent to these psychopaths i still love you and your class....some ppl are just bitter no matter what! Kovnat's class is great he's the only reason i stayed a bio major and his class really inspired me to continue with my goals.
He is a great teacher, he cares about you learning and for his test if u don't study your screw you must read all chapters and make sure you understand. fair teacher. and yes his stories are the best!
Wonderful and fun teacher. He really cares about his students and makes learning fun and interesting.
Dr. Kovnat is the best. He makes Bio extremely interesting and is totally approachable. Not an easy teacher - he makes you work hard and earn your grade, but he also makes the material understandable. One of the best teacher's I've ever had.
Very hard class! Dr. Kovnat very helpful, makes class interesting and fun. Tests are hard and you need to read a lot to pass it. I loved this class. I would take it again.
Can only speak as a student who had him for a high school class. I still have a few quotes from him in my head years later that continue to inspire me. Encourages students to be goal oriented. Great at breaking down hard concepts into manageable work.
He is not very helpful.he skips through chapters.Make sure you are ready to read the book on your own thoroughly.goodluck anyone who takes his class.
What a great teacher!!! Dr. Kovnat truly cares a/b his students and his lectures are so entertaining. His class is not an easy one, but the key for me was to re-read each chapter 3-4 times. You need to KNOW the material, as his m/c questions are tough. I feel totally prepared for nursing physio. Only issue was that often our bio labs did not work.
Dr. Kovnat is a great teacher and mentor, im taking his online bio 22 class and he has been nothing but helpful and clear to what we need. He's very lenient when it comes to re-opening exams and quizzes for those who missed any. His syllabus is exact and if you want to ace his exams be ready to read. Overall his class is the best.
Difficult class but great teacher. One of my favorites :)
His lectures straight from his lecture notes, so really no need to attend lecture, but he gets upset if you dont. 5 exams with fill-ins that are given to you ahead of time, and an essay question. For honors, 5 page paper. Very picky with lab notebooks. Two lab midterms. Not for those looking for an easy A, but to gain knowledge.
Not an easy A, but if you read the book thoroughly and prepare in advance for labs as well as tests you should be fine! The lab practicals aren't as daunting as they seem at first. Module is easy! Very approachable. Website for good photos for lab practicals 1 &2: http://photobucket.com/Kovnatbio7
First few weeks Of class he sees everyone as idiots n treats you lime one until u prove him otherwise , but overall a good caring guy. U will need to read each chapter atleast 2 times to understand the material. I came outta this class with a great understanding about the human body
He is a wonderful professor. His class is organized, given the online resources and labs, and his lectures are focused on what is important. Use the book in studying for his test. His is truly the best major professor I have had! I would definitely recommend Professor Kovnat to anyone who is serious about biology.
Take this professor and you will learn a lot! He is very helpful in explaining the material also brings in a lot of examples of real life cases! I recommend you take this professor and you will not regret! He is very friendly! His exams are straight forward questions, no tricks! He gives you the fill in the blanks and essay questions beforehand!
Kovnat is a G. And way better then the other bio teachers. He is really funny and wants his students to do well. His class is not that hard, you learn alot of information. Its Great. You have to study though.
I don't recommend him. He is a nice guy, knowledgable but it's not worth taking this class. He makes it impossible to get an A, which is never a good indicator of a good professor.
He elaborates on everything we need to know on the exams.
He is a good teacher and has a lot of experience in Marine Biology. The subject matter is interesting, but do not take this class if you are expecting to coast. It is very achievable to get an A, but you actually have to work for it.
awesome teacher.
Biology is one of my favorite subjects so I don't care about the teachers. This class is not hard but you have to study a lot. The teacher keeps you entertained if you think boil;oy is boring
Great professor!!!!! Dr. Kovnat teaches a clear, helpful, and interesting class. You don't have to take notes. The book is well written and explains clearly. Don't take the first test for granted, be prepared. Overall the class will be a great experience and you will learn a lot. Class consists of: field trips, 5 exams, and labs. It'll be fun !!!!!
The class wasn't that great and the exams are extremely hard.
Difficulty of this class depends on the individual. Some easier, some harder. This class for me was harder than Ochem, physics, and calculus 2. You pretty much have to memorize ALL the material from the textbook and lab stuff. This class is not for everybody. Be prepared to work your tail off.
5 Test total. Final not cumulative. First and last test are by far the easiest. 2 Lab practicals(somewhat hard). By the end of the semester, 30 students remained(started at 40) between 6 to 10 got A's. Between 8-10 got B's... Its not as hard as what some people on here are stating it to be. Read each Chapter 2-3 times. His notes arent detailed enuf
The creators of this website didn't place a scale of easiness from one to five for nothing ;some classes have an easiness level of one and this would be one of those. As a hard working student with intentions on transferring to a UC , you're GPA doesn't need to take a hit with this class, physics and calculus 2 maybe. Yes Kovnat is amusing though.
Biology class was very fair, it wasn't easy, but it was fair. Don't expect to walk into a class and not put in any effort or work. Dr. Kovnat is very educated and knows his stuff, and he's always very helpful whenever needed. He's not some easy teacher who hands out A's, you have to work for it. Enjoyed his class!
Great teacher. Lectures are mandatory if you want to pass, missing one you will fall behind. Labs were fun and not so hard. Physio is a hard class overall but with him you will be given all the info to pass as long as you study after.
Kovnat is the best Professor at LAVC. He is not easy, but he is fair. Work hard and it will pay off. This is the way a class should be and the entire school should model after him. He stays on schedual. If your looking for an easy 'A' Kovnat is not the prof to go to. BUT if you want to learn Kovnat is the one.
The class is hard; however, the professor is nice. I would say he is really nice personally, but his style of teaching doesn't go well with me. There is no extra credit; therefore, you need to study very hard. A is doable, but you have to put a lot of effort to achieve one.
2 points EC per test; all tests cover 3 chapters. Essay ?'s are given in advance of exam. Lectures cover almost everything needed for exam, though some textbook study is needed for an A. Lab practical is not too difficult. A's are not at all impossible, but require some effort. Research paper is 10 points & optional to non-honors students.
Dr. Kovnat is what defines an EDUCATOR. He makes his lectures very entertaining. He's a very funny man as well as a very knowledgeable individual. Tests are fair and Dr. Kovnat practically hands you a portion of the test beforehand, so you'd be a fool if you don't study that part. TAKE HIM! NO REGRETS. I SORTA miss his class already . .
Dr Kovnat is an amazing teacher! He makes his class feel like a real college class. no homework or busy work.
I must say i enjoyed his class. He tends to drift in his stories but still relate to the topic. His test are from the book but his format is enjoyable.
I was lucky to have him because he doesn't normally teach bio 3. He is honestly the best professor! lectures aren't boring and you can tell he loves his job and he's so smart! miss his class even tho it was 5 hrs a day 4 days a week! He gives you fill in and essay q beforehand so that's a plus. Can't wait till I take him for physio in fall!!
Dr.K isnt easy but he is fair. This class tought me alot in the very short 5 weeks that I attended. I must have asked him 1000 questions and he patiently answered every single question more than once if necessary. I wont accept or attend any other science class if he isnt the prof. Loved his class. Cant wait to take him again!
dont tai this class he is very very unfair to student he think he is the smarts person in the world and he is not helpful at all as far as teaching he is not helpful at all he jokes about stupid stuff and he's power notes are taken from book not interesting class you can learn so much more if you take better teacher he is not good at all
This class is hard regardless of the professor you have. Dr.Kovnat is the most straight forward professor you will have. Read word for word each chapter, memorize the review sheets, show up and do every single lab: you will have an A or at the least be in a position to get an A. There is no secret, no surprises, just hard work.
Dr. Kovnat cares about his students very much and enjoys helping. He tends to get distracted during discussions but eventually comes back to finish lecture. The labs were fun and new. Lab practicals can be tricky so make sure to study extra hard for those. Overall, very straightforward class. Study very hard and an A is definitely possible.
best professor ever...i really enjoyed his class, and it was very interesting. if you are looking to learn this is the best professor
(Summer Session) I honestly think that he is the best professor I have ever had. Like any other class, you will obviously have to put in work for your grade, but he is so helpful and so interesting and so funny! I enjoyed every minute of his class and I hope to take more of his classes later in the future! Not an easy A, but a very noble professor.
He is such an amazing professor. He is really fair and doesn't pick favorites. You have an optional insurance presentation to protect you from the 9th percentile, tests are tough, but reasonable. He really cares about his students. Make sure to study, obviously. On a side note, the stories he tells in class are great.
Dr. Kovnat is the best biology teacher. His voice is monotone, but he always has stories to tell for every lecture. I loved his stories, they helped me remember some things & some stories were just random. I took him for summer & it was such a fast paced environment it kept me on my toes. He does not try to do any tricks, very straight forward.
Easy pass but hard to get an A. He is one of the few caring teacher at valley that will try to figure out why you are doing poorly in his class. However don't rely on his sympathy for a good grade that is pointless. This class was very time consuming and 70% memorization.
I really enjoyed taking Kovnat. Very friendly guy. He makes a real effort to get to know everyone and will make you feel like its ok to ask questions. He encourages alot of discussion during lecture and tries to relate biological topics to real world stuff. If you read the material and practice using masteringbio scoring an A is easy as pie.
I really enjoyed Kovnat, he wasn't supposed to be our professor, but was our "sub" for like, 2 months of the semester. I thought his lectures are really interesting, always has a great story that goes along with the material. If you read the textbook and actually study the material, you will do well. I got an A but definitely worked for it.
Dr. Kovnat is the best professor I have ever had in college. He truly cares about his students and actually spends time with each and every one of them to get to know them better. It is hard to get A' s on the tests but it is possible with lots of reading and understanding the material. I am looking forward to take Physic with him! THE BEST!
He is AWESOME! A fav! ! Hard class, PERIOD. But he is a wonderful teacher, more teachers should be like him! Tells u exactly how it is as far as ur place in the class, but never makes u feel bad about it! I got a C. It is an extremelly difficult class, with a lot to read, but u also really need to understand the concepts! He rocks &hes funny too!
I don't like his teaching method. No guidance , you're on your own. Gives long essay to study and multiple choice is tricky( not a straight shooter). The material is easy but he makes the class difficult. Could only miss 65 points out of 650 for an A. You do the math ;). If you miss 1 class that's -5 points since you miss lab. So don't get sick.
Excellent professor. And he is hilarious. You will laugh your way through the semester. Really funny stories. Very helpful and approachable. Really hard class due to the sheer volume of material you must learn.
I took Bio my freshman year in highschool & I HATED it! I took it again my freshman year in college and I wasn't looking forward to it AT ALL! I'M SO HAPPY I TOOK IT! Doctor Kovnat is the funniest person ever! His humor is what got me through it. Tough class cuz I took it during the winter session but totally worth it! I love Biology now!!! ^_^
Dr. Kovnat is an exceptional professor!
Most difficult class in all the sciences you will take. So much material to learn and not easy. Kovnat is very good. Listen and ask questions. He is funny and you will enjoy his class. Very down to earth professor and approachable.
Prof Kovnat made this class interesting and the lectures were never boring. he gave examples so we could relate to the material to help us understand. i believe he really cares for his students or atleast enjoys teaching. his class isn't hard to pass and do well just study and you will get through it. amazingly funny prof so glad i got to his class
summer edition: This class was difficult, you need to work for your grade and it shows on the weekly exams. I really recommend reading the chapters it helps a lot and working on the review sheets. Exams are 100 questions and points worth. The class may seem intimidating at first but it gets better. Dr. Kovnat is funny.
- Reads off his slides which are given to you online so you can study them before class (study your slides!!!!) - tests after like 3 chapters , so you have it fresh in your memory (he takes a sentence from the chapter and puts it in the test .. fun book to read) - extra credit ! -1 field trip - you cant miss! (:
Dr. Kovnat is straightforward. His class is predictable and he keeps true to his word. The outlines he provides are GOD SENT! Please take advantage of those! He lectures and tells stories that tie into the lecture. READ, READ, READ! If you read the chapter along with his outlines you will pass the tests for sure. Took him during 5 week semester.
One of my favorite professors of all time!! Took him for Bio3 and Phys1. Lectures are clear and Interesting. He's funny. Gives examples during lectures so that you are able to relate to material. Not an easy class, so be prepared to read and study. He's a fair grader and would recommend him for anyone of his classes! Seriously the BEST!!!
One of the Best teachers I've had thus far. It helps that he understands our generation and the way us students think in general. He's also easy on the eyes, which makes class that much manageable. I normally can't wake up for 8:00am classes but this one I actually look forward to.
What an absolutely wonderful Professor. Seriously. Listen, want an A in this class? Here's the secret: READ. READ. READ. If you read the textbook you're GUARANTEED an A. Objective grading system. He's totally fair and objective in grading. Lectures were simply a joy to go to. He's a Stanford grad, PhD, and is stil totally down to earth. TAKE KOVNAT
honest advice from experience here: Physiology is a hard subject, don't take with any other class. You have to read the textbk 2x before you can pass. There is no shortcut to A. The Prof is good and clear but the class involves a lot of reading. Good luck
Dr. Kovnat is an amazing person. I've taken all of his classes. To do well you really have to read the book. He's grading is very fair and gives some extra credit. He also is very inspirational and gives great advice about life. Make sure to read his notes because they are helpful. This class is not easy at all, it requires a lot of time & practice
This class was awesome, I've had him before so it was the usual for me. Just read the book and his notes, he gives you 20% of the test for free so make sure you do it right. Gives some extra credit, his class is not easy though. You gotta read the book, and his final is not cumulative . Labs are fun, he's very chill. There's no tricks, read and pas
Physio is a hard subject. You need to work for your grades. Lectures are a bit dry. Read the book 2x if you have too. Use quizlet notes online. He gives you 30% of the exam beforehand so you know what to expect. YOU NEED TO STUDY. Little Hw or assignments. If you work hard, it's doable to get a B. Working for an A is hard, requires minimall error.
I took this during the summer and I'm really glad to have taken his class. Great teacher though since it's summer long lectures so it's best to take good notes. Connects to what we learn to daily life. The 3 things you need to pass is Lectures, Lecture notes and read the textbook. Do the insurance! Super easy. Labs are ok and help a lot grade wise
My problem with professor Kovnat was that he did not help me and other students at all!!! Instead he encourage us to drop the class! I went to his office hours many times and all he could say was " some people find a way to study when its to late" Like hello that why im asking for help!!! No help, hard class, need to read alot, Study!!! be ready
Kovnat is a great professor, I've had him for both Bio 6 & 7. The structure of the class is very reasonable, with the tests, labs, and lab practicals making up your grade. He also gives out E.C. every now and then. The final thankfully is not cumulative and just a regular test. Just read the textbook for an A. Overall a wonderful person & teacher.
Physiology is a really hard class and the only way to get an A is to actually read the textbook. READ. and do the labs, its the only way to pass. he does encourage people to drop the class though so the classes are smaller . he didnt teach me anything, anything I learned was from the book. PS: book takes FOREVER to read & its $$$$$
I think among all Bio professors, he is one of the best at valley. The bio is hard course but he tries to explain materials with examples to better understanding. Sometimes gives us guide for how to study or what to study for the exams.
He only teaches in the winter and summer session he kept telling us & he kept telling us that we should drop the class. All his test are 100 questions . Don't take his class
Encourage people to drop Doesn't explain subject instead talking about his family problems, may be he has to go to psychologists
He is the best. And you have to know that Bio and related courses are hard,so you need to read Textbook anyway,so it doesn't matter with whom you're taking,but the good thing about him is that he is not complicated the exams and not gives you tricky problems,also he is explains materials well.
i took bio in the winter and this class was hard. in the beginning he does warn his students the class will be hard and to drop. he was being completely honest. he didnt want his students to waste their time if they weren't going to put a min. of 4 hrs a day to study. the professor made the class interesting by talking about his family. he's funny
Great , take him. Not easy class but Exams are fair.
Prof Kovnat is tough yet fair. He cares about his students' success and although he seems intimidating at first, is a really kind, personable human. Read chapters before class and make notes, ask questions in lectures, focus on points he emphasized. Understand the processes vs. memorizing definitions. Devote 20hrs/week to study and you'll get an A.
He is VERY tangential and lectures are pointless! He will tell you something is VERY important and to focus heavily on it and not to worry about other things - DON'T LISTEN. Read EVERYTHING. because he will test you on everything in the chapters (including things you wouldn't expect). Also be prepared to hear his whole life story, every lecture.
He's fair and wants you to succeed. He does give extra credit, but it's based on you showing improvement on your tests. This class in the summer is tough, and he warns on day 1, but it went by fast and was a fun class. He's funny and tells lots of stories that sometimes is related to lecture. Made the class entertaining. Just study and you're good.
stay away!!!
Encouraging person and kind. Unfortunately, Kovnat is unable to lecture well. Powerpoints are lazy. Attendance is mandatory and labs are useless to understanding the material. His uses family stories but none are helpful in grasping or deeper understanding of the material. This is a self-teach class.
Excellent professor . He has high expectations, so read the material and take good notes in class and you will do well.
Honestly the BEST professor at Los Angeles Valley College. He is good at EVERYTHING he does. You have to work for your A. He will do everything he can to help you. I took his physiology and bio 6 class. I am planning on taking his bio 7 class as well because he is that good.
I took him for Bio 7 and 6. If you read the book, you're guaranteed an A. And I do not mean just read it once, but really know everything. His exams are fair. He does have questions on there to separate B students from A students - tricky because you need to be able to explain why things work, not just memorize. Strict with grading, non negotiable
Dr. Kovnat is great. He can get a bit off topic, but loves to use metaphors so lectures are worth it. Pay attention to review sheets for exams. Exams generally have micro essays, fill-ins and macro essays. Find a way to ask what processes you should know for macro essays on the exams. He is one of the coolest and most easy-going bio teachers.
Just stay away except you want to spoil your GPA. No empathy. He has been teaching for 19 years plus so he encourages you to take the class again if you don't pass. He derives joy telling the class that students take his class 3x. I do not recommend him. Take Physiology with another Professor. Huang Sara isn't that good but she is still better.
I failed bio7 with another professor and was scared to repeat it, But professor Kovnat actually made biology class fun and easy to pass(if you study and read the book of course).I did slack off a little bit and that's why I got a B and not an A. But this professor will make you enjoy biology and I'll be sure to take him for bio 6! He is amazing.
I am very thankful that I took Kovnat. Very very challenging class. I worked VERY hard for my A. Lots of reading. It was worth it though. You may not have another class that challenges you to this extent. He makes sure you UNDERSTAND the material. It will suck, but trust me it will help you later. It will make you a better professional in the field
I took him because he was my only option but if thats not your case, dont take him. You will work so hard and end up with a B with luck. I had an A until I took the final And ended up with a B. I studied so hard, I missed one day of class. I read every corner of his book. Im an A student and that says a lot about him not myself. Learn from me.
WONDERFUL. He was the best prof I have ever had. He loves physio & he is hilarious. He makes physio interesting by adding his own stories. Tests are hard cuz physio is hard, duh. If you end up with a B, you deserve a B. Read the text to understand, not to just read it. He's understanding and compassionate and fair. Take him!
He has honestly been the best professor I have had in a very long time. He keeps the subject interesting by adding his own personal experiences. Read the chapters and understand the concept or you will not pass. His Grading is FAIR. Physio is a hard subject over all so be wise and use resources! (youtube)
Dr. Kovnat is a fair Professor! He likes lots of participation in class. Showing your face at his office hours, will only help you, not hurt you! His lectures are funny with stories. Just be ready to do lots of reading! He made a very difficult subject, enjoyable for me! Always do the insurance presentation at the end of the class.
I took him for a summer course & loved it. He gives tons of EC opportunities, tests have 6 FRQ's & we pick 1 to answer for EC, he does insurance to benefit those in the 9th percentile to help boost you up to next grade letter. Use his notes, vocab/FRQ lectures, alongside the textbook. You don't need to read a bunch in the textbook, skim & use notes
Dr. Kovnat is the best professor I've ever had. I don't know how one can dislike him. He is very helpful and straightforward. Took him for Bio 006, Bio 007, and Physiology.
Easily one of the best professors at LAVC. I can't wait to take him again for other subjects. Very clear on what he wants, generous grader, with help with ANYTHING and answer any questions clearly. Treats students with respect and acknowledges we are in college and can handle being treated like adults. Creates an amazing learning environment.
Kovnat is a chill professor. He structures class for you to put in work if you want an above average grade. Book not necessary but can be helpful to enrich the study guide that he provides. He provides extra credit throughout the course. Study the study guide, do all the extra credit, get an A or B.
Best bio professor out there. He truly makes you work for your "A," so thankful I got to take him before he retired. This man prepared me for my future bio classes. Thanks Kovnat!
read that book from cover to cover! read the chapters before lecture and everything will get clearer. also CRASH COURSE will clear everything that is confusing. gary kovnat + hank green + text book A+
LA Valley College '09. Dr. Kovnat was one of the most authentically caring professors ever. If you take class seriously, he will make sure you learn. He will do his best to help you succeed. Made a big difference in my desire to pursue knowledge and to embrace my career. Thanks Dr. K
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