2.2

Richard Southgate

Biology - College of Charleston

2.2
Quality
3.7
Difficulty
8%
Would Retake
84
Reviews
2.2
Quality
3.7
Difficulty
2.6
Helpful
1.8
Clarity

8%

Would Retake

84

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

8

4

10

3

17

2

20

1

29

What Students Say

Do not take this professor

BIO305L - 1.0 rating

he smells bad but he is a really nice man if you can bare it

BIO101 - 4.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

38%

Textbook Required

29%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B

95% confidence
Based on 15 grades
Most common grades:
B+ (3)
A- (3)
B (2)
Grade Distribution
A(1)B(3)C(4)D(1)F(0)A-/B+(6)
Based on 18 reported grades
B+: 3
A-: 3
B: 2
C+: 2
Common Tags
Lecture heavy (3)
LECTURE HEAVY (2)
Skip class? You won't pass. (2)
Tough grader (2)
Get ready to read (2)
Gives good feedback (1)
TEST HEAVY (1)
Participation matters (1)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.61 avg change
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Jan
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

BIO313313L

5.0

(1)

BIOLOGY101

4.0

(1)

BIOL313

4.0

(2)

BIOL102

3.5

(2)

BIOL111

3.3

(3)
+17 more courses
Difficulty by Course

BIOLOGY

5.0

BIO112

5.0

BIO313313L

5.0

BIOL305

5.0

BIOL102

4.0

Reviews (84)
2.0
4.0
BIO101
Mar 10, 2003

No Comments

2.0
2.0
BIO111
Mar 11, 2003

No Comments

2.0
2.0
BIO111
Mar 31, 2003

He just rambles on while you sit there and watch him. No real teaching, just talking. Prints out the notes for you and curves the tests a lot.

1.0
3.0
BIO111
Apr 1, 2003

No Comments

2.0
4.0
BIO111
Apr 19, 2003

No Comments

2.0
1.0
EMBRYOLAB
Apr 22, 2003

No Comments

1.0
5.0
BIO111
Sep 3, 2003

No Comments

2.0
2.0
BIO111
Oct 17, 2003

No Comments

3.0
5.0
BIOLOGY
Oct 29, 2003

very nice man, but is very bad teacher. Rambles alot.

2.0
3.0
BIO111
Nov 3, 2003

I would not recommend him to anyone. Tries very hard but doesn't come across clearly and he jumps off the subject way too much.

1.0
5.0
BIO111
Nov 11, 2003

He is nice but lacks teaching abilities for he does not portray the subjec of Biology in an understanding manner.

1.0
4.0
BIO111
Nov 15, 2003

I think he pulls his test questions out of his rear end, not from the material supposedly covered in class

2.0
4.0
BIO111
Nov 17, 2003

No Comments

1.0
4.0
BIO111
Nov 17, 2003

If you want to be able to understand anything in biology, don't sign up for a class with this odd little englishman. He likes to jabber on about random things instead of actual teaching. His homework and quizzes make no sense what so ever.

1.0
5.0
BIO111
Nov 17, 2003

I hate to be mean, and he is a really sweet man, but please do not take him if you are wanting to learn anything about biology. He is just very unclear and may even steer any possible bio majors away from the subject due to the confusion he causes.

1.0
5.0
BIOL111
Nov 18, 2003

He sucks and he should never teach. I ended up making a D in the class

1.0
3.0
BIO111
Nov 18, 2003

No Comments

1.0
3.0
BIO111
Nov 19, 2003

HE is a terrible teacher but i found the tests relatively easy. I only attend class once a week and i still have a A.

5.0
1.0
BIOLOGY11
Nov 20, 2003

he is the best teacher that i have ever had! he is wonderfully delightful! and he always brightens my day!

4.0
3.0
BIO111
Nov 21, 2003

He's a really sweet man who puts hard work into his lectures. He's tries to make sure students understand the material, and although he sometimes fails, I've still learned a lot. If you read the chapeters, take good notes, and go to SI, you'll be OK.

2.0
5.0
BIO111
Dec 5, 2003

this is the hardest class i've taken next to physics. southgate is an extremely nice man & very helpful on your own time. however in class you can't understand what he says & class is too boring to follow. if you're looking for a good grade this isn't it!

1.0
5.0
BIO111
Dec 5, 2003

nice guy, but has no idea how to teach. Avoid him as a teacher at all costs!!!

1.0
3.0
BIO111
Dec 9, 2003

DON'T TAKE HIM! He doesn't know how to teach he just mumbles and bumbles around the topic of Biology. He said Basically 45 times in 20 mins!

1.0
4.0
BIO111
Dec 11, 2003

No Comments

1.0
5.0
BIOLOGY11
Dec 11, 2003

No Comments

2.0
4.0
BIO111
Dec 25, 2003

No Comments

3.0
4.0
BIO111
Dec 27, 2003

Do not take him!! Avoid at all costs.So boring and really does not know hoe to teach.

1.0
4.0
BIO102
Feb 19, 2004

do not and i repeat DO NOT take this teacher..he doesnt know the information, and mumbles the entire class....once again DO NOT TAKE HIM

3.0
3.0
BIOL322L
Mar 15, 2004

No Comments

3.0
3.0
BIOL322L
Apr 6, 2004

why the hell should his kid and wife matter in his rating? That has nothing to do with anything! But he is really confusing and a little creepy. I only had him for lab, but he is hard to understand and mumbles a lot.

1.0
5.0
BIO111
Apr 11, 2004

whatever you do, do not take this professor. You will have a headache from trying to understand him! You will also have a headache because his body odor is nausiating

2.0
5.0
BIO102
Apr 13, 2004

I'm agreeing with everyone else!! He is terrible!! Get out of his class now or you will regret it!! The tests are extremely hard and he admits that he cannot teach which is the truth!!

1.0
5.0
BIO102
Apr 27, 2004

He is ****ing terrible. He smells, mumbles, and gives impossible tests, a great combination. Basically your on your own

3.0
4.0
BIO102
Apr 30, 2004

He's a nice guy but really--he cannot teach. I'm serious its a complete waste of time. His tests are extremely hard and his final counts for SOOOO much of your final grade. He mumbles and you cant understand him. He smells too. Get out of this class.

3.0
4.0
BIO102
May 3, 2004

The thing about Dr. Southgate is that he is very flexible and willing to work with you. Leinent on deadlines and no homework but very hard tests. Never have to go to class and if you read the book you should get an A.

2.0
5.0
BIOL102
May 4, 2004

VERY HARD class. He mumbles ALOT and his tests are unbelievably hard. Asks outrageous ?s on tests. and final exam is worth almost half your grade

3.0
4.0
BIO102
May 7, 2004

he is not a very good teacher, he mumbles in class alot, one time he said basically 97 times in 50 minute time period. His notes dont follow the test, he smells, but he does try to help you at least pass.

1.0
3.0
BIO
May 7, 2004

No Comments

3.0
3.0
BIO102
Jun 20, 2004

Really he is the nicest! No attendance policy. LOVES ATHLETES (you can become a teacher's pet easily, just let him know & go to his office a LOT). The most helpful professor outside of class I have ever had, but in class is quite unclear.

2.0
5.0
BIO111
Jul 26, 2004

Seriously I am so thankful he didn't have an attendance policy! I felt like I needed to bath after sitting through that class (and I sat in the back). If it hadn't been for the help from my lab prof. I would have failed his class.

5.0
2.0
BIO102
Jul 29, 2004

No Comments

4.0
2.0
BIO102
Aug 8, 2004

Very nice guy. He is really there for his student's best interest. Read the chapters, and you will do great. Test aren't too hard, just keep up with the material, and you will do fine. I am not a Bio major, and I enjoyed his class.

4.0
3.0
BIO102
Sep 15, 2004

Really nice guy! He has a strong british acent. Is very fexiable and is willing to help you if u need it.

1.0
5.0
BIO101
Grade: Fail
Oct 21, 2004

This professor is by far the worst teacher I have ever had. A combination of his accent, his body odor, and the fact that he mumbles makes the material impossible to understand. The notes are online so there is no point in going to this unbearable class! I only learned biology through my lab!

4.0
4.0
BIOL111
Nov 9, 2004

Very nice man! He's willing to do ANYTHING he can to help out his students, all you have to do is ask. If you go to SI and class occasionally you will do just fine.

4.0
3.0
BIO101
Grade: A
Nov 15, 2004

Do your own studying and make sure not to miss too many classes. He gives take home quizzes to those who show up. Don't take the 8:00 lecture, it sucks. He may be hard to understand, but all the info is in the text, plus he puts power point on the internet for you. Nice man.

3.0
3.0
BIO111
Grade: B
Nov 16, 2004

Nice guy. He can be very unclear at times and goes off onto tangents quite spontaneously. Quizzes and tests are not overly difficult if you study. Tests are mostly multiple choice. Provides online notes and is willing to help if you need it. His strong body odor can be distracting. No joke!

4.0
4.0
BIOLOGY101
Nov 24, 2004

I was really scared coming into this class because of this rate my professor stuff but really, he's the nicest man. Yes, he's hard to understand and lectures can get very boring and the tests aren't easy by any means but he is willing to help anyone who asks. Very caring. Dont be scared

5.0
3.0
BIO102
Dec 6, 2004

Very helpful man. Likes to see his students succed. I failed the first test but went to class and read the book - straight up..made the highest grade in the class..

3.0
2.0
BIO101
Dec 7, 2004

good lord, if you must take this class take it on a MWF and avoid mornings because and hour and 15 minutes is an eternity. he is hard to understand, but very nice

4.0
4.0
BIO101
Dec 9, 2004

His lectures are horrible but he does everything to try and help his students. He drops one exam and one quiz. He also has a website where you can print off all the notes from lectures and print off additional notes for help.

3.0
5.0
BIO102
Dec 23, 2004

he's the worst professor known to man.his lectures are excruciatingly boring and he's hard to understand.you have to teach yourself all of the material.no matter how much you study,you won't do well on the exams.he apparently makes up the grades at the end.if he likes you,you'll do okay in the end.

4.0
4.0
BIO101
Jan 8, 2005

he smells bad but he is a really nice man if you can bare it. this class is hard but hear this and hear it well. go to his office before tests for a review. he will hook you up with huge clues on what to study. if you give the little extra effort he will too when final grades are due.hes a sweethear

4.0
2.0
BIO102
Apr 22, 2005

very helpful. failed firdt test but past the next after seeking help. the lectures are boring i agree but you have to make him take by pretending to be interested.

3.0
5.0
BIO102
Apr 26, 2005

he should be left to do his research ONLY, not teach. it's cruel to the students. the lectures are boring and rarely relevant, but he is really nice and tries to help. yet his class is about impossible. he will like you and want to help you more if you attend and try to appear interested though.

5.0
2.0
BIO102
May 27, 2005

I have to admit that the class isnt all that interesing, but he tries his hardest to make up for it by helping the students out. Take home quizzes ALL semester and he basically tells you what is going to be on each test (question by question) if you actually go to class. Plus, all the notes are on powerpoint presentation on the web! Its not too bad

5.0
3.0
BIOL102
Grade: D+
Sep 19, 2005

he's not bad if you talk to him about you're grade. show up on days when everyone ditches class (Fri. before break) if there's hardly anyone there, you get an extra 100 on your quizzes! If you have any reasoning whatsoever for answering wrong on a test he will give you at least half credit back. He words things funny, so look for semantics. The tutor I got (in 112) said my tests were harder than his...

3.0
1.0
BIO322
Grade: Not_Sure_Yet
Nov 3, 2005

Does not know material, great person, tries to make things easier but if you ask a question he cant answer it. Always show up on the class before a break....10 bonus points on our tests :o) its a very boring class but everything on test is in the notes that he gives you on webct so it makes it better. Go to office for help anytime

1.0
5.0
BIO111
Nov 15, 2005

AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL, This class was the biggest waste of time EVER. I had to teach myself EVERYTHING. He is so boring and he mumbles, I could never understand anything he said. If you want to pass, do NOT take his class!

2.0
5.0
BIO111
Nov 20, 2005

Worst teacher I've ever had. No matter how hard you study or what you study you will not do well on his tests. They are not from the book or his notes. He mumbles when he teaches and you can't understand him. Do NOT take this professor!

2.0
5.0
BIO112
Jan 9, 2006

Terrible teacher. Mumbles so you can't understand a word he says. The tests are so ridiculous. And there are only like 25 questions .. even if it covers 5 chapters! I got nothing out of going to class. Its just powerpoint presentations and he flies through them. Do NOT suggest him as a teacher.

3.0
2.0
BIO111
Mar 24, 2006

Dr. Southgate really is a nice guy! Yes, his lectures are pointless to attend, but if you read the book and show up to take the quizzes, you can definitely get an A! He has to be the easiest 111 teacher around. And he is willing to get you help if you need it.

2.0
2.0
BIOL101
Apr 21, 2006

Very nice guy but you can not understand his accent and he smells to a point you would ranther sit in the back and not hear him then sit up front and sufficate. Even the students had to fix his teaching mistakes because he isn't the best at biology. You could easily pass his class, but you wont learn anything.

5.0
4.0
BIOL313
Jun 12, 2008

Dr. Southgate is aswome... stupid intro level science majors that cant handle the material should cram it already. Dr. Southgate is a good teacher, although the material is complex... thats life. If you have a basic understaning of itro level bio, 313 will be mostly a review.. and If you cant get past intro level bio.. It's time to change your majo

4.0
2.0
BIOL322
Nov 17, 2010

Really not the best at teaching, and lab was pretty useless, but he will do all he can to help you out. He does mumble a lot, and gets off subject, but he posts all his powerpoints on webct, which is what all the quizzes are based on. Quiz every week, midterm, final, and a few lab reports here and there. Overall not bad.

2.0
4.0
BIO322
Nov 18, 2010

NOT a good teacher. I really like Dr. Southgate as a person, but his lectures are boring, his assignments are confusing, and he assigns lab reports on labs you didn't even complete! He mumbles and is really hard to follow. I do not recommend taking him. The class is hard no matter how much work you put in, because it has no organization.

3.0
3.0
BIOL313
May 5, 2011

Terrible instruction. Classes are pointless. Very hard to stay awake each day. Weekly quizes will be from a random definition from wikipedia. All of his slides are from some other university or just off the internet. Save your tuition money and take something else

3.0
4.0
BIOL322
Apr 25, 2012

I hate to say this, because he really is a very nice guy, but he is simply a horrible teacher. He copy and pastes from Wikipedia, mumbles, and never manages to get through a whole power point.If he's teaching a subject you really want, just wait until someone else is teaching it.

5.0
5.0
BIO313313L
Grade: C+
Jan 17, 2014

Dr. SG is awesome! I love Dr. SG bc he's so helpful and passionate about evolution.He actually worked in the meselson lab at Harvard-He will help you to succeed as long as you try- do take his courses and show respect-people often are rude bc he's so kind...show interest in biology and try to see the big pic-read and study daily!his class is hard

2.0
4.0
BIO313
Grade: B+
Dec 13, 2015

SG was infuriating to work with. His study guides can be over 100+ pages and his PowerPoints are miserable. Spends most of his time mumbles and talking about nonsense because he can't remember the material. Avoid if you can.

1.0
5.0
BIO322
Feb 10, 2016

Richard Southgate is the worst professor I have ever had. He gets all the study materials from other classes online and then the tests aren't on anything you particularly studied. He will expect you to know things from classes that aren't prerequisites and isn't thoughtful in the slightest. DON'T TAKE HIM.

3.0
4.0
BIOL322
Grade: A-
May 17, 2016

Dr. Southgate really cares about the students that are passionate about biology. He does not always have the best powerpoint, and doesn't always organize thoughts clearly, but he is very knowledgable. If you go the extra mile and meet with him, it will do wonders. I really enjoyed my experience in his class. Such a sweet man.

1.0
4.0
BIO111
Grade: C-
Apr 5, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Professor Southgate is a really nice guy but do not expect him to be a very great professor. He mumbles and speaks very low unless you sit up front you will not be able to hear him. His powerpoints are all over the place and are not organized. Beware, switch, withdrawal, or drop the class the first chance you get.

Gives good feedback
TEST HEAVY
LECTURE HEAVY
1.0
5.0
BIOL305
Oct 21, 2018
Wouldn't take again

His class is so disorganized that his wife interferes with his labs and tries to take over for him. He's a sweet old man, but he really needs to retire. I don't think he knows what's going on anymore. I wouldn't take him, I'd take the class at a different institution.

Participation matters
Skip class? You won't pass.
LECTURE HEAVY
5.0
1.0
BIOL111
Grade: B+
Apr 22, 2020
Would take again

Professor Southgate is an amazing professor. He has lectured in every class but most of them are interesting. he goes of on some tangents but teaches what you need. really sweet old British guy, he gives extra credit if 15 students don't show up that goes to your exam.

Lecture heavy
Caring
EXTRA CREDIT
2.0
4.0
BIO305
Grade: A-
Oct 23, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Pr. Southgate is a sweet old man, but his teaching is poor. Zoom, emails, and technology are not his to go, so don't expect a single email answer or decent online lecture. The course is messy and you get grades out of worksheets you need don't get lectured on.

Lots of homework
Group projects
Tough grader
2.0
4.0
BIO305L
Grade: B+
Feb 1, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Professor Southgate is a very nice man. His problem is his teaching methods, organization, and presentation. He is very unorganized when it comes to teaching the lesson, he brings up many papers and PowerPoints during the lecture, so it's hard to know what to use for the exercises he posts on OAKs. He also mumbles and talks softly. Hard to learn.

Get ready to read
Graded by few things
1.0
3.0
BIO305L
Grade: A-
Apr 15, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Dr. Southgate is a very nice professor, and he's clearly very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about genetics, but I don't think I'd ever recommend his lab to anyone. The man can hardly keeps his thoughts organized, let alone a lab. This lab isn't a major requirement for bio majors, so get the lab credit elsewhere and avoid this class.

Skip class? You won't pass.
1.0
5.0
BIO111
Grade: C
Nov 18, 2021
Wouldn't take again

do not take this class.. he mumbles and its so hard to undertsand him he also makes the test hard so you will purposely fail

1.0
4.0
BIO111
Grade: B-
Dec 2, 2021
Wouldn't take again

The tests are very difficult and do not correlate with what is learned in the lecture. He does not seem to care if you succeed in the course.

Test heavy
Tough grader
1.0
5.0
BIO111
Grade: C+
Jan 11, 2022
Wouldn't take again

Horrible. Mumbles and goes off on tangents for half the class. Test questions are hard and random. Isn't accessible or helpful for outside help. Late to class everyday. Claimed he would give 20 extra credit points on final exam for SI attendance and then forgot to add it. AVOID AT ALL COSTS

Lecture heavy
1.0
3.0
BIOL305L
Feb 24, 2022
Wouldn't take again

Dont take his genetic lab. Listen to all the other reviews telling you not to. Dont be like me. There are never clear instructions in lab, when you ask a question he gets mad at you, and none of the exercises feel like they are actually worth doing.

1.0
5.0
BIO305L
Grade: B
Mar 4, 2022

He is a friendly man, but should have been forced to retire 20 years ago. He goes on massive rants that make no sense, and has no idea how to explain to you what you should be doing for an assignment. Everyone in our lab class runs around crazy asking others what they should be doing, and no one has the slightest clue. Do not take this professor.

1.0
4.0
BIO101
Grade: Not sure yet
Jan 17, 2024

He is very nice but you cannot understand a single thing he is saying. He mumbles everything he says and you basically have to read his lips to understand anything. It is almost impossible to understand the slides and him at the same time.

Get ready to read
Lecture heavy
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

38%

Textbook Required

29%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B

95% confidence
Based on 15 grades
Most common grades:
B+ (3)
A- (3)
B (2)
Grade Distribution
A(1)B(3)C(4)D(1)F(0)A-/B+(6)
Based on 18 reported grades
B+: 3
A-: 3
B: 2
C+: 2
Common Tags
Lecture heavy (3)
LECTURE HEAVY (2)
Skip class? You won't pass. (2)
Tough grader (2)
Get ready to read (2)
Gives good feedback (1)
TEST HEAVY (1)
Participation matters (1)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.61 avg change
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Jan
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

BIO313313L

5.0

(1)

BIOLOGY101

4.0

(1)

BIOL313

4.0

(2)

BIOL102

3.5

(2)

BIOL111

3.3

(3)
+17 more courses
Difficulty by Course

BIOLOGY

5.0

BIO112

5.0

BIO313313L

5.0

BIOL305

5.0

BIOL102

4.0

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