Richard L. Bernstein

Dr. Bernstein is an incredibly knowledgeable instructor. He knows so much that he can barely talk slowly enough to get across everything he wants to say. He is a great teacher, with a real passion for what he teaches. I would recommend tape-recording him so you can relax and not try to write everything he says during the lecture. His tests generally cover only lecture material, but it's information-intensive. He really wants everyone to learn as much as possible. As far as availability, I can't tell you how many times I went to his office with a question and how enthusiastically he clarified everything that was unclear to me. He's a very good person and a great instructor. I would definitely suggest taking him for microbiology and even genetics and molecular genetics.

Dr. Bernstein is an extremely friendly and approachable guy -- so it is hard to give him a B-. However, his teaching of a BIO230 lab section, in my opinion, was a bit too elementary for his teaching skills. He seemed bored with the materials (except genetics) and hurried through the labs. Often, he would just write notes on the board (which helped) and give a very brief introduction into the lab topic -- after that, it was up to your group to understand the materials. Also, his quizzes are very tricky -- as he tests on materials that were not necessarily gone over or studied. His grading system could use some work -- as he does not curve his grades or rethink his teaching, even if the class average is a D-. If you're already familiar with BIO, take Bernstein -- but if you're new, wait to take him for an upper division course -- I presume that is more his arena of teaching.

It's hard to only give this guy a B-, as he IS very nice, approachable, and supportive. However, be weary of this instructor's exams, they are fairly particular in that the questions sometimes relate a a subject that was brought up VERY briefly during a lecture. The exams are too long, cover WAAYYY too much material, and are sometimes confusing. However, they are not nearly as confusing as the lab practicals (somebody's gotta re-think these things through....), but he has little to do with that, so it's irrelevant. Unfortunately that's another thing: This instructor (in my opinion) tries to fit too much information in too little time. Professor, please LIGHTEN THE LOAD A LITTLE! Above all, work hard in the class (too hard, maybe?) and you'll find a very nice, down-to-earth, instructor. A+ for the instructor's attitude, C- for the tests, makes a B- class.

Dr. Bernstein is very knowledgeable and excited about the subject matter. He presents alot of facts and figures during his lectures, and they are all fair game for the tests. The tests are a combination of very difficult multiple choice questions and essay. The tests are too long for the amount of time you have to take them. There were only 2 tests and 2 writing assignments for the semester, so there is alot of material covered on each one. There is no textbook for the class, but there are many current magazine articles suggested to read. Read them!! It is worth the time and expense of copying them.

I do not recommend this instructor. The lectures are too fast-paced; very little understandable clarification of the lecture is given; the 3 tests have too much material on them; the multiple choice questions on the tests are purposefully tricky and vague; there is no one textbook, and you have to generally guess where to find the material in the texts that corresponds to the lectures; and a whole lot of the massive amount of lecture material is sometimes not even slightly covered on the corresponding exam. For example, the exam may have 80% of its questions drawn from about approximately 5 out of 18 lectures. Considering how much material is covered, and how one has to remember ALL of it for the exam, this is hardly a fair practice. I also feel that the instructor treats the class as though it were full of graduate students; expecting everyone to know everything about the 50+ things he brings up per lecture. But, if you have a strong grasp of molecular biology, this instructor does know his subject well, and you may be able to get something out of the class. The main problem lies in the disparity between what the students actually know and what the instructor assumes we know.

Bernstein is an excellent professorhis knowledge is very well rounded in the discipline of biology (and other areas, I suspect). His exams were fair and very challenging. His lectures are informative and extremely organizedI appreciate his use of the blackboard, especially in this overhead transparency and Power Point day and age. If you plan on taking genetics with Bernstein, I hope you write very, very fasthe sure does (on the blackboard). I had a bit of a hard time keeping up with some of his material.

Dr. Bernstein certainly knows his stuff! He is well prepared for class, and usually comes in early to start writing his notes on the board. You have to take good notes and know the concept, not just something memorized out of the book. His test questions make you think, although I could have used more time for the tests. There were only 3 tests during the semester; I wished there could have been more, because each test covered ALOT of material. Dr. Bernstein gives multiple choice tests, which can be vey tricky. But, all in all, he was a good teacher, and was available during office hours to answer questions.

R.L. Bernstein is perhaps the best professor I've ever had. He is clear and to the point. He is excited about the material and is in on the latest discoveries and events in the field. He anticipates questions and answers them before you even get your hand up. He is not only organized and understandable, but he is brilliant!!! The man is an ocean of knowledge, and he knows how to convey knowledge, as well. He teaches in an easy to understand, but somewhat racing manner. You have to take good FAST notes. Every word out of his mouth is fair game for tests. But he does not waste a single one. What was totally helpful was his office hours. He will draw entire diagrams for you again, and he seems genuinely concerned about his students learning the material. He is both kind and approachable, even if he is a genius.

This prof is a genious in his field, and a very capable instructor.His lectures are very involving. He makes you want to learn -- a rare quality. The tests are fair and challenging. NO TEXTBOOK FOR THE CLASS!! He teaches human genetics ,molecular genetics, and genetics. IF you have to chose between Stubbs, Goldman, and him -- pick Bernsein.

Bernie rocks! He's enthusiastic and truly interested in what he does. The Darwinian Revolution class, though perhaps one of the hardest classes I took at SFSU, is very worthwhile as it provides an overview of how human understanding itself evolves. Bernie even called our study group on his off hours to help us through the final. He made me want to take Genetics!