Professor profile for Kenneth Ralls
Student reviews of Kenneth Ralls
Review from a student who took ME 311
Taking Dr. Ralls is a whirlwind experience for any modern college student. He teaches just like most professors did twenty, even thirty years ago. By this I mean that attendence is beyond required-- do not take him if you will be skipping -- he'll fail you. He truly expects you to read the textbook and outside sources (he provides an extensive list). His tests are nitpicky, asking very obscure little facts, but you can be sure he has covered that material in lecture. He's meticulous beyond belief, setting his watch to match the clock in the classroom and waiting until it is straight up 9 oclock to start. And ends at exactly 50 after, if he goes over by even a minute you will recieve an apology. It's a bizarre experience but it will make you a much stronger student. Additionally, taking him makes the corresponding lab (and it's notoriously absurd tests) much easier.
Taking Dr. Ralls is a whirlwind experience for any modern college student. He teaches just like most professors did twenty, even thirty years ago. By this I mean that attendence is beyond required-- do not take him if you will be skipping -- he'll fail you. He truly expects you to read the textbook and outside sources (he provides an extensive list). His tests are nitpicky, asking very obscure little facts, but you can be sure he has covered that material in lecture. He's meticulous beyond belief, setting his watch to match the clock in the classroom and waiting until it is straight up 9 oclock to start. And ends at exactly 50 after, if he goes over by even a minute you will recieve an apology. It's a bizarre experience but it will make you a much stronger student. Additionally, taking him makes the corresponding lab (and it's notoriously absurd tests) much easier.
Review from a student who took me 111L
One word, jackass.
One word, jackass.
Review from a student who took 311
Dr. Ralls is a great lecturer, but he is a harsh grader and attendance is virtually mandatory. His attitude in the classroom is gruff and not very approachable, but if you attend class and go speak with him during office hours, he is more hospitable. Be prepared that the tests will be difficult and his final is 45% of your grade.
Dr. Ralls is a great lecturer, but he is a harsh grader and attendance is virtually mandatory. His attitude in the classroom is gruff and not very approachable, but if you attend class and go speak with him during office hours, he is more hospitable. Be prepared that the tests will be difficult and his final is 45% of your grade.
Review from a student who took ME 311
Just do your homework and find someone who has old tests and you'll do fine.
Just do your homework and find someone who has old tests and you'll do fine.
Review from a student who took ME 311
Ralls does not deserve the reputation that he has. He is a good professor and the homeworks are not hard to pass. At first you may think so but there are so many you will pass if you do them all. His tests are not impossible, but he grades hard and it is very hard to get an A. Ralls is a good professor and you will learn a lot from taking him.
Ralls does not deserve the reputation that he has. He is a good professor and the homeworks are not hard to pass. At first you may think so but there are so many you will pass if you do them all. His tests are not impossible, but he grades hard and it is very hard to get an A. Ralls is a good professor and you will learn a lot from taking him.
Review from a student who took ME 311
The lecture material is not pertinent to exams. Neither is the book so it's really hard to learn anything. Previous exams he posts are nothing like the exams you take. There is an excessive amount of homework, and you have to pass homework to pass the class no matter what you make on the exams. I did not enjoy my experience with him.
The lecture material is not pertinent to exams. Neither is the book so it's really hard to learn anything. Previous exams he posts are nothing like the exams you take. There is an excessive amount of homework, and you have to pass homework to pass the class no matter what you make on the exams. I did not enjoy my experience with him.
Review from a student who took ME 311
If you can stay away from ralls he is not a good professor and will fail people who know the material. He is not a people person and does not like to meet with students. Beware.
If you can stay away from ralls he is not a good professor and will fail people who know the material. He is not a people person and does not like to meet with students. Beware.