# RICHARD VIERSTRA — Courses & Reviews | UW–Madison

[View on UW Courses](https://uwcourses.com/instructors/RICHARD_VIERSTRA)

## Dataset

### revision

e243353dcb7d79b7247ced91d69443ef4c2a6349

### repository

twangodev/uwcourses

### schema version

6

### importer version

7

### projection id

85abe9ff8837c2c5a134368dcc4cfc85eb723524b21ddeb3d2e953887d2f0c8f

### observed at

2026-09-07T15:55:43.033547+00:00

### built at

2026-09-11T07:45:51.576183+00:00

### courses

8951

### current instructors

5754

### limited

false

### terms

* 1272
* 1264
* 1262
* 1254
* 1252
* 1244
* 1242
* 1234
* 1232
* 1224
* 1222
* 1212
* 1204
* 1202
* 1194
* 1192
* 1184
* 1182
* 1174
* 1172
* 1164
* 1162
* 1154
* 1152
* 1144
* 1142
* 1134
* 1132
* 1124
* 1122
* 1114
* 1112
* 1104
* 1102
* 1094
* 1092
* 1084
* 1082
* 1074
* 1072

### term

1272

### departments

| subject   | count |
| --------- | ----- |
| AAE       | 90    |
| ABT       | 20    |
| ACCTIS    | 36    |
| ACTSCI    | 14    |
| AFAERO    | 10    |
| AFRICAN   | 87    |
| AFROAMER  | 71    |
| AGROECOL  | 21    |
| AMERIND   | 53    |
| ANAT\&PHY | 7     |
| ANATOMY   | 2     |
| ANESTHES  | 8     |
| ANSCI     | 57    |
| ANTHRO    | 95    |
| ART       | 125   |
| ARTED     | 10    |
| ARTHIST   | 121   |
| ASIALANG  | 129   |
| ASIAN     | 109   |
| ASIANAM   | 28    |
| ASTRON    | 38    |
| ATMOCN    | 69    |
| BIOCHEM   | 51    |
| BIOCORE   | 10    |
| BIOLOGY   | 14    |
| BIOMDSCI  | 18    |
| BME       | 66    |
| BMI       | 41    |
| BMOLCHEM  | 10    |
| BOTANY    | 69    |
| BSE       | 44    |
| C\&ESOC   | 73    |
| CBE       | 48    |
| CHEM      | 101   |
| CHICLA    | 52    |
| CIVENGR   | 133   |
| CLASSICS  | 47    |
| CNP       | 10    |
| CNSRSCI   | 50    |
| COMARTS   | 137   |
| COMPBIO   | 15    |
| COMPLIT   | 11    |
| COMPSCI   | 138   |
| COUNPSY   | 78    |
| CRB       | 19    |
| CS\&D     | 71    |
| CSCS      | 40    |
| CURRIC    | 193   |
| DANCE     | 93    |
| DERM      | 8     |
| DS        | 88    |
| DYSCI     | 35    |
| ECE       | 155   |
| ECON      | 145   |
| EDPOL     | 114   |
| EDPSYCH   | 97    |
| ELPA      | 70    |
| EMA       | 53    |
| EMERMED   | 17    |
| ENGL      | 206   |
| ENTOM     | 40    |
| ENVIRST   | 148   |
| EP        | 15    |
| EPD       | 67    |
| ESL       | 16    |
| F\&WECOL  | 60    |
| FAMMED    | 22    |
| FINANCE   | 50    |
| FOLKLORE  | 40    |
| FOODSCI   | 43    |
| FRENCH    | 63    |
| GEN\&WS   | 145   |
| GENBUS    | 72    |
| GENECSLR  | 17    |
| GENETICS  | 60    |
| GEOG      | 113   |
| GEOSCI    | 83    |
| GERMAN    | 82    |
| GLE       | 48    |
| GNS       | 38    |
| GREEK     | 27    |
| HDFS      | 41    |
| HEBR-BIB  | 13    |
| HEBR-MOD  | 10    |
| HISTORY   | 233   |
| HISTSCI   | 56    |
| HONCOL    | 13    |
| ILS       | 43    |
| INFOSYS   | 9     |
| INTEGART  | 7     |
| INTEGSCI  | 22    |
| INTER-AG  | 18    |
| INTER-HE  | 11    |
| INTER-LS  | 22    |
| INTEREGR  | 16    |
| INTLBUS   | 21    |
| INTLST    | 50    |
| ISYE      | 83    |
| ITALIAN   | 53    |
| JEWISH    | 56    |
| JOURN     | 88    |
| KINES     | 128   |
| LACIS     | 26    |
| LANDARC   | 61    |
| LATIN     | 24    |
| LAW       | 120   |
| LEGALST   | 48    |
| LINGUIS   | 35    |
| LIS       | 89    |
| LITTRANS  | 78    |
| LSC       | 52    |
| M\&ENVTOX | 7     |
| MARKETNG  | 62    |
| MATH      | 153   |
| MDGENET   | 8     |
| ME        | 130   |
| MEDHIST   | 43    |
| MEDICINE  | 60    |
| MEDIEVAL  | 32    |
| MEDPHYS   | 39    |
| MEDSC-M   | 29    |
| MEDSC-V   | 41    |
| MHR       | 68    |
| MICROBIO  | 45    |
| MILSCI    | 16    |
| MM\&I     | 22    |
| MOLBIOL   | 6     |
| MS\&E     | 59    |
| MUSIC     | 165   |
| MUSPERF   | 126   |
| NAVSCI    | 20    |
| NE        | 44    |
| NEURODPT  | 11    |
| NEUROL    | 7     |
| NEURSURG  | 4     |
| NTP       | 11    |
| NURSING   | 111   |
| NUTRSCI   | 65    |
| OBS\&GYN  | 18    |
| OCCTHER   | 39    |
| ONCOLOGY  | 14    |
| OPHTHALM  | 5     |
| OTM       | 43    |
| PATH      | 34    |
| PATH-BIO  | 29    |
| PEDIAT    | 26    |
| PHARMACY  | 31    |
| PHILOS    | 77    |
| PHMCOL-M  | 11    |
| PHMPRAC   | 45    |
| PHMSCI    | 60    |
| PHYASST   | 37    |
| PHYSICS   | 88    |
| PHYSIOL   | 3     |
| PHYTHER   | 37    |
| PLANTSCI  | 52    |
| PLPATH    | 35    |
| POLISCI   | 192   |
| POPHLTH   | 58    |
| PORTUG    | 33    |
| PSYCH     | 101   |
| PSYCHIAT  | 22    |
| PUBAFFR   | 54    |
| PUBLHLTH  | 23    |
| RADIOL    | 11    |
| REALEST   | 41    |
| RELIGST   | 90    |
| RHABMED   | 9     |
| RMI       | 24    |
| RP\&SE    | 102   |
| S\&APHM   | 17    |
| SCANDST   | 73    |
| SLAVIC    | 89    |
| SOC       | 149   |
| SOCWORK   | 87    |
| SOILSCI   | 46    |
| SPANISH   | 83    |
| SRMED     | 21    |
| STAT      | 94    |
| STDYABRD  | 52    |
| STS       | 8     |
| SURGERY   | 25    |
| SURGSCI   | 33    |
| THEATRE   | 91    |
| URBRPL    | 60    |
| UROLOGY   | 5     |
| ZOOLOGY   | 89    |

## instructor

### instructor uid

instructor\_6af76db1af5f8d58de81971e

### source

madgrades

### source instructor id

2600114

### identity basis

source\_id

### identity status

source\_identified

### name

RICHARD VIERSTRA

### first observed at

2026-09-06 23:14:58.172943+00:00

### last observed at

2026-09-07 15:55:43.033547+00:00

### ratings

#### review count

17

#### quality

4.06

#### difficulty

2.71

#### quality count

17

#### difficulty count

17

#### profile id

rmp:368627

#### source url

<https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/368627>

#### match basis

exact\_name

#### observed at

2026-09-07 16:09:55.083789+00:00

#### courses

#### bayesian quality

3.843613937052213

#### prior mean

3.6596857835465957

#### prior weight

20

### grade statistics

#### gpa

3.061

#### graded

2496

#### counts

* 509
* 327
* 1135
* 154
* 308
* 53
* 10

#### sections

66

### current

false

### courses

None recorded.

### revision

e243353dcb7d79b7247ced91d69443ef4c2a6349

### instructor url

/instructors/RICHARD\_VIERSTRA

## history

| term | course\_uid                      | course\_id                 | title                                 |
| ---- | -------------------------------- | -------------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| 1164 | course\_ae09acfd4c9f201db6451a9c | GENETICS 990               | RESEARCH                              |
| 1162 | course\_ae09acfd4c9f201db6451a9c | GENETICS 990               | RESEARCH                              |
| 1154 | course\_b61b3a2720bc1995e3b37da8 | BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 152 | INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY                  |
| 1154 | course\_59f42ea7d5dfccc99f8a7c88 | GENETICS 299               | INDEPENDENT STUDY                     |
| 1154 | course\_6ee3c1ed0ed9f8fbc2c126f3 | GENETICS 699               | SPECIAL PROBLEMS                      |
| 1154 | course\_ae09acfd4c9f201db6451a9c | GENETICS 990               | RESEARCH                              |
| 1152 | course\_59f42ea7d5dfccc99f8a7c88 | GENETICS 299               | INDEPENDENT STUDY                     |
| 1152 | course\_6ee3c1ed0ed9f8fbc2c126f3 | GENETICS 699               | SPECIAL PROBLEMS                      |
| 1152 | course\_ae09acfd4c9f201db6451a9c | GENETICS 990               | RESEARCH                              |
| 1144 | course\_b61b3a2720bc1995e3b37da8 | BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 152 | INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY                  |
| 1144 | course\_59f42ea7d5dfccc99f8a7c88 | GENETICS 299               | INDEPENDENT STUDY                     |
| 1144 | course\_ae09acfd4c9f201db6451a9c | GENETICS 990               | RESEARCH                              |
| 1142 | course\_59f42ea7d5dfccc99f8a7c88 | GENETICS 299               | INDEPENDENT STUDY                     |
| 1142 | course\_6ee3c1ed0ed9f8fbc2c126f3 | GENETICS 699               | SPECIAL PROBLEMS                      |
| 1142 | course\_ae09acfd4c9f201db6451a9c | GENETICS 990               | RESEARCH                              |
| 1134 | course\_b61b3a2720bc1995e3b37da8 | BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 152 | INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY                  |
| 1134 | course\_59f42ea7d5dfccc99f8a7c88 | GENETICS 299               | INDEPENDENT STUDY                     |
| 1134 | course\_6ee3c1ed0ed9f8fbc2c126f3 | GENETICS 699               | SPECIAL PROBLEMS                      |
| 1134 | course\_ae09acfd4c9f201db6451a9c | GENETICS 990               | RESEARCH                              |
| 1132 | course\_59f42ea7d5dfccc99f8a7c88 | GENETICS 299               | INDEPENDENT STUDY                     |
| 1132 | course\_6ee3c1ed0ed9f8fbc2c126f3 | GENETICS 699               | SPECIAL PROBLEMS                      |
| 1132 | course\_ae09acfd4c9f201db6451a9c | GENETICS 990               | RESEARCH                              |
| 1124 | course\_b61b3a2720bc1995e3b37da8 | BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 152 | INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY                  |
| 1124 | course\_59f42ea7d5dfccc99f8a7c88 | GENETICS 299               | INDEPENDENT STUDY                     |
| 1124 | course\_ae09acfd4c9f201db6451a9c | GENETICS 990               | RESEARCH                              |
| 1122 | course\_88d8742832cc5281138e829d | BIOLOGY 691                | SENIOR THESIS                         |
| 1122 | course\_6ee3c1ed0ed9f8fbc2c126f3 | GENETICS 699               | SPECIAL PROBLEMS                      |
| 1122 | course\_ae09acfd4c9f201db6451a9c | GENETICS 990               | RESEARCH                              |
| 1114 | course\_b61b3a2720bc1995e3b37da8 | BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 152 | INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY                  |
| 1114 | course\_59f42ea7d5dfccc99f8a7c88 | GENETICS 299               | INDEPENDENT STUDY                     |
| 1114 | course\_c1f36fc9adea765dd2fa6195 | GENETICS 682               | SENIOR HONORS THESIS                  |
| 1114 | course\_6ee3c1ed0ed9f8fbc2c126f3 | GENETICS 699               | SPECIAL PROBLEMS                      |
| 1114 | course\_ae09acfd4c9f201db6451a9c | GENETICS 990               | RESEARCH                              |
| 1112 | course\_59f42ea7d5dfccc99f8a7c88 | GENETICS 299               | INDEPENDENT STUDY                     |
| 1112 | course\_6ee3c1ed0ed9f8fbc2c126f3 | GENETICS 699               | SPECIAL PROBLEMS                      |
| 1112 | course\_ae09acfd4c9f201db6451a9c | GENETICS 990               | RESEARCH                              |
| 1104 | course\_b61b3a2720bc1995e3b37da8 | BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 152 | INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY                  |
| 1104 | course\_59f42ea7d5dfccc99f8a7c88 | GENETICS 299               | INDEPENDENT STUDY                     |
| 1104 | course\_6ee3c1ed0ed9f8fbc2c126f3 | GENETICS 699               | SPECIAL PROBLEMS                      |
| 1104 | course\_ae09acfd4c9f201db6451a9c | GENETICS 990               | RESEARCH                              |
| 1102 | course\_59f42ea7d5dfccc99f8a7c88 | GENETICS 299               | INDEPENDENT STUDY                     |
| 1102 | course\_ae09acfd4c9f201db6451a9c | GENETICS 990               | RESEARCH                              |
| 1094 | course\_b61b3a2720bc1995e3b37da8 | BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 152 | INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY                  |
| 1094 | course\_59f42ea7d5dfccc99f8a7c88 | GENETICS 299               | INDEPENDENT STUDY                     |
| 1094 | course\_6ee3c1ed0ed9f8fbc2c126f3 | GENETICS 699               | SPECIAL PROBLEMS                      |
| 1094 | course\_ae09acfd4c9f201db6451a9c | GENETICS 990               | RESEARCH                              |
| 1092 | course\_59f42ea7d5dfccc99f8a7c88 | GENETICS 299               | INDEPENDENT STUDY                     |
| 1092 | course\_6ee3c1ed0ed9f8fbc2c126f3 | GENETICS 699               | SPECIAL PROBLEMS                      |
| 1092 | course\_ae09acfd4c9f201db6451a9c | GENETICS 990               | RESEARCH                              |
| 1084 | course\_b61b3a2720bc1995e3b37da8 | BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 152 | INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY                  |
| 1084 | course\_59f42ea7d5dfccc99f8a7c88 | GENETICS 299               | INDEPENDENT STUDY                     |
| 1084 | course\_6ee3c1ed0ed9f8fbc2c126f3 | GENETICS 699               | SPECIAL PROBLEMS                      |
| 1084 | course\_ae09acfd4c9f201db6451a9c | GENETICS 990               | RESEARCH                              |
| 1084 | course\_258e7ff4b2ab66331f2394d7 | MOLBIOL 699                | DIRECTED STUDIES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY |
| 1082 | course\_59f42ea7d5dfccc99f8a7c88 | GENETICS 299               | INDEPENDENT STUDY                     |
| 1082 | course\_6ee3c1ed0ed9f8fbc2c126f3 | GENETICS 699               | SPECIAL PROBLEMS                      |
| 1082 | course\_ae09acfd4c9f201db6451a9c | GENETICS 990               | RESEARCH                              |
| 1074 | course\_b61b3a2720bc1995e3b37da8 | BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 152 | INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY                  |
| 1074 | course\_59f42ea7d5dfccc99f8a7c88 | GENETICS 299               | INDEPENDENT STUDY                     |
| 1074 | course\_c1f36fc9adea765dd2fa6195 | GENETICS 682               | SENIOR HONORS THESIS                  |
| 1074 | course\_6ee3c1ed0ed9f8fbc2c126f3 | GENETICS 699               | SPECIAL PROBLEMS                      |
| 1074 | course\_ae09acfd4c9f201db6451a9c | GENETICS 990               | RESEARCH                              |
| 1072 | course\_59f42ea7d5dfccc99f8a7c88 | GENETICS 299               | INDEPENDENT STUDY                     |
| 1072 | course\_b36bce13ca0913e1c83913fc | GENETICS 681               | SENIOR HONORS THESIS                  |
| 1072 | course\_ae09acfd4c9f201db6451a9c | GENETICS 990               | RESEARCH                              |

## timeline

| term | courses |
| ---- | ------- |
| 1072 | 3       |
| 1074 | 5       |
| 1082 | 3       |
| 1084 | 5       |
| 1092 | 3       |
| 1094 | 4       |
| 1102 | 2       |
| 1104 | 4       |
| 1112 | 3       |
| 1114 | 5       |
| 1122 | 3       |
| 1124 | 3       |
| 1132 | 3       |
| 1134 | 4       |
| 1142 | 3       |
| 1144 | 3       |
| 1152 | 3       |
| 1154 | 4       |
| 1162 | 1       |
| 1164 | 1       |

## term

1272

## courses

None recorded.

## reviews

### items

```json
[
  {
    "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:09:55.083789+00:00",
    "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4",
    "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTI0Nzg2MjY3",
    "source_instructor_id": "rmp:368627",
    "instructor_name": "Richard Vierstra",
    "course_label": "BIO152",
    "course_id": null,
    "course_uid": null,
    "review_date": "2015-05-09 18:06:34 +0000 UTC",
    "comment": "Dr. Vierstra is a great lecturer and I would take him again despite my serious lack of interest in botany. He's a funny guy and is really passionate about what he teaches, and his tests were extremely fair. Very clear lectures. And low key, he's quite attractive for his age. I'd recommend him!",
    "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/368627",
    "quality_rating": 4,
    "difficulty_rating": 3
  },
  {
    "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:09:55.083789+00:00",
    "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4",
    "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTI0MzMyNjM1",
    "source_instructor_id": "rmp:368627",
    "instructor_name": "Richard Vierstra",
    "course_label": "152",
    "course_id": null,
    "course_uid": null,
    "review_date": "2015-01-26 15:42:06 +0000 UTC",
    "comment": "1010 would do.",
    "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/368627",
    "quality_rating": 5,
    "difficulty_rating": 3
  },
  {
    "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:09:55.083789+00:00",
    "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4",
    "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTIzMjI1ODg4",
    "source_instructor_id": "rmp:368627",
    "instructor_name": "Richard Vierstra",
    "course_label": "BIO152",
    "course_id": null,
    "course_uid": null,
    "review_date": "2014-05-12 13:01:45 +0000 UTC",
    "comment": "Vierstra was the second best professor of the three for 152. Everything for his exams are on the powerpoint, but there is A LOT of material. Reading the book is a waste of time, but make sure you know every single word on every slide. Pay close attention in class. Overall, nice guy, made some funny jokes.",
    "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/368627",
    "quality_rating": 4,
    "difficulty_rating": 3
  },
  {
    "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:09:55.083789+00:00",
    "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4",
    "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTIzMjEyMTA5",
    "source_instructor_id": "rmp:368627",
    "instructor_name": "Richard Vierstra",
    "course_label": "BIO152",
    "course_id": null,
    "course_uid": null,
    "review_date": "2014-05-09 22:14:30 +0000 UTC",
    "comment": "Pretty chill guy. Makes a lot of sex references with plants which is just uncomfortable for everyone. Don't bother reading the book, everything is on the lecture slides. Lots of info, just study and you'll be fine. Oh, watch out for the wording on the exam. The questions will try to trip you up.",
    "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/368627",
    "quality_rating": 4,
    "difficulty_rating": 3
  },
  {
    "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:09:55.083789+00:00",
    "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4",
    "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTE4NzMyOTQ0",
    "source_instructor_id": "rmp:368627",
    "instructor_name": "Richard Vierstra",
    "course_label": "BIO152",
    "course_id": null,
    "course_uid": null,
    "review_date": "2011-06-15 02:21:48 +0000 UTC",
    "comment": "Tries to use some humor to keep the students awake. Didn't give the answer key for the practice exam. The exam itself was pretty easy, just  a lot of information.",
    "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/368627",
    "quality_rating": 4,
    "difficulty_rating": 2
  },
  {
    "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:09:55.083789+00:00",
    "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4",
    "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTE4MzQ3MTQw",
    "source_instructor_id": "rmp:368627",
    "instructor_name": "Richard Vierstra",
    "course_label": "BIO152",
    "course_id": null,
    "course_uid": null,
    "review_date": "2011-04-02 15:30:41 +0000 UTC",
    "comment": "Okay teacher, but tried a little bit too hard with all his jokes. Presented a lot of information which was actually fairly interesting (considering how much plants suck) but near exam time you got a little bit worried about how much you'd need to know. You're allowed a notecard but I didn't need to use it at all. Super easy exam.",
    "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/368627",
    "quality_rating": 4,
    "difficulty_rating": 2
  }
]
```

### total

17

### page

1

### courses

None recorded.

### matched

true

## social Image

false
