Brovar, Alan  

Psychology and Human Development

3.50/4.00

28 evaluations


PSY 202


Senior
A
General Ed
Jun 2009
Such an easy class, it's a joke. Brovar makes the material interesting, and I probably learned more from him than the lectures. He gives you the biological / medicinal view of psychology, but also likes to talk about holistic methods such as meditation and the like. His "quizzes" are super easy, and it's impossible to do badly. A great guy, unfortunately he's retired now. If he ever comes back, do all you can to take this guy.

PSY 317


Junior
N/A
Elective
Mar 2003
Dr. Brovar has an amazing sense of humor. He really knows his stuff and this Psychology of Stress class was somewhat interesting. I really enjoyed the guest speakers because it was great to see the many ways you can rid yourself of stress. Some of the guest speakers involved a Yogi, Meditation, Hypnosis, and Nutrition. I recommend this class if you have an elective.


Senior
A
Required (Major)
Jun 2006
Brovar (if thats his real name) is an interesting fellow, funny at times and curious at others. has been a pyschiatrist for thirty-plus years, so he teaches from direct experience. two TESTS and PARTICIPATION are the only methods of gaining points so the class is only 120 points. READING is essentialy unessential in that the class before the test he tells you want sections you need to know about in the chapters with the page numbers to go to. doing this easly prepares you for the test. I got a hundred on the first test with this method. for participation, he passes around a sign up sheet, which accumulates to 20/120 of the points. class is just alright, lectures get boring cuz he doesnt break for ten mins half way through, but he does tell you that you can leave any time you want and he would mind, which he completely means. Take him, or don't take; it is that type of class.


Freshman
A
Elective
Jun 2006
Brovar is pretty scatter-brained, but he's awesome. he tells you that he doesn't want the class to be about the tests, just about what you learn, so the tests aren't hard. However, there's only 2 tests and one extra credit opportunity. you still have to study a little bit, but he seriously tells you what to study, so don't get intimidated by the course pack that you are supposed to buy in the beginning. it was a fun and relaxing class. and brovar is a very nice man.


Senior
A
Elective
Dec 2006
Very relaxed class


5th Year Senior
A
Elective
Nov 2007
Dr. Brovar is a brilliant man with much training, experience, and share-able stories that are relevant and interesting. He's a little absent-minded and odd at times, but still does a good job at presenting material clearly, espeically when it's physiological (biopsych) in nature. The material might be confusing but he always entertains questions and has really good review sessions. His notes packet is... obnoxious because it's ill-organized but it's still way better then trying to take down everything by hand, so buy it. Read ahead and ask questions and you'll immediately gain his favor which is not a bad thing because he's a good guy.

PSY 325


Graduate Student
A
Required (Major)
Apr 2005
He was terrific!

PSY 330


Sophomore
N/A
Elective
Aug 2001
Man the dude is a trip! You have to take the class just for the experience. Easy A!


Sophomore
A
Required (Major)
Aug 2001
One good thing I can say about Dr. Brovar is that if concerns are brought to his attention, he is sensitive. But, even though he is probably a good therapist, I think he needs to work on some stuff as a prof. He lectures in a very different direction from the book, which is fine, because we can read on our own time, but then he tests almost soley from the book. So what is the point of holding class? The directions for the extra credit student panel assignment were not clear, which lead to students bickering. The teacher says things I don't feel are appropriate-- for example, I don't feel the teacher's political views and tips on how to beat a DUI were necessary.


Junior
A
Required (Support)
Oct 1999
Brovar is an intelligent and dynamic teacher. He has a grasp and understanding of the material that other teachers supposedly have but he is not an intellectual terrorist. He attmepts to lift the vail of forbidden mystery and replace it with the knowldge that any responsible and curious adult would want. This is certainly a "learn by doing class".


Senior
A
Elective
Dec 2001
Dr. Brovar is the best professor I have had at Cal Poly (I'm a senior, so that is a lot of professors!) He is incredibly intelligent and presents the material in an intriguing and humorous manner. He is patient and clearly explains all questions asked. His tests are undoubtedly fair and he offers extra credit. I really enjoyed being in this class! Take it!


5th Year Senior
A
Required (Major)
Jun 2002
Brovar's class was fun. He's a good guy. His exams are straight-foward. I would suggest reading the text book parts he points out before the exam. There is one extra credit assignment, but do it. Everybody gets the full 5 pts, so take advantage of it.


Senior
A
Required (Major)
Dec 2002
I took him a couple of quarters back but even with the passsage of time, he is worth mentioning. Brovar is your typical 'nutty professor' He's funny and 'funny' He's a trip you just have to experience. He practically tellls you what to study for on the test so you know what to expect. Tests are easy. His lectures are interesting but makes inappropriate statements at times. But, it's clear, he knows his material - expert I think in his field. He loves his sense of humor - he makes a joke and starts laughing and tripping - its not very funny but because he is tripping so much off of what he says he makes you laugh. He is an easy A and you learn alot. He needs to be reigned in though for inappropriateness.


Sophomore
A
Elective
Jun 2003
I agree with the earlier evaluation that Brovar is truly a "nutty professor." He's got the weirdest sense of humor and it's contagious. The class is pretty straightforward: do the reading he tells you on the study guides (for the final he told us which page each answer was on!) and do the extra credit project. He's one of the few liberal teachers left at Cal Poly and his views are medically backed with his PHD, not politically motivated. He commented that Warren Baker might replace him with a D.A.R.E. instructor; that would be a horrible loss. After 2 years at Cal Poly, I can say he's one of the best teachers I've had. I got a lot out of the class, thanks Brovar!


Graduate Student
N/A
Elective
Sep 2003
Brovar is the Man! He's fucking hilarious,to the point that you won't want to miss his class. I went home laughing after every class. The class can be somewhat challenging but I got an A. Homework is light and the tests(2) are medium hard. In the class you learn about every drug that has every been consumed. He will be in the middle of a lecture and just stop, look around the room and start tripping out and then laugh at himself then try to figure out where he left off. I might even take the class again just for the humor. Theres 46 herbs that alter the mind and he's tried 42 of them.


Senior
A
Elective
Mar 2004
Dr. Brovar is an entertaining professor who knows his material and communicates it well. Be prepared for a teacher who reads the lecture from notes, but also has personal experience in the subject matter. The teacher has fair grading policies. Class attendance is worth one point and he does take attendance, so showing up is a good idea. There is not much homework, if any. Brovar outlines the material that will appear on the exam in the lecture before the test, so make sure to take good notes or bring a tape recorder. Reading is necessary, but only when studying for the exam. There are two exams, one midterm and a final which are each worth fifty points. An extra credit assignment is also available worth five points, but it is pretty easy.


Senior
A
Elective
Jun 2004
Dr. Brovar...crazy! Seriously, this guy is the most interesting person I have ever met. But I loved his Psyc. of Stress class, I learned so much from this class and it was very easy. His tests are so straight forward its almost crazy, he tells you everything thats going to be on the test, so just study that and there is no way you can get less then an A. He spiced up the class by adding guest lectures come in and talk about their particular subject, this was interesting and added excitment to the class. He tells you if you have to guess on the tests, guess the longer answers because they are usually the right answers. Awesome teacher, very helpful, you will not get bored in his class.


Sophomore
A
Elective
Dec 2004
Dr. Brovar does a great job of presenting the material in a straightforward and interesting manner. Take this course if you can, it has been a wonderful experience, I always looked forward to class. As far as exams go, Dr. Brovar will make sure you are prepared for them - and if you follow his instructions and complete the assigned reading, you are sure to be successful.


Junior
A
Required (Major)
Jun 2005
Prof. Brovar was one of the worst professors I have had. He appears to be extremely anxious and disorganized. He always arrived to class late and was flusterd and out of breath when he got there. He has a stutter and his voice is sometimes hard to follow. He would throw up random overheads on to the projector that didn't follow his course packet. I will say that his tests were easy because he tells you exactly what is going to be on it. He takes roll so you HAVE to come to class, which is unfortunate because it is SO boring. He shows no videos, uses no powerpoint, its just straight lecture with no break. If you can avoid taking him I would.


Junior
A
Elective
Oct 2005
Awesome course, definitely recommended. After taking this course you'll be able to better identify all of the misinformation regarding psychoactive drugs that is so common in the media/ everyday life. great professor


Junior
B
Elective
Nov 2005
THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST PROFESSORS AT CALPOLY! He knows everything about the subject he teaches, and presents it in a clear and fun way. He is so helpful and understanding, I wish I could take more classes with him.


Senior
A
Required (Major)
Jan 2006
Dr Brovar's really fun and he made the class so easy. He does agreat job just teaching the facts, rather then all the propaganda you see on TV adds and government statistics. His lectures are really detailed, which worried me at first but a week before each test (there's only 1 exam and a final) he gives you the subjects on the test and the page number you can find them, so he basicly hands you the answers. Attendance is requaired so easy points there, and you don't have to stay. Just sign in and leave if you want. He's was usually barley on time for our class though, but he was never really late.


Senior
B
Required (Major)
Mar 2007
Dr. Brovar (if that is his real name) is great. Take a class with him and you'll laugh the entire time. The material is just okay, but listening to the stories he shares is worth coming to class (in fact there was rarely any empty seats) If I have the chance I will take another class with him, he's that awesome.


Senior
A
Required (Support)
Dec 2007
Brovar is by far the best professor ive taken at poly. he takes attendance, for which you get 1 point per day for a total of 20 points throughout a ten week quarter. your final grade is out of 120, so going to class makes up a good portion of your grade, but attending is easy.. i would have gone everyday just because brovar is pretty much a stand up comedian. his sense of humor is unusual and quirky, and very entertaining. tests are a breeze.. he practically gives u all the answers prior to both 50- point tests..all u have to do is look up what he tells u, and if youre too lazy for that, u still have a good chance of getting question right because the wrong answers are obvious. overall, the funnest class at poly... without question


Sophomore
A
Elective
Mar 2008
An extremely informative class taught by a professor who can answer just about any question you might have. The tests only cover what is relevant and applicable but you'll learn much more over the course than just that. There are plenty of opportunities for grade-cushioning even though it shouldn't be needed since the tests are straight-forward. There are 20 extra points that you can get from going to class everyday and there is an extra credit student forum for 5 extra points toward the end of the year. Great class taught by one of the most qualified/interesting professors at Poly.

PSY 422


5th Year Senior
A
Elective
Apr 2006
Lifespan Sexuality could be such a fascinating subject, but Brovar is the WRONG professor for the job. He tells crude jokes which just got old. He mummbles his way through the boring and chaotic lectures. He shows videos, but then there is no discussion...I felt like I could have just watched porn and gotten the same information. There are two exams and a 5-7 page paper. You need to read the pages he provides for you before the exam. (easy) He takes attendance...so you have to go. Wait till someone different teaches this class and then take it.


Senior
N/A
Elective
Mar 2007
Dr. Brovar is a wonderful man and possibly a better professor. He's a bit scattered and often goes off on stories, which can take some getting used to, but once you understand that, he's super easy to get along with. He bascially tells you what's going to be on the test the lecture before it happens. Don't be shocked to hear statements like "I have no shame, I'll tell you what the answer is...it's B, put B." If you have questions, go see him during office hours-- he really clears things up. You also have the option of doing an extra credit group presentation at the end of the quarter (which is worth 10 exta points). There's also a "paper:" You pick published research paper and summarize it. He straight up told us "I'm not going to read it; pick a good topic and make it long enough." It's a very interesting class with a very interesting guy. I'm not sure I would have liked it or learned nearly as much with any other prof; I highly suggest to take it with him!

JOUR 564


Freshman
C
Elective
Nov 2016
Business majors: A degree for the intellectually impaired, HA HA.