R. Wayne Van Devender - Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Professor: R. Wayne Van Devender

Department: Biology

College: Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIO2012
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

There is not a worse teacher at Appalachian. You have to flat out memorize his quiz questions in order to have a chance to pass his tests. He tells you at the start of the class that he expects you to learn ALL the material from the book. He only goes over the pictures in the book during class. Avoid him no matter what, do not take Devender.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: EVOBIO
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Worst teacher I have ever met, he treats people like trash, and thinks he is better than you. If you ask him a question he will let you know how stupid you are and he might give you the answer,...I do not recommend this class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO4559
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Took Van Dev for Mammalogy and LOVED it. It is a difficult course, but it is Senior level so it will not be a cake walk. I'm now registered for his Herp class and I am so excited to take it. I changed majors so I could take Herp with Van Dev. Wonderful instructor. If you need help, just ask him.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HERP4560
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Wayne is the best teacher at Appalachian State. Believe me, he is a diamond in the rough, however, he has inspired me to love science. He is knowledgeable and crazy... as many herpetologists are. I urge you to get to know him. You will have to work hard but you will learn a great deal from him.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIO4560
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Had him for Herp. Knows his stuff and is considered an expert in his field. The practicals are tough but he curves at the end. Would recommend if you are interested in the material. He is definitely one of a kind.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MAMM3600
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Had him for Mammology and he is one of the best resources if Biology is actually something you want to learn instead of just make a good letter grade in. Don't miss classes, read EVERYTHING he assigns, and make sure you memorize everything assigned. You will get a lot out of his classes if you make an effort and invest a lot of time.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Do not take this class. His lectures are incredibly boring and I never knew what to expect on the tests. I wish I had dropped the class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO3436
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This was the only professor available for this semester to teach evolutionary bio. There were only 3 grades for the entire course so its very hard to know where you stand, especially if you miss the first test you have to wait till reading day to make it up. He's very frustrating to talk to so rely heavily on your textbook for a decent grade.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO4560
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I had him for Evolutionary and Herpetology. He is extrememly hard in both but curves the entire class at the end. Overall he is one of my favorite teachers and easily approachable though frustrating at times. He challenges you to think for yourself. If you can't do that, then don't take his class.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO3436
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Van Devender is a decent teacher and he is indeed insensitive (though most of the people giving these reviews are way oversensitive). But he gives an automatic curve for the class because he TELLS you at the beginning of the semester that he will ask questions that don't have answers. All in all, he evens it out nicely and he wants you to think.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIOHERP
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

If you like to be spoon fed scientific material thats been stripped down to be easily understood by any average joe, don't take this class. If you want to learn how real biologists do real science, Van Devender will happily guide you through his thought processes, and you will learn. If he doesn't answer your question then it was a stupid one.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO1102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This class was absolutely terrible! It seemed like the whole class was struggling just to pass. If I studied for hours I was lucky if I got a C- or a D+. I really tried hard in the class, and got a C by the grace of God. And, easy on the eyes?!?! I don't know what that one comment was about. Maybe they were thinking of the wrong professor.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIO3436
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This professor is THE worst professor in the world. He is unorganized, he gives exams on random information, not to mention he is completely rude to student when help is need. DO NOT i repeat DO NOT pick him he WILL fail you just for the fun of it!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO1802
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

BEST science teacher at Appalachian State. Anytime I needed help he was always really nice and encouraging. He's also EXTREMELY nice on the eyes..my favorite section of biology was the human anatomy.. if you know what I mean.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MAMM4559
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Hard teacher, You have to memorize mammalian orders, which is useless considering there are not even set in stone as of right now. He is a stickler on the term paper, a general pain in the ass grader, And he is not open to questions if you are lost. He is the epitome of a bad professor. If you are not a Bio major run away, I am and I hate him

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO1102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

HE SUCKS. the end. i asked him for help and he told me "i dont help students". dont take him if you have any sense...at all.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIO1102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TAKE THIS CLASS! Seriously, I went to almost all of the classes (which are useless, by the way), studied hard, and never made over a C on any of the tests. Not only is he ridiculously hard to pay attention to and understand, if you have a question during class he answers you like you're an idiot. Don't take his class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIO1102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Worst professor I've ever had. How in the world is this guy still teaching?! His class was a waste of time and money. He's difficult because nobody could understand him, you had to read the textbook in order to have any idea what was going to be on the tests. I would suggest finding a different professor.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIO1102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

NOT RECOMMENDED. Extremely difficult, I took biology 1110 for majors before I switched my major and this biology forn BIO majors was easier than this class. Test are VERY hard. Spent hours studying and never recieved over a 75. No exams are curved either. Teaching is boring, very unorganized, he's a smart man but he really just needs to retire....

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIO1102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I entirely recommend finding a different professor for this class if you have any chance at all. God be with us.