Darren Williams - Pennsylvania State University - Erie, Erie, PA

Professor: Darren Williams

Department: Science

College: Pennsylvania State University - Erie, Erie, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO001
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He is a sweetheart, the class at first seems difficult but all the quizzes and tests are based off a humongous curve. If you attend and do the super easy extra credit (Taking a selfie with an egg) you will get an A no problem.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO497
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I have had Astro 97, 291, 292, modern physics, cosmology, and orbital mechanics with this professor. 6 classes. He is an amazing and inspirational person. It would be a crime to never take a class with Darren Williams. This guy is basically the definition of what it means to be a theoretical astronomer. Go to class and learn. You will likely pass.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ASTR001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Taking Astronomy with him is like taking a hybrid Physics and Pre-Calculus course, very much steeped in equations and such. Uses a lot of technology and relies on it. Extremely knowledgeable however; must put forth effort in order to pass the course.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO001
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

This class was a joke. Mr. Williams constantly second guessed his slides, which he has been using for 15 years now. His tests were structured so poorly, the 75 minutes given to take the test weren't enough. The only good thing I have to say is you cant fail his class. He knows he is so bad of a teacher he shifts the curve so everyone will pass

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Unhelpful, rude, sarcastic. Will never take a class with him again. Love Astronomy so much and he killed that enthusiasm.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

My favorite prof in Behrend. passionate and funny guy. know a lot about astronomy. quizzes and homework are difficult but there would be huge curve at the end of course.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Darren Williams is awesome. He knows how to time travel which is pretty cool. He can tell you what the future will look like if you ask him. Also if you earn an A+ he will teach you the secrets of time traveling. Good Luck!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Awesome professor. He is very knowledgable and passionate about astronomy. He's a really nice and funny guy. Class covers a ton of material but all quizes are with a clicker so sit by someone smart. Grades on a huge curve.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

hes got a wicked curve and its really helpful since its kinda one of those topics where you can never remember all the info about... i recommend it to anyone needing a gen science

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Darren is awesome. His quizzes are impossible to pass cause it's all based on lectures, but he curves. He also knows how to time travel which is pretty chill.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Darren Williams is one of the coolest professors I have ever had. He loves to use technology and he clearly is interested in astronomy. Quizzes are pretty hard if you don't pay attention and attendance is kind of mandatory due to clicker points. O yeah he can time travel. Go talk to him in his office hours and he'll "teach" you. Involves magnets!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This guy is the man he's very nice and this class is a breeze. Everything is online and its so easy. You wouldnt need to go to class except there are in class things for easy points. Also he knows how to time travel its incredible. I highly recommend this class for a GN requirement. Super easy

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHYS237
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr williams gives very poor notes. When I look back in my notebook I have no idea what we were doing in class. He does not do things in an organized way-instead he jumps all over with the content. Also, there were multiple times he gave us the wrong formulas on the board and I had to look up the right ones myself.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Easy class. Print out the powerpoints before class so you can figure out the clicker questions. Theres over 100 clicker questions so its worth it. Half the tests are in class(partner checks your answers) and half are online. You dont need the book.Curves major so dont panic.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Every class I went to get my points with the clickers... then zoned out for the rest of it. he curves ALOT, so you don't really have to put much effort into it. Oh, and write down the answers on a separate sheet of paper to the quizzes when he goes over themin class, because he literally copy/pastes quiz questions onto the final.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is a nice guy. The class is not hard just Make sure you take notes on the slides, cos the slides will be important for the exam.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

awesome guy, very nice. He just tries to use technology in the classroom too much, and in doing so makes some things more confusing than they need to be. But overall a very good class. Tests are hard, but curved. very interesting class. I reccomend taking this class, it opens your mind alot.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I have no idea what is going on in the class..but he is always smiling..and really nice..he is extremely smart..however like i said i have no idea what is going on..but i recommend the class...very easy..should end up with a B because he gives extra credit and a lot of online homework..tests not so good for me..but easy class and great teacher.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Williams is an amazing professor.You can tell he loves astronomy, and that helps make it interesting. He is all around a great guy and will answer every question.:-)

Rating # 20

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

The man has no teaching ability what so ever. His presentations consist of him learning along with you.