Dean Purcell - Oakland University, Rochester, MI

Professor: Dean Purcell

Department: Psychology

College: Oakland University, Rochester, MI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PSY250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Undoubtedly the worst professor on OU campus. He does not answer questions, will tell you you are wrong when asking a question and is inappropriate. No need to attend class as he does nothing but ramble about his problems so get ready to teach yourself. He does not care about his students and it is obvious. Tests are hard and he gives no direction.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PSY250
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

While he has worked in the field of psychology for quite sometime, his skills in regards to passing on his techniques are staggeringly rancid. Attendance was mandatory, however little to nothing was actually taught in class. The students were practically required to teach ourselves out of our text books. All lectures consisted of off topic nonsense

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PSY250
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

After reading Purcell's reviews on here, I was hesitant to take his course, but I'm glad I did. He is truly a gem. Don't get me wrong, you will have to study for his course, but the material on his exams are straight out of the textbooks. He will do his best to help you in any way possible. I would take him again in a heartbeat.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PSY250
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Dean Purcell has a all the knowledge himself on the topic of research, he just doesn't know how to teach it to others. He gets very side tracked, discussing topics that have nothing to do with psych. He also makes exams the night before the exam date, so you will have no idea what is on them until you take it. Just read it is your best bet.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PSY311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Goes too fast through lectures, disallows laptops w/o permission, exams are ridiculous and too difficult, goes off topic too often and wastes time, seems uninterested in subject and overall is about as interesting as his off tangent talks about his hatred of cats. Don't take this guy, he's not worth it. At all.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PSY250
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He is the absolute worse professor I have ever had for any class at Oakland University. If you get anything below a 65% on an exam, it counts as a 0.0 and you will get no credit for anything. He gives barely any notes and goes on tangents during class. When I asked for help, he would not give me any whatsoever.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHY311
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Purcell is a really good guy. He's there to help, but you do have to ask for it. You don't really have to show up to class, but if you don't just make sure you do the reading in the text and you should be fine for exams. If you're not into the science part of psych I strongly recommend against this class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PSY250
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

His exams are based on his class lectures (not book or articles). Attendance is not required but you need to come to class for his lecture notes. He doesn't post notes , Overall good professor. If you ask for help, he is there for you. You need to study everyday to get 4.0.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PSY250
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dean is the definition of a rambling man. While his stories are somewhat interesting, it's incredibly difficult to understand what he's trying to teach you. He rarely uses visual notes (powerpoints) so you either understand him verbally, or fail. He likes to explain simple concepts in 15 different ways, which makes it impossible to understand.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PSY250
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Many students have complained about Dean, however. I have taken many of his classes and as long as you attend every lecture you WILL do good. He is straightforward and clear about what he expects. His classes can seem intimidating but he is extremely intelligent and you WILL learn from him. It is not a blow off class, but he is a GREAT prof.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH250
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Would not explain the notes, never goes over them. Tells you to take notes on what he says and barely copy from the power point. Tests had no idea what they were talking about. Ended up failing the class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PSY316
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

By far the worst professor I had here. Waits until last minute to post a combined grade and makes it difficult to meet to talk about individual grades. Makes it always seem like you're being a bother to him and will even state that he could be doing something else with his time instead of helping you.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PSY250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Professor is extremely hard to reach and gives difficult time if asking for help. Little to absolutely no feedback whatsoever. Waits until last second to post an average of grades and doesn't pass back tests nor homework to know individual grades. Very frustrating.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PSY250
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. Purcell is hilarious. He is a good guy that knows the material. You should read the assigned readings before the exams. The exams are pretty tough and I sometimes felt some questions were off the wall, but studying and putting in a lot of effort helps. The grade is mostly made up of the 4 exams. Tough class, but good professor as a person.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PSY250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Good professor, give a lot of information throughout class. Take notes, and do the readings. The tests are clear as long as you go to class and read.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PSY316
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Purcell, is by far the worst professor I've ever had; and I'm a junior. He grades tests & papers, without giving critiques. I once demanded reasons for my grades, he was irritated, told me to schedule office hours, and never replied to my emails to meet. Ended up seeking out the Dean. DO NOT take him! There are plenty of other helpful professors!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PSY250
• Grade Received: D+
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Good luck if you are taking this course with him because though he is clear, the material on the exams look foreign. I never felt prepared before taking the exams.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PSY316
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

When asking for additional help, he makes it seem as if it's a struggle for him to have to help out and explain things that he missed out on during his lectures. Even when he does lecture, the lectures go on multiple tangents in one class, never finishes his train of thought. He comes off as very rude.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PSY250
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I really have no idea why everybody finds Prof. Purcell so awful. He is one of the best instructors I have ever had the pleasure of learning from. His hilarious quirks and teaching style have made me a better listener and student. With Dr. Purcell you have an excellent communication followed by a passion for the subject matter.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PSY250
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I have taken multiple research courses before and this is why I passed this course with flying colors, also the only reason. He does not explain topics that are absolutely necessary to understand statistics- coming from someone who knows. Exam questions are often ridiculous. Lectures are disorganized, never really know what he is talking about.