Debra Decker - Portland State University, Portland, OR

Professor: Debra Decker

Department: Biology

College: Portland State University, Portland, OR

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIO487
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Her lectures were usually over my head (chastised myself every class period for not reading the chapter beforehand), but nothing like panic over not understanding to make me go to office hours (super helpful, only five people ever showed up) and ponder those lecture slides till it made sense. The class is tough but you learn a ton!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BI487
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Probably one of the rewarding and most interesting classes I have taken. It is not an easy class, so expect to work for your grade. The class starts off rather difficult at first, but you can see how everything fits together at the end of the term. Best of 4 quizzes are graded (out of 9) and lowest midterm exam is dropped (out of 3).

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BI487
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Decker is an excellent and engaging lecturer. That being said, it is imperative to read the chapters prior to attending lecture to get the most out of them. The quizzes are a HUGE boost to your grade. If you do well on the midterms and quizzes, the final is not a big deal. The final is cumulative, so learn the material as it is given.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BI487
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This professor lacks any kind of organizational skill but it all ties together and makes sense near the end. The grading is extremely forgiving one exam is dropped and quizzes are an easy buffer. Testing is very straightforward basic understanding of the material is sufficient which may be time consuming if you don't pay attention in class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIO487
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr.Decker is a good instructor. Course material is tough but she makes it tougher by giving tricky and confusing questions on her exams.If your grades are A, you will get B or C from this class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BI487
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Loved the class! Best professor I have had at PSU! Wish she taught more classes - I would definitely sign up for more from her.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CH350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Had Decker for both Immunology (BI487) and Biochemistry (CH350). Exceptional professor in both classes - very knowledgeable, very helpful both in and out of class, and great at explaining difficult concepts in a clear manner. I enjoyed her lectures immensely and credit her approach with my current status as a grad student in biochem at Princeton.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO487
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Organized. Clear. Excellent explanations of tough concepts. Fair. Course material is tough - lots of detailed information. Decker made it all make sense!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CH350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I strongly object to previous comments. I am a grad student in Biochem at Cal because of Decker's course! She was crucified by a small number of students who objected when she didn't respond to their demands and their rude behavior but instead asked them to learn the material. PSU chem dept lost a huge asset while bio dept won. Best prof ever!!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BI487
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I have taken Immunology 3 times with 3 different professors (as an undergrad, as a postbac student, an in medical school). Dr. Decker's class was the best by far! She is tough and doesn't tolerate nonsense but she is clear, warm, and very accessible. I learned more in her class and enjoyed it at the same time. I highly recommend this professor!!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BI487
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Exceptional lectures! Creative examples, clear delivery, warm caring professor, no-nonsense approach. Extremely tough course and professor has high expectations but she is willing to help if you truly want to learn.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BI487
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Excellent teacher! Very clear, great analogies and explanations, creative lectures. If you want an easy course, don't take this one but if you want to learn immunology, this is the best instructor you could hope for!!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BI487
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

teacher is boring, and very bad lecturer...her lecture pretty much consists of reading the slides...her cellphone rang during lecture and she picked it up and started talking on the phone in the middle of lecture...apparently her daughter needed a ride from her dance lessons :)...maybe we should all start arranging rides during lectures?

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CH350
• 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:

The most boring lecturer I’ve ever had. She doesn’t appear to know anything about chemistry. When a student asked about something we had just covered in organic chemistry, she didn’t know the answer. To do well in the class, you need to memorize obscure passages in the text and approach the class as if it is a biology class not chemistry.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CH350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She might be a good bio prof but she absolutely should not be teaching an upper division chemistry course. Does not understand chemistry nor can she tolerate anything hinting at criticism of her teaching methods. Horrible grading policy, doctors exam averages by excluding scores of students who have dropped post exam.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BI487
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Knows her stuff. Very helpful outside of class. Tests are straight from her notes. Understand the concepts and you'll be fine. Genetics, cell and molecular bio background will make lectures and readings enjoyable.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BI487
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: IMMUNOLOGY
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

great teacher, gets back with questions quickly. hard course, but very good. best grading policy I've seen in 4 years. but has lots of multichoice exams= no partial credit...