John Russell - Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Professor: John Russell

Department: Biology

College: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIO211
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I graduated 3 years ago and I still remember how wonderful Professor Russell is. When discussing college, I always refer back to how caring and helpful he was. I struggled with taking exams in the traditional sense and he gave me the chance to take them 1 on 1. Wonderful, wonderful professor. Best at SU, hands down.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIO327
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His notes were a very good resource for the test since they were coherent and contained actual information that is testable. He was hard to hear at times and was very monotone but good overall. His tests were reasonable and he seemed like a nice guy.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO327
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very good teacher, usually let us out 30 minutes early instead of dragging out the material. Tests are very straight forward, attend lecture+pay attention and you will get an A

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO211
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

this class was my favorite class that ive taken so far. he is a very clear instructor and has clicker questions throughout the lectures to keep you focused. also has extra credit clicker quizzes which help a lot.

Rating # 5

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Professor Russell was the greatest professor I had at Syracuse university. He is extremely helpful and accommodating, and a wonderful guy.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO211
• 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:

This is not an easy class. But the notes are so straightforward, and he gives a LOT of extra credit. Missing class hurts your grade, and you do need the book. And quizzes are only out of 6 so you need to do almost perfect on all of them to do well. Lots of practice questions, they show up on tests too. You learn a ton from this class!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Chill professor, easy to get along with, and nice enough to talk to. Exams are based on textbook readings but his PPT slides will come up on exams as questions. offers extra credit clicker questions to get you to read material beforehand. 4 exams including final, many quizses throughout and extra study sessions every friday afternoon if needed.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Russell's vast knowledge of neuroscience as a field isn't expressed dynamically at all. His strictly scientific nomenclature approach to teaching leaves no room for metaphors or elaborative descriptions of the complex neural happenings that he's discussing. He's a great scientist, but an average educator. Bring the metaphorical lab coat to class

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO211
• 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:

this professor is really chill. great guy, put lectures on blackboard. syllabnus states attendence is NOT mandatory. Gives TONS of extra credit, drops lowest test. EASY A, GREAT CLASS!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO211
• 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:

This class would be extremely difficult if he didn't give out his practice exams. Without it I would've probably failed all his exams. Otherwise he's a cool guy but ... Thank god for his extra credit.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO327
• 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:

Russell is better at communicating the material than Erdman, but the exams are still a bit ridiculous. We are expected to take the basic material we've learned and apply it practically in the exam questions. Thats fine, except that connection is not made in class, and it needs to be. But hey, the grade/point scale makes it very easy to do well.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO327
• 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:

Lectures are boring & there is A LOT of material. You have to keep up with the readings (which there is a lot of) to somewhat understand what he's talking about in lecture. He follows the book but skips around chapters. He is a nice guy and pretty helpful, but it's definitely a hard course. I worked really hard to end up with a C.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIO327
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He teaches part of Bio327. Very nice as person and maaad chill professor! He is the Chair of Bio department and I went for some advise for grad school and he was been very helpful and caring. One of the nicest professor in Bio department! Lecture is fairly clear and way better than Erdman.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CAS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This guy is terrific. Just had him for frosh forum, but the man is awesome. I'd highly recommend taking any class he teaches.