Michael Castellani - Marshall University, Huntington, WV

Professor: Michael Castellani

Department: Chemistry

College: Marshall University, Huntington, WV

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHM218
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Castellani is funny, encouraging, kind, and helpful. Your grade comes from two exams, weekly lab reports, and quizzes (about every other week). The lab reports were not hard, because he changes what is required each week. He understands the difficulty of chemistry and grades accordingly (some curves and retests). He appreciates participation!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CHEM212
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Castellani seems to have a very limited understanding of the material he teaches which makes him unable to address questions or really help his students. Yet, his exams are still oddly specific. In all, a very poor professor.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHM211
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Really is a good guy, he's just super smart and can seem condescending at times. He really wants you to learn and is a little unconventional. Stop by his office hours once or twice and it really will help you improve your grade. He also has a curved grading scale because he realizes his exams are harder than other professors.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHM218H
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Castellani will really challenge you, only take his class if you're ready to work. Don't be afraid to ask questions though, he's always willing to help and explain and work with a student.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: 218H
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you have the option, take this class. Although it was extremely difficult and time consuming, you will learn a lot of material that will prepare you for future chemistry courses. Dr. Castellani is sarcastic and a tough grader, but extremely helpful in his office and genuinely cares about his students. Lots of homework, but he only gives A or B.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHEM211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you decide to take Professor Castellani, or are randomly put in one of his classes, you will either love or hate him, there is no in-between. He is by far one of the most intelligent professors you will ever have, and you will learn a lot in his class, but his class is very difficult, and tests make up around 90% of the grade.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CHM218H
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. C gets a bad rep. Yes he has high expectations, & yes he expects you to earn your grade. But he was arguably the most helpful professor I've had. Any time I walked into his office he would take time to explain in detail any concept I was struggling with. He has a unique sense of humor usually at students expense, but he wants to see you succeed

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHM211
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is a really nice guy outside of class but can come off as arrogant in class. His tests are hard but there is always a curve. Also he will take points off for every little mistake you make even if it is small. His notes are more helpful than the book and are easier to read.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CHEM211
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

So many things I could say about Dr. Castellani. Tests are very tough and between 85-90% of your grade in the class. Totally knows chemistry. Gives you 15 page notes for each chapter, everything that would possibly be on the test is in the notes. You can go to his office to talk to him about anything. He is a fantastic prof, fair, but difficult.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CHEM211
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Really a tough class to take! He grades very harshly and the tests are much harder than the other 211 professors. However, if you want to learn chemistry, TAKE HIM!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: 218H
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This is not an easy class, but Dr. Castellani makes getting less than a B impossible. By far the most involved professor I've had; if he passes you in the hallway he'll stop and help you, even if that makes him late for a meeting or class. Very helpful in office hours, and he's likely to give you life advice. Don't take his humor as criticism.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CHEM211
• 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:

I had 211 with Dr. C, but I also worked for him for four years in his research lab. Over that time he became like a father to me. Yes, his tests are difficult and yes, he is sarcastic. But, that's what makes him great, IMHO. If you just want to get through 211 with an easy "A", take someone else. If you want to learn chemistry, take him.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHM305
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This class was fairly easy. The schedule was rather erratic though and the class was very unorganized. Additionally, Dr. Castellani comes off as quite arrogant, but I think it may just be his sense of humor. Overall, not too bad of a class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHM211
• 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:

The negative comments saying that it is impossible to do well in his class are highly exaggerated. Yes, he's hard as hell, but I ended up finishing with an A. Super nice guy and always extremely helpful. If you're interested in chemistry, you'll like his class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHEM211
• 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:

His class can be difficult, but he is more than willing to help you learn. Although the tests are tough, you're given a very generous curve. If you go to his office hours or make an appointment, he'll gladly sit with you and go over whatever you want even if it's inconvenient for him. Overall, he's tough but a good teacher.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHEM211
• 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:

He is a good person, but unless you have an extreme background in the subject you are taking, there's a good chance you won't do well. I had taken chemistry in high school and made an A. I had trouble learning from him and I went to tutoring for help. I stayed in tutoring everyday for 2-3 hours. I got halfway through the semester and had to drop.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHM211
• 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:

Very skilled at his subject, and very willing to help. I came to him before even taking the class, and he answered any and all questions I had. He's more right brained, and thus teaches without a lot of number work. Creative, and overall the best I've had. Does like to test you with mind-games though. Hope to take again in the future.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CHM211
• 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:

Lectures are normally about how he knows everything and you dont.test are generally the same layout and are EXTREMELY difficult,you can pass his class if you show up everyday, study his notes, and look at his old test, which are all posted online. dont worry about taking notes in class because he will only make problems more difficult.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHM211
• 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:

Dr. Castellani is an extremely smart man. his class is so hard and you really have to study, but if you're serious about being a science major and plan to do any kind of graduate program, i suggest you take him for the experience.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHEM212
• 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:

Very Tough