Philip McFadden - Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Professor: Philip McFadden

Department: Biology

College: Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BB450
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

A great professor who really cares about his students. Took his 450 last term and his intro to molec. bio this term, and at the beginning of this term, he gave a speech about how some students may not have a biology background coming into his into class, so he'll try to accommodate their grades, etc. Lectures for 450 are online too (go 1.5x speed)

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BB450
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

McFadden was my favorite professor in all of college. Biochem is hard, but he is very willing to help his students when they seek it out. I was in his office hours every week trying to get a better grasp on the material (not necessary to exceed in this class) & he was able to clarify it extremely well. He is a well respected prof & reasonable exams

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BB450
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Phil really cares about his students, but sometimes isn't the best at presenting lecture material or being clear about what is on his tests. The best way to study is to review his notes, complete his study guides, and read the book. He does test on material he hasn't lectured on, so it can be a bit overwhelming.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BB450
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You never knew what would be on the tests. The way he writes his questions is strange. Zero curve, and most of the people in the class were pre-meds. His lecturing was at a very basic level and then the tests were basically "you did well or you didn't". Each one had 25 multiple choice. Miss a few, and you're already down at a C.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BI450
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is a really caring teacher. He loves discussing the material, or just having conversations after class. I really felt welcome to attend his group office hours after class. I liked his lecture style. He writes his notes by hand and displays them on the document camera. That pace was just right for me to learn.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BB450
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is a great professor that really cares about students. He does not go over all the materials in lecture so reading the textbook is a must in order to do well on his exams. He writes his exams pretty similar to the practice problems he posts online so do those to help study for the exams. Overall, loved this class and the professor.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BB450
• 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:

Good guy. Read the book.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BB450
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are pretty clear, but he doesn't cover all the material so reading the book is necessary. He posts all his lecture notes online, so attendance isn't mandatory. Tests are fair if you do the reading and the posted practice questions. All the tests were curved.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BB450
• 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:

He's a great professor! Really interested in the material he teaches. It's actually adorable when he would get really excited about a certain protein or something. Tests have a vocab and short answer section, and he tells you EXACTLY how to prepare. The book has everything you need to know!! And he has very fair questions.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BB450
• 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:

Great teacher. Truly cares about his students and their ability to succeed in his class. If you look at the practice tests he posts, book problems he highlights, and the readings he assigns, it is an easy A. Wonderful professor and would take a class with him again!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BB450
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Super easy professor. The class is a 400 level class so you should expect some more concept based questions on the test. The concept questions are easy however and pretty obvious if you studied at all. People trying to memorize their way through will do bad, visualize what the molecules are doing and you will succeed. Take McFadden.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BB450
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

His tests cover concepts, which are of importance for me. So, I got a lot out of his class. Lectures were somewhat useful, but you should rely on the book. Overall this class was a cake walk.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BB450
• 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:

Even though McFadden is a really nice and laid-back professor, his lectures are very dry and often all over the place. He puts questions on his tests that require deep understanding, but he just touches on in lecture. Its easier to just read the book (as boring as it is) and look at Kevin Ahern's youtube/iTunes lectures.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BB450
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

So much better then Ahern. He takes his time explaining things and actually makes an attempt to teach you things in a manner where you can actually remember it.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CH450
• 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:

Good teacher. Really caring professor , kind of cute too :)

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BB490
• 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:

Lectures are boring but he is very helpful during office hours and a very nice guy. He does want his students to succeed.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BB451
• 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:

Badass

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BB100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor McFadden is a very interesting professor who enjoys a lot of social interaction with the students. It is a very small class so we get to discuss every topic in great detail and get each persons view on the matter. He was always willing to help, or just chat after class becuase he is very interested in his students. GREAT PROFESSOR!!!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BB100
• 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:

For anyone who needs an interesting, filler class i would highly recconmend this one with Dr. Mcfadden. The class was a fascinating overview of biochemistry and biophysics. There are no midterms, and no final. Each term he teaches the class in a different mannor. Dr. Mcfadden was one of the best professors i have ever had. Highly Recconmend him

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BB450
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I got a 'C' in this class, yet I got a 'B' in BB 490! McFadden's lectures were okay but the tests were really badly-written multiple choice (with NO curve)-and there was no Final. He's a nice guy and helpful in office hours, but other profs are better at teaching. Some other profs agreed that his teaching philosophy is somewhat odd.