Philip Simpson - Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV

Professor: Philip Simpson

Department: Biology

College: Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIO102
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Final Grade: 3 Exams, 1 Final, 6 Quizzes No extra credit. No lab reports, worksheets, etc. Unless you are a really good test taker that understands Biology well, you will fail. Hard hard hard Tests. Don't take!!!!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Simpson is a very hard professor but amazing. He does not tolerate anything from his students. IF you want to pass this class you need to show up on time, take extremely good notes, and never miss a lab because he gives pop lab quizzes. I learned a lot from his class, but I will say his tests are extremely hard even if you study a lot.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ECOLOGY
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Information is interesting and he has a lot of experienceinsightstories to share. Take good notes in class! He posts nothing and doesn't use pwrpoint. He is funny, quirky, and kind of cynical. Tests are straightforward- based on lecture materials and examples. Lab isnt hard and you get to go outside. The "discussion" in lab is a little bizarre.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIOLOGY101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I went in thinking Simpson would be impossibly hard because of what this site told me, but I was wrong. As long as you attend classlabs, take good notes, and STUDY, then you can pass no problem. And if you have a C in the class (like I did), the final exam is so easy that it turned my final grade into an A. There's many worse teachers, take him!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• Grade Received: D-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This professor didn't use BIO the book. You are not allowed to keep your test. He doesn't give study guides. I went to academic tutoring, I had very strong notes and did well in lab. He is very stern and often late (allowed 30 mins late to get to class). Avoid his class at all cost. I barely scrapped thru with a D-.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• 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:

Not an easy class but learned an amazing amount. Got a C and probably could have done better with more work. Stories add a lot to the material. One of the few classes I have not gotten bored in during lectures. Very fair prof.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIOL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Hardest class I have taken at Shepherd--and it's a 100 level general studies class!!! I would memorize EVERYTHING he said (including his rants on grasshoppers and honeybees) and still come up short on the tests. I advise all who have to take him to be prepared for hours of stressful studying and shameful disappointment when those tests come back.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He definitely taught me how to write quick, and thoroughly. His tests are tricky, and I failed the first couple, but once you get the hang of them, they're much easier in my opinion. I really don't mind him as a professor, and would recommend him for anyone who applies themselves in school.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Class was horrible. Never take him. His notes are illegible because he refuses to use any sort of technology for his class. You will never use your book ever. The tests might be multiple choice and true and false but they are extremely hard and some information you never go over. The only thing thats easy is the final because it is department wide.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I barely passed this class. I attended every lecture, and took notes on every single thing he said and studied three hours a night and still couldn't get more than a D on a test. It's a little ridiculous. I would avoid his class at all costs.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIOL101
• 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:

More useful then most of my ENVS courses.Hard but very informational.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I loved every class. You have to go to ever class and write down every word that he says. And then memorize everything that he said. That is the only way you can get a A on his tests. It is from Simpson's class that I learned to take good notes and write quickly. I had to take nodoze to stay up all night to study my notes. All of this = A

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: 1021
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is a really nice man and does care about his students, however, he doesn't give any extra points. Only grades are tests and quizzes. He really wants everyone to learn. Hard class but a good class

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIOL102
• 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:

Simpson is only there to teach. Don't expect extra help/any slack. The majority of test material is lecture-based, and if you're not a Bio major, it can be HELLISH gathering the numerous implied meanings which you must know to pass exams. Not everything on the exams is attainable in class. Didn't get an A on anything- 3.7 gpa student previously

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I bestow upon this man the award for being the worst teacher I ever had. He is a pompous donkey. Picks favorites by major (go figure) and was completely unwilling to help. He literally calls people stupid for asking questions. He told me I should, "...just drop out of college because your stupid and lazy." Guess what Simpson? EE degree in May

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• 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:

Great class. I learned a lot from Simpson. Tests are hard and you MUST take good notes. Overall the class is challenging. I got a D but it was worth it. Great lectures. Take him!

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Wonderful introduction to the exciting world of biology. If you go over your notes and pay attention in class, you have it. Tests make you think, but anyone can take them if they have put forth the time. GREAT GUY...GREAT CLASS!!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIO102
• 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:

A fun class

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIO102
• 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:

Simpson clearly cares about his students and does try to make it interesting. Stories help in understnading class lectures. Not easy but I have enjoyed the class

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIO102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Simpson is a very good teacher and clearly knows his stuff. I personally am ot a fan of Biology, but he really does his best to make it interesting and fun. The labs aren't graded and aren't on the tests, but he does give a quiz almost every lab. Tests only on notes not on the book...so take notes!