Randall Renken - Rochester Community and Technical College, Rochester, MN

Professor: Randall Renken

Department: Biology

College: Rochester Community and Technical College, Rochester, MN

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1217
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Randy is a great and hilarious professor. Highly recommend. He relates a lot of real life situations to make the lectures better, but to be honest I was frustrated with the lecture tests compared to what was actually taught. The lab tests are easy if you study, but lecture tests are hard. READ YOUR TEXTBOOK THOROUGHLY. Otherwise, very enjoyable.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ANATOMY1
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Randy's a great teacher very open to answering questions. His tests are fair, but they do throw a couple challenging questions in there. His experience as a PT makes for some great stories. I took both A&P 1 and 2 with him. Highly recommend.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: AP1
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I am usually a straight A student but I really struggled in A&P with Randal. His lab tests were straight forward and pure memorization(spelling counts), but his lecture tests were horrible. It seemed like nothing he said in lecture was ever on the tests and I would study for hours for each of them. I would advise future students to read the book!!!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1217
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Awesome professor 10/10 would recommend! Cares about his students, lots of extra credit opportunities in class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ANATOMY1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took the online 1107 anatomy class. I have been very disappointed considering the reviews he had. Be ready for 50 question tests in 55 minutes. Not to mention, RCTCs website locks up in between questions. I had to log back in during the test and you lose time while doing this. No study guides or pretests to prepare you.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO1217
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Randy is very nice. He explains things very well. It is your job to make sure you know everything, you cant just go to lecture/lab and expect to pass. Studying is required. ALOT of studying. He explains things in depth. He doesnt believe there are stupid questions, ask them if your confused.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1107
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took his anatomy class online. It was pretty strenuous and required a lot of memorization, but if you put in effort you will be successful.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO1218
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

It's not an easy class but he makes it interesting and easier to understand. Wish I could have him for more classes. Always willing to explain things and makes sure you understand what he is saying.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO1217
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is a really good at explaining things. Highly recommend but it does require a lot of studying!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1217
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Randy is awesome. He is great at explaining things so you can easily understand. I didn't read the textbook-I went to class and listened to lectures, studied the power points, and used his study guides. He makes A&P interesting! I also like that he doesn't give meaningless assignments. Grades are almost exclusively exams.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1217
• 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:

Very fun teacher! Randy was always excited about the material he teaches and tends to find a way to make it very understandable even though Anatomy can be SUPER complex. Tests are hard, but fair. Gives extra credit here and there. Labs are great.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1217
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Randy is very outgoing and really wants his students to succeed. You have to work for your grade and really want to get a good grade in his class otherwise he will put no effort towards helping you. Labs are very informative, he gives you a topic to learn and then makes you find your own way to apply and understand it. I would take him again!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1217
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Randy is fair, positive, passionate, never had a "bad day." Show up ready to go 1st lab exam. Lecture exams tougher but E.C. and lab exams help out. Use study guides(lecture exams) as a starting point, not end point.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: 1217
• 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:

First lab exam is huge and worth nearly two exams, it will literally set the bar for the rest of the semester. He gives you packets for lab exams that he tests off of, he literally gives you the answers to the test and its your responsibility to learn and apply them. If you fail its all on you, he gives you every chance he can for you to pass

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO1217
• 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:

He is able to explain the tough concepts so they are easier to understand for everyone. Makes the class enjoyable and gives lots of positive feedback to the students. Pay attention during lecture and you should do fine on the tests. Not mandatory to show up, but sometines gives extra credit quizzes and questions to those who actually attend.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1217
• 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:

Randy is a great teacher. He so eager to help and extremely patient. You do need to go to class, as there are test questions about his examples. I was a little scared of this course because I heard it was hard (and it is), but Randy was great at alleviating anxiety and making sure you had a good grasp on the material. A+

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Randy is a great professor! I had him for both Anatomy/Physiology I and II. As long as you show up to class and study the material presented in the slides you should do well. He is always willing to answer questions and also incorporates some humor throughout class, which makes it more enjoyable!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1127
• 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:

Love, love, love this teacher!! He helps you to understand the information and doesn't just help the "smart" kids. You have to put time into studying, but isn't that what college is about. An A is not going to be handed to you on a silver platter, you'll only get out what you put in. Know how to spell for lab tests!!!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I had Renken during the summer term. Very intensive. Imagine memorizing 120+ power point slides per week for each exam. I finished top in the class, but had to study everyday including weekends. Learned a great deal more so than from Jaime. He curves, but do not rely on it. If you want to be challenged he is the professor to take.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Randy is a great teacher, he does really well relating the curriculuum to everyday things, especially food. His test questions can be a little confusing but he curves the test scores which helps a lot.