Ray Drenner - Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX

Professor: Ray Drenner

Department: Biology

College: Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIOL30403
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He uses iCliker for participation and in-class questions. It's only 4% of the grade and he drops some questions. He's a good lecturer and the materials flow well. His questions are all multiple choices but are still tricky because all questions have multiple options.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIOL30403
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Drenner taught the first section of Ecology. He's a solid professor, not my favorite, but certainly not bad. The class itself is difficult to get an A in because of some confusing questions on tests, but it's easy to get a B in. Participation counts towards your grade and their are 6 exams total, but the final isn't cumulative which is nice

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIOL10003
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Drenner is such a precious professor. Go into office hours and he will help you better prepare for exams in general. The lectures were all on powerpoints you could look back to and he had clicker questions that help your grade. The lab is easy and helps too. I did bad on tests but still ended up with a good grade. The info was mostly interesting

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO10003
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The class is very lecture heavy, but Drenner is a very good lecturer. He keeps you engaged for the most part. The only advice I would give is make sure you know all the material for the tests because the tests are the most difficult part of the class because of the way they are formatted and there is a lot of material.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIOL10003
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Interesting course content and very helpful, but his tests are hard!!!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1003
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The lectures are very random and boring, but not terrible. He makes the test all "which of the following are false?" and makes you know the smallest, most dumb things from the keynotes.. If you can take any of the other professors, DO IT!

Rating # 7

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Dr. Drenner taught the first section of Ecology. Ecology is so much easier than intro bio and Dr. Drenner is funny and cute! I liked having him as my professor. Don't think Ecology is a blow off though - relisten to the recorded lectures and the tests cover the extra material the professors put on the powerpoint slides.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIOL10003
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The class is pretty interesting. The lab is in the computer lab and just busy work. There are clicker questions at the beginning over readings and at the end over the lecture, so you will have to go to class. The tests are pretty hard, "Which one is false", but if you study the lectures where you can say them yourself then they are pretty easy.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIOL10003
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not a blowoff class but definitely would recommend for a nat science credit. Lectures can be interesting, attendance is necessary b/c of clicker questions. Tests are HARD but if you study for several hours you should do fine. A definitely possible with effort and Drenner is a very helpful, nice guy.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CONTBIO
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher! I highly recommend this class. The power points are pretty self explanatory. He makes the class enjoyable. Curves test grades. Tests are a little tricky but study for about 4 hours the colored notes and take notes on those and you will be fine! Show up for clicker questions. Lab was tedious and boring but good guy.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIOL101
• 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:

Comtemp issues is a good class for non science majors! pretty easy class, no real homework except reading short news articles. Class based on lectures and quizzes in class, so attendance is necessary to do well. Topics are interesting enough and explained well. Basically a big picture bio class. Tests can be tricky but an A is possible with effort!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1003
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Contemporary Issues in Biology was a pleasant class. Lectures were (for the most part) engaging. Drenner is a good lecturer, although not particularly helpful to struggling students. The coursework is pretty easy, but the tests are tricky ("Which of these statements is false?"). Watch out for the lab, as it's mind-numbing busywork on the computer.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1003
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His Contemporary Issues class has been very interesting. I learned a lot of new information that was all somewhat relevant to the real world. Lab is literally in a computer lab, which is a breeze. The tests can be sneaky challenging, but if you study the Powerpoints beforehand, they're feasible.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIOL020
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

With absolutely no interest in the field of science, this class is highly interesting and even captivating. He is vague on what material will be on the test but very sufficient studying for the exams, coupled with class attendance (for the daily quizzes) and extra-credit opportunities make this course very bearable.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CONTMBIOL
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Okay teacher, tells good stories. though he is very vague when going over the slideshows and what's important information.He gives out a quiz every morning if you are late its a zero. You have to print out articles for homework every night. he does offer extra credit that equals one test grade. test are difficult and he's not very helpful

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher, very easy class. There are articles that you must read before class, and there are short quizzes that he gives everyday, but they are very easy. For tests there are three statements per question and you must choose the "false" statement, and the tests are very easy. overall good class and professor definitely recommend!!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIOISSU
• 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:

Contemporary issues in biology was fun with him. quiz every day 5 minutes into class so show up! Lectures from powerpoints and makes it easy and fun to learn. great prof

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIO1000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

great class!im not a huge science fan but drenner has an easy class with interesting material.Kinda liberal but nice guy.Take it!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIO101
• 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 hate science & was not looking forward to taking a sci class. However, this has probably been the MOST interesting class I've taken at TCU. Dr. Drennar is very nice & helpful. He is accessible outside of class. Daily readings b4 class, followed by quizzes. Tests are difficult "Which of the following is false?" LAB is harder.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIOL2803
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Nice guy. Currently enrolled in summer course. He has changed questions to be easier (thats what he told us on the first day) and it has held true. Fun material, or at least material we should learn more about as a culture anyways.