Richard Flarend - Pennsylvania State University - Altoona, Altoona, PA

Professor: Richard Flarend

Department: Science

College: Pennsylvania State University - Altoona, Altoona, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHSY212
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr Flarend is misunderstood according to the rest of these comments. The course is a difficult course in general, if you are willing to put the work in, you will do fine. Dr. Flarend is pretty brilliant actually. He makes mistakes now and then, but clearly knows what he's doing. Also, he is a really good, understanding guy.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHYS212
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The first day he started off lecturing about stuff we've never even heard before, but he expected us to know everything about it. He barely gives any examples that actually help you in class or on homework. Do not take this class. I thought myself it wouldn't be that bad, and I regret my decision. Seriously, don't take flarend for physics 212.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHY001
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took Professor Flarend years ago, and he drove our small class all the way to Berwick to see first-hand the inner workings of a nuclear power plant. It was an experience I will not forget. I enjoyed the class even though I had no interest in physics.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHYS212
• 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:

Exams are difficult and he stresses the use of integral calculus. Quizzes are relitivly easy compared to the exams. He wants you to understand the material and not just pass the exams or do problems.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHYS212
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I would avoid Flarend if at all possible... This subject is a tough one, but he just made it so much worse. He's rarely available in his office during posted hours. You can tell he really doesn't care much about his job, and that he would rather just rattle off material he knows and move on after. Poor explanations, and poor experience overall.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHSY212
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT TAKE HIM. if you have the option please do not take him. he is the worst teacher in penn state altoona, our class exam average was a 55% and he didnt seem to care to much about that. he gives out pop quizzes and doesent give much partial credit on problems. take literally anyone else if you have the option

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHYS214
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

WORSE PROFESSOR AT PENN STATE ALTOONA. DO NOT TAKE HIM FOR PHYSICS 214. YOU WILL FAIL. He won't tell us what is on the exam and won't care to improve his most terrible hand writing. Absolutely jackass that is full of himself and grades way beyond reason.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: STS201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT take him unless you absolutely have to. Do not take the class unless you have a lot of prior interest and know a lot on the environment, energy sources, natural disasters, etc. He expects you to already know the material. Expect to write a lot and have very little to be graded on. He grades really hard too. Do not take him.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHYS212
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Flarend is a really good professor. He gives review sessions the night before the exam. He is funny, uses real life examples and jokes around a lot. He makes lecture not too horrendous to attend. The material is hard, some integrals are tough, get used to it, bruh.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHYS212
• 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:

He is a nice guy who really makes you think for yoursef, sometimes a little too much. He gives a ton of online homework so be prepared to be spending a lot of your nights working on it. Overall an above average teacher

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHYS211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I took this class in the summer. He gave homework every night that took awhile, but otherwise the class was fine. Cool guy, makes sure you understand before moving on.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHY001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He was the worse prof that i had in my entire life! He gives pop quiz, and was worth 20%, tests are impossible!!! Im warning u, if u dont listen, u might as will go to some doctor, check ur brains, has to be some hsit in it!!!So mad!!!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: STS201
• 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:

I liked him. He's a good teacher and gets into his lectures. Also gets the class involved. Powerpoints are a little boring but as long as you pay attention you'll do well. An A in the class is an 85. If you like learning about energy(fossil fuels, solar, wind etd...)you will enjoy the class. Its one of the better GS one can take.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHYS211
• 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:

No joke this guy's homework was awful. He'll make you learn things as you go and just barely skim information that will be important for later topics!!! AHHHHH!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHYS211
• 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:

He has been the best physics teacher i've had. He is very clear. The homework is the hardest but it truly is not difficult and the tests are the next most difficult but still easy and then quizzes are a joke. Free points basically. I highly recommend him.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHYS151
• 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:

If you go to class and take a few notes you will do fine. He loves giving homework from masteringphysics.com but most of the time the tests are easier than the homework that he gives.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: STS201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

easy grader, hes got a better curve than cole hamels; but extremely unhelpful with students. lacks empathy. has very little office hours and during those hours hes not there half of the time. Avoid if possible. Every college and high school teacher iv ever had is better than Flarend

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: STS201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Richard Flarend is a nice guy, kinda dorky and sumtimes really gets into his lectures. However, the lectures are boring and he doesn't really *teach* you just kind of sit and listen to him talk. You'd think it would be an easy A but the average for out midterm was a 51%. I wouldn't recommend taking Flarend AT ALL!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: STS201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

THIS DUDE IS THE WORST PROF I HAVE EVER HAD. HE IS TOTALLY DISORGANIZED AND BLAMES STUDENTS FOR HIS SLOW GRADING SPEED. I AM USUALLY GRACIOUS WHEN JUDGING PROFESSORS BUT THIS GUY HAS NO BUSINESS TEACHING IN A UNIVERSITY

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHYS150
• 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:

He doesn't explaing things well AT ALL. You need a tutor or a friend who is good at physics to explain things cause he won;t. He is mean spirited and makes fun of students who don't understand the stuff. He will also berate the college staff if he doesn't like something and complain a lot.