Bill Thornton - University of Southern Maine

Professor: Bill Thornton

Department: Psychology

College: University of Southern Maine

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PSY201
• 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:

Professor Thornton is amazing! I can't express this enough. His lectures, although a little slow, really make you learn the material if you pay attention. The multiple choice section of the exams are super difficult, but if you know the math and listen to the lectures you'll be good. Attendance wasn't mandatory, but GO TO THE LECTURES!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PSY201
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Thornton was one of the best professors I've had. Although he's a little distant and the lectures are super boring (for psych stats at least) he clearly knows what he's talking about and knows how to explain it without being condescending. I couldn't have gotten through the class if I didn't go to his lectures.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PSY201
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Thornton is one of USM's best. I went in to PSY 201 with full-on math anxiety, and came out loving Statistics. He breaks down intimidating mathematical concepts from the textbook and makes them very easy to understand. He puts more emphasis on the logic than the arithmetic. His dark sense of humor will keep you coming to class!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PSY338
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Thornton is a great guy! His lectures aren't too rough to get through and he will always answer questions if he isn't being clear enough. He doesn't allow you to use laptops for notes which I found frustrating w/ how fast he talks but oh well. He does use book & lecture material for exams so you will need the book for some material!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PSY330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His lectures are very methodical, read the text as many concepts are closely related and knowing the small differences will make the difference on the tests. Participate in lecture and ask questions during lecture, willing to help if you ASK. He has an odd sense of humor but he makes the material better when he jokes.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PSY230
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Bill is the best teacher at USM. His dry, and somewhat morbid, sense of humor is reason enough to take his classes! The tests are reflective of the information learned in class and in the book. Both his Stats and Social Psych classes are extremely easy to do well; anyone who get's a grade below 90 needs serious help. Bonus: he's also attractive.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PSY230
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Awesome professor, the kind that makes going to class worth it. His lectures are entertaining and the tests are super easy as long as you read the book.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PSY105
• 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:

Thornton was a riot. He has a very dry and dark sense of humor, which made me look forward to going to every class. He is very clear when teaching, and makes expectations known. Tests were great representations of class and homework, which made it easy to get an A if you put the work in.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PSY230
• 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:

Funny, smart and witty is Bill Thornton. Multiple choice exams are fairly simple and self-explanatory. However, if you belong to a marginalized group, he may not fit the bill as he loves to joke/tease about every group there is.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PSY105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Thornton is a great professor. He makes the subject very clear, and his exams are pretty easy. He's a funny guy, and makes class enjoyable.I look forward to taking more classes with him in the future.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PSY338
• 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:

Best professor I've had, hands down. He makes the class interesting, he's funny and is rarely in a bad mood. Always willing to help, clarify or reiterate important points in his lectures. The books aren't necessary to purchase, as long as you go to the classes.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PSY230
• 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:

Hands down best professor at USM!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PSY105
• 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 great! We learn a concept one day, he gives us multiple examples, then we get homework (not mandatory) to practice the concept and review the concept again next class. Explains things well and willing to help! Pretty funny guy!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PSY230
• 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 is very entertaining/hilarious so it's a lot of fun to go to classes although attendance isnt mandatory. he teaches from the book but its better to hear it because its a dry read and he explains the examples better and applies real life situations to them. all mc tests

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PSY338
• 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:

One of the best professors I've ever had! Obviously more concerned with students learning and understanding the material than ego. He was flexible, well-prepared, committed and respectful. Classes are entertaining, productive, well planned, and useful. Text was well written. Taking 2 classes with him this semester!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PSY105D
• 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:

Best professor ever. He is funny and makes class interesting.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PSY105D
• 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:

Great class overall. He keeps things interesting. Homework is very easy but make sure to go over what is in the book right before a test. Tests are shockingly more difficult than homework.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: STATS105D
• 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:

I have never understood math, Dr. Thornton has a way of making things easy to understand and can relate it to real life. He's also funny and truly cares about how you do in his class. Dr. Thornton is easily one of the best profesors at USM. This is the second class I have had with him and I plan to take as many as he offers.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PSY105
• 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:

He gives thorough lectures with examples that are easy to relate to.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MAT201D
• 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:

Great Teacher! Explained concepts very well--I have never understood math this well before. Related a lot to real life. As long as you keep up with the homework and study vocabulary for tests, it's a breeze!