Joe Pollard - Furman University

Professor: Joe Pollard

Department: TBD

College: Furman University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIO222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very sweet professor but incredibly boring. Hard to stay focused during lectures. A little tough when it comes to grading papers, makes it a little harder than it should be. Tests aren't bad but take more studying than they should for a BIO 222 class. However, definitely one of the better options out of everyone who teaches this class.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIO11
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He wasn't a terrible professor I just felt consistently underprepared for his tests and quizzes you pretty much had to teach yourself. Labs were kinda a joke they were super easy. Final was the hardest test I have ever taken for sure half of the class had to have failed it. I studied for a week and still felt underprepared.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO111
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Bio for majors is innately hard and this class definitely had me in the library all semester. He can't hear well so there are no class discussions and you're better off waiting for after class to ask any questions. The class wasn't impossible but definitely made me work really hard. The quizzes and alb grades don't necessarily boost your grade

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Pollard is such a great professor. Biology is a tough subject, but he is very clear about what to expect on quizzes and tests. The test and quizzes are directly from the lecture slide shows. He is very passionate about biology, which shows in his lectures. The lab grades are really easy as long as you show up.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIO111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Pollard is an awesome professor! There is a good amount of material, however all of the test and quiz questions come straight from his lectures which are always posted on Moodle. He is full of dad jokes and will always make you smile. I would definitely recommend him for BIO111.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Wonderful professor. Helped me learn and appreciate biology even though science isn't really my thing. Very personable, friendly, and caring and also flexible. Tests can be tough, but to do well you just essentially have to memorize the power points. Everything is posted online and textbook is NOT required. Take him for bio for nonmajors!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO111
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Really enjoyed taking this class. Pollard is a sweet guy who will make plant jokes several times per lecture. Lectures are entirely powerpoints and his tests are multiple choice covering everything from the powerpoints, but exclusively just the powerpoints.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO222
• 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:

Dr. Pollard is a great professor. He is always willing to meet with students. All lectures are online and reflect the exams. Class takes effort, but isn't impossible. An A is possible.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO111
• 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:

Dr. Pollard is a really nice professor who is enthusiastic about his job. Even after all the years he's been at Furman, he still brings the same energy to class everyday. By energy, I mean his enthusiasm and fascination in biology. Don't let his monotone voice fool you. Deep down, he's as energetic as a kid when it comes to biology.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO111
• 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:

Dr. P is a really nice guy. He is really passionate about Biology. He loves to throw little corny jokes into his lectures and seems to really enjoy the material. He seems to be almost deaf and can barely hear you when you ask questions, and he doesn't really answer questions very clearly. Study his class notes online, not his confusing powerpoints.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

JPoll is a very nice man, but teaches sooooo slow in lectures that i literally have to slap myself to stay awake. The material is easy, projects and papers are time consuming.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO11
• 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:

I absolutely loved Dr. Pollard. He gave extra credit on three out of the four tests and lecture was very easy to understand, plus he put the powerpoints on moodle in case you wanted to skip. Definitely take him for Bio 11 if you can. Not to mention, lab was very easy and he responded to emails very quickly.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIO11
• 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:

Dr. Pollard is a great professor! He is always willing to help you out and he responds to emails very promptly...Class is purely lecture, so if you miss occasionally, it's not that big of a deal. Tests aren't too difficult if you study. He also held some optional study sessions where he brought candy you could ask him questions. Definite must-take.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO11
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Attendance isn't necessary- posts all of his (generally great) powerpoints on Blackboard. Monotone. Not very personable- I sat in the front row and he never learned my name. Tends to look at the ceiling during class- if you have a question, he probably won't see your hand. Tests are random, but not impossible; takes his time in labs. Nice guy.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO11
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Overall, Dr. Pollard is a good professor - he gives you the power points for all the notes and limits the reading to what will be covered on the test. However, sometimes there are inconsistencies with what he says will be on the test and what actually IS on the test. The grade booster at the end of the term really helps though.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO16
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

easy but you do have to study. all powerpoint based lecture, very boring but good ol' joe is so enthusiastic it's cute; makes funny random jokes that you can catch if you stay awake. extremely nice and very helpful. know lecture notes, book not that important. love his "save the earth: it's the only planet that has chocolate" t-shirt :)

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIO11
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I don't see how there can be an easier bio-11 teacher at Furman. It is actually frustrating sometimes because he explains everything so thoroughly even after the class understands. Great teacher and will help you out whenever you need help. I highly recommend taking him.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIO11
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Nice guy, provides easy access to his notes, but has a dangerously mellow voice. Beware of being drawn to sleep.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIO22
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He was a fairly decent teacher; I just hated the class. He was the more helpful of the two professors, and he was REALLY understanding. I wouldn't avoid him as a teacher.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIO22
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Pollard was very helpful both in and out of class. Sometimes unprepared, but definitely knows what he's talking about. I would recommend him.