John Waters - Pennsylvania State University

Professor: John Waters

Department: TBD

College: Pennsylvania State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIOL161
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Waters clearly knows his stuff, but isnt good at teaching it. He tries to make lectures funny and relatable, but they tend to be dragged out and boring. The powerpoints are all posted online, but I would say attendance and office hours are necessary to understand the concepts and do well on exams. He curves generously though.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIOL161
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

You have to go to the lectures, I did everything I could to pass this class. If you are forced to take him go to the other professors office hours! He is just not it, AVOID AT ALL COST!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO161
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are boring and he isn't very good at explaining the tough concepts. The slides aren't very organized and you have to take good notes and really pay attention in class to do well on the exams. 2/4 of our exams were curved because we all did bad. Clicker questions only count if you get the question right. Exams are hard and only 35 questions

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO161
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you want to pass, you must go to his lectures. Other than office hours, he offers no review sessions or other ways to review like most classes. Tests include material that is not on the power points that you would only know if you attended class. Don't expect any extra help as I have tried to email him several times without a response.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIO141
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Waters is very intelligent, and was helpful and understanding if you went to his office hours and made your voice heard. However, his tests are very tricky and everyone could agree were nothing compared to class. You think you know the material and you get your exam back and doubt your entire intelligence level. But, he does curve tests.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO161
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The homework assignments he assigns are more worth you time than his powerpoint. The powerpoints in lecture are sometimes hard to understand and the only reason to really go to class is the clicker points and it's more useful to teach yourself outside of class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO161
• 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:

THE WORSE PROFESSOR AT PSU. Lectures are impossible to understand, his powerpoint are so disorganized, office hours do not help either because he won't explain anything to you. Exams have nothing to do with anything. In a class of over 350 not a single person got a 100%. Do anything you can to not take him.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO161
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Waters has extremely confusing exams and his lectures are horrible. I had to get a tutor and I went to office hours with him so many times and he wasn't helpful. TRY TO AVOID HIM!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO240W
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is really condescending and makes you think you're stupid when asking questions. He does not teach very clearly and makes things way harder than they should be. Such as on exams, the material isn't overly difficult but the questions are worded weird or nothings we barely learned. I do not recommend taking him.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO141
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Waters is a phenomenal professor, he's hilarious, and gives amazing lectures. People fail to realize that you need to study exactly as he tells you to, flashcards and memorization won't help you. Use the textbook for reference.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO141
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is probably the meanest professor I've had at Penn State. He takes pride in the fact that he fails students. He views the fact that he is extremely difficult as a good thing. He is intelligent but should definitely not be a professor. Avoid him at all costs and take Malcos.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO141
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Seriously do not take John Waters. He doesn't understand that 141 is a 100 level class and treats you like a 400 level. You think you understand the material and then the exams come and it asks things not even relevant to the class. Good luck

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIOL141
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

he is the worst teacher. DO NOT TAKE. not only did he make you seem stupid when you asked a question during office hours, he was just rude. take with a different teacher

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO240W
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Horrible teacher. Does not care whatsoever about his students and is honestly just a rude guy. A lot of things he says are insensitive, but I guess he thinks he is funny? Tests are hard and the material is not well-taught. Acts like it is a 400 level course when it is basic biology. Don't take classes w/ him- take your classes with Mrs. Malcos!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO240
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Waters is not the best professor. I cannot believe he is in charge of undergraduate studies research. Makes the class super hard even though the material is easy. Does give one chance for extra credit but overall did not enjoy learning from him.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO240W
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Waters is a really cool guy and is able to make his lectures funny and interesting while still teaching.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIO240W
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Honestly, he made the class seem so easy in lectures, and the exams are just awful. No one ever knew what he was talking about. Don't take his class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIO141
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class was a pain. He made everything seem so easy during lecture, and then the exams were a huge smack to the face. There was a ton of application, but he never really goes over that in lecture. Lots of effort needs to be put into this class, but you will get a lot out of it despite what your grades might say.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIOL240W
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

his exams are tricky and his lecture is all over the place. hilarious, but i wouldn't recommend him. take another prof if possible.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIOL240W
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Fairly good at explaining difficult topics, and can be funny. A bit odd though, and his exam questions are often poorly worded or barely mentioned.