Dan Caton - Appalachian State University

Professor: Dan Caton

Department: TBD

College: Appalachian State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: AST2001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I can honestly say he's the only professor I had that did derivations in Microsoft Paint.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: AST1001
• 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:

Caton is a horrible teacher .. cool guy / good heart. But You will not learn a thing by him .. primarily because you cant even hear him! He talks so quiet .. his lectures are boring & far from interesting. The first exam is literally impossible and then they get easier. Take another professor because the lab portion of this class is awesome.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: AST1001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Great & cool person , but horrible at teaching. I love the class but recommend taking another instructor.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: AST1002
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dan Caton knows his stuff but he is an awful professor. He teaches to the three astronomy majors in the room of 40 students and doesn't care to explain. He has attempted to protest a veterans day celebration and offer extra credit. He talks bad about lab instructors who actually know how to teach. He just reads off the power point. WORST PROFESSOR!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: AST1001
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Accommodating one on one, yet seems impersonal in class. Does not really give solid lectures that enhance your understanding. Review sessions were almost a waste. Sometimes he gave helpful hints, yet other times he just really laughs at his own jokes and is condescending. Could be better, but grades are forgiving.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: AST1001
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is arrogant, selfish, and disrespectful. His lectures do not even cover the material on the tests, he does not fully answer students question, and he voice fluctuates from very quiet to yelling between words. If a student asks a question that he does not like, he responds with an arrogant and selfish tone. Do not take him as a professor.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: AST1001
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is not an easy professor, but at least he is fair, and clearly explains what he expects. You'll get an an high grade with little ease if you show up to class and do all the homework, it is easy to get a A in this class if you show up to the study parties, and go to his office to get the find out what you missed on the tests.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: AST1001
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Caton has the best hair in the department. His lectures are long and often he goes on tangents that do not relate to the topic, nor astronomy in general. The best part of his class is the "Tailgate parties" you will go over what is on the test the night before the test. And i mean literally they are the questions of what is going to be on there

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: AST2001
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Caton rightfully expects maturity out of his students. He expects people to ask questions but most don't. He also expects you to learn from your mistakes. If you take control of your learning and do the necessary reading and go over old homework or quizzes, you will get an A. He may be obtuse at times but is completely fair.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: AST1001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This guy is literally Professor Snape. He's cool and jokes around in class but he's very unclear of questions that you may ask. It seems like he takes his higher level classes a little more serious. I have a new found love for astronomy after this class. It's really interesting and lab is the coolest!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: AST1001
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

This was an extremely fun class. Caton tends to stray off topic at times, and we're never quite sure what is going to be on the test until the review sheet comes out. However, if you study the review sheet, you'll do great on the exams. Overall great professor.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: AST1002
• 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:

Dr. Caton was great at explaining complicated concepts in a way that was fun and useful. He is very helpful and funny!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO1002
• 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:

Do not take. He is a useless professor with a useless agenda. He belittles, rambles and does not explain anything. He does not go over tests, at all.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: AST1002
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

nice enough guy. powerpoints are next to useless. His tests are hard but not impossible. His study guides and sessions are VERY helpful. He is funny if you can take a joke. Appears to find questions annoying.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: AST1002
• 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:

Caton's lectures are dry, and sometimes it's hard to know what information is actually important. If you read the text book and pay attention in lecture and lab, you'll do fine. Be sure to study for his tests and ask questions!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: AST1002
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Here are the real facts about Dr. Caton: his personality is a bit dry, but he has a fairly solid sense of humor. He is very logical person, so if you don't expect him to say that we evolved or read about atheism, then you're in the wrong place. Lectures and classwork are HELPFUL! HW/clswrk helps pad your grade. Lab is extraordinary with Sitar!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: AST1001
• 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:

Don't use your cell phone or walk in front of him while he is giving his lecture. EVER. That is his biggest pet peeve. His test are not very hard. Just come to class, take notes, and study (Like you would do in any other class).

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: AST1001
• 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:

Dr. Caton knows a lot about astronomy; however, his teaching methods are questionable. He often provides irrelevant information and expects students to learn information themselves. Make sure to study for his tests, and you'll learn a lot from lab.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: AST1001
• 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:

Dr. Caton isn't a terrible professor. He rambles during lectures, veers off topic on a regular basis, is awful at explaining complex concepts in a simple way, has impossibly hard tests and refuses to directly answer review questions. His power points are useless.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: AST1001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not sure how people are claiming Caton is funny and a good teacher. He literally projects his personal agenda onto you the entire time (e.g. everybody should be atheist) and spends his lecture talking about conserving energy by asking restaurants to turn down their neon lights. The book he makes you read (not textbook) is completely irrelevant.