Donald Schneider - Pennsylvania State University

Professor: Donald Schneider

Department: TBD

College: Pennsylvania State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO291
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Donald doesn't teach the best; however, there are LAs for the course, which aren't the most helpful, but are necessary for completing homework. He doesn't use a textbook for 291, instead he wrote his own document. If you do not understand a topic, talk to him directly. If you take 291, prepare to memorize a bunch of equations and constants.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO291292
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Schneider is an amazing teacher and my favorite professor. I have never learned as much in a single class as I did from him. The homework takes a lot of time and problems are difficult, so don't put it off. That said, he is always willing to help if you ask. Exams are tough but doable if you are prepared. 291 and 292 are a memorable experience.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO291
• Grade Received: INC
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Technically teaches everything you know in class but the homework is insanely long and hard. The tests are worse. Working in groups is extremely helpful. He does help with homework sometimes but but usually in very vague ways. Expect lots of work and lots of studying, and always remember, be the photon.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO291
• Grade Received: INC
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the smartest human beings on the planet. The work is extremely hard, test are near impossible and you will have 0 free time the entire semester. That said the lectures are amazing and he is extremely patient and fair. You will be pushed beyond your breaking point but come out better for it, just remember "be the class."

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO291
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He's not a terrible professor, but he assigns a ridiculous amount of homework. His are impossible to complete in 50 minutes. His teaching of this class would be great if I had no other classes.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO291
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This is one of the hardest undergrad astro or physics courses you will take, but Dr. Schneider is one of the best teachers anyone will ever have. If you do the homework by yourself, expect about 25 hrs per week to complete. Exams are marathons, but doable. Anyone who rates him poorly isn't interested in learning. B.S. Astrophysics, PSU 2006.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO291
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Also for 292. His classes really will make you work, but you will really know the material by the time it's done. Basically, it's a lot of work and most of the questions on homework and exams look absurdly complicated, but don't let it overwhelm you. Take a second to read it over and figure out what he's asking ABOUT, then look what to solve for.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO291
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Anyone who rates this professor poorly simply wasn't willing to try in his class. He adores students who are willing to learn, abhors students who aren't.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO291
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The toughest and most demanding course offered at Penn State (along with 292) but Dr. Schneider is the best professor, period. He is enthusiastic and helpful and you will learn more in one class than you have for other subjects your whole life.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO292
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Awesome prof, even though course is very difficult. Highly recommended for anyone trying to increase their mathematical/physical science skills.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO291
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is enthusiastic, Comical, but also expects you to work your self to death. He is a great professor though. One of the hardest classes at the university, astro 291, expect to put in about 20-30 hours a week on just the assignments if you want an ok grade.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO292
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

You'll have a TON of work to do, but he's a very clear teacher, very interested in helping the students if they're willing to go to him for help. Be prepared for very hard classes in 291 and 292, though.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO291
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Hard but great.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO291
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Always informative and entertaining. Homeworks are hard (class average around 50 and they take 10-15 hours to complete). Tests require amazing speed. Average on tests around 50.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO291
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

the fact that phys 211 and math 140 are prerequisites is the understatement of the year! by far the most difficult class taken, and the best professor as well. but if you want to strengthen your physical intuition, learn a lot of neat/hard/interesting things, or you're just that interested in astronomy, then take this class. otherwise, don't!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO291
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Probably the best teacher in the department. This class goes over everything in astronomy and is meant for astro majors, wouldnt recommend the class as an elective. I learned more in these two classes than any other class I have taken by far, this also makes it one of the most difficult classes.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO291
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Well prepared for class. Funny! Hard tests and homeworks. 70% and above was an A.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO291292
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Schneider is the God among astro professors. I can't imagine anyone else teaching astro 291 or 292. I've learned more and been more challenged in his class than in any other. If you're not good at math, you don't belong in this class. Schneider separates the weaklings from those who belong in the major and have a future.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO292
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Takes time to get used to his style. However once you get a hold of his methods your learning increases exponentially. Truly a fine teacher, working hard to advance the knowledge of future Astro profs.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO291292
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I dont believe ive ever learned as much from one person as i have from this man. The class is hard, yes, and not for the weak of heart, but if you truly want to learn about astrophysics this may be one of the best places to do it in the country. If you cant take it, go home and cry.