2.1
Quality4.4
DifficultyN/A
Would Retake115
ReviewsN/A
Would Retake
115
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
13
4
12
3
17
2
23
1
50
What Students Say
“Never take him, he will ruin your life”
BIOL1403 - 1.0 rating“74 gpa, but failed his class”
BIOL208 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
82%
Textbook Required
81%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
-0.19 avg changeRatings by Course
ENVS1101
5.0
(2)ENVS2101
5.0
(1)AP
4.5
(2)1611
4.3
(3)BIOL1161
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
ENVS1401
5.0
BIOL
5.0
BIOLOGY14
5.0
BIOL1402L
5.0
BIO1401
5.0
Reviews (115)
He is an excellent professor! His class is interesting. He will make you percieve the world and nature differently.
Inconsistent in every way.
HE sucks!! The worst teacher ever. He expects way to much out of an undergraduate biology class. He has unatainable expectations.
There is a lot to cover, but he gave very clear lectures with test objectives on his web site. The class was hard because there was so much material to cover, but he was very available. I emailed him serveral questions which he answered promptly.
He wanst to teach you for one semestar about everything he knows . Not good.
He is very weird!
Too intense in his lectures. Too much class work wtih not much chance too improve the lagging students grade.
If you want an easy A, change to a major that does not require biology. Very clear lectures, but a lot of material to study. He's a nice guy. Class notes are available on his web site so you can check out the objectives before signing up for the course.
Very clear lectures, but a lot of material to study. He's a nice guy. Class notes are available on his web site so you can check out the objectives before signing up for the course.
Penniman is the worst teacher I have had so far. He grades unfairly and expects way way too much. I have made straight A's until now. If you try to see him during his office hours, he'll tell you he's too busy. Run from this one - he's awful!
Talks to you like you are lower than him! Expects you to know way too much.
he does not make clear statements. vary easy to fall asleep in class
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Expects students to know the entire text. He is a nice person, but extremely intense. Over half of the class dropped, and majority of the rest received a "C". I missed getting a B by 1 point.
I would never recommend this professor! He expects you to know way too much material. He's very strict on grading & expects very detailed answers. I had him for lab too and after taking his first exam several students dropped!
No Comments
he is hard as****. he does not care what grade you get.
No Comments
I do not reccommend this professor if you really want to learn this subject. He is a very discouraging professor. The class is hard enough. He gives a study guide foe easch test consiting of 25-35 questions and 30-50 definitions. If you learn well on your own,then take him.
He is very unhelpful and when you ask him a question he goes all around it but never answers it.
I had to drop the class because he is very confusing. Does not goes by the book, therefore you'll get lost and is not helpful. Took the class with a different teacher and got an A. Stay away from him.
could potentially be a child of satan.
Mean - awful - Run - Be afraid. Be very afraid. NERD ALERT!
Class started at around 20 students...by the time I dropped, we were down to 8! This is NO JOKE...STAY AWAY!
This pathetic excuse for teacher lacks any skill or consideration for his students. He totally lacks any professional integrity and should do everyone a favor and find a more appropriate position--such as a parking meter maid.
If I could use profanity I could, words can't describe him. He makes you study all of this material and not even a fourth of it will be on the test.There's only 4 test and if you mess up you're screwed.10 people were left out of 35 at the beginning. What da h*ll does that tell you?
He is the worst teacher ever!!! I had to drop the class because the test wasn't even over some of the material which we had to know~ which by the way was tooo much. Do NOT take his class!
He was not that hard. He gives study guides-what more could you ask for? Yes- it was a lot of information, but it could have definitely been worse.
He hands out objectives and if you can answer all the questions on them you will get an A. He gives you a lot to learn but there is a lot to know about the human body. If you are willing to study the notes it will be easy. The test are 1/3 multiple choice so that helps and the lab tests are practical and all multiple choice.
I attended class, took notes, downloaded and studied his online lecture notes, and worked through ALL of the objectives. I made an A on every test. He was not that difficult. I thought the tests were very fair. I wan't the only A-student in the class.
DO NOT TAKE HIM!!He told me that since there was no way I could make a B in the class to drop the course. That is how he helps you. And I studied alot.
He's the worst teacher I've ever had. I studied for all the tests, and I still ended up with a C. He gives study guides, but there's like 50-100 questions on every one, and there's like 4 chapters on a test. The test are only about 50 questions long. So you're studying like 400 questions for a 50 question test. His class is impossible! Don't tak
He does give study guides- which basically tell you to know every page of every chapter you study and all vocab terms in detail. Must be noted that you can pull an A only if you study all your free time and do not work.
Son of satan (John Anderson--the other biggest loser in the science department)
The worst professor ever - I wanted to major in bio before him, now I never want to take another bio class! His tests are vague, and he grades SO unfairly. So BORING too! All he ever does is stand in front of the class reading from his PowerPoint slides and making awful jokes that no one laughs at. Don't take him in the AM, you will fall asleep.
I am shocked that this CHOADE keeps being allowed to teach!! I am an honors student who is not looking for an easy ride - but this guy is simply B-A-D. A bad bad bad teacher. Not helpful. Not interesting. Not fair. I got a B, but it was the worst experience I have ever had.
Expects you to learn a lot of material. Will not tell you specifically what he wants you to know. He wants you to learn the entire text and his tests only cover about 1/5 of the material that he covers. If you are not self-disciplined, do not take this professor. He expects a lot!!
Horrible man! His class is totally boring! He only gives two tests so if you fail one you have NO chances of passing the class. He makes you draw pictures and is extremely picky. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT take his class. Take Ms. Largent. She is AWESOME!
HE IS VERY HARD!!! HIS TESTS ARE AMBIGUOUS- MOST QUESTIONS HAVE MORE THAN ONE ANSWER!!! I WORKED LIKE A DOG ON MY LAB REPORT AND ONLY GOT A B!!!
The worst experience I ever had. He is mean, his questions are vague. He stands by his computer and say who knows what. I had an A in Lecture which was not thought by him but had a D in the lab
Dont take him if you actually want to enjoy your semester. I am bitter towards him.
Just make sure you're on top of the materials before attending the class. He's tough.
Horrible, evil, dorky, mean, little man. This guy has a problem, not the least of which is that he is a TERRIBLE TEACHER. Why doesn't he get fired? The people who say they liked him are probably either HIM or his relatives, b/c no sane student in their right mind would ever like this dweeb.
he talks like a scientist---it's hard to understand him.
I am a very hard working student but i never listened to what others said here. He is very tough and annoying!!! You just can't pass his exams. They are tough and he does not set them the way you would ever expect. He is crazy! No bonus points, no any other way you can make up.
He is a nice man who enjoys what he is teaching. He is always available to help. His study guides are great for the test as long as you do that you should get an A. Overall it was a very good experience!
listen run away and save your GPA.
I took him during the summer and I had to drop out of his class. There's way too much info to take this as a 4week course. Don't do what I did. If I have to compare him to Shanholtzer(anatomy professor), I would give Penniman more credit. At least, Penniman's test questions are more specific.
He's really easy going, although long winded, but if you listen to his lectures, you won't even need the textbook! I passed his last test without even studying or reading the textbook at all! If you ask for help, he's glad to help anytime, really nice guy. Easy A in his class.
Very Diffulcut with ridiculous study guides. I had to drop the class after the first 2 tests
Loved Dr. P! He expects you to do the work and understand the subject matter. I don't think that is unreasonable. He gives you ample opportunity to correct mistakes and improve your grade (he can be a bit picky on the lab drawings). He has a quirky personality, but I enjoyed that. In general, a wonderful teacher & I would take him again!
This is the hardest class I've taken. Its not the concept that's hard but the amount of information that you need to learn. I find his teaching technique to be unclear. He seems to skip around from one point to the next and including bits of useless personal stories.
I did not learn anything and have to retake the course in the summer
Dr. Pennema has a bad reputation. The truth is he is an excellent teacher BUT he will NOT do the work for you. Expect to come to class prepared and you will do fine. Remember, he is preparing people for nursing school, if you want to excel there then take this guy!
This is college-level work! It is hard and you have to seriously study and stay on top of the student learning objectives. STAY ON TOP OF THE LEARNING OBJECTIVES. It's a LOT of material. If you don't study constantly throughout the semester you'll sink. He's a good, solid college professor.
This guy is ruining my life. He teaches his class like we're all bio majors at a major university. He needs to realize that most people only take this class because they HAVE to, not because they want to. His tests are IMPOSSIBLE, even if you spend endless hours studying. He will screw up your GPA and make you question your abilities as a student.
I took this teacher 3 years ago (I'm in grad school now) and was just curious to see if he was actually STILL employed by Ga. Perimeter. I can't believe it! This guy is THE WORST TEACHER EVER!!!!! LOL!
Hardest class I've ever taken in both college and high school. He treats everyone like their bio majors. Don't take him! JUST DONT. I looked on ratemyprof before I took him and didnt take the warning seriously. He is an extremely hard teacher, very boring too so its hard to pay attention to him. I only recommend this to bio majors.
Nothing like studying harder by far than in my lecture (which I am getting an A in)and yet still getting a D in the lab. I think he enjoys his perceived superiority to his students and has little or no interest in helping anyone. Does not care in the least whether you pass or fail, gives you a ton to study and tests on a minute amount, could go on
I don't know how this man sleeps at night. What a complete waste of my summer to bother taking this class. I should have listened to the warnings on this site but I didn't. His problem is that he's upset because he knows he's not good enough to be hired at a better school, like GSU or UGA, so he takes it out on his students and their grades. U SUCK
Wow. Thanks for wasting my summer and messing up my gpa. I hope you're happy that your ridiculous tests for us non bio nerds, and your unreasonable expectations from us unsuspecting gpc stuents has provided you another joyous experience of submitting nearly all failing grades. I know you're enjoying reading this, it makes you so happy, doesn't it?
Any good posts you read on this are surely written by him. Hope that wraps it up for you. Just don't do it.
Ok,everyone is being a little too modest when they say he's the worst teacher. Actually is the worst of the worst!! I've never hated anyone in my life until I met him. I know what it feels like to hate someone. In fact, I hate everything about him. I hate the way he walk, talk, look, teach, breathe,... In other words, DO NOT take his class!!
Have wished all semester that I could change this class. The classes are long and boring, usually totally off topic, and likes to tell tons of useless stories / make awkward remarks. Important things and powerpoints are pointless - need text book. Im sure he " tries " but doesn't belong in this class. Norton WAS alot better, try CLARK now.
Have you ever watched someone try to perform on stage but fail miserably? Yeah that would be Dr. Penniman. His jokes aren't funny and his class felt exxxxtremely long. His tests are really hard and it sucks because it's near impossible to pay attention without dying of boredom. Still, I don't hate the man but I don't recommend him either.
he is: picky, impatient, unclear, anal, fussy, and dull. take ANYONE else in the department. i struggled to make an 80 in his class, and learned next to nothing. his tests are almost all essay and short-answer. he is VERY specific and gives no clear direction. i read the posts about him and spent the semester wishing i'd taken them seriously!
don't take his lab if you can help it, the drawings will ruin your semester.
Do not take for lab!!! I recommend not asking questions, he will make you feel stupid for it.The worst teacher I have ever had. Plan to do all extra credit he gives you. You will need it!
hard to understand
he's an ok professor, he knows what he wants from you and you MUST follow his directions perfectly or he'll take off points. if you don't like microscope drawings then don't take him, he is very anal about them being perfect. he tries really hard to be nice but he's really just a big nerd.
This is his first year teaching Biology 2108 so he doesn't know what he wants out of the students. I went into class listen to his lectures and he never pin point down to what he wants the students to know. He doesn't care about his students and really picky on his tests. I will never take this professor again, he needs to retire!
I don't even understand why everybody hates him so much! He is NOT a bad teacher! The subject is hard and anyone (with any other teacher) has to study a lot in sch classes. I've got an A in both classes(lab and lecture) and I studied both, the book(from A-Z-othervise you won't understand the subject) and his power point slides because all the quest
He is a tough teacher but he is a fair teacher. On my research paper he extended my deadline because he saw I put forth effort and asked for his help on it. Study the review for the tests as much as posible not the night before and you should be fine. I'd take him again but I don't like biology I'm taking geology or some crap for my lab science.
All i have to say is GO TO CLASS. Print out the powerpoints he posts on his websit prior to lecture. He is very passionate about this subject, which comes across as very intimidating. If you go to class and put in the effort, he will be fair. I promise.
Here is an honest review. Dr. Penniman is not an easy professor. Its anatomy! it isn't supposed to be easy. good teacher though. Pay attention and go to class everyday.And Study a lot! Quizzes daily based on stuff he just said. Dry humor but good effort. You can make an A or B with him if you work hard. YOu slack its your own fault and you fail
he is the worse teacher. He thinks he knows everything and so you are supposed to know everything. He makes you feel soooo stupid. He does not explain well at all. and his test cover too much in one test.
Dr. P is misunderstood. Yes, he can be rude at times. We're all supposed to be adults, right? Grown thicker skin. Yes, he is unclear at times, but the lab tests are very comprehensible. "show me such and such." Nothing too wild. If you know your material well... you will do well in his class.
HORRIBLE TEACHER, HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE, HORRIBLE EVERYTHING!!!
I had him for environmental science. tough class but he goes over everything. I don't mean he'll tell you what's on the test, but you'll understand the subject. Cool guy, just boring. Read your book guys.
Had for ENVS. Great teacher just dull as all hell. Tests were hard for some people in class but if you really study your notes and chapters, you'll do fine. I mean study too, not just look over and think "okay I'm set." Test hint, he loves charts and drawings on tests so those last few questions draw as much as possible. Even if is an essay questio
WORST TEACHER EVER! Does NOT care for student whatsoever. Most anal! Will yell at students!
Although the workload was not overbearing, Dr. Penniman is a perfectionist and has high expectations for students. He can make people feel stupid or look bad for asking questions. Paying attention and attending class is essential because he incorporates quiz questions within each lecture. He's not horrible, but I'm not sure if I'd take him again.
If you are taking other classes or work, I would not recommend this teacher. He is a perfectionist and expects the same from his students, especially on tests. Exams are mult. choice, short answer, and essay and study guides cover so much material that its overwhelming trying to study for the exam. Not a bad person, but expects too much detail.
RUN FOR YOU LIFE!!!!!!!! One of my classmate received the highest honor in lecture, but received a C in his lab. NO KIDDING! Does not deserve a teaching job!!!!
No Bueno...Dont take this class!!
NO BUENO>>>DONT TAKE HIS CLASS!!
He is difficult and does't communicate what he expects. You must know EVERYTHING!!! Memorize his lecture slides to a T!!! Read the book for clarity but memorize his notes and use graphs. If you take lab, he counts off for everything in the lab notebook, even if you copied it directly from the book, be thorough! Otherwise he is fair and will help
RUN!!!!! I am a good student and after signing up for the class I saw his ratings on this site.You need to come to class every day because he gives out 1-5 question quizzes every class. I studied my as* off in this class.the amount of material for each test is crazy. he nit picks every answer on tests. marks off if it isnt worded correctly. RUNNNNN
Never before have I had to drop a class. I am normally an A and B student. He teaches as if you should already know about biology. His tests you cant even study for. He gives you "student objectives" to study for the test where you have to google them all because the answers are not in the book or lectures. Half my class was failing. Do not take!
Awesome Teacher.It is a difficult class,but if you consider yourself intelligent,take it.He is not unreasonable nor does he expect to much.I would absolutely take his class again. He is very knowledgeable and explains the material very well.If you attend class and read your book there is no reason that you wont do well! I had no book and got an A!
RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!!!
Never take him!!!!! i had a 3.74 gpa, but failed his class. Heed my warning and run from this teacher. On his final more than half of the class failed with a 20 or lower. You can study your butt off for all his tests and still fail. The only students that passed already have their degrees in Biology.
Had a 4.0 untill I took this class. He is the most unreasonable teacher ever. Never take him, he will ruin your life. He ruined mine.
I disagree with these bad ratings. Is BIO2108 a hard class? Absolutely and probably one of the hardest the college offers. Do you have to study your rear end off? Yes. He is a demanding professor, but very intelligent. You can learn a lot from him if you are willing to work. If this is part of your major, I recommend him.
He is very precise about what he wants, even if he doesn't always explain it clearly before judging you. If you take the initiative to do the learning objectives and scan through the powerpoints before class there's no reason not to get above a hundred. Just don't expect to be too interested in his monologues.
Use your good judgement and get another professor. He may be smart but his directions, objectives, and expectations are confusing, unclear, and unfair. RUUUUUUUN!!!! Loved Biology until this class.
This professor should not be teaching a class anywhere period. A&P 2 is a hard class, but he makes it tougher without offering any help and every time you ask him a question he makes you feel stupid. I have graduated with a bio degree before taking his class, but easily the worst teacher in 4 years of undergrad. Bottom line do not take his class!
Worst. Teacher. Ever. DO NOT TAKE. wait for a better teacher. Ruined biology for me.
He is not clear, if you ask him a question he'll beat completely around the bush. His tests are half short answer/multiple choice. The short answer is hard because he's really subjective... like extremely.
Really did not like this professor. Does not answer questions well and beats around the bush. Very hard grader. Makes ANAT 2 harder than it needs to be. I got an A in the lecture with another prof and got a C in his lab. I don't understand.
Horrible do not take!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kind, and very intelligent. Took him for both lecture and lab. Definitely a tougher grader than most--but he gives constructive criticism that is good for the student's own knowledge too. Listen well to his lectures and read more on the points he focuses on in the textbook, and you'll be fine. He is also always ready to help, provided you ask.
Extremely unreasonable. Do not take unless you are a bio major and think you need someone who is trying to fail you in order to learn.
Strict grader. Bad teacher. I have gotten the highest grades in all of my science classes until I took this specific Biology class (and lab). My GPA dropped after finishing this course. My chances of transferring to UGA were ruined because of this science teacher. Very disappointed. Whatever you do, do NOT take Penniman's class.
Don't take him no matter what. Even if you have to delay completing the 2nd half of a course until the following semester, it is worth it to avoid this course. His lectures are monotoneboring. I have never had a professor who was this full of himself. Uncompromising, unhelpful, vague, power trip. Memorize powerpoints, rewrite verbatim or wrong.
Best advice: memorize the ppts to the last detail, and the tests should be a breeze. Reading and outlining the chapters from the book is also helpful. The amount of work you put in outside the class will reflect your grades on lecture tests. The lab, however, is graded more subjectively, and is harder to do well on. ASK and he will answer questions
His main focus in science is the study of spiders? So I'm really not sure what business he had teaching Human Anatomy. He's also full of himself when he has absolutely nothing to gloat about. He'll also go off track during his "lecture" and will let you know everything up to date about his personal life before getting to the point.
Took him for lab. He was retired but came back to teach a couple of classes. Very stern and straightforward. He'll joke a little, but most of the time it's a straight face. Very picky about your drawings, he doesn't want perfection, but he doesn't want a pathetic drawing either. No room for mistakes so make sure you study and know your muscles!!
RUN!!! Had him for Bio lab 1104
Worst Professor EVER! His exams are very hard. He gives a quiz every class, so you cant miss class. Hes nonchalant and full of himself. His personality is nasty. Also, 2/3 of the class withdrew by the midterm. Do not waste your time and money!
Please avoid him if you can. Had him for lab and dropped to save my GPA. Out of a class of 20 only 6 remained. Very vague teaching and is extremely picky about drawings. The class is already tough and he makes it even more difficult than it has to be . Take someone else.
AWEFUL! If you work f/t & do school f/t he is NOT the teacher u want; NO COMPASSION OR EXPLANATION. He makes you work SO HARD for this ONE credit. He is PICKY about drawings, doesn't curve grades, no extra credit & even picky about that. I was stuck b/c last min. they switched prof. but I advise you to HEED ALL WARNINGS. THE WORSE EXPERIENCE
Absolutely the hardest class ie ever had for no reason. The term tough grader doesn't explain this mans asinine grading method. Drawings are nitpicked down to the last margin and is very vague on what he wants to be fixed. You will not receive a B or higher in this class. If you have to wait to take another bio class then do it, and RUN.
Class Info
Attendance Mandatory
82%
Textbook Required
81%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
-0.19 avg changeRatings by Course
ENVS1101
5.0
(2)ENVS2101
5.0
(1)AP
4.5
(2)1611
4.3
(3)BIOL1161
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
ENVS1401
5.0
BIOL
5.0
BIOLOGY14
5.0
BIOL1402L
5.0
BIO1401
5.0