Botany in general is boring. If you listen and study the notes you will be fine

Easy Class!Thinks he's too good to be teaching at JMU and grading is irrational

hilarious!!!!

very humorous and friendly. can approach to ask question but don't take his jokes too seriously since most are not meant to be offensive but rather just playing around. pretty hard grader and very hard lab exams (same for all bio labs).

Best class I ever took. VERY CHALLENGING but McMullen is so helpful and offers study sessions outside class. Very smart and interesting man and very funny!

Generally you either like Prof Mac or he drives you nuts. Its based on if you understand his humor, and the fact he is often kidding around (many think his jokes are serious, which they are not). If you like him, you'll take him for every class you can.

very funny!!!!

great teacher. lightens things up with horrible jokes. tedious material. going to office hours and review sessions is helpful.

He's a really good teacher. The people who say it's hard aren't doing any work. You have to go to class and it's boring, but bearable. I have a B while putting forth only a little effort, and I am not a rocket scientist.

very hard but he wants you to succeed. gives up his time for study sessions every week that hardly anyone goes to. nice guy, corny jokes. you will have to work really hard but you will learn a lot.

Had him for Plant Systematics. Very thorough, nice guy. Must work very hard and it helps if he doesn't dislike you. He's a good guy and doesn't deserve all the negativity!

He's always willing to help during his office hours. His tests are fair- from lectures/notes. Ignore the previous post, the person probably dropped the class.

He needs to stop bragging about how well he did in college and get on with things. Also, the tests are impossible- not from the lecture notes at all. I always thought I did well on the tests and then I would get a horrible grade.

Esta clase es maravillosa! Y el professor... que fantastico! El es inteligente, guapo, y chistoso. Que mas? Oh, el es chile, sin duda. Luego.

not very difficult, though the class subject was a complete waste of time. easy A.

quizzes are 70% of your grade. other than writing down the notes off his powerpoint you have to write down every single word he says bc it just MIGHT be on the quiz. If you pay attention and write down all the notes you should be good. the books are in reserve so you dont have to buy them.

nice guy, but puts you to sleep. His tests are straight forward, but very detailed. You don't really have to read the text to do well on the tests, just study the power pts. and lecture notes.

face it, this is a biology class. He knows his stuff and wants you too as well. If biology is not your major, do not take him. He loves details and tests take a LOT of hardcore study time, but you will know it. Hint - if he says you dont need to know something for the test, yes you do!

I highly recommend Dr. McMullen for BIO 114. If one puts in the time, then one can definitely receive an A. He is definitely obsessed with the Galapagos Islands and plants, but this makes the class interesting even for those who are not as obsessed.

Great job!!!

good professor, but extremely hard.

Good class, take McMullen if you can, I got an A and am not even a bio major, if you memorize well, you will do fine on the tests, and lab is 40% of your grade

I've had Dr. McMullen for 3 different classes and he is always great. His tests are the powerpoints notes, so all you have to do is memorize that and your set. He is incredibly kind and helpful if you'll just visit his office. His Galapagos trip is absolutely phenomenal, DONT miss out on it. If you put in the effort you'll do well with him

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Fairly easy class especially if you've had AP Bio. All you need to do is put forth the time. READING THE BOOK can take pull up your grade a whole letter, he'll have a reasonable amount of questions on the tests directly from the book. Memorize notes, his specific examples and you'll do fine!

Not easy, but definitely not hard. Students who don't do well just don't study much, or haven't learned how to study yet.

Class taught by a fun guy. Tests a little too easy for average student. Should be in more detail, especially on life cycles. Those are so cool. But then, I love plants and such!

He's really nice and really funny, but the tests are inconsistent. One test will be easy with stuff all from the notes but another will be hard full of random information that doesn't test your understanding of the topic. Basically, memorize everything in the book, the notes, and his random side comments

All kidding aside, McMullen has been my favorite professor at JMU. His exams are very in depth, but they are fair. Attend class, study your notes thoroughly, and don't wait till the last minute for help. Enjoy his humor and study hard. =)

His exams are tough, but if you study hard you can at least get a high C/low B. He doesn't assign any HW and is chill about attendance (then again, if you miss the lecture you are kind of screwed for the test...) He's actually pretty funny in class - I'd definitely take this class with him over other professors.

If you are interested in botany and actually want to learn something then Dr. McMullen is definitely a good proff. I've taken a couple of his classes and while always a challenge, I always learn a lot. Also, I don't remember taking any 100 question quizes. Take him.

I love McNugget! He is an awesome teacher, and he does an awesome job of keeping his class entertained. His tests are hard but if you do a little studying you should be good, just don't skip class or you're screwed.

I cannot help but like McMullen, despite my C in the class. He's funny, but he is corny and random. There is never any homework, and he gives you all of the notes in powerpoint form beforehand. Just come to class, study the notes, and listen! Piece of cake!

How to pass: PAY ATTENTION IN CLASS, he quizzes more on random trivia he says during lecture than the actual course material. Other than that, he's a pretty funny guy, and willing to help if you come see him in his office. And he likes coconuts

I enjoy going to his class, he is an entertaining lecturer, but his tests are very hard - the book is helpful but most questions come from his notes, which are on Blackboard. He loves botany, plants are boring, however, at the end of the semester he lectures about his time in the Galapagos and studying the cocaine plant in S. America - cool!

Great class but quite difficult. No text book but he gives you everything you need and expectsd you to know EVERY word. Honestly, study everything because there isn't anything that is unimportant. He expects a lot but likewise expects that you can meet the expectitation. Not recommended for those looking to find an easy A for an elective.

McMullen was one of the best teachers i had last semester. yeah you have to work hard but if you study you will do fine. Plus he is a funny story teller.

This was a really fun class. It's a lot of work, but as long as you study and PAY ATTENTION IN CLASS you should be fine. And pay attention means write down every little example and detail he says or it will come back to bit you in the butt.

I had him at West Lib. While he tests on EVERYTHING, I think he is a nice and fun person. Don't take his jokes seriously.

This teacher is amamzing! He makes this class so much fun. It impossible to get an A in the class unless you read the book b/c he puts just enough book questions on it that if you don't read, you're down to a B. the last 3 weeks or so are all fun material. He's super helpful and held review sessions b4 each test.

He is a very knowledgeable about the subject matter, his jokes keep u awake, exams are very hard. Has fill-in-the blank and multiple choice which are very specific to powerpoints. He puts just enough infomration from books that in order to get an A on exam have to read all assignments. Know powerpoints backwards and forwards.His lectures aren't bad

He's the MAN. 'Nuff said!!!

Oh come on! Learning hundreds of plants was a blast. I now feel ready to brave the wilderness, or at least my backyard. Systematics of Vascular Plants has changed my life for the better!!! Peace oat.

Hottest hothouse!

Hilarious teacher. you don't really have to read the book. just write down every word he says in lecture and study the slides, but you have to go to class because he leaves some slides off. Awesome prof, got an A without much work. he's hilarious. take himmm!

Dr Mcmullen is one of the more enjoyable professors I have had in my four years at JMU. His stories and teaching style crack me up. His class however is very tough (his practicals are legendary). He makes you learn an incredible amount whether you want to or not but following the class I actually found myself, for once, enjoying plant biology.

McMullen ok professor, teaches really well, but often getsinto his own litlle world and starts to go on about his life stories. Test are tough, he believes that everything he says is important so take notes, THE TEXTBOOK is not needed youdon't even have to open it he has all of his lectures on power point and then gives them to you on black board

Dr. McMullen is a very nice professor. His class is extremely easy and he is very helpful. The tests are not bad at all, just pay attention in class and take good notes. I did not think I would do good, but my grade in his class is a B+! I encourage you to take his class! He tries to make class fun also by telling stories, which are funny!!

Tough but fair. Easy to do well on daily quizzes, only need 10 correct out of the approx. 30 given to get 100% on them for semester. Exams are a little harder. Previous poster needs to change diapers and take a timeout.

He was so boring!! Dont take him too early in the morning if you can avoid. It was not as bad as people said but he was monotone. He gives you tons of info and people usually don't do well. Reading the book helped by reinforcing notes. If you start studying days ahead, no problem. He gives lots of fatherly lectures aabout poor grades too.

Everything is pretty up front. All the information comes from the lectures, so you dont need the textbook. During lecture, he will give you a small examples that will end up on the test. Class is mandatory. He is awkwardly funny and tells lots of stories. The tests are is just like the power points. I loved his teaching style.

The material can be boring, so if any other professor was teaching this class it would be horrible. He makes it fairly fun and interesting though. He is extremely willing to help in office hours. The tests are hard but he curves. He is one of my favorite professors! I would take a class of his again. He obviously has a passion for botany.

He DOES have a passion for plants. Even Peruvian drug lords couldn't keep him from his research. He (and the exams) can be tough, but his outer bark is worse than his inner bark, both of which are worse than his bite. The fruit lab made me happy and was the highlight of the semester!

you must know EVERYTHING he says. and you must enjoy fabulous puns. that is all. oh and you will become a pretentious plant aficionado even if you dont want to after any of his botany classes

Dr. McMullen is definitely a nice guy. He has a quirky sense of humor and sometimes comes off as dry or impartial, but he actually cares about students and the material. The class is not a walk in the park. Take very detailed notes in lecture - everything he says is fair game on the test.

Honestly a nice guy. If you have a problem, he is willing to work with you to make sure you're doing alright. He provides notes for his lectures but the tests include everything he says during class. There are a lot of little things that you need to write down.

Had him for 340 and really liked him! Nice guy, good teacher, very passionate about botany. I learned a lot from him and will definitely take his next class. Tests are VERY tough and he includes LITERALLY EVERYTHING he says in class but gives good notes and help so there's no reason not to do well! Plus he curves at the end if you work hard :)

Awesome professor! you will get an A if you just read what's in his notes(no need to consult books)and just write few things that's not in his notes online.

Mr. Mcmullen made biology surprisingly fun. I don't know how it's possible to male the life cycle of a fern exciting, but he did. He makes a LOT of punny jokes, but just don't take him too seriously and you'll love him. He's good at what he does. A lot of these reviews say that he tests you on material he hasn't taught and thats not true

Dr. McMullen is an awesome professor and is very helpful. He is a great professor here at JMU. Take him! :)

Dr McMullen is an amazing man. I took General Biology class the first year he taught. I did not want to take the class but he made it interesting. Over the years I have learned many things from him. I would take a class from him again ANYTIME!!

He was very passionate about teaching the subject course. He would have all the notes ready and you would only have to print it out and highlight along in lecture. The tests followed the notes.

Take notes and study hard then everything will be alright :) Mcmullen is a great professor!

Dr. McMullencool dude! Lecture notes given, textbook-no assigned reading (do it anyway), daily 1? quiz, write down everything, even the tangent stuff, studyANDunderstand, ask?s. Not enough on animals covered, mostly botany (more PLEASE!). Brush on your latin, appreciate what you learn and enjoy some laughs! (Thanks Dr. M.!)

Dr. McMullen is the best. It is very possible to get a good grade in his class as long as you put in the time. He doesn't assign hw which is awesome but you should use the time you would be doing hw to study. Also it helps a lot to record his lectures and listen to them a day or two after class because you need to know EVERYTHING he says.

Dr. McMullen is a very nice and sincere guy. He's very approachable and easy to talk. His tests are generally around 70 multiple choice questions that he claims comes from his lectures, however, there are always one or two questions on each test that I have never seen before. I never opened his textbook so don't buy it. He LOVES plants.

If anyone says anything bad about this professor or class it's probably because they didn't put in the effort they needed to put in and were pissed for the bad grades they got. He's a great professor.

If you're not a biology major, DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. He goes into extreme amount of detail about everything and you can't even compare this class to the other bio 114 classes. His tests are really hard, so get ready to study 15+ hours for each test. He is a really nice, funny person and knows his stuff.

Best and easiest BIO114 teacher there is by far. Lots of dry humor, but if you like it he's hilarious! Take him no doubt for 114 and most likely any other class. He loves plants so expect to hit that hard.

His test are basically his notes and lectures. Even the smallest thing he says during his lecture, it will be on the test.

Bio 114 is not an easy class but I would recommend taking it with him. He's a fairly easy teacher and gives no homework. His tests get easier as the semester goes on. He tests on what he says in class so make sure to take notes. You have to study a lot for the tests but I would definitely retake the class with him.

Dr. McMullen is so adorkable (adorable dork)! I love him!! He LOVES what he teaches! Go to class, write good notes on everything he says, and study and you will be fine. Textbook is not needed. Provides lecture outlines, but def. take notes. He is overall pretty clear on what he expects and tests aren't too bad if you put in the time to study.

Interesting class but you must take notes and study hard. He does clicker questions every day but you only need to get 10 correct. Tests are pretty hard so the lack of homework is filled with studying

McMullen is great. As someone who isn't a bio major and hated biology, he made it very enjoyable. Hilarious guy. Definitely take him if you can for lecture. He doesn't use mastering biology and has all the notes written up for you.

I love Conley! He's the man but if you don't care about biology, especially plants, you'll think his information is boring. Be interested in learning and attend class. Try to answer questions because when you answer wrong he kindly explains why. Have specific questions if you go to his office hours and use quizlet if you want a good grade.

McMullen is a super sweet guy with a very dry humor and an extreme love of plants. His class is tough but if you study for the exams you'll do fine. I suggest rewriting the lecture notes and organizing them in a way that'll help you understand them. His lectures can get pretty long and boring but he really loves bio and tries to make it fun.

Dr. McMullen has the best dad humor and keeps his long lectures somewhat interesting. The class is only four exams and a final. Every lecture has online notes that you need to print out and take notes on while he's lecturing. Definitely record his lectures because his tests are literally EVERYTHING he says in class. Tough tests but great prof.

McMullen is great and his class was easy. Tests are straight from the power points.

This class is pure memorization and how well you are able to take detailed notes on top of the ones he provides you. Don't buy the book because never even used it! Go to class everyday because if you skip then you will miss a lot of information not in the notes he provides!

Took this as a summer course. McMullen is the first JMU science teacher to really make me passionate about biology. So plants aren't my hobby, but I treated them like they were and got an A in the class. He is a really funny teacher who created his own textbook and is lecture heavy. I would recommend him and take another one of his classes.

He's a great teacher & cares about his students a lot. If you show him you care and want to learn, he will help you. He's pretty funny but you have to take notes from his lectures and slideshows but its all online and most of his quizzes and exams are from that.

Conley McMullen is one of the most amazing men ever!!! Great professor and hysterical sense of humor!!

McMullen is the SWEETEST GUY!! He's funny, nice, and really really loves what he does. not to mention he's a cute little old man. Every class is a lecture, and he does his best to keep it light and bright, but it gets super boring... not difficult information though. Overall, easy course and fun teacher.

Despite how difficult this class is, McMullen makes the lectures enjoyable. As long as you go to every class and study the material at least a week in advance you will do ok. If he curves the tests, he does it by how many absences you have. Say you have none, you get 10 points, 1 absence you get 8 points, etc. I also love all of his funny stories!!

He is very lecture heavy. There is only 3 exams and a final. It's not really focused on biology as much as it is on the Galapagos plants and animals. You really have to memorize a lot of small details and random facts. Not too difficult of a class as long as you study in advance.

this class was really interesting, even though studying was frustrating because there was so much to know. dont believe everything you read in these comments, i heard so many freshman in my class say they never studied and didn't care about the material, and those are the students with bad grades. grow up and study and you'll do just fine

Take good notes and basically memorize them before each test and youll get an A. He says he doesnt curve but ends up giving a lot of extra points based on attendance and class average at the end of the semester. Not a hard class if you listen to the lectures and take decent notes.

McMullen is very respected and experienced in his field, and he gives great informative lectures. He mixes a lot of humor in and makes every class worth going to. While his tests whooped my ass, it was my fault because he gave us all of the information. Best Bio teacher i've had. Take him if you want to enjoy class and actually learn.

Mcmullen is a great professor. If you just go to class and actually study it's a great experience. Every class is worth going to, not only because he's not kidding when he says "everything" will be on the exam, but also because he's funny and his plethera of galapagos knowledge is interesting/entertaining

McMullen is THE BEST professor I've ever had. By far my favorite class I had have ever taken... McMullen is the sweetest human, he tells the funniest most interesting stories and is such a humble guy. If you're good at memorization this class is fairly easy. Its SO much content to study and tests are very detailed but study well and you'll be fine!

Conley is a wonderful human being and I wish people would stop being so unnecessarily mean to him on this wretched website! Hes passionate about what he does, and even though I have absolutely no interest in being a biologist, he made the subject fun. He isnt a brutal grader and the way he nonchalantly tells jokes and stories is iconic. 10/10 :)

He's a nice guy who actually has some pretty funny stories. Just be prepared for a lot of studying because he goes over A LOT of material. Also, if you came just to take a normal biology class, you won't find it here.

Get ready to eat, sleep, and breathe the Galapagos islands. McMullen is a great guy who's clearly passionate about what he does and has tons of great stories. The class is dry and memorization heavy, but the dad jokes will get you through it if you pay attention in lecture and study a little.

Conley is a great professor and a great person. His Bio 103 class really isn't as bad as many of the reviews on here would have you believe. Just go to lecture, take good notes, and then memorize said notes. There is no homework and he uses really easy questions to take attendance daily/as a cumulative quiz grade. Definitely take this class.

McMullen is an incredibly knowledgable and genuine guy. Exams are literally word for word from his guided notes and things he talks about in class. Print them out ahead of time and write down what he says and the class is not bad at all. Purely memorization but if you put in the time it's easy. Solid professor I enjoyed his class.

Dr. McMullen is passionate about the Galapagos and has some really interesting stories. His tests are detailed so it's important to write down everything he says. It's mostly just memorization to do well on the tests. It can be tough but he's a cool guy and he knows the Galapagos really well.

McMullen is an acquired taste. I find he's a great professor if you're truly interested in the subject, but if not, then you may struggle to stay focused. Grade is based on daily attendance quiz and 4 exams, so not a whole lot of wiggle room for slip ups, but everything's honestly just memorization.

Dr. McMullen is a great professor and is very knowledgeable on the Galapagos. That being said, the exams are HEAVY; you need to know the material on his slide shows pretty well to do well on your exams and they are a majority of your grade. Overall good class but you will work for your grade.

Absolutely loved Dr. McMullen! This class isnt easy you really have to work for an A, but overall very sweet professor. Enjoyed his class!

Dr. McMullen is a really good guy and knows a lot about the Galapagos. If you show up, listen, and memorize the powerpoints, then you're guaranteed the A. I learned a lot from the class, although I do wish it was a little bit less about the history and more about the biology!

Professor McMullen was a great professor. Ended up giving a curve for the class along with two exams so he does curve. There are quizzes every day, but you're allowed to not answer 4 without it hurting your grade. Really funny professor and cares about his students. Ask questions, he loves to talk about the Galapagos islands!

There are about 10 multiple-choice scantron exams AND daily quizzes. The information in class is important because he adds random questions about stories from class AND doesn't post full notes to canvas. He delivered the information well, is funny, and shows videos from his time in the Galapagos. If you listen and study, you should end with a B.

Everyone will say this class is harder than it is, but if you take good notes and ACTUALLY study for the exams 2-3 days before you're set. Quizlets are most helpful with remembering his content. McMullen clearly loves what he teaches and wants to make class fun. Also most people don't study so if you can get a B, you'll get curved to an A.

There is a daily attendance quiz which is easy if you just pay attention. Tests are a little difficult because it is all memorization just based on his slide shows with a bunch of fill in the blanks. He curves most of the exams and class is solely based on his research trips to the Galapagos. If you like plants or animals this is a great option.

As long as you go to every class, take really good notes, and study for several hours for each exam, you'll be fine. Dr. McMullen is a really nice guy, if you are struggling just go meet with him and he'll help you.

Great professor but really tough class. he is very knowledgeable and makes class fun by telling stories. quiz question each day on what was covered in class so pay attention. 4 exams with a lot of info on them and lots of memorization. he is a great professor but you have to enjoy the subject and pay attention in class

He is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the Galapagos. He tries to make fact heavy lectures interesting, but you do need to memorize like everything he says.

Dr. M is awesome if you come to class. He makes lectures interesting with stories and his experiences. He has other courses that are much tougher though.

Dr. McMullen is AMAZING. I have him for Biodiversity of Algae and Fungi, and he somehow makes a memorization-heavy course really easy to memorize and very interesting to learn through fun lectures. He really cares about his students and is very knowledgeable about plants, algae, and fungi. I would highly recommend taking one of his classes.

I had to take BIO103 for my major and I am so glad I was able to take his class. He has one question quizzes based on lectures at the end of each class to act as attendance. Class just consists of lectures and test, but he is a really funny guy. Tests cover all the material, but as long as you go to class and pay attention you will be fine.

I love Dr. McMullen!! He is definitely one of my favorite professors. This class is very quiz-heavy (usually has one once a week) and you do need to study for them at least a little bit to do well on them. The field trips looking for plants are awesome too. He is super funny and hard not to like. He makes Field Botany interesting.

Dr. McMullen was a very funny and caring professor. He tries his best to remember peoples names and really cares about teaching. His lectures were interesting and he tried his best to make the lectures light and not so intense. Attendance is mandatory for the most part but you are allowed to miss 4 classes. Exams are hard.

Dr McMullen is a wonderful professor who cares about the material and his students. Class is difficult (long lectures, in-depth tests) but doable if you enjoy the material. Classes are either incredibly boring or incredibly fun. Prone to ramble and tell stories about his adventures in the Galapagos and elsewhere.

Professor McMullen is one of my favorite professors I have ever taken. I did not like Biology at all until I took his BIO 103. His humor always brightened my day. The class is lecture heavy and takes a lot of studying, but i promise the experience is worth it. He also gives a generous curve at the end of the semester. Great Gen Ed option!

I thought this class was great, yes its slightly difficult but take good lecture notes and study a lot for exams and youll be fine. I found his lectures entertaining, and he loves what he does.

doesnt calculate total grades until last week. MUST go to class unless you miss vital information that's on the test. test averages were 70-75's. TTh 9:35-10:50 in EnGeo, must study a lot. EVERYTHING he says in class / in notes WILL be on the exams. study. go to class. quizzes every class. funny as hell tho

He was absolutely hilarious, I enjoyed attending his lectures and I hate bio. However, the exams are extremely difficult and you MUST make excellent notes (no electronics in class) in order to get through. He really does expect his students to know EVERYTHING and he is very upfront about that. Although it was difficult, I truly enjoyed his class.

Funniest teacher. Attendance is mandatory if you want a good grade, makes you take a 1pt 1 question quiz at the end of each class and has unit tests. LOTS of vocab and material so definitely take time to study a lot outside of class. Will call you out in class if he knows your name. BIG no cell phone policy, will take 5 pts off exam if caught.

I love him!! This class is about his research site and he enjoys the content a lot, so everyone has fun during his lectures. Long tests that are word for word from the slides. No detail is too small to be tested on - go to class, make a quizlet as you go and you'll be fine. If he picks on you he likes you.

Legitimately my favorite professor I've ever had. Seems tough on the surface, but he's a softie. Cares for his students and passionate about what he teaches. Come in with a good attitude and he'll meet you with the same. His exams are exactly what he lectures on, it's just a lot of memorization. Success comes with proper time management and effort.