Dr. Penning is one of the best professors at MSSU. I highly recommend taking any class you can with him.

Very easy class to pass if you study and work hard for your grade

Dr. Penning is an amazing teacher! He makes the material clear and understandable. The tests are easy and from the PowerPoint slides, you just have to put in the time to study. He cares about his students and wants them to be successful. He does a good job of getting grades into Blackboard quickly. I am ready to take another class with Dr. Penning!

Great class. Everyone seems to really like him. He explains things very well and is happy to answer questions. There was a test nearly every 2 weeks and the lab tests were VERY difficult. It was rough, but I think I actually learned and I definitely earned my grade.

Dr. Penning is an amazing professor. He really cares about his students and he is very interested in the material which makes for fun lectures. I definitely would like to take more of his courses in the future.

Dr. Penning is so helpful. I have had him for two semesters in a row and Ive learned so much! Great courses for sure

Dr. Penning is a great professor and he goes out of his way to help all of his students.

I really enjoyed class with Dr. Penning. He is an interesting lecturer and genuinely loves to help his students! The class does require studying, but if you put the time in, you will get good results.

I greatly enjoyed my class with Dr. Penning, He made learning interesting, fun, and valuable with a lot of information pulled from articles only a few months old in cases. Pay attention in lecture and you'll do fine.

Pretty good class. Be aware of deadlines and be sure to study well beforehand for exams.

I took Biological Statistics with Dr. Penning. Dr. Penning himself is a very nice person, but the class is very difficult. There is a lot of work, but he is really good about explaining the topics. He practically spoon feed us the information. If you go to class every day and pay attention you will be fine, just be ready to do a lot of homework.

He is a very good professor and very knowledgeable about statistics. I would recommend taking statistics with Dr. Penning because he wants students to succeed and knows that statistics can be difficult. I was worried about taking statistics, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. If you pay attention and put in some effort, it is possible to get an A.

I LOVED DR. PENNING!!! He gives such good feedback and truly cares. His lectures are amazing, make sure you attend every lecture and study, his material on the tests are right from the powerpoints. Very organized, I wish I would have taken him for some other classes!

Dr. Penning is such an amazing professor to take! He's willing to help out his students if they reach out to make sure they are successful. His lectures are very informative and have help a ton on the exams because he puts the information in bold blue and black.

He is the best professor here and not kidding. He will help you as much as he can, he wants you to learn and do good. If you don't try then that's your fault honestly. His exams are written so you need to understand the material and be able to explain it.

He is a great teacher and really tries to help you understand the material and gives you great examples on how it applies in the real world.

Penning is one of MSSUs greatest professors. Not only does he make his grading clear and concise, he is also eager to help students understand in any way he can. I recommend Penning to any student, but especially pre-med/vet and ecology majors.

The class I had with this professor is now one of my favorite bio classes and made him one of my favorite professors. He challenges you, but also makes the class super fun. Also takes you on a camping trip where you locate species you learn about in the course, which makes studying a lot more worth it. Definitely would take a class with him again.

Best lecturer I've ever learned from. No multiple choice on any of the tests so studying is a must, but if you put the time in the difficulty isn't that intense. I enjoyed that there wasn't really homework or papers. Success or failure is totally based on student effort. The more you put in the more you'll learn and enjoy yourself.

Dr. Penning is THE best professor I have ever taken. He is so intelligent and is easy to learn from. Herpetology is A LOT of work but he is such a great professor, I learned all the material pretty easily. Herpetology was incredible. It helped me learn so much about biology .

I appreciated how you made every lecture interesting and some what humorous. You are very helpful and you always make sure that everyone understands what the topic is or what they are looking at. Also, thank you for bringing animals to class! By far my favorite teacher I've had so far.

If you're looking for a professor who is attractive, funny, and helpful then Dr. Penning is the professor for you! But for real, Dr. Penning is a great professor who is always there to help if you have any questions. His lectures are entertaining. He does more than just read off the Powerpoint and it helps everything stick. I always enjoyed going.

If you ever have the option to take a class with Dr. Penning, take is as soon as you can. I've never had a professor who truly wants you to understand the material best you can. He always provides further explanations in the powerpoint lectures that are easy to understand and remember. He has a great sense of humor, as well. Best class so far.

Dr. Penning intrigues the class with specific facts about each topic covered, and he makes sure everyone understands the topic before moving on. He is a pretty strict professor but is also willing to answer any questions a student may have. He talks a lot about snakes, but it keeps the class from being monotonous and boring.

He takes time to make the lectures interesting. You will have to study but he will help you at any point when you need it!

I had a different professor for BIO 1 and I really wish I could have taken this with Dr. Penning. He makes the course interesting, brings in animals, and will get muddy to make a lab fun!

An all around good dude. He knows his stuff but does not use his brain to intimidate you like others. He's probably the smartest professor at southern but he's such a goofball about knowledge that he makes the process fun instead of just intense. Take herpetology if you can, it's hard but worth it!

Good class and great teacher

Dr. Penning is knowledgable about the material, wants to be sure each student has a clear understanding of the topics covered in each class, and will take time to help anyone who asks. You will need to study, but if you review the material covered in class you will be prepared for the exams.

He's a great professor. Clearly knows his stuff and will spend a lot of one on one time to help you. He expects a lot but will help you at every step. He also talks about things others don't like GPA inflation, the reality of med school, grad school, etc. I highly suggest him to others!

Great professor, super knowledgeable. Be prepared to really study or you wont know what's going on.

Dr. Penning takes time to make sure students understand the material. He makes the class interesting and makes you want to learn. He talks more than just about the subject and gives you information on graduate school and/or med school. I highly recommend taking any class that he teaches.

Dr. Penning loves teaching biology and wants his students to do well. He gives good examples and that go along with the topics. You have to study and work hard to earn a high grade.

great professor. You have to try but the class is not impossible.

Great professor, fairly hard class. This is the trend for any class he teaches.

Dr. Penning is by far one of the best professors Ive had. He truly cares about what hes teaching and that the material matters in everyday use. Ive always loved animals of all kinds, but now I really think about conservation and ecology needs. I feel truly blessed that I was able to learn from him and hope I can be in other courses he teaches.

I really liked his class. It is clear that he cares and tried hard to make all the material easy to understand and remember even when it was complex.

Very fun and interesting lectures.

Dr. Penning is probably the best professor at MSSU. His courses aren't easy, but he's an incredible professor and genuinely cares about the success of his students.

Spelling matters

Dave does a great job making sure his students understand the material and finds creative ways to make boring material more exciting. Herpetology was just as hard as it should be for its level and although he makes you work for it if you put in the effort you will learn and do fine.

I seriously loved herpetology! It was a really hard class but I learned a lot more than I expected. I think a lot more about evolution and conservation because of this class. It makes you think about things in a different way than just surface level views. You have to work hard for your grade but it is worth the effort!

Dr. Penning was a blast to have. As a bio premed major, I didnt think Id like ecology as much as I did and it was all because of him. He made lecture and outdoor labs fun and relatable to class and to problems in our world. If I could take it again, I would. Actually, this class pushed me to go to Africa, camping under the stars for study abroad!

Dr. Penning is great! Im so glad I took this Ecology class! The materials were clear and easy to understand. I was scared to take this course, but it turned out to be one of the most fun classes Ive taken! Would recommend.

Dr. Penning makes lectures very interesting in a class, that in my opinion, contains pretty boring material. His tests come directly off of his PowerPoints so if you study then youll do really good. My only complaint is that his lab report was very difficult to write because it was a bad experiment to write about but he he guides you along as well

Dr. Penning is a great professor who makes lectures enjoyable. He cares about his students and wants to make sure you understand the material. Not too many assignments. Great class! I didn't think I would enjoy Ecology but I have enjoyed this class.

Penning is a fantastic professor. He always makes time for students who need extra help, and always makes extra effort to ensure that everyone in his classes are well equipped for the workload. Penning makes classes fun and treats his students like adults not kids.

As a Biology - Pre-Med major, I was a bit apprehensive about taking General Ecology. However, with Dr. Penning at the helm, it quickly turned into my favorite class of the semester. Dr. Penning made the material so incredibly interesting, fun, and relevant to our daily lives, and I will never look at the world the same again.

This class exceeded my expectations! I did not think I would enjoy this material but Dr. Penning really made all the content seem exciting and relevant. His pace was consistent and he was able to dumb down topics very easily. I love how incorporated recent news articles and research regularly in class. This class needs effort but very dooable.

The statistics class was hard but in the end, I found it to be a highly valuable skill and it will help me in my career. I did not realize how complex it can be but Dr. Penning helped break down complex things into pieces that we could understand. You should take this class if you want to have a chance at a job in science!

Dr. Penning did a great job with this General Ecology class. He is a talented lecturer with an obvious passion for what he teaches. His tests are fair, but you should be prepared to write and explain your answers.

Dr. Penning is an excellent professor. The lectures are great and although the tests are all written he is a fair grader. Be prepared to work hard on your lab report though.

Dr. Penning is an excellent teacher with great lecturing skills that actually keep you interested in the material. Be prepared to put a lot of work into the lab report though!

Dr. Penning is an excellent teacher with great lecturing skills that actually keep you interested in the material. Be prepared to put a lot of work into the lab report though.

Dr. Penning is an excellent teacher who gives engaging lectures. The grade you receive basically comes down to your test grades, lab report grade and if you showed up on lab days.

Dr. Penning made Ecology funny and interesting while making sure we learned the material at the same time. He is very accessible during office hours and never hesitates to help his students on the lab reports, presentations, and always answers any questions they have about the exam. Overall, it was a great class that exceeded my expectations.

Dr. Penning is an excellent professor. He explains the material well. The course is not super difficult. The lectures are long but the labs make them more palatable. The final lab report will make or break you.

Lectures are full of information that will be on the tests and labs are a major part of your grade. Make sure to take the written assignments seriously. He is a good teacher who works well with students and gives good feedback. Honestly wants his students to succeed but won't spoon feed you the information.

He explains the material well. The course is not super difficult. The lectures are long but the labs make them more palatable. The final lab report will make or break you.

He is overall a good teacher, but his test are very long for the short amount allowed to take them.

Dr. Penni. Is an amazing teacher for this class, but if you want a good grade you need to show up. There is no way you will be able to do good without going to class because the class moves fast. Dr. penning keeps it at a good pace, though

The ecology class is a lot more fun than what I had expected. The lab report is a lot harder than what is found in other classes but you get almost the whole semester to work on it. You go outside a lot when the weather is nice. Tests are ALL short answer so there is no room for guessing. Generally studying will make the class easy to pass.

Dr. Penning has been the best professor Ive had in the 4 years Ive been in college. His class is challenging b it he gives you all the information you need to pass. Hes available outside of class hours and is always more than willing and happy to help! His lectures are entertaining and the structure of the class is easy to follow!

Dr. Penning is an AMAZING professor! He has good communication and is ALWAYS willing to help. For stats, you must show up, listen, review, *make code templates*, and just try. The concepts can be complex, but he breaks them down into understandable pieces. His stats class will be invaluable to me as a future scientist! I would def recommend!!

Dr. Penning is so knowledgeable about so many topics! Highly recommend. The only down side is he puts so many assignments at the end of semester.

This class requires lots of time on homework, but Dr. Penning is really helpful.

Dr. Penning is literally THE BEST. This course if difficult in itself--a statistics course. No fun for any professor. However, an amazing job at making all the material entertaining and applicable to people in STEM fields. 10/10 highly recommend taking this course. If you don't come to class, you die hahahahah so make sure you come to class.

He is very good at relating the material to real-life scenarios and putting it in a way that is easy to understand and remember. Be prepared to write at a very high level, and all tests are open ended, short essay style.

As a pre-med, this class is a breath of fresh air from the rote memorization of our degree specific classes. The class helps to engage in problem solving, and opened my eyes to correct experiental design. You cannot afford to miss a single class, but I always look forward to attend. Dr. Penning is genuinely interested in helping students thrive.

Dr. Penning made an intimidating class incredibly approachable and digestible. It certainly isnt easy, and attendance is absolutely necessary if you plan on doing well. I think he does a great job reading the classroom and making sure students actually grasp the material before moving on.

I thought ecology was going to be hard/boring. Spoiler alert! It was actually a really fun class. It makes you think about the world differently. The class is pretty useful. Dr. Penning is very animated and will sit with you for hours if needed. He will help far more than any other professor I have had and he always has a lot of other things to do.

Even though this class seems scary, he really does his best to make sure everyone is understanding the material. He is super fun to be in a class with and you will really learn and understand! The exams are take-home since it is computer-based and are out for a week, he will help you with it as well. Also, be prepared to see memes, lots of them. ��

He is an amazing teacher! He made the class enjoyable... for statistics. It is the hardest stats class on campus.

Dr. Penning takes such an interest in his student's learning and truly wants them to succeed. He helped me to learn and thoroughly enjoy a class that I originally had no interest in. His lectures always kept me enthralled and he always has interesting facts to share. I left class everyday with facts and things I couldn't wait to tell people about!

He is an amazing professor, but incredibly challenging! It was a hard class but definitely helpful and doable! I feel that I took away very helpful skills from this class.

If you have to take a statistics class at Missouri Southern, take it with Dr. Penning! He is a great guy, but an even better professor. This is a tough class and you really need to put in time and effort to be successful, but Dr. Penning is so helpful and will do anything he possibly can to help you understand and succeed!

Dr. Penning really takes his time in lectures and is always available when you need him. This class will teach you a lot, and make you want to help the world after.

Stats is really hard but I passed it with Dr. Penning's help. He was upfront in the beginning of class about everything. He warned us all that "typical undergrad" behavior of cramming and waiting to complete things would lead to epic failures. He was right! You truly earn your grade in this class but he helps you with all the heavy lifting.

Dr. Penning made this class fun and interesting. The course load is not bad, and the material is presented in a way that makes it relatable and easy to study. If you are going to take Ecology 402, make sure to take it with Dr. Penning.

Dr. Penning has made statistics an enjoyable class. He is always willing to help you understand difficult topics outside of class and is hesitant to move on if you do not understand it right away. If you ever have to take a statistics course I recommend taking it with Dr. Penning.

The lab report was probably the most difficult part of this class. He has high expectations for his students, which makes you grow as a student and a person. His lectures are fun, and he is very clear about what will be on his tests.

General Ecology was really fun with Dr. Penning. The material is very conceptual so you have to do more than just memorize things. He builds his tests around short answer questions that can usually be answered from several ways. I think it would be hard to pass without trying hard but this course was a lot more enjoyable than what I expected!

Difficult material but is always accessible and will go out of his way to explain material in a way YOU can understand. 3rd class with Penning and definitely a favorite.

Great class, highly recommended.

10/10 would take again!

10/10 one of the best professors I've had. Funny, caring, and makes the lectures extremely interesting

Dr. Penning makes this class extremely interesting and knows how to grab your attention and keep your attention. It isn't easy and you have to work hard for your grade but he's a very good professor

Dr. Penning is a very good professor and he knows how to explain and the teach the material in a way that keeps you entertained. He also knew to apply many concepts to the medical field which was awesome considering the class is an ecology class.

If you're a bio major you should take his stats class. He teaches you real world skills and data processing using open source software (R). Its very hard but he works with you. I spent hours with him outside of class making sure I understood it. He never said no when I needed help. He is a great person to learn statistics from!

Stats is a hard subject to grasp. But Penning did the best he could to teach it and make it understandable.

I took all of Dr. Penning Classes and I am glad that I did. I learned a lot of material just by listening to him in lecture. Dr. Penning is caring and inspirational. He teach class in a unique way where there is no pressure on the student as long as they study the material provided. Dr. Penning by far the Best Professor in the Biology Department.

Really good class, don't think I would have learned as much from any other professor I've had except for Penning in this class. Be prepared to essentially code, like in computer coding, for this class. It's not big deal when you get the hang of it, but I had no idea this is what it would be until the first week of class.

Strap your boots and suit up boys and gals. This class is a roller coaster ride through and through. Studying won't save you in Statistics if you don't take the time to conceptually understand the reasoning for each test or assumption. I studied for hours throughout the semester and it took me until the last month to define "continuous". Loved it.

This course is hard, and you will have to work for it. But, it is so worth it! I learned the MOST stats I have ever learned before. This course was super useful and informative. Dr. Penning knows what he is teaching!

This class was really good, what made it better then what i thought was having Dr. Penning as the professor. He was really good in his lectures, and had all the answers. Though be ready for his test, they will be different then anything you take .

Good class, but realize it is set up to learn more HOW to run stats along with WHY. I appreciate his acknowledgement that hand calculations are pointless in today's age... finally a professor he is realistic. Knowing when and why to run a test so much more important than getting lost in the weeds with a pencil, paper and calculator.

Stats is no joke! This class separates the the students from the professionals. This is not a traditional class. You learn a real-world skill in two ways. He teaching you R (a coding language) and about 2 dozen different statistical tests and model building techniques. Dr. Penning is a phenomenal stats professor. Take it!

Dr. Penning is my favorite professor at MSSU! I definitely wouldnt take this class if you arent going to put much effort in. Evolution is a challenging class, but its so interesting, and he makes it so much fun. There arent many opportunities for homework, so you really have to study for exams. He truly cares about students and their success.

Dr. Penning is a fantastic teacher. Each time you take a class with him, you will always learn a lot from him. Evolution was a fun and interesting class, and I would recommend it to anyone who was ready to learn about all it has to offer under Dr. Penning's lectures. Fun class, miss the in class fun we had. Take it when it is offered again!

Mammalogy was one of those classes where you start off unsure if you can stick with it and then you are so glad you did because this professor taught it. I always had fun in his classes, he goes through the material well, and explains it in more detail when you ask. Don't skip, pay attention, and you'll be fine. Ask questions and study hard!

Dr. Penning is a great professor; he really cares about the material and the students. I really enjoyed is Evolution class and learned a lot. He doesn't have many points available, so do your best on everything. Overall if you study and work for it you can earn the grade you want.

Great Professor! Knows what he is talking about and will make sure all students are able to grasp each concept. Makes lectures WAY better than they should be, off the script yet stays on track. If you can grasp topics and understand how they work, expressing your understanding will take you a long way on exams. Would 100% take again

Makes lectures easy to follow and understand and is readily available like 90% of the time. I would 10/10 recommend him to anyone pursuing a biology major.

I'd take this class again 100%. I was sad that it got cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic, but I'm recommending it to anyone I know pursuing a biology degree, especially if it's for conservation! Dr. Penning made this 400 level course fun & interesting & he pushed us to do our best. I think he's an A1 instructor & can't wait to have him again

Dr. Penning is an amazing professor! I am taking many of his courses and I love his teaching style. He is a hardworker and will work with you the best he can. He pretty much gives you a study guide in his lectures with his bold blue andd black set up which really helps. Plus he loves memes.

I had been told Dr. Penning is a "must take" professor since freshman year, and the rumors are true! The course (evolution) is not easy by any means, but if you put the work in and study it is very doable. Dr. Penning makes difficult lecture information a piece of cake by telling anecdotes relatable to the topic and explaining everything in depth.

Amazing professor and very interesting class! Dr. Penning is one of the most knowledgeable professors/advisors I've had yet! He is very thorough in explanation inside and outside of class, which makes understanding things that much easier. I would definitely recommend Dr. Penning to anyone interested!

Amazing professor and very interesting class! Dr. Penning is one of the most knowledgeable professors/advisors I've had yet! He is very thorough in explanation inside and outside of class, which makes understanding things that much easier. I would definitely recommend Dr. Penning to anyone interested in the biology department!

He expects a lot from you but will straight up tackle a raccoon for you!

Dr. Penning did wonderful teaching this course, even though the material was pretty heavy. Be sure to study, and put as much effort into the class as you can! Bring him an attack goose and you might get extra credit!

Best professor at MSSU !

Dr. Penning is the best!!! I highly recommend any biology student to at least take one of his courses! His lectures are set up with black and blue system to make it easier for students to know exactly what to study for his exams. Show up, put in some effort, and you'll enjoy his classes. He makes learning fun!! One of my favorites.

I would definitely recommend Dr. Penning. Mammology was an elective credit class, and it kept me on my toes all semester. You have to put the effort in to get the grade you want its not just a given. Lectures and labs were interesting and i would definitely recommend others to take the course.

Great prof. Take him every chance you can because you will actually learn the material and he is readily available to help if you put the effort in. This class had A LOT of memorizing but the fieldwork was interesting and rewarding. The concepts were easy to understand, there was just a lot to know. And he will test you on 90% of the material.

Dr. Penning has been one of the most helpful professors I have ever had. He continuously goes out of his way to make sure every student has a clear understanding of course material. He is readily available outside of the class room and easily approachable. I highly recommend taking his courses.

The test are really difficult with almost too much material for some of them to fully get the knowledge to stick.

He is excellent at explaining how to operate the mess of a program that sometimes is R and how it relates to interpretation of data.

Dr. Penning understands the difficulty of this criteria and does his best to make it as easy to grasp as possible. Because of the circumstances, the attendance for many was spotty, but he did his best to acclimate his class to the chance of absence. If you can help it, show up! Stats is already hard, dont sell yourself short by skipping!

Dr. Penning was constantly going out of his way to make sure everyone had what they needed to be successful. It wasn't mandatory that you came to class, but it was highly encouraged and I agreed with that. Dr. Penning was always willing to help you understand the content no matter the situation. I would recommend this professor and this class.

Dr. Penning is one of the best professors at MSSU. If I were to have received a bad grade in this class, I could only attribute my failure to things that I did wrong and couldn't even be remotely upset with him. Dr. Penning warns you about how difficult this class is but will help you succeed. You will have to do very time-consuming work and code.

Dr. Penning can be tough but wants you to succeed. The tests are doable, but you better be ready for them. Hell help in anyway he can if you put in the effort.

Easily one of the most educating classes I've taken! Dr. Penning keeps it real, is highly respected, and is truly a brilliant scientist. This class is one you have to study for (tests are short answer), but will easily earn an A if you do. Be prepared to get outside and earn some life skills from Dr. Penning!

Tests are only short answer, but this is no problem if you study the material. Dr. Penning is an amazing human being and professor, 100% would take again!

Dr. Penning is by far the best professor I've ever taken. He can make even the most boring topic fun. Hopefully he sticks around for years to come so future students can have the opportunity to take his classes.

Dr. Penning is very helpful out of and in class. He's a great lecturer and actually cares about his students. His lectures are well organized. His extra credit is few and far between but they are fun and educational. His experience in his field shows in class and makes learning fun and easy during lectures. Would recommend this course 100%.

Dr. Penning is an amazing lecturer and a very caring professor! He offers little extra credit but what is offered is easy to do, fun, and educational. I would 100% take another class with Dr. Penning and recommend this course to anyone needing to take Ecology for their degree path.

Dr. Penning is an amazing professor. This class is difficult however, listen to what he has to say and he will guide you to success. Everyone who takes this class should be able to excel, as long as, the student is able to put forth the effort that is required. Dr. Penning is very kind and respectful teaches a lot to his students.

This course has given me tools that I will need for my future. I will always remember Dr. Penning and I don't have a single regret taking this course. He is very kind and cares about his students. The class is hard however, if you make sure to listen to everything he has to say the class won't end up being that bad. I wish for the best, thank you.

All of my comments have apparently been made. So anyways, you rock Dr. Penning I hope to work with you again soon. Much love for you and your family. For anyone who is looking into taking Dr. Penning's course, do it. You won't regret it. Thank you so much.

This class is hard, however this class luckily comes equipped with Dr. Penning and that's all that is needed. He will guide anyone that comes his way to success they just have to be willing to give back the effort and energy he puts in. I have much love for him and his family. Thank you for everything.

Dr. Penning is absolutely amazing. I have much love for him and his family. I was very anxious for taking this course. Dr. Penning was able to make my anxiety much better as the course went on. This course is hard, but if one listens to what he has to say and the same effort and energy is given back to him then success is inevitable.

Dr. Penning is absolutely amazing. I have much love for him and his family. I was very anxious, but Dr. Penning was able to make my anxiety much better as the course went on. This course is hard, but if one listens to what he has to say and the same effort and energy is given back to him then success is inevitable.

Dr. Penning is absolutely amazing. I have much love for him and his family. I was very anxious, but Dr. Penning was able to make my anxiety much better as the course went on. This course is hard, but if one listens to what he has to say and the same effort and energy is given back to him then success is inevitable. Thank you for everything.

This class is hard, however the class comes equipped with Dr. Penning which is all that is really required other than your attention. If you give him the same energy and effort he gives you than success is inevitable. Much love.

Penning is a fairly reasonable professor, but if you want feedback you have to personally seek him out. Maybe I'm not used to going out of my way for feedback. It's just usually provided with the grade in my experience and I feel it helps students.

Dr. Penning is one of the best professors at MSSU. He makes learning so much fun. I love his lecture style and how he runs his class. He is available outside of class and more than happy to help you whenever you need it. If you need/want to take Ecology, Dr. Penning is your guy!

This class is definitely a need to take if you want to do research in the future or go to graduate school. this course requires a lot of work and you have to go to class if you want to pass and actually learn how to code for R Studio.

Dr. Penning is the BEST. If you have the chance to take any of his classes, do it. He makes the material interesting and easy to understand. He provides great notes that guide you through the assignments and gives you great feedback.

Dr. Penning is a great teacher, if there was another class that I had to take and he was the teacher I would definitely take it. This course was challenging and he taught it very well and was able to do so in a way that I think everyone understood. You definitely have to work for the grade though.

Dr. Penning is a great teacher. This course was challenging and he taught it very well and was able to do so in a way that I think everyone understood. You definitely have to work for the grade though. I would take the course again if it was offered next semester.

Dr. Penning is a great professor! Always made the lecture and lab material fun and easy to understand. I recommend taking his ecology class!

Amazing professor! His lecture material is organized and explained very well. The labs are extremely interesting and fun. I would recommend this ecology class to be taken with him!

I have never dealt with coding before until I took this class with Dr. Penning. I enjoyed learning about it, but it is time consuming. I HIGHLY recommend NOT to skip any of his lectures and take advantage of his brain! Luckily, I had taken a stats class before but this class was a bit challenging as we move along the lessons. GOOD LUCK!

I have never dealt with coding before until I took this class with Dr. Penning. I enjoyed learning about it, but it is time consuming. I HIGHLY recommend NOT to skip any of his lectures and take advantage of his brain! Luckily, I had taken a stats class before but this class was a bit challenging as we move along the lessons. GOOD LUCK! :)

This was a really challenging course and requires you to put the work in for the grade you want. Your grade is reflective of the work you put in and all it takes is effort. Dr. Penning was a great teacher and taught the class extremely well. I would take it again if I could.

Dr. Penning is perhaps the best professor I've had in my undergrad education. His courses are difficult in that passing knowledge or term recognition won't suffice in this critical thinking, exam heavy course. Funny, highly intelligent, and more than willing to work with student's, he has made a lasting impression as an archetypal professor.

Ecology was a difficult course in that passing term recognition or vague ideas won't cut it, you have to know the material! Dr. Penning was available for those who needed it and is a great instructor.

Ecology was a difficult course in that passing term recognition or vague ideas won't cut it, you have to know the material! Dr. Penning was available for those who needed it and is a great instructor. 10/10 would take this course with him again.

Dr. Penning is a excellent teacher who truly cares about teaching his students there materials and making sure they get the best out of the course. He makes the labs super fun as they are hands on and he also will help during the labs and talk to the students and make everything enjoyable. Without a doubt would retake Dr. Penning again!!!

Dr. Penning is an overall great human being and professor. He really cares about his students. While we're in the middle of a pandemic, he has altered his course and been flexible. His exams are very lecture heavy so you need to study and know the material. He makes being a Pre-Med major in an Ecology class bearable. Challenging but bearable!

He is a good professor. Really cares about the students. His notes are easy to to do and lectures are easy to follow along. Exams are tough but doable. The labs were very hands on. Get ready to write a whole bunch! ;) As long as you put in the effort, you will do great.

Get ready to write. Lectures are easy to follow along and notes are easy to write. Labs are hands on but fun.

A difficult class, but was my favorite class. Dr. Penning is an amazing professor. His teaching methods really challenge you and make sure that you understand the material rather than just testing you. He is understanding, fun, explains things very well, and cares about his students. A TON of reading only in 1st part but then just fun coding after.

Dr. Penning is a fantastic professor. He knows his subject matter incredibly well (as well as a staggering amount of other, random information) and he makes it very easy to understand. This course was very test heavy and lectures are essential to do well, but they were fun to listen to (except when we talk about climate change).

Dr. Penning is great for any class you might take from him. It will definitely be challenging , but you will have fun along the way. He really cares about the students and wants you to learn both in the classroom and in the field. I would recommend him to any students willing to put in effort for their grade.

He is one of the best professors ever. Great at teaching. Is brutally honest, but also very helpful. Don't mess around, you WON'T pass if you don't try.

It has been such a pleasure to take this course with Dr. Penning. He makes learning fun. His teaching style is relevant and you can tell he truly cares about each individual student. Highly recommend!!

This class was hard, but worth it! I really enjoyed my semester taking this class and despite it's challenges would recommend it to others. Attendance isn't mandatory, but you will not pass the class if you are not there. Dr. Penning will gladly work with you on what you are struggling with as long as you are putting in the effort.

Hands down the best instructor I have ever had. Makes the lectures engaging and provides random facts/stories to hold your attention. Material is always clearly laid out and classroom environment is welcoming. I had heard people talk about how great Dr. Penning was for a couple of years on campus but never was place in his class. glad I finally was

It was a fun class. If you put in the effort, you can make it. I learned a lot from this class. I definitely recommend taking it with Dr. Penning.

He is someone who will teach you what you need to know. He has a lot of experience under his belt and so knows a whole bunch of things. His lectures are easy to follow and the notes are helpful. I recommend taking him if it is an option.

Just put in the effort and you will pass. There is nothing to it. He is available to help if you need it. Get ready to write! His lectures were easy to follow and his notes were super helpful! His labs are hands on and so make sure you are dressed for it! Also, get ready to write!

I took ecology just for my biology degree, but I am glad that I did. It gave me time to learn about and get more comfortable with nature. Dr. Penning was knowledgeable and cared about his students. He explains concepts clearly and makes everything interesting. You must study to pass. Dont miss the opportunity to take a class from Dr. Penning!

Dr. Penning was a great teacher, he was clear in all of his teaching. This was the first time I had him as a teacher and I would absolutely take him again. The class was definitely difficult but he taught in a way that made it easily understood with practice.

Dr. Penning is awesome. He is able to explain the material in ways that just click. Be ready to study and be able to write a research paper though!

Dr. Penning is awesome. He made a class that could be intense into something that I really enjoyed and learned a lot from.

Dr. Penning is a great professor with set guidelines of how to succeed in his course given on day 1 of class. If you do everything as he requests, you will succeed in the class and learn a lot. On top of that, you'll probably enjoy the experience.

Dr. Penning made this course really enjoyable even when material was difficult. His lectures are always engaging and I learned a lot from him.

Very great professor. Everything you want in a professor is found in Dr. Penning. he teaches with passion and takes time for everyone to get on the same playing ground when teaching.

He's GREAT!!!

Amazing professor. Made the course enjoyable and always gave amazing lectures.

Dr. Penning is amazing. He really takes the time to explain all the material in ways that make sense. You'll never fall behind as long as you show up and talk to him when needed.

Lectures were always enjoyable and kept me invested and focused on what we were doing. Also made learning a completely foreign topic in R as easy and stress free as possible.

This course is an amazing way to gain a better understanding of the scientific process and will help you gain a better understanding of how the science world works. I feel much more confident in my abilities to: 1- understand scientific papers and studies, 2- make and interpret my own data, and 3- decipher and understand figures. Great prof. too!

I cannot emphasize this enough, but BIO390 is a very interesting, interactive, and applicable course. Dr. Penning is an incredible teacher and he answers questions and lectures very thoroughly. The homework and tests are not too hard and are all take home. They might be time-consuming for some students but overall, it is very manageable.

This class was challenging at times but very enjoyable. I learned a lot and got to do more coding than I ever thought I would! Dr. Penning is very funny and a great professor. He makes the material very meaningful and easy to understand. I would definitely recommend taking this course because it is very fun and informative!

Dr. Penning is a great professor. I totally recommend taking his class. His class is super interesting and you always learn more than just the material. He is also very inspiring and funny.

Dr. Penning is definitely the professor to take for Ecology. Even if it's not your expertise, he does a fantastic job of keeping the lectures entertaining by providing several examples and stories to help you understand the subject. He is always willing to work with you, so do not hesitate to ask him for help!

Dr. Penning is an awesome professor. Not only are his lectures clear and easy to understand, they are also very entertaining. He does expect you to put in the effort for the grade you receive, but I feel like this is a given. All of his tests are very fair, and you always know what to expect. Overall, this was a great course.

Dr. Penning is hands down the best professor I have had in my time at Southern. He is a genuinely nice, helpful, and personable man. He will move mountains to get with you outside of class to give you any help you may need in understanding course material. His classes are no "gimmes" he puts time into his classes, you are expected to do the same.

Dr. Penning is a great professor. He shows that he is passionate about his job as a professor, as well as a statistician and scientist. He is always willing to answer any questions you may have. He let's you know how the information applies to every day life. He made statistics enjoyable. He is never unwilling to review a topic you don't understand

Dr. Penning is an outstanding teacher. He is always available to help students when they need it and takes the time to make sure that everyone (if willing to put in the effort) understands and does well in his classes. He seems truly passionate about what he does and the success of his students.

Dr. Penning pushes you to work hard and truly take what you learn into the real world. Hes understanding and patient. He is easily one of the most unbiased teachers Ive ever had. Whether you struggle or are an easy A student, he will work with you and treat you the same way. He is an awesome guy and an awesome teacher.

Dr. Penning is so incredible. He makes even the most mundane topics so interesting. He isn't a hard grader and he genuinely want to help you succeed in whatever you do, academically & personally. He'll push you and force you out of our comfort zone in the most fun ways & keep u laughing all the while. 10/10 I wish I could take this class again tbh.

Dr. Penning is a really good professor and explains concepts very well. The homework and take home tests are not difficult and gives plenty of time to complete them. During lectures, he incorporates humor and makes the class very enjoyable. The R Studio program that is used will benefit you when research requires statistical analyses.

Dr. Penning does a great job at teaching general ecology. He introduces stimulating ideas into the class that encourages you to think and question your current knowledge. He also gives students the opportunity to present to the class at the end of the class. This allows you to step out of your comfort zone in a safe environment and present. 10/10

Dr. Penning does a great job at teaching statistics. He explains the IMPORTANCE of statistical methods and how it applies to you field of study from conservation to medicine. He always introduces stimulating topics and makes you work hard for your grade. I recommend Dr. Penning to everybody I run into and will always continue to do so.

This is my fourth class with Dr. Penning and I've enjoyed every single one! In this course I had to work hard, but he was always willing to help me understand and never doubted by abilities. He is a true scientist and super cool guy. If you ever get the chance, take one of his courses! Highly recommend it!

Dr. Penning is very sound in statistical analysis while stressing the importance of interpreting data correctly. This was my first statistics course and I was very nervous, but he made me grow confident in my work. He was always willing to help me, which I think is what made me successful. I highly recommend taking statistics with Dr. Penning!

Dr. Penning is probs the best instructor at MSSU. He makes the lectures so funny and easy to understand. I hate being outside but some of my fav memories from this semester are from our ecology labs by the bio pond. I seriously can't recommend him enough. I am legit sad this class is over, I wish I could keep learning from him!

Dr. Penning is a great professor, I have had him for multiple courses and plan to continue to take other courses with him. I came into the class not knowing anything about statistics and left knowing how to analyze and explain data sets.

Dr Penning is a great professor if you put the effort in you won't fail. Struggling with a topic? Reach out to him before an exam and he'll sit down and help you understand whatever you're struggling with. If you're failing it's probably on you. His classes are not easy by any means, but he gives you the tools to succeed.

Dr. Penning is literally the best professor at MSSU. His lectures are amazing! I could listen to him talk all day long. He really wants you to understand the material and learn it, not just memorize it. He's always willing to help outside of class as well, and not just with stuff pertaining to his class. 100/10 for sure!

Dr. Penning is a wonderful professor and human being! He is so passionate about what he does and will take the time to make sure you know your stuff by going through new concepts repeated times. He'll allow you to use your notes on tests, so make sure to take good ones! I always appreciated his wit and humor during lectures!

This was the first class I ever had about anything to do with statistics, and I've left feeling more confident in statistical analysis. Dr. Penning explains the material very clearly and is always willing to help outside of class if you need help on something.

Dr. Penning is very personable and has funny stories to go along with almost every subject in class. He is very knowledgeable about ecology and many other sciences that are connected such as biology. I enjoyed this class even though my major is not directly related to ecology.

The lectures were presented very well and the teaching was easy to grasp. The lectures provided enough material to master the concepts.

Highly recommend Dr. Penning! I've had him for a number of classes, and they always end up being the classes I look forward to the most. Lectures are never boring there's always interesting facts, stories, or relevant information scattered throughout the PowerPoints which makes the lectures more engaging than your average lecture.

Professor Penning gives great lectures and spending extra time to make sure the class is understanding the assignment. Making sure a lot of the important sections during the semester are being received the right way. Overall a great professor and would recommend him to other students.

Dr. Penning is an amazing professor. I really just had to take Evolution but he made every lecture so interesting. He really made sure the class understood the material before moving on. Everyone should take Dr. Penning for a class at least once.

Dr. Penning is really good at teaching and uses great examples to make difficult concepts easy to understand. He is funny and lighthearted in class and you can tell he really loves what he does and cares about his students.

Amazing teacher. Made me actually care about the content. Very hands on class. He made me want to take him for as many of my remaining credits as possible. This class was not easy, but I wanted to study and not let him down.

This class was a little dry but he did his best to keep us engaged and interested in the material. This class taught by any other professor would have been very uninteresting.

He is by far the best professor I have had! He make some of the most boring things interesting! But his material is a little harder you can't just show up for an exam and expect to pass, but I don't know why you would want to skip his class.

Dr. Penning is an amazing lecturer. This class is hard but he will help if asked. It is self-lead for the lab and has a lot of information thrown at you, but you will pass if you put in the work. Attendance isn't required but you won't pass if you don't show up.

Dr. Penning's lectures are always engaging and easy to understand if you're paying attention. Class is certainly never boring. Labs are self-led, which was difficult for me, but overall seems to work for most people. The only grades in the class were the lecture and lab tests, so without studying, it would be near impossible to pass this class.

Dr. Penning is an amazing teacher. The lecture portion of this class is not bad, the lab is where it gets more complicated. Labs are self ran so staying motivated to do the work is important, but Dr. Penning is very helpful if you need it.

He makes the lectures very interesting and his field days are the best. He makes the class enjoyable. The trips are definitely a blast and there is never a moment where you do not learn something from this professor. I look forward to having Dr.Penning in future classes.

Dr. Penning is very knowledgeable and makes difficult topics easier to comprehend and enjoy. He is very witty and makes a long class go by fast. There is a lot of information in the course but if you put time in to studying it is definitely manageable. I was recommended by a friend to take this course and am so happy I did.

Dr. Penning has a great teaching style, that conveys the material concisely and clearly. He will also include videos and/or examples of what is being taught.

Thank you for being so upbringing and challenging it was a joy to be in your class.

I highly recommend this professor to any other students in the biology or ecology field. He presents topics in a very clear and concise way that makes it extremely easy on the student to remember and retain the information he presents. All around, one of the best, if not the best professor I have had so far in my college experience.

Dr. Penning has always been one of my favorite teachers to take at MSSU. He gives you all the information you need and is always there to answer any questions you have - you just have to actually try in his classes.

Dr. Penning is an amazing professor. He is hilarious and always keeps my attention during lecture. One of my favorite things about his teaching style is how he uses stories and hypothetical scenarios to make the material easily understandable and often relatable. His tests are very writing intensive, but they are not outrageously difficult.

Dr. Penning is always my favorite professor to have. He's super funny and makes lectures way more interesting. He makes the expectations and material for exams very clear and is always willing to help extra whenever needed. He also tries to give field experience when possible and truly cares about the quality of education students receive.

Mammalogy with Dr. Penning is a blast. He is fun, fair, and extremely informative. I learned some very valuable skills in this course, such as trapping and skinning mammals. I would definitely recommend this course for anyone who is planning on pursuing field biology, pre-vet students, or anyone who likes animals! Be prepared to spend time outdoors

Dr. Penning is an excellent professor. He provides an excellent lecture style that allows students to study directly from them without fear of outside concepts being on the exams. He is very knowledgeable on evolution, and teaches this course from a place of genuine care and understanding. Don't be afraid to ask questions!

Dr. Penning is a top tier professor. He is always thorough in explaining material, very engaging, and always free to answer any questions. Tests in this class were somewhat difficult for me though. Everything from the lectures was open game on the tests, so I was never sure what to actually study for.

I had been recommended to take him by many... and now I see why! I'm a junior and have had many professors, but honestly I have never had such a great professor as him! He cares for each and every student while also making sure you come out of the class knowing so much more than you went into it. He keeps things lighthearted and is just the best!

Dr. Penning is a great professor! He made a subject I wasn't super interested in into one of my favorite classes. There isn't really any homework so the bulk of your grade is determined by test scores, but the tests aren't too difficult if you follow along with the power points. He is ~very~ in to snakes.

Dr. Penning is the best teacher I have had at MSSU. His lectures are easy to understand and hilarious. He makes his expectations clear and he is there to help you! There were maybe two homework assignments and the

Dr. Penning is a great professor. He makes the material very easy to understand and is always willing to work through each problem on a test (all the tests are taken home except the final) with you to make sure you understand the material before you turn in your tests. He is very into nature and snakes though and will make fun of pre-meds.

Dr. Penning is very engaging during lectures and willing to help outside class if there are concerns about material before a test.

Before taking Dr. Penning's class, everything I had heard was how difficult it would be. I did not find that to be the case. As long as you at least show up to class and take decent enough notes there should be no issues.

Dr. P. gives great lectures, and his class is always pleasant. He'll make every accommodation to make sure any student is keeping up (leave no one behind). OTOH, he's a slow grader and didn't offer a lot of points outside tests, and when the work came, it came heavy. Spread it out (without adding to it)!

Lectures are fun and he makes sure you understand the material not only for exams, but real-world applications.

His class is really fun, and the lectures are always interesting and easy to listen to. Definitely a class that you have to try in to get the grade you want, but Dr. Penning does a good job on teaching the material to make it easier for you.

Penning is funny and interesting to listen to. This course isn't bad as long as you show up to class and pay attention. The workload definitely ramps up at the end of the semester though so be prepared for three tests in two weeks.

Dr. Penning is one of the professors you want to have before you graduate. You need to try in this class to get the grade you want,.

Great teacher that causes natural learning through attending lecture. Also , Penning talked about interesting topics in ecology that actually will be used and talked about in the fields of biology and environmental safety.

Dr. Penning really understands the material and is a very enjoyable professor. My only complaints would be that I wish his office hours were a little more flexible and that there were more points possible in the class.

Dr. Penning is definitely one of the most remarkable professors I have had. He always goes over topics in detail and gives plenty of examples to help learn the topic, not just memorize it. His lectures are thorough and well-planned out. He will always be one of my favorite professors and I would take him again no matter what class he taught.

Really cares about his students and has very straightforward tests, no trick questions! Lecture is actually interesting and there is minimal note taking necessary.

He makes sure to explain hard concepts in multiple ways to make sure his students understand the material and gives plenty of time to complete homework. He actually cares about his students and their ability to succeed!

By far my favorite professor! He cares more for each student individually than I have ever seen before. I can retain the information so much better because he makes everything relatable to us. He definitely has the professor-student relationship and communication dialed in and it is very impressive!

Dr. Penning always makes his lectures fun in any way he can. He cares about your grade in the class and he is always willing to help if you need it.

Dr. Penning teaches difficult topics, but makes sure that you understand them as long as you're willing to learn. He always offers help if you need it.

Although some of Dr. Penning's classes sound hard, like the statistics class he offers, he is probably the best professor you will find teaching it. He cares about the success of his students, and as someone who has taken many classes taught by him, he definitely knows what he is talking about, and can convey it in a concise and understandable way.

Dr. Penning shows a very great understanding of how coding for statistics should be done. He shows every step needed as well as backtracks when necessary. He wants you as a student to understand the materials and will go out of his way to make sure you are getting the information down. Would be hard if taught by anyone else.

Dr. Penning goes out of his way to find real world examples to include in his lectures. They certainly are not boring. Ecology is a hard subject to maintain attention in, however Dr. Penning keeps it interesting with relatable and enjoyable discussions. Would be boring if taught by anyone else.

Professor Penning is awesome and makes the class fun.

Dr. Penning teaches an amazing class with several topics that supports both lecture and current events. Labs were very well organized and provided detailed opportunities about several ideas. As a student, I did not feel much pressure or stressed out taking this 400 level class. He goes out of his way to ensure that you learn the material.

Dr. Penning is a very caring professor who will help you exceed in this course. He discusses topics that are engaging and catches the class's attention. While you may find tests difficult he is always around to help and discuss any difficulties that in come across in the material.

This man is honestly the best prof I've ever had. Always super friendly and helpful which I especially appreciate because he does a lot of projects and is super busy. Super funny and relatable. Has a good office to cry in if you ever need.

It's important to show up to class or you will be lost. I showed up everyday and didn't have a problem with the class. Also Dr. Penning is a really great teacher, he is funny and you can tell he cares. He also will look over your test and give you feedback which is super helpful.

Overall Dr. Penning is a great professor! He always finds ways to present difficult topics in ways that are easy to understand, whether that be through diagrams or anecdotes. Would take him again

I have taken Dr. Penning's courses before and enjoy his teaching and lecture style. The way he sets up his lectures helps to outline the major topics and definitions. Also he is very open to questions.

Make sure you got to every class. Keep your code for R organized in a word document.

Participation is so important. Dr. Penning was a really good teacher. Be sure to keep everything you do in class for the tests. Helps you stay on the right track.

Gives very clear instruction and is very open in class, and doesn't make his class harder than it has to be. He doesn't really like premeds that much and gets a little political sometimes, but otherwise keeps things courteous and professional. Overall a great professor

Dr. Penning is an awesome professor! I've taken several classes with him, and have never been disappointed! He cares about his students AND is passionate about whatever lecture he is giving (especially for herpetology!) I thoroughly enjoyed him and would recommend him! His tests are short-answered based, and deep studying is required to do well.

Dr. Penning is a great professor who makes difficult topics engaging. His lectures are clear, and he's always available to help. Unstuckstudy AI and the free textbook were also invaluable study aids for this class.

Super knowledgeable and really funny.

Dr. Penning prioritizes student understanding over test performance or strict writing performance. He does a good job making sure that the content being presented is actually taught in a way that's legible, and he frequently demonstrates how these fit into our world. As long as you're trying your best, Dr. Penning will help you where you need.

I absolutely loved Dr.Penning at the beginning you think that this class might be extremely hard as that is how he makes it sound, but you HAVE to go to class. To those who do go to class everyday the class is very enjoyable and so easy, copy exactly the examples and copy and paste those into your test. If you email him he will help you!

Dr. Penning teaching style provides an engaging way of learning that makes it fun to follow along and maintain interest. Highly recommend taking his courses.

He cares about his students and will match your effort to help you and and make sure you understand the concepts. If you show up to class and put in the effort its a straight forward class and pretty easy to get an A. Keep up with assignments and get ahead of the curve early in the semester while you can (it will save you towards the end)!!

I really enjoyed Dr. Pennings class. He kept lectures entertaining and was always open to questions. He made it very easy to ask for help both in class and outside of class. His class was very clear and I always knew what I needed to do to get the grade I wanted.

Not clear due dates. No late work accepted.

Stats is hard, and Dr. Penning is very clear about his expectations. You will have to put in effort and study but you will learn a LOT if you do those two things. He is intimidating in his knowledge but will sit with you for as long as it takes to help you understand statistics. Take his courses if you can!

Probably the best professor to teach this course. I personally had a hard time in the beginning but saw improvements by good communication with Dr. Penning. Would recommend this course for someone who is going to practically use it.

Great professor, amazing lectures, and easy grading. Just make sure you attend classes and take good lecture notes. Most exams are take-home/open note, but if you're aren't attending classes or taking decent notes, you'll struggle.

He counts spelling so know how to spell.

Make sure you attend lecture and do exactly as he asks for the assignments

Everything was fairly easy to understand, and if it wasn't he was more than welcome to help you with whatever problem you had.

Class is always entertaining and easygoing. As long as you attend lecture and take good notes, his exams are fairly simple. Lab can be challenging, but he is always more than willing to help and further explain things.

I've taken a couple of Dr.Penning's classes and he's honestly one of the best professors I've ever had. His course content is difficult but he always makes himself available if you need to ask questions or access different resources. He makes lecture entertaining and relates it back to real world problems. He also has a 10/10 sense of humor.

Dr. Penning is a great teacher. He is easy to understand and cares a lot about what he is teaching and his students. He is able to answer most questions when it comes to assignments. When you pay attention to class and show up, the class is a breeze.

Dr. Penning does a great job explaining the material in a simplistic way. He gives many different examples and walks through each step with you to make sure that everyone understands before moving on. Great Professor!

The best professor for any type of stats class. Actually makes stats fun and enjoyable. If you come to the lectures and turn your work in on time, this class will be great!

He is a great professor and he doesn't care if you haven't done well on a test or a homework, he will work with you to get better. He is very willing to go the extra mile and help his students as long as they are also putting in their work. Attendance isn't mandatory, however, you are not going to pass if you dont come to class.

Dr.Penning finds the most bonkers case studies to run statistical analysis on which makes statistics way more bearable. There was not a single lecture where I was bored or lost. He's very good at explaining in kindergarten terms which is super helpful.

Smells like turtles, love him tho :)

I've taken a few of his classes and they never disappoint. I went out of my way to take this course with Dr. Penning specifically. He is a very busy in and outside the university, but will ALWAYS make you feel like a valued student. He wants to see everyone succeed as long as they are willing to put forth effort. Not sure how Joplin got so lucky.

I have always struggled with online work and being online-savvy. Throughout the course and exam work, all of my questions were answered without holding my hand, allowing me to work with the material while still making sure I understood it correctly. Overall, Dr. Penning is an excellent professor. Also, this guy is funny and allows extra credit.

As a student in the class with imperfect attendance, the class would have been easier had I made sure to always make it to class. Dr. Penning explains expectations, processes, assignments, etc. almost too well. He makes the subject of Stats approachable, funny, and easy. Pay attention in class and you will do very well.

Make sure to turn your assignments in ON TIME, go to class and take good notes, and have a computer that can download Past5 software. Overall loved how the course made me a better at critically reviewing scientific papers and how to spot BS that can get published.

I am obsessed with taking Dr. Penning courses. Guaranteed to learn something, no matter the subject, that you will randomly tell friends/strangers for the rest of your life. Take his courses and tell me you AREN'T his biggest fan afterwards... and you'll be wrong.

Dr. Penning is an exceptional professor who inspires and motivates with lessons that extend far beyond the classroom.

I've taken a few of his classes and always enjoyed them. He is swamped inside and outside the university, but is always willing to help! He wants to see everyone succeed, but you need to work for it! One suggestion I suggest to everyone is DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. His assignments and exams take time, I have never finished an assignment under 5hrs.

Dr. Penning is very knowledgeable and makes sure you understand and can recall the information. Outstanding professor!

Dr. Penning is one of the best professors I have had at MSSU. Somehow, he made stats fun and very practical. He teaches you the stats that will be beneficial to your future and gives you many shortcuts for being able to remember the tests when you need them. He definitely makes you put in the work, but it's worth it in the end.

He is a pretty involved professor and shows a clear passion for what he is teaching. He is also down to get on Zoom 1-on-1 with you and usually replies quickly to emailed questions. The content is intuitive and you get a system down quick. Prepare for a lot of videos to watch if you take online in summer. Understanding R code early is a must.

Great professor! I was really nervous for online statistics, but I really enjoyed this class!

Honestly, Penning makes the class pretty engaging and his instructions are very clear so as long a student pays attention to the right details, his class is very very manageable. Penning has a fun personality and doesn't just provide death by powerpoint, he is very knowledgeable and thorough, although he will give you same spheals now and then lol.

I liked how the videos took time to go into depth on how to use r and gave multiple examples for each topic. I feel like the reeading helped with undestanding the concepts and the lecture quizzes have as well. I wish there was some more extra credit options, but other than that it was a great course!

The video lectures were entertaining and engaging. I learned more from them than if I had read from a slide presentation. The coding at first seemed daunting, but I found it was easy once I got the hang of it.

Dr. Penning is a good professor. He is engaging and clearly cares about his students very much. The class is on the tougher side, but as long as you stay focused and understand what is asked of you, it really isn't too bad. Statistics are incredibly useful for a variety of careers, so the knowledge learned here can apply in the future as well.

good teacher tough class

Tough class very technical... good teacher wish I got to know him in-lecture

Dr. Penning will make your statistics knowledge so solid, you will have the best foundation for future classes and any research you may conduct. So immensely helpful. He also puts in extra effort to share random, cool things with his students and that makes me really happy.

I took this class because I had heard great things about Dr. Penning and had been looking forward to taking a class with him. Although that is the reason I took this class, I highly recommend that you take it as well. Dr. Penning will make you work for your grade. An exceptional teacher and an even better human. He cares about you and your future.

Excellent class/ prof. You'll definitely want to keep up and not get behind. If you skip a week it will be nearly impossible to catch up. You must watch the lectures and keep up with the code simultaneously. If you do the work, your grade will absolutely reflect it.

Dr. Penning is a statistics wizard. He explains everything in such a thorough way that you come away understanding something new about statistics with every lecture. The 8-week summer class was a bit of a heavy load, but as long as you keep up with the work, it should not be too much to handle.

Overall good proff is good, if you put in the right amount of effort you will get the grade you want.

Pretty solid teacher. If you make sure to stay on top of the work load rather than cramming, the class is very manageable... and possibly even enjoyable!

I really enjoyed this online class. I think Dr. Penning is an amazing teacher. I never struggled in this class. He did a great job of explaining how to do this assignments.