1.9
Quality4.5
Difficulty21%
Would Retake119
Reviews21%
Would Retake
119
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
7
4
8
3
20
2
26
1
58
What Students Say
“Tests/quizzes are impossible”
BIO152 - 1.0 rating“Ive never disliked a professor more than this guy”
BIO152 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
98%
Textbook Required
56%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.40 avg changeRatings by Course
BIOLOGY152
5.0
(1)141L151
4.0
(1)BOTANY252
4.0
(1)BIO452
4.0
(1)141151152
3.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
152
5.0
BIO215
5.0
BIOL141
5.0
BIO251
5.0
BIOH141
5.0
Reviews (119)
Dr. McCloud is one of the nicest professors I've ever had. If you need anything, he's always willing to help, no matter how simple it is...he'll help even if it isn't during his office hours, unlike some of our professors...
he is the worst professor i had ever had
No Comments
I found Dr. McCloud to be challenging, so STUDY the lecture notes and text! He does know his material, and is quite laid back. He likes to jog a lot, but don't let that intimidate you. It is quite possible to get an 'A' in this class!
Avoid his classes. He does not believe in teaching and does not like to write lesson plans. He expects you to teach yourself and the class period is (according to him) for discussion only.
No Comments
Needs to work on showing interest in all the students, not just his favorites. He's pretty erratic, but all right. Sometimes he can be very un-understanding about things but he's fairly nice outside of class. I think he gets nervous and defensive!
McCloud = idiot. One cannot find a worse teacher for ecology. Why the heck are we learning stats in there? He needs to take a speech class at USI....and who the hell doesn't do the "email thing"? Avoid him.
Dr. McCloud knows the material, but has a difficult time relaying the information to the students in an organized fashion. You MUST KNOW the information to get the grade you want in this class because he expects this one class to be your full time job.
lectures too much in lab. i hate scantron tests, and that's what he gives in 151. his multiple choice 151 tests are NOT EASY!!! i have a 3.8 here, and he's given me my only "B". given a choice, take metscher over him.
He believes that he is getting paid so that his students can lead the class lecture.
The class could have been much better with a better teacher!
Smart (but cocky and rude) man, awful teacher. "Study questions" are worthless and time consuming, labs consist of nothing more than looking at organisms and drawing them. Loves to hear himself talk, even though he doesn't have anything meaningf
This is the worst professor I've had at USI. He doesn't make himself clear and he doesn't know how to teach. And he believes he's never wrong. AVOID HIM AT ALL COSTS!
No Comments
Yeah this class just is not that great of a class probably one of the least liked science classes
No Comments
"well... um, yes and no. The specific answer you are looking for is in the realm of collegiate acadameia and you should be able to locate the source of information in the course work. HORRIBLE TEACHER!!!!!!!!!!!
He seems really smart but can't teach it very well! He is willing to help you understand but it doesn't really help! If you have to take the class be prepared for a lot of ummmm's! He doesn't ever really get to the point of his lectures, he goes all around them!
the worst teacher I've had...by far
Dr. McCloud is by far the worst teacher on the face of the earth. I would highy recommend that you do not take this class, if by some horrible reason you have to, I highly suggest that you do not get him as a lab instructor. If you have a question, go elsewhere, he's no help.
Although he wasn't the best teacher I've ever had...when I went to his office to get help, he was nice and helpful!
cocky and rude, seems to have some anger issues and looks down on students from his high horse
Communicates in a vague, if not completely incoherent, manner. Not enough time to get done in lab what he expects you to get done.
Never take him. does not explain anything. Feel lost all the time, and will never help in lab. will never take him again
No Comments
This guy could not explain anything. I was lost throughout his entire lectures. He did not make no sense. The way he explained it was not clear at all. He was by far one of the worst teachers I had last semester.
he tends to go off on tangents on lectures, always be sure to read the text and take your own notes. if you ask for help, he'll help, but sometimes his answers arent very clear. he expects a lot out of students in lab, usually there is too much to get done
hes a good guy, fun to talk to him about southpark, family guy and drinking. just read the chapter before lecture and it will sink in
He may be confusing at times. He is a nice person and will let you come to him with any questions, but his teaching style is not that great. Keep up with the reading and get a study buddy.
Everyone needs to stop whining about McCloud... just 'cause someone challenges you once in a while doesn't make them a bad professor. He's hard as hell, but you learn a lot.
No Comments
he is just about the most worthless teacher on the planet! if you want to fail, i suggest him as your teacher. he couldnt explain the difference between black and white. what an idiot! who gave him his degree? i have a feeling he payed someone off for that!
No Comments
these comments are absolutely ridiculous and unhelpful. mccloud is a good teacher, the classes are fairly easy, and he will try to help you out whenever he can. explanations are sometimes unclear, but that's when you read the textbook.
He is a challenging teacher who expects you to think and understand not memorize what's in the book. He does have trouble explianing things sometimes and he has high expectations. Get ready to work if you have this prof.
Awful teacher, weird guy. If you have a problem outside of the classroom that makes you miss a test or something, be warned that he will be very intrusive, inappropriate, and just plain rude. He WILL make you uncomfortable. He's just plain creepy.
In lab he will take up every spare second you give him. He thinks he is helping you when he does this, but most of the time he is talking off on some tangent.
McCloud does not answer questions, instead he will reask you the question, so you might as well not even ask them.
Unhelpful, rude, snooty, refuses to accomodate anyone whose having problems outside of the classroom, will hardly look you in the eye and does believe in 'Stupid' questions - personally, avoid at all costs. The only information I learned from him was in lab, which is so hands-on that I do not really credit him for that anyway.
He is not very clear, his humor is very messed up, and he just doesn't care.
If you have the choice of taking his class or another Science class, go with the other class. That is, unless you like to catch some sleep. If so, then definitely take his class. It will put you to sleep faster than you can say "global warming."
you can read what he has to say in the book for yourself. it will take you ten mins. then he will talk for a 2 hours!!!! no kidding....AVOID AVIOD
Great lecturer. His tests are insane. I wish he would be more precise on what would be on the test. Although a lot of people around me in the class hated him, I thought he was great as long as you worked in the class. Most people don't want to have to do any work, but remember we are in collage now.
Aweful! Started class out with the quietest voice possible to try to make it a point that everyone needed to shut up. One day, when everyone didn't hear him start class, he yelled at everyong and literally told us to "shut-up!"
Hard, outside of class work is required to earn a good grade. Don't blow off any quiz or homework assignment because it will count in the end. The way information was presented in class changed everyday. Not the easiest professor to approach, but it will get better by the end of the semester.
If you would like an interesting lecture then do not take him. He talks very monotone with and elongated. He has very long pauses in his lectures to take up the time when really the lecture could have only been 30 mins. Oh yeah don't ask a question because in return you won't get an answer but a question If u have to take this class dont take him!!
Sure, he is very intelligent. But that is his downfall. It has made his teaching methods come off as arrogant and very patronizing.
He is a funny guy outside of class...but in class he is the complete opposite. He treats Zoology (a 100 level class) like a 300+ level class. If you have no other choice but to take him, you better spend all your free time studying and think about Zoology. His tests are very hard.
I was in a car accident on my way to lab class and missed the lab that we had to do a paper over. I brought in my hospital records and police report he acted like he wouldn't penalize me on the paper or the lab. Well, I would have had a C in the class, but he decided to be a real jerk and count it against me. I got a D. I hate him.
Good teacher, but kinda puts you on the spot in class. He's sometimes helpful, but he can get pretty rude at times.
very helpful, will make time to answer questions. do not take his class if you are not serious about learning in class, can be challenging
Really a great teacher out of class, but in class he covers many subjects and doesn't review. Things he half-mentions tend to be on tests, and on top of that, the tests tend to be excruciatingly difficult. In short, talk to him and get to know him, but don't take any of his classes.
He should not be teaching lower level classes. His knowledge and depth of teaching is geared towards upper level courses. I don't see how these kids, just getting out of high school, can keep up with him.
This class is ridiculous. Treats a 100 level course like a 300+. The lab is the only way to learn anything. He does not accept late work even if your grandma died and had to miss class. Heartless! He spent too much time at the beginning of class doing nothing but talking to his pets!
He is hard, and you have to really work in this class. Make sure you read and learn the material as much as you can, and do the study questions when he hands them out. Don't fall behind! For our intro class he treated it like a higher level, be ready for the stress he'll be sure to cause during the semester. Tests cover 6-7 chapters each time.
He can teach you a lot, you just have to come prepared. If you are taking a class just to fill a spot I wouldn't suggest taking any of his classes, but if you are into the subject then just go to class and pay attention and you will be fine.
After my 4.0 in grad school, I wanted to take science classes to help me in my next degree. Needless to say, this class was the hardest in my life, and my only B this semester (no A's, pretty sure). The reason why is that the material is easy, but he makes it very difficult. His tests are ridiculous (all essay, and over 7-10 chpts.). Stay away!!!
dr mccloud is a very challenging professor. he expects A LOT out of his students. he is often unclear in lecture, sometimes contradicting the book. difficult tests with questions from material hardly mentioned in class or in the book. but hes funny during lecture sometimes and extremely nice and caring outside class. genuinly loves what he teaches
Def doesn't need to be teaching lower level classes. Teaches a 100 like a 300+. I felt sorry for the kids right out of highschool. Is unclear a lot, and can be very rude and condescending when answering questions. Do NOT take this class unless you absolutely need it. If you have to have it, be PREPARED. Read the book, answer study questions!
Serious students only! Not the best at communicating verbally, also rude at times, but if you can get past that and accept a real challenge, you'll learn a lot more from him than any of the other professors teaching the same classes. Also extremely available outside classroom. Definitely recommend no more than 1 of his classes at a time!
This guy is killing me this year. I have always had a 4.0, have always loved biology and am currently a biology major, and this man has ruined it for me. Not a word has come out of his mouth that I understand and his study questions don't help. The tests aren't related to anything he teaches in class, and he is by far the rudest teacher I've had.
I really hate this class. I went in with a strong interest in learning Botany because I love science. I feel like I am in a graduate level course. I already have a degree from a bigger University than USI and this professor is the hardest professor ever. I have tried to ask him questions and he made me feel stupid. Do not take this professor.
Beginning of course was boring. Hes hard to understand and seems to try and talk over your head. If it wasn't for lab I would not have gotten a B. Lab was fun but lecture was terrible. Tests are harder than necessary
He is Terrible.
He is by far the worst professor at USI. Never take him. He makes the class so much harder than it actually is. When you prove him wrong, you are still wrong, even if you have a dictionary in front of you. KEEP AS FAR AWAY AS POSSIBLE
He would be a great prof for HIGHER science courses. His test are 6+ pages of stuff he doesnt cover in class. He tries, but he is very temperamental, so it was hard for me to approach him. Would not recommend him UNLESS you are a science major.
I loved zoology and thought I would like this class, but was I wrong. I wod have if it wasnt taught by Mccloud. He is horrible and anal about how everything has to be done. Tests arnt hard. Lab notebooks an assignments are. I don't recommend him take it with some one else. I true hard and only got a C in one of my favorite subjects.
He is very knowledgeable about his work, and he expects you to be the same. But he has no patience for anyone who doesn't understands. He will not make exceptions for anybody. If it's not his way, it's wrong. He often gets mixed up with the terms, and is terrible about answering questions. He's for serious students who already know the material.
By far the worst professor or teacher I've had in my life. He is incredibly picky about meaningless things. Eg. If you turn in a paper with the notebook edge still on, you get a 0. He has tons of "bonus opportunities", but thats not a good thing. Only the top 5% in his class get an A, so if thats what you want be prepared to do a lot of extra work!
By far the worst professor I have come across. Lecture wasn't too bad, but lab was beyond confusing. Not the greatest person to be teaching a 100 level class. He's not exactly the friendliest either. Avoid taking him if you can. He's terrible.
Only take him if you are a biology major. Makes it difficult because science should be somewhat hard. In general he is prepping you for the social norms of the hard sciences. He is very awkward, but will spend time with you one on one if you care about the material
Worst teacher I've had, which is saying something. He had absolutely no patience for questions, and would degrade and embarrass people who asked. Average test grades were never above a D or F, and he was okay with it. He expects this to be the only thing you do with your life. Don't expect to focus on any other class while taking this.
This man is a lunatic. He is so knowledgeable and passionate about the subject he forgets to teach on the level of students who are experiencing the subject for the first time. He has strict requirements on how to take notes and type assignments. It is easy to get a 0 for one mistake. Better pay attention during class and always read your info before hand. Dont anger him or get on his bad side. Don't take this loon if you have a choice!
He is honestly the hardest professor I have EVER had, and not in a good, challenging way. He rambles on to the point that you don't know what you are supposed to know. His lectures are unclear, and he stacks so much on you during lab that its impossible to get done. Definitely don't recommend him under any circumstances.
He was not good at all at conveying the information in his lectures. I often left the class confused about what I had learned. If you miss a day you will fall behind, and you must read the textbook in order to actually learn something. The tests were extremely hard. I was a biology major, but after taking this class I changed my major.
Dr. McCloud is an extremely tough professor. He does teach the class at a level that is higher than expected, but that is because he genuinely wants to see his students succeed. Don't take this class if you are looking for an easy A, because you are definitely going to have to work hard to obtain the grade you want.
This class, is the hardest class I've ever taken. The McCloud doesn't help you, I asked him about some homework that he could have answer before he left the class but instead he told me to come to his offices hours, the homework was due that night before I could use the office hours. His lecture make little to no sense and he talks in circles.
Hardest class I've taken, which is sad considering this is a low level class. I'm an A student, and he failed me on several labs for not exactly following his strict guidelines. After asking questions in his office and being laughed at, I dropped this class to retake with a different professor.
this class has killed me. McCloud is a horrible professor. He won't grade assignments based on spacing. More than half the class dropped because he is such a tough teacher. If I didn't need to have this class I would have dropped at the beginning
Ive never disliked a professor more than this guy. I wish i would have used this website before i signed up for his class. I have not talked to one person who likes this professor.
Tests/quizzes are impossible. He wants you to fail. He seems to enjoy marking off on assignments and is extremely picky on irrelevant assignments. I wish I wouldn't have taken his class because he makes it extremely unbearable.
I took this professor for Zoology and dropped after a few weeks because he was very unhelpful, boring, and rude. I had to have Ecology for my major, and he was the only professor teaching it. I'm used to getting A's in everything, and I'm hoping I can get a C in this class. Horrible. Avoid.
I think Dr. McCloud is pretty cool guy. He fails lots of kids and doesn't afraid of anything.
Hardest professor I've ever taken. If I could avoid him as a professor, I would. I have had 3 classes with him and have not received respect from him, despite how hard I work in his classes. His lectures are not well-organized. Be sure to read everything. If you don't know an answer to his question, just admit defeat. He only gives a handful of A's
He gives very hard pop quizzes. His exams are very difficult, especially the essay-based ones. If you haven't studied or read the material, don't bother showing up to the exam. Write down everything that comes out of his mouth. If he mentions something more than once, it's on the exam. Don't skip. Don't sleep in class. Stay invisible.
If you attempt to imagine a real-life version of the "mad scientist" caricature, you'll be imagining Dr. McCloud.
I had Dr. McCloud for zoology my freshman year, and it was very difficult. You can't go in expecting a good grade to be handed to you; you have to work hard for it. But you will learn the material, and he will help you outside of class if you ask; despite what many think, he DOES want you to pass! I recommend him, but you need to be ready to work!
Bio151 is supposed to be an entry level course and McCloud teaches it like a 400+ level class. The material is not challenging as long as you study (A LOT). His grading scale is ridiculous and he was not helpful when you ask questions one on one (he talks down to students). Definitely avoid taking him for this class and any other for that matter.
Not a fun professor at all. I honestly was so excited to take this class, until first class. He's very rude. He looks down on you if you are struggling to grasp a concept. I needed help understanding a concept in lab and raised my hand to ask him about it. He was very condescending, and was checking me out the entire time we spoke.
I loved this class! McCloud cares about his students' success and is very helpful. He hosted study sessions before tests (where he would give answers to questions that would be on the test) and he was always available in his office. He also gave up to 25 points of extra credit. Material is challenging, but interesting. Just study hard.
I absolutely loved Dr. McCloud. His class was difficult, but definitely doable. Those who don't like his class are usually lazy, and don't want to put in extra effort outside of class. He really wants his students to do well, is more than willing to answer questions, gives bonus, & his class taught me how to study. I would definitely recommend him.
Never received above a C on a test or homework assignment and i often typed out three pages for end of section questions. However I ended up with an A in the class so i think he just wants to see you grind while receiving discouraging grades. Put the effort in and youll be rewarded at the end of the semester. He doesnt put grades in
Dr. McCloud has unclear expectations and is a very unapproachable man. I received no better than a C on any test or assignment, no matter how hard I studied or tried. However, at the end of the semester he adjusts grades, so I ended up with a B in the class. I would not take this professor if there's an option not to .
I had him for my anatomy II lab and had no clue what he was talking about. He learned from Greg Mendells labs the week before. His quizzes are really hard. I passed 121 with a high A but barely got a B 122 because of him. He's a hardass. If you don't have to take him don't do it.
Didn't respect students and was not available outside of class & was very rude unless you sucked up. Says he cares about education but never received a 100% on any of hw/ exams and never knew grade. He was very easily distracted and went off topic talking about things that weren't on exam so he wasted lecture time. Overall, would not take again.
Do NOT take this professor if given the chance. Overall, he was disrespectful to everyone & made the material more complicated than it needed to be. Never knew my grade once during the semester bc he never put them in & made any extra credit (if any) a pain in the ass. To be blunt, he was a jerk to his students & his office hours were non existent.
Do not take this professor if you want to pass the class.
Don't take him if you can avoid it. He's very judgmental. He encourages you to ask questions and then when you do, he's a jerk about it. You have to really suck up to even have a chance with him. He seems to love giving bad grades. His lectures are confusing because he spends tons of time talking about things that aren't on the exam.
VERY inconsistent with grading. Students had the exact same answer for a question on the practical but some were marked wrong and others right, but he got very defensive and said he would have to take them up and mark them wrong instead of just owning up to his mistake. makes you feel dumb for giving wrong answers. Do not take this professor
Literally worst professor I had at my time at this school and I had him for two different courses. Hes unfair, disrespectful, rude, condescending, and unwilling to work with students. Treated my class of seniors as freshmen. I never really knew what my grade was the whole semester. Do not take this class with him at all costs
Makes you feel stupid
Dr. McCloud can be very misunderstood. Yes he's a pretty difficult professor to take. Sometimes he can make you feel a bit stupid, but it doesn't really seem intentional. I think it's just how he communicates. I've had him several times now. He's really pretty friendly and respectful so long as you reciprocate it.
I took Dr. Mclouds class 3 years ago. He is the worst professor I have EVER had. He called me a liar twice (the first time was when he didnt give me a paper in lab that he set out before class in front of our assigned seats - why would I lie about that?). Luckily, I got accepted into pharmacy school & I was able to drop. He is a very rude person.
I only had this professor for a lab in anatomy 2. It was COVID too so we didn't get to do all of the normal things. But when I did see him, he seemed like a nice guy. Answered my questions and provided decent lecture videos to go along with the labs.
Avoid taking Dr. McCloud for A&P 121 at all costs!! This guy is extremely inconsistent with his grading, extremely rude, and clearly does not care about the success of his students. He will mark a whole answer incorrect just because of one simple spelling mistake. I never disliked a professor as much as him in my whole life.
Graded very hard for a first level class. Seemed to enjoy that over half the class was failing and did not care about helping anyone. Very rude overall and makes you feel dumb. Overall, avoid his class. Easily the hardest class I have taken to date.
He was extremely rude. It surprises me how the university doesn't care how he treats PAYING students. He encourages you to ask questions but when you do he makes you feel stupid.
Horrible. So rude and so condescending. Would not recommend asking him any questions because he will treat you like you are so stupid. Do NOT take this professor.
Comes off as a very condescending individual, shows lack of respect for others. Also demonstrates very little desire to actually teach the material. Calls individuals out that don't do well in labs. Got mad at a student for having a water bottle out on top of his desk in the lab.
Would take literally any other professor for lab. McCloud does not want his students to succeed I think he actually goes home and celebrates when over half his class fails. He probably wakes up every morning and plans on how he is going to make his students feel stupid that day.
McCloud tries to be nice but he's such a stickler. He was unwilling to give a 100 on anything. He scrutinized one of my papers twice before saying there was nothing wrong with it and giving back 1/2 a point. On our final he included a question on something he had discussed with two students. I will do anything not to take a class or lab he taught.
sucks. def gets off on the idea of kids failing hes basically ebeneezer scrooge of biology. heres how his lectures go" uhhhhhhhhhhh this is brain and uhhhhh you know- i uhhhh" its like having joe biden as you teacher
I had Dr. McCloud in lab, and at the beginning of the semester, I thought that he was not that bad, and that others had just been too critical of him. However, as the semester continued, he became condescending to students, and treated us like we were stupid if we asked certain questions. I would not recommend him as a professor.
If you want to do better in class, don't leave as soon as you finish the labs. He often gives information about tests to the last people in the room. Okay guy but horrible lecturer. Half the time he did not post the slides and the other half he would skip things that ended up on the exams. Honestly I barely passed the lab portion.
Lectures can be a bit dry, but Dr. McCloud breaks down concepts well. Staying engaged and using study tools like Unstuck ai helped me get through the class.
I am a 4th year Biology student at USI. I take school very seriously and am very academically motivated. I never complain about professors, because normally that means I'm not working hard enough. This person is the worst professor I have ever had, I hope you never have to experience. Avoid this man like the plague. I wish I never had to have him.
This guy has no care or consideration for students. His only goal is to be a barrier to anyone entering a STEM or bio field, beyond anything an intro anatomy class should ever be. He's a stickler for everything petty- no water in class, locks the door so you have to knock to get back in, breathing down your neck, etc. Take anyone else, trust me!
he is by far the worst professor i have had. he will make you feel so stupid. he wants everyone to participate and ask questions but when you do he will make you feel so dumb if you dont say exactly what he was wanting you to say. DO NOT take his class!!!
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
98%
Textbook Required
56%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.40 avg changeRatings by Course
BIOLOGY152
5.0
(1)141L151
4.0
(1)BOTANY252
4.0
(1)BIO452
4.0
(1)141151152
3.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
152
5.0
BIO215
5.0
BIOL141
5.0
BIO251
5.0
BIOH141
5.0