2.8

Joel Hagen

Biology - Radford University

2.8
Quality
3.5
Difficulty
38%
Would Retake
83
Reviews
2.8
Quality
3.5
Difficulty
2.7
Helpful
2.7
Clarity

38%

Would Retake

83

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

14

4

18

3

17

2

10

1

24

What Students Say

Do whatever you have to so that you don't have this guy as a professor

BIO105 - 1.0 rating

Class isn't easy but good with a lil effort

BIOL1211 - 5.0 rating
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

78%

Textbook Required

50%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A-

95% confidence
Based on 15 grades
Most common grades:
Not sure yet (7)
B+ (4)
A+ (4)
Grade Distribution
A(7)B(1)C(0)D(3)F(0)A-/B+(6)
Based on 24 reported grades
Not sure yet: 7
B+: 4
A+: 4
A: 3
Common Tags
Get ready to read (13)
Skip class? You won't pass. (6)
BEWARE OF POP QUIZZES (4)
Test heavy (4)
Beware of pop quizzes (4)
GROUP PROJECTS (3)
Tough Grader (3)
Participation matters (3)
Rating Trend

Stable

-0.10 avg change
Jan
Nov
Jan
Feb
Apr
Sep
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

BIOL1211

5.0

(1)

BIO215

5.0

(1)

BIOL104

5.0

(1)

UPPERBIO

5.0

(1)

BIOL215

4.0

(1)
+22 more courses
Difficulty by Course

BIOLOGY10

5.0

UPPERBIO

5.0

BIOL232

5.0

BIOLOGY

4.5

BIOL101

4.0

Reviews (83)
5.0
2.0
BIOL1211
Mar 4, 2002

Class isn't easy but good with a lil effort. Really enjoyed

4.0
1.0
BIOL101
Oct 25, 2002

hard class, but easy quizzes and cheat sheets on tests are great

5.0
3.0
BIO101
Nov 13, 2002

No Comments

3.0
4.0
BIO122
Feb 18, 2003

he was very very anal retentive

4.0
2.0
BIO122
Feb 20, 2003

HARD class, LONG labs, but use notes for quizes and tests. Learned a lot.

4.0
3.0
BIOL215
Feb 20, 2003

He is VERY strange. But his class was ok. tests were kinda hard and labs were3hr

5.0
2.0
BIO102
Mar 3, 2003

Made his OWN labs!!! Do all your work and go to lab and you can get a B. Nice Guy!

4.0
4.0
BIO121122
Mar 28, 2003

Reminds me of a goat says um all the time. Must go to class every fri for quiz. Seems like he has menstral period once awhile.

1.0
5.0
BIO122
Apr 25, 2003

No Comments

1.0
5.0
BIOL101
Jun 5, 2003

**WARNING**!!!!DO NOT TAKE THIS MAN FOR BIOLOGY! Average grade in the class out of 14 was a D. Horrible at clarity of teaching presentation. Gives exams not relevant to the current study material. NEVER explains or is willing to assist students.

5.0
3.0
BIO102
Jun 10, 2003

Great teacher. I have taken a few biology classes and he is by far the best teacher for it that I have had.

1.0
5.0
BIOL101
Jun 11, 2003

I'd much rather memorize millions of hard vocabulary words than anymore of this ridiculous professor's classes. I once counted how many times he said the phrase "ok" in one class period, and the total was 127 times...very annoying. Average grad

1.0
5.0
BIOL101
Jun 15, 2003

HORRIBLE INSTRUCTOR. Average grade of entire class on final exam was 54% (F). Doesn't this speak for itself? Do not take this professor if you want to graduate w/ honors!

5.0
1.0
BIO215
Sep 24, 2003

Great class, i dont think they teach it anymore at all, but i enjoyed it. Dr Hagen is a great professor!

1.0
5.0
BIOL122
Oct 23, 2003

will NEVER take this guy again. horrible teaching. didn't learn anything.

2.0
3.0
BIOL122
Oct 25, 2003

BORING LECTURES AND LABS. Not willing to help. Doesn't always show up for office hours. Just doesn't seem to care.

1.0
4.0
BIO122
Oct 27, 2003

This guy is poopy. He is the worst professor I have ever had. Not willing to help students and can never be found when you need help. DO NOT TAKE ANY OF HIS CLASSES

3.0
3.0
BIO101
Oct 31, 2003

lets see here...quiz every friday, boring class, pointless labs, cant find him in lab whe you need help........

1.0
4.0
BIOLOGY
Nov 1, 2003

worst professor ever.

1.0
4.0
BIO101
Dec 1, 2003

This is the worst teacher ever....Do not take him...His class is boring, labs are boring and he is boring

4.0
2.0
BIOETHICS
Feb 13, 2004

Suck it up people, you get out what you put in. A good professor isn't always the easiest one.

2.0
4.0
BIO102
Mar 1, 2004

Obviously passionated about science, but boring and confusing.

1.0
4.0
BIOL122
Grade: A
Mar 27, 2004

Makes students feel stupid. actually calls them so in class. not willing to help even under extenuating circumstances. if you're willing to put up with all that and work really hard then take the class. its not like you have a choice if you're a bio major

3.0
3.0
BIO122
May 2, 2004

not the best professor i have ever had, but overall pretty good. only problem is that it is hard to get him to help and sometimes he isn't very clear. but he does help you think on your own by not answering questions.

4.0
2.0
BIO102
Jun 23, 2004

Not to bad of a class, kinda boring, but if you study you are fine, i also found he says OK a lot, some 165 Ok's in a 50 min class.

2.0
4.0
BIOL101
Nov 1, 2004

HATED this class, he's a stuck up prick who does not seem to care about the students, I worked in a group project and we all were supposed to turn in the same paper, I got a C and my friend got an A on the same paper!!!! He's the teacher taht made me quit my Biol Major

2.0
4.0
BIO105
Nov 2, 2004

in all seriousness...never take this class, he's hard, boring, has an annoying voice and tried to turn me into the Dean of students for talking during a quiz when I never spoke a word..if you are forced to stick with him though, if you work hard you will do decent

1.0
5.0
BIOLOGY10
Nov 3, 2004

He is very unhelpful, and very hard to get along with. He makes you feel like you are sooo stupid when you ask a question!!!

1.0
3.0
BIOL105
Nov 4, 2004

Not a good professor at all. Confusing and very unclear in lab. Very rude and when he speaks it's like ben stein on ferris buellur. Worst professor I've had at both colleges I've attended

3.0
3.0
BIO105
Grade: B+
Nov 5, 2004

Lectures are pretty boring, but if you take notes and just read over them you will do fine. For exams you get a huge notecard to fit anything you can on it & old tests, which he uses a lot of the questions. Wants you to figure things out, so not real helpful.

3.0
3.0
BIO105
Nov 17, 2004

DONT BE LATE! You will lose like 20% of your grade (no kiddin) if you are repeatedly late. But yet no attendance policy. EASY tests (use a notecard), quizzes are alright. Massive opportunity to get xtra credit. If you can get there ontime, a B should be no problem.

3.0
3.0
BIO105
Grade: A+
Dec 15, 2004

There are several chances for extra credit. If you on time to all of the classes you're given extra credit. Overall and easy class. The final is just 50 questions with most questions off of the 3 previous exams.

1.0
4.0
BIO105
Feb 6, 2005

he is an awful "teacher." dont bother asking him anything, and if you have emergency surgery do not expect him to understand or give you make up work. he is honestly the worst professor, teacher, etc i have ever had. EVER.

3.0
4.0
BIO05
Mar 26, 2005

There's no attendance policy, but do not show up late. Lots of opportunity for extra credit. Since of humor is very dry if you can get past this you'll be OK.

2.0
3.0
BIO105
Apr 1, 2005

The most boring class I have ever sat through. He is not clear and has a speech impediment. But he gives you quizes straight out of the back of the chapter and drops an exam grade.

3.0
3.0
BIOLOGY104
Apr 3, 2005

u have a quiz every week,but u get 2 use ur notes. the labs really aren't that hard. for your tests you get to use a notecard & put whatever u want on it. he even drops ur two lowest quiz grades & ur lowest test grade. its kinda boring, but its EASY!!!!

5.0
2.0
BIOL104
Apr 11, 2005

I don't think Hagen is that bad. He's a little boring at times, but tries to make lecture/lab interesting. Even though his jokes are a little corny, I still laugh!

4.0
1.0
BIO104
May 11, 2005

i dont know how you could give this guy a bad rating. the class is so easy. he gives you a 4x9 notecard to cram full of info before each exam. he dropps grades and tres to do anything to help a student understand. at first i thout he was a prigg, but he is one of the coolest.

3.0
5.0
BIOLOGY
Grade: A-
Aug 24, 2005

No Comments

1.0
5.0
BIO122
Grade: A-
Sep 16, 2005

I guess for his intro classes for non majors, hes a completely different professor, i thought when i took his intro bio for majors and minors that he was awful, the least understanding or polite professor i've ever had, and i'm a senior now. if you ever have some issue come up in his class and need an exception made, he'll probably say no. I lost points on a project i turned in late because i had been in the hospital. He won't grant exceptions without intervention from the dept chair or the dean of students

2.0
4.0
BIO105
Oct 19, 2005

I wanted to major in Biology, but after this class it made me change my major. He is so boring and can never understand what he is talking about. He is like anal about everything. Do not take this class unless you love biology and love going to class.

5.0
5.0
UPPERBIO
Feb 28, 2006

Dr. Hagen is an amazing professor. I am a graduate student now and I can say that even in my graduate courses at another institution he is definitely one of the most profound. He really challenged me to think on my own and question the way of things. He is difficult, but nothing worth having is easy in life. And he is a cutie for an older guy!

4.0
2.0
BIO105
Mar 24, 2006

Great professor...very helpful when asked and tests aren't difficult. Allows students to use a notecard on the tests, but you won't need it if you read the chapter once and take good notes.

1.0
5.0
BIO122
Apr 10, 2006

This guy is a joke. I feel sorry for you if you're a Bio major and you have to take him. He's an absolute jerk and he won't let you make up a quiz even if your parents die. He's got serious issues about what you can and can't write with. If you use a pen during lab even while taking notes he will throw a fit and act like a 3-year-old. DONT TAKE HIM

4.0
3.0
BIOL122
May 4, 2006

Lectures are boring, and labs tend to take a little longer than they should, but he lets you use notecards on tests, and takes the best 3 of 4 exams..

4.0
4.0
BIOL121
Sep 5, 2006

This course was really too basic for my liking, but you have to start with a foundation before you can build up. The course is boring, but a necessity if you want to go into the medical field. Dr. Hagen is an adorable old man, he teaches well, and he does make himself available if you ever need help.

3.0
4.0
BIO121
Oct 26, 2006

This teacher can be easily pissed off. He can be hard but lets you use notecards during test you can write information on. But, unless your really smart, you will need extra help. He is not very good with talking to people. You cant make up his quizzes if your absent and you better be on time to class if not early. Not allowed to make up exams

1.0
4.0
BIO121
Dec 23, 2006

**BEWARE** This professor is horrible. He hated me. I tried to get help but he wasn't very helpful at all. His lectures put you to sleep. He is mean takes off participation from your FINAL GRADE!!! He doesn't tell you he's taking off so whatever grade you earn expect it to be changed on your final grade! drops one test grad though which does help your final STUDY ALOT KNOW EVERYTHING

3.0
3.0
BIO122
Apr 12, 2007

He is an OK teacher. He does seem like he can get in a bad mood easily. If you o not use a pencil..a REAL pencil in lab then he basically gives you this look and then tells the class to make sure you have a real pencil. His test are OK, you really need to review the notes. Do the assignments he gives on his website...those help you for the quizze

3.0
2.0
BIO122
Apr 30, 2007

Hagen loves what he teaches and is good and getting information into your head. He is not very helpful if you ask questions and can be pissed off easily. Stay out of his way and do the reviews he gives every week (not manditory) and you will do fine. He lets you use a notecard on the tests too. Attendance is not manditory.

5.0
3.0
BIO121
Oct 26, 2007

He's a great teacher, I hope I get him second semester.

4.0
5.0
BIO121
Jan 5, 2008

Good Teacher just not the greatest at getting you prepaired for his tests.

5.0
1.0
BIOL122
Apr 8, 2008

Great teacher! Very helpful! Study and you will do fine.

1.0
5.0
BIO105
Nov 6, 2008

Seriously, this guy is a nightmare! He seems to enjoy giving students a hard time, and makes his assignments WAY harder than they have to be. Do whatever you have to so that you don't have this guy as a professor!

3.0
4.0
BIOL160
Jan 21, 2009

Class was really hard, didn't prepare well for tests, helpful only during office hours

4.0
4.0
BIOL160
Apr 14, 2009

Pretty clear on his expectations of you, however the assignments are a lot harder than need be. Grade is completely based off of participation and assignments, no final exam just a paper. any missed class is unexcused and it affects your grade majorly

5.0
4.0
BIO160
Jul 1, 2009

Dr. Hagen is a great teacher. I was really worried going into the class, but it was actually very interesting. He is strict on grading and attendance, but as long as you come to class prepared and make an effort to participate there is no reason you shouldn't do well in the class.

4.0
2.0
BIO160
Apr 3, 2013

I like this professor, I thought he was nice and helpful. The book we read in class was actually interesting and the quizzes were pretty easy as long as you kept up with the readings.

1.0
4.0
BIO160
Nov 13, 2013

Hagen is a nice guy. LOTS of outside work for only a 2 credit class. Attendance isn't mandatory, but there are daily quizzes on the assigned readings.

5.0
2.0
BIO160
Dec 16, 2013

Dr. Hagen is a nice and cool guy. He gives quizzes daily so make sure you understand the information, but they are short and easy. Read the book, go to class, and mainly participate in discussions and you have an A. DO NOT be shy in his class, that gets you nowhere.

4.0
4.0
BIO160
Grade: B+
Nov 3, 2014

Hagen is a really cool as a person, but he can be a bit confusing in class. There are quizzes literally every day, and if you are looking for a professor that cancels class a lot, he's not your man. Make sure you talk every day during discussions, or you won't pass. Other than that he's very smart and will help you if you come to his office hours.

5.0
2.0
BIO131
Grade: A+
Nov 10, 2014

you take a quiz every class but they are based on the readings that aren't long. His test are more on graph understanding than knowledge just know the graphs you will ace the test didn't even need to study.

4.0
2.0
BIOL131
Grade: B+
Nov 4, 2015

There is usually a quiz everyday, only 5 questions each, but if you do the assigned reading for homework than you are probably going to get an A. He is very nice with test, he gives you last semesters test as a sort of practice and when you take the test it is almost the same. Just read the textbook and take notes and you should be fine.

3.0
3.0
BIO131
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 22, 2015

He's really nice! Definitely enjoys his job! He gives quizzes in each class, but they're easy if you read the assigned reading! A little awkward at times, but overall, he's a good teacher!

1.0
4.0
BIO131
Feb 11, 2016

He is not helpful. You will have to teach yourself most of the material.

1.0
4.0
BIO131
Grade: Not sure yet
Mar 25, 2016

If you're looking to learn ecology in this course, look elsewhere. The only thing you'll get from this class is learning how to read graphs/figures. You honestly don't even need to read the material to take his tests, just know how to deduce information from the figures provided on the exams. I DO NOT recommend this professor.

2.0
5.0
BIO131
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 13, 2016

This man doesnt know how to teach. He doesnt give you the answers when you ask a question and you have to read every day in order to get a B in the class

5.0
4.0
BIO131
Grade: A+
Oct 27, 2016
Would take again

I am writing as Dr. Hagen has received terrible reviews, those are all false. Dr. Hagen is look at as "hard" because he is one of the first professors you come by in the major, and most people can't handle this major... Dr. Hagen is great and I learned far more than I ever thought I would. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND Dr. Hagen.

Get ready to read
BEWARE OF POP QUIZZES
GROUP PROJECTS
4.0
2.0
BIO131
Grade: A+
Nov 10, 2016
Would take again

Reading the textbook is your survivors guide to this class. There is usually a quiz everyday but they are very easy if you read. The labs are challenging but you really learn a lot. I absolutely loved his class and the way he teaches, which is why I am taking his 232 class.

Respected
Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
2.0
4.0
BIO131
Nov 14, 2016
Wouldn't take again

Joel Hagen is a nice guy, but he is really hard and makes you work a lot the lab reports a AWFUL

Gives good feedback
Get ready to read
BEWARE OF POP QUIZZES
5.0
4.0
BIO131
Grade: A
Jan 22, 2017
Would take again

Dr. Hagen is one of the best professors I have had at Radford. I am a Biology major, and he is by far one of my favorites. He is always willing to help or answer any questions, not to mention that he is excellent at responding back to emails. I am taking another class with him this semester, and I cannot be more relieved to have him as my professor.

Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
BEWARE OF POP QUIZZES
4.0
4.0
BIO160
Grade: B+
Dec 17, 2017
Would take again

Dr. Hagens class wasnt hard, but it wasnt easy either. Honestly, get ready to read A LOT! You will write plenty of papers in his 160 course. You have to come to class and participate to get a good grade. There are pop quizzes every class, so make sure that you read the signed chapter.

Tough Grader
Get ready to read
Participation matters
2.0
4.0
BIO232
Grade: B
Mar 21, 2018
Wouldn't take again

In his 232 class he can be very disrespectful, and he doesn't like to answer questions that you may have, so you really have to teach yourself lots of the material. I would encourage anyone who takes him to really have a hold of your own work outside of class and link up with other people because you're going to need them in order to do well.

Tough Grader
Get ready to read
GROUP PROJECTS
3.0
4.0
BIO232
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 10, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Hes okay. Its pretty obvious when he doesnt care for you though. He never actually answers your questions just goes around it. The test are pretty challenging. And a quiz beginning of almost every class. Please study its helpful to make yourself a study guide

Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
Clear grading criteria
3.0
5.0
BIOL232
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 15, 2018
Would take again

I took Hagen for BIOL131 & got an A which is why I took him for 232. Runs the class the same way, quizzes almost everyday, hard exams, & lots of reading. His lectures help if you attend them but you're really teaching yourself by reading every night. His 232 is so much harder than his 131 though

Get ready to read
GROUP PROJECTS
LECTURE HEAVY
3.0
4.0
BIO232
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 19, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Expects you to read and know the material before lecture, where there is a quiz to begin class. The quizzes make up a majority of your grade. Doesn't always answer your questions. Tests are rather difficult, and are based on applying knowledge of the subject not based off of memorization of material from lecture. He is helpful outside of class.

Tough Grader
Get ready to read
BEWARE OF POP QUIZZES
1.0
3.0
BIO160
Grade: D
Dec 28, 2018
Wouldn't take again

He is very unclear about the expectations for papers and if you ask he just tells you to reread the prompt, which in many cases is what was unclear. You may think youre doing well and your midterm grade mightve looked good but it is not an accurate representation of how you are doing. He is usually unavailable for help outside of class.

Get ready to read
Participation matters
Skip class? You won't pass.
4.0
4.0
BIOL160
Grade: A
Jan 24, 2019
Would take again

Dr. Hagen is great! He has a bad reputation, but I think that comes from the students not liking the class he's teaching, not him as a person. I would take him again if the class fit in my schedule.

Respected
Get ready to read
Participation matters
1.0
4.0
BIO131
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 14, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Don't take him

Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
Beware of pop quizzes
1.0
4.0
BIO131
Jan 24, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Honestly, worst professor I have taken in my entire College career. He gives little time to do anything, his quizzes are stupid hard, and he doesn't answer questions, but more so just gives random info that beats around the bush. Would not recommend.

Get ready to read
Graded by few things
Test heavy
2.0
4.0
BIO105
Feb 20, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Professor Hagen is great in my opinion as a person. I think he is smart and has worked very hard to be where he is today. However, I have always been a straight A student with a parent as a physician and my grades in this class were dropping hard and quick. Withdrew and taking in the summer with a new professor. Not the only one to experience this.

Test heavy
Beware of pop quizzes
Tough grader
1.0
5.0
BIOL232
Grade: Drop/Withdrawal
Apr 1, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Dr. Hagen is a very smart man. He is just not great at teaching his students, he does not answer questions very clearly. He gives quizzes at the beginning of just about every class. He definitely expects you to know the material before class. Do not take him.

Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
Beware of pop quizzes
1.0
5.0
BIO105
Grade: Drop/Withdrawal
Sep 14, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Rated a few months back about being a straight A student until his class was getting Ds and Fs in EVERYTHING, ended up withdrawing. Took the same class with a new professor and final grade was an A-. Please stay away from this professor if you care about your major!!!!!!

Test heavy
Beware of pop quizzes
Tough grader
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

78%

Textbook Required

50%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A-

95% confidence
Based on 15 grades
Most common grades:
Not sure yet (7)
B+ (4)
A+ (4)
Grade Distribution
A(7)B(1)C(0)D(3)F(0)A-/B+(6)
Based on 24 reported grades
Not sure yet: 7
B+: 4
A+: 4
A: 3
Common Tags
Get ready to read (13)
Skip class? You won't pass. (6)
BEWARE OF POP QUIZZES (4)
Test heavy (4)
Beware of pop quizzes (4)
GROUP PROJECTS (3)
Tough Grader (3)
Participation matters (3)
Rating Trend

Stable

-0.10 avg change
Jan
Nov
Jan
Feb
Apr
Sep
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

BIOL1211

5.0

(1)

BIO215

5.0

(1)

BIOL104

5.0

(1)

UPPERBIO

5.0

(1)

BIOL215

4.0

(1)
+22 more courses
Difficulty by Course

BIOLOGY10

5.0

UPPERBIO

5.0

BIOL232

5.0

BIOLOGY

4.5

BIOL101

4.0

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