2.8
Quality3.5
Difficulty38%
Would Retake83
Reviews38%
Would Retake
83
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
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 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
78%
Textbook Required
50%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
-0.10 avg changeRatings by Course
BIOL1211
5.0
(1)BIO215
5.0
(1)BIOL104
5.0
(1)UPPERBIO
5.0
(1)BIOL215
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
BIOLOGY10
5.0
UPPERBIO
5.0
BIOL232
5.0
BIOLOGY
4.5
BIOL101
4.0
Reviews (83)
Class isn't easy but good with a lil effort. Really enjoyed
hard class, but easy quizzes and cheat sheets on tests are great
No Comments
he was very very anal retentive
HARD class, LONG labs, but use notes for quizes and tests. Learned a lot.
He is VERY strange. But his class was ok. tests were kinda hard and labs were3hr
Made his OWN labs!!! Do all your work and go to lab and you can get a B. Nice Guy!
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.
No Comments
**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.
Great teacher. I have taken a few biology classes and he is by far the best teacher for it that I have had.
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
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!
Great class, i dont think they teach it anymore at all, but i enjoyed it. Dr Hagen is a great professor!
will NEVER take this guy again. horrible teaching. didn't learn anything.
BORING LECTURES AND LABS. Not willing to help. Doesn't always show up for office hours. Just doesn't seem to care.
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
lets see here...quiz every friday, boring class, pointless labs, cant find him in lab whe you need help........
worst professor ever.
This is the worst teacher ever....Do not take him...His class is boring, labs are boring and he is boring
Suck it up people, you get out what you put in. A good professor isn't always the easiest one.
Obviously passionated about science, but boring and confusing.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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!!!
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!!!!
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!
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.
No Comments
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
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.
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!
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.
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
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..
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.
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
**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
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
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.
He's a great teacher, I hope I get him second semester.
Good Teacher just not the greatest at getting you prepaired for his tests.
Great teacher! Very helpful! Study and you will do fine.
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!
Class was really hard, didn't prepare well for tests, helpful only during office hours
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
He is not helpful. You will have to teach yourself most of the material.
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.
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
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.
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.
Joel Hagen is a nice guy, but he is really hard and makes you work a lot the lab reports a AWFUL
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Don't take him
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.
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.
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.
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!!!!!!
Class Info
Attendance Mandatory
78%
Textbook Required
50%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
-0.10 avg changeRatings by Course
BIOL1211
5.0
(1)BIO215
5.0
(1)BIOL104
5.0
(1)UPPERBIO
5.0
(1)BIOL215
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
BIOLOGY10
5.0
UPPERBIO
5.0
BIOL232
5.0
BIOLOGY
4.5
BIOL101
4.0