2.9
Quality3.2
Difficulty40%
Would Retake90
Reviews40%
Would Retake
90
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
16
4
19
3
23
2
17
1
15
What Students Say
“He is a good teacher and I did enjoy the class”
BIO121 - 3.0 rating“Great professor who clearly has a passion for it (teaching and Science)”
BIOL121 - 4.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
31%
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.20 avg changeRatings by Course
AP
5.0
(1)BIOL
5.0
(1)BIOL111
5.0
(1)BIO121016
5.0
(1)BIOLOGYHONORS
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
BIOL123
5.0
PRINOFBIO
5.0
MOLECBIO
5.0
BIO123
4.7
PRINCOFBIO
4.0
Reviews (90)
He was very good at being helpful. Alot of course work.
very smart. Easy class if you are active and participating. he is always willing to help and explain. Quirky and fun guy.
Not very organized and hard to follow.
He was great! Made the class bearable and found out where the students needed help and got it for them.
He is a really good teacher! He really teaches the material concisely!! Also he is an interesting character so you will definetely not get bored!!
did not seem to take an interest in student's needs
He scared me from Biology. This guy might be good if you love biology but science classes scare me and this guy just added to my fear. Would not tell anyone who struggles with Science to take this guy.
Not a good teacher at all. Made things very confusing. Discussions were good but tests were totally different than his reviews. I would not recommend taking him!
Easy to follow. Makes class interesting and explains things so that anyone can understand what he is talking about. I liked him.
Dr. Decelles is a good teacher. He gets off on tangents sometimes, but he gives you study guides for each chapter. They are very helpful for the test.
He is very excited about Biology. I learned a lot. Not an easy class but if you need a good biology teacher who is not boring, he's your guy. Does give extra credit.
Marvels at the world around him. Isn't that what biology is all about? Extra credit, yes. Interesting, yes. Lots of work, reading, and studying. But if you work for an A, then you get an A. Zero tolerance.
WOW, good teacher, very clear with material! Grading was decent and he was very understanding towards the class (as in he'll push the test date a few days later if the class isn't prepared!) But he is a character!! Extremely unique!
No Comments
Way to into the subject. likes to create computer programs in his free time and thinks he's funny but he is definatly not
This is the worst teacher i have ever had! I hate biology and he has really made it worse. i will be lucky to get out of the class with a D
Does not follow study guides and sloppy with lectures
He's not a mean teacher at all, but I found his class very hard. Especially his tests. I didn't really understand his lectures either. I think his main problem was that he tried to go way deeper than princ. of bio. should go. I definitely don't recommend him.
His classs was the worst. The study guides and lectures had nothing to do with the test. his class is impossible to pass.
Dr. Paul does not give clear direction on what he want to cover. Spends to much time talking about KS school board. STAY AWAY if you need good lecture and study guides
Dr. Paul's class wasn't hard for a science class, but if you're a non-science major who doesn't like to study, you'll probably have a difficult time. His first few tests are the most difficult, and besides the tests there are few assignments. He doesn't cover everything in the lecture so read the book, but he is helpful answering questions.
Dr. Paul is a cool guy.
Very smart man but not the best of teachers. He knows the material but has a hard time relating it.
Dr. Decelles is very smart, but he's very unorganized and he doesn't explain things very well. He is however helpful if you have a question. Took 5 weeks to return my test because he lost it. When he found it, he hadn't graded it yet.
he is to smart to relate to non science majors. Very nice guy though!
He wasn't able to relate to nonscience majors well. He expected everyone to be fresh out of high school and remember everything they were taught. His test were hard, there's alot of studying to do well in his class. He isn't well organized and goes off on tangents easily leaving students to learn the material on their own. Hope you like to read!
Very unclear when it comes to exam time. He's too pushy with evolution and stress his thoughts on it. If you don't believe in the same things as he does, you will fail.
he gives study guides but they are super hard. you have to study hard to pass his class and he doesn't explain things very well. you basically wind up teaching yourself. have fun.
He's a great guy, but a lousy instructor. If you are really into this kind of stuff and don't mind a lot of reading, then this class is for you. If you don't, run as fast as you possibly can to the Add/Drop desk located in the Student Center. Trust me. You'll be thankful you did.
One of the worst experiences I've had at this school. Genetics was a topic I am extremely interested in and was sorely dissappointed. The professor missed at least four classes. Majority of assignments were never returned to students. Supposed to have 8 exams, only ended up with 4. Professor was more interested in sharing his blog than teachin
Dr. Paul is a really nice guy, but he is not very good at relating to people who are not science majors. His tests are completely different than what we learned in lecture. I paid very good attention in this class and I still did poorly.. I would not recommend this professor if you have problems with science classes.
Very Very Hard!!!!!!!!!! Very knowledgeable, but test are not only hard to read and understand, but don't exactly reflect what we've gone over in class. Not straight forward at all.
I got an A and I didn't take a single note or study to much. If you give his lectures your full attention, his tests come straight from his mouth. good guy! but maybe a little hard!
No Comments
The worst experience i have had in school has been with Dr. Paul. Nice guy, but a social moron. He is very smart, but an awful teacher. Lectures are hard to follow, and he jumps around in the text, alot. Wastes class time discussing his blog and showing pictures of the Tazmanian Devil. I would not wish his class on my worst enemy.
Dr. Paul was entertaining, but a little wierd. He gives hard tests that only sort-of resemble the prep packets. But don't worry about grades, by the end of the semester, he'll forget everything and pass all the students! lol
Weird, but sometimes funny. Not easy at all HARD tests. Class averages around the 60% on tests. Likes to show you his blogs, and his grading is inconsistent. He will mark one persons answer incorrect, and the other person who has the same thing correct. He's crazy and I would recoment no one take his class. Unless you enjoy being frustrated.
Awesome Teacher, Really Hard, Oops that was me ..lol
Good teacher, a little quirky and can go off on tangents sometimes, but overall a very interesting and intelligent guy. His test reviews are basically the test, so if you master the reviews you will do well on the test. It is not a suprise about the content of the exams, I like that. He's not super super great, but a very solid teacher!!
I would have to say that the only good thing about the class is that if you just study the reviews, you can ace the tests. I love biology, but he talked at a level that was SO far above us. I never really understood what was going on. I just came to class to take the tests and passed with a B. But yes, he is super confusing and awkward.
Good professor. Really enjoys his job. His tests are extremely easy if you do the online reviews. Otherwise attendance is not needed at all.
Just do the online reviews. If you ace those you'll do fine on the test because it has the same questions. He enjoys teaching this subject but what he taught in class rarely helped me. He really tries to shove the theory of evolution down your throat too which if you believe in intelligent design you may not appreciate.
Self-absorbed, puts no real effort into the class. As everyone else mentioned, do the reviews because he takes questions word for word from the reviews. The problem with that is he doesn't write the answer key correctly and you end up missing questions you know were right on the reviews. He also doesn't change your grade if you discover a mistake.
I am a 3.4 type student, and took this intro biology class for the summer, hoping for a breeze. Not so. While it isn't easy, it is time consuming finishing these reviews. If you are looking for an easy class, look elsewhere.
Very nice guy! Willing to help and keeps class intresting. You do have to put effort in but its college, if you don't want to do that, you shouldn't be there. Love this guy!
Very nice guy, very willing to answer question and provide help when specifically asked, however has a hard time realizing that a good majority of people don't excel at science. He doesn't really provide the necessary info for tests however if you study the book and learn the reviews the tests are word for word from the reviews.
I took his class twice and passed it the 2nd time. You have to do the extra credit work because it helps a lot. His test reviews are his tests and they are very easy. If you read the book it helps even more with understanding the material.
Though he is very willing to answer all questions, he is all over the place. With all new experiements, he would forget to post reviews/lessons online and even the exam. All exams are word for word the reviews except short answer parts. Also attend lab, you get a quiz, but its mostly for attendance purposes.
Brilliant and nice, but just not cut out to teach. He's extremely disorganized, all over the place, and we run out of time during lab (a big problem come lab practical time.) Exam questions are the exact review questions. If you want to actually learn something vs memorizing, take the class with another professor.
He is very smart, but a terrible teacher. He doesn't realize that most people are slow at science, especially a science for non-majors class. Very disorganized and forgetful. If you dont care about the class just need the credit he is perfect the test reviews are the exact questions off the test But if you really want to learn something avoid him!
Absolutely ridiculous! Worst professor I've ever had. He's so brilliant, but has NO clue how to teach. He made me feel stupid when I asked him questions and when I asked him direct questions he gave me some completely unrelated answer. He's all over the place in his lectures too. DONT take his class. Into to Bio Fall 2010
I passed this class with 113%. If you don't pass his classes its because you slept, seriously. His exams are his reviews word for word and his lab practicals are so heavily weighted with extra credit that most of mine were around 140%. He was always willing to help if I needed it. Its like he was trying to make people pass!
Great professor! He is very nice and helpful. His reviews for the tests are wonderfull, but you have to study the lessons. The labs are interesting and fun! The tests for the labs are a little difficult but if you study the lab manual it makes it much easier! I would highly recommend him!
He is a GREAT professor. I believe he wants his students to succeed. The reviews are about the same as the exams it shows he does not want his students to fail. Hes willing to help at anytime. I think he is just passionate about what he does and that makes for an awesome professor. His good prevails his quirks. U cant say that about a lot of prof.
He Rocks! If you do the reviews, you'll be fine!
he is a GENIOUS!!! very nice and goofy! show up to class "listen" do the reviews and you will pass. participate in class room discussions, get to know mr. decelles because he will help you out alot. he wants you to succeed!
Not a great teacher but easy class. Tests come straight from online reviews. Seriously, questions/answers are verbatim mostly. You can do the online reviews multiple times. If you don't get an A in this class, you might as well give up on life. Lab Practicals are the only thing that could trip you up but he offers plenty of xc so it's not bad.
ABSOLUTY BRILLIANT AND WONDERFUL TEACHER! TAKE HIM, YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPOINTED! WHAT A FANTASTIC GUY!
the book was easy to understand, but he didn't teach from the book at all. i tried multiple times to go in for help & each time i was told that "all the information needed had been provided." he was always condescending & rude to the entire class. it was the worst class i've ever had
Dr. P is a pretty cool teacher. He loves Biology and seems to love teaching. I took a hybrid online class for Summer semester. It requires studying. It's hard to figure out how to pace yourself with studying, and the lab practicals are incredibly difficult. DO THE REVIEWS. The lecture exams come straight from the reviews. No extra credit offered.
I loved this guy! I hate biology and on top of that I suck at it but he at least made sucking at it fun. He's pretty funny if you've got the right kind of sense of humor. He tends to call out those kids that you wish you could slap yourself. I took his on campus class, but every single lecture was posted online too!
worst teacher. very disorganized . lost our classes homework. lost quizzes. DO not recommend.
Easy class. Straight from the book. The tests are simple- one was take home and another we could use notes on. The teacher is funny and knows what he's talking about. I learned tons about biology from lecture, lab and just reading the book. If you come to class and do the online test reviews, the class is an easy "a"
Unorganized,confusing and just plain unhelpful! This is an INTRO class and he went further in depth than classes for Bio majors. No due dates and 3 different places where he would post information for you to "figure out". Expected us to memorize 50+ functions, domains and organelles for tests with little to no help or guidance. Have warned others!
I advise everyone to not take this class. Excepts you to know more than you should and on top of that its a INTRO class, he doesn't act like it at all. Terrible class.
I took the online course and I would highly recommend everyone not to take his class. He is not very helpful. VERY unorganized. Never answers questions or post grades online right away. If you know biology you could get an easy A in his class but if you struggle and need guidance I would recommend not taking him.
Very unorganized, not very helpful. Nice guy, let us use notes on the final(by accident!) Tests were straight from the study guides so it made the class easier.
In class lectures are not very helpful but his reviews online are exactly like the test he gives. STUDY THE REVIEWS! I got an A because I memorized the reviews for every test.
I really liked him. Cool guy. I took the course online, but the lab in class. He obviously loves what he does and was more than happy to assist and/or change deadlines if there was confusion. Obviously, you have to communicate with him. You've gotta study, but ALL exams are STRAIGHT from the reviews. Memorization rules.
I really liked Dr. Paul. Attendance was not mandatory, he is really easy going and LOVES what he is doing. A lot of people did not like him but I got an A in the class. All tests are from the reviews EVEN the final. easy class and loved him!
Tests are straight from the reviews online
This is a face to face class. Don't take it online. It can be overwhelming. Paul is a good professor. He will help you if you need it. I also recommend the lab reviews and study sessions. Extra credit is given in the middle of the semester. If you study nightly, pay attention during lectures, and ask questions for clarity, you will be okay.
Brilliant man. Knows his stuff! Class is super hard if you have limited chemistry understanding. Put in the work and he's willing to help.
Great professor who clearly has a passion for it (teaching and Science). I STRONGLY suggest not taking this course online. All it is is just reading on your own and a handful of quizzes you do online. You still have to take some tests at school. You are basically teaching yourself the material. Labs are fun but Practicals are tough.
I really liked Dr. Paul! He clearly loves what he does. He is willing to help you, as long as he can see you are trying. His lab practicals are TOUGH, but he gives extra credit and his exams are the EXACT questions from the quizzes. It's a lot of information, but I really enjoyed his class.
He is a good teacher and I did enjoy the class. Biology was never my strong suit. His lecture tests are the EXACT QUESTIONS ON THE MODULE QUIZZES. NOTHING MORE. All multiple choice, that part is very easy once you know that. The lab is hard and the lab tests are hard, but he usually gives a curve cause we all fail
Paul is an awesome professor. I mean he definitely makes you do the work but he's very good about outlining exactly what you need to know and what you need to study. He's very dedicated and interested in the subject. I noticed that he was always there to help if needed and did a good job making sure to help you
This is a LAB: if you don't come, you can't make it up. Lab practicals aren't hard if you study. He added some new stuff to the tests, so now that not straight from the quizzes (but mostly). Got 100% on the final, which is 16% of your grade! Goofy, awkward guy; he's endearing. He's not super good at clarity within the online portion of the class.
Good professor. His lectures can often become very, very long if you have him at a time that forces you to go from lecture to lab with a 10 minute break in between, mostly he's a little sloppy. However, if you stay after class to ask questions or go to his office hours, he is very very helpful and much more clear.
He's a really nice guy and willing to help but he really cant teach. You have to teach yourself a lot. There's a project at the end where you do a presentation on a topic. Unnecessary. No lab reports, just keep a journal to record the labs and hand in at the end. Overall, this class is hard. I recommend taking it elsewhere if you can.
Lectures are very dry. I took the D2L, its basically memorizing online quiz questions which are exactly whats on the test. Willing to help you outside of class. 3 tests which must be taken at testing center. Remainder is online quizzes. I got a B with above average effort.
Dr. Decelles is the worst professor I have had in my time at JCCC. Lectures are a joke as all he does is go ever questions from the reading he assigns. Rarely does he actually lecture to teach the information, and when he does it is so disorganized you'll be lucky to be able to catch anything. Take this class literally anywhere else!
This is a core class. As should be expected, it can be a little dry. Lots of reading and lots of quizzes. I think Dr. Paul makes the classes as engaging as they can be, given the subject matter. Really nice guy. He wants his students to do well.
Paul is a nice guy don't get me wrong but i don't think he is made to teach an intro to biology class for non majors. He teaches as if the class was an more advanced class when it's not.
He's such a sweet guy and he really cares but he is unorganized. The grading criteria wasn't followed and I never knew what i was suppose to be doing or if I was behind. Unexpected assign would pop up and I'd have to rush to get them done. I spent 16 hrs minimum a week on this course. A lot of the assignment we did we never got credit for.
He is a really nice guy, but his lectures are just all over the place and filled with rambling, while he offhandedly assigns work while seldom giving a real due date until he decides to collect the work. It got to the point where I would go home and read the textbook instead of actively participating in lectures and saw a significant jump in grades
The class that he teaches is for non- biology majors. The test are not quite accurate with the study guide . Some of the information you receive doesn't even benefit you. There are online quizzes that are worth about 25 points , some even 100 points . Majority of the class was failing and he never really could give you answer a question.
I took the hybrid course so lectures were online! Lectures were easy to follow and I felt prepared for tests. The tests are done in lockdown browser! The lab tests were difficult so you definitely need to study for them! Show up for class so you do not feel behind in the lab book! Overall, he is really nice and a good professor.
Dr. Decelles is cool. He worked with me on my grade because he said I participated positively in the course. Fun course, some stuff that doesn't matter too much, some stuff that does. I had the pleasure of being in his second to last test course before retiring. Im glad, he was an awesome guy! Cant take again! Happy Retirement!
I took the hybrid class. The professor is nice and seems to know his subject, but he is painfully disorganized. With multiple chances on the online tests (that show you the answers on most) and Lab Practicals that allowed the lab manual that has the answers, easy A. Do the online stuff early and go to labs so your manual gets done for Practicals.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
31%
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.20 avg changeRatings by Course
AP
5.0
(1)BIOL
5.0
(1)BIOL111
5.0
(1)BIO121016
5.0
(1)BIOLOGYHONORS
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
BIOL123
5.0
PRINOFBIO
5.0
MOLECBIO
5.0
BIO123
4.7
PRINCOFBIO
4.0