Rodd Lowell - Grand Valley State University

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Rodd Lowell - Grand Valley State University

Professor: Rodd Lowell

Department: Computer Science

College: Grand Valley State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: CIS233
Grade Received: A+
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I'm not sure why he has a low rating on RMP! Prof Lowell is an amazing guy and really just wants his students to succeed. If things are confusing or you have a question, either go to office hours or email him -- he is super amazing at getting back to you ASAP. I definitely would take a class of his again. He was a great prof.

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: CIS260
Grade Received: C-
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Unfortunately, GVSU offers one CIS260 section a semester, and it's taught by Lowell. During his hybrid class during COVID19, he did not upload weekly lecture videos as he had indicated in his syllabus. He said we could use the videos in place of in-person class if we needed to quarantine. Later, he blamed our struggles on us missing classes.

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: CIS221
Grade Received: A+
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Loved professor Lowell! Very nice and helpful. Very accessible outside of class as well!

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: CIS221
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Lowell is one of the best professors for this class. There are usually two assignments a week and sometimes a quiz. But he allows multiple attempts at the homework and the quizzes are straight forward from the book. He can be very helpful in class and allows you time to do homework during this time as well.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: CIS260
Grade Received: C+
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

seems like a nice guy, but he has no right teaching CIS 260 at GVSU. The board has his back with over 25 years of experience, he uses it against his students in a deceiving way setting them up for failure. No rubric, no guidance, grades how he wants, no sympathy, late grader, absolute chaos. But you don't realize it until he fails you. Watch Out!

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: CIS260
Grade Received: C+
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

COVID has made things hard for everyone, but you won't find any empathy with Lowell. He would still make class mandatory during a PANDEMIC, and when asking for the lecture, he would simply say you should've been in class. Grading was basedon howhe felt. I received a 50% on TWO projects since he never provided feedback until the end. avoid this clas

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: CIS260
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Rodd never failed to make the course harder than it should be. Good luck ever reaching out for help because 100% of the time your question is answered back with a question, or a simple "there is something wrong with your code." Rodd is a poor excuse for a professor and was reported to higher ups multiple times this semester alone for his laziness.

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: CIS233
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Prof Lowell is one of the worst in the CIS department. Never did any lectures or posted any power points. When it came time for the final project expected us to apply the information we should've learned all semester, but didn't. Very picky grader on the weekly assignments. Exams weren't terrible but definitely need to study

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: CIS233
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Prof Lowell never did one lecture all semester, never posted any power points either. The class was completely self-taught. Every week there were at least 2 assignments due but they weren't posted until the middle of the week. Exams were extremely hard. Project for the final but had no idea what he wanted so was very hard to complete

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: CIS260
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

This is the worst professor I've ever had. Wouldn't tell you the grading criteria before grading you the assignment, then he took off you score for the parts he didn't write in the REQUIREMENT. NEVER take his class!!!

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: CIS260
Grade Received: WD
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

bad just bad, don't do it

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: CIS260
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

In class on week 7 he just started grading things. There was even a group email of all the students in his class talking about how he wasn't doing his job. He rarely gave feedback and doesn't have a rubric so as he grades so he starts marking down points and can go from a fully working code & half credit due to little things considered 'bad prog.'

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: CIS260
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I had prof Lowell for 260 and overall he was good. Attendance is taken and lecture is usually very helpful, lab basically reflects everything in lecture with one challenge you have to figure out yourself. The book was pretty useless, I opened it once or twice the semester and was still able to do perfectly fine.

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: CIS260
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

One of the best GV professors! He takes attendance, but lectures are so helpful so go to class. He answers emails quickly and consistently. Don't take the textbook for granted! He also gives page numbers when helpful, so make sure you use them. Dr. Lowell tells you how to succeed in his class, so listen to him and you will learn a lot and get an A.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: CIS260
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Worst professor to have... EVER. Labs? Good luck, the instructions given are NOT clear which also follows his unclear feedback which is also NOT accurate. For coding, your program may work but if not his way you'll be lucky with a D

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: CIS160
Grade Received: A+
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Computer programming classes are typically not easy. Lowell is a great guy and does a good job making the concepts easily understandable. Lowell was available in the success center and via email if you had questions regarding a project. Attendance for the lab portion was mandatory and for points.

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: CIS150
Grade Received: A+
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Great professor! Very passionate about teaching the subject at hand. He is outgoing, funny, explains things very well, responds to emails very quickly, and makes the class interesting.

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: CIS150
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

hes was one of those professors who knows his stuff but isnt condesending about it. Hes funny and relatable, doesnt give out crap tons of homework, and really the only thing you have to show up for is the labs because he lectures out of the book (not in the direct sense). Probably opened the book 10 times this semester and Im passing the course.

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: CIS150
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Rodd Lowell is a baller. He's the real McCoy and doesn't let you forget it. His lectures are engaging, his stories are entertaining, and his pools or knowledge are vast. If you do not love this man, it is because you do not love yourself and you should reevaluate your priorities.

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: CIS233
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I really liked Professor Lowell. Class is basically mandatory if you want to pass, but I looked forward to it. He gives a pretty routine schedule each week, with a few projects thrown in here and there. He is super nice and makes class enjoyable. The only downside is that he's a tough grader and some projects/assignments were not explained well.

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