John Merck

This professor has taught: BSCI333, BSCI392, BSCI393, CPSG100, CPSG200, CPSG230, CPSG240, CPSG250, CPSP118G, CPSP218G, CPSP359G, CPSP359I, GEOL212, GEOL331, GEOL342, GEOL386, GEOL391, GEOL392, GEOL431, HONR219D

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John Merck BSCI392 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 07/29/2024	Dr. Merck teaches with contagious passion. His lectures are engaging, entertaining, and genuine change how you understand dinosaurs and other extinct fauna. He is a great guy who is always willing to help you. He regularly gives points back if you make a case for yourself. You are asked to complete several group projects. These weren't my favorite. They required very little effort, just cite some credible sources and your good. I didn't like them because I didn't learn anything from them and I had to deal with other group members contributing minimally. The exams are open note and online you should have plenty of time to complete them. They consist of multiple choice and free response. There is a lot of material to cover for the exam, but again, you have access to all notes during the tests. I strongly recommend this professor if you want to take a fascinating and easy class.
John Merck BSCI392 Expecting an A Anonymous 05/19/2024	This class has a incredibly interesting set of topics, and John Merck is all the more passionate about them. Throughout the whole semester, he was enthusiastic for every single topic and explained even the boring portions in a way that still manages to capture your attention. He's easy to reach and flexible about due dates, and he admits and apologizes for any mistakes he's made. I had this class for three days a week (MWF) for 50 minutes and attendance isn't mandatory, and he posts the lecture slides but doesn't record them. The work load itself wasn't terrible: 3 semester research projects (with individual and group parts, though he says for future semesters he might give two instead), two midterms and one final, all of which were open note, online, and asynchronous.
John Merck BSCI392 Anonymous 05/03/2024	Dr. Merck is a really chill guy, and definitely entertaining in lecture. However, the time crunch on his exam is definitely something to watch out for. You are gonna have to rush if you want to complete them on time, and most of the time, I had to leave the last few questions partially unanswered bc of the time limits. Good news is that they are open note, but if you are relying on searching Powerpoints during the exam, there is no way you are finishing on time.
John Merck GEOL212 Expecting an A Ovrthegrdnwll 01/18/2023	If I could give Dr. Merck more stars I would. He seriously shines and has an evident passion for the class that made it incredibly enjoyable. He prioritized our learning and comprehension of the material and has solidified himself as my favorite professor at UMD so far with his humor and genuine zest for life. Although homework can be a bit tedious, the class content is incredibly interesting, and I think that anyone with even a slight interest in the solar system or astronomy would greatly enjoy this course. Cannot recommend Merck enough!
John Merck CPSG200 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 12/24/2021	Very easy 1 credit course, put almost no effort into it, but still gained a lot of good knowledge. Probs the best of the 3 cpsg courses
John Merck CPSG101 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 05/18/2021	Very, very kind person. Genuinely wants to see your success, grades leniently(although this is a 1 credit course). Is a great mentor and definitely someone you can reach out to for anything. He really does care about what he is teaching and does care about his students
John Merck CPSG100 Expecting an A Anonymous 02/06/2021	Dr. Merck was very kind and engaging! I remember that I emailed him to let him know that I wasn't going to be able to come to colloquium one day, and he made sure to check up on me afterward. Great lecturer and definitely knows his stuff
John Merck CPSG100 Anonymous 12/20/2020	He's a really nice, funny guy and tries to be engaging. He's also always available to help and will never shame anyone. Unfortunately, the online format of this course made it less interesting for Fall 2020, but Merck was still awesome nonetheless.
John Merck CPSG200 Anonymous 12/14/2020	Funny, engaging, and extremely reasonable. One of the nicest professors who make learning actually interesting. If you can take him, do it!
John Merck GEOL331 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 11/20/2018	Dr. Merck is amazing! Kind, funny, engaging lectures and he is very clear about his expectations and always happy to help out.