Students liked the subject matter and said the professor was very clear and organized. They also said the many handouts and practice exams helped them understand the material. They said the worst parts of the class were the harsh grading and the length of time it took to return homework and exams. Students suggested giving partial credit and giving the homework back sooner. Some also said the course needed more TA sessions or office hours for getting extra help. Students should know that the course uses a lot of chemistry. Environmental engineering majors may find the course too easy, but it will be challenging for others.

Students found this course to be a very useful overview and introduction to Environmental Engineering, with a lot of opportunity for class discussion and in-depth examination of topics. Students also liked the ample opportunities to raise their grades, which they found useful since the grading was unclear, and the problem sets were difficult. Students also had difficulties understanding the professor, and found that he taught from the book. He did not utilize Blackboard, and students thought that the course load was sporadic. Suggestions for improvement included uploading materials to Blackboard, using PowerPoint slides during the lectures and creating a more consistent work schedule. Prospective students should be aware that this course was taught by a grad student and that there was a lot of chemistry throughout the semester. The grading can be rough, but if students study they should be alright.

Students thought their favorite aspect of this class was the clarity of the instructor in explaining concepts. They felt that the course’s weakest aspect were the lectures which they found could have been more engaging and delivered at a slower pace. Students thought the course could have been improved with the timely return of feedback on homework assignments. They also believed it was valuable for potential participants to know that there was an emphasis on chemistry in this course.