Students enjoyed the diverse topics taught by guest speakers, the field trips, and the low-pressure environment of the class. The worst aspects of the course were the inconsistent quality of the lectures from week to week and the somewhat harsh homework grading by the teaching assistants. The course could be improved if there was more coherence between the guest speakers and if the course itself was more interactive. Prospective students should know that this is a fun, easy class. As long as they

This course was highlighted by the variety of material covered, the group discussions, hands-on demonstrations, and the engaging lecture style of the professor. Some students found the lack of exams led them to put little effort into learning the material, while others wanted more time for discussions. Suggestions to improve the course included giving time to revise the final paper and more interactive lectures. Prospective students should know that you don’t need a science background to get a lot from this course. The workload was light and given the range of material covered there was something for everyone.

The best aspect of the course was the informative lectures given by two knowledgeable professors. The worst aspects of the course were the lectures students found dul and the hefty homework assignments that were graded harshly and often irrelevant to the topics being learned in class. Students felt that many of the quizzes and tests were not in direct proportion to content they learned in class or what was available in the slides and textbook. The course would improve if the homework assignments were reduced and if the lectures were more stimulating. Prospective students should know that the course is fairly easy and involves lots of writing.

The best aspects of the course included the manageable work load, the weekly topics, and the rock field trip. Students felt the lectures were repetitive and not engaging, and there was a lack of feedback on homework. Suggestions for improvement included spreading out assignments throughout the semester, increasing class interaction and participation, and breaking up the field trip into multiple days as it was fairly long. Prospective students interested in geology or the environment should take this class. This course requires a ten page term paper at the end of the semester.