EVSC 1080

Galloway is a really funny, cute, and intelligent guy. He always brings in personal anecdotes that always makes the class laugh. The information is very relevant but for an intro class, the tests are hard especially if you don't have any background in envi sci. I recommend you take this though because it really isn't that hard and it's pretty easy to study!

This class is awesome. I had no background in environmental science or chemistry going in and was very nervous that I wouldn't be able to keep up because of this courses reputation for being very difficult. While it is challenging, it is possible to do well if you are willing to put in the effort (that being said you don't have to do the readings) and if you go to Galloway's office hours to ask questions. He's extremely helpful with anything that you don't understand and even gave me helpful advice about majoring in env sci. Overall, I'm so glad that I took this class and I can confidently say that I now have a fundamental understanding of how some major chemicals interact with the environment.

Professor Galloway is incredible! He is so approachable, funny, and passionate about his subject (especially nitrogen). Classes are enjoyable and packed with information. However, exams can prove difficult and long - they require a lot of preparation. However, he provides all the info needed to succeed, and he gives extra credit. I absolutely loved this class!

It's really hard to take these kinds of subjects and turn it into a fun subject, but Mr. Galloway does it!
If you're taking this as a science class, it's nice because he goes into the science, but not so deep that it gets boring. He only touches enough science to understand what the environmental implications are and makes it very interesting by always highlighting how this science connects to sustainability. The science you really touch on that might be challenging is just chemistry, but it's very basic chemistry so don't let that scare you unless chemistry and you really don't get along.

If you're interested in how your daily life and industrial society connects to the environment, this is the class for you! Out of all the EVSC classes I've seen (not taken), this seems to be the most broad for introducing a wide-range of topics just to understand how sustainability works in the real world.
I got an A in the class without doing the extra-credit project, but before the final exam I was at the tipping point of an A- so I think this class might be curved.
To succeed, do not take everything he says TOO SERIOUSLY when you're studying and only note his broader point. Like if he introduces statistical information to prove his point, don't pay attention to those statistics. A lot of people in the class made the mistake of studying too in depth of these kinds of things. Doing the readings isn't worth it - it's always worth maybe 1-3 questions on the exams but that's it. It's true like in the comments below that everything is in the slides.

Honestly wouldn't recommend if you're just looking for an easy A. It's a lot more chem-heavy than I imagined it would be ... you'll learn a LOT more about Nitrogen or Sulfur than you probs thought you would... haha. Other than that, the lectures are not terrible and Prof. Galloway is a phenomenal professor and great man.

I love this professor. He is the man. However, AVOID THIS COURSE AT ALL COSTS. The subject matter is dry and the exams are much more difficult than one would expect from lecture. This class is not an easy way to knock out a general education requirement. Only take if you have a genuine interest in the environment (Nitrogen).

Galloway is a great guy, very easy going and open to questions. He knows his stuff. That being said, this is a verrrry difficult class if you don't have a strong science background. He goes over a ton of information each class with a generous amount of chemistry involved. Exams are pretty hard as most comments allude to. The information is interesting enough, but I would not take this unless you are really interested in environmental science.

The course grading is structured around three exams which are weighted 90%, and two homework assignments worth 5% each. There is an opportunity for extra credit by either writing a 15-20 page paper, or completing a "non-traditional project" and writing a 10 page paper. The exams are a mix of multiple choice (he even accepts questions submitted by students), definitions, short answer and long answer. I believe there is a final curve as well.

Having taken AP Environmental Science in high school, many of the topics covered in class were familiar to me. I don't think the exams are unquestionably hard, but they will require some studying. The class itself is taught as a traditional lecture and the presentation slides are always posted to Collab, but he tends to reward those who show up to class by going over exam questions. There was some supplemental reading during the first part of the semester, but how much you utilize this resource is up to you. Professor Galloway also holds 1 hour review sessions before each exam where students can ask him any question. Overall, he seems to be a very easygoing, nice professor who hates groundhogs and loves the nitrogen cycle.

Professor Galloway is such an awesome guy. He is extremely approachable and is always willing to help you with whatever you need. The work load for day to day work throughout the week is very low. All you have to do is pretty much go to class and listen and take notes. There are supplemental readings for some of the lectures but you are only supposed to skim them and nothing really is on the exams that are from the readings. There are only two graded homework assignments throughout the semester that are not graded difficultly. Your grade is made up of three exams each worth 30 percent of your grade and then two homeworks each worth 5 percent. The exams are not terribly hard but if you do not study or study very little you will not do well. If you can devote time to studying before each exam then they are not hard. The third exam counts as the final exam and isn't cumulative. You can also do an extra credit paper/project at the end of the year to raise your final grade up to 5 percent. The class is also curved as the end of the semester but no one really knows by how much. Overall, this class in interesting and the professor is so awesome but its not an easy A.

This class is only good if you are interested in science or the environment. If you are not then I would not recommend the course as an easy fufiller of the requirement. Professor Galloway does a good job of making himself available and offering help, but his lectures can be a bit dry. Overall use your best judgement about how much studying you can put in and how well you can understand the material before taking the course. There is not a lot of side work, but each test is worth 30% so doing well is necessary.