EVSC 1080

This is a really interesting class and taught me so much about the consequences of human activity on Earth. You don't need to do any of his assigned readings but you sure as hell better show up to class. I took very thorough notes in each lecture, condensed my 40 page google docs into 15-20 page study sheets (for each test) and studied a LOT. If you work hard you can end up with an A- like I did or better. Galloway is brilliant and very approachable.

Not extremely interesting lectures, but could be a lot worse. Attendance is quite helpful, but definitely not required. There are 3 exams and they are very fair. If you put in a couple hours of studying total in the few days coming up before the exams you will at least get a B. The information is not super interesting for non-science people, but this class does meet the math requirement which is amazing as there is no math involved.

This might be the most I've ever learned in a single class. Professor Galloway is incredible - so, so intelligent and knowledgeable on his subject, really fun and engaging, and very cute. I was always slightly interested in environmental science/climate change, but this class has caused me to consider being a global sustainability major. I usually avoid STEM at all costs, so if you're a humanities major like me, this is also a great way to fulfill a science requirement. There's a lot of discussion of certain gases (like Nitrogen, Jimmy's personal favorite) and their sources and effects, but that's the most chemistry you get - no balancing equations or anything like that.
In terms of the difficulty, it's definitely not an easy A. There are 3 exams that are each 30% of your grade, then two short graded homework assignments that are each 5% (they're not hard at all). I went to every lecture (which you definitely need to do) and studied very hard for the exams, but scored in the low 80s on the first two, as did most of the class.
There's also an optional extra credit project where you write a 15-20 page research paper on a topic of your choice and then he scores it between 1 and 5 and accordingly adds between 1% and 5% to your final grade. So, it's definitely a huge grade booster if you do it. I decided to do it and actually ended up loving it, and if you space it out over a month or so it's not too bad. It's definitely possible to get an A or A- without the extra credit, you just gotta know your stuff on the exams. But honestly, I would've taken a bad grade in this class, because it was just that good. If you put effort into studying, you will actually learn so so much about the effects of resource use on the environment and how chemicals interact in the atmosphere to cause certain environmental problems.
Also - do the readings if you like, but they're not on the tests at all so they're pretty unnecessary.

Galloway was a great professor and I felt that I learned a lot from this class. I am not at all a science person but I found his lectures to be very intriguing. Galloway is clearly passionate about both teaching and his field so it makes the class all the more enjoyable.

This class is definitely not an easy A - especially if you're not a science-y person. There are three exams that are each worth 30% of your grade and I would advise you start studying for them far in advance - they creep up on you. Also - do the readings. The Exams are a lot harder than expected.

If you're a social science/humanities person that's interested in environmental science, this a good class to take! Just be prepared to study hard for the exams.

This was my favorite class this semester! Professor Galloway is such a fun and engaging lecturer. He throws little bits of humor into his lectures and even some random fun things that do not relate to the class at all. In the beginning there is a lot of reading, but nothing that is not manageable. As you reach the end of the course there is very little reading. There are three exams that are weighted pretty heavily, so it is important study throughly for them. Before each exam Professor Galloway will post a practice exam. I would highly suggest doing these because they give you a good idea of what you will be tested on. They are fair exams with some fun questions that allow you to use your imagination. There are a few ungraded exercises that can help boost your grade at the end of the course. Furthermore, there are a couple of graded homework assignments and the chance for an extra credit project. Overall this was a low stress class, and even if you are not interested in environmental science you will at least find this class tolerable.

While I did not do as well as I wanted in this class, a good grade is very attainable. The class is difficult for an environmental science class, but if you sit down and do the work, you will do well. The exams are difficult, but all the information is in the lectures. Actually going to class and paying active attention will make it so much easier for you too. The textbook is not needed since the information only comes out of the textbook.

The class is not taught very well as an introduction course. Professor Galloway is very kind and intelligent, but struggles to explain his knowledge to the audience of a 1000 level course.