Plan ahead for courses where students have earned lower grades.
Lowest historical GPA first. At least 100 letter grades over the five years through the selected term. Grades reflect past outcomes, not workload or a guaranteed result.
Historical grades cover up to five years through the selected term. Only courses with at least 100 letter grades are ranked.
Covers the origin and diversification of life, evolutionary processes, and crises such as mass extinctions and Earth-life co-evolution.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
The course requires weekly quizzes based on articles and lecture material, with no textbook. Exams are multiple-choice, but the volume of material requires students to keep up with readings and attend class.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026ATMOCN/ENVIRST/GEOG/GEOSCI 335 examines climate variability across timescales, focusing on external forcings, earth system feedbacks, and human activity.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
The course is not too hard, with exams that are manageable if students use the textbook to understand the material covered.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025GEOSCI 109 explores the geologic story of US National Parks through physiography, tectonics, and fundamental geologic processes.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Many reviewers describe the class as extremely difficult and stressful, citing packed content, hard-to-follow lectures, and quizzes that feel unfair despite diligent study and attendance at office hours.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY applies geology to problems from intense use of the earth and its resources.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
The course features weekly online quizzes with two attempts and mandatory weekly labs. Quizzes are described as tough and sometimes misaligned with lecture content, while labs range from easy to math-heavy.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026NATURAL HAZARDS AND DISASTERS explores the science behind major natural disasters and addresses hazard assessment, forecasting, and mitigation.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Shaun Marcott, Teri Boundy: Workload consists of quizzes, exercises, and homework, with some instructors requiring careful textbook reading and office hour attendance that impacts grades.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026CLIMATE AND CLIMATE CHANGE describes basic climate principles, variability, and the science behind the greenhouse effect and model forecasts.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Michael Notaro: Quizzes are described as easy if students study the provided study guide document.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2024–Spring 2026GEOSCI 331 explores the formation, collection, properties, and treatment of popular gemstones.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Students must manage numerous PDF lectures and create study aids like diagrams and spreadsheets. Exams are timed, 30-question tests that require linking multiple details from the lectures.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026An introductory course covering geologic processes, Earth's structure and history, and phenomena like earthquakes, volcanoes, and climate change.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Grades depend on weekly quizzes and labs rather than exams. Quizzes can be tricky, and labs are the most taxing component, requiring careful note-taking and preparation from lecture materials.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026Explores microbial life diversity in modern and ancient geological extreme environments.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025GEOSCI 875 covers advanced and special topics in geology and geoscience for graduate students.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of David Lovelace: Students must proactively contact the instructor to arrange directed study classes.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026A seminar for graduate students covering various fields of zoological research, including limnology and marine science.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026