Current instructor
Original student reviews · all captured dates
Holy group projects. Every assignment is a group project, and there's barely any leeway if your group sucks. There are some individual projects to bring your grade up, but you mostly do 20% of a project every time with no safety if your team doesn't do their work. Very lecture heavy, and so many papers for a 2 credit class. Easy grader luckilyRate My Professors ↗
Boring lectures, way too groupwork heavy and felt as if you needed extensive background on these topics to follow along. Prof is an easy grader and approachable but if you get stuck with a dysfunctional group you have little opportunity to change groups and makes for a challenge. Lot of work for 2 credits, would not recommend if you are not STEM.Rate My Professors ↗
I took this class for 2 credits of physical science, and it should be 3 credits considering you have to take 3 exams (which have a lot of select all that apply questions) and a final group project. If you need two credits just to get by, don't take this class. You will be memorizing the lecture slides for exams unless you have photographic memory.Rate My Professors ↗
The professor is bad at lecturing, one of the worst I've had at UW. Grading is lenient, but the amount of course work is not worth it for 2 credits. Should give 3. Plus the class is primarily groupwork with only 1 opporunity to change teams early on in the semester, so good luck if you have any freeloaders after that. Do not recommend to anyone.Rate My Professors ↗
the grade cutoff was a 95% for an A. insane. dont take this class if you arent stem because it would be insanely difficult for a 2 credit class. the group work is horrible and he isn't clear about his grading requirements. he doesn't gaf if you do good work but if ur teammate does a crap job ur grade is tankedRate My Professors ↗
Prof Roden is so sweet and obviously cares about what he is teaching. Lectures are VERY boring that being said. Lots of group work (TERRIBLE if u get a bad group.) Very hard for a non-required science course coming from a stem major. Lots of lab reports and research.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
Explores microbial life diversity in modern and ancient geological extreme environments.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Fall 2023: 3.74 GPA, 83.8% A/AB (n=37 letter grades); Fall 2024: 3.72 GPA, 89.5% A/AB (n=38 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.70 GPA, 92.6% A/AB (n=27 letter grades).
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025GEOSCI 199 is a directed study course allowing students to conduct independent research or study arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2022: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=1 letter grades).
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sampleGEOSCI 691 is a mentored individual research course for students completing a senior thesis.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
GEOSCI 699 is a directed study course allowing students to conduct independent research or study arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sampleGEOSCI 875 covers advanced and special topics in geology and geoscience for graduate students.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2018: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=6 letter grades); Spring 2025: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=8 letter grades); Fall 2025: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=6 letter grades). Includes jointly taught sections.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026GEOSCI 990 is a research course where students conduct supervised independent study projects.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
MICROBIO 699 is an independent study course allowing students to conduct advanced microbiology research under faculty guidance.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026 · limited sample| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | GEOSCI 117 | Ex-files: Life in the Earth's Extreme Environment |
| Fall 2026 | GEOSCI 199 | Directed Study |
| Fall 2026 | GEOSCI 691 | Senior Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | GEOSCI 699 | Directed Study |
| Fall 2026 | GEOSCI 875 | Advanced Topics in Geology |
| Fall 2026 | GEOSCI 990 | Research |
| Fall 2026 | MICROBIO 699 | Special Problems |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
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