Current instructor
Original student reviews · all captured dates
Prof Xu is passionate and friendly, but he isn't good at teaching this course. This is a tough subject & requires building up to certain concepts, we didn't get this. I had to watch YouTube videos or look online for help; I could not figure out the concepts he was trying to teach. Tests are overly specific & include things mentioned once in lectureRate My Professors ↗
Mineralogy is difficult and while Huifang tries to make it fun and is clearly very interested and knowledgeable in the topic, he is not skilled at teaching the material. It's usually difficult to understand what he's saying and he doesn't explain concepts well. Exams are very difficult, and there are no materials provided for exam preparation.Rate My Professors ↗
Overall, the class was okay as the quizzes were relatively easy but the exams can be a little tricky. Great class if you need to take one credit.Rate My Professors ↗
If you ever need a 1 credit easy A, take geo sci 331! Super easy but also interesting class. Lectures are PDFs, and you have quizzes for your grade. Very easy questions... Definitely would take a class with him again!Rate My Professors ↗
Easy class, easy tests, nice professorRate My Professors ↗
Great lectures. Prof. Xu makes mineralogy really fun even though it is a lot of memorization and facts. His online lectures were a bit confusing because he would write over his own words. Makes an effort to be funny and make class fun. Definitely go to office hours. Textbook is very necessary, but could be a pdf. Exams were very hard.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
Directed Study course for independent study arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
No recorded grade history
Explores the formation, collection, properties, and treatment of popular gemstones, covering their science and classification.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Huifang Xu
Huifang Xu taught GEOSCI 331 as an online course using PDF lectures and timed exams. Students described the assessments as ranging from easy to nitpicky, noting that exams consisted of 30 questions requiring answers from all lectures. Some students reported the class was easy to pass, while others found the questions extremely nitpicky.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Mentored individual research and study for students completing a senior thesis.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
No recorded grade history
Independent study as arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
No recorded grade history
Principles of crystal chemistry emphasizing the structure and behavior of rock forming minerals, including X-ray diffraction and mineral defects.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2013: 3.67 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=6 letter grades); Spring 2015: 3.79 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=7 letter grades); Spring 2022: 3.50 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=2 letter grades).
No recorded grade history
Research course in GEOSCI supervised by individual faculty members, requiring graduate or professional standing.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
No recorded grade history
Distinct courses recorded per term
Explore courses taught by this instructor →| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2027 | GEOSCI 199 | Directed Study |
| Spring 2027 | GEOSCI 331 | Gems: the Science Behind the Sparkle |
| Spring 2027 | GEOSCI 692 | Senior Thesis |
| Spring 2027 | GEOSCI 699 | Directed Study |
| Spring 2027 | GEOSCI 765 | Crystal Chemistry |
| Spring 2027 | GEOSCI 990 | Research |
| Fall 2026 | GEOSCI 331 | Gems: the Science Behind the Sparkle |
| Fall 2026 | GEOSCI 691 | Senior Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | GEOSCI 699 | Directed Study |
| Fall 2026 | GEOSCI 990 | Research |
| Fall 2026 | GEOSCI/GLE 360 | Principles of Mineralogy |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
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