Quality 2/5Difficulty 3/5
I found the lectures to be extremely boring and uninteresting. For physical sciences requirement, I'd choose a different course. Attendance in discussion is a large portion of the grade.Rate My Professors ↗
Current instructor
Jack Williams
What students say
Original student reviews · all captured dates
Quality 3/5Difficulty 3/5
Professor Williams was very nice, caring, and smart. You could tell that he really knew his stuff, and all of his research and experience is very fascinating. The class itself is a little bit difficult with a lot of content, and it was very easy to lose attention. I engaged with the TA way more than him, as our TAs did more work engaging with us.Rate My Professors ↗
Quality 4/5Difficulty 3/5
The professor was very nice and caring. Lectures were decent but the professor often ran out of time. The class doesn't have a ton of homework and discussion worksheets are pretty easy and a big percent of the grade, which can help boost it. Tests were all multiple choice but were made up of specific details/scenarios that you are unlikely to know.Rate My Professors ↗
Quality 4/5Difficulty 4/5
He is definitely knowledgeable/passionate about the subject. The lectures are long, and there is not much text on slides, so you must pay attention and write notes as lecture goes. No attendance, but you likely will not pass if you don't attend lectures. He didn't record lectures this year, not sure if he normally does or doesn't. VERY slow grader.Rate My Professors ↗
Quality 1/5Difficulty 4/5
Took this class for a physical science credit and this is one of the hardest classes i've taken. His lectures are all over the place, he always runs out of time. Tests are extremely difficult. TA's are not helpful. Grading distribution is not given for the class at all so you have no idea what letter grade you're gonna get. Do not take this class.Rate My Professors ↗
Quality 4/5Difficulty 2/5
I liked Professor Williams and I enjoyed learning about this class as most concepts were unfamiliar to me. There are 4 exams and you definitely have to study the lecture material for a few hours before but his lecture slides are all well done and super helpful, he also posts lectures online. Great class, you definitely get out what you put in.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
Classes with Jack Williams
Introduction to how the Earth system works and what makes Earth livable.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Jack Williams makes weather and climate material simple and easy to understand. Reviewers praise his passion, willingness to help, and clear explanations. Exams are primarily based on lectures rather than the textbook, allowing students to succeed with good attendance.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026GEOG 523 examines species and ecosystem responses to environmental changes over the last million years, focusing on climate shifts and extinctions.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2013: 3.80 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=5 letter grades); Fall 2020: 3.77 GPA, 90.9% A/AB (n=11 letter grades); Fall 2022: 3.93 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=7 letter grades).
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2022 · limited sampleGEOG 681
Senior Honors Thesis
2–3 creditsGEOG 681 is a mentored study course for seniors completing honors theses in geography.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
GEOG 699
Directed Study
1–3 creditsGEOG 699 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 sampleGEOG 990
Research and Thesis
1–9 creditsGEOG 990 is an individual mentored study course for completing theses, arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
GEOG 999
Independent Work
1–3 creditsGEOG 999 is an independent study course allowing students to arrange specific work with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sampleRecorded teaching history
Explore courses taught by this instructor →Browse recorded courses
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
Instructor identity & provenance
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