Avoid at all costs. Had her for ATM OCN 522 this semester and it was the most incoherent class I've taken in my five years here. The grading is extremely inconsistent, her lectures are rambly and her answers to questions only left me more confused. Also means office hours didn't help much. She's a great person, but teaching ain't for her.Rate My Professors ↗
Current instructor
Larissa Back
What students say
Original student reviews · all captured dates
This Professor has no idea what she is doing, doesn't review topics that she teaches, and has no idea how to answer questions you ask in class.Rate My Professors ↗
Larissa is a wonderful person, but a terrible teacher. Her expectations are so often unclear that it makes it seem like she has no idea what's going on. Her grading is inconsistent and it makes it really hard for students. Once again, I like Larissa as a human, but not as a professor.Rate My Professors ↗
Despite being switched out of teaching the core courses at Madison (310/311), her teaching style has not changed from any of the other comments. She is dumbfounded that you cannot learn from her poor teaching, unavailable even at designated office hours, and only handed back one graded assignment the entire semester so final grades were a toss up.Rate My Professors ↗
WORST. PROFESSOR. EVER! Professor Back, should go back to school to learn how to teach. I cannot believe the AOS faculty have assigned someone so irresponsible to the undergraduate core curriculum as Dr. Back. She may very well understand the concepts, but she fails to teach to those it may not come easy. Repeating the same example, does not help.Rate My Professors ↗
She really tries to help with understanding of material during lecture, but sometimes the best way to learn was to teach yourself from the book and internet. Very clear on what will be on tests.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
Classes with Larissa Back
Senior Honors Thesis
3 creditsATMOCN 681 is an individual mentored study course for seniors completing theses for Honors in the Major.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Senior Thesis
2–3 creditsATMOCN 691 is a senior thesis course providing individual mentored study for students completing their theses.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Directed Study
1–5 creditsATMOCN 698 is a directed study course allowing students to conduct independent research or study arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Directed Study
1–5 creditsATMOCN 699 is a directed study course allowing students to conduct independent research or study under faculty supervision.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2024 · limited sampleResearch
1–12 creditsATMOCN 990 is a research course where students work with atmospheric and oceanic science faculty advisors.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Advanced Independent Study
1–6 creditsATMOCN 999 is an advanced independent study course arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026 · limited sampleRecorded teaching history
Explore courses taught by this instructor →Browse recorded courses
| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | ATMOCN 681 | Senior Honors Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | ATMOCN 691 | Senior Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | ATMOCN 698 | Directed Study |
| Fall 2026 | ATMOCN 699 | Directed Study |
| Fall 2026 | ATMOCN 990 | Research |
| Fall 2026 | ATMOCN 999 | Advanced Independent Study |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
Instructor identity & provenance
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