Hes very passionate about the subject which you want in a professor. Sometimes I wish he'd go more in depth on certain topics that do get covered in exams and quizzes, but overall his style of teaching is pretty solid. The exam structure is my biggest criticism as you have one midterm and one final which is too little imo, but not bad overallRate My Professors ↗
Current instructor
Michael Cardiff
What students say
Original student reviews · all captured dates
Fun class, lots of cool rocks and natural disaster case studies. Prof. Cardiff gives good lectures with multimedia demonstrations. He uses in-class questions, and attendance counts towards your grade. Labs are the most difficult part of the class (they often run overtime). The textbook is easy to read, but it covers a lot each week- take notes!Rate My Professors ↗
This class was excruciatingly boring (one of those classes that everyone is playing the NYT games to ease the pain). He has very little grade transparency as well. Final grades were put in and they appeared much differently in grade letter than canvas had indicated all semester. This class is a definite no from me.Rate My Professors ↗
Not a terrible class if you go to every lecture and discussion. I just didn't enjoy the material.Rate My Professors ↗
Some concepts and assignment expectations weren't made clear and the discussion section usually left students more confused. However, I think the course gives a good overview of many geological concepts and was an interesting class to take for General Education requirement.Rate My Professors ↗
Professor Cardiff is extremely passionate in his work. His course taught me a lot, despite some challenge with labs and the pandemic. I definitely recommend him.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
Classes with Michael Cardiff
Directed Study
1–6 creditsGEOSCI 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 777 teaches the operation of electron probes and SEM for microanalysis using WDS and EDS, including their applications and limitations.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2024 · limited sampleResearch
1–12 creditsGEOSCI 990 is a research course where students conduct supervised independent study projects.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Hydrogeology
3–4 creditsGEOSCI/GLE 627 teaches the mathematical treatment of groundwater flow principles, focusing on well hydraulics and flow system analysis.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Fall 2021: 3.13 GPA, 48.1% A/AB (n=27 letter grades); Fall 2022: 3.48 GPA, 63.6% A/AB (n=22 letter grades); Fall 2023: 3.11 GPA, 57.1% A/AB (n=28 letter grades). Includes jointly taught sections.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025 · limited sampleMaster's Research or Thesis
1–9 creditsA graduate research or thesis course conducted under faculty supervision for Geological Engineering MS students.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Recorded teaching history
Explore courses taught by this instructor →Browse recorded courses
| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | GEOSCI 699 | Directed Study |
| Fall 2026 | GEOSCI 777 | Electron Microprobe Analysis |
| Fall 2026 | GEOSCI 990 | Research |
| Fall 2026 | GEOSCI/GLE 627 | Hydrogeology |
| Fall 2026 | GLE 790 | Master's Research or Thesis |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
Instructor identity & provenance
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