Current instructor
Original student reviews · all captured dates
Dr. Balster has immense respect and care for his students, he makes a point to learn everyone's name. His lectures were engaging and informative but required you to pay close attention. You cannot be a complacent learner otherwise you will fall behind, however, Dr. Balster offers many opportunities for support and will meet you in the middle.Rate My Professors ↗
Dr. Balster is truly a great professor. This class is definitely difficult (especially if you are not a STEM major), but it is so worth it for a lecturer as engaging and passionate as he is! Attendance is basically mandatory (but you won't really want to miss class anyway). Light readings, lots of extra credit opportunities, and written notes only.Rate My Professors ↗
Dr. Balster is a strict professor but extremely passionate and very friendly. He may seem tough but he ultimately just wants you to learn the material. Honestly, what you put in is what you take out, so you might need to give a little extra effort but it'll pay off Heads up, there is a good amount of reading so be aware of that :)Rate My Professors ↗
No matter how much you study, it is never enough. Willing to sell my soul to pass. His quizzes and exams are quite literally impossibleRate My Professors ↗
Do not take his classes. Classes are way too hard for them, being intro classes for many majors. Class time is spent talking about nothing that will help you on exams, and when students come up unhappy with their grades, they are told that thinking wrong is incorrect. Makes it hard to skip class by having many in class quizesRate My Professors ↗
dont suggest. exams are not well prepared for in class. asked help multiple times and kept saying its "logically" based thinking. what does that even mean..Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
Advanced independent study in environmental studies involving independent work overseen by a qualified instructor.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025 · limited sampleA systems-based investigation of soil structure, biology, water, fertility, and taxonomy, including human impacts on the soil environment.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Nick Balster
Nick Balster’s lectures were engaging and informative but required close attention; students noted that complacency led to falling behind, though he offered many opportunities for support. He made a point to learn everyone’s name and demonstrated immense respect and care for his students.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2023–Spring 2026Silviculture: Applied Forest Ecology covers ecologically-based management principles for sustainable timber production, biodiversity, and site productivity.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2024: 3.31 GPA, 56.2% A/AB (n=16 letter grades); Spring 2025: 3.19 GPA, 50.0% A/AB (n=16 letter grades); Spring 2026: 3.25 GPA, 50.0% A/AB (n=10 letter grades). Includes jointly taught sections.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2023–Spring 2026 · limited sampleIndependent research course preparing students for a graduate thesis under faculty supervision, focusing on scientific presentation and data communication.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
No recorded grade history
Independent Study involves research work under direct guidance of a faculty or instructional academic staff member. Students arrange the work and credits with the supervising instructor.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2024: 3.89 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=9 letter grades); Fall 2025: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=9 letter grades); Spring 2026: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=9 letter grades).
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2024–Spring 2026 · limited sampleCoordination internship or cooperative education in Soil Science with professional supervision.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
No recorded grade history
Individual study for majors completing theses for Soil Science degrees as arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
No recorded grade history
Practicum in Soil Science Teaching provides instructional orientation, supervised direct teaching, student evaluation experience, and analysis of teaching performance in higher education.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
No recorded grade history
Independent research and writing course focused on completing dissertation requirements in Soil Science.
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 | ENVIRST 999 | Advanced Independent Study |
| Spring 2027 | ENVIRST/GEOG/SOILSCI 230 | Soil: Ecosystem and Resource |
| Spring 2027 | F&WECOL 410 | Silviculture: Applied Forest Ecology |
| Spring 2027 | F&WECOL 990 | Research and Thesis |
| Spring 2027 | SOILSCI 299 | Independent Study |
| Spring 2027 | SOILSCI 399 | Coordinative Internship/cooperative Education |
| Spring 2027 | SOILSCI 699 | Special Problems |
| Spring 2027 | SOILSCI 799 | Practicum in Soil Science Teaching |
| Spring 2027 | SOILSCI 990 | Research |
| Fall 2026 | AGROECOL 303 | Agroecological Systems: Working Towards Sustainability |
| Fall 2026 | F&WECOL 990 | Research and Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | SOILSCI 250 | Introduction to Environmental Science |
| Fall 2026 | SOILSCI 299 | Independent Study |
| Fall 2026 | SOILSCI 399 | Coordinative Internship/cooperative Education |
| Fall 2026 | SOILSCI 486 | Soil Management |
| Fall 2026 | SOILSCI 681 | Senior Honors Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | SOILSCI 682 | Senior Honors Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | SOILSCI 699 | Special Problems |
| Fall 2026 | SOILSCI 990 | Research |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
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