Mark Smith - Langara College, Vancouver, BC

Professor: Mark Smith

Department: Geology

College: Langara College, Vancouver, BC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GEOL1100
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Lecture notes are pretty straightforward. he gives paper guide before exams which is very helpful. He is just awesome,,,,:)

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GEOG1190
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Mark is a great geography prof. No textbook needed, just attendance since he writes the notes along with the class. Slow and easy. I took this class with a friend as an elective. Ask questions, he's nice and understanding to your confusion. Didn't expect to enjoy this course as much as I did. This unexpectedly became my gpa booster.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GEOG1190
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Mark is a really nice guy, but he's super unorganized. He mixed up a couple of chapters which made it difficult to keep up. If you take this class with him don't bother reading the textbook. The exams come straight from lecture.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GEO1110
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Mark was a great geology prof. The info focused more on the processes and there was no math to confuse me! The labs were fun and I felt like i actually understood the science. I highly recommend this class!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2290
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He doesn't use D2L or post notes online, everything is written on the board in class. He is a good prof but I missed the last 3 weeks due to the flu and I didn't have students to take notes from so I'm screwed for the final. Otherwise he's genuine and his lectures are very easy to follow. Nancy the lab assistant is judgemental and unhelpful.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GEOG1190
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Mark is very knowledgeable and a nice guy. He writes everything on the board and draws diagrams. He answers any question asked and makes sure you understand the answer before moving on. Labs are straight forward. Mark pretty much lays out everything you need to write for the field trip essay. Exams can be tough, make sure you know your diagrams!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GEOL2207
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Mark is a great instructor. He would like more class participation, but I think does not execute it well and instead gets mad at everybody for not knowing the answers to his questions. Every class is 2-3 pages of notes and you are graded on both the book (not a text) and the lecture notes. Would recommend.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GEO1190
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He's nice and makes things clear. Love him 3 3 3

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GEOL1110
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Lectures are easy to follow along, same for labs. He does a lot to give you all the time you need to really learn the lab material. Midterm was hard, final was easier. Lab exams were difficult but open book and still fair - no surprises on either! Draws lots of diagrams and likes watching movies in class.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GEOL1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I think Mark is a great teacher with a wealth of knowledge and seems very passionate about climate change. The tests are hella hard so I would recommend studying with flash cards and reviewing your in-class notes like crazy. Make sure you understand the concepts. Not many test in the lecture portion, but there are quizzes in the lab portion.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GEOG22901110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Great instructor, if you have a chance take a class with him for sure! Material is interesting, exams are not too hard and he is incredibly helpful. He will spend lots of time reviewing anything you aren't sure about and will proofread assignments before you hand them in. GEOG 2290 was one of the best classes I've taken at Langara.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GEOLOGY1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Helpful and very engaged with his students. Really chill.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GEOG1190
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He pounce on people with grammar and spelling mistakes and makes it hard for people who can't write

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GEOL1101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Incredibly helpful. When I had a problem in the class, I went to office hours and discussed it with him. Fair marker and makes the material interesting.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GEOL1110
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Mark is an interesting and very likeable prof. I would love to take more of his classes if I wanted to major in geology. The lab assistant Nancy is totally rude, unhappy, and unhelpful. Otherwise Mark was great!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GEOLOGY1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He uses the textbook as a basis foundation for his lectures, but the exam material is on lectures. His labs are superbly easy. A fun and great prof to have and an amazing class. He has a striking resemblance to Hank Shrader from Breaking Bad

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GEOL1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Loved having this guy! He's so filled with charisma and seems like he really enjoys teaching! At first I was pretty nervous about the course but it turned out to be one of my best. His notes are very detailed and I actually didn't use the text much! Tests are straight forward if you study. Overall hes a great guy! Put the work in and you'll be fine

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: GEO1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Straightforward but detailed. Effort is rewarded.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GEOL1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

BORING lecturer. Makes a lot of spelling/grammar mistakes (even in his verbal lecturing). Goes through stuff way too quickly, and springs random stuff not discussed in lecture on exams. I have no idea how he has such positive ratings. I would never take a class with him again.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2290
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Mark is my favourite teacher. He really wants you to do well and it shows in his lectures. His format is simple and there are no tricks. He usually gives clear outlines of what will be on the test which is great - he doesn't make you jump through hoops in order to get a good grade. I would recommend taking anything with him.