Philip Giles - Saint Mary's University, Halifax, NS

Professor: Philip Giles

Department: Geography

College: Saint Mary's University, Halifax, NS

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2306
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I went to his offfice hours for help and he got pissed that I interrupted him while he was busy, and did not help me

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2306
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Terrible Professor. Has attitude in emails and is very cocky. Made students write 5 paragraphs things they learned in the course for a grade as a way to grow his already huge ego and to make it seem like hes a good professor. Hes not. Gives 150 definitions to memorize for tests but only asks for 5 on the actual test. Never take his classes. Ever.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2306
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

English prof? He's your guy. Doesn't matter if you know much of geography because if it's not written well enough, good luck. Oh, and if you don't write as much as he can on the topic, be ready to fail because he has his own "model answer" that is typically 4-5 paragraphs long and if you can't hold a candle to it, good luck on getting above a C+.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2306
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Other than all of the units being structured the same, I have nothing positive to say. So many spelling/grammar errors in his notes, but will doc so many points for errors in assignments. Extremely rude and condescending in feedback, notes and emails. Unwilling to help. Doing whatever I can to avoid taking a class with this prof again.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2306
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Giles is an awful professor. He basically calls students stupid for asking questions via email. He's extremely hypocritical as he has multiple spelling & grammatical issues in his tests and units. He's extremely rude & abuses his power as a prof, instead of trying to expand the minds of students his goal is to make the student feel inferior to him.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: 23061WW
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Unwilling to help. Tests are very nitpick. Incredibly mean. Makes fun of mental disabilities. Multiple spelling and grammatical mistakes in his notes and tests. Mean class grade on midterm was 58 (he was happy with that).

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2306
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is an okay professor. Dont bother asking questions because he will be rude in responses and act like youre stupid. He will dock points if you dont do assignments the way he wants, but he doesnt specify how he wants it done. He talks about about his other classes than he does about the class youre taking. Do. Not. Take. His. Class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2356
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Awful prof, sets students up for failure. He bullied one of my classmates into nominating him for the "best educator" award, which is entirely unwarranted. Instructions are very vague, then penalizes you for not including things he wanted even though he never explained what he was looking for. Gives rude feedback and doesn't clarify when asked. BAD

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2306
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Giles and he gives clear study objectives given in class, not on the .ppt so if you show up you will get an easy A. He gave a total of 20% in participatory exercises worth 1% each for just showing up and participating in class. Fair grader with lots of feedback, very accessible outside class, would take his class again.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2306
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Giles' class is extremely structured and is very well prepared. He does not gives it away but highlights study objectives that if followed, gets you an easy A. GEOG2306 is a very easy class if efforts are put in, and Dr. Giles takes the time outside of class to make sure you understand. Great prof!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took GEOG2313 (Geomorphology) with professor Giles, and although he is a tough marker, he is one of my favourite professor's at SMU. Giles is there whenever you need extra help, and genuinely wants you to do well. Giles is extremely knowledgable in the subjects he teaches, and is genuinely interested in them as well; this shows in his teaching.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2316
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Easily one of my favourite proffs at SMU. Once you understand his teaching method his classes become a lot easier, just do the work and ASK QUESTIONS whenever needed even if they seem stupid. Giles is amazing at explaining hard concepts until you completely understand them.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GEOG3313
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you're willing to put in the effort, you are guaranteed a good mark. He is extremely fair and provides many opportunities to get good marks. He is definitely one of the best geography professors at Saint Mary's.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GEOG4423
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Doesn't give it away for free, but gives every opportunity to get an A. Will answer any questions. Go to class. It's not hard to predict what he will ask on his tests. Ask yourself what he's trying to say is important in each lecture, and you're set. The only questions I would get wrong were from classes I missed. Don't just rely on the slides.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He is a excellent professor! He gives you all of the questions prior to midterms and finals. I would take another class from him.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GEOG3313
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is a great professor! Extremely helpful and accommodating to students. Gives you all of the questions prior to midterms and finals so easy to get a good mark! Highly recommend him.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

AWFUL PROF. The class had an average of 48.6% on the midterm and he didn't curve the marks. Very hard marker. One word off and you automatically get it wrong. Very unclear in class and on his power points. Unrealistic expectations.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Go to class, make an effort, you'll have no issues. He is extremely organized & trust me that works only to your advantage. More than willing to help you or give you a break when you stay for labs and work through questions. He gives you what he deems important to understand & that is what you are tested on so you don't have to memorize randomness.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His class isn't the easiest. But if you go to class, and put in the work you can get a good grade. He isn't the best in lectures, but he is very helpful when you go to talk to him and also in the labs. Which you need to go to so you can get a high mark.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GEOG4423
• 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:

Powerpoints very clear, easy to follow when you go to class.