Claudia Benitez-Nelson - University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

Professor: Claudia Benitez-Nelson

Department: Science

College: University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MSCI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Claudia is by far one of the best professors I've had and is one who genuinely wants you to learn the material. She will make you get up in the middle of class and physically act out whatever she's trying to teach if her point isn't getting across. She wants you to ask questions and wants you to think about the answer! Highly recommend.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MSCI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Extremely passionate and vibrant personality

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MSCI101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Claudia is by far the best teacher Ive EVER had. In the beginning of the semester she was doing field work in the Pacific so she didnt come til early September, & the first guy was subpar. But once Claudia came back, I started learning so much. She has a way of making everything so interesting even if its just about rocks. Take her class 100%.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MSCI101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Claudia is an amazing professor and is very passionate about what she teaches. She's very animated and makes class fun, even when the lectures are boring. Her class isn't easy, it takes a lot of work to do well. She offers lots of resources if you need help. Textbook wasn't necessary but definitely helped. Take advantage of extra credit!!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MSCI101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Claudia is a great teacher. She knows what she's talking about, and likes her class to throw out guesses to her questions. The material is dry, and is concept based. Attendance is optional, but you will be left behind if you skip. If you're struggling, go to her office hours. She can seem condescending at times, try to look past it. Enjoyed it!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MSCI101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Claudia is a great professor though her class is very difficult. The material is dry and there is a lot of it. However, Claudia tries to make class as interesting as possible and truly wants all of her students to do well.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MSCI101
• 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:

Extra Credit was mind-blowing. Subject matter was titillating. #delicouslydifficult #distractinglysexy

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MSCI101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

AWESOME TEACHER! the material is dry but she is super helpful and the sweetest woman ever!! Need to study for tests but go to lectures and take notes and you'll be fine.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MSCI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very tough grader, but she also scales (I forgot about that for a while and was kind of worried) and gives lots of extra credit opportunities. The book was needed for assignments, but there are certain answers that you must mention in the answers. If you love high energy, take her classes. The only thing I hated was the 8:30 start time...

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MSCI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Claudia actually made me want to get up for the 8:30 class. She's always energetic, and she'll talk to you about anything you might need help with. You definitely need to study for the tests; they're hard. I wish she taught more Marine Science courses! I would definitely take her again if I could.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MSCI101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Amazing professor. She is so passionate about the material and really gets you interested in it. She's also really easy to talk to and super funny. Tests are tough, you have to study, but she gives a lot of extra credit if you just take the time to do it. Labs are also easy and boost your grade. Definitely take her!!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MSCI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She's awesome! I love her! She makes the lecture so interesting and she wakes you up if you take the 8:30 class. Tests are kinda hard though

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MSCI101H
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Nelson is a fabulous teacher- she loves what she does and gets everyone pumped about learning even if Marine Science isn't they're thing. Also extremely cool-took a 2 week trip during the semester to do research in South Africa.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MSCI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Amazing amazing professor. She's very passionate about the subject and loves to teach. She makes learning fun and gets you up and moving during class. I'd recommend getting to know her because she'll help you all she can even after you leave the class. Her tests are hard but she offers plenty of extra credit. Loved her class!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MSCI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Helpful and passionate about Marine Science. Tests are hard but she let us retake them with our notes and friends. I got a B+ but could have done better if I had read the text book throughout the semester, so I recommend doing that

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MSCI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Amazing professor. Easy lab, attendance not mandatory, offers a lot of extra credit, exciting class, very helpful if you don't understand something. Her tests are hard, but she lets the class do a retake for a higher score, so don't skip the day after a test. As long as you study, a fairly easy class. Highly recommended.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MSCI101
• 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:

She is a great professor! She knows how to teach and loves her job! She will answer any questions you have in or out of class. Her exams are a little difficult but she gives TONS of opportunities for extra credit! Take her!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MSCI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Claudia is awesome. Very helpful in class and outside of class. Lots of extra credit. Semi-hard tests. Your grade definitely depends on the effort you put in. Highly recommended

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MSCI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Amazing teacher, I hope i get her again for a higher level class, granted some interest is needed to understand the material but if you have any questions she loves talking to students, 3 tests, 1 final, and a few assignments, but otherwise no hw, reading is not necessarily a must but is helpful

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MSCI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you aren't a marine science major, try taking a different course. Mrs. Nelson is a great person and she is willing to help. Her labs are easy grades but her homeworks are a little tough. The tests are killer. You will have 3 tests (but she drops the lowest grade) and then the final. The information is hard. Attendence not taken. Book unnecessa