Ellen Cowan - Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Professor: Ellen Cowan

Department: Geology

College: Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GEO1101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Cowan is very passionate about Geology. She clearly loves what she is doing and it shows. The class is entirely lecture based and attendance is not mandatory however, she does occasionally take up note cards at random which count as a small portion of the overall grade.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GLY3333
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Cowan is a very caring and knowledgeable professor. I really like her as a person, but I find her as a okay professor. She tends to go on tangents during lectures, her tests are brutal, and her grading criteria is somewhat unfair. She grades very harshly and there are few assignments that count towards your grade. I do not recommend her.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GEO1101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The entire class was lecture based but if you come to class and study for the tests you will do fine. All tests are multiple choice with a couple short answer. Just take good notes and the tests are mostly that. Go to the review session if she offers one.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GEO1101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Cowan is really invested in her work and it really shows in class. Lectures can be very long and sometimes difficult to pay attention to but you'll need to in order to succeed on tests . Lecture room is always cold so bring a blanket.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GEO1101
• 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:

DO NOT TAKE HER! Tests consist of way too much material. Although she is a nice person, she's an awful professor. Super boring and expects you to know everything about the subject within the lecture. Awful class, hardest one I've taken.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GEO1101
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Tests way too much materials, harsh grader. Lectures are dry and extremely boring. Literally the hardest class I've taken here. DO NOT RECOMMEND!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GEO1101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This entire course is centered around lecture, so even though she only takes attendance randomly, I would recommend being there as often as possible.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GEO1105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Cowan is super sweet and very approachable. Pay attention to lectures and study some and you will do fine on tests. She knows what she's talking so lectures are interesting.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GLY1105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Cowan is a great professor but her lectures can make you doze off sometimes. She cares a lot about the subject and it shows in her lectures. She gives three exams plus a final. Go to her study sessions before each exam because she often gives away answers. Always do the study questions she gives.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GLY1105
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Lectures get boring but if you read the book and study then you'll be fine

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GEO1105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Cowan is super nice but is awful at teaching. Her lectures are pointless and have nothing to do with her exams. Class average on exams is are mid 60s - low 70s and she doesnt curve them. Way to hard for a gen ed.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GLY1105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Cowan is awesome! She's super sweet and adorable. She puts up study questions for each chapter you go over in lecture, which really helps out for the exams. There isn't any reason to get a bad grade if you go to class and keep up with the study guides.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GLY1105
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT TAKE COWAN. worst professor I've ever had; explains nothing, expects way to much for a gen ed, and is very scatter brained.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GEO1101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Cowan is by far one of the nicest professors I have had. She gives you all the materials you will need to pass and she is so helpful when explaining things. Always make sure to go to her review sessions they really help! Overall really good class!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GEO1101
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She is such a wonderful professor! Even though her class was lecture heavy and test could be difficult she is the nicest person and really cares about all of her students!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GEO1101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She knows what she is teaching are really cares about her students. The tests are hard, but if you study and go to her reviews you will pass for sure

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GLY3680
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Cowan is really nice and I mostly enjoyed her class (sans the archaeology majors that couldn't keep their mouths shut). She was helpful if you went to her and asked for it. The material on the tests was definitely covered in class, but she looks for very in depth answers and grades quite strict. Not the easiest, but if you work hard, you're set

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: 1105
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The tests are way too hard for an intro geology class. And the lectures are almost impossible to get through without dozing off. I recommend taking 1104 with Anderson before taking this class.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GLY3333
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Cowan is tough but very helpful and really knowledgeable of the subject. Despite being older she is spry and her sense of humor is uncanny. Lots of hikes and hands on learning. Labs are of mild difficulty. Lecture tests are brutal. Study hard and pay attention in class! Don't be afraid to ask questions. She loves her job & is there for you.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GLY1101
• 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:

Dr. Cowan lets you know very clearly what you need to pass. Go to the reviews. Those helped me tremendously. Answer the questions she posts. They're all on the exam in some form. Most importantly, study the Power Points. People only give her poor reviews because they don't try. This class is an easy A if you take Dr. Cowan seriously! She's amazing.