Nathaniel Mitkowski - University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI

Professor: Nathaniel Mitkowski

Department: Science

College: University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PLS150
• 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:

Good professor, gives real life stories to help you remember material. Drops the lowest exam so I didn't even have to take the final.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PLS150
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I really liked Dr. Mitkowski's class. His lectures are super interesting, and it's clear that he DEFINITELY knows a lot about plants, which added a lot to the class. I'd recommend just going to every class instead of buying the book, since if you do that you'll be fine for all of the tests. It's clear that he definitely cares about students, too.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PLS150
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

There were 4 exams the lowest grade was dropped attendance did not count but I recommend showing up as much as you can or buy a textbook and study for the exams.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PLS150
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Mitkowski is very funny, and quickly earns students' respect by talking about his gripes with URI with them. The class itself was very easy, but I loved it because I am very interested in the material. Students are only graded on four exams throughout the semester, and the material covered comes verbatim from the lectures and the textbook.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PLS150
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I really enjoyed Professor Mitkowski. He did a great job presenting material and I really learned a lot! I got a good grade and classes were fun. Exams were not too bad but you have to study since they are multiple choice and there is no wiggle room there.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PLS150
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I really liked this class. I learned a lot and got a good grade. Its not a hard class but mostly interesting. Professor knows the material and is funny sometimes. I did not buy the book but made sure to come to class. Not my major, I took it for Gen Ed credit, was a good choice.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PLS150
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Enjoys what he's talking about but knows students take it as a gen ed so doesn't make it difficult. 4 exams including the final and one extra credit. Doesn't take attendance but doesn't post the slides online. Sends out a study guide before exams.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PLS150
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great. Cares a lot about what he's teaching which makes the class a lot better.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PLS150
• 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:

Relatively easy class. He enjoys plants and but if you don't, you'll still get something out of it. Interesting material on global warming and peak oil. Worth taking.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PLS150
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Took the class in Fall 2016. Really enjoyed it, going to take another with him this year. Grades are based on 4 exams and attendance. It's a really easy class, exams are cake and material is interesting. Prof tells good stories and does not put you to sleep! He does not like cheaters, however, so don't play games with TopHat or exams.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PLS442
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Straightforward: Show up for class take midterm and final He is a great professor who knows his stuff, has excellent stories to tell as well.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PLS150
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Like most big lectures, he just reads the slides but he also adds some extra information if you attend in class opposed to just reading the slides on sakai. He's hilarious and makes the lectures interesting. As long as you pay attention and study for at least a day for the exams, you'll do fine. He counts attendance when you sign in, easy points.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PLS150
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He reads straight from the slides all u do in class. Exams worth 90%, 4 of them, and 10% attendance (he says 10 points to ur grade for attendance but really not 10 points). Horrible exams that are not easy- didn't study for 1st exam got a 76 on it and the rest i studied my butt off for and got 50s and 60s.. also bought book and didn't help w grade.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PLS150
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Attendance isn't necessarily required but he gives you attendance points when you sign in. He reads right off his lecture slides so it's very boring and monotone at times. 4 easy multiple choice exams throughout. If you're not interested in this class and you need a general education credit in this field I would recommend a different course.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PLS150
• 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:

Thought this would be an easy gen ed, think again. He has long lectures with long power points. None of it is on the exams. Studied really hard and failed a couple exams. If you ask for help he is rude and not helpful at all. Take chem as a science gen ed before this lol.. ALSO DONT BUT THE BOOK he is the author which is why he makes you buy it

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PLS150
• 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 is very knowledgeable about what he teaches which means he explains everything very well in an easy to understand way. His powerpoints are organized very well which made it very easy to take notes. If you show up and take notes you should pass this class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PLS322
• 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:

Great class, all you had to do was show up, pay attention and take notes. No assignments, just midterm and a final. He sends you the powerpoints before the final which really helps you study.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PLS442
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

laziest professor i have ever had. won't give out the powerpoint which are MOSTLY PHOTOS. gives out the final exam study guide two days before the exam. pretends he is stressed

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PLS150
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I needed this class as a GenEd at first and it was my last option, but as soon as I began the class I absolutely loved it. He understands that a lot of kids in the class take it as a GenEd so he doesn't go too in depth about plants. He's a really down to earth guy and I actually learned a lot of cool stuff about plants and better appreciated them.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PLS150
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

In order to get the "easy A" you have to read unfortunately. This is a class where you do not have to go necessarily but buy the book and spend some extra time getting to know the material and you will do fine. He does a lot of extra points here and there, and there are only four tests and no accumulative final. His study guides reflect tests.