Paula Jefferis-Nilsen - San Jose State University, San Jose, CA

Professor: Paula Jefferis-Nilsen

Department: Geology

College: San Jose State University, San Jose, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GEOL006
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

She was very understanding and a pretty lax grader. Reviews topics in class so you know what's on the test. She gives extra credit every time you answer a question in class. 2 field trips (one during class time, one on a weekend) and a few projects. Her tests were part free response and part multiple choice, but her grading was easy.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PLANTEARTH
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Don't take this class. She goes over the powerpoints for her lecture. Her word is, "you should already know that"..... Save yourself the trouble. Her exams are really hard.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GEOL112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This professor, she does treat the class like first graders but expects a little more above average for a G.E class. I don't know why people down there are complaining, whatever she puts on the study guide WILL be on the exams. Nothing more. I found this class pretty easy, she just gives more homework then a regular G.E class. Have fun.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GEO6
• 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:

DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS WITH THIS PROFESSOR! I don't rate professors hard nor ever give bad comments. But this professor is extremely difficult to work with. She expects you to know everything. He catch line, "Well you already know that" her tests HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT SHE TEACHES! She doesn't provide the best help when you need it.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GEOL6
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Hard class if you have a full loaded semester (luckily I only had 2 other classes!). Some questions on the tests are things we didn't even go over (final was horrible!). Group project on a state park and term paper on topics she suggests. 2 field trips (one on the weekend). Weak at answering emails. I actually thinks she's kinda funny.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GEOL6
• 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:

Paula is extremely sassy when it comes to asking for help. She expects you to know entire slideshows she puts on Canvas even if she never taught them. I normally don't give bad reviews, but I honestly feel like giving up. Still have to take the final which is basically a eight page study guide and a random packet we didn't go over on a "field trip"

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GEOL112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took this class because I thought it would be fun and interesting. This professor is such a scatter brain. She does not ever seem prepared for lectures, and showing up to class is almost pointless. She expects too much for a GE course and cannot teach at all. This class is not as interesting as you'd think.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GEOL112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

WORST TEACHER. She treats you like a first-grader, and then acts like one herself. She can't even manage to put together a read-able powerpoint, let alone teach it. Her tests have NOTHING to do with what the study guide says, so studying is pointless. She's all over the place, and can't teach one topic without veering off into 5 other directions.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GEOL112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very enthusiastic on topic. She is really sweet and stern which is a nice balance so people do not take advantage. She makes the topic interesting. The field trip was so much FUN, even though we had to go on a Saturday. 3 exams, no quizzes, 2-3 papers, a couple worksheets, 1 field trip. Interesting lectures.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GEOL006
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Paula's class was fun to attend because she would always be active and entertaining during her lectures. Her grades are mainly from her tests and one field trip. Make sure you turn in your homework. I found myself using more materials from the lectures than from the textbook. She doesn't read off the slides, that's a good thing about her.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GEOL112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I had zero interest in this class and she did not make it anymore interesting to me. She is horrible at returning back emails, and I emailed her about a specific assignment I did not get credit for and she disregarded my email and posted grades. Luckily I have a B, I have no idea how I got a B, her exams are on material she has not covered in class

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GEOL112
• 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:

Fantastic Professor. Very passionate teacher. I had a low interest level in the subject coming in but she teaches some really amazing stuff. Work level is not too much but its not easy. She however is an easy grader. She is crystal clear about where you stand in the class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GEO112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Too much work for a GE class. 2 problems: we write our two papers on subjects she has NOT teach yet so I was really confused while writing them. Exams are hard because she tests materials she did NOT teach in class! I am lost and always try to figure out how to do better & I am an A senior student! Went to all her classes but it wasn't helpful. :(

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GEOL3
• 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:

She is really nice and a bit off the wall. She'll run around class demonstrating things which is a little strange but shes VERY passionate, which makes the class entertaining. The book is really helpful for studying for tests and the powerpoints are all online so if you miss a class its not a big deal

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GEO112
• 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:

Great! She makes the tests (3 at 55% of grade) herself, so she grabs questions from material she teaches. I only found powerpoints and assigned review questions (from publisher's website) useful and I got an older version of the text (rarely used). Interesting Saturday field trip worth 10%, 1 paper (15%), 1 project (15%). Learned a lot, but worked.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GEOLO3
• 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: N/A

Comment:

Great professor, attending class is optional but it helps when you go, lectures and worksheets are very helpful. Gives study guides on what exactly is on tests...Best professor for a science course by far. very lenient with work and dates

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GEOL03
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I LOVED HER! She's cute and enthusiastic about geology. Not mandatory to attend classes, but it helps bc she does a lot of worksheets(big help on exams!)Okay teacher. I think the book saved me. READ& at least do review Q's she uses for each chapter lecture! Study guides help idk what you guys are talking about! Follow guidelines for papers CRUCIAL!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: GEOGEOL
• 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:

Many of the people rating pretty much hit the nail on the head. She loves geology and definitely knows what she's talking about, but she doesn't teach well. YES, the study guides are pretty useless. This is way to difficult for a GE class. For some reason I felt that I was the only one who thought so. I'm not a bad student either, but this class...

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GEOL112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She is super nice. But, I've had a 4.0 for two years, so I'm qualified to say that she makes this GE class too complicated. The lectures and tests don't match! I had 100% attendance, took great notes, studied for days on tests, scored 100% on papers and still got an A-. I had never made an A- before her, and have never made once since. Thumbs down

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GEOL112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She is a very hard grader for a General Education class. She really thinks that we are majoring in geology and should be experts.