Richard Smosna - West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV

Professor: Richard Smosna

Department: Geology

College: West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GEO103
• 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:

(I attended WVU from 2000-05.) Mr. Smosna's Geology 3 class was captivating and restored my interest in space and time that I lost a long time ago. He was extremely knowledgeable and his practices for educating was refreshing. The new Cosmos series reminded me of him and I wanted to give him praise and thank him for showcasing his love of his work.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GEO203
• 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:

One of the best teachers i have ever had in my career at WVU and in general.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GEOL101
• 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:

I graduated from WVU 15 years ago. I wanted to leave this comment because I had a lot of great professors but Dr. Smosna was the best. My major was philosophy, not Geology - I took his classes as electives.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GEOL203
• 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:

When I'm in Smosna's class I feel like one of those really happy kids in college brochures. There is a lot of reading (6 novels in a science class), but it's fun stuff like Kon Tiki and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. He is ridiculous and funny and awesome and I highly recommend him.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GEOL500
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the very best professors I have ever had. Extremely demanding, great lecturer, fantastic human being. The graduate-level course was one of the hardest and most time consuming I've taken, and also the most rewarding. I learned an incredible amount!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GEO103
• 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:

lectures are interesting and easy to understand but if u don't know his lecture word for word you'll fail his tests, they are almost impossible to pass. Failed his class and i have to retake it, and the funny thing is i went to every class, understood everything, read every stupid novel, still got an F. he's never happy with ur answers on tests

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GEOL103
• 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:

He's great fun but the class is hard. You've got to read about 6 novels (some more interesting than others) and I mean you've actually GOT to read them. Tests are short answer so it's hard to **** through.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GEO203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is very funny!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GEOL103
• 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:

Very hard Professor. Test and Quizzes are short answered. Try's to be funny but isn't. You have to read 6 novels, there is no textbook. Novels are boring and useless. Doesn't use visual aids at all. Some stats are misconstrued as if they just came off the top of his head. For the $90,000.00 he makes a year at WVU he isn't earning it in my opinion.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GEO103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Smosna was fun in class but his tests were really hard. I went into his office once and proved some of my answers were right, its all opinion grading. sucks

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GEO203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Smosna's teaching is ridiculous. He thinks he is so funny and cool. He makes up statistics and figures off the top of his head and they may or may not be right. All of his test are open ended and are extremely difficult. You also have to read 6 novels throughout the semester, way to much work that is not needed just to know the information.AVOID!!!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GEOL103
• 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:

The classroom is fun when Smosna is teaching, there is never a dull moment. If you are earnest about school, he is tha man. But slacking off and missing classes will not earn you any respect from Smosna. Also incredibly helpful inside and outside of class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GEOL321
• 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:

Smosna is the most awesome teacher ever. Talk about a man who loves to teach. His excitement is infectious and he's really funny. If you're a slacker, dont bother because he wont help you when you skip too many classes. If you actually go to class and are in college to get something out of it, he's a great teacher. love him.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: 203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Alot of reading, but interesting class...Must read books to pass!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GEOL103203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Cool prof. Must read books (you should read at least one in your lifetime). Don't miss class. Understands the mindset of the typical undergrad and knows that we're not all planning on majoring in geology. No expensive textbooks for intro courses.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GEOL103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

DICK SMOSNA IS THE BEST TEACHER EVER!! The class was fun and iteresting. He always kept you guessing what he's going to do next; he was so crazy. Don't take the class if you don't like to read. You have to read the novels. All tests are short answers, but it's not that hard. I highly recomend him.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GEOL103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

smosna = crazy in a good way. biggest tip i can give - read the novels; you'll be screwed if you don't. tests aren't hard if you pay attention. outlines are usually for the whole week. if you need to miss you should be ok, just no more than 3 if you want full credit.

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Crazy... interesting class... crazy!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: 103203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Damn good teacher. A very funny man who keeps you aleart wondering what he will do or say next. Class is great and requires the reading of great books. Very effective teaching style.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GEO102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He's the best teacher ever!