Terry Swanson - University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Professor: Terry Swanson

Department: Geology

College: University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ESS101
• 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:

Terry is fantastic. He's a very animated, patient, effective lecturer who gives tons of extra credit opportunities. He's really passionate about teaching, super nice, and clearly knowledgeable about his field. Really funny too. Even if you don't come in with an interest in geology, ESS 101 will probably still be enjoyable thanks to Terry.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ESS101
• 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:

Terry is amazing & you can tell that he is very passionate about the subject and cares about his students. But I wouldn't be fooled by those who say it is an easy 4.0 b/c I came in with that mentality only to find that the subject was very different from anything I had ever learned, the labs were long, & there was a lot of memorization required.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ESS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

class is not required except for labs once a week. lab is pretty easy if you have a good TA. Tests were kind of difficult, just study off of past exams and you should easily do above average on exam.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ESS101
• 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:

This class requires little effort and you can get an A as long as you remember all the test questions. I actually found this class interesting and enjoyed it. There are many extra credits!!!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ESS101
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Terry is THE MAN. He is possibly the nicest, most caring person I've ever met. He is so passionate about rocks it's ridiculous. The actual subject sucks but his energy made the class worth it. Easy class with a great guy. This class is a rite of passage for UW students.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ESS101
• 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:

Terry is by far one of the best professors to have at UW! Not only does he offer many extra credit opportunities, but he is also straightforward as to what to study for his tests! You will be pleasantly surprised in his class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ESS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Terry is SUPER enthusiastic and actually cares so much about his students, calls us his kids super sweet! Labs can be tricky and it depends on what TA you have, whether youll be graded harshly or not. Lots of memorization for tests, since its all really details. Lots of extra credit offered, take advantage of that!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ESS101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I studied for 5 hours for 3 days before exam and got over 90. Final only covers the materials from second half of the quarter. All multiple choice. You should collect the past exams as you can. Lab section, TA are helpful. Some say this class got harder than before, but I feel just little harder. Go to lecture for extra credit Q on exams.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ESS315
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

First off: HE'S VERY LOUD! I was excited for this prof, but ended up being confused at the hype. He knows a lot but his class was set up badly, and I never learned my midterm score until after the class was over! The student presentations were a mess and his exams are multiple choice and on small details, not overall concepts.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ESS101
• 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:

Professor Terry is a great professor and the class isnt too hard. However it isnt as easy as everyone claims it will be. If you put in the effort to study for the midterm and final then you probably do pretty good. Even if you dont do so well on the tests, you can still pass with a pretty good grade because he gives a lot of extra credit

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ESS101
• 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:

Terry gets very excited about the subject he's teaching. He has a very cute dog. He's a really stand up guy. He doesn't believe in buying textbooks because he is aware of the unfair prices in the textbook industries so he uses an open source textbook from Canada. You will find Terry to be more than a professor, but a friend.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ESS101
• 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:

Terry is the best! Everyone should take this class for an easy A. Some people said it's been harder to get an A in this class but I found it pretty easy! I did decent on the two exams, and was graded harshly on labs but he gives out a ton of extra credit and go on 1-2 field trips and you'll be fine. He is super nice and always responds to emails.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ESS101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Terry is an absolute gem. He genuinely cares about all of his students and is so passionate about what he does. The class/tests weren't as easy as everyone had said before I took the class, but he made me want to come and learn. Terry makes time for all of his students and wants us all to succeed. There are also many opportunities for xtra credit!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ESS101
• 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:

Large class size, but he does care about each every one of the students. Tests are lecture heavy so I recommend going to classes. Old tests can help, but you can't 100% rely on them. Generally high average. Love Terry's class!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ESS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

His lecture can be pretty dense but if you take the time to read over it before the exam you should be grantee an 80%. He is one of those professor who genuinely cares about the students. And if you have any trouble with the class, labs or field trips he will make time for you. This class was an experiences I wouldn't want to miss out on.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ESS101
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Terry Swanson is one of the best men I have ever met, let alone an incredible professor. He genuinely cares about each and every one of his students, and even got emotional on the last day of class despite there being no way he knew more than 10/800 names. Put in work twice a quarter for exams memorize slides, and you will pass. TAKE THIS CLASS.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ESS101
• 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:

Terry is the man. ESS 101 with him is awesome. He will do anything to help you pass the class, but you shouldn't have trouble with that because he gives extra credit a few times a week. Labs don't take the full two hours, but they are long and annoying. If you don't go to lecture, don't worry because each class is recorded and put online.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ESS101
• 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:

Terry is the best professor I've had so far. He's enthusiastic, nice and humorous. He would have a lot of extra credits assignments for students. And the fairness of availability of trips is guaranteed. Easy to get a good grade. He's the best.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ESS101
• 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:

Terry is a GREAT professor, it makes it really clear what is going to be on the tests. He is very passionate about geology which keeps the class interesting, and he also has alot of extra credit opportunities. He actually cares about his students! He doesn't want to trick you in any way. Definitely my favorite professor and by FAR the NICEST!! (:

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ESS101
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Super easy class, all the tests are online and exactly the same as the ones you're given. Plus the Swanson is so hyped about rocks and geology its insane, makes me want to go out a look at the basalt!