James Nicholson - St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN

Professor: James Nicholson

Department: Engineering

College: St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ETS345
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Jim is unconventional & can seem difficult at times, but you will soon see that he truly cares about his students & has their best interest in mind. He grades based on the effort you show & your understanding of the subject, not by the quality of work you turn in. If you are engaged in class you will pass no problem. Would take a class of his again

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ETS345
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's an unconventional professor. He doesn't teach you the subject per se, but he does teach you how to be an engineer. He'll give you a project and force you out of your comfort zone to teach you how to think on your own. If you try with interest and do a good job, he'll give you the final and say that you'll get an A even if you fail it.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ETS312
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class was so disorganized that I couldn't tell if I was doing well or not. And Jim doesn't uses PowerPoint to teach class, everything is done vocally and half of the time the information he gives in class is almost irrelevant. Also if you don't know how to use AutoCAD Inventor get ready for a crash course on it then in his class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ETS322
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is a walking encyclopedia with a very hard cover. Show up to class on time and every time, pay attention and take notes on his lectures. Show interest, ask questions, and TRY. He will respect you for that and it will show. Did I mention to take lots of notes and listen? A nice guy that will always help if you just ask for it.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ETS322
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I've had him for Communications Technology and Production Technology. Not the best teaching skills, but knows more about technology than anyone I have ever met. Lecture heavy & rants but I enjoy it. Homework is pretty light, he mostly expects you to websearch the concepts he talks about. Likes to make you sweat, but is really nice. No late papers!!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: 312
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very inspiring! One of the best of the best! that's the least I can say about him. A lot of experience in the fields.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ETS348
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Intelligent professor, well rounded in the subject matter. Lots of experience in the field and he seeks from students the understanding and imagination on the content matter. His student last, 2000.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ETS115
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Terrible professor. He didn't teach me anything, he did the exersizes once and made his students help people. He told us to get a book that doesn't exist and nobody could find. As well as contradicts himself and gets pissed when you tell him otherwise. Have fun if you have to take this class...

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ETS322
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This was an alright class. midterm and a final were the only tests. The interview paper isn't all that bad. Depends all on when you start. Some tips for it: write up at least 60 questions and new courier font and you'll be set. Just go to class and it will be a breeze

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ETS345
• 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:

Just to make one thing clear first: I already had some experience in this area. That being said, most aspects of the course were quite easy for me. Others with no experience found themselves challenged, but I found it to be quite enjoyable. He jokes around, but is very serious about safety in a lab setting.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ETS260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is a very strange teacher. His lectures are either completely off-topic or extremely boring. He does not announce tests so he just expects you to study every day I guess... Extremely unorganized and confusing. He is absolutely hilarious to listen to sometimes and fairly enjoyable to be around. Very easy class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ETS322
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Best professor I've ever had!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ETS270
• 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:

very nice teacher but is not very organized. tests without announcement and he asked questions randomly without preparing the test(this includes that he just dictates the questions, so no sheets!). We didn't know any of our grades until the very end of the semester.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ETS260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Oh, and fair warning~ you will NOT know what days the tests are on. (Pop tests is you prefer to call them.) But it doesn't matter since studying notes or book WON'T help you, unless it's the take-home one. If you are gone in class the test will not be take-home for you~you will be taking it IN class on the day it's handed in with no notes.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ETS260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

You can only go up one letter grade from EC. Tests are short-answer and do not take long to finish. Jim does pick on people in class; some much more than others (do not sit by isle). Also, read the textbook or else he WILL lecture your class on why you should. Nicholson is good professor to take a class with~I recommend him. Interesting material 2.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ETS260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Contract will need to be made and signed by you and prof. for EC. Nicholson determines your final grade by standard deviation. I got an A without doing any EC. Also, some of the EC papers will be read by him in class and he will pick on it. If you want to get good reviews on it then professionaly write the paper, with in-text citations.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ETS260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Do not bother studying for the test, won't do much good. Textbook won't help you either; except for the 1 test we got to take home and was based mostly from the book. You can also earn extra credit at the end of the semester by typing a research paper~do NOT use the internet. 10 points per page but you can also go negative points.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ETS260
• 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:

Attendance is taken. He talks from his head and you have to take your own notes. He doesn't care if you eat or drink in class. He can be funny sometimes and he is an easy-go guy, but class is sometimes boring. Also, don't bother mentioning your opinion if if is different then his because he will not let you win. There were 2 homework assignments

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ETS115
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Good class, mostly computer work. Learned a lot about a few programs-got off topic a lot. Jim is wacky but fun. Showing up for class is very important. Only had two test, both on computers-and final projects in the programs learned in class at end of semester. No homework really.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ETS115
• 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:

Mr. Nicholson is a really nice guy who wants students to achieve understanding of multiple topics. Tests are at midterm and final. Projects are based on your interests and ability to use programs and materials. He will literally spend hrs with you if you need help and ask! Do not procrastinate!