Eric Peterson - Illinois State University

Professor: Eric Peterson

Department: TBD

College: Illinois State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GEO102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The extra credit lectures saved me. Gives past exams to look at, exams are like 70% individual no notes and then you have the option to work in groups and use notes. The material is boring. I did not like the labs, they were easy but you dont learn much. The lab exam wasnt the easiest but doable. Dont be afraid to ask for help. He and TAs were nice

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GEO102
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I will warn you, he is a pretty dry lecture and almost all test material comes from these lectures. Be sure to pay attention, take good notes, study, and ask questions if you are confused. I wouldn't say the class is difficult but you can get a little lost at times and he knows that so he makes himself available through office hours and his email.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GEO102
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His tests are weight 55% but he drops the lowest one. There are 5 total with 20 questions each so it is very hard to get points in the class when your tests are the main point. He also does "attendance" on which you show up and write your name on paper and answer a question. Overall only 20 students have A's in my class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GEO102
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He truly wants everyone to do well and goes everything thoroughly. Its hard to do good when youre not in class because he does explain everything necessary. He posts all of the notes and practice exams, so he definitely wants everyone to succeed. Great teacher and caring person altogether. Would recommend

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GEO102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Peterson was a great professor. Go to lectures, listen, take notes, and you should have no problem getting an A. He always adds on extra office hours in case his hours overlap with your classes. He always posts his PowerPoints, a list of topics covered in class, and even old tests online. He explains concepts well. Definitely take his class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GEO361
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a dry lecturer but extremely nice, and will answer as many questions as you have. He is extremely knowledgeable and really wants you to understand the material so do not be afraid to ask him questions. Assignments do take a fair amount of time however, especially for hydrology, so just be prepared for that and all of the excel he likes to use

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GEO102
• 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:

I really liked Peterson. He was a very very nice and caring guy willing to do anything to help his students. However, for a 100-level class, it was extremely difficult. I studied a ton and somehow managed to get an A. Super(!!!!!!!) boring lectures, though. He curved extremely heavy at the end, 4%+, which is a great plus. I'd take him again.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GEO102
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Peterson is nice but I dreaded this class. The material isn't challenging but it's pretty boring and hard to pay attention. Study hard for the tests. There's no textbook so if you miss a lecture you have to get the notes from somebody, otherwise you'll be really lost.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GEO102
• 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:

I took Dr. Peterson's Geology 102 class. Benefits: grades on a curve, allows a group test with open notes, easy labs, no homework. Disadvantages: long lectures, heavy material, fast paced, sometimes hard to understand. The only reason I got an "A" is because I had a great study group and asked a lot of questions.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GEO102
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Beware of attendance quizzes, but you don't necessarily have to show up. He posts everything on his website: Powerpoints and outlined notes. His texts are FREAKING HARD because there's only 20 questions. Yeah, you heard me right. Eric is an awesome person, but not the best professor for freshman, he teaches more level 300 courses you can tell

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GEO102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Good teacher- very knowledgeable and accessible. It is a lecture(like 300 people) so he just gives the information doesn't really see if you retained it. Don't have to go to class but it is helpful, everything is online, Gives too much info in lectures and only 20 questions on the test so you have to study it all if you want an A. Go to lab&Study!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GEO102
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

out of 322 students only 4% got an A. 6% got an F, 12% D, 45%C and 33% B. It was so extremely hard. Don't ever take this class with Eric Peterson. The only reason I passed with a low B was because of my TA, Monique. The tests are so vague and all the answers look like Chemistry. The class is 300 + students. No thanks. Seriously so boring/hard.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GEO102
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Eric Peterson knows everything there is to know about geology. He posts all lecture PowerPoints on his website, alongside a PDF document containing everything he went over for the day. He is easily reachable over email, and he keeps to his office hours. His TAs are knowledgeable in the field as well, and can explain confusing topics in lab.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GEO102
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Boring and difficult class. Never know whats going to be on the test so its impossible to study. Lectures are so boring its hard to pay attention and take notes

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GEO102
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He gives the lecture powerpoints and outlines online that really help if you bring them to class with you as he lectures. The class can be difficult but with some studying and good attendance it isn't hard to get a B. Getting an A is something you really have to work for though. No extra credit.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GEO102
• 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 feel he did a pretty good job for the class size (~270) at keeping us involved and up to date. The Labs were taught by Grad students, who really determined the quality of that part of the class. His exams were relatively tough for a 100 level class, and he made you know your "stuff". Class quizzes were mandatory which also kept you in class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GEO102
• 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 feel he did a pretty good job for the class size (~270) at keeping us involved and up to date. The Labs were taught by Grad students, who really determined the quality of that part of the class. His exams were relatively tough for a 100 level class, and he made you know your "stuff". Class quizzes were mandatory which also kept you in class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: GEO102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Nice guy, boring subject. There are attendance quizzes every day and they are not easy. So even if you're there, you still won't get all the points unless you have a perfect answer. Some of his questions seem to be trick questions. Essays on his tests are impossible to do well on. He lets you work in a group for half the test, though.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GEO102
• 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:

I think Mr. Peterson is great you just need to be active...

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GEO102
• 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:

Eric is great professor. He isn't clear in class, but if you ask for help, he does a much better job of explaining it. Class is pretty pointless in general because all the information is on the net and in the book, so a lot of people leave after the daily question. Lab is more involved and easier, but difficult to understand still.