Nick Balster - University of Wisconsin - Madison

Professor: Nick Balster

Department: TBD

College: University of Wisconsin - Madison

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENVST600
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I wouldn't recommend taking this as your capstone. Nick basically gave us a topic and told us to do something with almost no direction. The whole course was extremely frustrating. Take a different environmental studies capstone if you can.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SOILS230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you don't care about soils when you start the class, you will for sure care about them by the end. Dr. Balster really cares about your learning more than anything. If you don't understand something he is very helpful in office hours to make sure you know what is going on in the class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SOIL230
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Balster is one of, if not, the BEST PROFESSOR EVER. He really wants you to learn the material, he does not care about your grade as long as you put the effort into class. He is super passionate about the subject and he really cares about your learning, I am serious he is awesome. By instructor in my 20 as a learner.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SOILS230
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very passionate about soils and what he does. Thought the class was very interesting. Tougher class, especially if a non-science major, but I thought doable

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GEO230
• Grade Received: D+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I'm a non-science major with no science background and found this as my hardest class(is supposed to be a gen-ed). Tests are tough, you have to study a lot. I did well on all the class work/quizzes yet struggled with exams and still failed the course. Would definitely not recommend to anyone as a non-science major.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GEO230
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you are not a science major of any sort do not take his class, you need a science background. The class was mandatory and his power points were very confusing. There is a graded quiz every week, and his test are unbelievable tough.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SOILS230
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor is either not knowledgeable or stumbles over topics he tries to exaggerate on, but thankfully are not necessary for the exams. For example, he showed an example of phosphorus deficiency in corn and it was actually nitrogen. Needs to focus less on his learning theory and more on soil sciences. Heavy in math. Graded Quizzes every class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SOILS230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Balster wants his students to do well and fall a bit in love with soil while at it. He learns every student's name - this degree of personal connection is a core characteristic of Balster. He wants his class to be a community and successful. Lectures could be organized better with more of a clear direction. no exam study guides. Overall AB.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SOILS301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The class is not cake in that you will definitely have to study. it is taught by more than one proff (didn't get much from the chemistry guy). Dr. Balster was best along with Mattie. he cares about learning & likes soil a bit too much. sometimes difficult to meet with. exams are challenging. he does favor those that attend lecture

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SOILS301
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Fantastic teacher. Awful class, mostly because he teaches with 3 other instructors who are not that great. But if you can take a class with Dr. Balster, definitely do it! He cares about his students and their learning. He sometimes gets off on tangents, but they are usually worth it.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SOILS301
• 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:

Hard class, harsh grading. Probably mandatory if you are taking it. However, you can tell that he genuinely wants his students to learn and suceed. He is also EXTREMELY enthusiastic which helps.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SOILS399
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I did an independent study project with Professor Balster. He was extremely helpful throughout the process of my project and he spent a ton of his time explaining each step of the process. He truly loves soils and is willing to help you out if you put in some effort. He turned a tough project into one of the best experiences I've had at UW-Madison.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SOIL230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I really did not like the professor. He was not very clear and just wants you to repeat what he says. Also his powerpoints are absurd and make no sense.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENVST600
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Nick was one of the professors for my Env.Studies capstone course. He was helpful and you can tell he really cares about his students and enjoys teaching. I would definitely recommend him!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SOILS230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Balster knows what he's talking about, but the class is still hard. You have to work at it. Mallika is the best TA she was able to clarify things when Prof. Balster got confusing, wish we had discussion sections. It might seem easy at the beginning but it gets harder.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SOILS230
• 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:

Best professor I have ever had. It requires a little work, but if you put any effort forward you will do well in the class. I entered the class with no interest in soils and because of this class I am now a Soil Science major.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SOILS230
• 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:

Dr. Balster REALLY cares about the fact that his students are learning and will go above and beyond to help you. He doesn't just want you to regurgitate on a test, but to LEARN. However, the exams are deceptively hard.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SOIL230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Not as easy as he makes it sound. Studying for the Exams is not easy...He says you will do fine if you try hard...not true. A lot of math concepts.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SOILS230
• 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:

Best class ever! He is truly passionate about soils, and he even makes you care about it as well! At times he can drag on, but he wants you to learn, HE CARES. If you go to class, pay attention, do the work, you'll be fine. I really enjoyed this class, even though I had NO interest in it at the beginning. Now I'm all concerned about the soil now!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SOILS230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Best class i have ever taken - first professor i have had that actually cares about teaching and cares about students and the material - truely loves soils - i did not going in - should be a bit higher than a 200 level course