Thor Hansen - Western Washington University

Professor: Thor Hansen

Department: TBD

College: Western Washington University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GEO303
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This course was entirely online due to COVID19, and I wish I could have taken it in person because Professor Hansen is a really entertaining lecturer. You can't go completely wrong with this material, but he clearly has a special passion for it which is infectious. Online text had links to interesting articles, and grading criteria were clear.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GEO303
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Online class: if you don't have it, you will need the plug in "Ears: Bass Boost, EQ Any Audio!" to increase the volumes of his recored lectures. His book is online, short, and $60. Book is needed for quizes. Make sure to have the book out for TESTs: they are impossible for 70 and up. I don't normally do that, so it's kind of uncomfortable

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GEOL303
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

It's a joke that he collects a paycheck from this school. That being said, he's very easy. I've taken two online classes of his and each time, the only time I've ever looked at the course material was the day I took the tests and have gotten A's in both his classes. Enroll, give him $80 for online "textbook" he wrote, and you'll pass.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GEO303
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

My inner nerd was really brought out in this class. Has prerecorded lectures along with weekly quizzes and three exams. Keeping clear and detailed notes is key for this class. Wish it was in person so I could nerd out with him.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GEOL316
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This. Guy. Rocks. The geo profs are all great, but Thor takes the cake. By far my favorite professor at WWU. I've taken all his classes. He is a gem.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GEO212
• 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 man is an amazing professor

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GEOL212
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Older guy, great prof. Loves geology and paleontology (especially dinosaurs) very much. Lectures are interesting, funny, and cover all content. Most tests are online, some quizzes in class, however plenty of study time and tools are given. I have taken 4 classes from him and would take more. If you like geology you will like Thor.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GEOL303
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This was one of the most fun classes I've ever taken and Thor is hilarious! All of the tests and quizes were online and lecture was always entertaining. I highly recommend this class for anyone looking to get some easy upper division credits.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GEO303
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This was the best class that I've taken so far at WWU. Thor's lectures are amazing to say the least. Attendance is mandatory, but you get 3 absences. All tests and quizzes are online, and up to 7% extra credit is offered. Sometimes he even brings his dog to class! Easy A and super fun.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GEO303
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dinosaurs with thor was the best class ive ever taken. It was funny, interesting, and easy. And he shows a lot of funny videos in class, including nigel. I really want to take another class with him.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GEOL211
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Thor is an entertaining and relaxed teacher. The material can be depressing (we study everything from volcanoes to climate change to sinkholes to parasites), but he's good at lightening it up and adding humor as well as keeping your attention. Also his fluffy dog Bear is the best and most adorable ^-^ Tests are easy and open-book; lab's way harder.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GEOL316
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Thor is great! He's funny and very clear about what he expects from you. He's also very patient with students and sincerely tries to help people, even if they are being difficult. I would definitely take another class with him.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GEO204
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Don't take his courses online it's awful! He is a difficult grader and doesn't respond if you email asking him questions. Take him in person if you can just not online.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GEO101
• 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:

One of my favorite professors!! His lecture is awesome!! He manages to be hilarious and informative all at once!!! He posts power-points and notes if you have to miss, but he gives all kinds of extra goodies during lecture

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GEOL101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Thor is amazing. I took GEOL 101 & 204 with him & he's honestly one of my favourite profs ever. Lectures are informative, interesting, and funny. He always puts a random thing in the middle, a joke/life experience, to keep things interesting. No text. There is no homework, just three exams on canvas. Study for them. He posts lectures & study notes.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GEO303
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He's so funny and interesting!! Always finds a way to liven uptake class by bringing in dinosaur artifacts or acting out a scene. All the tests are online and you can take them with friends, they're really easy. I love this class and was always excited to go!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GEOL303
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Online textbook all you need to pass. Went to class maybe once a week, took the online tests with friends while using the textbook, easy A. Thor is a funny guy and is very easygoing - he sometimes brings his dog in and lets him wander around the classroom. Has good stories. Would highly recommend for easy GUR.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: GEO101
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

No required text, so if you want to know the information you have to follow his power points, which are mostly made up of pictures that he lectures on in class. His lectures are very scattered & it's hard to follow him since he jumps around & shares random information (about urinals & weird museums). Exam questions came out of no where (I studied)

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GEO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Thor totally just assumes we get things when he only mentions them offhandedly like once and then puts them on the test when we've never even really talked about them. I honestly was never prepared for any of the tests because he's not at all clear about what they're on, plus he puts too many questions & you run out of time to do them all.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GEOLOGY204
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Taking the Monsters FIG was the best choice I could have made coming in as a freshman. Geology 204 is extremely interesting and never boring. No homework whatsoever, 1 midterm and a final. If you show up, you'll get a solid B on the midterm/final, but if you look at his powerpoints and notes online you'll ace them.