Peter Ward - University of Washington

Professor: Peter Ward

Department: TBD

College: University of Washington

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIOL451
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Ward is the most chaotic professor I've ever had, but that made lectures and lab REALLY fun. It was overwhelming at first, and while first impressions might make you think he's a harsh instructor, he really wants everyone to succeed and he doesn't grade as harshly as you'd think. Class average was around a 3.6.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIOL280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Well-known in his field, but not an effective teacher. Did not have another faculty member fill-in when he cancelled classes for reasons like taking his dog to the vet, being interviewed by a radio station, doctors appointments. Often skipped over multiple slides in class. Poor at clarifying new terms and concepts that were in his lectures.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO280
• 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:

I barely went to class and didn't take notes. The day before the midterm or final he basically tells you what's on the test and adds a huge curve on the tests making it very easy to get an A on them.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIOL451
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great professor, very knowledgeable. Gives great lectures, but seemed scattered at times, and the class wasn't really organized in any particular manner. Dropped a ton of names, but is also really famous in his field. The TA was really the one who organized the course and kept things on track.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIOL451
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Although the class website isn't the most organizedupdated, my in-class experience was great! Lectures were usually pretty interesting and thought-provoking (he would ask questions for us to think about). Ward is extremely helpful when asked questions, and really does want the student to learn and understand the material. Also, Samy was awesome!:)

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIOL280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Really really great professor. Presented an enormous breadth of really fascinating information in a way that was both clear and in-depth enough to be satisfying. Really engaging personality and very helpful to and interested in students. Easy A for anyone who is interested in the topic; it's fascinating enough to be memorize-as-you-go. Loved him!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIOL280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Ward was funny. He is really approachable and very knowledgable in his field, since hes kinda famous in it. There was no textbook for this class this year but there is one for Fall 2013 that he wrote. This class was great.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIOL280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Peter ward is a character. He is pretty famous in the science community. Lectures were interesting. He brought his dog Sammy to class often which was fun. Class is pretty straight forward. Quizzes and exams are not too difficult as long as you been paying attention. Organization could of been better.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This professor is very interesting and I learned a lot, I was also rarely bored during lecture. However, it is very unclear what is expected on the final. Take this if you are interested in the material enough to memorize it ALL. Little used from book, but too much work for a 3credit class. (Not a for sure 4.0)

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIOL280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Ward is a really interesting professor with a lot of field experience and interesting stories. However it wasn't always so clear what the key points were (i.e. things to know for the exam) although he presented a lot of interesting information. The quizzes and exams are easy but take this class if you are interested in the topic, not an easy grade

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO280
• 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:

If you go to lectures and do the readings (which are easy) you are almost guaranteed to get a 4.0. If you miss a day, the lectures were generally available. His TA was also very helpful. I missed a few days, including a quiz or two and still ended up with a 3.6.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIOL280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

this was the first time this course was offered. very interesting, not too difficult. the readings were pointless and it was not clear what you needed to exactly study. i had a good TA. Ward is very knowledgable and an expert in the field. he is the kinda teacher you hope to get and learn from in college.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIOL354
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Don't buy the textbook, it will be a waste of your money. I don't know if he will be this easy in subsequent quarters, but his exam was simple and followed the clues he gave in lecture about what would be on exams. He doesn't seem to care whether we really learn the material. An easy way to get through the breadth req for biology majors.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ISS451
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He is pretty cool, the only lame thing about him is he is flaky sometimes and doesn't really care about each students learning too much.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GIS124
• 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:

Provides no review before tests. Teaches from his own book. Confusing how subjects are explained and presented. Would not recommend. Beware if you make him upset. Everything told to review before test did not show up on the test.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GIS124
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Ward is undoubtly brillant and has some cool ideas, however he is also completely flaky. Didn't follow through, exams off topic to lectures, and when we didn't show up to an optional meeting, our grades were threatened. Do no recomend, good for research, not teaching.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIOL354
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Ray Huey built this quarter up to perfection and then Ward knocked it down to hell. This was the typical lecture: blah blah this is my book I wrote blah blah I am so great blah blah I am better than creationists blah blah. Avoid this guy at all costs... or read every bit of the text and pray it ends up on his final!

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

He is by far the best in the Earth and Space Sciences department. Works with all students, helping them succeed.