Scott Burns - Portland State University

Professor: Scott Burns

Department: TBD

College: Portland State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: G344U
• 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:

Fantastic teacher. Geology happens at a slow snails pace. Burns starts each class by reporting Geology news of the past 24 hrs to get your attention. Is able to backup all geologist claims with scientific proof / studies. Good humor. Lectures follow lecture notes. Tests are from lecture notes. Extra credit projects to improve grades.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GEO200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Unorganized, did not send mass email prior to his course to inform students where his class was being held nor did he send online syllabus. Does not return student emails at a timely manner.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GELOGY201
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Scott is probably the best teacher I've ever had. Geology is so exciting!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: G344U
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Lecture is super boring, heavy memorization exam. Not recommended.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: G344
• Grade Received: Audit/No Grade
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great class. Professor Burns is very knowledgeable and has a good sense of humor. Good lectures, clear class outline . Grades on curve and is willing to remove test questions not covered in class. Got a good idea of the geology of many of the National Parks. I audited and did not buy the expensive text - it had a CD of photos - cost in part.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: G200
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Mr. Burns knows Mt. St. Helens well. He made his talks interesting with stories from his own career. Class is straightforward with a short 3-page essay due within days after the field trip. Highly recommended.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: G344U
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He goes over so much info it's overwhelming. His exams are insane, but so are his curves. A 68% on an exam will likely get you a B depending upon the extent of the curve. The class is mostly a history class and not really a geology class. Lots of extra credit though. Easy to pass. Never used the textbook once

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: G344U
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is a really nice guy who knows his stuff, but dear lord the tests were ridiculous. Studying for them felt impossible, just trying to memorize a couple facts about 20 different parks. So if you're not really in to geology, this class will just be confusing and frustrating.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: G344U
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Unbelievably difficult exams that are nearly impossible to study for! Lectures are very dense with information. SO much time is taken up in class answering questions from "senior adult auditors" who care more about travelling to the national parks than the geology of them.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: G201
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A passionate teacher that made Geology come alive. Very interesting lectures and a very well respected professor and geologist in the NW.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: G344U
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Sure, the tests might be challenging, but the curve is very generous. Plenty of extra credit opportunities. So, it's really not that hard to get an A in the class with some studying! Very fast paced class; look for similarities and dissimilarities among parks and notice patterns. Scott is funny, entertaining, interesting. Go on the field trip.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: G344U
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

While Scott is a cool guy who's really passionate about geology and the national park system, this class is really more of a commercial for the national parks rather than a real science class. Tests are difficult but he grades on a generous curve. For those who just need to pass, it's fairly easy, but for those who want an A, it'll take some work.

Rating # 13

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

"Geology, it's so exciting!"

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: G301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great professor! Able to keep the attention of 100+ engineering students who's major is not geology engaged at 8am three days a week! Grades on a generous curve, though tests were hard. 82%+ was A.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GEO301
• 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:

Dr burns is amazing. I h was told he was retiring this year and had to take him for geo 301. Thea professor sets the standard for knowledge and enthusiasm. If you need a geology class or an elective I highly suggest taking him before he goes into the retirement sunset as psu will be loosing a true gem. Also do the extra credit!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GEO201
• 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 bet there are a hundred geologists that chose that career because Dr. Burns inspired them. He is a rare treat.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GEO201
• 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:

Dr. Burns is a fun professor. I have never heard a better sales pitch for Geology. His tests are pretty hard but with the curve and his review sessions it gives you a good chance of passing. He is really helpful and nice.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: G201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher, goes at a fast pace and the tests are extremely hard. If you are taking a science class for credit I strongly suggest another class. If you like geology at all this class is super awesome. (He does curve at least)

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: G344U
• 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:

Not easy, but not unreasonably hard either. His PowerPoint slides are superb and he clearly cares a great deal about our national parks. Review sessions before the exams help, as does extra credit. If you like his class, go see him for OMSI Science Pub sometime!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GEO344
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Burns is a wonderful teacher who has inspired me to take more geology courses. He is very excited about geology and his lectures are great. I have taken several courses from him and enjoyed all of them. His tests are very hard but he grades on the curve.