middCourses

Shaping Earth: Past and Future

7.7/10
Overall
6.7/10
Value
4.3/10
Difficulty
3.7hrs
Workload
100%
Again

Shaping Earth: Past and Future This course will explore the fundamental processes that have shaped Earth and its atmosphere over time, including plate tectonics, glaciation, rivers, and soil-forming processes. Most scientific content will be presented in a series of place-based field trips to experience examples of these processes and better understand how scientists study them. Research, writing, and speaking skills will be developed through interactive exercises and a series of assignments, each one including multiple revision cycles.

    • First Year Seminar courses
    with William Amidonlast year

    I like this course overall. As a FYSM, he was very patient in editing students' papers. We always had one-to-one sessions to discuss our paper with him. He is super enthusiastic about geology, and we learned a lot on field trips. Half of the three-hour sessions were spent on field trips. We were asked to watch the video in advance. I find it helpful to equip basic knowledge for a field trip.

    I like this course overall. As a FYSM, he was very patient in editing students' papers. We always had one-to-one sessions to discuss our paper with him. He is super enthusiastic about geology, and we learned a lot on field trips. Half of the three-hour sessions were spent on field trips. We were asked to watch the video in advance. I …Read more

    Chill and RelaxedFair GradingNo Exams
    4hrs / week Low difficulty High value Would take again
    with William Amidonlast year

    I really enjoyed this course overall. We had a total of 6 fieldtrips that were really fun, the 3-hour sessions without fieldtrips can be a little tiring but thankfully Will knows how to make everyone laugh and also incorporates a lot of group work into lessons. The two heavily research-based papers are also not too tough if you are willing to do the work, make suggested edits and drop by office hours when stuck. This is the class that I have enjoyed the most during my first semester here at Midd.

    I really enjoyed this course overall. We had a total of 6 fieldtrips that were really fun, the 3-hour sessions without fieldtrips can be a little tiring but thankfully Will knows how to make everyone laugh and also incorporates a lot of group work into lessons. The two heavily research-based papers are also not too tough if you are w …Read more

    Fair GradingNo ExamsChill and Relaxed
    4hrs / week Average difficulty Above average value Would take again
    with William Amidonlast year

    Really liked Will, he had an avid enthusiasm for the course, lots of writing and editing and rewriting but we also took a lot of cool field trips, so balanced itself out. Honestly really enjoyed the class

    Slow-PacedEndless WritingTough Grading
    3hrs / week Low difficulty High value Would take again