This class was great, but I think the workload was a lot for a geography class. I wouldn't say it's an easy A class but it's hard to get your socks blown off since it's asynchronous. I know some people who got lower than A-'s in this class and they put a good amount of work in so don't think this class is free; it depends on your TA. There are 3-4 assignments you have to do each week: lecture videos, discussion posts, quizzes, and labs. Labs were very time-consuming and were done on your own time, not in sections. Once you get past these labs after week 6, the course is a breeze. But for the first 6 weeks, it's rough. I spent an average of 4-6 hours on each lab. Lecture videos didn't take up that much time and the weekly quizzes weren't too bad; as they followed from lecture and the readings. I got a 20/20 on every quiz by using my notes, CTRL-F'ing the book, quizlet, and chat GPT. But I know a lot of people got 18's and 19's so take the quizzes seriously. The discussion post responses are pretty easy and are graded on completion. For discussion section, attendance is mandatory but I'm pretty sure your lowest attendance is dropped. Karina was honestly one of the best TAs I've had at UCLA. She was extremely nice, led great discussion sections, and was a very fair grader. Highly recommend her. There's no midterm for this class but your final is a research paper on an issue related to climate change. It mimicked lab 5, a research paper, and is followed up by a final project presentation.

For those trying to get a copy of the book, DO NOT text **********’s post below.

I do NOT have the book for sale; it’s been sold ( I am unable to edit previous posts).

Try finding a copy on Thriftbooks/Amazon ; using the second edition should be just as fine as the most recent (although speak to professor directly to make sure).

Thanks.

This class was one of the easiest classes I have taken, but you definitely still had to invest the time to study for the midterm, final group project, and final. He always posted the slides even though attendance was not technically mandatory. Professor Cavanaugh was always happy to help and listened to the students' inputs. The most workload you had was the discussion sections, which were mandatory, where you had to do assignments in every class and you had to write a short one paragraph summary for given articles every week. Again, all very doable and easy if you actually do it. The book was definitely useful during discussions and especially during the final group project.
That being said, I am currently selling the mandatory textbook Professor Cavanaugh used throughout the quarter, "Visualizing Environmental Science" the 4th edition. Selling it very cheap! Contact me at **********.

I took this as a GE over the summer and it was great! I was worried about taking an online class over the summer, but this class was so manageable! The only thing I disliked was the weekly lab reports. They were very interesting and fun to do, but if you got behind at all on the material for that week it would be a mad scramble to try and finish the lab report. Basically if you can stay on top of your work, this class is very interesting and enjoyable!

This class was pretty interesting, but it is not an easy GE since you still have to put in work, especially during labs. The midterm was kinda hard but the final was all multiple choice and it was pretty easy (I got a C on the midterm but still managed to pull an A in the class). His readings and lectures don't line up, but most of his test material is from the lectures anyway. Class and lab have a heavy workload; I had a final group presentation week 9, the final week 10, and a final paper (2nd part of the group presentation) due Tuesday of finals week. Professor Cavanaugh is a good lecturer, cares about student input, posts lecture slides online, has great hair, and gives up to 2% extra credit.

Professor Cavanaugh is a very clear and engaging lecturer. He genuinely cares about his students and is always asking for feedback and recommendations. Overall one of my favorite professors and classes at UCLA! The material is not challenging and the final was entirely multiple choice. If you've taken any type of environmental science class before, this class will be a breeze.

Selling "Visualizing Environmental Science" 4th Edition $40
Email : *************

Okay. I would definitely recommend this class for a GE. Honestly. I suck at Geography. I had absolutely no background knowledge on it (believe it or not) but I ended up with a B. So let me tell you. I got a D on the midterm and a C on the final and I got a B! Yes. It’s true. Honestly, the lab counts way more than the actual tests. It’s a lot of busy work but it’s worth it. You just have to post hw’s Every week, attend labs, and do class assignments. The midterm and final weren’t even hard, I’m being serious, I just suck at Geography and I was lazy. Anyways, I’m sure it’s super easy to get an A if I was able to get a B when I’m dumb. TAKE THIS. Just go to the labs. ALSO he gives you 1% to your overall grade if you answer a question or ask a question during class. You can get up to 2% extra credit. SUPER GENEROUS.