4.2
Quality2.8
Difficulty70%
Would Retake83
Reviews70%
Would Retake
83
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
56
4
8
3
6
2
8
1
5
What Students Say
“100% lecture, no book, no HW”
GEOG417 - 5.0 rating“She doesn't have trick questions on exams, but she loves DETAILS and wants you to KNOW IT”
GEOG417 - 4.0 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
50%
Textbook Required
80%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.07 avg changeRatings by Course
101
5.0
(1)GEO101AND103
5.0
(1)GEOL101
5.0
(1)ESCI300LECLA
5.0
(1)GEOG150
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
GEOGRAPHY
5.0
101
4.0
EARTHSCIENCE
4.0
GEO330
4.0
GEOG417
3.8
Reviews (83)
Good professor. Concepts aren't hard, but are very detailed. Definitely use office hours if you need help, she's willing to give attention. Lots of notes. Exams can be tricky, but if you study the most important concepts, you can get by.
She is not easy to understand. Take notes from the time she walks in til the time she leaves. Goes way to fast to make the concepts understandable. Not happy with the class at all.
This is not a hard class...if you're willing to put in some studying time, you'll be perfectly fine
really good professor. very organized. take her notes and study them and it will be a really good experience with a good grade outcome.
I really liked her because all of her tests are from her lectures. You just need to write notes from the lectures and put in some studying time of the major concepts. She is very flexible with her office hours and is always willing to help.
She is a very good professor. To pass her class make sure you have all the class notes. She makes her lecures very clear and the test is straight off the lectures. I never bought the book and I got an A in the class.
Good teacher. Tests are off her lectures. Go to class and take notes and you will be fine.
HER CLASS WAS COOL.
Extremely organized, test go from outline to outline (not cumulative); dont bother buying the book, waste of money just study off the notes; all u need to get an A. Gives extra credit on exams. HIGHLY RECOMENDED!!
Very friendly. I enjoyed Geo 101
very helpful, definetly take advantage of her office hours.overall she is a great instructor. make sure you take good notes
I agree with the first guy... lectures go way too frickin' fast. If you're a slow learner, or dislike taking notes like you're a horse competing in the Kentucky Derby, then my advice is, stay away and find another professor. Note: I just state the facts, no bias.
good professor. exams come straight from outlines. take advantage of office hours she is always open and makes things so much clearer. make sure you go to class and take good notes also, no pint in buying the book. I would definetly recommend her.
Excellent teacher!!!!! The tests come from the notes. take good notes and you will do fine. Lectures are very interesting and her explanations are very clear. Tests are not too difficult. Lectures the whole time, but she kept me interested. i highly recommend her.
This was te hardest class i have ever taken.It ruined my semester at school. She has 4 test that you have to study for weeks b4 hand and then you memorize the information and then her test questions are trick questions. Unless you want to study your life away i recomend to stay away from this class
be prepared to write very fast...if u have a miss a couple of classes dont take this teacher cuz tests come from what she says in class! doesnt give ANY extra credit...only way to improve your grade is by passing the tests!
VERY ANIMATED. VERY CLEAR AND UNDERSTANDABLE. SHE CARES ABOUT HER STUDENTS AND IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE FOR THEM. TAKE GREAT NOTES AND YOU WILL DO FINE. DONT MISS CLASS.
For the exam you have to study the notes in class. Dont miss class. She is very helpful and works with students.
The class is not hard if you attend the lectures. Her exams are directly from her notes. She does go at a fast pace but its not hard to keep up. Study the notes before the exams and you can easily get an A. She explains everything very clearly, she makes the subject very fun to learn. If I needed another geography class, i would take her.
AWESOME! Take her!!! SHe rocks!
No Comments
By far the hardest class ive had so far. Go to class everyday and take good notes and study...test have like 60 Question. Knows whats shes talking bout but alot of information. SO unless u want to study alot and are bout to major in this...try to avoid
very boring dont take this teacher trust me. very hard .
I showed up every day, took all the notes, studied, and new what was going on...I got a D+. I feel I earned wayyyyy higher of a grade than that. I learned a lot, but my grade DID NOT show this at all!!!!!! Worst teacher ever
This class can be great if she just wouldn't over do it with her tests. There are four tests and in each test she covers about four to five chapters. You end up trying to cram it all in for the test and never understanding it. I loved the subject, but she made the class drag on. She also teaches right down to the last second. No early dismissal!
Im so pissed!She said I would pass the class if I studied my a** off!So I did but I still didn't pass! Don't take her class!She is way 2 demanding & she has 4 different tests which she crams all kinds of info. into!U end up feeling overwelmed!GIMME A BREAK!ITS NOT EVEN A REAL GEOGRAPHY CLASS! Like hello it's EARTH SCIENCE!So enter at u're own risk!
Regardless what everyone says, She knows her stuff! No text book needed, she puts everything on the board, all you have to do is take notes. I got an A out of the class, and i rarely studied. and Trust me, im NO "A" STUDENT!! She has a way to make everything make sense, so you learn it in class, and you really dont need to study. GREAT TEACHER!
This class should not be as hard as it is. Stay away, this is like an upper division course. A lot of information. Although she is very willing to help you outside of class time, choose another class if you can
She is a GREAT professor! All her lectures make perfect sense and they are very clearly presented. The material is very interesting too. No book required, except for extra clarifications. Exams are clear. She tries to help as much as possible and offers extra credit on the exams. If you are going to take Geog101, I highly recommend taking her.
She is an excellent teacher. She is very organized; hands out outlines complete with diagrams where they are needed (which are very important). The textbook is absolutely not needed. Just show up to class and take notes, her tests are based on solely on her lectures. I highly recommend he
Easy class I just crammed in the morning and got As on her tests. Don't buy the book. Go to class take notes you'll be fine the hardest thing about this class is staying awake.
yea i have to agree with the others. No textbook, even if it says to buy one, don't. Everything on the test is from lecture. She's really fun but she's also kinda fast, but good. She'll explain everything cleary but just be ready to take lots of notes.
Her class is the really hard and boring. And if you miss even one class you are pretty much screwed. Try to avoid her if you can.
yes, beleive it, you do NOT need to buy the textbook, her lectures are much more simpler than the book. just make notes and study them before each exam, there is four exams and no finals, could it get any better?
You do need the book at all. Her lectures are the only ones you need, so basically attendance is important altho she does not take it. It's for your own good. She's entertaining and easy to understand. Lecture and notes are clear and simple. I liked the class a lot.
Easy! She is very hyper and punctual. TAKE NOTES! Do her tests, the 2 papers and thats all you need. I learned alot about California even though im a Californian.
Professor Dittmer is a great teacher, she loves what she teaches and has a real positive attitude. She is always happy to be in class and wants her students to learn. Her class is not difficult as long as you go, take notes, and study those notes you will do fine in the class. Overall a great teacher and cool person.
Awesome Professor! you do not need the book, makes the lecture interesting. take notes and study them for the test, thats it
Shes one fo the best prof. ive ever had. the class is based on 4 tests. the test are not that easy you do have to study for the tests for your lecture notes.You learn sooo much in this class. Very energetic teacher makes class interesting and def not boring. keeps you in class till last mintue.. but overall shes amazing and fun.
Great professor. you don't need book at all, just her notes. lectures are interesting an not boring at all as it was mentioned. Only 4 tests, study her notes and you will do fine.
She is a great professor. Attendance is not mandatory because the exams are solely based on class notes. You do have to study for her exams. Also you have to be a good note taker. i highly recommend this professor if you want to learn something. I would take her again!! she also kept me entertained....you'll know what i mean if you take her.
ooppss sorry i meant to say that she does not take attendance but i highly recommend not missing her class because her exams are based solely on her class lectures.
She is awesome, clear and to the point. The tests are off the notes, so you don't need to buy the book. She even tells you not to buy the book. BUT if you're not in class and do not take notes you will fail.
She is the best!!! I recommend taking her. Everything from the notes. just go to class and you will get easy A
She is real cool. Everthing from the lectures are on the exams. You don't need the book and if you take notes and study them, there is no reason you shouldnt get an A.
She is the same prof as M. Dittmer because she goes my Mia (Ann or Mia is a nickname, I forget). SHe is easy if you take notes and review them each week. Its not cumulative and there are a like 3-4tests(all notes, no textbook) including the final. There is extra credit on the tests. If you study, you will do very well. If you dont then youll fail.
Is everyone here talking about the same professor??? She is horrible. She Jumps ALL over the place, NEVER actually explains what she's talking about, just expects you to know the details about it, and gives you far too much information for one test. For a Grad student to find her methods bad says a lot, I do not recommend, She's nice that's about i
Is everyone here talking about the same professor??? She is horrible. She Jumps ALL over the place, NEVER actually explains what she's talking about, just expects you to know the details about it, and gives you far too much information for one test. For a Grad student to find her methods bad says a lot, I do not recommend, She's nice thats about it
Is everyone here talking about the same professor??? She is horrible. She Jumps ALL over the place, NEVER actually explains what she's talking about, just expects you to know the details about it, and gives you far too much information for one test. For a Grad student to find her methods bad says a lot, I do not recommend, She's nice thats about it
This teacher is complete GARBAGE. All of her notes are 100% verbal. If you miss a word, you are pretty much screwed. Not to mention she talks very fast and never repeats herself. Her notes are about 5 pages long each lecture. Dont even bother bringing a tape recorder, it doesnt help since she talks fast and in a low voice.... On her essay, I got a
Awesome, had NO interest in Geography until this class. She is hard but gives you everything you will need to know for the tests if you listen and take good notes. Really knows what she is talking about. Take her course if you can.
Very nice teacher. You really need to go to class, her lectures pretty much are the test. Take a lot of clear notes and study them before the exam and you will do amazingly. It is A LOT of info, but it is intersting. She is cute and abnoxious but she uses it to keep you engaged. The tests cover the previous 3-5 weeks then you move on.
I loved this class! I had zero interest in geography before taking this but I feel as if I learned so much. Yes you need to take notes and attend class but that should be a given. She makes the topic of weather fun, so definitely consider this class!
She is crazy but I loved that about her. Her class is straight to the point. No tip-toeing around the topic. She does not use the book, its all lecture. If you go to every class and pay close attention, you will pass her class.
She is an awesome professor and she explains things visually to the extent tht you will not forget. No textbook needed as long as you go to class. She is amazing at what she does and well respected.
I loved being in this class. I never thought anyone can make Geography interesting. Her quirkiness and adorable voice make the class fun. Her tests are based solely on her lecture notes, so warm up that writing hand. But if you put the time to study then you'll get a good grade. DONT MISS CLASS, she blows through material, in a good way. :)
Took California geography with her, she was to the point, but a hard/picky grader when it comes to essays. Her tests were not that easy, but not too hard (only if you study her notes.) Lectures are important even though she does not make attendance mandatory. GO TO CLASS, or you won't pass. I got an A- , but only take this class if you NEED it.
All lecture class. Attendance not mandatory, but you'll miss everything. If you're the type to skip class, don't take her. Otherwise, weather is an easy class. 3 tests, 1 final, all worth the same amount. take detailed notes (or record), study them thoroughly and you'll be good for an A/B.
She is a nice professor, gives you 10 outlines to take notes off of. Attendance is mandatory because the exams include EVERY SINGLE DETAIL she mentions in class. There are 3 exams and one quiz (70 point exams). There is a LOT of detail which makes the tests hard. She's not always willing to help either but she's nice and passionate about geography.
100% lecture, no book, no HW. She is very interesting and knows her stuff. Don't take this class if you plan on missing a few lectures because you won't do well. She expects you to remember everything she says, nothing is unimportant, so take good notes. She offered a lot of extra credit questions on every test, which is why I got an A.
Makes class very interesting. She is very clear when giving lectures. No homework. Test are EASY if you study. She includes extra credit question on every exam. Attendance not mandatory, but I recommend you attend otherwise you will fall behind. Overall, OUTSTANDING PROFESSOR!
One of the most clear lecturers at CSUN. She makes the subject very interesting. TRY NOT TO MISS CLASS. Every lecture is EXTREMELY crucial for the exams. And copying someone else's notes will not be the same as being present for the lectures. Willing to meet outside of class to explain something. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Best science professor I ever had. NO BOOK & HW, 100% lecture. She cares about teaching & loves geog. Down to earth, willing to help. NEVER MISS CLASS, HAVING SOMEONE ELSES NOTES WILL NOT HELP YOU IF YOU MISS! I got a B in the class but I blame myself for it. I would study 2 days or 1 day before the test (don't do that). Give extra credit on test.
No textbook - everything is 100% lecture. She doesn't take attendance, but if you miss class, you're screwed on the exam, since there's no textbook or online notes you can refer back to. She expects you to know EVERYTHING SHE LECTURES ON, so take good notes. She doesn't have trick questions on exams, but she loves DETAILS and wants you to KNOW IT.
Go to class. Seriously. Write down every word she says, I'd recommend a laptop or tablet w/ keyboard. Very note intensive, so make sure you are awake. Tests are all scantron and are pretty easy. the few assignments in the beginning are imporant (home assignment) so make sure you get 10/10 on them. Got a C, take someone else if youre lazy.
She is a super nice person, her lectures are long make sure you take notes n everything she says because it is guaranteed to be on the exams she posts study guides on moodle use them. overall just study the notes you take and you should be good. She doesnt teach out of a textbook so dont buy a book and she doesnt give homework.
Prof. Dittmer is a great lecturer, she truly loves what she does, and knows her stuff. Lectures are 100% oral, and attendance is vital to pass her class. She does provide outlines for each chapter at the beginning of the semester, and study guides for all 4 tests. Tests are based on lecture, never cumulative. No textbook needed. Take good notes!
You must attend class or else you won't pass. All the notes and tests are based on what she says, nothing comes from a textbook. She will repeat herself if you ask her to and she will slow down as well. She draws many diagrams so if you are a visual learner then this will definitely help. She gives extra credit questions on each test.
Such an enthusiastic professor! I looked forward to each and every lecture! She made everything crystal clear and was open and friendly towards questions. I would definitely take her again!!
all tests are about what she says in class. Honestly the best professor I've ever had. Just take really good notes and literally write down EVERYTHING she says, study it & make flash cards about everything you wrote! She's really funny and makes the subject very interesting, I'd love to take another class with her even if it's not my major!
This professor knows so much and her lectures are so enlightening; makes you learn so much too! Tests are easy IF YOU STUDY (which you should be doing seeing as you are an adult now). Overall an amazing professor and class.
Theres one little quiz and three other exams, all which make up your WHOLE grade. Does not give any other points. Studied so much and went to her for help multiple times and got a D in her class.
3 tests and one little quiz for your whole grade. (417). it is tough. do not miss a class. I record her and i get B's in the test but this is me studying my butt off and reviewing the recordings. take her if you have time. she talks and talks and you gotta write fast! her lectures are basically her talking, no power point, no notes on board
Professor Ditmer makes a 3 hour class go by pretty quick (I had her on Friday). She really cares about her students and makes herself available outside of class. Your grade is based only on tests and there is no cumulative final. If you show up and put in the time to study (her test are extremely hard if you don't study) you will pass just fine.
Okay guys, this class is tough. It's only tough because it is very lecture heavy. If you are not a good note taker, it will be extremely hard to pass. However, professor Dittmer is very passionate about geography and one can see it. She is willing to help and does warn her class beforehand about the level of difficultness. Study hard & you'll pass!
Her lectures are interesting and I did not struggle to pay attention despite taking her class at 8 am. Grades are solely based on tests, so make sure to prepare for them. She gives a fair amount of extra credit and a very useful study guide. I only studied the night before each exam. I will certainly miss this class.
She is a great professor, she is old school however she encourages students to take notes in electronic devices. If you do not pay attention you will not pass, she is really engaged in the subject and makes the class entertaining. If you remember those old times where you did not have powerpoints, and pay attention and take notes you will be fine.
She scared me the first class, but I have NEVER learned so much in my life. If you don't show up and pay attention you will NOT get a good grade. She sets clear expectations from the 1st class and really loves the subject she teaches. Make friends and form a study group. STUDY and talk to her. Take notes and use her study guide. Commit A
She's enthusiastic but cannot teach. At all. That's why it's an easy grade. Some reading, big tests impacting your overall grade. Basically study and you'll be fine if you end up with her class.
Honestly just don't take weather at CSUN. Find another science to fulfill for your G.E.'s. She is very old school and it shows. Her lectures can be interesting but she speeds through everything and you're left very confused.
Show up to class, listen to lectures, take notes. If you're a good student, this is a breeze of a class. Don't care to show up or listen, pass it. That's why they're (vvv) complaining. No textbook, 4 exams, gives plenty of EC opps on each test. Gives study guides. Quirky style of teaching, but knows how to, and you learn. Draws perfect circles too!
To get a good grade, you must show up to class and listen well. There's no textbook or homework, so listening and taking notes is your only resource. She gives all necessary information, just write it down and study. If you're sick and miss class, it might be difficult to catch up as she covers a lot each class. She also draws cool circles.
Lecture the whole class, 15 minute break. Amazing lectures you understand everything and shes very interested into the subject too. Lots of notes and drawing mountains and clouds... 4 exams and a world map quiz, be careful with the exams they are tricky but if you study and pay attention they won't be.
Class Info
Attendance Mandatory
50%
Textbook Required
80%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.07 avg changeRatings by Course
101
5.0
(1)GEO101AND103
5.0
(1)GEOL101
5.0
(1)ESCI300LECLA
5.0
(1)GEOG150
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
GEOGRAPHY
5.0
101
4.0
EARTHSCIENCE
4.0
GEO330
4.0
GEOG417
3.8