He is awesome and funny. His class was so interesting. He is a ball buster. His exams are essay questions, but they were so easy. Just make sure you attend lectures and take notes.

I took History of Life and Earth with him last summer and it was one of the most interesting science classes I have ever had. It was also my first A in a science class that I can remember.

I took his class over the summer and I liked him. He's a little scatter brained but he has tons of stories and is entertaining. We got to take a class vote whether we had essay or multiple choice tests, and his multiple choice tests were very easy, if you studies. He really loves what he teaches.

best teacher i've ever had! i took paleontology with him, as an elective, and it was the best class i've ever taken.he grades on improvement so even if you fail a test, you can make it up. on my first test i got a 10/100, and wound up with an A in the end. go to the classes and study and you'll do fine. he loves the subject and makes you love it to

This has to be one of the FUNNIEST professors on campus. However he is pretty hard. On my first test I got a 17 out of 100, so I later came up with a formula to pass his class. TAKE EXTREMELY GOOD NOTES AND MEMORIZE EVERYTHING FROMT HOSE NOTES. He is the type of professor that wants you to know it all. Just follow my "formula" and you'll do fine!

Awesome professor! I loved this class. I learned so much and found the Dr. Petuch to be informative, incredibly knowledgeable, and very personable. I got an A and took a ton of notes, made the flashcards and sat up front. Bring colored pencils to the exams! :)

This class was a good one, at that you just need to make sure you attend all classes and take notes. Book is not even needed. He doesn't count the first exam if you coninually improve, which most students do. Overall, it was work, but I learned a lot and it was enjoyable. He is a good prof.

The book was helpful but you need to be in class for his lectures. His teaching style is refreshing because he writes everything on the board. No boring powerpoints. He loves what he does. I do not agree with his method of testing but if you show up to class and make an effort you will get an A. Field trips are optional but very fun.

He is very funny and engaging in his lectures. There were 3 tests of 30 questions each so not a lot of opportunity for grades. All questions are from lecture - book is NOT needed. He HATES latecomers so be on time. Take copious notes. The language he uses on the test is tricky and hard. I was interested and learned a lot. I recommend him.

Petuch is AWESOME! But you have to attend every class as all exam questions come DIRECTLY from his notes. Don't be late, but if you are late say "There was bad traffic." This class may be challenging at first but it will definitely make you want to be geology major seeing how passionate he is. BTW check him out on monster quest on history channel

Be on time for this class and stay quiet throughout. Dr. Petuch doesn't like interruptions. Exams are from material from lectures, text recommended for material reinforcement. Very funny teacher, makes class more interesting than what already is. I loved having him as a teacher.

He was a great teacher, you must absolutely take superb notes! And flash cards really help as well, tests were easy if you studied. Even though he moved UP the test, making it sooner and sometimes tested us on words we never learned, I managed to get an A on every test. Bottom Line: Flash cards + ALOT of studying = A+

Dr. Petuch is the kind of professor that needs to be cloned. He's hilarious, chops up a dry subject with audience-targeted jokes to make it interesting, and he's fair. Study hard, NEVER miss a class or show up late, take good notes, and keep your wits/good humor about you. Don't take if you love your Biblical stories and can't take a joke. A+ !!

Dr. Petuch is a funny guy. He is really nice too. The material is easy as well. As long as you go to class, a B is easy. Any effort and an A isn't hard either. His class is fun and I learned more than in most of my other classes. I even changed my major to Geology.

Awesome class. He likes to go on random tangents and gets distracted easily. I would recommend his class, he is an awesome teacher.

If you have any religious beliefs avoid his classes. Every class had at least 15 mins of hating on religions and the Bible. He goes off topic all the time which is fun but then speeds through the class info which makes it hard to understand. He also writes all of his notes on the board which makes him really unorganized. I wouldnt take him again

I found after his first class how truly interested in the material he was. He made the material interesting. He tends to get sidetracked but he keeps the class interesting with his enthusiasm. If you study and go to class, the tests are no problem.

just show up. he doesnt take roll but he knows if u have been there. if you love the ocean or marine environments he will amaze you with knowledge. 3 exams only, so study the notes written on the board.

I have taken all of Dr. Petuch's classes. Many of you don't understand what an honor it is to have him as a professor. Think of him as the modern day Linnaeus. Having named thousands of species, he wants us to be able to do the same. Have a beer and get to know him, don't show up late, take good notes, major in geology and you will be fine!

Mr Petuch is the best professor I ever had. extraordinary knowledge about the subject and the world at large. studying for this class I learned the whole load of history, politics, religion, chemistry, physics, philosophy and so on. however the exams are extremely hard 2-3 question (hint:to get an A) are based on your understanding not memorizing

I am studying my second career and I can honestly say that I have been lucky to have some of the best professors in key disciplines but none as remarkable as Dr. Petuch. FAU students should consider ourselves lucky to have a man of such encyclopedic knowledge willing to share it here. Dr. Petuch is a professor of IVY league stature.

Dearsweetmotherofbabyjesus. Best. Professor. EVER. The man loves what he does and his passion is infectious. Some say he's random, but if he didn't go off on tangents (which will tie in to the material, btw) the class would be beyond boring. You need to study and take DAMN good notes. He's a real professor, no powerpoints. Very funny guy. Brilliant

One of the best professors I've ever had. He keeps his lectures based on the material, despite his stories, and only writes on the board what's important. His stories are based on his experiences, which are worth paying attention to. Take notes based on the board and study, you won't go wrong.

Hands down one of the best professors in the ENTIRE school. Show up on time or he will call you out on it. only 3 exams, but will only test you on what he writes on the board. He's very enthusiastic to pass of his knowledge of the subject, and makes the material interesting. Highly suggest going on any field trips he plans during the semester.

Rare to find a teacher this good at FAU. Would take this class if you are interested in acquiring knowledge. If you want to slack off you might want to consider another class. All in all attending lectures on time is important but not mandatory, may be crucial to passing class as with any class where you actually learn during lecture.

Great professor, very knowledgeable and interesting. Watch for last test. SI reviewed entire lecture from test 2. Still failed because he tested on stuff that didnt matter. Watch that test!

I've recently finished taking all of the classes Dr. Petuch teaches at FAU. Going to miss them. He's a fantastic professor, and the only reason anyone would fail his class is for not showing up, not taking notes, and/or not studying at ALL for his tests. He teaches at the university level, so if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.

Great teacher. Petuch knows just about everything including languages. You will learn a lot in this class, however if you dont study hard you will fail. 60% of my class failed and has to retake the class. Fun but hard...P.S. don't get on his bad side...show up on time, don't disrupt class...he is also very funny

great teacher, so smart he knows what he is doing; great as a teacher doesnt like religion at all though

Excellent Teacher, wants everyone to pass. Exams are extremely hard, but if you pay attention and review your notes a lot, it will payoff. His class rules can be a little annoying in the beginning but he chilled out towards the end. If you don't want to be challenged, look for an alternative. He means business.

If you're looking for an easy science, this is not the guy to take. If you work hard, and go to the SI sessions, then you'll do just fine. He's very helpful in his office hours as well. Will seem strict at first, but does mellow out as the semester progresses. He was fine.

Brilliant teacher, very nice to students who are actually interested, calls out latecomers and isn't afraid of what students think of him. Despises religion, often rants about it which is interesting. Recommend for students who are actually interested in science, and are not fond of religion. Go to SI sessions.

Easily my favorite class at FAU. He's extremely well educated and the class is set towards teaching you how to master memorization techniques. I recommend it to all students who are afraid of Bio or Chem!

You're at school to learn, so he's going to teach u, if u dont like that, take another class. 1st test there was only ONE question I didnt have on my notes so if more than half of the class fails they all need to learn to take notes and study them. He's smart, loves science, speaks several languages. He's awesome. Chris is the best lab teacher :)

Before you take this class, ask yourself - and be honest - am I a good student and do I have any interest in science? If yes, absolutely take this class over any other to fill your science credit. If no, take chem (there's plenty of extra credit). This class is difficult, requires excellent notes, but is very rewarding. Petuch is a true professor.

Petuch honestly has knowledge about everything. He tells stories to keep class interesting. Does not use power-points and instead uses the whiteboard to write and draw things out. He loves what he's doing and Is not afraid to embarrass students who show up late. SI sessions are very helpful. Study and you'll do fine.

Dr. Petuch is extremely knowledgeable, and if you attend class and study you will learn a lot. Class isn't that hard. You have three exams, which come from everything he puts up on the board. Just try not to miss class. I recommend his class as it is interesting, and is nothing too difficult.

Extremely intelligent guy and keeps his lectures fun and very interesting. That being said, he goes off on tangents for most of the lecture which can be frustrating if you really want to understand the material. 3 exams, all difficult. Kicks out late students and wont allow laptops/phones. But if you want a good laugh, this is the guy for you.

Petuch is one of the smartest people i've ever met in my life. He can tell you stories about anything and everything and has traveled everywhere. Classes are always interesting but the tests are a nightmare. I failed my first test, and although he persuades kids who failed it to drop the class, i love going to his classes too much to give up.

I absolutely loved this class and Dr. Petuch, and I would take it again if I could! Dr. Petuch is hilarious, and very inspirational. He not only teaches the material for the course, but he tells you things about the world that you would never have known. The tests are hard, but tutoring is offered 3 times a week to help you.

Lets start with saying that Dr. Petuch is extremely intelligent and interesting professor; however, he is a bit narcissistic and will throw you out if you are late. Notes are mandatory if you want to pass a class. The material is interesting but the tests are extremely hard due to the way that questions are worded. Three exams in total and lab.

Dr. Petuch is an excellent professor. He often goes on tangents during lectures but always comes back to the main topic and explains it clearly. You need to take excellent notes during his lectures in order to get a good grade on the exams, which are tough. Material is not spoon-fed, as this is a true university course. You need to work for the A.

Great professor. If you don't do anything for the entire semester, attend his lectures and TAKE GREAT NOTES. Bring a recorder. Things on the test are right from his lectures, but he doesn't write it ALL on the board, its mostly what he SAYS. Sometimes gets off topic and can get upset, but he has a great way of teaching and keeps things interesting.