very enthusiastic, lots of material but always there to answer questions.

Dr. D. reminds me of a cross between the Croc Hunter and what Elton John would look like with actual hair. Class is interesting, but hard if you don't keep up. Posts notes to the web which helps out. Tests are hard (!), but not impossible (I did OK).

Classes is all done with a program like powerpoint all the notes are on the internet. If you pay attention in class then study the notes on the internet you will have no problems. I hate science and I passed without any problems

This is supposed to be a 100 level class however it should be a 300 or at least a 200 level class. For someone that is not a science major this class is tough.

He has the same format for each test and each class session. As long as you look at the slides (know the picture slides through and through)and go over the study guides he gives, life will be easy for you!

No Comments

Study guides are not specific at all. Slides on the test suck!

No Comments

No Comments

No Comments

No Comments

No Comments

No Comments

This class was so easy it was almost disappointing. If you read the book, showed up to class once in a while, and got the notes off the web, you could easily get a C or better. I'm an education major, and I barely studied, but I'm getting an A, easy.

This is a basic survey class, and he teaches it as such. Nothing 2 hard, nothing 2 easy. He is down to Earth, and wants people 2 understand the subject. His tests are not hard if u pay attention and actually be interested for just 1 semester of your life.

Can we say mullet??? stuck in the old days!!

Dr. Durbin is a very good professor! I love his T-shirts!

He is an extremely nice guy, but his class isn't very easy for a 100 level class. He is willing to help you if you ask. But make sure you are ready to study if you want a good grade.

The prof seems like a great guy. His comments in class are hilarious. I wish it would have been an easier class. I learned a lot, but would I recommend it? Only if you have a lot of time to devote to it.

OK... For those of you folks who suck at Physics, Chemistry, or Biology, FIRST take his Earth System Science class then this lab... you will do fine. The lecture part of the lab is nothing but a review of the other class... A's in both classes.

just follow what he posts on the web site and you can do all the homework. he posts notes there and everything.

Dr. Durbin is an outstanding teacher. For those college students who are actually in college to learn, take this class. He makes the class enjoyable by interesting lectures that keeps one awake class. Also he has a hot teaching assistant!

Durbin is a cool teacher, but this is an incredibly tough class. You have to study; but if you follow the PowerPoints and actually use his study resources, you should be fine. He definitely makes class exciting and interesting - a sense of humor in a professor never hurt anyone :-)

Dr. Durbin's class was very interesting but is tough if you don't print off the powerpoints and study guides. He really means it when he says you need to dedicate 6 hours a week to the class to get an A.

Respect the Mullet! Good class also.

Good professor & personality (though there are days when he can be in a bit of a snit, lol), lectures are fairly clear and uses ex/illst to help. However he is by no means easy - BUT NO COLLEGE SCIENCE CLASS IS! (compared to high school) Whether in his class or another you have to study a lot, but if you put forth the effort you will LEARN a lot!

Very unusual prof. Definately a tree-huggin hippie in my opinion.....but in a good way!

Durbin's classes are hard, but I guarantee you'll walk out of the class having learned someting... just do what he says (as far as studying), go to class, and you shouldn't have any problems... PLUS, when you go to class you get to hear his goofy geology stories (pahoehoe) & they're worth seeing!

No Comments

He expects ALOT .. If you print off the powerpoints and keep up with studying then you'll pass, but it takes work. The lectures aren't very interesting, and it's easy to get lost in all the information you're expected to remember.

Course was pretty easy, but I had Geol 161 and 115 first. Lectures are interesting if you like to learn how the Earth works. Tests are pretty straightforward. Oh, ***NO CELL PHONES!!!***

its a very interesting class. I don't think I have ever learned more in any other class. It goes kinda fast, and u gotta study a lot for the tests, but its nothing impossible. He knows his stuff very well.

Durbin's class isn't easy - people tend to think that Geology classes are "ROCKS FOR JOCKS" classes and an easy A - not the case. You HAVE to go to class, you HAVE to pay attention, and you HAVE to study. He warns you up front about that. Don't skip, do the H-work, and study and you'll pass with flying colors. Oh, ask him if you have questions.

Pretty cool guy....really knows his stuff!

This class is hard but if you pay attention, take notes, and attend class then you should certainly pass. I personally enjoy his lectures <he knows what he is talking about> and I also think the labs are interesting if not difficult as well! Definitely a great teacher but a hard class unless taken seriously.

This was a great class. It is not easy, but not unreasonable. You WILL learn something! He is passionate about his subject and wants to help you understand. He is always willing to help. Show up, READ THE BOOK, take notes, and just pay attention and you will do great! Since taking this, I've added Geology as another major, it was so good!

I will never forget Dr. Durbin. I wish I could take the class again! You definately work for your grade. He expects everyone to do their best. If you study you'll be fine. I recommend him over any teacher. You learn a lot. If you want a blow off class don't take this. Your complaing all semster gets really old especially when you just dont work.

Dr. D is totally bizarre, albeit in a fun and interesting way. This class was very hard for an 100 level class, and I've never worked so hard in my life! Still it was a lot of fun. I'd take a class from him anytime. Plus he's good looking for a teacher. His Aa Pahoehoe story is hilarious! Tough but worth it if you do what he asks you to do.

Great class.

Good professor. He can be a bit of a toughie once in a while, but if you come to class and read he'll make the material clear. Not the best to pay attention to, but if you can get a 50 minute/1:15 class you should be great with him. Graphs and major concepts are vital for test studying!

teacher is enthusiastic about the subject and can really get you interested. Must work hard though to keep up. Would definitly recommend to others

He is not a hard prof at all. You have to learn his style. He gives extra credit from time to time on low attendance days. You have 4 exams, one paper, and a final. Not that hard at all.

He is great! Sit towards the front if it is the huge class in the library,and act interested. I took notes on a laptop, but I wouldn't if you can't resist surfing the web. His tests weren't that hard, and he is fun to talk to after class.He's hilarious; at Halloween, he dressed in a full Grim Reaper costume, sickle and all. Very cool guy

Durbin is a great professor. He is very passionate about what he is teaching and has a great sense of humor. Pay attention in class and you will do fine. The tests are pretty easy too.

I love the fact that he teaches the class without requiring you to buy the book. He likes to stick it to the man too!! He is a great teacher but his tests are a little tricky. Know ALL the graphs he posts!! And know exactly how he wants you to explain them!

It can't be stressed enough how you need to be in class. The powerpoints are online, but if you weren't in class they are almost useless. I hate to break it to some students, but you do have to study for a science course like this, regardless of it being a 112. I don't recommend buying the book, but I do recommend taking Durbin if you want to learn

Durbin is very passionate and extremely knowledgable about his work. Come to every class, take notes,use study aides, study the slides well and read the book. Be prepared to put in quite a bit of studying. It can be difficult but if you pay attention and ask questions you'll do fine. I got a high A with 15-18 hrs of outside studying.

I took his geology class. He is extremly knowledgable on what he is teaching. He knows what he is talking about. Be in EVERY class because he randomly takes attendance grades that can be worth bonus. Be prepared to study a lot though!

The exams are soooo hard!

Not easy at all. There are attendance points, 3 easy assignments, and a 10% curve for every exam, which really help soften the blow of the exams. Most questions on the exams come from slides (pictures from power points) so make sure you are in class and paying attention to what he says about every picture. Short answer questions are normally easy.

Great teacher. He clearly knows his stuff and loves to share the knowledge he's obtained throughout the years. You do have to show up for class, but you're in college now. You paid to go to classes, so why not go there and learn something about the world you live in? Highly recommand this class.

Pretty cool guy. A lot of studying required for tests. Go to every class, he does attendance checks and gives bonus if you know current events. I would recommend him.

I had Durbin for GEOG and GEOL and both classes were OK. Tests were hard, but if you came to class, used the study aids and were mildly interested, it was not too hard. I think I learned a lot about the Earth and how people need to think about it. I enjoyed this class.

I really enjoyed Geography 112, it was interesting. James Durbin is a great professor and very helpful. No textbook required which is awesome! He is very passionate about his job, I would recommend this class to everyone!

I loved this class, if I know I could have Jim Durbin as my only professor I would major in Geography. If you respect him he will respect you.

If you want to learn, Durbin is one of, if not the, best teachers in the department. You will his class feeling like a true scientist. Take lots of notes and be prepared for "disappointed dad" lectures. He wants students to pass his class with as much academic knowledge and life advice as possible crammed into their heads and that's a good thing.

Dr. Durbin is a good teacher. He's passionate about the science, and the students in his class. This class should be required for everyone who wants to understand about climate and how climate works! Wish there more assignments to earn more points, but tests weren't too bad and were curved.

Durban is a good teacher. Tests were hard, especially the slides. But if you go to the web site and pay attention, almost all the pictures he shows on tests are online in his lectures. Wish there were some more assignments so all the points weren't from tests. Book not required, which is good, but I used one I got at the library. It helped.

I can't even express enough how much I loved this class. Durbin is very passionate about his work. This class brought my love for science to life. As long as you take good notes, paid attention, and study your notes good you'll do fine. I thought I was going to bomb the class but got a B! I love his teaching style and his material was interesting

he's a great teacher and very passionate about geology. if you are into this kinda think you'll do great. if you're not you need to study for the tests. they are based off of the power points, almost exactly. its not hard if you pay attention and go to class. over all he was an awesome teacher and a fun class

Dr. Durbin was a great professor. He really was passionate about his lectures. Make sure you take good notes in class as he goes into detail on the power point slides. The tests are based off of the power point slides and your notes you take. I only had one assignment this semester along with 4 exams plus the final. Easy A if you take good notes.

Super funny. Take notes to pass. Tests are kind of difficult, but he curves every single one.

There isn't a textbook and and he doesn't use Blackboard. Gives out extra credit if something happens in the news (earthquakes, etc). 4 tests and a final. Lectures can be boring at times, but there are also some pretty cool topics like space and such. I took this class to fulfill a requirement for the core and it was pretty easy. Take notes pass!

This class was great. Prof was organized, and material was interesting. Slides on exams were hard, but they came from the slides posted and shown in class. Has his own web page that materials are posted to. Doesn't require a text (I bought a used one though and it helped!) Sarcastically funny. Would recommend if you like knowing about our planet.

Durbin is one of the best professors in the field. He is so knowledgeable and is known to just start ranting about things (climate change, movies, etc). It amazes me how much info his brain holds. You have to study & pay attention but is you do that you can pass with an A. Few assignments but lengthy when you get one. This class was so interesting.

Dr. Durbin is all about Geology and will chat your ear off about it. He's very helpful if you reach out to him with studying or an assignment. Make sure to 100% pay attention to lectures and be ready to apply lecture material to lab. Field trips are extra fun. Don't slack off, especially on the final research project. It will show.

Great guy in and out of the class room. He knows what he is talking about. I loved this class. Even after the class I will look around be and online to find new things about the topics learned and to use what I have learned to read the sky and environment around me. Is and easy class if this is what you like to learn about!

Nice teacher, kinda scatterbrained but overall good choice. As long as you show up to class you'll be fine, he gives random attendance checks.

This is one of the easiest core 39 science classes at USI. As long as you take notes in class and go over the powerpoints an A isn't hard to get. Nearly the entire grade is based off tests which there are 5 of but I didn't find them particularly difficult. I'm not a big fan of the teacher but I feel like I have learned more than I expected i would.

He cares about how you do, just do your work and try your best. He does anything he can to help but you have to actually try. Really funny and a goof. He will talk your ear off about literally anything, lots of fun.

Durbin makes for a really interesting professor. He is very passionate about the topics that he teaches and his class relies almost fully on test grades. He is a sweet guy who is easy to talk to. Very few homework assignments are given. He does take attendance based on on when he hands back tests or other papers. He does offer extra credit.

Dr. Durban is extremely kind, helpful, and he truly wants you to succeed. Pop quizzes are for extra credit and dont hurt your grade. Take good notes when he talks about the pictures on his slides since thats a big thing on the tests. Hes very passionate and sometimes goes 5 min over class time talking about things, but its always interesting.

There's five main tests and a few small assignments. However, there is extra credit. Just keep up and make quizlets for the information and STUDY THE PICTURES ON THE SLIDE! i took pictures of the pictures of the slide on snapchat, covered the answers, and flipped the text to be upside down to study them and I got a low A in the class. Very funny.

I just took him in the Spring for Earth System Science and he is a great professor. He gives you all the tools you need to succeed, you just have to use them. If you take good notes in class, apart from what is on the slide but rather what he says then you will do great. You have to study for tests but they are curved.