Dr. Backstrom is a very new professor right out of industry. He has a good sense of humor, but lectures are death by power point. He does do a really good job of tying in current events into every class session. There was opportunity for extra credit every time we turned around. He knows his stuff, but lecture style needs improvement!

I'm not sure why his ratings are so low. He's a nice guy and his lectures are straight forward. Pay attention in class and you will do well. He takes attendance so be sure to show up. He is from Finland and has a cool accent and likes to crack jokes throughout class. Exams were online. I enjoyed this class even though the subject is kind of dull.

Backstrom made class interesting even though he teaches directly from power points. Attendance isn't mandatory but if you skip you'll fall behind and do poorly on the exams. Overall funny guy who obviously knows his stuff, would definitely recommend him.

Dr. Backstrom is a great professor. His lectures can be a little dry, but he teaches them well. Plus he's a DILF, which is definitely a bonus.

Backstrom is an awesome guy who enjoys what he does. His experience and stories makes the class worth your time and he's a great teacher! Highly recommend taking his class!

He was a great teacher and was always accessible outside of class. He is very funny and makes class more fun. Would definitely take again.

Although the lectures can get pretty boring, Joni tries to make it enjoyable. Super easy course, all the tests and assignments are online. Just make sure you go to class and write/type down everything because his tests have some questions on the smallest things on the powerpoints.

A good person

Genuine nice and entertaining guy, although you do have to take the class seriously.

Super easy class! I loved taking this class as my science credit. The class was really big so attendance was not mandatory. His lectures were fun and easy to understand and even if you don't show up will probably pass.

The easiest class I have ever taken in college. As long as you go to class and take notes you will have no problem getting an A in the class. The test are online and open note as well.

Great EVS class, especially for non EVS majors. Large lecture class so attendance was not mandatroy, yet some question on the HW you would only know from lecture. Professor keeps lectures entertaining enough to not fall asleep. Optional final.

Great professor! Always made the lectures interesting and great sense of humor. Never took attendance (due to class size) and all homework/tests were online. Great at explaining everything. Best science teacher Ive ever had!

I loved taking this class! Backstrom was a great professor. The class is a lecture so you take notes every class but I found everything he taught very interesting. All homework and assignments are online and very easy. The questions on the test and homework all come from the notes and it's all online outside of class. NO TEXTBOOK NEEDED

quizzes and exams are all online, but many are based on things that were said during class. he doesn't post the lectures online. only three assignments and four exams. loved this class!

Dr. Backstorm was hilarious and made lectures something I looked forward to. It was a super easy class and you didn't have to take the final exam if your grade was an A. I say attendance was mandatory because the tests were based off of the lecture, not the book. (I didn't open the book once and did just fine) Would recommend!

Dr. Backstrom is so funny! He doesn't take attendance but the tests come directly from the lecture so you should go to class. All the exams are online and the final is optional. He doesn't give extra credit but if you just do what you're supposed to do it's an easy A.

This man was meant to teach big lecture classes, he's really funny. The class was pretty easy, just make sure not to miss assignments because the late penalty sucks hard. He puts random stuff that wasn't states in the power-points on quizzes. If you don't remember something like -where was the rock I showed in class from, you will get it wrong.

Easy class all assignments are online and open-note. He does NOT post his lecture notes or content so I recommend making a friend in the class in case you miss a lecture though because sometimes his assignments have questions from specific lectures. He also says the book is also recommended and you can pass without it but he references the book.

Backstrom gave one quiz a week, each 5 questions. 3 exams and 1 optional final. He is very funny, and gives extra credit for exams when he realizes some questions could have multiple answers. I would recommend him to anyone.

No zooms, must read about chapter a week/review slides on each chapter which means lots of notes. Then a 5 question quiz on readings each week. Every few weeks he throws in a little paper on something pretty interesting, not difficult at all. Every 5ish chapters, theres an exam. If you're taking EVS195, take his class.

I did my DIS with Dr. Backstrom over the fall semester of 2020. Even though we were online, I had a phenomenal experience working one on one with him. I have taken him twice before (Intro to EVS and Offshore Energy) and he has truly inspired me and my environmental science career. He is full of knowledge, information, and laughs. Amazing Professor.

I love this dude. The quizzes are every week and 5 questions(that's where the grade may slip, at least it did for me). There were only 2 assignments that were easy. This man rounded my grade up a letter because it was so close. If you can, take a class with him. He's the easy and chill professor you're looking for.

He is a great professor and you can tell he loves doing what he does. The quizzes and tests are pretty easy and the workload is light. As long as you show up to the lectures, listen and take good notes you will do very well. He is very chill and sweet, I would take another class with him.

I loved taking my class with Professor Backstrom. There's a textbook but it's not required as long as you show up and take good notes (he tests you on things stated in the lectures but not the textbook). Super funny and not difficult material or course load. just chapter quizzes, 3 assignments, and 3 exams. Optional final and rounds your grade!

A real gem of a professor. He's truly passionate about Environmental issues and it shows in his lectures.

Super passionate professor! Don't need textbook, but you have to attend class in order to get the notes. He won't post the PowerPoints online. My friends and I divided up who went to class, we rotated between the 5 of us to take notes, and we all got a's. Online tests and quizzes. Optional final. And I think 3 easy 1 page writing assignments. Easy!

I loved Dr Backstrom! You can really tell hes passionate about what he does and made the class super interesting. You have to go to class to get the notes because he doesnt post them after class, but all of his lectures are interesting so I didnt have a problem with attending this class. Hes a funny guy!

Lectures are interesting, and the work load is light. There are 3 exams and an optional final as well as two additional 1-2 page assignments. There are a couple of online quizzes that come from the lecture so take notes; the notes are helpful for the quiz.

A good teacher for a big lecture class. Assignments aren't too difficult and he will always make you laugh in his lectures.

Backstrom is a very passionate professor who is good at what he does. However, if you do take him, be prepared to come to class and take notes, as he doesn't upload his lectures online. Simple quizzes on canvas, a few assignments and all online exams.

Super fun class! He has slideshows during lectures that have info that WILL be on the weekly quiz (also, pay attention to his fun facts). If you skip a couple of classes, it isn't going to kill your grade, but you might not get a perfect 10/10 on those weekly quizzes. Overall pretty easy as long as you pay attention in class.

Very good person. He will say that he recommends a textbook in the beginning of the year, DO NOT GET IT. I did not open it once the whole semester. I went to class the first 2 months and have not been since and I am still passing with a B+. All of the quizzes and exams are online at home, no webcam, no lockdown browser. Barely gives any homework.

Backstrom is a solid professor! I had him for Environmental Science & he has all of his notes on slides. You have to take notes from the slides to get the answers for the quizzes/tests, so I recommend going to every class and taking notes!

Great professor who really cares about what he does. You wont fall asleep in his lectures. Attendance is optional but chapter quizzes are based on things gone over in class so it helps to go. Only a few assignments and quizzes so its very light on work.

Lectures are fun and easy to follow. There's a few quizzes on the lecture notes, a few exams taken at home, and 3 easy one page assignments. Textbook recommended but not required. Doesn't take attendance but notes aren't posted. He gave extra credit too. Dr. Backstrom really wants you to succeed and not stress about his class- easy credit!

Very easy class, and he's a funny guy. All the tests are online/open note, so as long as you go to class or get the notes, you will pass with flying colors. Only downfall is he doesn't post the slides because he wants us to go to class.

I loved his class!! While the lectures could be long, I enjoyed them. Take notes on the slides and also things he says.

Easy class. Each test and quiz is take-home online (without proctoring). Show up to class and copy down slides and you basically get an A on quizzes. Remember to write down recent news and random trivia on slides. Dr. Backstrom is also energetic and fun in the lectures. Just come to class and its' an easy A, skip class and its an easy B.

Dr. Backstrom is awesome! He is so funny and makes class something to look forward to. Easy class as well, exams and quizzes are online. Just make sure to write down details from any news article or video he shows, as those are almost always on the exams/quizzes. Overall a great professor that UNCW is lucky to have!

Attendance isn't mandatory but his tests and quizzes are based off of what he says in the lectures so it is important to go and write down majority of everything he says. He assigns very little work so be sure to get good grades on what he does assign.

He was funny and nice. The class is easy if you show up and listen to the lectures but attendance isn't mandatory.

Amazing EVS teacher, he makes lessons really easy to understand. He includes a few questions in his exams that you have to attend class to know the answer but other than that it's an easy class with him.

Dr. Backstrom is one of the best professors I've had at UNCW so far. His lectures are engaging and he is quite a funny guy. Most of the work is online, so if you just show up to the lectures and take notes it's a really easy and rewarding course. I would love to take a class taught by Dr. Backstrom again!

For a 300 person lecture class, he was very engaging. I will say that attendance does not matter but he wont give out slides or post them so it is important to go to class. Additionally, there are a lot of quizzes but they are open note and not super hard. Awesome professor and would totally take again.

Backstrom is a super chill guy that is passionate about what he teaches. All work is done online including exams. Textbook is optional. There are a bunch of short easy quizzes and then like 3 other assignments besides the exams. He does not post his lecture material online so if you want to actually learn, go to class.

Dr. Backstrom is a cool guy, he's very funny and he always relates the topics from his lectures to environmental issues happening locally. Attendance isn't mandatory but everything that's on the quizzes is pulled directly from the lectures, with some of the questions being specific to things he only brought up in class (news articles & videos).

This overall was a good class. The tests are difficult, but online. His lectures are clear and for the most part interesting.

very engaging professor. he doesn't assign too much homework and tests and quizzes are all online and take-home.

not many grades in this class just quizzes, exams, and three other assignments. very easy to do well in class if you take good notes on lectures. attendance is not mandatory but it is the only way that you will pass the class: he does not post his lecture slides and the tests and quizzes come straight from the slides. very fun and engaging though!

Not many grades, test and quiz heavy. He does not post slide shows. I did not get the textbook and did fine. Attendance is not mandatory, take that as you will, I have done okay. You will do better if you go though because he has questions on things that are talked about in class only.

The dude is awesome. You don't need the textbook, and tests and quizzes are online. 10 out 10

Super nice guy, but you basically have to attend class if you want to pass. Test and quiz questions are incredibly specific based on things he mentions (even just in passing) in class, but they are manageable and also open note. About three assignments throughout the semester so grade is basically based on solely tests and quizzes. Easy class

TAKE DR. BACKSTROM'S CLASS!! He's a super personable guy and makes his lectures really interesting. I took the class for the basic credit, but now I'm for sure looking to see what else he teaches. Attendance isn't mandatory, but his quizzes are directly based on the lectures and you won't be able to get above an 80% if you don't go.

Fairly easy class with few assignments a week and quizzes occasionally. I think there is like 4 exams. Class is not mandatory. Quizzes and exams directly follow what he teaches in class (news articles, current events) Easy to find online however.

Backstrom is the goat. make sure you pay attention in class since some test questions are very specific. Great lectures and is very flexible with students

Backstrom is a very engaging and passionate professor. You need to go to class in order to receive the notes, if you go to class you will have no trouble passing quizzes and tests. I actually enjoyed going to class so this wasn't a problem for me, he is really funny and you don't get bored like other lectures. I wouldn't buy the textbook.

Super Easy. Just go to class. Attendance isn't mandatory, so it's easy to skip, but it would benefit you to go.

good teacher and interesting lectures!! just be sure to stay on top of canvas because sometimes the deadlines don't show up on the calander and he might not always remind you. attendance not mandatory

Joni is a great professor. Entertaining, easy grader, kind, caring and fun!

Funny guy who is very fond of AI generated hybrid animals and pelicans.

Awesome! Do not skip because there is a quiz for each unit which usually has specific questions from a lecture (Take notes!!) Assignments are all online- including exams. He is outgoing and entertaining. Totally recommend.

Coursework was like a quiz every other week, 3 tests throughout the semester, and a final, a few assignments graded by his TA. very easy to do well in this class, attendance was not mandatory bc it was a huge lecture class, but everything on the quizzes & tests comes from his lectures so it's best to go to class. You don't need to buy the book.

Best professor I have had at this University! Very knowledgeable and the lectures are very interesting!

Dr.backstrom is a great professor! He makes lectures fun/exciting, and he is open to conversation after class to go over any questions. theres 3 main "assignments" which are simple summaries and bullet points. Quizzes are easy and tests go over everything in lecture- take notes (even on the videos and random things he mentions) and you'll get an A

I enjoyed his class, I felt that the tests felt unnecessary, in that you would have to take notes on every single minute detail he brings up in class for you to be completely ready for said test (especially when these tests are 25% of your grade each). Other than that though, very fun class and I would take again.

Don't waste your money on the textbook its not needed. He referred to it throughout the class and based his powerpoints off it but if you attend class you wont need it.