2.8

Kaplan Yalcin

Geosciences - Oregon State University

2.8
Quality
3.9
Difficulty
38%
Would Retake
116
Reviews
2.8
Quality
3.9
Difficulty
2.8
Helpful
2.8
Clarity

38%

Would Retake

116

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

29

4

12

3

21

2

22

1

32

What Students Say

Extremely time consuming

GEO221 - 3.0 rating

He is the worst teacher I've had

GEO307 - 1.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

63%

Textbook Required

46%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

95% confidence
Based on 54 grades
Most common grades:
A (15)
B (9)
B+ (7)
Grade Distribution
A(20)B(13)C(7)D(3)F(1)A-/B+(11)
Based on 65 reported grades
A: 15
B: 9
B+: 7
Not sure yet: 7
Common Tags
Lecture heavy (19)
Tough grader (18)
Skip class? You won't pass. (13)
LECTURE HEAVY (13)
Gives good feedback (11)
Tough Grader (11)
Test heavy (11)
Lots of homework (10)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.78 avg change
Feb
Mar
Apr
Jun
Oct
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

GEO202

4.0

(1)

GEO221

3.3

(23)

GEO201

3.1

(37)

GEO306

2.6

(11)

GEO308

2.5

(14)
+1 more courses
Difficulty by Course

GEO307

4.2

GEO221

4.0

GEO306

4.0

GEO202

4.0

GEO201

3.8

Reviews (116)
5.0
4.0
GEO221
Jul 17, 2008

I was blown away by how much this guy knew about rocks and such. I am not a Geo major, but he explains everything clearly and logically, so that even an art student like me understood the material. His exams are hard, and bases the material on his lecture notes rather than the book, so attendance in mandatory. If you pay attention you'll do fine

2.0
4.0
GEO201
Oct 22, 2009

Professor Kaplan started out to be a great teacher but as the class went on he became unclear. The subject of geology is extremely easy for me, so I'm suprised to have a teacher who is really bad. He didn't prepare anybody for the test and those who actually studied everything in the guidelines failed. If you can get out of his classes do so!

3.0
5.0
GEO201
Dec 7, 2009

Although Dr. Yalcin has the extensive knowledge to accompany his topic, his tests are too long and the grading is ambiguous. The labs could be a lot more interesting, but they are mostly rock identification and map related. His lectures are dry with hard to read slides and the last week he spent all his time on an unrelated topic.

5.0
2.0
GEO201
Dec 14, 2009

great teacher! really does enjoy students that put the time and effort in. go to his class he his excellent and you will learn a lot!

2.0
5.0
GEO201
Dec 9, 2009

if you want two midterms (M/C and essay questions) a lab exam, a final that is as long as both midterms put together, weekly quizzes, an essay, and a field trip than this class is the one for you. waaaaaaay to hard for a bacc core science. i highly reccommend NOT taking this class.

5.0
2.0
GEO306
Mar 29, 2010

I took this online. No lab, proctored tests, midterm and final. Tests mostly from notes, 1 page of notes allowed for tests. Fair grader, made an A and I'm a dummy. Just study his notes and cram all you can onto that 1 page of handwritten notes for the tests and you will be fine. Excellent class, great prof.

4.0
4.0
GEO202
Apr 15, 2010

Kaplan is a good teacher, nad expects a lot out of his students. He teaches the class at a 400 level even though the class is a 200 level course. the class is very fast paced as well. If you go to class, take notes, follow the study guide, and go to lab you will receive a good grade. You get what you put into it.

2.0
2.0
GEO308
May 7, 2010

I love geology and this is an Earth Science Class that is a Bac Core Class. The Class is very interesting and Kaplan is one of those teachers that knows A LOT about his subject matter. But that doesn't transfer into his teaching skills. Work is fast-paced, high level-higher than a BAC core class. Quizzes and tests are convoluted.

5.0
3.0
GEO221
Sep 20, 2010

I took this as an online course and enjoyed it so much. The labs were very engaging and educational and I learned so much more then I expected from an online science course.

5.0
2.0
GEO201
Jan 3, 2011

He is a great instructor. The material is not difficult, and he explains it all very clearly. His only down side would be that his lectures are easy to fall asleep in. I recommend this instructor if you want to learn a lot, and have fun studying rocks!

5.0
3.0
GEO308
Mar 9, 2011

Dr. Yalcin is a great professor. You really don't need the textbook for GEO 308 because he includes all the information you need to know in the slides (which you should bring to class and fill in blanks by laptop or print-out,) so attendance is pretty much mandatory. Online quizzes can be a bit tricky, but besides that it was a good class

2.0
3.0
GEO221
Apr 12, 2011

Unfortunately, most of the course was an effort at indoctrinating the student into accepting the professor's liberal worldview, and specifically his belief in man-caused global warming. Dr. Yalcin used only his own (biased) lecture material; no book required. A disappointment, notably because dissenting ideas were unwelcome. Not recommended.

3.0
4.0
GEO221
Jun 5, 2011

Lectures too fast to follow. Tells students to not worry about writing down every detail on the slide, and just get the main ideas, but then tests on tiny details.

5.0
3.0
GEO201
Nov 2, 2011

His syllabus is very clear and he's a very passionate professor that wants to help you in anyway he can. His quizzes are similar to his tests, and he posts review questions at the end of each lecture that appear on the study guides and tests as well. He makes exceptions when necessary, and is very thorough at explaining concepts and offering help.

3.0
4.0
GEO221
Nov 11, 2011

DO NOT take this class online. The labs are ridiculously long and difficult and take hours to do. The quizzes and tests are very difficult as well. I took this class online so I could do it in my own time and it was not worth it.

3.0
3.0
GEO201
Dec 6, 2011

Lecture is nearly mandatory if you want to pass. The weekly quizes and the tests are much harder and confusing then they should be. He Tends to lecture in a monotone.

3.0
4.0
GEO201
Dec 8, 2011

Way too much information for a intro class. There is a ton of work for this class as well, plus the midterms and final are very hard. He tries to trick you on the multiple choice questions. Not to mention labs every week that take at least two hours, plus a mandatory Saturday field trip. Ridiculous.

2.0
3.0
GEO306
Dec 13, 2011

His quizzes are out to trick you so read the book if you want an A. He knows this is a the last class for seniors so its all subjective grading if he likes you he will give you higher marks. His written quizzes are chances to hold you back.

2.0
5.0
GEO308
Dec 4, 2012

Does not provide a thorough Mid-Term Review or Final-Review instead he lists all the lectures we must study but does not narrow down exactly what we need to study. I studied countless hours & still did poorly on the midterm & final. He has tricky questions & unpublished biased power points to say the least. Confusing class & horrible instructor!

5.0
5.0
GEO201
Jan 18, 2012

My ideal college class: challenging. You're required to be there, and the book is helpful, but it's not like he teaches out of it. It's a great deal of information, but he's very passionate and is eager to help you in any way he can. This is a class you will LEARN in, but you have to put in the work. A great professor.

3.0
5.0
GEO306
Dec 6, 2012

His lectures are very large with tons of information that really should be over a two term process in order to learn the information enough to retain it. All exams are comprehensive which covers a lot of material. Be prepared to make it your only focus in order to do well.

4.0
4.0
GEO308
Feb 1, 2013

Definitely not an easy class. Do NOT skip or you will miss a lot. He comes off smug and unfriendly but I feel he is interested in our learning. You don't need to buy the book!* For midterms, go over the review questions from the ends of the lecture slides and you pretty much have yourself an entire study guide.

2.0
4.0
GEO306
Feb 11, 2013

I took his class online and his quizzes are not worded the way they would be if you study his lectures. They're out to confuse you from your own notes. His class is a joke and the few e-mails I've gotten in reply aren't helpful.

1.0
5.0
GEO221
Feb 20, 2013

This online section of Geo is one of the hardest classes I have ever taken, and I have taken a lot of geology courses prior to this as well. It requires far more work than a 200 level class should and his instructions are incredibly unclear. He is a very tough grader and because it is an online format it is really hard to get clarification.

1.0
5.0
GEO221
Mar 18, 2013

I took this course online and it was incredibly difficult. It's a lot of work for a non-major course. His communication is basically nonexistent and when you email him for help his responses mostly just make it harder to understand. His quizzes and labs don't match his lectures at all. Don't take this course if you can avoid it!

2.0
5.0
GEO306
Mar 12, 2013

This teacher is EXTREMELY hard. I took this as a synthesis class online. His mid term and final are very hard. do not take this class if you do not have time to read and hate really hard tests.

5.0
3.0
GEO221
Apr 6, 2013

This was an awesome class. There was a lot of material presented and it demanded a lot of work on my part, but I learned more from this course than anything else. I would grade him with an A+ on teaching, grading and tests. It was not to difficult for a 200 level class, you just have to put an effort into an extensive subject.

1.0
4.0
GEO308
May 17, 2013

This prof is ridiculous. I am a straight A student and he is the worst professor I have ever had. When I approached him about time limits for the exams he said 'I am not only testing you to see if you know the material (which I do) I am testing you to see how well you know the material. Don't bother w/this professor if you can get away with it.

3.0
5.0
GEO307
Jun 4, 2013

This instructor knows his geology. Horrible class. Not geared towards student success. If you have a decent GPA, do not take this class. This is a class you will want to forget. My 4 point was lowered. It is stressful! Unrealistic test times. The midterm / final study guides are vague & useless. Grading scale is difficult. If blackboard fails 2bad

1.0
5.0
GEO307
Jun 9, 2013

WARNING! If this class is not required for your major, avoid taking it at all costs! This professor does NOT care about your learning, all he cares about is himself. I am a very attentive student and took this as an elective synthesis course - big mistake. Any help asked in emails was given little attention or care.If you value you life/time skipit

1.0
5.0
GEO307
Jun 9, 2013

WARNING! Unless this class is required for your major (god bless your soul) do NOT take this class! All other reviews are accurate, as all I learned in 307 was pain and misery. The amount of information and the way it's tested on is a complete joke. When you have 4.0 students struggling to get a C listen up. If you value your time/life then skip it

3.0
5.0
GEO221
Oct 26, 2013

If you're looking for an easy geoscience credit for your core credits, STAY AWAY! I took this class online because I work full time during the week. His lectures and labs quite literally take 4hrs to get through per lab/lecture. He grades hard, and his quizzes are hard to pass even for the most attentive note taker. He knows his stuff though!

3.0
5.0
GEO201
Dec 17, 2013

Had to fulfill a physical science for a bacc core, thought this would be a relatively easy and fun class. No. It's just too much material for an intro class. Good students struggling to get a C like another person mentioned was my experience as well. If you don't have to take this, or aren't extremely interested in the subject, take something else.

5.0
4.0
GEO307
Grade: Not_Sure_Yet
Dec 17, 2013

I am happy I took this class. The professor is extremely knowledgeable about geology. This class is NOT hard as long you have regular attendance and actually pay attention. He doesn't hold your hand like professors in 100 level classes because it is 300 level. There is a lot of condensed content that moves quickly, natural of 300 level class.

3.0
5.0
GEO221
Grade: B
Mar 30, 2014

Extremely time consuming. It is a 200 level, yet took way more time than multiple 400 level classes. I wish he had not packed so much dense material into labs and lecture readings so that I could've taken the time to really absorb all of the (markedly fascinating) information. The test difficulty also made the class unnecessarily stressful.

2.0
5.0
GEO306
Mar 18, 2015

The hardest class I have ever taken. So much material to learn. The essay questions on tests and quizzes are worded differently than on the lectures.

5.0
3.0
GEO307
Apr 15, 2014

I thought this class was incredible. I learned more from writing the research paper than I thought I would and every question I had was answered and instruction given. I had a 4.0 going in the class, and a 4.0 after the class. I'm not sure why there are so many negative reviews! The geologic settings of our National parks are amazing!

4.0
4.0
GEO221
Grade: C
Mar 19, 2015

I took this class online (online student) and received a C and Im usually an AB student. Lectures are long and contain a TON of information. I truly think it might be a little heavy for an intro class! Despite my performance, I really liked the class and learned a lot. Dr. Yalcin is very knowledgeable.

5.0
1.0
GEO201
Grade: A+
Mar 31, 2015

Great professor who is clear and concise with the course grading and expectations. Showing up to class is a must. Some memorization of mineralrock informationidentification and the Earth's basic geologic makeup is what this course is all about.

3.0
4.0
GEO307
Grade: C-
May 19, 2015

I took this class online and usually do well with online courses. This one is the hardest I've ever done. There are weekly open-note quizzes which are fine, along with opinion-based discussion board posts. The midterm and final are proctored and not even comparable in difficulty to the quizzes. Lectures are sooo long. Incredibly difficult!

2.0
5.0
GEO307
Dec 28, 2015

DON'T TAKE THIS CLASS IF YOU DON'T NEED IT FOR YOUR MAJOR. This class had me working harder than organic chemistry. Tough grader, tests are long and difficult, and lectures are too. Bought the book and didn't even need it. 67 page study guide for the final exam. Um, no thanks.

5.0
3.0
GEO201
Grade: A
Dec 29, 2015

I thought he was great. Those who had trouble in this class were students blindsided by the nature college-level coursework. You'll rarely find a professor whose expectations are so clear and lectures so well organized. Yes, you have to study and yes, you have to show up. If you try you'll be fine and Dr. Yalcin is always there to help.

5.0
4.0
GEO307
Grade: A
Jan 11, 2016

Tests are hard if you don't study. All the lectures are slide shows with lots of pictures. He allows you to print a blank set of the slides and fill in the blanks which is helpful. This was my third class of his and I enjoy his teaching style.

1.0
5.0
GEO307
Grade: D
May 31, 2016
Wouldn't take again

This class was the worst class i have ever taken! unless you are a geology major and like geology go ahead and take it but if not DONT. This teacher is so rude and made me feel so stupid. Weekly quizzes- 35 mins(not enough time) mid term and final are proctored which is stupid, hardest tests ever. I regret taking this class. HARD GRADER

5.0
4.0
GEO308
Jan 22, 2016

I don't know what everyone's deal with Dr. Yalcin was. His tests were hard and his assignments took time but he was a good teacher. I thoroughly enjoyed his lectures and he was always responded when I had question.

3.0
3.0
GEO307
Grade: B+
Jul 18, 2016
Would take again

I've taken two classes with him. Both times the expensive "supplemental reading" textbook was never truly needed to get a good grade. Save your money, all questions on exams and quizzes come straight out of the powerpoint notes. Hard grader and he doesn't let students use ProctorU. Has a slow, sleepy tone during voice overs on powerpoint slides.

4.0
3.0
GEO221
Grade: B+
Nov 17, 2016
Would take again

He was so understanding when I needed extra time to finish labs for health reasons. He was easy to communicate with an the textbook isn't necessary. Read the powerpoints, watch the videos, and you should be fine. The exams are difficult but that is what you should expect from a dense course.

Gives good feedback
Caring
2.0
4.0
GEO308
Grade: Audit/No Grade
Dec 12, 2016
Wouldn't take again

The implied "this is an eCampus course, so to expect a physical presence from me isn't intuitive with this course" was off-putting & Zero communication. The grades and expectations for quizzes felt very arbitrary and a lot of questions on quizzes and tests were very poorly written to the point where almost every question felt like a trick question.

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
LECTURE HEAVY
1.0
5.0
GEO306
Grade: F
Mar 21, 2017
Wouldn't take again

This professor is RUDE, ARROGANT. I am usually a A/B student and I received D. Never missed a day or assignment. Yalcin expects 2 in depth gramatically correct essays, and 12 multiple choice questions in 30 min time, not realistic unless your a geology major. He lectures in a monotone sluggish voice.

Tough Grader
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
LECTURE HEAVY
3.0
5.0
GEO221
May 24, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Kaplan is one of the smartest professors I've taken a class from, but the class was SO HARD because of it. He explains material so deeply, that if you're not taking great notes, you will suffer. Studying hard is absolutely mandatory to do well. Don't take this class if you're looking for an easy bacc core. On the bright side, he is quite helpful.

Tough Grader
Get ready to read
LECTURE HEAVY
2.0
4.0
GEO308
Grade: B
Aug 17, 2017
Wouldn't take again

He's sometimes difficult to hear on his powerpoints. Lectures are long and you HAVE to study and take notes in order to do well on the tests. A lot of test questions were reused quiz questions and I even saw the same repeated questions on the final that were used in the midterm. He is a pretty tough grader. If you apply yourself you should do fine.

Tough Grader
LECTURE HEAVY
3.0
4.0
GEO307
Grade: D
Aug 19, 2017
Wouldn't take again

I am a senior at Oregon State and have never received a grade below B+ but in GEO 307 I came out with a D.... That being said, he packs SOOOO much information into the lectures, and it takes forever to listen to all of them! The weekly quizzes are not too difficult, but the midterm and final are rough. Plan to spend LOTS of time studying.

Tough Grader
TEST HEAVY
LECTURE HEAVY
5.0
4.0
GEO307
Grade: A+
Nov 15, 2017
Would take again

I really like Dr. Yalcin. You must attend lectures and take notes since his powerpoints don't contain all the info you will need and he provides information that is not in the textbook. I have gotten all A's but I work hard. He's very knowledgeable and I enjoy his lectures. If you go in expecting to work hard, you'll do well and learn a lot.

Skip class? You won't pass.
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
LECTURE HEAVY
5.0
4.0
GEO201
Grade: A
Nov 15, 2017
Would take again

Really organized and easy to prepare for tests because his lectures have slides to go along with them which you can fill in as you go.

Gives good feedback
Skip class? You won't pass.
Amazing lectures
5.0
4.0
GEO201
Grade: A-
Jan 10, 2018
Would take again

Kaplan is a great teacher! Go to his office hours, he is really helpful and will turn things in your favor in the end if you need it and he knows you have worked hard. Lots of information in every lecture but as long as you study his study guides you will do well on exams

Skip class? You won't pass.
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
EXTRA CREDIT
5.0
4.0
GEO306
Grade: A
Jan 17, 2018
Would take again

Dr. Yalcin had the greatest impact on my university education. He demands your best effort but is willing to provide as much help as is necessary to ensure your success. He was always available for additional assistance. I didn't realize how much of his material would be revisited in my career as an Environmental Scientist.

Tough Grader
Gives good feedback
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
5.0
4.0
GEO201
Grade: A-
Feb 24, 2018
Would take again

Best Bacc. Core class by far!

Gives good feedback
Skip class? You won't pass.
LECTURE HEAVY
3.0
2.0
GEO306
Grade: B
Mar 19, 2018
Wouldn't take again

This was taken after GEO 221. Lectures are almost all repeats from 221. Made it easier but also kind of annoying. No lab but LOTS of 900-word position papers graded by TAs. They're tougher than he is. He's also a stickler for very specific essays on quizzes and exams.

Tough Grader
Participation matters
SO MANY PAPERS
4.0
4.0
GEO307
Jun 10, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Kaplan's class was more difficult than I expected. There was a lot of information covered during the term and for a non GEO major, it was hard to get into and absorb the material. If you're into GEO, Kaplan is a great choice and is very knowledgable on the subject. If you are taking this course for Bacc Core, it is not going to be an easy class.

Tough Grader
Gives good feedback
LECTURE HEAVY
5.0
4.0
GEO221
Grade: B+
Jun 14, 2018
Would take again

Kaplin is one of the smartest men I've ever met. Lectures are fast-paced so good notes are a must. I really enjoyed his teaching style though and he throws in a few jokes and off the cuff humor often. I'm not a Geology major so the subject was tough but if you're willing to work you'll succeed. Midterm and final are harder than the quizzes though!

Respected
Skip class? You won't pass.
LECTURE HEAVY
1.0
5.0
GEO201
Nov 13, 2018
Wouldn't take again

This class was the hardest thing I have ever taken in my entire life. He goes so fast in lecture that I had to reteach it all to myself after. The labs are impossible unless you are a geology major. Even if you study for the tests you will struggle. There is also a Saturday required field trip that takes up your entire day. Don't take this class.

Skip class? You won't pass.
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
LECTURE HEAVY
1.0
5.0
GEO307
Grade: C
Dec 3, 2018
Wouldn't take again

He is the worst teacher I've had. Do not take his course.

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
LECTURE HEAVY
5.0
4.0
GEO307
Grade: A
Nov 21, 2018
Would take again

I have taken 3 classes with Yalcin and plan to take 1 more. I think he is a great instructor! I have gotten an A in each class I have taken with him. The first class I took GEO 221 actually made me decide to change my specialization to earth systems (environmental science major). There are weekly lectures and 2 tests. Make sure to study!

TEST HEAVY
Amazing lectures
LECTURE HEAVY
3.0
4.0
GEO308
Dec 10, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Proctored midterm and final for online students

Tough Grader
1.0
5.0
GEO308
Grade: B
Feb 11, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Ugh this guy is awful. Hard grader, impossible to hear what he is saying in his PP lectures (of which there are 30+ slides to each one), no study guide for exams, weekly quizzes don't actually help prepare you for exams, utterly unhelpful answers to questions, no textbook required so only source of info is from his terrible slide lectures.

Tough Grader
LECTURE HEAVY
1.0
5.0
GEO201
Mar 13, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Not only is this guy awful at teaching, but his personality is literally THE WORST. He exhibits a low level of emotional maturity, and it is very evident that he despises his job. I went into office hours several times. Each time, he was rude and overtly dismissive. I can't recommend staying away from this dude enough.

Lots of homework
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
4.0
4.0
GEO221
Grade: B-
Mar 26, 2019
Would take again

He knows a lot and is willing to help you. Fast response to my email. His video lectures are a bit boring but easy to understand. If you do all your work and go over all the lectures then you should do fairly well. I would take this class again. Exams are ok, make sure you study the lectures and the quizzes.

Respected
Lots of homework
Get ready to read
3.0
4.0
GEO306
Jul 22, 2019
Wouldn't take again

He is a hard grader to the point where I wouldn't advise busy adults to take his class. If you're going to school online because of flexibility and time constraints, it's frustrating to use your rare free time and still end up with average grades. He also doesn't allow the use of ProctorU, so if you're in an isolated area, good luck

Respected
Lecture heavy
Tough grader
1.0
5.0
GEO307
Grade: C
Jul 23, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Never have I ever had a class so difficult. I entirely do not recommend it to anyone ever under any circumstance. I cannot clarify nor warn one enough to avoid this class and professor if at all possible. Twelve thousand billion thumbs down.

Tough grader
2.0
5.0
GEO201
Grade: C-
Dec 10, 2019
Wouldn't take again

If you are looking for a Bac-core class to take, this is not the class for you. Material is extremely difficult to understand. There are a total of 28 lectures with around 30 slides or so each lecture. If he is behind in his lectures, he will speed up very quickly. Again, don't take this class as a Bac-core, you will regret it....

Skip class? You won't pass.
Lecture heavy
Tough grader
1.0
4.0
GEO201
Grade: C+
Jan 30, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Awful class. Boring. Impossible tests. Have never received a worse grade at OSU. Seriously just don't take it. It would make sense for an upper level geo class, but not for a 200 level class where many of the students are not geo majors. He wouldn't input all the extra credit I did because he deemed my test grades unworthy even though I did it all?

Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
1.0
5.0
GEO201
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 11, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Kaplan isn't a very personable professor, when he's explaining geologic concepts it's quite confusing and hard to follow and in the end just sounds like a bunch of words. His powerpoint lectures are not organized well, so it's challenging to understand how the material is all tied together. This class is quiz and lab heavy with no extra credit too.

Test heavy
Lecture heavy
Tough grader
5.0
4.0
GEO307
Grade: A
Dec 8, 2020
Would take again

K Yalcin loves geosciences and it shows in his classes. He gives great feedback and opportunities to improve major grades but don't be fooled. He is a tough grader. Fair, but tough. Don't procrastinate or you will sink quickly! I earned an A but I worked hard for it.

Gives good feedback
Lecture heavy
Tough grader
1.0
5.0
GEO306
Jan 11, 2021
Wouldn't take again

The online lecture for the class is in powerpoint from 2004. That's four presidents ago.

1.0
4.0
GEO221
Feb 1, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Can I give a rating less than 1? This class, on what would normally be a very interesting subject, is butchered by little to no feedback and decades-old stale blue slide PowerPoint lectures. Half of the time, the slides don't even contain keywords pertaining to what's on quizzes, so good luck notetaking. Too much of this class is based on Google.

Get ready to read
Tough grader
3.0
4.0
GEO307
Grade: A
Jun 2, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Extremely knowledgeable, but lectures were too long (e-campus) and disjointed. Time allotted for quizzes and exams was too short, even with lots of prep. Make sure you write out the answers to end-of-lecture review questions. Don't wait until last minute to do term project.

Gives good feedback
Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
1.0
5.0
GEO221
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 15, 2021
Wouldn't take again

WOW! ONLY IF I could rate this class a zero. There is just zero synergy at all with the course material, what so ever. Grading is crazy hard and doesn't even give feedback. The professor himself/TA's are rude and literally don't care about teaching the right information. Stay away, I truly believe this professor should not be in the teaching scene.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Lecture heavy
Tough grader
1.0
5.0
GEO307
Jun 4, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Run. Run fast. Run far. Don't turn back. If there is any other option for the requirement, take it. I guess if you want a professor who just likes to type about himself with no constructive feedback at all, then this is your class.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Lecture heavy
Tough grader
2.0
3.0
GEO201
Grade: A+
Nov 15, 2021
Wouldn't take again

he really seems like he doesn't want to be there. just another professor stuck in a lower level class trying to make it as hard as possible.

Test heavy
Lecture heavy
2.0
4.0
GEO307
Grade: B-
Nov 18, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Very prideful and interesting in teaching the class. Quizzes are hard and attendance wasn't necessary, but highly recommended . Go to class and prepare for quizzes. Quizzes and exams were done online so it was a lot easier.

Gives good feedback
Graded by few things
Test heavy
3.0
4.0
GEO201
Grade: A
Dec 9, 2021
Would take again

GEO201 was my hardest class this term, but once you get the rhythm down, you'll be okay. I would recommend taking notes before or after class so you can just listen to his lectures. Also, download his slides and open them in PowerPoint to view his more detailed notes. Beware, if you do not put lots of effort into this class, you won't succeed.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
4.0
4.0
GEO221
Grade: A
Dec 11, 2021
Would take again

This class is for people genuinely interested in the subject and good at time management. The PowerPoint lectures were long, so not for one sitting. Tests were open notes BUT challenging with essay questions. There is no hand holding; there is no extra credit. He always responded quickly to questions. His posted lab videos were helpful.

Accessible outside class
Lecture heavy
5.0
4.0
GEO221
Feb 24, 2022
Would take again

Took Geo 221 online, usually 2 lectures a week (around 40 slides long), quiz each week with essay questions (be specific), and 1 lab a week. Not difficult work, but somewhat tedious. Prof. is great at reaching out of he feels you need help. Tries to work with you to achieve the grade you would want if you are struggling. Graded super fast.

2.0
4.0
GEO307
Grade: B
Apr 26, 2022

The quizzes give you a hilariously limited amount of time to complete 10 T/F and an essay question. Regardless if you study, the essay questions will be extremely specific that were hardly mentioned in the notes and require you to give a lengthy response when by this point in the quiz you will only have 10 min to type as fast as humanly possible

Lots of homework
Beware of pop quizzes
Graded by few things
1.0
3.0
GEO308
Grade: B
Jun 15, 2022

Dr Yalcin provided lectures through PP which was outdated, stale, and difficult to absorb. PP's were difficult and long. The class consisted of 2-3 PP's on each subject with 30 slides packed with information that you had to figure out on your own. If you're trying to enjoy the subject, this class is not for you.

Tough grader
Get ready to read
Lecture heavy
1.0
3.0
GEO308
Apr 28, 2022

Outdated resources for this course. It appears the PowerPoints were created a long time ago (2000s) with audio clips inserted into each slide. Very inefficient and also no editing. As there is coughing and other noises in the audio. I would expect OSU technology resources to be used and course updates required at least every 5 years.

1.0
4.0
GEO307
Grade: B-
Nov 19, 2022

Canvas was down the day of our final and he refused to reschedule, I sent him an email with screen shots showing my attempts to get in, he -with the knowledge that I have DAS accommodations- told me that I should really start taking tests with them since the help I needed was beyond his ability. OK, since canvas is down It is my disabilities fault?

Tough grader
Test heavy
5.0
3.0
GEO201
Grade: A
Dec 6, 2022
Would take again

About to finish GEO201 this was my first term here at OSU. I really loved Kaplan, super funny and nice. His lectures were concise and easy to understand. I did not go to class often and am still ending up with an A. I reviewed slides for quizzes and tests and worked hard to do well on labs. Easy class if you put the effort in, hardly any homework.

Hilarious
5.0
4.0
GEO221
Grade: A+
Dec 9, 2022
Would take again

All reviews are valid whether you liked Yalcin or not. The class is HARD, no feedback, the labs are long, and there is SO much material. My biggest issue was the TA, who was not only a hard grader but wrong. Yalcin is reachable and willing to review. Yalcin is extremely smart and a great teacher. If you work hard you'll do well and learn so much!!

Amazing lectures
Lots of homework
4.0
3.0
GEO308
Grade: A
Mar 20, 2023
Would take again

The material you learn from are 2-3 PowerPoints/week (30 slides each). Each slide has audio with a transcript in the notes. He's not a great speaker, so put the transcripts into a good TTS (Google's is great). He also has supplemental videos to provide an overview of the topics for each week. The assignments are engaging, DBs are okay (5 of them).

1.0
1.0
GEO201
Grade: A
Mar 21, 2023

Overheard him say on our field trip that if a student proves their incompetence then he wont bother with them and he will just move on. I had just asked him a question in front of a group of students and he told me to go ask other students and not him. A professors job is to clarify confusion on behalf of the students, not belittle them.

1.0
3.0
GEO221
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 5, 2023

Only had him for a day, and I can already tell that I am not a fan. I emailed him once and the response was a turn off for sure. Planning to switch my Bacc-Core.

Get ready to read
Participation matters
1.0
4.0
GEO307
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 23, 2023

I'll refrain from mentioning the overall quality of professors at Oregon State in general, Mr. Yalcin is no exception. The course content consists of PowerPoint slides, all of which have no structure or organization. The content is jumbled and confusing, and his expectations on the quizzes and assignments are not realistic or transparent.

Tough grader
Lecture heavy
Graded by few things
4.0
3.0
GEO307
Grade: A-
Jun 6, 2023
Would take again

Maybe it's because I'm a Geo Minor, but the reviews for this teacher surprised me. The class is extremely simple and the powerpoints, while long, are simple as well. The quizzes are short and easy, with only the writing questions being dificult. The term project was really easy too, I've written harder papers in easier classes.

Gives good feedback
Lecture heavy
3.0
4.0
GEO221
Grade: Rather not say
Sep 9, 2023
Would take again

The lectures are all PowerPoints that you can access on Canvas, so it does make the lecture a little boring. The labs are pretty simple as long as you are learning from the lecture and going to the labs. The field trip was also pretty fun. Kaplan does show empathy and will help you out if you are willing to show that you care.

Participation matters
Lecture heavy
5.0
2.0
GEO201
Grade: A
Nov 30, 2023
Would take again

Mostly just reads off of the same slides he's had for 20 years but the info he adds as he's going along is insanely helpful. He's easy to talk to, and when he shows up in the labs he's a lot of fun. Not sure what all the negative reviews are about, he's great.

Clear grading criteria
Lecture heavy
4.0
3.0
GEO221
Dec 12, 2023
Would take again

lecture heavy on slides but test and quizzes are easy if you've read through the powerpoints. discussion boards are enganging and was responded quickly by email when i needed help

5.0
3.0
GEO201
Grade: A+
Dec 20, 2023
Would take again

Dr. Yalcin is one of the best teachers I've ever had. While his slides seem outdated by at least a couple years, the content in his lectures adds to them and makes them easy to understand. He showed up to every lab except for one, and the field trip was great. There are a couple classes I'm planning on taking in the future because he teaches them.

Clear grading criteria
Caring
Accessible outside class
4.0
3.0
GEO201
Grade: B+
Feb 24, 2024
Would take again

I took Geo 201 with Kaplan and it was pretty alright, if you are a CEOS major its interesting, otherwise you might have a tough time with some concepts. This class has an online quiz a week which was easy, the only reason the difficulty is so high is because of the lab exam, that was pretty bad.

Gives good feedback
2.0
5.0
GEO201
Grade: A
Mar 21, 2024

3rd yr CEOS student and this class was the HARDEST class ive ever taken. You have to work VERY hard to get an A in this class. Trick questions & essay questions on exams and he takes points off for every little thing. The labs are practical and interesting but will take you ALL DAY to complete. I do not recommend 1st yrs to take this class at ALL.

Tough grader
Lots of homework
Test heavy
1.0
5.0
GEO201
Grade: Drop/Withdrawal
Jan 12, 2025

I would rather take physics.

Lots of homework
4.0
4.0
GEO201
Grade: B+
Jan 30, 2025
Would take again

Kaplan's classes can be challenging, but staying engaged and using resources like Unstuckstudy make it manageable. The lectures cover a lot, so taking notes before or after helps absorb the content. The labs are time-consuming but worthwhile.

2.0
3.0
GEO308
Grade: Not sure yet
Feb 24, 2025

As I said before, in Geo 201, there are a lot of labs to do, weekly quizzes with essays, and too short a time to do it. If you don't write very fast, you will miss it!! Pay attention to what you write because he will take off a lot of points. Better this class, but I will not take any class with him anymore.

Tough grader
Lots of homework
So many papers
2.0
4.0
GEO201
Grade: B+
Mar 3, 2025

Geo 201 this class took up most of my time this term. I didn't find the concepts too challenging but the amount of content you go through is high. The "lectures" were outdated powerpoint slides with a voice over. Labs are long and confusing. Grading is tough, prepare to put in lots of hours. Wont take a class from him again.

2.0
4.0
GEO201
Grade: B
Mar 4, 2025

I wanted to like the class, but it ended up being disappointing. I could see Dr. Yalcin's passion and wanting to teach geology, but he also has a superiority complex and a really poor Canvas page. I enjoyed parts of the class, and I respect Dr. Yalcin, but he desperately needs to improve his eCampus presence, or maybe stop teaching online classes.

Tough grader
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
1.0
5.0
GEO201
Grade: Not sure yet
Mar 10, 2025

Not a good professor at all!! Out of mind!! Get ready to have weekly quizzes with 35 minutes and 20 questions with four essays and the lab. Pay attention to the exam because it is insane!!! cross mapping and 25 complete essays in 110 minutes.... be ready.... can't wait to finish. This class can destroy your GPA.

Tough grader
Lots of homework
Accessible outside class
1.0
4.0
GEO201
Grade: C-
Mar 14, 2025

Professor Yalcin refuses to care about the wellness of his students, calls them out very loudly about confidential material, as well as is a rude person in general. The work load is more than heavy, and I would avoid taking this course, respectfully. Professor Yalcin is disrespectful, and a harsh professor (not in a motivational way).

Tough grader
Lots of homework
Lecture heavy
1.0
5.0
GEO307
Grade: B
Apr 14, 2025

Professor Yalcin has mastered the art of appearing like he's giving guidance while actually just dodging student questions and offering no meaningful engagement with your work. Any attempt at clarification is met with deflections, as if acknowledging a student's perspective threatens his authority. hoped to like this class but wasn't given a chance

Tough grader
1.0
4.0
GEO307
Grade: B
Apr 17, 2025

There's a lot of work in this class, leaving me not much time to work on anything else. Answers to questions are also vague and confusing. Not his biggest fan.

1.0
5.0
GEO307
Jun 10, 2025

Would give zero stars if I could. Don't take his classes.

1.0
5.0
GEO307
Jun 10, 2025

horrible and mean. superiority complex. ew.

1.0
4.0
GEO307
Grade: B-
Jun 10, 2025

lost his passion for teaching. does not care to see anyone succeed in his class. should retire

3.0
2.0
GEO307
Grade: Not sure yet
Oct 14, 2025
Would take again

You can tell he cares about his students. Will let you make up some quizzes if you miss them, gives great feedback and suggestions. Quizzes are very class-relevant. I recommend typing notes because he talks fast. Communication is key, but overall, pretty chill dude.

Gives good feedback
Caring
Test heavy
2.0
4.0
GEO201
Grade: A-
Dec 4, 2025
Would take again

Kaplan very obviously loves geology, and I will give him credit for being enthusiastic. But it comes at the cost of being approachable. The labs are written in a way that is clunky to have to deal with and take forever! Oh, and also don't forget anything from the lab because theres and end of term lab quiz! I liked physics better than this.

Tough grader
Lots of homework
5.0
3.0
GEO201
Grade: A
Dec 8, 2025
Would take again

I'm not sure why people rate Dr.Yalcin so low. I thought he was a very passionate and caring professor, he is easily available and wants you to learn. Labs are hands on and easy to follow, although the lab exam was very hard. As long as you study your notes, labs, and pay attention in class, you will be alright.

Lecture heavy
Test heavy
Accessible outside class
2.0
4.0
GEO201
Grade: B+
Dec 20, 2025

So much content and vocab he expects you to know it all. I do not recommend taking this class 'for fun' if u are not in a geology related major. I took 19 credits and wish i did not take this class, u WILL need to study significantly outside of class.Wore the same outfit every class.. felt like dejavu. He was not approachable, made me feel anxiou

Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

63%

Textbook Required

46%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

95% confidence
Based on 54 grades
Most common grades:
A (15)
B (9)
B+ (7)
Grade Distribution
A(20)B(13)C(7)D(3)F(1)A-/B+(11)
Based on 65 reported grades
A: 15
B: 9
B+: 7
Not sure yet: 7
Common Tags
Lecture heavy (19)
Tough grader (18)
Skip class? You won't pass. (13)
LECTURE HEAVY (13)
Gives good feedback (11)
Tough Grader (11)
Test heavy (11)
Lots of homework (10)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.78 avg change
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Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

GEO202

4.0

(1)

GEO221

3.3

(23)

GEO201

3.1

(37)

GEO306

2.6

(11)

GEO308

2.5

(14)
+1 more courses
Difficulty by Course

GEO307

4.2

GEO221

4.0

GEO306

4.0

GEO202

4.0

GEO201

3.8

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