3.0
Quality3.7
Difficulty45%
Would Retake104
Reviews45%
Would Retake
104
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
104 total ratings5
21
4
24
3
25
2
23
1
11
What Students Say
“Mario taught me to love”
GRY142 - 5.0 rating“The class wasn't interesting at all and I learned nothing”
GRY351 - 2.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
17%
Textbook Required
44%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
-0.04 avg changeRatings by Course
GRY535
5.0
(1)135
4.0
(1)GRY145
4.0
(1)WEATHER
4.0
(1)GRY135
3.4
(38)Difficulty by Course
GRY147
5.0
GRG142
5.0
GRY100
4.2
142
4.0
GRY145
4.0
Reviews (103)
CAN'T TEACH! Class average on first 2 tests were 42% & 58% - I dropped!
Class was hard...Sucked...But HUGE CURVE... Normalized Grades!
Material is not organized; his speech is often hard to understand.
Heavy accent, hard to understand some words, especially any word with the letter H. Covers material very well, outline would help. All you can do is take notes and wait for the test review sheet, otherwise, don't know what to study. Can be boring.
No Comments
Lectures are pointless! His French Canadian accent is impossible to understand. Gave study guide before each test and normalized grades accordingly. Tests I normally would have failed I ended up with a C.
spent more time trying to understand what he was saying (what he was talking aboot)
Horrible teacher!! every time he says third, it sounds like****. DONT TAKE HIM!!!
Very hard to follow what is going on. Not as interesting as this class should be. He curves his grades, but probably because he is so strict on the answers.
He covers material well, and it makes sense if you listen. Only work you do outside his class is study for the tests and there are only 3. Just study for the tests and follow his helpful study guide and you'll do fine. Nice guy too.
He is a really nice guy and really knows his stuff. Just study and add an H to almost everything he says and then it will be easy to understand. ex: "te"=the, and "ert"=earth
He's not at all hard to understand. He lectures for most of the whole class period, but he tries to include the students by asking questions and inviting comments. He grades as is on tests, but curves the grade. Just pay attention and you'll get it.
Dr. Daoust is very helpful. On occasion his accent is somewhat hard to understand. He weights exams which I find helpful.
His accent makes it difficult to understand what hes saying and he doesn't repeat anything unless you specifically ask. You write 2 10-12 page papers and his tests are mostly essay and short answer and they're very difficult. The class wasn't interesting at all and I learned nothing.
He's not as bad as the previous person wrote! The 2 papers are all you really do. You only have 3(sometimes 2 ) tests the whole semester that are only worth like 10% of your grade. He grades pretty leniently on the papers too. He is very knowledgable about world issues
good teacher and really nice, will help you whenever you ask. he gives a good curve as long as you dont have smart people in your class. also an A starts at 85%. His accent takes a class or two to get the hang of but is easy enough to understand.
He is very nice and helpful but hard to understand when he starts talking fast. Take good notes, that is where all of his test questions come from. He used a curve on all of our tests.
Dont take this class unless you have to! Dr Daoust is unfortunatly sucidily boring. his notes are very longwinded and he rushed through them. I have fallen asleep EVERY class so far. All we ever learnt was atmospheric stuff cause thats his speciality.
Hes a really sweet man and will do everything to help you if you ask. He doesnt always understand your question though. Very knowledgeable. Just show up and review the wonderful study guide and you will get a B at least
The only way you won't understand him is if you're a moron. The guy's A grade starts at 85%, he gives 7/10 on labs by default. He knows what he's talking about.
He covers way to much material in lecture that isn't on the test. He thinks much of the material is important and says that but it isn't on the test. Test reviews are extremeley long. The grading scale is altered so 85-100 is an A and so on but it is a hard boring class. Daust also doesn't like to answer Qs or slow down.
He seems like a nice guy but the lecture is too much information!! And there only 3 tests. Make sure you go to the lab class because that will help your grade alot!!
This class was really hard, but Dr. Daoust was an awesome teacher. He definatly knows his stuff and is more than willing to go into greater detail to explain something if you just ask him. Really nice guy, although his thick, french accent makes it a little difficult to understand him at times.
I thought it was going to be easy until the first test. The tests suck big time. Also reviews are really long. But if you like science, then u should take him.
Absolutely horrible class, but he's a pretty good professor. French Canadian, so he can be hard to understand at times, and he covers way too much information that isn't on the tests. The study guide is pretty much uselss as well. But if you always attend class and take really good notes, and study hard, an A isn't too difficult.
He was a nice professor, but he wasn't very clear on things. He basically was teaching the class as if everyone already knew the material. Your grades will be based on a series of four tests that are HARD I might add and Monday lab assignments which don't count that much toward your grade.
I feel asleep EVERY single day. He uses power points for notes every day (with barely any light, which adds to the sleepiness) and they are very wordy, and disorganized. It never seemed like we were ever studying 1 specific topic, and he gives assigned seats.... just don't do it.
Great teacher and a pretty fun class. Tests are a bit hard but are curved by like 10% and you only have to have an 85% for an A.
Has a very strong accent so is very hard to understand...lectures are made up of power points and just reads it with and use the pointer while you write it down...computer suggested because there is alot of info to wirte down.
I am not a science major, but I studied so hard for his tests and no matter what I still got C's. I happened to have an awesome lab guy, so I pulled through with a B but do NOT take this if you want any easy science GED.
Some people complain about the clarity of his accent but as a Canadian myself, I have no trouble understanding. The class can be pretty tough, but if you just go to the classes and get the important part of the notes down, then you should be fine. The lab section is EXTREMELY easy.
Don't take this class! He is extremely boring and his tests are extremely hard, if you miss one day you fall behind
Dr. Daust is a good teacher, at times he was hard to understand because of his French Canadian accent, and some times his lectures had long explanations for simple concepts, but overall he is a very thorough teacher, who cares about his students. TAKE HIM
The man is boring, hard to understand, and his lectures are long. He's a nice man, but his tests are almost impossible to pass. The only way to pass is if you do well in the lab. It's not an easy Gen Ed, but its okay.
Awesome professor. He makes geography interesting. Also, he curves the test grades 10-15%, and you only need an 85% for an A.
Great class! Really interesting. Test's aren't too bad and if everyone is not doing well then he will curve the exams.
He is enthusiastic and super-smart, but SO hard to understand. I don't usually have a difficult time w/ accents but his was rough. The subject matter is relatively easy, but the tests are still challenging, making note taking essential. He's very willing to answer questions or repeat things if you can't understand. Can skip a lot and still do ok
I took approx. 130 pages of notes typed. You dont attain any info from lecture because there is so many notes. Labs are easy and gives step by step instructions. Test are not to hard, grading scale is super easy
Hard to understand at first but he knows the subject very well and can be helpful if you know what he's saying. You will take tons of notes and the tests are long but are not too difficult. Go to the classes and take notes and you should be able to get an easy B with minimal effort
His accent didn't bother me but he went over too much material in too short of a time! He doesn't put PowerPoints on Blackboard so if you don't get everything written down you're out of luck. Lab was pretty easy and helped your grade.
Dr. Daost knows his stuff and is very willing to help students learn. The class is very broad and covers a lot of ground for one semester.
Attendance is mandatory, class is a lot of notes. Way to much material in a short amount of time. Tests are rough even when you study.
I really liked this class. I knew next to nothing when I started and learned a ton this semester. Daoust is very nice and personable, and very knowledgable. You'll take a ton of notes, but the powerpoints are well-organized, so it's not hard to follow along. If you show up and take notes you should do well; I don't recommend missing the lectures.
He was awesome. Has a bit of an accent but he is understandable. He is really nice and funny. The class takes a lot of notes, but if you take good notes you won't have to open the book all semester. He was my favorite professor this semester.
There is a ton of notes, so bring your laptop. He wants his students to understand it and tries but fails at it. he has an accent which at times it is hard to understand. Way to hard for a gen ed class!
This was a great class and Dr. Daoust was a wonderful teacher! There is no book, just powerpoint slides (sometimes it was a hard to stay awake so early in the morning looking at slides in the dark). There are only three tests and two papers. My advice: get started on the papers early!!! :)
Out of all my professors I have had so far in Geography he is my favorite. A little hard to stay awake or go at 8 in the morning but he makes it interesting and really does try and engage you in the material. Tests are pretty hard but if you go to class their not to bad. There are 2 15 page papers u have to do for the class but they are easy.
He has been the biggest mentor for me in college. He is a genius and an excellent teacher, always willing to go out of his way to help his students. Most importantly, he practices what he preaches! You will find him always walking around Springfield instead of polluting with a vehicle!
Mario is a very interesting guy. The class is divided up into about 3 sections and the one about the atmosphere is the toughest because he specializes in that area. I didn't enjoy the class and thankfully the lab helped my grade out, but I plan on taking him for other classes because I enjoyed him as a professor.
Very difficult class. Do not, DO NOT miss class, your test grade will reflect it. There is a lot of material covered, so not studying is not an option. In order to pass this class, you will need to spend a lot of time outside of class studying. Do not underestimate this class at all.
He is the only GRY 135 professor at the moment, so if you want this class you have no other choice. I personally did not find his accent hard to understand. If enough people ask about a certain topic he will show you extra information about it without it being on the test. Slides are too wordy. Paraphrase them.
This class is HARD. DO NOT miss class, STUDY your notes and textbook NIGHTLY, dont try to reach him thru email, he wont reply. If your good at long lengthy lectures u will be fine. But this class is very hard and requires a lot of study time.. STUDY STUDY STUDY. dont take if you dont have to...
Weather and Climate was a challenging course, and it wasn't any help to Dr. Daoust. He just stands and lectures you and assumes you understand what is going on. He never uses textbook, and tells you not to bring it to class. He isn't very helpful when it comes to classwork, nor is he lenient w/ assignments or tests. The tests are very difficult.
Mario is a great professor. He is challenging but if you go to class and take notes you will be fine. He ALWAYS gives a step by step study guide before the test and even has a test review day before each test. Definitely an interesting topic as well.
Dry lectures, inaccessible, information overload.. The class test average was a C at best.
Dr. Daoust is awesome! Sure he gives a lot of information, but this is college, you should expect to take notes. If you want to actually learn something, take this class. Tests are multiple choice, but they are difficult. Know the study guide. Dr. Daoust is super nice though, and he'll always clarify if you ask him to.
The is a lot of information in the lectures. The tests are multiple choice and True/False, but they ask about the littlest details. The lab helps cushion your grade though. It is not impossible to pass this class, but you do have to work at it.
Labs aren't too hard. Lectures are long and monotonous. Way too much information on each slide and sometimes he would go too fast. Doesn't post ANYTHING on blackboard. Hard to follow. Tests are difficult and study guides don't help too much. Every test had to be curved at least 15% because they're that hard, but he drops your lowest test score
This class is definitely not a blow-off class. The tests are really hard. You can't just study the night before and expect to get a good grade on the tests. You have to study a week in advance and hope he does a curve. The labs are what save your grade.
Pretty funny guy with an even more funny accent (french-canadian). Don't need a textbook because his lectures encompass all test material. If you can listen to a lecture and go to class, you'll definitely do well.
I was top of my class in high school but I was weak in science and this class was worse. It's very bad to take if it's a weak subject for you-- I struggled a lot. Daoust is a very nice guy, but he only does trick questions on his tests and moves through the slides too fast for you to write everything down. Only take it if you enjoy science.
Think this is a blow off class to fulfill your Gen Ed science requirement? Guess again! LONG lectures (heavy french accent), crosswords left and right, and the tests are rough. That being said, the class is interesting if you like weather, Daoust seems like a nice guy, and I'm sure he would be helpful if you visited his office...
Tough class to say the least. His lectures are very dry and filled with LOTS of note taking. Tests are borderline impossible. Each test averaged around a 15% curve. The good thing is there is no final, just a post test that you can swap out for your lowest test grade if you do well on it. Just three tests. The labs and crosswords save your grade.
3 tests, 2 papers. All worth 20% of your grade. The papers are expected to be between 15-30 pages, so if you can't write even 1, the class isn't for you. Test material taken directly from powerpoints, and he gives you the powerpoints to study. Each test is composed of short answers, essays, and multiple choice.
He knows a lot about weather and climate so he tends to lecture long but he knows his tests are hard so he grades on a huge curve
Dauost is an extremely though professor. He purposefully tries to trick students on tests but does curve them. His lectures are long and he goes super fast through the powerpoints to where you cant even finish writing. Crosswords and lab save your grade but lab is very dry and boring.
He's a nice guy if you actually talk to him, but not being a science major the tests and overall concepts were hard to understand. Make sure to do ALL the labs and the crosswords cause it really will save your grade, and the GA's are usually pretty helpful if you go to them.
He is sometimes hard to understand. I gave up writing notes and just took pictures of the slides and typed them later. There is ALOT. He crams alot into each of the three exams. Make or break you and the only lecture grade. The lab was a lab and thats what saved me.
This class was difficult because of the tests. He is willing to help explain anything from the lectures to help you understand it better. The lab portion helps your grade too and relates to topics discussed in lecture. When studying for the tests, I suggest you find what way you study best because tests can be tricky. Interesting class though.
He was so tough. This was a 100 level class and it felt like a 300 level class. He was nice just tough. The lab saved my butt!!
I took this class my first semester on campus &didn't do every well, so I retook it the next fall &it was still just as hard & boring. He curves the test grades, but they are still hard. The only grades are 3 exams, taking notes is impossible cause he goes pretty fast. Attendance isn't required. Do amazing in the lab & it will be your saving grace.
Professor Daoust was a good teacher, Weather and Climate was just a hard class in general. Very helpful if you need it. Gives study guides and grades on a curve.
Lecture is so boring. The tests are so hard there is almost no point in studying. If the average grade is a D you'd think he'd realize he needs to make them easier but he doesn't. Labs are pretty pointless but they'll save your grade. A very long and monotonous two hours. Would not suggest taking for gen ed course. Gen ed courses should be easier
He knows what he's talking about but it's so boring. It's hard to pay attention because he reads every single word off every single slide. The slides are long so you have to be fast when taking notes. His tests are very hard, but he will send a study guide that has most the information on it. This class is not very exciting and is pretty difficult.
Ok I'll be honest I went to probably 10 lectures all semester. The lectures are very boring at 9 AM. He is a nice and funny guy. I'm just not a geography buff. I would cram the night before every test and would manage a high B after the curve. Do well in the lab and you should be fine!
Weather and Climate tests were VERY hard. Most class averages were around 65% with around 10-15 A's in a 110 person class. The lab was VERY Easy as long as you work with a partner.
He was a very interesting teacher and I learned more in this class than any other one in college. Go to class because the lectures are the only thing on the test. Very hard tests, but massive curves on all of them and the exam takes away your lowest one. The labs are easy and will boost your grade up a ton. I loved this class!
Lecture are informational if you go. But the test have anything that he says and that are in the book. Lots of material. If you are struggling with test, he can refer you to a tutor. But if you go to class and actually listen you'll do average. You really have to know the information for tests because is are no other assignments.
Lectures are long and fast and the tests, well, you can feel your butthole be lose after one. They can be long and intense as well, and his accent is not that bad, you just have to pay attention. Attendance is really not required, however he checks it and knows if you need help or not. The lab GA was janky and confusing as all get out.
You aren't required to go to class but I definitely recommend it. He explains things in more detail and it is super helpful when studying for the tests. The lab helps tremendously with your grade, as long as you have a good GA. Also don't even bother buying the whole book pckg required for the class the only thing you need is the lab work book
Good professor, very knowledgeable about his specific field, which is Weather and Climate, and he will spend about half the semester on that topic. T/F and multiple choice tests. There's a post test that can replace the score of one of the first two tests (3 tests, no cumulative final). Tests are pretty hard, so do well in the lab.
Not too bad of a class. The lab portion helps boost your grade a lot so do well in that and it can help with tests. Don't bother buying the book, rented it and didn't open it except once or twice. He curves grades and offers a final that can help but not hurt your grade. Overall, just make sure you go to class and pay attention and you'll be good
You don't even have to go to his class. He's a tough grader but curves every test. You can easily learn the material on your own as long as you study and pass it no problem.
Daoust was a great professor, very helpful and positive, but this class was extremely hard. The grade was based on 3 tests and lab reports. As far as the labs, they start out really easy but get harder and harder throughout the semester. On all 3 of our tests the class average was in the 60% so be prepared to study.
Very little about climate change. Study guides are worthless as it basically covers everything he covers in class. He provides slides online to study for exams. Exams are curved but they are ridiculous with focus on very particular things rather than helping you understand weather. Labs do help boost your grade but they are busy work. Old material.
It's a lecture heavy, fast paced class. His Power points are very concise and he puts all of them online. The study guides are rather useless, but if you pay attention to the lecture the tests aren't terrible. He also curved all three tests in my class to help people's grades.
Dr. Daoust is a great lecturer. I have had a previous class with him and he definetly knows his material. Lectures and tests are a lot of info but just study well in advance for them. He gives curves to his tests too. 3 tests and 2 papers for the semester each worth 20% of your grade. If you put in the work for this class it is easy to pass.
He's a good teacher. It's just a hard class. The material is difficult. He lectures the whole class period. He does put the powerpoints online so that's hopeful when studying for a test. However, there's only three test. He does curve all the scores by around 15%.
He is a nice person and is very insightful but if you don't like learning about the atmosphere you will struggle. The tests are ridiculously hard. The lab offered with the course is a grade saver so I would strongly recommend doing all the assigned homework and crossword puzzles. It's not him, it's the class and the test.
Professor Daoust has the cutest accent ever. That alone will help you through this class. He has a cheery attitude and is clearly passionate about weather. However, this class is NOT easy. You won't be studying easy things like tornadoes, you're gonna be learning about levels of atmosphere. You have to study a lot as you only really have 3 grades
Took him for GRY 135, he DOES NOT use email, so if you don't check blackboard every day you might miss something important. The tests have little to no semblance to the notes he says to use and are more putting the theories into practice rather than just regurgitating facts. His accent makes it hard to understand at times as well.
You are graded on 3 tests over the course of the entire semester and that's it, make sure to study plenty the night before and do good in the lab. That 40% will be your saving grace.
Just save yourself the time and try to avoid this as a seated class. Everyone says its a super easy online class. The labs are easier because theyre on excel. But Daoust just makes everything harder. Not a bad guy, but the class is just made too difficult. I wish I could back in time and spare myself the pain.
Mario is a great guy and really cares about his students. I only had him half the semester because his wife passed away mid semester and I really missed him when he left. The tests are fairly hard but he curves them a LOT and as long as you study and do well on labs (which are all math and excel) you'll get an A.
An absolute unit. Mario is a god among men and a professor of professors. Lord Daoust flips our worldly perspective on its head, rips out our hearts and dangles them tantalizingly before us, and teaches us to find ourselves. Dr. Mario taught me to love. He taught me to hate. He taught me how to classify igneous rocks and he taught me to live.
By far one of my most hated class at MSU (besides math 135). I failed all of my lecture exams. The lab exams were easier . I scored all as on them. His lectures are heavy and boring. Idk what the purpose is behind this course, it is hard for no reason. Powerpoints are long and study guides dont match exams. He does curve the exams. The worst
No matter how much I studied for exams, attended class or asked questions, I COULD NOT do well on his tests. He does curve tests significantly, but his tests are really darn specific and he isn't clear about what will be on the test. You are only graded on 4 tests and a project, so there isn't much to help you if you don't do well on the exams
Mario is a great person and really cares about his students but doesn't respond to emails and takes FOREVER to grade. A good man and a good professor just kinda meh.
I love Mario. He is a sweet man and so passionate about his climate and weather. I am taking another class with him next semester. He is a tough grader for his tests but if you study you will most definitely pass. Sadly I think he is retiring but he was amazing and I learned sooooooooooo much. Yay weather.
Only grades were four really hard exams and two 15 page reports. Study guides do not match the exams, I failed the first exam because I studied the study guide.. The exams are ridiculously and unreasonably hard, very specific and 50% of the exam is short answer and ESSAYS. The amount of work I do vs the grades I receive in this class are not equal
not at all what i thought this class would be, since hes a climatologist the class is mostly focused around climate instead of conservation of natural resources, the title of the class. attending class is a waste of time, study guides are useless and tests are insanely difficult. never got feedback on any of the 5 grades, which are hard to improve
Very hard tests and quizzes, have to study a lot for them. Grade based on tests and monthly reports that are 10 pages long. Really a lot of work and really hard for a basic gen-Ed class. He seems like a nice teacher though, just really difficult.
Do not buy the textbook, you will not use it!! Tests are extremely hard but he always curves them. Very interesting guy who is passionate about his work.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
17%
Textbook Required
44%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
-0.04 avg changeRatings by Course
GRY535
5.0
(1)135
4.0
(1)GRY145
4.0
(1)WEATHER
4.0
(1)GRY135
3.4
(38)Difficulty by Course
GRY147
5.0
GRG142
5.0
GRY100
4.2
142
4.0
GRY145
4.0