Wow a very good teacher. If you are a student that doesn't like to read he is a good teacher for you to take. His test come from the notes and the test are a few words short of the study guide.

very very nice man. Easy class because he grades on a huge curve.

works with you! and does anything he can do to make you succeed in his class...if you cant make an A in this class then your an idiot..i made an A an school is hard as hell for me!

Dr. Balinsky was one of my best professors I had at TCC. I took him for both OCE and ESC. He enjoys what he teaches. An easy A, just go to class.

Mr. Balinsky was a great teacher. I took him for Earth Science. His lectures were always on powerpoint, and they were always put online as well. It's an extremely easy class. Easy A

Professor has notes and study guides online, makes it easy to study for exams, but go to class! He mentions things in class that aren't in the notes, and also gives random extra credit for attendance. The book isn't really necessary, he shows the pictures from it in class, but you don't really need your own copy. Good professor, great class!

AWESOME teacher! Science was my least favorite subject, but he made it really interesting! You'll want to attend. He is so genuine and nice and just a really good guy and great teacher!!

I enjoyed Mr. Balinsky's class. He does not require the book. Everything is on black board. His lectures are a little dry; however, he has a great sense of humor and is very patient with obnoxious students. He reqires a lot of review for his tests, yet give a excellent grading curve. He drops lowest test grade. Overall he is a great teacher!

An extremely well prepared teacher. Uses good delivery methods to get the material across and knows what he's talking about. Even if you are completely uninterested in the subject of Earth Science, just by attending class you will learn a great deal.

Very easy. No text book needed. All notes posted on blackboard. Attend classes for EXTRA credit.

Awesome teacher! Class is boring but if you come you get extra credit, notes are online

Ballinsky grades on a huge curve. You will learn some. Not alot though and the curve thing looks bad on him. He does that cause people do bad on the exam. Just saying. Nice guy though.

Boring class but he is an easy teacher and a nice guy. He makes really corny joke you cant help but laugh. Notes online, gives a study guide, grades on a curve and drops your lowest test grade. He takes attendance everyday(not mandatory) but he gives a lot of extra credit..so go to class!

He's so nice and a really good professor. Class can be kind of boring at times if you arent super interested in geology but tests are easy if you do the study guide. He doesn't give quizzes or hw but he does take attendance. I'd take him again for sure! Great guy.

Before this class, not interested at ALL about geology. He made the class fun enough to get thru and is veryyyyyyyyyyyy lenient . No hw, no quizzes, lots of chances for extra credit. No reason for a bad grade even if you BARELYY come to class.

He is a great teacher. Corny yes. But he really looks out for students. He gives a curb almost every test. Attendance is taken every class so be there to collect extra points. His study guides are great and will help during office hours. He gives alot of extra points to boost your grade.

He is a very nice teacher if you go to class and do the homework you will do very well. He wants all his students to pass and will help you do so if you are willing to try.. 3 tests and he drops the lowest grade TAKE THIS CLASS!

Great teacher. He's patient and enjoys his students. Helps as much as possible, 1 test and 3 in class assignments are dropped to help those who may need it. Also shows genuine interest in the subject, and uses blackboard routinely. Posts all notes and study guides as well!

Best teacher EVER!!!! He is really kind and he will help you to do good in his class. However, you cannot miss his class, you can loose a lot of points....go to class everyday, attend study sessions, then you will make an 'a'. :)

He was a great teacher!! He loves what he does and is very helpful! Study for the tests and you will do fine! He really wants his students to pass very nice and kind teacher! TAKE HIM

Average student. Do his study guides and tests will be easy! Posts powerpoints.In class group activites. Online program kinda sucks with homework. Nice guy and good teacher. Doesn't hesitate to answer any questions you have. Take him!

I have no interest in science and actually did horrible, but left with a "c" and that's only because i failed every test. but overall, great man, easy class, no book required, easy "A" if you acually care about sci, lots of easy extra credit, group assignments, huge curves on everything incliding test. Best sci teacher!

Mr. Balinsky is awesome. His lectures are a bit dry but if you already have an interest in Environmental Science then you'll do great. He answers all questions, is very helpful, provides printed study guides and has a great personality. Overall great teacher, will take him for future classes. Attendance not mandatory, low to no textbook use.

Dr. Balinsky is one of the nicest teachers ever. He has a good sense of humor and takes the time to make sure everyone understands the material. The Mastering Geology program can be a headache, but he curves, so it's not so bad. Study guides have a lot of information, so give yourself plenty of time to study for tests. Overall, great teacher.

Mr. Balinsky is one of the best teachers I've ever had. He gives his students every opportunity to get a good grade with curves, dropping low test and quiz scores, and providing extra credit. I wish he could teach every science class I have to take.

Dont get the book

He great teacher gives tons of extra credit and a big bonus in the attendance so if I was you should take him

He is a great teacher and does everything to help you. There are weekly homework assignments that you need to complete but his test are pretty easy. He uses a curve to grade SO it is pretty hard to fall this class.

I strongly recommend this professor because he's very smart so you can ask him almost any question about oceanography and he'll know it. In addition he posts really interesting videos on blackboard. If you come to class and take notes and do the online work you will pass this class with flying colors, as well as learn a lot of interesting things.

This class is one of the most interesting class I've taken so far at TCC. I strongly recommend this professor because hes very smart and interested in oceanography. In addition if you come to class take notes and do the online assignments you'll definitely pass.

Nice guy. For Earth, Space, Science, it was a good class-summer express session. Only complaint was obnoxious students who complained. Gives some busy work, but you get credit for all of it. I got Cs on most of the exams and hardly studied; I studied hard once and got an A. Grades on a curve as well.

His notes are pulled from the textbook. Fairly straight forward class, three tests + final + online quizzes. He does some in-class assignments so attendance is recommended. Otherwise, M. Balinsky is a great guy, easy to relate to, and really cares about geology!

Dr. Balinsky made oceanography a great class. I really enjoyed his discussion boards and his tests were very straight forward. I would highly recommend him.

This class was not difficult as long as you read and complete the weekly assignment and discussion boards. I learned a lot and the class is very interesting and the material is relevant to the subject.

Dr. Balinsky is easily one of the best professors I've ever had, and definitely the best one at TCC. It was his Physical Geology Class+Lab that helped solidify my major trajectory and allowed me to waste no additional time trying to figure it out. He is very knowledgeable and understanding, if an honest effort is given, an honest grade will result!

He's the nicest guy I've ever met. Really likes what he's teaching and he makes it interesting. Very easy class if you try a little bit

He seemed a little disorganized at first, but once I caught on to his system things went much smoother. Tests are hard, detailed, and long; study and then study some more. Read your text AND his notes. DB participation req'rd. Doesn't give feedback on DB posts.

I missed 2 of my homework assignment and my grade dropped from a B to a C! Don't forget to do all your assignments. He have a curve grading system and extra work so its easy to pass. Oh and please study! study! study all the quizzes and remember them because they will be half of the test. Read that book and absorb it! There is a study guide too

Great teacher - lots of work and not something you can just skate by on but he is there for you. As long as you do the work and participate, you will do fine.

Great professor! You have a couple of assignments per week (all due Sunday at midnight), two tests, and one final. Overall it was an easy course as long as you do the work. He curves most test and is willing to help if you have a problem. Highly recommend him!

Great DB topics. 12 page term tests. Lots of work! You WILL have to work for your grade. Dr. B is fast with his email replies & courteous. No makeups, no extra credit. Pay attention to what he says. READ! READ! READ! Get prepared to learn. This is no basic Oceanography; there's a lot of information. Express will kick your butt. Would take again

Great teacher!! He responds to emails very quickly and is always willing to help. He does not take late work nor was there any extra credit. His study guides were really long but he does curve his test grades which was a big help. Quizzes were given but with unlimited untimed attempts to complete.

He gives you packets that you basically fill out throughout the week and those are your notes for the tests. He lets you take the best 2 of 3 test grades and drops your 3 lowest assignment grades. My grade went from a B to an A just by him dropping those. You have to pay attention in class in order to get the notes because the tests are tough

Professor Balinsky is a great instructor. This class has a lot of information, and each of the 4 tests are based on a study guide about 10 pages long, however it's pretty easy if you show up and take notes. The online homework is extremely easy too. He realizes it's an introductory class so makes it fun, easy, and interesting. I loved this class.

Great professor. Explained things well and class in general was pretty easy.

Nice guy. No extra credit but really isn't needed. He tells you exactly what will be on the test by the study guides. You DON'T NEED THE BOOK! But you WILL NEED THE ACCESS CODE from the book from HW so try and buy separate. Go to class and you'll pass easy. Don't go? You probably won't do so well. If I can get an A so can you. He also curves test

This was a good class to take with an even better professor. None of the information was very difficult to grasp, the only real work to be done was vocab memorization. Professor B. is very kind and is enthusiastic about the material that he's discussing. I would recommend his class to anyone.

I took his climate change elective class which was the easiest class I've ever taken online. The quizzes are exactly whats on the test so if you need an easy elective take this class.

Great professor who cares about helping you succeed

Gives great notes and is very encouraging

Professor Balinksy is the best. He gives good feedback and cares for his students. There's a lot of notes and he does assign group work some days, so don't miss class. His test are okay, just study and you'll past them. The book comes with an access code which is pretty expensive. Overall, his class was pretty easy, I'll take him again.

I love this man. He is kind and cares about his students. The lectures are interesting and engaging, just take notes. I had no hw, just in-class assignments that consisted of answering at most three questions. In-depth study guides that are exactly whats on the test. Highly recommend.

Super easy summer class. 2 discussion boards, 2 written assignments that are 3-4 sentences, and 2 easy assignments that are multiple choice with 5-8 questions a week, the video lectures are about an hour long each but they go through the whole study guide for the 3 test. best online class Ive taken!

I am currently in his Earth and Its Environment class (ESC1000) and really enjoy him as a professor. He is very nice, gives clear expectations and lets you work ahead up until a test. He does not accept late work AT ALL so please be sure to turn in your assignments on time!

I've taken 3 different course with him and he's awesome! He's very passionate about geology and his lectures are very informative. As long as you take notes and do the study guides, you'll pass the exam. His assignments are fairly short and easy. As long as you do the assignments on time and study, you'll pass. He also drops your lowest test score.

Balinsky's class requires a lot of homework but he has it set to where everything is due Sunday evening for online classes which is amazing! He's really passionate about his work! Take this class!

This class is hard, and you definitely have to put in the work to pass. There are 3 tests that are 60% of your grade, and they are Honorlocked, so you must pay attention, take notes, and keep up or you will fail. However, I really did enjoy Dr. Balinsky. He was hilarious and always provided updates about real world events, such as weather.

love him! there is in-class assignments so you should come to class. very nice guy

great teacher overall

I had him for World Regional Geography, he grades your homework every week. He does give basic feedback sometimes, overall good class/ prof. The only thing I loathed is there were a lot of essay questions for quizzes and tests, felt never ending.

Overall, Dr. Balinsky's Environmental Geology class was a good opportunity for me to prepare for the rigorous test taking at FSU, as a transfer student. It is also important to note that the in-class assignments do not weigh in as much of the grade and that the tests are the heaviest part. So be prepared to study hard, and use critical thinking.