3.1
Quality3.8
Difficulty32%
Would Retake211
Reviews32%
Would Retake
211
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
77
4
14
3
37
2
32
1
51
What Students Say
“If your bad at testing, DO NOT TAKE HER”
GEO101L - 3.0 rating“Okay I have so many regrets taking this class”
GEOG101 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
91%
Textbook Required
29%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.55 avg changeRatings by Course
GEOGR101
5.0
(8)GEOL
5.0
(1)GEOG12
5.0
(1)GEOGRAPHY
5.0
(2)GEOGR103
5.0
(2)Difficulty by Course
GEO101L
5.0
GEOG103
4.1
GEOL
4.0
GEOG101LAB
3.7
GEO101
3.7
Reviews (211)
Good class! She teaches stuff we shoulda learned a few years ago. She makes you think. Go on her field trips. ATTEND CLASS AND TAKE NOTES. Really is helpful one-on-one. I expected boring, but it's really relevant - take it.
Must takes notes in her class, they will be very useful come time to study on her tests. She gives study guides. Makes her class involved with lectures. Makes a few corny jokes to get laughs out of people. Shows videos. Very helpful 1on1. Has extra credit field trips. I recommend taking her!
Nice lady, but gets off-topic a lot. The actual content of the class wasn't bad, and the tests weren't too hard. Just boring from time to time.
She's by far THE WORST instructor I've EVER had. She's rude, doesn't really make much sense, doesn't help you and is a rediculous grader. I'm an honors student with a 3.7 GPA and even I had to drop the class. Being in her class was one of the the worst experiences of my life!
Horrible teacher. Avoid at all costs!!!!
Mary's a good teacher. The 5-wk class is intense - she gets a lot of material into the long 3-hr days, shows Google earth, helps on exams - She knows we're struggling, so tries to make it simple for the slower ones - too many slow ones! Just be there for every class and you'll do fine. Don't text in her class!
Okay teacher. Take the notes and study the notes and you will do fine on the test. i took winter session and we didnt have homework besides studying. The only thing is a found the material very boring and it was hard to pay attention.
Took her lab and lecture class. Boring at times if you aren't interested in the subject. This is a class where you HAVE to work for your grade. If you REALLY SHOW her you're trying, if you ask questions and respect her and the subject (even when you don't want to) you will be DULY rewarded. Go the extra mile if you want to get a good grade.
she is polite, has a lot of knowledge, she cooperates with students and cares, she is funny and one of the best professors in c.o.c.
Very easy class. I never bought the text book, and was still able to do well on all tests, just take/read notes. Keeps the material pretty interesting, her personality is kinda odd though.
She's a good teacher, but the class is tough. She offers a lot of extra credit, so do it! The extra credit opportunities are fun, and by doing them, I raised my grade to an A! 4 tests, several pop quizes, and 1 poster project. Make sure you come for the lectures! And although she follows the book, you never use it.
This is perhapes one of the best teachers you will have when it comes to Geography. At least 4 test, couple of pop quizes, and a poster project you will do that is fun. She offers alot of extra credit that helps your grade. She's really nice and a very great teacher. She helps her students and knows the material very well. She is the best in geo.
i had her for winter session. she was super cool! shes really funny, likes to make silly jokes so it keeps you paying attention. she loves to draw on the board and uses colored chalk! shes great! i really liked her, very helpful if you have questions and accommodating to student needs. def. take her for any geography class!
She should be a HS teacher because she gets really mad if you are late or if you walk out of her class. She lectures well and if you take good notes and follow through class you will be fine. I didn't have a book and I managed to get an A. Her notes are great and if you read them and do the study guides you will be fine. TAKE NOTES!
Great teacher. The class is a piece of cake. She practically spoon feeds the information. Take her for Cultural Geography, EASY A!!
Very best professor I could have dreamed of. I will probably change my major after experiencing her class. YOU MUST show up for class and take notes. I do recommend the field trips for personal growth and the extra credit doesn't hurt either. I will now take every class she ever instructs. She really goes the extra mile for her students!
Mary's class was great! Summer is intense but she packs the material in and clearly. Extra credit trips are great. She's clear in syllabus about extra credit not making up missed exams - so the complainer was high on something! Exams are fair, take notes, don't miss a day. I learned so much and while not expecting to.
Bates is probably the worst geo teacher to take if you have an serious interest in geography. Why? Because she can't answer questions. I have no problem with a teacher not knowing everything, but she doesn't try, she just gives up or tells you a long ass story about some non related subject. Her class is easy though, just show up and take notes.
She is a good teacher, why? she devoted her heart and energy to teach.
This Prof is great! 1st rate! Extremely helpful and knowledgeable. She makes sure that everyone has an understanding of what's going on and stayed late with many of us who just couldn't grasp some things until we did. Anyone who says this Prof can't teach simply doesn't want to learn in the first place.
Easy A. Not sure if i like the teacher so much but hey, the class was pretty easy.
Helpful, easy, and nice personality. Take class with her you won't disappointed.
I took both her cultural and physical georaphy class and passed them both with out too much problem, just do the work and you will be fine. Bates is very PASSIONATE about her topic, and gives plenty of extra credit. I definatly recommend her!
Easy A..Subject is very tangible unlike other physical sciences. Took both lecture and lab passed both went hand in hand and passed both easy a. Studied minimum amount of time for tests and map quizzes. Incorporates class with Google Earth. My lab class was once a week, 3 hrs and I normally got out about an hr and half into class. Would take again
SHE IS AWESOME!! Just go to class, do the work, you will finish with either an A or B! She is super helpful, and teaches everything. Though her tests could be tricky, the labs really weigh alot more. she is super fun and very passionate about what she does!!! TAKE HER!
She is very nice & a good teacher. Very helpful too. I didn't do well on the exams, but I got all my extra credit & I did well on the map quizzes. She's always offering opportunities to improve your grade.
She is really helpful, material is easy. Lots of 2 question quizzes at beginning of class...LOTS of extra credit opps!! She makes the material fun and easy!!
HARD CLASS! I really studied by butt off to get that A. Don't try to negotiate b/c you will not win. She's very helpful though. Take all her notes; they will help and read the chapter.
VERY HARD!! Her test are really tricky. Don't try negotiating w/ her b/c you will not win. I studied my butt off to get the A. But she is very helpful, take notes and read the chapter and you'll do good.
DEFENELY THE BEST, PLEASE PLASE!! DONOT MISS ANY CLASS BECUSE SHE GIVES ALOT OF INFORMATION YOU PASS WITH AN EASSY A GREAT TEACHER
If your not good at taking test DO NOT take her. She basically bases your whole grade on exams, Map quizzes that she is so picky on and extra credit here and there. Ive never seen a teacher that demands everything to be right on and you can not talk to her about she basically says deal with it. If you miss a class your screwed. So many notes
Generally nice professor but behind the times. No blackboard, no staff page, extremely minimal syllabus. She will also often brief the class on a project while half the students are still arriving and forget to mention it again. Don't be surprised if you show up with an assignment due and you and 3 other people didn't even know about it.
I took this class because I needed to take a class with a lab. Mary is a great teacher, she really loves what she does and you can tell. The tests were pretty easy and she gives you a study guide. There's also a lot of in class work so your grade is not totally based on tests. Oh and she is really funny and makes class fun.
Mary is the coolest professor on the planet. She's VERY passionate about teaching her subject. She expects you to want to learn (after all, you're paying for it). Show up to class on time, do the work/study, and the grade will take care of itself. Had her for 101, 101L, and 102. Easy A's!!!
Really great professor. She offers plenty of extra credit to those who show up on time and if you take notes and study them there is no way you can't get an A on the test. She makes the class laugh all the time and answers everyone's questions. Overall a great teacher and I learned so much.
Her expectations are completely ridiculous, unless you're a geography major DO NOT take this course. I have never had below a 3.5 or failed a class and I withdrew before I failed. Your grade is based solely on ridiculous exams; I tried all semester long but this professor definitely plays favorites. DO NOT TAKE!!
Material is interesting, professor is horrible. Grade based on impossible to pass exams. She's sarcastic & annoying. Most of the class failed all exams (she posts grades of board).
She is a very nice, passionate woman! Her class is somewhat difficult, depending on how often you want to study and re-learn the information given during class lectures.. got a B in the class. I missed 1 class...took notes. Studies average 30 min for each test... good teacher still
I love Miss Mary! She is somewhat challenging but it's nothing you can't handle. I have taken 3 of her courses,& "not a GEOG major." I have learned so much in her courses which gave me a different perspective on how I look at the world. I do agree with the other post regarding many test. However, she does offer extra credit. Try & you will past.
Aw, Mary Bates. My first impression was not good but over the year I truly began to like this eccentric lady. Her class is fairly hard, I had to work for my A. Go to every class and study! Critical grader so read directions! Overall, enjoyed her class. Great teacher and passionate about her job! Sweet lady.
Mary is FAIR and loves her subject and students. I learned more than I expected and her field trips really help make it real. She grades on work done in class, too - not just exams, which worked for me to help my grade. Be at every class and take notes. You gotta just man up and be there. She'll work with you if you ask.
Mary is one of my favorite professors at COC! She is very passionate about her job and her cultural geography class really opened up my eyes to a lot of things in the world. it is a good class to take and I recommend it to anyone. the tests aren't too hard but she is picky on the map quizzes. if you put in an hour of studying you will get an A.
She is the best professor I have had at coc! She is very easy and she is agin teacher!
Very strict. Exams are super hard. Do not sit in the back or you will be ignored... in a bad way. Actually don't even take her. Find a better professor.
Avoid her. Mandatory "field trip" consiting of forcing you to spend your weekend dragging someone along to take photos of you somewhere with minimal relevance to the class. Grades quizzes like a game show; even if its obvious you knew the answer she will nitpick and mark it wrong to be um, "funny"? Just a poor professor. Didn't learn much.
gave way too much work for a one unit lab class. gave a huge, huge four page research paper with a mandatory field trip that wasn't even mentioned on the syllabus. crazy and hard.
I think she tries to make up for geography having a reputation as an easy/jock/slacker major by making the course unnecessarily difficult and disorganized. It's not the material that's hard; it's the way the exams are worded, the way map quizzes are graded, the way nothing you study ever seems to be on the test. Ruined geography for me.
She is really nice and has a unique personality. Her geography tests were easy but ask her to make sure it was the right places. Her exams were hard because the study guide was really vague. If you do the extra credit assignment it will bring up your grade for bad test scores.
Great instructor, interesting class. If you are extremely lazy then don't take her, she will make you work, but it is definitely manageable.
Mary is a very nice, sweet lady but for a one-unit class really expects you to do way too much. The first half of the class requires you to memorize over 70 rocksminerals and identify many different categories in each. 2nd half is doing all this topographic maps section that was really confusing and complex.
Geography being my favorite subject, I might have a little bias, but this was by far the best class I've ever taken! Mary is very passionate about the subject. Map quizzestests are a guaranteed F or D, unless you study for 30-60 min., then it's an easy A. Textbook helped for a couple in class projects but honestly wasn't needed. Will take again!
I loved her class. would take her again.
Mary Bates is AWESOME! Love her personality and she teaches great stuff! I took her for Geo.101 and glad I did! Great personality and has a passion for what she does. Expect map quizzes and random pop-quizzes which are fun and easy if you pay attention. I highly recommend you taking her for your science credit!
At first she seemed like a very cool professor with an hilarious personality. But later on the class became very difficult. There's rarely homework. Your grade is dependent on very difficult tests, pop quizzes and classwork. To pass the tests, you really have to study and get help. She expects you to understand the material rather than memorizing
At first I was like she sounds like a real cool teacher, but throughout the semester she got real annoying. This class consists of daily pop quizzes and super hard exams where you really have to know the material and it should not be memorized. She prefers you to know the material rather than memorizing the material. Won't take again at all.
Do yourself a favor and not take this class. If you want to fulfill science credit I wouldn't take Geography endless you are majoring in geography. She gave way too much work for a 1 unit class and gave lots of busy work with no clarification on what to do. The test are worth half your grade and you must know the information not memorize it.
She barley spends any time explaining the work, then you spend almost all the class time on worksheets that you barley understand. Help is there when you need it, but her help still doesn't help you. She expects you to understand without her help. She's perfect example of "figure it out." Too much work for a one unit class.
She was a very easy teacher. She lectures almost everyday but includes good videos to make it interesting. There are exams on the different realms and map quizzes. The map quizzes seem hard at first but there really not. I would recommend taking her if you need this class.
Barley explain the criteria, then gives you a ton of worksheets that takes most of the class time to finish. Worksheets are confusing and there is a lot math involved. Tests are very difficult. You must study early and have clear understand of the criteria. Too much work and stress for a one unit class. Do not take geography with Mary Bates.
Okay I have so many regrets taking this class. First of all, her test are a joke. Nothing on her tests are related to the study guide and you have to ACTIVELY pay attention in order to understand what is going to be on the test. Makes the class harder than it should be, even though it is intended for non-stem majors. Chem151 would have been easier.
This professor is honestly the worst professor ever. She will give exams on material she never covered and exams that are worth half your grade are really hard. Lab is the worst because it's based on only exams and worksheets she gives no clarity to work them out. Dont take This class, take a bio class because it's hard to pass! I was on the edge
This class was horrible. Both geo and geo lab ruined my gpa and my 3.5 average. Lab was incredibly hard and gave a bunch of worksheets with no clarification. Everyone is literally just sitting there staring off into space since she never explains the worksheets. She will not give help, but do it yourself is her Moto and pop quiz. Don't take mary
Words can't explain what a terrible teacher she is. It's pure lecture and her study guides have NOTHING to do with her really long tests.
She was so friendly and great! Her lectures were clear and interesting. She showed lots of videos and pictures, and welcomed all kinds of questions. She is very test and quiz heavy, so be prepared to take good notes and study. The tests were about everything she lectured about and she includes a study guide, so it was very clear on what she wanted.
Took her with the lab, the class it self is easy. Just come and pay attention to her lectures. The lab on the other hand is the most difficult class to take. If you have an option only take her class and not the lab; unless you like Geography.
This class gives me nightmares and I shiver thinking about geography and contours. Mary bates is not nice at all and behind her smile is a hidden animosity. Her exams are hard and is nothing like the study guide she provides us. I studied very hard and still failed those exams. That final was tough and I don't know how I passed. DONT TAKE
Mary loves what she does and her class is always enjoyable! As long as you show up to every class, the class will be easy to get an A. Her lectures are fun and very informative. 10/10 would recommend
I'm going to be blunt and honest with you, she comes of incredibly nice, but if you take her FULL LECTURE SESSION she will make it incredibly difficult. She gave out 5 pop quizzes in a row and worksheets with no clarification. Her study guides aren't even close to the exam material. you need to be listening to every word it's on the finals.
Her lecture is way easier than lab. Lecture you just have to listen to her talk and take notes on videos and explanations on board. I felt lectures were easier to learn to. Her lab on the other hand is tough man. I don't think a 1 unit class should be that much work and studying. It's very stressful just take her lecture or don't take her at all.
If you need a science requirement and you genuinely enjoy math then take this class. Her lecture wasn't too bad, but 5 pop quizzes and worksheet after worksheet is ridiculous. It's the lab that is tough and it's not the material it's the exams. They are tricky and u have to know the info. Take some other science class unless your good at math.
If you have to take her for lab I'm going to tell you something that I WISH I've done in the past. You better understand the material the first day of class and read the text. Do the problems over and over and see patterns. Do not be lost on the first day or everything else won't make sense! Know the info first day and you will be good.
She wrote the test scores on the board and there were more C's then A's. She really just lectured and then had us do worksheets and when your finished you go home. if your taking lab the full semester you need to look at those exercises she gives you. It was verbatim on that final so just study that and you should ace the final.
This class was weighted heavily on exams and worksheets and quizzes. The exams were worth way more and exams are tricky. I certainly did study, but that final was tough and everyone left depressed on final day. It was the same as the exercises. Make see to know it well and pass the first time. Not a class to take with lots of other courses.
Yes she's nice, but she is one hard prof. All I can say is if you are diligent and have nothing going on you could potentially pass This class. In lab you need to know the information on the First day. You need to get those lab W.S. Correct and study off them. You need to self study A LOT. Know it the first day and you'll be good with the class
I'm going to give you a overview of this class in a nutshell. You basically go to class and she gives out worksheets that are very confusing. Everyone in the class is calling for Joe so they can leave early and go home. Mary will lecture for a lil bit and make us figure it out. Test are extremely tough and u have to self study a lot.
This class is pretty difficult. She really expects you to know the info rather than memorizing it. Lab is a little bit different then lecture there is tons of math(metrics,conversions,DAR,SAR) and maps. Joe is there to help you(leave) and you must get them correct! If u don't the test won't make sense because ur studying the wrong info.
This class really only consists of doing worksheets(that are hard) and many students calling for Joe because they wanna go home. She'll lecture for a bit and then she'll rarely ever talk about the exercise more like you need to figure it out yourself and get it right. They are verbatim on the final/exams so just study that and get it right.
She's ok I guess, she's not really my favorite teacher. You just go to class to do lab worksheets and Joe is there to help you. Once Joe or whoever helped you write down how to get to that problem. Write each step and why so you'll know exactly on test. Study ever day and before the exam of everything she said and more. You never know with her.
If your bad at testing, DO NOT TAKE HER. your graded on busy work (lab worksheets), more worksheets, and hard exams worth your entire grade. If you want an A u need to get an A on every exam. Kinda ridiculous. Anyways study the lab manual study her lectures just study all night long. You can pass if y put in effort, if ur lazy don't take her!
Such a small class like 10 people,not surprised lol. She's ok, I decided to take it summer since it's all I need. Go to class, do worksheets, go home. That's it. When you go home go and look at those worksheets and write out how you got to answer. Make detailed notes,pay attention to details on maps,know how to read one.u don't wanna retake it:(
If I were you stay away, endless you like geography or a challenge. If your looking for a chill and easy semester don't take this class. She's not very easy grader and her exams are very tough. You need to make sure you know it 100% and the topo maps/contours are confusing. Now it's not that bad since I just took 3 math courses. Study.
This class is just stressful in my opinion. I'm so glad to be done after this week and relax. I'll give you some advice with her, her tests are hard and even she admits it. Make sure you are actively reading the manual and know terms. I just drew pictures and labels and made sure I know how to do the formulas. Her study guides were the same as exam
After taking like 3 math courses in the spring, the formulas/logic for this class made a little sense. You need to be able to look at charts and graphs and draw topo profiles and calculate certain features on maps. For studying, practice with maps in manual and do those worksheets a second time. Make sure you know what you did and you can pass.
Wow, I ended up with a B and only because of that final. Lol that's Mary for you always making hard finals for some reason. It was my second time so I'm just happy I don't have to take it again. Anyways study your butt off and pay attention to glacial features whatever. Also stream orders. I swear this class is hard so study your butt off.
Her two tests aren't that bad, then you see the final and go what? I started with a 92 and I must have got a C on that final because I ended up with a B. Her final is tough gotta understand how to read topo maps and measure features and color in stream orders. If I were you take some other science credit you either love her or hate her. BYE MARY!
2 semesters of this was annoying. It was hearing the same info twice so I'm glad I don't need to hear it a third time. Anyways my advice for you is study so hard! Look over lab worksheets know how to read maps and measure features. Know how to color in stream orders, glacials, whatever. Her first 2 aren't that bad, Her final lol so tough.
So this class. If you wanna be going to class to do busy work then take her. Her first test is hard, her second is easy, her final is hard. That pretty much sums it up. Make sure you practice measurements and conversions and draw stream orders and terms. Know the glacial stuff because she put that on final and topography of Drake estero. Good luck
Her study guides aren't even close to the exams she gives. Sometimes she'll write a study guide and make it incredibly different to the exam. Some of that stuff wasn't even on the final and others were. You never know with her, she is very tough. Sometimes I feel things I study are never on the final and other times I overthought it . Stay away!
Very small class. There wasn't that many people and my guess is people dropped before it started. Anyways, this class is tough. First you need to study contours, time zones, insolation, solstices, etc. know latitude/longitude. Then study wind patterns and DAR SAR. Her final is the toughest test of all make sure you go in with a high grade.
i just cannot with her. Gives out so many worksheets and you can't go home if they aren't finished plus she gives out super hard exams that is more knowing the information. I sat counting those stream orders and tried reading that topo map to where I got frustrated. Eh I got a B, save yourself and don't take her at all. Lots of busy work hard exams
I have been liberated. I am liberated from all the stress and anxiety in learning Thai material a second time. Yeah the material is interesting, but this professor loves to make her exams so hard to where questions are confusing. Vertical exaggeration and topo maps should have been on that exam for easy points. Lol thanks for low gpa from lecture.
oh God I dreaded this class honestly. Retaking a class isn't something I wanted to be doing during my summer especially geo. This class gives me bad nostalgia of nights of trying to learn wind patterns and cyclones and contours, etc. Things don't come easy to me so I had to relearn it all and only got a B. I got an A on that last exam. Never taking
This entire class now makes me Not sleep at night. Her smile creeps me out and honestly haunts me in my dreams. I had nightmares before and now there even worse. Study and when you ask Joe make sure you know how to do everything. Readings graphs, making topo profiles, latitude/longitude, glacials etc. Hard exams. I'm done with Mary and her smile.
I had to hear the same info TWICE, study the same material TWICE, and Pay for the same book 70 flippin bucks and it was the SAME THING. I passed lecture so half of what she said in class was review for me. All I remember was stress learning cyclones and whatever. I forgot everything and doesn't matter I'm done with Mary bates forever. See ya!!!
I'm going to give you some tips and things not to do when taking this class. I didn't get an A, but I'm sure you can with my advice. Know the information the first day. With time zones practice practice and insolation. Know the wind shafts and DAR/SAR and fronts. Draw pictures. For final study glacial stuff and stream orders and counting.
Cool. Now I can go back to watching my game plays of Spyro all summer. This class was hard. First and second test are ok (first one was the hardest), but her final is too confusing. I sat there looking a topo maps for 20 mins. Be prepared for final and study hard. Look at those maps carefully and practice measuring. Know lab worksheets and glacial.
You'll take it one semester and will never wanna relearn it or think bout it. This is what you need to do to pass: study, get help, read manual, understand math and why. There are questions why things form so understand that or picture it in your mind. Wind shafts, DAR,SAR. Her study guides dont help, study everything and practice measuring.
Study. First exam read the manual and know what way is east west etc. no what Long sticks shower sticks and triangles are. Know the saturation and how to read the chart and DAR SAR. Understand time zones and practice using that sheet she gives you. Glaciers you must read and visualize it and know the forms. Coastal landforms was not that tough.
Her exams are so hard, the worst part is its your entire grade. It's the way the questions are worded. Study early like the first day and make sure your not lost. Topo maps/contours/latitude was confusing and so is glacial formations. You need to make good study guides with EVERYTHING she says and more. Read it till you get it and practice
UGHH that final was so hard. I literally sat there counting those stream orders, reading that topo map, and doing all the measurements in frustration. The stream orders were confusing and glaciers were hard to even tell on that map. Make sure you study for this one or you won't get an A. Make color coded notes and know glaciers and formation.
When I took it in fall there were so many cool people in the class. The class itself was very tough and I remember staying up trying to understand fronts like cold fronts and warm fronts. The hardest I remember was learning the glacial stuff and her finals are tough. She gave better study guides in her lecture then her lab oddly enough. Good luck
Geo is a very interesting subject, but you have to be really interested in it for you to pass. Make sure you understand cutoff and recognizing features on topo maps. Contours now can be confusing so study that and make sure you know how to do the math. For the final practice using graphic scales and coloring in stream order. Take if ur not busy.
I took this in summer which was great because there was only 9 people enrolled for the class so we got a lot of help from Mary and her lab assistant. You get out early almost everyday, she'll lecture a little then you guys do worksheets, everyone gets work checked off to assure full credit. She always makes sure her students have full comprehension
The people in the class were all very nice and I got help so much from Joe on the worksheets. I really stayed focused because I wanted to finish my retake. Summer is the best time to take it since it goes by fast and you'll get it done. Make sure you study, you get out extra early! When you get out go home and study and make study guides. I'm done!
I'm going to tell you how to pass. Your grades on lab worksheets that are checked. If correct you can leave. Once you go home, look at those worksheets. See what you did and how. After that, read the manual and pay attention to details. Highlight terms look at pictures. Make a detailed study guide with terms/pictures/formation/explanation.
If you end up taking her good luck with her. Her exams are really tough and you just go to class to do worksheets that's it. Joe will look over it and check it off for full points so in beginning everyone had A's. However her exams are very tough and I went into her final with an A, but got an B. Worst final ever I was so annoyed. Don't take
If your taking her lab haha I wish you luck. Her tests are EXTREMELY hard and her final was just confusing. I might have spent 10 mins on one question trying to read the topo map. She's not that helpful, Joe is but he seems distressed. Study the lab manual and know the info first day. Somehow she loves to put you on the spot don't take.
She's so stressful. Her exams are tough I tell you tough. I'm glad to be 100% done with her and I never have to see that creepy smile ever again! I never have to do a worksheets ever. That final was hard and I ended up with a B. Good luck trying to get an A with her haha don't take at all. Take another science class if u want to live.
Been at COC for 3 yrs now and the semester I took with Mary Bates was my hardest because of her. Her worksheets are confusing, she picks out favorites and embarrasses the other students. Her tests are very difficult, she gets mad very easily, she isn't merciful etc etc. Geo is such an interesting subject but she has made it unenjoyable. Don't take.
Save your money by not taking this class. At first you will find that she has a pretty cool personality. But after a while you get the fire. If you love Geography, if you plan to major in it or if you want to get a career in it, this class will best fit you. If you are just trying to get science creds out of the way (like me), please don't take.
There is a time to trust RMP and a time not to. This is the perfect time to trust RMP. And right now I am urging you to not click register on Mary Bates name for this semester. I don't even need to explain. I am saving your souls. You will thank me later.
Me and my friend decided to take geo together and before we were excited. Geography learning about mountains, oceans,formation sounded aesthetic, but this professor made it unenjoyable. She has a lab assistant who doesn't care at all. Worksheets are tough, exams are tough too and material is. Her exams are real tough don't take if it's not ur major
People in the class were nice. All of them introduced themselves ect. Mary bates is not nice. She called me out for having to retake the class and kept bothering me. I had to pay 70 bucks for the same book(this was a retake) and learn everything all over again. Got a replacement with a B and digestive issues. do not take Mary bates at all cost.
The worksheets is your ticket to passing. You just need to understand logic and read topo maps. My advice is draw illustrations if ur a visual learner. Look at fjords,cirques and know how to label them. Know what a fjord is and recognize cutoffs on map and describe them. Look at topo maps and pay attention to details. Or just don't register.
My friend that I took it with got a C, but it was her only class. Says a lot. This class is actually pretty tough and no help on worksheets. First test came and everyone bombed it. She would hand a pop quiz and you can hear the "UGHHHHS" Called out students. End of class everyone was tired of her. Had to retake with B and learn everything UGHHH
She's actually great haha I didn't cry at all during this class. She's so helpful and her lab assistant is very helpful. You will looooove her too I assure you and she's not scary as she seems hahahah LMAOO. I assure you her exams are soooo easy like a piece of cake and no one was crying after exam day hahaha. Can you see how great she is! Lmao!!!
The first day I'm like woooow she's so cool, such a cool teacher. Lmao such a cool teacher than the next day I started to notice she started to not like me. She will get mad if you don't understand her and was so rude to me. If you have to retake I suggest you stay away from her(if u took her) because she called me out. Ugh. Don't register I swear
Geography is interesting, Mary bates got intolerable. She didn't do much lecture the class is 100% worksheets after worksheets. Later on the class was difficult and exams were hard. You must know it, not simply memorize it. You must explain formations, know stream orders, where it will rain,etc. I had to do it all over again and got a B. boo!
After a hard semester I decided to take this retake since it's all I need. Geography, obviously your learning formations,maps,contours,measuring,topographic profiles,etc. She gives out pop quizzes so make sure your reading/asking ?'s to Joe. Contours may be easy for you. I messed up my A because of the final darn. I thought i didn't pass, I got B.
I'm done with my science credit, yay! I wish I could have took someone else, but she's ok just makes hard exams. You really need to study and get help. Read everyday you never know if she'll say "PoP QuIZ" Just think logically, write out problems,draw em out,read topo,learn how to measure. Alpine glaciation is tough and time zones. Study I got B.
I did not like her calling me out for retaking it. She also asked me many questions when I wanted to get the heck outta there. I stayed focused and asked Joe. I made guides and drew out features and measured them myself. I looked over notes and read manual till I got it. I still screwed up on the final and ended up with a solid B. I'm done idc
Her final was so hard. I read the lab manual/looked at topo maps/looked over stream orders/etc. and still blanked out. I was starting to get frustrated looking at topo map trying to find something. I counted those stream orders over and over. I got to the point where I handed my exam and left. Got a B never have to deal with her/class again
I think I did more crying. Whenever exam day rolled around I would become anxious. First time I failed every test. Second time I aced every test. I just studied lab manual and made study guides. I wrote down problems and tried to understand formations. Taking it a second time was annoying, but at least I don't have that Grade anymore on transcript
Well you can't transfer with D's, so I retook this in summer. Got out early every day and was the same. You do worksheets, you may leave. I went straight to studying for 5 weeks. Reading lab manual, looking over visuals,understanding why,etc. Contours weren't too bad a second time,but they a re confusing for accuracy. Her final was tough got a B.
After class I go and get some boba and cry. Half my summer was just studying same things I studied for lecture and lab. I ended up drawing cyclones,making up my own problems,reading manual,and understanding formations. Contours/topography/profiles were confusing so make sure to understand intervals and depressions/dips. Got a replacement grade of B
We got out early and I would unwind with sponge bob. The class is really just worksheets and when there correct by Joe you can leave. Very small lab class. Read that lab manual every night and after lecture. Understand contours and intervals and wind patterns. To this very day I will still never know how to count stream orders haha. Good luck
Geography is a interesting class,but Mary really makes it tough. Contours/profiles are just confusing and a big part of exam. I did draw them out and saw how to recognize intervals etc. the manuals give a good explanation and so does online. I printed pics from online of things I don't get and wrote terms and formations. glacials I still don't get
If I kept putting off this class I would have been really behind. Summer went by fairly quickly and before I knew it I was at a A. The final came and I checked my grade 3 days after to see I ended up with a B. Final ruined it all! Just study topo maps/stream orders/faults/contours. I still don't get how to count stream orders or glacials or contour
It was fun taking it with a friend because after class we go get lunch or study after. It was great to have someone study with you, the problem is her test are hard. First time, she did very little explaining and had a helper named Joe. Second time,she actually explained material and it made sense! I'm just happy to be done really.
When I saw the professor name change to Mary bates I began to feel anxious. Oh boy she is one hard professor and her exams were very confusing. She did go over everything and since I done it a full semester it wasn't too bad. Time zones were confusing though and contours. It was the final that kinda ruined my day,but at least I'm done with this.
I was in her summer Geography lab. It was an intense 5 week class that met 3 days/wk for 3.5 hours each! We were graded on worksheets from the manual. She treated us like adults to read directions for ourselves. She would also walk around to help explain things one on one. Tests were hard but fair. Some topics harder than others, but fair.
I was in Mary's summer 5/wk lab class - with only 10 students. There are 41 poor or awful ratings! Somebody wants to bury her with lies. Yeah, it was tough and she told us to study hard, but she was fair. She wouldn't let us leave until the worksheets were an A, which allowed us all to pass. Somebody stop whining and grow up!
She's just a hard professor really. People did poorly on exams and you have to study your butt off! I mean she is one tough cookie, but you can pass with doing worksheets and all that. Joe is pretty helpful and some concepts are tougher. Her final was actually pretty tough which is why I ended up with a B. She's nice woman, but tough exams.
She did explain certain concepts people didn't understand in the summer and went over things. There were many different concepts that are tough to understand and you needed to read manual over and over to get it. She's one tough proff and her exams are extremely hard. She even said ppl mostly fail her exam(wrote on board) good luck.
She's a hard class, so make sure your not taking to many courses when taking her class. I had to do English reading and studying for an exam in my other course. Taking lecture + her lab is challenging. Her lecture was easy, but her lab was tough. You need time to study for her lab exams. Took it again over summer and got a B. Tough class.
I've been here for 2 years and the semester I decided to enroll in this class was my hardest. If didn't help that I was taking eng101 and econ201 on top of her lecture class. Both her lecture+lab is TONS of studying. Her lecture was easy, her lab was hard. Exams very tough where ppl mostly failed and w.s. Ppl were so stressed out on final day
If you are enrolled in her class I want to give you some advice. Study right away!!! Before lecture read up so your not lost. I didn't take it seriously and had to retake it. If you don't get something get help ASAP! Make study guides. Highlight info and understand cyclones and wind patterns. Very interesting material, hard hard exams!! Good luck
If you want to challenge yourself then take her. If your looking for a nice chill semester don't. She is pretty tough with exams and material an be difficult. I'm not sugar coating this class and saying it's easy because it's not. You must study and create problems. If your taking tons of courses don't take her. Very rigorous course oh my god
Mary is one tough professor, at least be honest. People should know what there getting themselves into and if your taking hard classes(major courses GE) then don't take this one on top of ur major courses. You need to devote many hours to studying geo and exams are tough. Study right away and if your taking it with a friend FOCUS,talk to em after.
I rather be cuddled up in sweats watching Netflix. She's a hard class. Study right away and think about formations. Observe details on a map and know formulas. There's a lot of Math in this class and accuracy is hard to get. The one thing I found tough was stream orders. Make sure you make good notes and study of them after lecture. Hard class
I rather be cuddled up in sweats watching Netflix. She's a hard class. First day she'll tell her story and then give you some worksheets. You'll have to know how to calculate DAR and SAR and measurements. Make sure you study everything from lecture like Climate types and glacials. Stream orders look at the picture and study it. It's real hard class
hard class. she must not know the topic very well cuz she def can't teach it! you ask for help on the pointless busy work and she just gets snitty. Avoid!
Took this over summer and some days we stayed for the entire hour and others we didn't. All the class is is busy work. Honestly you could do those worksheets at home by looking online. Yet she gets mad when you go ahead and do it. When something is wrong she gets annoyed. Study manual and make study guides. This class is pretty tough so good luck
I'll give her a decent review for her lecture. Lecture was easy and material was interesting. She showed many videos,powerpoints, and talked about what will be on exam. You got some map quizzes here and there, but not too bad. You must really study and draw all illustrations she tells you. Know the terms well and meaning of words.
Ms. Bates is very passionate about teaching. She uses humor, has great examples, class discussions and teaches the students to observe things around them. She organizes field trips that will help students observe what is taught in the classroom. Don't miss out. Take her class and lab. Wonderful experience. Students leave her class inspired!
Ugh, shes not my favorite at all. I'm glad I'm done with my lab and physical because if I have to learn another wind pattern Imma lose it. Thank god she passed me the second time, see ya never Mary!
I am praying for all your poor unfortunate souls who are taking Mary bates. This class was a terrible experience for me mainly because I didn't understand anything and got put on the spotlight many of times. Geo itself is interesting, but her exams are hard. If you are a geography major then take her class because you will benefit from it.
I didn't have the text and could not answer the problems. I wrote down what I could find online and I guess it wasn't a good answer because she wrote "seriously?" On my paper. After that, she just was constantly putting me on the spotlight and embarrassing me. She would raise her voice where everyone around me would look. Only take if u love geo
She sets you up to succeed if you take notes of the lectures and do the study guides. She's funny and makes class so interesting. Amazing teacher and person.
Prof Bates is very knowledgeable and cares a lot about Geography. Make sure to be early to class bc she gives extra credit for people who are there right on time, don't come late or skip class. Tests were hard; I studied for MANY hours and was able to get an A, but many people were frustrated. Simple- study and put in the work and you'll do fine.
I think she is super nice. She is kinda quirky but that is part of her charm I think. If you do not understand something then all you have to do is ask for help. They even have lab techs that can help you out. Take her! It will be super fun.
I loved her! Work hard and she will like you.
This class was tougher than I imagined. The teacher was good, I just felt the layout of the class course was difficult. I had a hard time keeping up with the chapters - this is one of those classes Im glad I got it over with
I took her lab and lecture geography class over summer. She only really lectures and bases tests off of worksheets. Don't get me wrong, she was a decent professor, but her teaching style is not meant for everyone. The concepts were difficult and take time to learn, but she teaches in a manner that made it seem were already had prior knowledge.
hard class; hence why i had to retake it. When i retook it, I realized the material is actually really interesting i just didnt like this proff. We just were given worksheets and she talked to us like we had prior knowledge. Exams were heavy and very tricky. Yoh must study and not take a heavy semester. If this is your passion take her class!
If you actually want to learn geaography do not take her class! If you can learn the material by yourself you can manage. But her lectures are nothing compared to her exams. The only thing that she was clear about were the map quizes and those were easy to memorize and do. Other than that she is a tough grader, not easy to understand.
Awesome teacher! This class was amazing and ties or nearly beats my other favorite college class taken at COC. Mary Bates is unique, not too many professors like her! If you dont fight it, and accept her uniqueness and charm, this class, I believe, will also go down in remembrance for you! She offers lots of Extra TicketI suggest participating!
She I said a very good teacher. Very well at explaining and this definitely was the best class yet. Extra credit is very helpful in this class and you get the best experience on those extra credit trips. Recommend this geography class over anyone elses class because she explains very well and excels in the lectures that she gives Us all the time..
Mary Bates is a amazing professor! I have made so many memories and friends in her class and on the extra credit field trips, which are optional. I have enjoyed my time in this class while still learning all the new concepts. She is also very helpful when not understanding a concept. I would definitely take this class again!
Professor Mary is great, a really easy class , lots of note taking. If you take your notes in class you will pass this class. The text book is useful, but study your notes more. Extra credit lots of it, so no way you can not pass this class. I will be taking her class again but the lab part.
Professor Marys class required alot of work and acess to the computer. She gives alot of homework per week and does not offer extra credit. A couple assignments we had to print out, write on, scan, and submit. First time doing that in an online class. You will pass the class if you do not procrastinate and can stay focused. Also offers tutoring.
Took the 8 week accelerated online version of this course. Professor Bates truly cares about her students' success. She leaves good comments on every assignment. She wants you to do well, but also challenges you. Homework is very time consuming--but that's where you learn the most. Tests easy. She will help explain anything. Just a great educator.
Does not know how to teach online. Too many assignments for an online class. Plus she kept trying to get us to come to campus. Does she not realize we took online classes for. reason? Not very realistic expectations from this teacher. I recommend finding another.
Mary was a great professor, she was available to meet up with students outside of the online class and always responded to emails very quickly. There was a lot of work during the course but I think that is to be expected for a 5 week summer class. She asked what we wanted to learn about and she did incorporate this in the class work.
Wouldn't take again. expect lengthy written assignments. she expects you to do the timed unit tests w/o looking at the book or pp. She even scolded me and gave me a bad grade cause she thought I had copied and pasted my answer. She's a extreme nitpicker grader. I guess thats why there was only 7 of us at the end of the semester that didnt drop.
Had to work hard for an A. Would recommend bc I dont know about other instructors. took short term so it was heavy work load. was accommodating of covid and accessible. work load took a long amount of time but wasnt too difficult, just very time consuming.
I had her for her lab class during the Covid-19 quarantine and I have to say, it was the worst thing ever. She's an extremely nitpicky grader and would write very condescending comments on your papers if you do things wrong. She also was not understanding at all about any of my classmates's struggles with the virus. Would not recommend her class.
Dont you dare asking any questions because she answers sarcastically and makes you feel dump. She did not take the pandemic in consideration still gave us sooooo much to read unorganized material and a lot of deadlines. She talks too much but nothing related to what shes teaching and her exams are extremely difficult.
If you're not serious about doing your work with the exact care and precision she demands, it'll be very difficult to get a passing grade. If you absolutely have to take her with no other professors available, I feel sorry for you. Also, her demeaning comments after you don't work to her extremely high standards certainly do not help with morale.
Awful professor shes in the wrong college she is super picky But the most irrelevant things, She doesnt even understand the way of teaching an online class and it feels like she doesnt care for her students to pass or to learn efficiently in a realistic amount of time especially during a time of COVID-19, she has a horrible way of teaching !
The worst teacher ever is not teach accordingly and Realistically. She does not care about her students doing great in her class as well as learning in her class she isnt overwhelm her a picky person and has a comment about everything do not take her class I wouldve rather cut my finger than to take her class.
LOVED Professor Bates!!! She was always available to meet with me on zoom and would go over each question I had, patiently. The lessons are designed to build up the info you will need. All of the answers are literally right in front of you if you take the time to work through the module the way she explains to. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ZOOM MEETINGS!
Mary's online class is uniformly structured which is great because it lets students know what is expected of them. The exams are relatively easy if you read the material provided. One BIG con is that Professor Bates spreads disinformation about climate change and claims it is not a big deal. Why politicize science? Pro tip: be skeptical of material
On the fence as to whether you should avoid her or get in her class so you can defend the truth so other students do not get mislead. Bates is a climate denier. She doesn't have a science background, just geography so she should not be speaking to climate science. This is not good for community understanding of climate. Very upsetting.
Looking at her recent reviews, I felt I should share my experience- she's not that bad. Clear expectations on HW and what is needed. You probably won't agree with everything she teaches, but she is open for a debate. Do your work, go to office hours if you need help, and it's a pretty easy course.
Professor Bates knows how to organize and teach weather class. It isn't super easy, and I have to study a lot, but she replies quickly to work. She has us write essays, but hey, it's college. She has lots of videos on relevant stuff - and she'll never give us her own opinion - thank God! - she listens and is non-partisan. go to office hours!
Here is how this class works. It's going to be lectures and worksheets. She grades based off of your understanding of the material not just because you did it. She gives feedback on every homework assignment. Some positive and some constructive. TAKING NOTES IS KEY TO PASSING THIS CLASS! The answers are in her lectures. Just don't copy and paste.
Professor Bate's is just one of those professors who is passionate for her field. She is an amazing professor and I am glad to have taken her class for Weather and Climate. The material isn't that hard to grasp at all if you put your mind to it, everything is straight forward. Not bad for an 8 week class, so don't be intimidated and taker her!
I took Mary's Online Geography 101 class w/ Lab online as well. The course layout is very clean and organized. Mary is a hoot! She's so engaging during her lectures and caring about you as a human being; SUPER KIND. There is a lot of homework and tests but they all line up with the material; also, it's a college class so of course you gotta work :)
Mary loves what she teaches, and clearly cares about the success of her students. All of her material is up to date and relevant. There's lots to learn, but she makes it fun and she is accessible for help when needed. Her Weather & Climate course will change how you look at the world!
Mary is caring and organizes the class to be easy on a tight schedule. She makes good video lectures. Yeah, there's work but it's doable - I learned a lot of new things - why we have droughts, different storms, and learning different climates - and ways to generate electricity. It kinda blew my mind - and she's very helpful and not political.
Professor Bates was one of the most straightforward teachers Ive had. No bs with her grading, very detailed, and gives great feedback on the work. Labs were really easy, but the exams and homework needed time and reading. All in all, she was great.
Easily one of the best Professors I've ever had. Unfortunately I had a lot of difficulty in my personal life which kept me from completing the course but Mary was so kind and caring through it all. Her lectures are straight forward and she is so good at helping you understand the material without being condescending. 100% will take again.
I loved her class! Lectures and lab work were fun and fairly easy if you go through the material she provided. Lecture exams and lab exams are an easy pass. I was only required to go once a week to class and I always looked forward to it because it was fun and I learned so much! One of the best professors I've taken. Definitely recommend her class.
I recommend this professor. The lab was on campus, all other assignments were online. I advise you to watch all the videos and materials she uploaded, it really helps to do homework, because the real answers are in those videos. If you have any questions, she is happy to answer them and explain in more detail.
Weather & Climate - glad to hear unbiased pros and cons of issue. Really learned a lot, but I had to be organized and do the work. Very clear steps to learn and answer. Open note exams. I'd definitely take her again - ready to answer questions and/or meet on Zoom. She'll help build your self-confidence and knowledge if you reach out to her.
There is so much homework, I never got good, helpful feedback. I would not recommend this class or professor.
Not sure why her rating is so low... Such an amazing professor! Great lectures, makes learning interesting! Make sure to bring a good attitude and you will succeed. Very helpful and the workload is very straightforward and manageable. We need more professors like her!
Professor Bates was one of the best professors I've had! When I first started this course, I was nervous about taking a course that was very unfamiliar to me. Mary really took the time to answer all my questions and to help me understand the material. She explained it in a way that was easy to understand and was always available. Highly recommend!
Too many writing assignments.
Mrs. Bates was really enjoyable to work with. She is really good at teaching and getting you to understand what you need to know in the class. She is very clear with everything she teaches and and has a great personality. Mrs. Bates can get you to learn what you need to know and help you if you need it she is really good at that.
Went into this class very enthusiastic, came out disappointed. Giving feedback, she is very unclear, and a few times, she didn't read my work fully and claimed my answer wasn't present when it was just further into my explanation. I started to write more lackluster and carelessly and ended up getting more points for it. Passed class by caring less.
I have absolutely no idea why the ratings are so low, this teacher's amazing. My guess is that it's probably due to 100% online a couple years ago, not sure how that was. But if your taking a class with this teacher for half in person half online, she's amazing. Definitely takes some time to finish all the work but not bad at all.
I took professor bates for geography with a lab and weather and climate which was online. she's a great teacher and you can tell she is very passionate about teaching this subject. the workload can be a lot sometimes but anytime you need help with an answer she's there. as long as you listened to the lectures all the answers are provided for you.
States, I used AI, and gave me a 13 out of 50 horrible professor luckily my class is over in 2 weeks.
She if a very picky grader that gives no feedback on what you did wrong. Also be prepared to have a LOT of homework in this class!
Physical Geography with Lab. Lab was in person and SO easy. All you have to do is LISTEN, take some notes, and you'll get the lab work done with no problems. She also goes over a lot of the lecture information as well which is technically supposed to be done online. She makes all of the information SO easy to understand. Love her!
Easy to pass with an A! She assigns (at most) 1 discussion, 2 lab assignments (done with her in class), and 2 lecture assignments a week. All of the discussion questions and lab assignments clearly tell you where to find all of the answers from short videos/articles she provides. She is such a nice person!
Show up, listen, take notes. That's all you have to do to pass the lab.
She provides all of the answers for lecture assignments in her lecture videos and in any additional video (usually very short) included for the module. She does not give you useless information. Everything she lectures on will be on an assignment or exam. Google is useless; use the material she provides.
You have to be very, very dumb not to pass with an A. OR you have to not try. Watch the videos she provides (usually short and preferred over reading a textbook). All of the answers for assignments and discussion questions are in her provided lecture videos and PPTs.
Take her class! She is the best. If I could have her as my professor for all of my classes, I would.
Very funny and makes learning the information SO easy.
Whoever spammed her with 1 star reviews years ago was probably a spoiled, spoon-fed kid. It does not get easier or more fun than Geography with Mary.
She is aware that most students need this course and don't want to take it or care for Geography. She doesn't try to make it hard. She teaches what will be on assignments and exams. Make your life easy, take her class.
She gives about 2 worksheets a week and sometimes a discussion post as well. There are tests every other week. She gives you a PowerPoint video that helps you fill out the answers for the worksheets. She is very thorough in her lectures and is super easy to follow along. Has office hours if needed. Really great and cares, highly recommend
I had the pleasure of taking Mary's Geography class for my Associate's Degree and she was FANTASTIC, quite a character too! Always making the class laugh. Be prepared for lectures; but just show up, pay attention, do the work, and you'll get an A! How anyone could not like her is beyond me. She was a pleasurable woman, very nice and understanding!
Assigns a lot of busy work but its pretty easy. She is also a tough grader. The class was overall interesting and she provides a ton of resources and lecture videos. If you're taking it online you have to watch the videos to do the assignments.
Although she can grade fairly tough (nothing too crazy, I would just consider her blunt), this is an easier class as long as you are prepared to use HER provided material and not Google. Super doable, not a crazy workload.
Make sure you watch each video she provides in the modules so you can answer the discussion questions and worksheets. She is the absolute best and made this subject very easy to understand. She gives great and helpful feedback to the assignments. I went through a difficult time during the course, she was very compassionate and understanding.
Took Professor Bates' Geography class - she's fantastic! Engaging lectures, clear explanations, and all the answers are in her provided materials. Used unstuckstudy and ChatGPT for study prep - saved me a ton of time. Highly recommend this class!
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
91%
Textbook Required
29%
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