Great professor! Lectures are interesting and clear. He is also easy to listen to. Posts practice tests for the midterm and final that are very similar to the actual test so it is easy to be well prepared.

Nice teacher, Econ is a tough subject to teach. Curves the grades. Easy to listen to.

His lectures are clear and helpful for the homework and tests. He tells some funny stories and tries to make sure the class understands what he is talking about before moving on.

Practice tests are very similar, some questions are exactly the same. Thinks he is funny, debatable. :) Not too hard at all.

Nelson is an awesome professor, he makes the class interesting by telling stories and making people laugh. The class is easy, only because he makes it so! He shows you previous exam questions and gives you a free page of equations for each exam. Good experience overall. One of the best OSU profs.

Great Guy. Class is very entertaining. He explains things very clearly, and the lecture notes are helpful. Exams are fair. I'm not a econ major, but it's definitely my favorite class of the term!

Professor is good at explaining things and keeps class funny and interesting by telling stories and funny jokes occasionally. Definitely enjoyed econ with nelson and would recommend this class to anyone

Funny, and very interesting. Knows his stuff!!!!! Very student friendly!

Good teacher and straight forward class.

I hate this class for the subject matter, but Nelson is good at explaining the material. The midterms are based on the practice problems he gives, Making it easy to study.

Had Nelson for Macro. He is a great instructor but the subject matter is difficult. Do the readings, go to class (lecture outlines incomplete otherwise) and study. Tells jokes, stories, and takes breaks half way through long class. Take econ from him if you can.

I had Nelson for both micro and macro economics and he is easily one of the best choices of professors I've ever made. I knew nothing about Econ before his class; he does not only a great job at explaining the subject but also makes it interesting.I'm considering a minor in Econ because of him. Highly recommend.

Highly recommend this professor, his lectures are very clear. He has a really out going character and occasionally tells funny jokes once in awhile. He's very very helpful when it comes midterms, he offers so many ways to help us study and do well.

Had him for environmental economics. He's interesting, engaging and makes difficult material accessible. Provides excellent notes and prep for exams. You have to go to class to get the full benefits of his teaching style.

Prof. Nelson is the best. Provides extensive lecture outlines to help the class flow quickly and efficiently. Makes a difficult topic easier to understand and interesting. Would HIGHLY recommend going to every class to do well. Study A LOT for the exams, they're not easy. Counts My Econ Lab for credit which is kinda a pain but helps your grade

Dr. Nelson is awesome! As long as you go to class, study the practice exams like a bible, and look at the required links, you're golden!

He's a nice guy, but in no way are his lectures fun. I fell asleep in class a lot. OLD TEST QUESTIONS ARE KEY TO PASSING THIS CLASS. Homework assignments due a week from each lecture date online, two midterms, and a final. No extra credit. If there's a better professor out there, I'd recommend NOT taking this course with Mike.

Keeps class as entertaining as macroeconomics can get. Explains things in a easy way to understand and doesn't just read from the book. I had a different Microeconomics teacher and Mike is 10 times better! Highly recomended!

Greatest of all time

Took environmental econ this term with nelson. As always he is a great guy. Provides lecture outlines, lots of study material, and 40% of the class is based off of in class assignments which was super helpful. He is invested in your learning and will help if you ask for it.

Dr. Nelson gives students all the tools to be successful in this class. Attend class and do the work and you should do well. Very willing to answer question during office hours. My only gripe is about the course content which is very shallow. Should be retitled survey of environmental economics.

This class was one of my favorites to attend. Dr. Nelson gives very clear lectures. He also responds to emails quick. I was gone for two weeks for a family emergency, and he was very understanding. He helped me set up a time for my midterm on short notice. I looked forward to his jokes. Very well-rounded professor.

He is one of those professors where the class is what you make of it. If you attend class, take notes, and do the practice tests, it's an easy A. The practice tests are pretty much word for word whats on the actual exam, so definitely do those. He also curves the exams pretty generously, our class's final was curved 8 percent.

Mike Nelson is one of the main reasons I decided to minor in Econ. Excellent professor, one of the best I've ever had. Really passionate about what he teaches, and makes econ easy to understand and interesting, considering the subject. If you work hard in his class, ask questions, go to office hours, etc. there's no reason not to excel.

He really does care about student's wellbeing and announces multiple times the practice tests help. This class was very hard for me but he knows this material is not easy for all people and he tries his best to teach and give advice for all student's learning styles.

Mike is awesome!!

Definitely one of my favorite prof. here at OSU--he's super helpful and gives relevant examples in class. I like how he incorporates jokes and real life stories in class too. There are two mid terms, a final, and weekly homework. He gives you a sheet w/ equations and outlines for all of this lectures, which really helps.I recommend taking his class

He is a great teacher and if you pay attention and listen to what he is saying rather than just copying down his notes you will learn a lot. He's a funny guy as well and includes jokes and funny anecdotes in his lectures which make them more interesting (because econ can be very dry). You will actually learn and remember the material in this class

I had him for both ECON 201 and 202, and I can say that he is one of my favorite professors at OSU. He knows his stuff well, his slides are very organized, and he's great at simplifying complicated topics. Econ may be a dry subject, but Nelson does his best to make it more interesting. Also, make sure to study for tests and do his practice exams.

Mike was great. He is very funny and passionate about what he teaches. The grading system in his class is straight up, if you go to class and review the powerpoints and previous exam problems youll get atleast a B if not an A. He also curves his tests by about 5%, so that helps a lot as well. Mike is overall a great fun teacher and person

Super funny guy. Loves ECON memes.

Dr. Nelson is awesome. I like his humor and his ability to make economics interesting. But his exam are REALLY HARD. I received a D on the first midterm and I will likely get a similar grade on the second midterm. I assume this based on the old exam questions his gave us to practice for the exams. The questions are too tricky and the answers too

Amazing teacher. Tests right off of the fill in notes he provides. Best choice for econ possible. Explains econ in a plain and relatable manner. Info heavy lectures, but presented enticingly. Fun, likes to tell stories to help explain.

Great guy, funny and puts good lectures together.

Michael Nelson is one of the best lecturers that Oregon State has to offer. Nelson does everything that he can to keep the students engaged, but there's no getting around a two hour lecture. He makes notes which you can fill in the blanks which I believe to be the most effective note-taking method. Lots of practice problems to help you with tests.

One of my favorite teachers here at OSU. Its definitely not an easy class but if you pay attention and try on the homework you will be fine. Lectures are amazing and his class is very organized. His tests are pretty hard but if you look over all of his old test questions you'll be fine. I loved going to lectures, and he is very helpful if you ask.

My favourite tacher so far. He loves to tell jokes in class that aren't actually funny, but will make you laugh your ass off anyways. as long as you listen in class, do your homework and do his old exam questions, easy A!! His class doesn't even require a lot of work at all, I never even read a single word from the textbook.

Listen, Econ is tough to learn, let alone teach. Dr. Nelson does his absolute BEST EVERY DAY to make sure that you actually learn. Additionally, while the material IS tough, he CLEARLY outlines a path to success. Reaching this goal is purely up to you.

M. Nelson is the best that OSU has to offer! Not only is he funny, but he is a teaching God. He provides outlines to take notes on - which makes note-taking very easy and organized. Nelson really knows what he is talking about, and he is very engaging. He provides old exam problems, which helps a lot for the tests. Very helpful during office hours.

Hands down one of the best OSU has to offer. He really tried to make ECON a fun and enjoyable subject. He gives all the lecture notes and you just have to pay attention and take a few notes. Also for the tests he recycles old exam questions so DO ALL OF THEM! It helps so much and will make you learn all the material. Oh and he tells jokes!!

Amazing professor, one of the best classes I've taken, but it was hard.

Dr. Nelson's Money and Banking course was well structured. He provides lectures that help immensely with the MyEconlab homework. Overall, he is a great online instructor and I would recommend his course to other students who actually want to learn something in an online course.

Best instructor I have ever had! He tells awesome jokes, and it was a joy to be in class.

Mike Nelson is a really good instructor. Go to class and really pay attention and you should be fine. Macro is a tough subject, and he does a really good job at explaining it at a level which doesn't confuse the non-economic minded student. Do all of the My Econ Lab on time and before the exams do ALL of the old exam problems.

Nelson is one of the best professors I've had. He loves what he does, and it shows in his lectures and attitude. The material and concepts are tough, so you do have to put in the work, but his class was definitely worth it. Dr. Nelson also lays down some of the best jokes. Ceteris paribus, I would take another class with Dr. Nelson.

I've taken ECON201 & 202 from Dr. Nelson, and can say he's one cool cat. He's aware that to some of us, Econ can be quite dull & boring. Therefore, he does his best to keep you in it, whether it be by simplifying core concepts or telling a dad joke that is so bad that it's good. You learn 90% of what's needed by going to class & printing lectures.

Nelson is such an amazing professor. He is so helpful especially if you go into his office hours. Do all of the old test questions that he posts on canvas they are a lifesaver. He makes a subject that seems like a drag more interesting and applicable to his students. Highly recommend!

Absolutely amazing professor. He's my reason for switching economics. Such a funny guy, he knows how to teach. Great great great professor, love him would recommend him!!!!!

Easy A. No proctored tests. Homework and quizzes same questions.

He has awesome dad jokes, if you like that kind of thing. And he throughly explains the more difficult class material, so I recommend going to all the lectures.

Mike was awesome. He was very instructional and made everything very easy to understand.

The exams are worth 75% of your overall grade, but he offers HUNDREDS of old exam questions to practice on, so as long as you go through those and understand them you are basically guaranteed an A. His lectures are super helpful and solidify understanding as long as you are keeping up with the work (which isn't a lot). He's also pretty funny!!

I was skeptical about taking macroeconomics first term freshman year but it was well worth it with Prof. Nelson. He constantly tells bad jokes but you can tell he enjoys it so you do too. The class is difficult, you MUST study, but I loved it so much that I'm taking his 8 AM winter term micro section when a 10 AM and 12 are also offered (w/o him).

Attendance is required and the tests are worth basically your whole grade but Prof. Nelson provides you with tons of study material and is super helpful at office hours. Best advice would be to study the old exams as you go and get ready for the best terrible jokes you've ever heard :)

He's a great professor: funny and knows what he's talking about. Class is very easy near at the beginning but gets a lot more difficult towards the end so be sure to attend lectures and do the homework.

Extremely helpful professor. Will help you understand a concept 1 on 1 during office hours and actually cares how you do. Makes lectures interesting and tries to get you involved. Nice and wants you to succeed. Challenging course, but if you go to class and do all the quizzes and homework it is manageable

Extremely helpful professor. Will help you understand a concept 1 on 1 during office hours and actually cares how you do. Makes lectures interesting and tries to get you involved. Nice and wants you to succeed. Challenging course, but if you go to class and do all the quizzes and homework it is manageable.

Good Guy, take amazing lecture notes to study, no open note anything.

Great lecturer!! Doesnt only talk about what is important for the class, but about what is important for life and understanding the world around us. Actually explained how economics relates to the current state of political affairs. Would definitely take another class with him!

Mr. Nelson is amazing. One of the best teachers I have ever had. After taking his class I decided to minor in economics. He is smart, cares about his students learning, relates the information to real world.... etc. Just wow! He does make you work for your grade but I respect him more for it. If you put in the effort you will get the grade.

Easy A. Just read through the notes, do your homework and all the exercises he's given. Exams/quizzes are basically the same as the past papers. I'd say going to lectures is not necessary if you have the completed notes or have someone that could help you with the notes. He explains things pretty well, but his classes could be boring sometimes.

He's a great teacher. If you actually pay attention in class, you will do well. He is the definition of dad.

Dr. Nelson did a great job teaching ECON 202. He seems to understand that economics isn't very interesting to a lot people, so he does a good job catering to a tough crowd by throwing jokes into his lectures. Offers great guided lecture notes, and tons of practice questions that are exactly like the test. Tough class, but he did a good job.

AMAZING TEACHER very clear notes and lecture outline, prepares you for tests well and made Econ 352 interesting at 8am

Tells great dad jokes when people get glazed eyes.

One of the better professors I've had at OSU. He does a great job of making the material interesting and easy to understand.

His exams are hard and it's super hard to get an A or even a B+ in this class. But to be honest, this is the most I have learned in the university. His class is super logical and if you think deeply, it's really the econ issue we have now. Definitely, recommend for people who are in Econ major or interesting in Econ!

Nelson explains concepts clearly and is able to make difficult concepts easy to understand. He is very reasonable in terms of what he expects from his students and is overall a great professor.

I've learned so much this term. Nelson works really hard to help students. He gives you old exam questions which are very useful. It's not easy, but hey it's Econ.

He does an amazing job of explaining complicated concepts and models. He's also a super nice guy. He spent many hours with me in his office hours answering my questions. Would definitely recommend.

Mike Nelson!!! The legend. His lectures are long, but very useful if you go to class and just apply yourself. He makes you think critically and rewards you for going to class by showing steps to practice problems or giving out freebee answers to test questions. Would definitely take a class with him again!

Professor Nelson was amazing. He provided a plethora of lecture videos (so get ready to set aside some time for that), but they were so beneficial. He creates his weekly quizzes based off of the exact material he assigns. There is never any surprise material. You WILL be prepared if you watch the videos and attend lectures. It's a great class.

Professor Nelson is the best econ professor I've ever taken class with. He provided all of the materials and all you need to do is just work through them. His lecture were worth attending and they all make complete sense. Just attend his lecture and watch all the lecture video and you'll be fine.

Nelson was overall a good instructor for a hard class. Hes always really nice and friendly to students. The content of the class is difficult but his teaching is so great youll feel prepared for quizzes, as he provides hundreds of extra videos and gives us all of his quizzes/exams from previous terms. I would totally take another class with him!

Professor Nelson did a wonderful job of adding a great mix of external videos and articles, creating interactive and meaningful discussions, and gave exams that were challenging enough to stretch us. He included extra lectures on the more rigorous topics, and always gave useful and timely feedback. Great course and teacher, and I learned a lot.

Dr. Nelson's class is set up with 1 Smartbook, 1 homework, and 1 quiz due over a chapter each week. The key to succeeding in this class is to take advantage of the optional practice exam questions and videos he posts along with the required material of the week; often, questions that were similar (if not identical) showed up on tests/quizzes.

The class itself was far more difficult than I was expecting, but if you do the "readings" (online question-based work, was better than a normal textbook by far) and go to lectures it's definitely achievable. Nelson himself was very accessible and accommodating, and was very light-hearted and friendly, especially for an online class.

Great prof! Gives fun lectures in class, with some moderate in-class activities. Has lots of great anecdotes about his time as a prof. Gives you all of the lecture notes online, and fills in the blanks in class. Textbook required, but I didn't really use it. One midterm exam, and final (not cumulative), plus a paper and some discussions online.

Professor Nelson was amazing. He seemed like a very nice guy and always told dad jokes to make the lectures, which can be dull, a little better. There were a lot of assignments, but nothing too difficult. The exams are easy if you do the homework and do the sample exam questions. Definitely recommend him if you need to take macroeconomics.

Mike is a really fun teacher, who tells plenty of jokes. He gives you old exam questions and they work as great study tools. Attending class will get you some exam questions and make them easier. Only downside is that exams in total are worth something like 75% of your grade.

Helpful lectures and great dad jokes!

Put in the work every week (attend class, do the smartbooks/quizzes) and it's easy to follow along

Previous year tests are provided to students, amazing teacher.

Fun and entertaining guy, gave good lectures. Make sure you read the textbook and do all the homework because the two midterms and final are all quite dense.

I love the professor. Make sure you go to the lecture. There are a lot of things to learn, so it's kinda hard.

Awesome Professor, is this class hard? Well, "it depends." I recommend coming to class as material can be quite heavy. Fun lectures, I love the during class online questions as they serve as a learning check. Very respectful, motivated and energetic. Really loves his job and you can tell with the effort he puts forward in his work.

Great guy, was super energetic and into all his lectures. However, with that being said this class has a TON of material. Going to class is an absolute must. First midterm wasn't too bad, second midterm was easier, and the final was very tough. He curves the second midterm as well as the final. Go over the practice problems for sucess on the tests

LOVED this professor. I think about his lectures now, in a different econ class. My current prof pales in comparison despite being good. Read the textbook, take the reading Qs seriously. Go to class, take class seriously. Do a lot of practice problems for exams, and you'll do just fine. It can be intimidating, but he has good supports in place.

Took this course in spring '23 online and failed, so I was nervous going into this class. Luckily, Michael makes this course more enjoyable! Cracks jokes during lectures, asks Tophat questions for class engagement, and is very helpful outside of class, he responds to emails quickly. 75% of the grade is exams, so be prepared for to study.

Amazing class. Amazing professor. Classes are fun and engaging (economics?? fun?!) and he cares about his students. I needed some extra help with the class and he was more than willing to help and accommodate. He works with the SI table leaders too to give students the best help. Just an overall great professor and a fun class (challenging though)

Attend lectures regularly, pay attention in class, and work through the homework, and it's an easy pass. Macro is a little tough to grasp but if you put in a little work and take his advice when it comes to studying and A is completely attainable.

The course is very tough but Michael is a great guy and cares about students a lot. Just be sure to attend the classes and ask questions because the exams are difficult and it is a weed out class.

Best Professor at oregon state i've had.

Mike is a really caring professor. He finds ways to connect with his students and support in any way he can. This class is a lot easier if you read the textbook as assigned. The textbook is really well written and breaks things down in a way that makes a lot of sense. Your grade in the class mostly depends on how you perform on 3 exams.

Professor Michael makes this tough course more enjoyable. Attend classes, work through homework, and utilize resources like Unstuckstudy for study prep - it'll help you grasp the challenging material and earn a solid grade.

Incredible nonmandatory lectures, and Michael is very fun and informative. There will be lots of reading, homework, and studying if you want to succeed, but it pays off. Your grade will nearly entirely rely on your 3 test scores (75%), so study hard and well. Also, DO THE PRACTICE TESTS ON CANVAS. Loved this course, absolutely would reccomend.

He is an amazing economics professor here at OSU. I recommend using the practice exams he provides to help you study for the midterms and finals because the questions are the same. Also, if you have questions on the topics, his office hours are great, and he wants you to succeed in your economics class.

Dr Nelson is a great instructor, get ready to hear some of the stupidest dad jokes ever. Very exam heavy but manageable if you do practice quizes

I found econ in general very hard to care about, but Nelson made it enjoyable with his dad jokes. The class is VERY test heavy but as long as you study and do the practice quizzes you'll be fine.

Mike is a great guy and cares that you do well in class. Exams are proctored with Proctorio and tough, but the supplemental lectures help a lot with exam material. Read the textbook and participate in the discussions. If you put in effort, you will get a decent grade. No late work is accepted and he is a tough grader. He is strict, but means well.

He is a very kind professor and talks about how much he appreciates his students a lot. He makes everything seem so easy in class as he explains it because of how knowledgeable it is and that it makes sense, but that can make you overconfident. If you put in the time, you can get a very good grade, but tests are challenging and 75% of the grade.

Professor Nelson made this class enjoyable bc of his enthusiasm and passion for the subject. He taught in a digestible way. Shared small stories from his life, which helped us connect and be more invested in class. explained exactly what would help us and always there to help if struggling. Coursework/learning was difficult, but benefited learning.

He is a humorous professor who cares about the students who show up to his classes and/or office hours. He is aware that Econ 201 is typically a tough course, and promotes different groups on campus to help studying efforts. Tests are the bulk of the grade, but don't forget to finish the homework, it makes a difference.