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Professor Ratings & Grade Distribution Data for John Chermak
John Chermak
Professor (2004 – 2012)
Virginia Tech (VT)
Geosciences
Virginia Tech (VT)
Geosciences
Overall rating
Rated by 77 students
2.96
Avg GPA
across 2 classes
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Most Helpful Favorable Professor Review
Most Helpful Critical Professor Review
GEOS 1024 - Resources Geology
Chermak's the man!
I learned a lot about the world's resources and all, but then I also noticed that he's a huge environmentalist. He hates Big America and goes on and on about how we're doing everything wrong and we're going to all die in 40 yea...
Read the full review >
I learned a lot about the world's resources and all, but then I also noticed that he's a huge environmentalist. He hates Big America and goes on and on about how we're doing everything wrong and we're going to all die in 40 yea...
Read the full review >
Professor rated by: Business Information Technology Student on 1/18/07
Helpful Rating?
GEOS 1024 - Resources Geology
This was a pretty hard class for a GEO 1XXX class. Chermak is extremely biased and it's very clear in his lectures, even when he claims he's just giving the facts. He can also be pretty rude to his students. There are always a few BS questions on the...
Read the full review >
Read the full review >
Professor rated by: Industrial and Systems Engineering Student on 5/12/08
Helpful Rating?
Student Ratings 1 - 20 of 77
GEOS 1024
Resources Geology
Chermak's the man!
I learned a lot about the world's resources and all, but then I also noticed that he's a huge environmentalist. He hates Big America and goes on and on about how we're doing everything wrong and we're going to all die in 40 years.
Also, on a chart he had in his PowerPoint, he modified a bar graph and extended one part of the graph to be even higher to stress his point. (We could see he did a weak job hiding up his edit... He just made a longer blue bar in PowerPoint over the real image). So, I'm not sure how reliable all of his numbers are... and he has a pretty strong bias.
Study the Koofers and you'll do GREAT on the exams!
Extra credit is also given if you attend class... which is really nice (it doesn't count against you if you don't go, but just go and take the Extra Credit!)
Overall, it's an easy and decently fun class. Why else would they call it Rocks 4 Jocks?
I learned a lot about the world's resources and all, but then I also noticed that he's a huge environmentalist. He hates Big America and goes on and on about how we're doing everything wrong and we're going to all die in 40 years.
Also, on a chart he had in his PowerPoint, he modified a bar graph and extended one part of the graph to be even higher to stress his point. (We could see he did a weak job hiding up his edit... He just made a longer blue bar in PowerPoint over the real image). So, I'm not sure how reliable all of his numbers are... and he has a pretty strong bias.
Study the Koofers and you'll do GREAT on the exams!
Extra credit is also given if you attend class... which is really nice (it doesn't count against you if you don't go, but just go and take the Extra Credit!)
Overall, it's an easy and decently fun class. Why else would they call it Rocks 4 Jocks?
Professor rated by: Business Information Technology Student on January 18, 2007
Helpful Rating?
GEOS 1024
Resources Geology
This was a pretty hard class for a GEO 1XXX class. Chermak is extremely biased and it's very clear in his lectures, even when he claims he's just giving the facts. He can also be pretty rude to his students. There are always a few BS questions on the test. Be sure to take advantage of ALL extra credit opportunities because they're pretty rare and worth the time. Don't waste money on the book.
Professor rated by: Industrial and Systems Engineering Student on May 12, 2008
Helpful Rating?
GEOS 1024
Resources Geology
Overall, Chermak's a good professor. He is very passionate about his class and the things he teaches. Sometimes the class was a little boring, but for the most part it kept my attention. The only thing that bothered me about this class were the tests. They are soooo tricky, it's unbelievable. Make sure you know the questions on the practice exam he gives out and the ones on koofers. Know the questions backwards and fowards and with any change in a single word, such as putting a NOT infront of something. These simple changes completely throw the answer to the questions, so make sure while taking his tests you read carefully. You want to fly through it because you know all the answers because thats what you studied right??, wrongg-take you time, be the last one in there, that's his strategy. But you should definetly take this class, its easy to get an A, just make sure you go to class and study for the exams.
Professor rated by: University Course Series Student on July 27, 2008
Helpful Rating?
GEOS 1024
Resources Geology
exams were a little weird... either had way too many answer choices... or were a little biased...
"global warming...
a. is a crackpot theory made up by scientist conspirators
b. is definitely happening right now"
... that was an exam question. also uses the terms "piece" and "from a _______ perspective" excessively to the point where my friend and i made a drinking game for his class but decided not to play, as it would give us alcohol poisoning.
doesnt put notes online.
"global warming...
a. is a crackpot theory made up by scientist conspirators
b. is definitely happening right now"
... that was an exam question. also uses the terms "piece" and "from a _______ perspective" excessively to the point where my friend and i made a drinking game for his class but decided not to play, as it would give us alcohol poisoning.
doesnt put notes online.
Professor rated by: Psychology Student on December 11, 2007
Helpful Rating?
GEOS 1004
Physical Geology
not always available becuase he goes all over doing projects all over the world but hes a great teacher. really fair grades. read the book. he makes it optional but you wont pass without reading it before tests. He uses the book rarely but his tests are based on it so without it you're done. hes the best of the teachers ive had for my sciences. 3 tests. his quizzes are for attendance only. the grade doesnt count as long as you turn it in. no hw. some E.C. no curves
Professor rated by: Finance, Insurance, and Business Student on February 5, 2008
Helpful Rating?
GEOS 1024
Resources Geology
I hate geology, but Chermak makes the material relevant and interesting. He talks about his experiences, so it's a little more interesting. The Koofers and sample tests help a lot. The tests are kind of hard because of the answer bank. For example, he might give answer choices like: a,b,c, a&b, a&b, b&c, all, none. So, you need to know all exact answers. Come to class for points towards your grade. Sometimes he gives extra credit.
Professor rated by: Accounting & Information Systems Student on April 20, 2008
Helpful Rating?
GEOS 1024
Resources Geology
This class was by far the easiest class ever. He always gave practice quizzes for every exam and then the real things were basically 80% the same as the practice. On top of that, he is really passionate about what he is teaching and has actually been to places and done research and conservation efforts. I found this class really enjoyable. I would highly recommend it.
Professor rated by: Marketing Student on August 27, 2008
Helpful Rating?
GEOS 1024
Resources Geology
He takes attendance at least once a week and it counts so I'd recommend going to class for that reason and the fact he doesnt put his notes online and the class doesn't exactly follow the book either. He's a nice person overall and has great experiences to share.
Professor rated by: Finance, Insurance, and Business Student on May 2, 2007
Helpful Rating?
GEOS 1024
Resources Geology
Pros: 20% of your grade is attendence. Another 20% is online reading quizzes that can be taken as many times as you like. So basically you start the class with a 40%.
Cons: Exam questions are confussing, you will have to go to class and take good notes to know how to anwser his questions.
Class consists of 3 exams that are not cummlative. Each exam is 20% of your grade. The other 40% is attendence and online quizzes. The material in this class is easy and mostly common knowledge. However, Dr. Chermak's Exam questions can be difficult and confussing. He gives you a practice exam before each test. These questions will show up on the exam, so make sure you know the correct anwsers. If you find the practice questions hard, you should take better notes in class. Also, whenever he does an i-clicker question in class, write it down b/c it will be on the test, even if it is the class voting on their opinions... write it down with the results.
This is a pretty easy class and it gives you an area 4 and 7 at the same time.
This is a pretty easy class and it gives you an area 4 and 7 at the same time.
Professor rated by: Biological Sciences Student on December 22, 2011
Helpful Rating?
GEOS 1024
Resources Geology
I loved Professor Chermak. I hate science, I am a business major, but of course everyone has to take a science course, and this is a good one to take. He is very understanding and wants everyone to do well - the tests are hard, but a lot of questions are identical to the practice quizzes he posts online, and he did offer extra credit. He also curves the exams, and gives a 'bonus question' at the end ("Pick True")
Overall, it is pretty hard to get an A, but not hard to get a B or B+.
Take notes, read the book, take practice quizzes. You don't have to go to class every time, but it helps to go often. He takes attendence once a week, but if it hurts your grade then he doesnt count it.
If you don't like science, this is your best bet.
Overall, it is pretty hard to get an A, but not hard to get a B or B+.
Take notes, read the book, take practice quizzes. You don't have to go to class every time, but it helps to go often. He takes attendence once a week, but if it hurts your grade then he doesnt count it.
If you don't like science, this is your best bet.
Professor rated by: Finance, Insurance, and Business Student on December 13, 2007
Helpful Rating?
GEOS 1024
Resources Geology
Pros: He's a nice guy and knows what he is talking about. Powerpoints are helpful.
Cons: For a 1000 level class, I expected a lighter workload, however his tests are the most random instances of questions that are very specific from the textbook. Powerpoints not posted on Scholar.
Even Dr. John know what he is talking about, doesn't mean the class knows. Most of the people in this class are just taking it for the Science credits and I think he's aware of that, but you do get a lot out of the class, even though useless information, it's information that you can spit out at a dinner party in the future to make you look smart.
Professor rated by: Political Science Student on December 7, 2011
Helpful Rating?
GEOS 1024
Resources Geology
Pros: The quizzes are pretty easy and you can take them as many times as you want.
Cons: The exams are what comprise the majority of your grade and you can no longer look at his old exams on Koffers to see what the questions are. Also, he doesn't test on the book material but instead on what he goes on long tangents on in class.
Professor rated by: Finance, Insurance, and Business Student on December 6, 2011
Helpful Rating?
GEOS 1024
Resources Geology
He gets really sidetracked during lectures. He love to tell stories that make sure you know just how important he is to the various industries. You can get by in his classes even if you don't go to lecture. Pretty much everything you need to know is also in the book.
Professor rated by: Mining and Minerals Engineering Student on February 7, 2008
Helpful Rating?
GEOS 1024
Resources Geology
i really liked chermak because he was a good teacher that kept me interested in the subject. he is knowledgeable about the information and is very engaged in what he teaches. go to class and take decent notes and you should do well.
Professor rated by: Hospitality and Tourism Management Student on May 20, 2008
Helpful Rating?
GEOS 1004
Physical Geology
He is a very enthusiastic and dedicated teacher. He tries to make the material interesting even though it is very boring. Some of the material is very difficult though and the tests are pretty hard. He is such a good guy though!!
Professor rated by: Interdisciplinary Studies (Dept Of) Student on October 31, 2007
Helpful Rating?
GEOS 1004
Physical Geology
Chermak really knows what he's talking about, and he enjoys talking about his jobs in Geology. It's pretty easy to get a decent grade in his class without doing that much work.
Professor rated by: Mining and Minerals Engineering Student on February 4, 2008
Helpful Rating?
GEOS 1024
Resources Geology
Although rocks and resources are not very exciting he makes it someone fun. Although he gives practice exams and many questions are similar you still need to study to get an A
Professor rated by: University Course Series Student on July 23, 2007
Helpful Rating?
GEOS 1024
Resources Geology
Although rocks and resources are not very exciting he makes it someone fun. Although he gives practice exams and many questions are similar you still need to study to get an A
Professor rated by: University Course Series Student on July 23, 2007
Helpful Rating?
GEOS 1024
Resources Geology
great class and teacher. he takes attendence sometimes though so go to class, because having 100% attendence really helps your final grade. It brought me from a B to an A.
Professor rated by: Communication Student on August 5, 2008
Helpful Rating?
GEOS 1024
Resources Geology
good professor- interesting to listen to and knows his stuff- but exams were difficult. he gives too many answer options for his questions so they can be tricky.
Professor rated by: Marketing Student on September 19, 2008
Helpful Rating?
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