Cavanaugh is an excellent professor but be prepared because this class is not as easy as it once was. Prof. has specifically stated that he has been working to change the format of this class, and it is reflected by the difficulty. Entire course is worth 1000 pts and you earn those through labs, iclicker questions, a group project, and the exams. You can earn 2% extra credit on your final grade so definitely take advantage of that as there are many opportunities to earn the EC throughout the quarter. Book is required but you can do fine without reading. Labs *aren't* required but are worth a LOT of points so basically you have to go. He drops two iclicker days off your final score, which you are graded on participation - not accuracy. There is a big group project in the lab requiring a 7-10pg paper and a 10min presentation. Totally doable but annoying in addition to all the other work out there. I thought the material was fairly easy, especially if you pay attention to climate change, GMO arguments, and generic weather info. There are some concepts that may be more difficult like hydrologic cycle and wind patterns but this is definitely not a hard science class.

For those trying to get a copy of the book, DO NOT text **********’s post below.

I do NOT have the book for sale; it’s been sold ( I am unable to edit previous posts).

Try finding a copy on Thriftbooks/Amazon ; using the second edition should be just as fine as the most recent (although speak to professor directly to make sure).

Thanks.

Grade breakdown: 20% midterm, 30% final, 50% weekly labs, and up to 2% extra credit for asking questions in lecture.
This class is really interesting and getting a good grade is pretty doable. Cavanaugh is an engaging professor who uses slides and uploads them, and all the main information you need to know is on the slides. Lecture attendance isn't mandatory. The textbook is good for going over concepts you don't understand and I usually just skimmed the assigned chapters. The write-ups for labs are easy and a big part of your lab grade is a group paper and presentation you do in section. If you study off the slides and go over concepts from lab you'll do well on the midterm and final. I'm glad I took this class and would recommend it as an easy GE.

I really enjoyed taking Professor Cavanaugh's class. I learned a lot, he's a fun lecturer, and because the material was interesting, the class was a breeze.

Not sure if he is still using "The Environment and You" by Norm Christensen and Lissa Leege, but I am selling it if you're looking to buy.

Contact for more info **********

Okay. I would definitely recommend this class for a GE. Honestly. I suck at Geography. I had absolutely no background knowledge on it (believe it or not) but I ended up with a B. So let me tell you. I got a D on the midterm and a C on the final and I got a B! Yes. It’s true. Honestly, the lab counts way more than the actual tests. It’s a lot of busy work but it’s worth it. You just have to post hw’s Every week, attend labs, and do class assignments. The midterm and final weren’t even hard, I’m being serious, I just suck at Geography and I was lazy. Anyways, I’m sure it’s super easy to get an A if I was able to get a B when I’m dumb. TAKE THIS. Just go to the labs. ALSO he gives you 1% to your overall grade if you answer a question or ask a question during class. You can get up to 2% extra credit. SUPER GENEROUS.

Selling "Visualizing Environmental Science" 4th Edition $40
Email : *************

Professor Cavanaugh is a very clear and engaging lecturer. He genuinely cares about his students and is always asking for feedback and recommendations. Overall one of my favorite professors and classes at UCLA! The material is not challenging and the final was entirely multiple choice. If you've taken any type of environmental science class before, this class will be a breeze.

This class was pretty interesting, but it is not an easy GE since you still have to put in work, especially during labs. The midterm was kinda hard but the final was all multiple choice and it was pretty easy (I got a C on the midterm but still managed to pull an A in the class). His readings and lectures don't line up, but most of his test material is from the lectures anyway. Class and lab have a heavy workload; I had a final group presentation week 9, the final week 10, and a final paper (2nd part of the group presentation) due Tuesday of finals week. Professor Cavanaugh is a good lecturer, cares about student input, posts lecture slides online, has great hair, and gives up to 2% extra credit.

This class was one of the easiest classes I have taken, but you definitely still had to invest the time to study for the midterm, final group project, and final. He always posted the slides even though attendance was not technically mandatory. Professor Cavanaugh was always happy to help and listened to the students' inputs. The most workload you had was the discussion sections, which were mandatory, where you had to do assignments in every class and you had to write a short one paragraph summary for given articles every week. Again, all very doable and easy if you actually do it. The book was definitely useful during discussions and especially during the final group project.
That being said, I am currently selling the mandatory textbook Professor Cavanaugh used throughout the quarter, "Visualizing Environmental Science" the 4th edition. Selling it very cheap! Contact me at **********.