PHYSICS 10
Physics
Description: Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. Not open for credit to students with credit for course 1A, 1AH, 5A, or 6A. Special mathematical preparation beyond that necessary for admission to University in freshman standing not required. Topics include planetary motion, Newton laws, gravitation, electricity and magnetism, wave motion, light, sound, and heat, relativity, quantum mechanics, atoms, and subatomic particles. As time permits, development of physical ideas placed in cultural and historical perspective. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 4.0
Units: 4.0
1 of 3
Most Helpful Review
Extremely easy professor, and this is coming from a dumb guy. If you attend lecture, you'll know what you need for the exams. The book reading will only be over what was emphasized in lecture, which he makes fairly clear. The exams curves were generous. On the first, a 17/25 was an A-. On the second, an A- was a 19/25. The final was obviously more difficult, but FAIR. He even recycled a few old questions from the previous exams. But be careful -- professor Bern can be a tricky fellow: make sure to read the questions CAREFULLY. Bern also likes demonstrations. Most of the time they didn't work, but they're still helpful (when they work). Overall, Bern is a good professor. Highly recommended.
Extremely easy professor, and this is coming from a dumb guy. If you attend lecture, you'll know what you need for the exams. The book reading will only be over what was emphasized in lecture, which he makes fairly clear. The exams curves were generous. On the first, a 17/25 was an A-. On the second, an A- was a 19/25. The final was obviously more difficult, but FAIR. He even recycled a few old questions from the previous exams. But be careful -- professor Bern can be a tricky fellow: make sure to read the questions CAREFULLY. Bern also likes demonstrations. Most of the time they didn't work, but they're still helpful (when they work). Overall, Bern is a good professor. Highly recommended.
AD
Most Helpful Review
I'd have to agree with a previous posting that Brown's teaching style is more complex than it should be for a Physics 10 class. He knows his material and truly cares for his students but it would help if he simplified his explanations a little more. His exams don't correlate very well with his way of teaching so you're better off learning from the book for the midterms and finals. The class overall isn't bad at all and don't worry if you get a low grade on the midterm or final. I barely got more than half right on the first midterm, did good on the second midterm and final and ended up with an A+ in the class. Simply put, Brown is a really nice guy...just put in the effort and it won't be too hard to get an A. =)
I'd have to agree with a previous posting that Brown's teaching style is more complex than it should be for a Physics 10 class. He knows his material and truly cares for his students but it would help if he simplified his explanations a little more. His exams don't correlate very well with his way of teaching so you're better off learning from the book for the midterms and finals. The class overall isn't bad at all and don't worry if you get a low grade on the midterm or final. I barely got more than half right on the first midterm, did good on the second midterm and final and ended up with an A+ in the class. Simply put, Brown is a really nice guy...just put in the effort and it won't be too hard to get an A. =)
Most Helpful Review
He taught the required material really well if you can work hard in trying to understand the material. You can get a good grade if you study hard enough and try to ask TA to help you. One thing about his class is that the novel (the haunted world) is the stupidest thing about the class. this book doesn't have any physics in it and it is so boring reading about a person contradicting himself; sometimes for science and sometimes not, making you so lost.
He taught the required material really well if you can work hard in trying to understand the material. You can get a good grade if you study hard enough and try to ask TA to help you. One thing about his class is that the novel (the haunted world) is the stupidest thing about the class. this book doesn't have any physics in it and it is so boring reading about a person contradicting himself; sometimes for science and sometimes not, making you so lost.
AD
Most Helpful Review
I found this class to be very difficult. She teaches CONCEPTUAL physics, therefore, you do not really have to know the math aspect of it. She does provide you with a list of equations in class, but majority of her tests are conceptual questions. If your only exposure to physics was a year in high school I suggest you take an easier professor. Although her tests are all multiple choice they are still difficult. If you have to take her I suggest getting AAP physics tutoring also. She had entertaining experiments in class and she was very animated and knows the material really well, however, it is difficult to understand her sometimes. Also, in each class she packs a lot of information into each lecture, so sometimes it feels overwhelming. As far as office hours, she was late to almost half of her office hours, I found myself waiting outside of her room for half an hour waiting for her to finally show up. I would highly suggest taking another professor.
I found this class to be very difficult. She teaches CONCEPTUAL physics, therefore, you do not really have to know the math aspect of it. She does provide you with a list of equations in class, but majority of her tests are conceptual questions. If your only exposure to physics was a year in high school I suggest you take an easier professor. Although her tests are all multiple choice they are still difficult. If you have to take her I suggest getting AAP physics tutoring also. She had entertaining experiments in class and she was very animated and knows the material really well, however, it is difficult to understand her sometimes. Also, in each class she packs a lot of information into each lecture, so sometimes it feels overwhelming. As far as office hours, she was late to almost half of her office hours, I found myself waiting outside of her room for half an hour waiting for her to finally show up. I would highly suggest taking another professor.
Most Helpful Review
I did not think Prof. Gruner was an effective teacher, or that Physics 10 with him was a gratifying experience. He glossed quickly over concepts and most importantly didn't solve any example problems, so many people who understood the concepts didn't know how to apply them when the first midterm rolled around. As a result, the curve in the class was ridiculous, and I felt like I got an A just for putting ink on paper. In general, I don't think he cared much about this class, as he never knew basic details about the homework assignments like where to turn them in or when they were due, and never cared to post test result statistics. Sadly, the best thing to happen in this class was him leaving for two weeks. This gave Erika, one of his grad students, a chance to teach the class. She was very animated and engaging, broke concepts down and spoon-fed them to us, and did sample problems so we actually knew how to apply them. If she had taught the whole quarter, I think I would have gotten much more from the class.
I did not think Prof. Gruner was an effective teacher, or that Physics 10 with him was a gratifying experience. He glossed quickly over concepts and most importantly didn't solve any example problems, so many people who understood the concepts didn't know how to apply them when the first midterm rolled around. As a result, the curve in the class was ridiculous, and I felt like I got an A just for putting ink on paper. In general, I don't think he cared much about this class, as he never knew basic details about the homework assignments like where to turn them in or when they were due, and never cared to post test result statistics. Sadly, the best thing to happen in this class was him leaving for two weeks. This gave Erika, one of his grad students, a chance to teach the class. She was very animated and engaging, broke concepts down and spoon-fed them to us, and did sample problems so we actually knew how to apply them. If she had taught the whole quarter, I think I would have gotten much more from the class.
AD
1 of 3
