This class is nowhere near as hard as I expected it to be. I went to probably a quarter of the lectures and one discussion section and managed to get an A in the class. If you have a solid physics background (5 in an AP Physics class) you should be fine, especially since he curves the class at the end. The tests were hard, but once again he curves the grades at the end so your raw score isn't important. Based on the classes I did go to, he was a pretty good professor although to be honest my high school physics teacher was a bit better, but I guess that's an unfair comparison. Overall I'd say take his class if you have a strong physics background or like the subject, avoid if physics is a weak spot for you.

Okay to be honest this guy was NOT AS HARD as the people on here make him out to be. Actually, his tests are difficult (the most difficult physics exams I've seen so far) but he gives you partial credit if you show that you have an idea of how to approach a problem. If you take Corbin, here's what you should do:

Do the homework!
Do all of it! I'm serious! For our class he would put a homework question word-for-word on each of the midterms for all or no credit (no partial credit... evil!)

Get a COMPLETE solutions manual to the textbook... it helps you out with the homework problems, and if you don't understand a homework problem go to Corbin's or the TA's office hours.

For this course it is important to know the concepts rather than the mathematical tricks thrown at you by the book. If you know what is going on in a problem, can explain it to another person, and solve it (and can explain to another person how to solve it as well), you will do fine.

Go over his notes with classmates (form a study group), and go over the examples he gives in class. He goes over difficult examples so if you understand them, chances are you will understand what will be on the tests.

I got an A doing this so you know that A's ARE possible in this class. Oh I seem to have forgotten to mention that Corbin is an awesome guy... seriously! He's the best professor at UCLA I've had so far and I hope to have him again for another course. Go to his office hours and have a chat with him he is hilarious and talks about interesting stuff. This was the only class that I had near-perfect attendance. His lectures are amazing and he devotes time to help students struggling with the course. (He had office hours like everyday almost). I definitely recommend Corbin.

Corbin is probably the best professor I ever met at UCLA. He is effective, interesting and helpful. He's been holding office hour every single day the past quarter and replies emails in time. His lectures are so much fun that I always feel excited to go to his class. His tests are hard, but interesting. In short, I really enjoyed this quarter with him.

Corbin is an amazing teacher and person. You'd be silly to pass up this opportunity to learn physics from him.
He is helpful, kind and generous in every way, and goes above and beyond to help anyone and everyone who is willing to learn. As his past physics workshops and teaching methods have shown, this includes people who may not be enrolled in his specific class, but simply those who want to develop their understanding of physics in a way that is more than just memorizing formulas..

@ the guy who "is wondering what to learn from Corbin,"
maybe you should learn to chill. ;) haha.. 8)

Brent is the best physics professor ever! The way he taught the material is easier to understand than reading the book! He expect a lot from his students and have high expectation. He is very humorous, which made the class really interesting. Personally, i hate physics, i take it for requirement. But he made it so interesting that i kinda like it now! Lots of HW, getting ready to spend time on HW. Highly recommanded to go to office hour, or workshop. He is always around to help. His lectures are well-organized. Exams are reasonable, makes sure don't miss his lecture if possible. His lecture notes are useful. Huge curves, you can't believe it!

Well, overall, this is a really tuff class. I would not recommand ppl to take it if you do not have time to spend on it, or take it for fun. Really tuff. But if you have to take any physics class, you have to take Brent.. you will know why I like him so much!

Prof. Corbin is THE professor to learn mechanics from. of all the professors i have had at UCLA, he is one of the few who understands the subject, is passionate about teaching, and actually cares about the students. I agree that he would probably be one of the harder professors you will have, but he is considered hard only because he tests your concepts, not your memory. He hates when kids try to memorize problems from the books and belch it in the tests. He wants you to learn the underlying principles of physics, and see the beauty of it by developing an analytical mind. If you don't understand something, talk to him, go to his office hours,and go to peer tutoring. He will go to great lengths to try make you understand. his tests and homework will be challenging, but they are extremely rewarding if you do them by yourself, applying all the concepts you learn. If you are a slouch, and just want to get by, he is not for you. But if you really want to learn physics, physics you can use in real world, i suggest you take his class.
ps:
(for the post below me) Please do not talk trash about him. Have some decency and show some professionalism.

I didn't have him as a professor, but I did attend his workshops, which were AMAZING. Corbin has a lot of stategies that make you understand physics a lot better. I used to hate mechanics in high school, but now I really like it a lot. I'm not sure how well I would have done in Gelmini's 1A class if weren't for his workshops, but I think I got an A+ in her class because of them. Excellent teacher.

Not all that he is cracked up to be. I took 1A with him last quarter. Yeah I learned my fair share, but his lectures started to get really boring really fast (and his jokes were no different). His tests are tough--he always finds some way to trick you into going for a different answer. All in all, take Corbin, but don't expect the thrill of your life--all these other reviews are those who are too smart for their own good who sit up front and laugh at every joke trying to suck up to the teacher.

Amazing lecturer - if you attend his class, you will KNOW physics. The downside is that you will be EXTREMELY stressed out for the duration of the quarter.

For the first few weeks, you'll be scrambling to keep up with the heavy homework load, adjust to his fast-paced (but oh-so-amazing) teaching style. After the first midterm (it takes 3-4 weeks to get tests back, if not longer, so you feel like you failed for a solid month - not a good feeling), you'll be feeling the pressure to do better, even though you've been working your ass off.

After the second midterm, you'll be resigning yourself to your fate, knowing that you're failing the class - that takes you up to finals week. For the duration of the quarter, you spend way too much time going to his workshops (you pretty much have to if you want to pass) and doing his homework.

The final is generally manageable; you'll feel like you didn't fail it quite as badly. Finally, everything will curve out, and you'll be relieved to see that your grade is not as bad as you expected.

But is it worth it? Probably not - the best thing (BY FAR) is to go to Corbin's lecture's and do his homework, but enroll in a different professor's class. That way you won't have to deal with the stress that comes with taking (and waiting for the results of) his tests.

Too over rated. Good lecturer, but not worth that dip in gpa. I took it thinking I could get a good grade, and ended up with a B-