George Phillies - Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA

Professor: George Phillies

Department: Science

College: Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PH4206
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He wasn't the worst but there were some issues that really ruined the experience for me.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PH1111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

This is the hardest class that I have taken. Do not take unless you got a 5 on AP Physics and Calc, and are willing to work very hard. If you do the work, you can learn a lot. Tests are very difficult, and good notes are a must, as Phillies goes through the process of solving problems in class. Labs take forever, and lots of studying is necessary.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: IMGD2500
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

While Prof. Phillies requires that students put time into it, his IMGD 2500 class is really enjoyable. The labs involve playing classic tabletop strategy board games, such as Carcasonne and Puerto Rico. The final project is challenging, but very enjoyable: create an original tabletop strategy board game in a group of four. He does go off-topic alot

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PH1111
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I HATE him. My worst teacher ever. Dont make the mistake of taking his class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PH522
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Phillies has well organized courses. His lectures generally have 2 flavors: theory or solving problems. His theory lectures are basically useless because he starts doing math and any idea of a physical concept disappears quickly. However, his problem solving lectures are extremely important and he often shows great methods and tricks.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: 1111
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He is difficult. I don't think he really liked teaching intro classes. I know that a lot of people hated him BUT he really knows his stuff. If people needed help, he would help, but a lot of people wouldn't go to his office hours. No doubt it's still the hardest class I've ever taken. But if you pay attention, you can learn a learn a lot from him.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PH1111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

His lectures were extraordinarily confusing, and the book that he chose was no help at all. If you don't have an AP background in physics, you will absolutely suffer through this course with Professor Phillies. I was and still am honestly very surprised (and relieved) that I even received a C in this class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PH1111
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

The lectures do not show you how to apply the material. The exams are difficult even if you completely understand the subject. Don't go to him for help, find someone else to answer your questions. Taking this class will take up all your time just to be able to pass (even if you've already passed the AP exam).

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PH1111
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Very tough class. (PH1111). If you took ap physics in high school you have a chance. 13 of the class NRd and the homework and tests are impossible. Average grades around a 40 but he does curve some.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PH1111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

he seems to hate undercalssmen

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: 10833
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

George Phillies is an all-around terrible person. He teaches a freshman level physics class not because he enjoys inspiring the youth of WPI, but because he gets some sick satisfaction out of knowing he is infinitely more knowledgeable in physics than his students. He is a condescending and intimidating presence, and his heart is a black hole.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PH1111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Phillies was a terrible physics professor. He directed you to other people when you needed help and his tests were really tough. I passed but 13 of the class did not. You really need to work in order to be able to pass. I recommend avoiding him or making sure you know someone who can seriously help you with physics.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PH1111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Homework is tough. If you do all his homework right and go through his Suggest Problems with your conference professor, you should do fine in your tests.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PH1110
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

If you dont do the work, he gives you an ouch. He's very rude to students and his questions are so bad I wanna fight him

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PH1111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I think he gives fairly clear lectures, but often focus too much on deriving equations. The homework is very difficult and so are the exams, but he scales quite a bit. I wouldn't recommend his class, because he makes it more difficult than it needs to be. The class is still do-able if you do the work and ask for help.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: 1111
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Good luck getting any help whatsoever. You rely completely on your conference instructor for help. His tests are ridiculous. Don't expect to get a good grade unless you're a genius or have no life and work your butt off just for his class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PH1111
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Phillies has horrible lectures. I taught much of the material to myself, or knew it before the class. He claims in his syllabus to teach the class as if you have never had physics before. This is FALSE. If you haven't taken AP level physics, you will be screwed. I you don't have tons of time to spend reviewing, you will be screwed.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PH1111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Tends to over complicate

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PH1111
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

This class will slap you around. Get ready for a lot of work. If you're not confident about your skills in physics take 1110.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PH1111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Professor Phillies is not personable at all. He is not helpful and makes students feel stupid during his lectures. The class would have been much more enjoyable if he were not the professor. The tests are very wordy and confusing, and he does not expend any effort to help students understand the homework and labs. Overall, he is an arrogant jerk.