Ken Petzinger - College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

Professor: Ken Petzinger

Department: Science

College: College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHYS150W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Life in the Universe seminar is great if you're interested in the topic... there are 5 papers and one group presentation. i was bored, i didn't really care for the topic i was only taking the class because i didnt have a choice, so i fell asleep alot, but if you're interested in that kind of thing, you'd probably really enjoy it.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHYS176
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

run away, run away...as fast as your feet can carry you. AWFUL.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHYS150W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Life in the Universe seminar is recommended, lectures are a little long at times but the work load is good compared to other seminars, recommended heavily if you like the subject.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHYS176
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Nice guy but horrible class. Very unclear in his lectures & when answering questions. Goes through important material too quickly and focuses on things that aren't on tests (multiple choice). You'll think you did well on the test and you'll end up with a C or a D if you're lucky. Questions on tests vague & difficult to choose an answer.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: INTROASTRONOMY
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

this class was the WORST experience. i got 100s on all the homework, went to class, got an A in the lab (the part that required the real science) but his tests are WAY TOO UNCLEAR and when you try to get help, he is not helpful and is condescending...told me i didn't understand science which is def not true since I aced AP physics.. awful class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHYS176
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Petzinger is fair and straightforward. Multiple choice exams. The homework points you in the direction of the important stuff, and is easy. It helps your grade. I was a little disappointed when I got mid to low Bs on the tests, but I didn't really review. After the curve? B+ overall. If you're a little interested and work some, you'll do just fine.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHYS150W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Life in the Universe wasn't too hard, compared to other Fresh Seminars. 5 two page papers, one 6 page term paper (in lieu of a final exam) and discussion make up the class. This was the first time this was taught, so it might change. Readings came out of Life in the Universe textbook, pretty interesting if you like that kinda thing. Recommended.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: INTROASTRONOMY
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS PROFESSOR! I went to every single class, took detailed notes, read all chapters, went to office hours regularly, got 100's on hw and did all the extra credit but still got a C. He is a completely unfair grader. He is the worst and most inconsistent prof at W&M, really shouldn't teach at this school.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHYS176
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I think this is a great class because you learn so much. It is challenging, but for a GER, I think it is better than sitting through another chem or physics class, and it is way better than learning about rocks. Homework really helps your grade and the lab is an easy A. Willing to curve and gives extra credit. Just read the book and GO TO CLASS!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHYS176
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Knows the subject but has difficulty communicating it. Material seems easy until the test, which are multiple choice but HARD. Homework is a grade-saver. A background in physics will help; a lot of basic laws and concepts are easier if you have an idea of them beforehand.

Rating # 11

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Stay away from this class. Petzinger may try hard but his efforts fall far short. His tests are too hard and arent even about what he teaches. He tries to be helpful but his help only leads farther away from whats on the tests. Good guy, but has no business teaching.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHYS176
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Really really nice guy who cares a lot about teaching, but isn't very good at it. Tests can be really picky and with mulitple choice anything is possible...homework grades help but tests can be hard.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHYS176
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A nice man, but a horrible prof. This is the most boring class I've ever been in. Tests are insamely hard - if you get a C, you are a genius. I took the class b/c I thought it would be an easy, interesting way to fulfill a GER -it is NOT. If you have to take it, just read the book, and never go to class - lectures are directly from the book.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHYS176
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

It's very hard. Class average for the first test was a 65- enough said. He's not a mean guy, and I'm sure he means well, but he doesn't seem too personable. Lectures are boring and not very helpful in my opinion. You'll be reading everything assigned, doing weekly problem sets, and studying a lot just to do mediocre in the class. Not too fun...

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHYS176
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS! I thought it would be an easy way to fufill Ger2 but I was so very wrong. He is a very nice man, but his class is very hard. I studied for days beofore the first test and ended up with the class average...that is a 64. Only take this class if you are very intrested and highly skilled in physics.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHYS176
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not exactly the most interesting professor. Lectures are dry, tests from notes, and will make you fall asleep if you are tired. Other than that, seems to be a nice guy, and also seems to be genuinely interested in the subject material

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHYS176
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a nice guy, but unless you really like Astronomy, the class sucks. I wish I would've taken BIO or Geology to fulfill the GER. It's not as easy as you would think - he's way too intense for an intro class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHYS176
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I signed up for this Astro course to fill my science GER. DONT MAKE MY MISTAKE. Take Bio 100. Astro's a great course if you like monotonous droning and creationism. Tests on the book's details. If you can learn it word for word, then go for it. He takes this class way too seriously for a GER.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHYS176
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

It's been said this is the class to take the fulfill the GER. I say, no way. It is very, very dry and very, very boring. The Lab is an easy A, so that'll make the B you'll get in the lecture more tolerable, not because its hard, but because you don't care enough to study for it.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHYS176
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

really, really nice guy! the class is boring, but you can tell he is trying hard, and he really loves his subject, which helps. with the homework and a little studying, you can pull a decent grade. the reading is very managable, and the material can be very interesting at times.