Stefan Idziak - University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON

Professor: Stefan Idziak

Department: Physics

College: University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHY112
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Really great prof. I actually ENJOYED physics (didn't think it was possible) and I also really understood the content well unlike phys 111. Helpful, explains things well, does lots of demos. Great guy.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHY112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Really great prof! I have him right now for PHYS 112. He has great lectures and does a ton of demos. He also takes lots of time in class to ask if anyone has questions about the content he is teaching. He is also really friendly and easy to approach with questions. His midterms aren't too easy but aren't unnecessarily difficult. Awesome prof! :D

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SCI206
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

His lectures and slides are not helpful when studying for exams.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHYS112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Go to class. Don't be dumb... However, Stefan is a clear and well-rounded professor. I love this guy.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SCI206
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Max. of 15 slides per lecture; demos took up most of the time. I found that his lectures are quite confusing, so I read the textbook for the whole course. This course doesn't have any educational value (ie: no use for it after graduation). I regret taking it.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SCI206
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Most of the course contents are common sense and related to daily lives. Many interesting demos in lectures and you should pay attention in lectures. However, you may skip it and just review the slides(slides are pretty short) if you don't need a high mark.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHYS112
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you study hard you can do well, most of the test material is from examples in class or from the assignments. Flexible grading scheme, assignmentsmidtermfinal was 103060 or 00100. He gave really great lectures and answers questions well.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHYS112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is a very good prof. His notes are messy and all over the place but he makes physics seem simpler. His exams are fair but like any physics course, a lot of practice on your own ensures good marks.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SCI206
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I just had my 2nd lecture and I find him really passionate in teaching. I don't think this is a bird course unless you remember your high school physics. Nonetheless, class is really interesting.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SCI206
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Just had my first lecture, can't stop smiling

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHYS112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Funny prof that tries to have a demonstration every class which kept the class interesting. However, his board notes are disorganized so you have to make sure to take notes on your own. His examples are a bit too easy and don't help much on assignments. Other than that, his explanations and lectures are pretty clear. Overall, good prof.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SCI206
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very cool prof. You can tell he likes what he is teaching which makes the class environment more fun to be in.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHYS112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Great prof! He really explains the course content well and he does a demonstration almost every class. If you have trouble with the course, just go to his office. He's really nice. Midterms were super easy, but exam was a little tricky (still easy). I thiiiink there was a slight bell curve, but not sure. Ended up with a great mark (better than 111)

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHYS112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Awesome teacher, fun guy.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHYS112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great Prof. He does a good job at explaining the concepts and generally he keeps the questions simple. Mastering physics assignments don't really provide enough knowledge to do well on the tests, but they are easy marks and help with background knowledge. His demo's make it exciting to go to lecture, and he is very personable in office hours!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHYS112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Easily the best physics professor I have ever had. He provided a demo almost every single day and made all of the concepts crystal clear. Exams were tough (averages were usually in the 50-60 range), but quite fair. Hope he gets the Distinguished Teacher Award!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHYS112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof Idziak is the nicest professor ever!! Go to him for help during office hours, he'll try his best to make you understand/get the answer instead of giving it to you. His examples are really helpful so make sure you follow how he does them in class! I got a really good mark thanks to his in class examples and help during office hours.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SCI206
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This course is not as easy as everyone says it is. The course notes are bare and have a single picture with little descriptive substance. Must pay close attention in class because the concepts are not explained thoroughly with lecture notes. Some questions on exams are rather abstract and you wonder where these theories have ever been discussed.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SCI206
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I underestimated the course based on reading reviews. You should go to class and you should study some, unless you have a bank of old midterms and finals. Great prof but it is easy to fall asleep in a 3 hour long night class which is a great way to catch up on rest, however, you miss information. Google SCI 206 for amazing notes on the course!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SCI206
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I once emailed him a question about a concept, and he emailed me back with his understanding of it, as well as journal articles and recent magazine article to help answer my question. On top of that, he brought up my question the beginning of next class to share with everyone.Gets asked lots of tough questions in class, and can answer most of them!