Tracy Davis - Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY

Professor: Tracy Davis

Department: Science

College: Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHYS209
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Hate this guy. Had him for a half semester class my first semester freshman year for UP-C: waves. Made insecure first semester freshman me more insecure. Wrote snarky/belittling comments on my tests/assignments. Was scared to ever talk to him. Shouldn't have been a hard class at all, but I got an academic alert. First and only.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHYS209
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He got me to understand maxwell's equations in 5 minutes. This professor is one of few RIT physics professors that makes physics really clear and feel easy.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHYS217
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Davis is a phenomenal professor who wants nothing more than to share his knowledge with his students. Throughout his lectures he would explain things very clearly and was more than willing to answer any question that might arise. He is also very open and friendly with his students but I can see how he can come off as condescending to some.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHYS209
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Davis is extremely knowledgeable and rarely uses notes to conduct his lectures and will work through problems with you. I took a half semester course with him so it was light on course work but even so I would recommend taking him. he is easy to talk to

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHYS217
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Davis is very engaging. I had him for my Physics Major specific course and he was great going in depth if we want it. Because our class was more specific, we went deeper into material and he was great at coming up with challenging yet solvable problems.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHYS313
• 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: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I wish to buy this man a beer. He is a great professor, and explains things in an intuitive, easy to understand, manner. Loves the term "Big Momma" when referring to large quantities.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHY313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I like the guy, funny and laid back. not too hard but you must put in effort. Never hands back the class work or quizzes though. Easy to appraoch out of class

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: UVP313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Davis is the best physics teacher I have ever had. His notes are clear, and concise. He shows an active interest in his classes, and is more than happy to answer any questions you may have. His class is not easy, but if you show an interest he will be more than happy to help you.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHYS3
• 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:

I love this teacher. Clear notes on the board, more lecture than other teachers, given the physics workshop style. Friendly office hours, basic quizzes. If you're on top of the material, review every few days, you should do well. But he is picky on the tests. Write everything out, UNITS, and all vectors, E field stuff written CORRECTLY

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MPHYS01
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Difficult professor for Modern Physics(1) if you're not 100% sure on the material. Tests are difficult but not impossible. Draws heavily from the textbook. Work through any problem he mentions during lectures until you can do it in your sleep. He's smart, but assumes the class has a firm mastery of the material. Study hard and you'll pass.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHY312
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a very helpful, enthusiastic teacher. He is willing to help if you ask for it. He pushes you hard, but it is not impossible if you work at it. He gets mad if students do not participate.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: UPHY2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's an okay teacher. He can take on a belittling tone while he teaches which makes you feel less comfortable asking questions. He gets really annoyed when people don't participate in class. He often tries to reassure himself that he's doing his job well by "talking through the problem". Be cautious about taking his class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SPSP315
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Had for Modern II. He's an alright teacher, decent at explaining things. It really benefits to read textbook before lectures. Tests are hard, but doable.

Rating # 14

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Great professor overall. Fairly tough grader...you have to have a thorough understanding of the material (including derivations) to pass tests. Weekly quizzes are very conceptual. The final is also mostly conceptual questions. Lectures are very clear and detailed.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHYS313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Good teacher... quite funny. Likes to use funky words. Lectures on and on, but lab is fun cause they're super easy and u basically have 20 min to kill. Harsh grader, but questions are straight from lecture or webassign (which is straight from textbook). Take his class, if ur smarter than the avg Joe the Student.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHYII01
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Horrible Teacher. Actually advised the TA to not help us with in class assignments. Will try to make you feel stupid if you go to him for help during office hours. I would never take another class with him and will try my best to make sure my friends don't either.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: UPHYS1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Davis has a hard time realizing that not everyone in his class can understand physics at the highest level of understanding. He refuses to simplify the lesson, he'll just repeatedly rephrase his complicated version. His test questions rely HEAVILY on concepts, however the WebAssign is almost all formula-use and is simple. He's decent, but be wary.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHYSI1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

tough professor, you have to know your concepts and how to apply them..also memorize equations. do NOT take his class if you're dumb or slightly slow..he'l anihilate you. if you like physics and are smart, you'll like him

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I had him for University Physics I and i thought he seemed very condescending what he talked or even just looked at you. His labs are ridiculous and take hours while simultaneously teaching you nothing. The web assign takes a while but is understandable. If you approach him he will help outside class.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHY312
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A fairly difficult teacher. Learned most of the material on my own. He briefly goes over the new subject then gives you worksheets to do. Doesn't give any time to actually let you understand what you are doing. Tests were challenging, though not impossible.