Alex MacKay - University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Professor: Alex MacKay

Department: Radiology

College: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A well educated man, but not so good at teaching introductory-level physics.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Prof. MacKay is extremely helpful in terms of 1-on-1 tutorials/discussions. If you require clarification on any Physics concept, just ask him after class or during office hours. He is very approachable, and he takes a "learn by doing, not by blindly listening" teaching style. However, he mumbles during lectures, so definitely get a front row seat.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very fast replies to emails, very helpful explanations during class. Engaging and very fun clicker questions. Always speaks clearly. Read the textbook before each class, actively engage in the clicker questions and take good notes, and you're good to go!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Horrible! I don't understand a word he says, he mumbles instead of talking and he doesn't explain anything just casually throws formulas at your face and then some clicker questions that he makes students explain in a low voice so you won't hear the answers clearly anyways. Take another section

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• 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:

He is a wonderful prof, so helpful, so engaging and so supportive!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Only speaks in variables. Great class for formula pluggers!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• 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:

Suuuuuper foxy. Had a very hard time concentrating. Overall super helpful, kind and wonderful!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

this guy is a godsend

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Best teacher ever. Very patient and very understandable

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I hate physics, but with this prof I actually considered of taking couple more physics courses. He's very nice and easy to understand.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• 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:

Incredibly nice, and patient. He cares about his students and provides a comforting atmosphere for all students to feel comfortable discussing and asking questions.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• 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:

He's really really really nice! and really really patient! =)

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• 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:

Very nice prof, enthusiastic, although notes can be more clear as it's always full of small errors + correction.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHYS100
• 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:

He is an excellent professor who genuinely cares for students and tries his best to help students learn the material. He aims to be fair and his exams are manageable as long as you practice through his old exams, Mastering Physics and textbook questions. Pay attention in class to the little tidbits because they will sometimes appear on exams.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHY101
• 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:

Dr. MacKay is the best teacher I've ever had!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHYS100
• 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:

He's a great guy. I wouldn't call him a great prof. But not a bad prof either.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's super nice and tries real hard, but his overheads are hard to read and full of mistakes. When corrected, he fixes it right away, but it's extremely frustrating all of the time, and hard to catch up afterwards. He is very helpful ouside of class times.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHYSICS101
• 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:

Dr.Mackay really cares for his students. He is such a kind and patient grandfather-like figure. Not only is he an excellent prof/researcher but he is one of those people who brightens the world!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101CSP103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I REALLY REALLY h8te phys....especially coming from high school. Had a schmuck of a teacher - Mr. Lee (magee sec.) who said univ. phys is very hard. Mackay makes it really simple. I had a 70% avg. in highschool. But, in Mackay's class, I got 100% on the first midterm and 95% on the second - class avg. was 71%. So....dats proof enuff.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• 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:

LOL this is in response to the person who said his notes are incoherent (while Mackay subbed for your class when ur prof was in Poland). INCOHERENT ALL THE WAY but he's nice neways...