Burt Swersey - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY

Professor: Burt Swersey

Department: Engineering

College: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MANE4220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Burt can be confusing, and contradictory, but he is also motivating and inspiring. You will do things to appease him, and focus much more on concept than on design details.You will have to work on a project with an empathetic or environmental focus. Inventor's was stressful, difficult, and fun. And has changed the way I see myself and the world.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MANE4220
• 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:

Inventor's Studio is all about the creative process, and this is no easy thing to learn, let alone teach, and Burt does a great job if you listen to him. Some people have difficulty learning this because they are too narrow-minded and focus on the destination and not the journey. My advice is to keep an open mind and you will succeed.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CIE
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I took Swersey's new class "Creativity, Innovation and Entrep." It was an interesting class, but very disorganized. His philosophy and his speeches sometimes conflict and are hypocritical. Puts down innovative ideas that aren't philanthropic. He sometimes alienates students by thinking that his meaning of "innovation" is only right. Easy A doe

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MANE4220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Burt genuinely cares about helping his students to reach their potential. Advice: go to his office hours, actually try some of the creative exercises, and don't feel self conscious about doing something out of your comfort zone. If you approach this course with the intent to learn and become creative, you will.

Rating # 5

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Burt is an amazing teacher. He demands a lot of work and is a bit disorganized but will push you to your creative limits to create something to change the world. The best teacher I've had overall at RPI. He doesn't just teach innovation, he inspires it.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENGR4020
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Warning: If you can't deal with a vague, unstructured and highly demanding class, don't sign up for a class with Burt. It's very frustrating. That said, you can learn a lot from him if you can put up with him.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MANE4220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Burt does a lot of good for RPI, and for the world beyond, by challenging people to think outside the box and push themselves to the brink. His classes are generally extremely disorganized, and he often asks for you to work beyond what is reasonable for any course. But if you don't get too frustrated, you'll find him to be extremely insightful.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MANE4220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Burt is a vision and an inspiration to all those who want to make a difference in this world. He WILL drive you absolutely crazy at times, but at the end you will realize the value of his dedication to pushing everyone in new directions. Don't be afraid to take chances and be ready to commit yourself to this class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MANE4220
• 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:

This is not a typical class: if you are a motivated person who wants to make a big impact on the world Burt can help you get there. Yes it is a lot of work, and Burt will push you, but it is because we are capable of doing so much more than we realize. This class changed my life.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: IHSS1620
• 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:

Nice, vague, disorganized

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MANEIED
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Single best professor I've had at RPI. Can lead you down a rabbit hole if you cannot extract meaning from his words/assignments. Unparalleled vision for innovation. He pushes students harder then most students care to work but the results can be amazing. I ended up with a patent as a result. To get the "A" you need to show interest and initiative.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MANE4020
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Wow. What a class. Stretches you to the limit but for good reason. Felt like I learned more than any other class at RPI. Those who didnt enjoy the class arent flexible enough! Its not your typical engineering class with clear goals...its much more, and if you participate you may create something amazing.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MANE4220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He was either very vague as to what he wanted or wanted way more than could be completed in the time allocated. He thinks that this is the only class students are taking and expects them to invest all their time in it. Make sure to decide on a project you want to work on or else risk having a torturous semester.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENRG4220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

this guy is out there in the ether. he doesnt ever have class planned out, and is always scattered. He is always brining in expert guests to replace the need for him to teach himself. the class gives you sweet opportunities if you want to take them, but swersey thinks that his class is the only thing that matters in your life, it can get really old

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MANE4220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

His classes are the MOST difficult, frustrating, and painful that you will ever find at this school. You will be emotionally and physically stretched past your limits. However, along the way you may learn crucial life lessons that cost people jobs and relationships. Take at your own risk (and only if your other courses are <11 credits and easy).

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MANE4220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Has had no official training as a teacher, thus has no idea how to teach or even guide students. Under no circumstances should you take any class with this professor. He simply doesn't live in the real world (we call it Swerseyland). He will make unreasonable demands of your time and energy, and will then criticize your best work next class...

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENGR2050
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Worst professor I have ever had. If you get stuck in his IED section, then get out! It's not worth taking his course. He teaches based on the principle of "my way or the highway." If he tells you to make a car with 3 wheels, next time you see him that car better have 3 wheels. Extremely hard to understand. No accent, just ridiculous. Immature! Fail

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Unfortunately we figured him out too late in the semester. The key is to fully write up your report, then delete half and hand it in. When he asks you to resubmit, give him the full original for a A/B grade. If you give him the full originally, you'll fail and still have to resubmit it.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MANE4220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Terrible at describing what he wants. Would advise only taking in Inventor Studio if you already have an idea or product you want to develop, having him give you very vague problems to solve (Fix global warming) is awful.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENGR2050
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Nice guy, worst prof ive ever had. Never actually explains what he wants. Contradicts himself constantly. Rambles for hrs about things that dont apply to the class. Often tells students they are wrong with no factual basis for it. Absolutly cannot handle being dissagreed with. Ruined the class for me.