David Bannon - Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Professor: David Bannon

Department: Physics

College: Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PH212
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very strict and does not mess around, but you'll learn the content. It's worth it to learn the content for your major than to take an easy teacher. Bannon is a solid choice.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PH211
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Honestly this is the best you're going to get. He's weird, but very manageable. Great teacher, I feel like I learn a lot in each lecture and studio. Chose to take him for the rest of the series due to how good he lectures. Tests are difficult, but he teaches well enough to make up for it.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PH212
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If there is something to remember Bannon by, it's that you don't use your phone lol. DO NOT take his lectures for granted as they are your key to success in this class. READ the textbook because that's how you understand his lectures. He drops subtle hints on what are on tests and his tests are difficult for a reason.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PH213
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Physics 213 was definitely no walk in the park, but having dave as a teacher made this class much better than I was expecting it to be. His tests are difficult, but they are what TESTS should be. TESTING your knowledge. I personally found him to be a MUCH MUCH better teacher than Jansen, so if you learn best through lecture, definitely take dave!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PH211
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Found his tests to be better than Jansen's and he is way better than Coffin (goes without saying). Yeah, Bannon has his faults, but considering the alternatives, you are better off with Bannon. And if you're an engineering or physics major in OSU, he's barely half as bad as what you'll get later on. Trust me.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PH213
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class was really hard. A couple of times he would glaze over topics because a majority of the class already knew the topic.... I did not and therefore had a hard time..

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PH213
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took PH 211-213 with him. I think that physics, no matter what, is going to be hard. If you study for the tests, show up to class, do the homework, and keep up with what's going on, you'll have no problems. He has a great sense of humor and has a no phone or laptop policy which eliminates distractions. Only downside is having 3 hour labs.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PH212
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Once you get your midterm grades back, which are usually around 50-60% (the average), he'll spend 15-20 minutes ranting about the grades and how you should have done better. He can get distracted if he feels he was disrespected and go off on tangents. If you want to do well in this class you must do extra problems from the text.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PH211
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you actually take the class seriously, there won't be any problems. Do the homework. Study. Show up to class. There really isn't anything more to it. If you're having trouble with the material despite studying, just go to office hours. Bannon is a fantastic lecturer who is EXTREMELY willing to help you with any problems you have along the way.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PH211
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Bannon is too egotistical to be a good teacher. He treats students as if they are lesser than him and doesn't create an environment where learning is enjoyable. He often describes the course as different because it is "not a physics course but a course that teaches you how to think," despite the fact that it is similar to most other math classes.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PH211PH212
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

If you already know physics, his teaching is good and it's pretty easy. If you don't, READ THE BOOK. And read it before lecture. If you do, it will be much easier for you. If you don't, you will get left in the dust honestly, and then blame him for not teaching well. There is too much information to cover only in lecture.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PH211
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I definitely did not attend enough of the lectures, labs and studios as I should of. Had I, I would have gotten a B easily. I suggest YouTube how to do problems for the tests. You don't learn much during lecture although he does take clicker points which you will need come the end of term.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PH211
• Grade Received: D-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Bannon is very arrogant, and beware he hates cell phones. His tests are ridiculously difficult and he doesn't curve them, I definitely recommend a taking a different class if Bannon is the only one teacher you can take for the term.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PH21X
• 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:

I took PH211, 212, and 213 with him a few terms ago. He comes across as a bit arrogant, but his lectures are excellent and he knows what he's talking about. When he insists on using symbolic solve or the like, listen to him, it will serve you well. Tests are moderate difficulty, and he happily throws old ones at you. HW is pretty typical.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PH211212213
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the best instructors I had. His class is tough, but you will learn if you out in the effort. Office hours are where he really shines. He will spend the time to make sure you understand. He even gladly answered questions about other classes. Expect to get to (or have to) really fine tune your algebra and double checking your work.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PH211
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

In my opinion, the exams were pretty fair and honestly easier than most of the other exams I've seen. While he is pretty nuts, he's still a pretty enjoyable teacher and can teach well. Had more homework than expected.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: 212
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This guy is nuts, and it doesn't make class enjoyable. That said, he is a decent teacher and his tests while hard, are fair. The grade scale is much better than a lot of classes to balance out his hard tests, and if you put effort in, you will pass.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PH106
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

Class average on midterm; F. Apparently, like myself, everyone else though this class would be easy (like 90% of the classes at OSU). Nope. You won't pass unless you know the material like the back of your hand.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PH213
• 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:

Bannon's one crazy guy. He makes his tests extremely hard to force you to learn the material well. I failed both midterms, but still ended up with a B- in the end. But then again, I studied really hard for the final. He's an ok lecturer. Just be prepared to spend a TON of time on this class if you're not an ECE major.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PH211
• 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:

Bannon comes off as arrogant and intimidating upon first seeing him. However, he's very helpful during office hours and knows what he's doing. Just stick with it and you'll learn a lot from taking physics from this guy. Beware: his tests are very hard!