James Cheney - Riverside City College, Riverside, CA

Professor: James Cheney

Department: Science

College: Riverside City College, Riverside, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHY2B
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Cheney is a great professor! I took him for Phy 2A & 2B. I took physics in the past and didn't understand it but Professor Cheney made everything clearer. I actually enjoy physics now. He is always willing to help his students so go to his office hours if you need help! You can ace the exam if you understand the written and online HW!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: 2A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Cheney was pretty much my favorite human from fall 17 through spring 18. I hated physics going in but he made a good grade accessible. He gave me a run for my money when it came to sarcasm which made class all the more enjoyable.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHYS2A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Cheney is a great teacher! He makes physics fun and he clearly cares about his students. Usually very quick to respond to emails for help. Super energetic in lectures and labs. I really enjoyed his classes (took 2B with him too)

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHY4C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's pretty cool, and his lectures can be fun, but he's really over teaching physics, and he made that very clear to us. It's hard to be excited about a class when the professor hates his job and translates this hate into basically every aspect of the course. Some of the 2A/2B people might disagree, but he's just different for 4C. Don't take for 4C

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: 2A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Me and a friend were behind 2 chapters, so we stopped by on a day lab was canceled and he took his time explaining every little detail. He made fun of us for being behind but I know how to take a joke (unlike some of the reviewers who felt put down). Favorite teacher. Email him anything, he'll explain it like he was ready for that email.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHY2A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great professor, easy class. Professor Cheney has a rigid structure to solve different physic problems, which is beneficial for many students, but may not be practical if you are going into engineering/ physics which would require more thinking and creativity. But if you just want to solve problems and ace tests, his method is good!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHY4C
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Cheney changed what I expect from my professors (raised the bar). Lectures are fun and easy; he'll spend half the time telling stories. Homework will kick you ass, but he's always available to help. He'll spend an hour explaining if that's what it takes. Picky about labs, but well-intentioned. Tests are moderate difficulty.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: 4C
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Cheney is a good professor. The biggest thing is to ask for help if you need it. He's really great at giving feedback, but will only do so if you ask. His homework is usually harder than the exams, so if you know how to do the homework, you'll be just fine. I would say he is pretty lenient on grading, but his labs can be a pain.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: 4C
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Cheney will make you feel like a fool, yes, but he will go to incredible lengths to make sure that the information reaches you and you have the tools to succeed. If you email him a one sentence question he will write back an entire page with explanations and attach a picture. Swallow your pride and take this guy if you want to learn. Loves stories.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHY4C
• 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: Not Mandatory

Comment:

If understand algebra you'll do fine. However, this professor is very set in his ways. He will make you feel like an idiot if you ask questions during lecture and expects you to point out his mistakes, even though he gets upset if you do (even during exams). If you work, it is very difficult to mange the amount of hw which is crucial to your grade.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: 2A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Cheney is condescending. Always. It is a general agreement among students that he makes you feel stupid every time you ask a question. That being said, he will email you back every time you ask a question. He is clear about how he wants you to get things done, but only teaches one way to solve problems.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHY2A
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I had never taken a physics class before in my life so I struggled in 2A. He gives webassign homework and written homework. His written homework is very difficult, but he does that on purpose. There will be problems that are too difficult to solve on your own and you need to email him. I worked very hard and still got a B. First and only B.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHY2APHY2B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

AWESOME teacher for physics. He attempts to relate it to everyday life as much as possible and make the class fun. Very prompt on emailing & very open if you have questions. Makes class fun & interesting. He doesn't provide problem examples but more definitions which is only downfall. Definitely recommend. LOVES to socialize!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHY2A
• 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:

The best professor ever I have ever met in my study life! Very helpful like he will respond to your emails for the longest day is 2 days. He tells you what he wants for the test and he tests on that. Nothing tricky in the class as long as you do the homework. Wish there are many professors like him out there!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHYSICS4C
• 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:

Cheney is a great instructor. He is available for help all the time by email which helped me pass the class with an A. He is hilarious and passionate about physics. Homework is hard, but if you understand it then you will have no problem with the tests.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHYS4C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

cheney is one of the most clear instructors rcc has. his presentation is miles ahead of anything i've seen. unfortunately he is very micromanagey. tests(easy) and homework(hard) grading are heavily based on presentation rather than knowledge. labs follow this trend. the degree of control isnt describable in 350 characters. still better than others

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PYS2A
• 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:

Hes one that really makes the class easy, that is if you follow his methods for solving the problems. Its physics so expect to do some work. If you get stuck you can email him a question and he usually gets back to you in a day or two. Very open during office hours too. He does get upset if you dont answer his questions in like 2 seconds but its ok

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHY4A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you know some phy you'll do okay, but does demand a lot of studying away from class, def not a gimme. C is attainable but not easy

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHY4A
• 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:

I took AP physics in HS and he definitely makes it more complicated than it should be. He's a very smart professor but seems to dislike a bunch of questions, makes you feel stupid while your at it. If you good at Physics and have a strong grasp of some basics Calculus you should do okay but if not stay clear away!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHY10
• 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:

LOVED this class. I was dreading taking physics, but he made it so enjoyable. One of my favorite professors. Attendance is mandatory for a good grade. Take good lecture notes, quizzes are based off of them, and exams are almost the exact same problems from the quizzes. You'll never open the text book. Homework is easy. Easy A.