Michael Richardson - Sacramento City College, Sacramento, CA

Professor: Michael Richardson

Department: Physics & Astronomy

College: Sacramento City College, Sacramento, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHYS401
• 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:

His lectures can be confusing and vague, he doesnt teach really well, but come prepared and it will help a lot. You need to teach urself ALOT. Generous grader. I got only a 3/9 and i got a C+. He wants to see your thought process. He is very accessible out of class and super friendly. Take him and challenge yourself! It will be very rewarding.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHYS410
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are pointless. Not once during the semester did I see him work out an example problem in class. He just rambles on making it very hard to stay engaged. It was common for less than ten people to show up to his lectures. Overheard him telling other professors that it's the students fault if they don't understand the subject.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: AST310
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

anyone have a good source to final

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHYS420
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Richardson is clearly a very bright guy, however he is in no way a good professor. He rambles on and on in lecture and what he talks about is never helpful when trying to do the homework. He is the only professor that makes you do weekly lab reports. While his tests are pretty hard, he is a generous grader as long as he can see your thought process

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ASTR320
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Lecture is worthless (he doesn't use powerpoints or even a whiteboard to help you understand what points you should take note of). Quizzes are pretty hard and worth a lot of your grade. He assigns HW every few weeks but it is time-consuming and he actually grades it. I regret just taking this class to fit with my schedule.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHYS410
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Don't go to lecture, it's worthless. If you choose this course be prepared to completely teach yourself the material from the book. The discussions are the best part of the class but most of the labs are useless. His tests are hard, they will be more complicated and awkwardly worded than anything in the book Be prepared for anything.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHYS420
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Don't fall behind, you'll never catch back up. He isn't very clear, and I wasn't a fan of his teaching methods. His lectures were interesting but he doesn't use the discussion period to explain problems. He makes you get in front of the class and present 5 prblms through the semester. Go to office hours if you need help b/c you wont get it in class

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ASTR310
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is older, and is sometimes hard to hear. I sat in the front the whole semester. He comes to class everyday with a powerpoint generally and talks the entire time. It's hard to stay awake. The only test is the final, all the others are quizzes, and if you study and do your homework, you'll pass.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ASTR320
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class was extremely hard! Lectures are long and boring. Prof doesn't stay on topic, he talks about Star Trek a lot. Homework is hard, and requires a lot of math skills. Quizzes are difficult too, he goes directly from the book. A lot of reading required. I was struggling the whole class and somehow I got a B, most people were failing.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: 410
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you need to actually be taught the material, he's not the prof for you. He's a brilliant person and scientist, but you'll need to learn how to learn the material on your own if you want to pass. His lectures do not teach you the material, he just talks about it in a vague way. He's very helpful if you need help or have questions though.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHYS420
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are so generalized and are not helpful. Nothing specific that will help on the test. Got to learn on your own how to apply the material.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ASTR320
• 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:

Do the extra credit assignments early and take your time on the homework. He is extremely fair and allows you to take all the time you need to get it right. Lectures were very boring at times, bring caffeine cause your gonna need it as most of the class is spent in the dark. Tests and quizzes were hard but doable if you STUDY and don't goof off...

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHYS410
• 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:

Intelligent guy who strives to push you beyond your limits and think outside the box. His exams are surprisingly fair, though, and he's quite generous with partial credit. Final grade is based off of exams, labs, homework, and weekly presentations (don't panic, these are easy). Lectures are so-so: No slides, minimal board writing, and low voice.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHYS410
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Didn't find his discussion, lecture or office hours helpful. If you want a good grade, expect to spend more time per unit than average in order to teach yourself. Make LOTS OF TIME TO DO AS MANY CHAPTER PROBLEMS AS POSSIBLE to practice for the exams. As physics problems are complex and time consuming, he grades leniently, but do not rely on this.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHYS410
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Richardson is a great teacher. He taught me how to discover facts on your own, and understand the concept to the fullest. Class is very tough but rewarding because the techniques used in this class to study translated into other classes as well. Take him and expand your knowledge.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHYSICS410
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Richardson is a great teacher. He teaches you how to properly think about solving every physics problem. With the right thinking this class is very rewarding. Most of the comments on here are false. With hard work and the right understanding of the subject this class will benefit you to the fullest.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHYS420
• 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:

Professor Richardson is not an easy teacher but he will challenge you, and make you think deeper. I took a lot out of that class. I'm an EE major, and it was the most difficult course so far. If you do all the homework he assigns, and do your presentations during discussion session - you will do well. Not an easy professor but rewarding.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ASTR300
• 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:

do not take his class... most ppl were right about him. the hw and lecture seem nothing to do with the quizzes and tests...

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ASTR310
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

he is so off topic and just keeps droning on

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHYSI430
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Perfect type of instructor for me. The weekly one-hour Discussion we had before Lab was the highlight of the week for me. Yes his exams are indeed challenging but he's a very fair grader and won't notice missed classes, especially if you give him a heads up.