Robert Culbertson - Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Professor: Robert Culbertson

Department: Physics & Astronomy

College: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHS194
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Culbertson was very kind, helpful man. I took his "Science of Musical Instruments" course because I love music, however if you sign up only because you think it'll be fun, beware. The course is HEAVILY physics-oriented. If you have a general understanding of physics and basic music theory, you'll get by. It's a fun course if you understand.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHY151
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tests do not count worth a whole lot, so don't worry if you aren't a great test taker. Study for weekly quizzes, do all the homework, and go to Culbertson if you're struggling. He really takes the time to make sure that you understand things, even if his lectures are a little fast-paced.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHY151
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Culbertson is a good professor, I just didn't like how he structured his class. There is a lot of group work, which means you already have to know the relevant material and equations to be able to do anything. I had to self-teach myself a lot of the material, because application and individual comprehension wasn't emphasized enough.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHY150AND151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are very structured. Takes anonymous individual feedback after every lecture via Canvas modules. Homework is super tough imo, but I'm garbage at physics. Definitely knows his stuff, and tries to make sure everyone feels comfortable with the subject matter. His jokes are very dry, but that's the charm of it.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHS194
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Extremely hard class for me. One of my friends in this course even took physics in high school and found this course to be very confusing. I will admit building instruments was fun, but you use excel profusely and it's so more work than you may think.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHS194
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is a really nice man who knows a lot about the subject but expects us to know it too when we don't. The material is really difficult but no one in the class knows what is going on which helps. Not too much homework, a few quizzes, and no final exam. The labs and projects are really cool and interesting.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHY150
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This class was great. Unfortunately, it was at 8:35am, but still worth it to meet my fellow physics majors and the professor was great. If you've taken physics before it'll be super easy, otherwise, youll have to work for the A. The curve is amazing, I got a 111% and 109% on the two midterms. (never got my final back tho)

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHY150151
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

The professor is excellent. He is accessible for office hours, literally has daily surveys for any questions you have, and loves to augment a lecture with a demonstration. Everything is curved, and there is almost always extra credit you can do. He also knows a lot about REUs and other such opportunities. I'd recommend him to everyone

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHY151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not his biggest fan. He's a great guy outside of class and he's super helpful outside of class but his lectures are rushed and he only covers some of the material, the rest you're supposed to read. The homework is awful (but that's Pearson's fault, not his), but the tests are usually curved.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHY151
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is an okay professor. The tests are hard and quite different from other problems, but, if you study, you will receive a good grade because there is usually a curve. Class can be unstructured, and not always helpful, but, I would say it's not a bad class to take.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHY150
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Culbertson is an extremely caring professor, but the exams in this class are incredibly challenging, and do not resemble homework problems or problems worked in class. That being said, there are numerous opportunities for extra credit, and Culbertson is as fair a grader as it gets. The rest of the course is easy points. Put time into exams.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHY150
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's a great guy and is extremely helpful outside class; however, I don't like how he formats the class. It's almost entirely composed of spending an unnecessary amount of time on one or two problems in groups without really going over the material beforehand. Easy to get a good grade, but if you want to learn you'll need to do it on your own time.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHY150
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Took him for PHY150. Taking him again for PHY151 next semester. He is super generous with his grading. As long as you put forth the effort you're guaranteed a good grade. Gives extra credit for going to office hours.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHY150151
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

By far one of the best professors I have had. He really knows how to help solidify material and does not overload you. A great class taught by a great guy.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHY150AND151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Culbertson is incredible. Not an easy class set, but so worth it. You can tell that he really cares about his students.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHY150AND151
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

One of my favorite physics teachers! Really nice guy and always willing to help and loves teaching (his research is in physics education)!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHY151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Culbertson's PHY 150151 is unlike any other university physics lectures: he researches on science education, and directly translates what he thinks is the best for students to his own class. Lectures are predominantly cooperative problem solving and hands-on stuff, which I really liked. His grading is also very generous too. Awesome prof!!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: 151
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Culbertson is one of the best profs I ever had. He is not easy, but respects his students and truly wants them to learn. Teaching style does take some getting used to. I've never had a prof who cares more about his students or tries harder to help them succeed. He is simply an amazing and sincere individual. I strongly recommend taking him.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHY150AND151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is a great teacher, person, and is very nice. Sometimes he can be a bit quiet and ackward in office hours, but he is very open to office hours. The online homework is a bit difficult but he is there to help. Overall, very great teacher.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHY151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I really enjoyed Dr. Culbertson's physics II. Lectures are short and to the point, so it is your responsibility to read what you do not understand. The rest of the two-hour "lecture" sessions are mainly doing problems. He cares more that you put in effort more than how you perform on tests, so work very hard, and likely than not, you will get an A.