Robert Hobbs - Bellevue College, Bellevue, WA

Professor: Robert Hobbs

Department: Physics

College: Bellevue College, Bellevue, WA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHY121
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

As many others have previously stated, Hobbs is your man should you be after a solid foundation in physics. He may sometimes appear unorganized, but that is likely a bi-product of being a slightly mad scientist. He is excellent with office hours and in fact factors that in to your physics quarter itinerary. Go to them.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHY105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I do not like the homework, there is too much of it and some of it you will have no idea what you should be doing. What happens in class may not have a lot to do with the homework. It's common on Friday at the end of class for him to have us stop what we are doing to quickly do something so he can give you homework on that.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHYS105
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He teaches the class in an atypical way where you learn through conducting experiments rather than being told what something should do and testing for it. He has you record what you see happening, then there is a class discussion to figure out why. He is very passionate about this subject and a very interesting guy to talk to.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHYS105
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This professor touched my heart and was profound and passionate towards his content. It was the only class I was motivated to go too out of all my courses. Instead of conforming to a consensus made by professors, the main objective of his lessons was to follow in famous scientists footsteps, and form your own consensus.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHY105
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

he is a nice guy but do not take this class you will learn nothing and feel like you did so much busy work!!!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHYS105
• 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:

Website is way more confusing than it needs to be... would be great if he could use canvas but I perhaps because it is a physics class everything needs to be complicated. He is a very nice guy and his enthusiasm towards the material is awesome! but it you are only in this class for a credit it is quite the chore. Class tends to be very boring.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHYS123
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Physics 123 was by far the hardest class I took at BC. I was lucky to have Professor Hobbs, however. He is extremely knowledgeable and helpful, a vital resource to consider if you want to do well in the class. Despite the amount of work required in class, he makes the learning fun and, if you take him, believe me you will learn your physics.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHYS123
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Homework is on topics he never discusses. I wasn't aware I paid for a class that would be 90% self taught.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHYS105
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Such a strange class format, half (at the least) of the class time is lecture, whats left is barely enough to get through experiments. Bought a textbook that we never needed to read--not even once. He uses his own website which he says he prefers over Canvas but the color coding is confusing + it took quite awhile before the site started working.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHYS122
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Kind man but all over the place. Does not teach the stuff for the course.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHYS122123
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Hobbs is one of my favorite teachers ever. I had PHYS122 & 123 at the same time with him. His teaching style is effective, maybe a little eccentric, and the lectures are enthusiastic and interesting. You have to work in his classes, but he was kind, caring and wanted to help each of his students succeed. One on one tutoring in his office was great.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHYS123
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Physics is just a hard subject to learn. Physics in general is so different than the way we regularly think so it seems more difficult. That being said, Hobbs has all the qualities of a good teacher but this class is just insane. He gives so much homework, random assignments, capstone project work, and tests are worth 45% of your grade.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHYS121123
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Hard professor, but enjoyable. If you do all the work but don't do great on tests, you'll most likely still pass. To get a good grade expect to dedicate time equal to all your other classes.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHYS123
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Hobbs is a bit eccentric, but his eccentricities are not without purpose. His grading system is arcane, but fair. His class requires a lot of multitasking. Expect and get used to it early, and you will have a much better time in his class. He takes a personal interest in the material and in his students, and is always willing to help.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHYS100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I'm told that Hobbs is the sole instructor for all physics courses in BC, but whether he is or not doesn't avoid the fact that his classes are poor-structured. I don't know about higher lvl physics he teaches, but the very basic intro course was upsetting. Lectures are fine, but no feedback for hw. Time-wasting group meetings & hard tests. RIP $$.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: 100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He has no labs but requires you to work with a team to get projects done. For only 5 credits! Instructions are not clear at all, and he copies and paste from previous quarters so due dates are all messed up. You never know how you did on homework, weird grading helped me get a okay grade but an obstacle course to get through the quarter.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: 3935B452
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Hobbs is a really nice guy and you do some cool experiments, but he is a lousy teacher. The homework levels are ridiculous, confusing, and time consuming. He is very unorganized and his personal website is incredibly hard to navigate. I have a 40% in the class and I've never got below a B:( Don't take Hobbs...

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHYS100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Something that should be mentioned in the course descriptions online, he REQUIRES you to dedicate additional 4 hours per week outside of class time to group work. It is like an additional class commitment. That should be disclosed upfront. He doesn't respect your time, but demands you respect his.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHYS116
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class was very stressful and challenging. Having a SOLID understanding of 114/115 is required, because he does not give feedback on assignments. He's helpful and clear outside of class, though was usually late for class which made office hours mandatory to even stay current in class. If you're a guru at physics, you can attempt this class.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHYS123
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

Average exam scores were in the 50's and below with no curve. At least two homework assignments and a formal lab due per week. Massive emphasis on labs and conceptual learning, virtually no problems done in class. LITERALLY no graded work returned throughout the entire quarter other than the exams. Avoid Hobbs at all costs.