David Dunlap - University of New Mexico

Professor: David Dunlap

Department: Physics

College: University of New Mexico

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHYC160
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A great teacher. He dedicates a lot of time to students who don't understand the material. However, if you're not too great at physics be prepared to dedicate a lot of time to the homework. The class is a lot easier if you take the recitation with it. He does give many opportunities for students to learn the material and collaborate with others.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHYC160
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Dunlap is a great when I began taking physics I was really confused after taking his class I have a clear understanding about it. His homework is quite difficult but just show up to class and youll be fine, his exams are a lot easier.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHYC160
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Dunlap's lectures, while "old-school", are really solid and engaging. However, those who don't have a strong background in physics may struggle in keeping up with his thought process. Very difficult weekly homework, but willing to help during long office hours. Textbook reading non-mandatory, but certainly helpful. Great personality overall.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHYC160
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I got to know Dr. Dunlap a lot as the semester went on. He is a fantastic teacher and an even better person. For the class, it's your standard entry level physics class. The homework is hard, but attend the weekly recitations and you should be fine. If you are caught up with the homeworks, the exams will be easy. The lectures are a lot of fun too.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHYC160
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I'm not a physics person, yet he might be my favorite lecturer at UNM. He took topics that bore me and made them legitimately interesting. The homeworks are as hard as everyone says, and the lectures don't necessarily prepare you, but if you go to recitations you'll be fine. Tests are remarkably easy if you have even a general understanding of it.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHYC160
• 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:

The homework is tough and designed that way but you learn a lot from the class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHYC161
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Without contest the most committed professor I've ever had, he'll stay for recitations to talk to people one on one to help them understand for hours past how long he's required to. He definitely makes you work for it, but he's an amazing professor if you're willing to put in the work. Also dude's pretty hilarious and cracks himself up every day.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHYC160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class was extremely difficult. Dunlap is extremely passionate and inspirational, but his lectures do not help prepare you for his extremely hard homework. Be ready to teach yourself the subject matter. Gives reviews and has mostly multiple choice exams. Feels like a 'weed out' class. Take VERY seriously from the beginning if you hope to pass.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHYC161
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Whoever needs to take physics 160 and 161 , professor Dunlap should be your 1ST AND LAST CHOICE! Yes, I agree his homeworks can be a little overwhelming AT FIRST, but you can get used to it. His tests can be easy! Just make sure you go over all the flashcards he gives. DO NOT EXPECT THE SAME PROBLEMS OF OLD EXAMS HE GIVES FOR REVIEW TO BE IN EXAM

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHYC161
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Homeworks are exceptionally difficult, but not impossible. Help can be found on the internet and in the book pretty easily. The exams are pretty straightforward, and he even offers a makeup exam at the end of the semester to replace your lowest score. His lectures move fast but you dont need to go to the lecture to pass. Really funny guy. 9/10

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHYC160
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

You have a homework assignment due every friday. His homework can be tough to figure out but if you put in the time you should be fine. The tests are really easy. His lectures can be confusing, you don't need to go to class (other than the tests) you can get everything you need to know from the book and google. Reading the book really helps.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHYC160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dunlap will cover concepts so quickly that it's sometimes hard to develop a decent understanding. That being said, he's hilarious and very approachable, he spends hours once per week helping students with his (impossible) homework during his recitation period. His tests are also extremely easy. Overall I enjoyed his class and would recommend it.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHYC160
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Firstly, no this is not s calculus based physics class it is just harder than 151. Dunlap assigns homework questions that are impossible and take HOURS each. His homework make it impossible to establish an understanding of the basic ideas of the topics, and leave you clueless for exams. Lectures are not structured and confusing. DO NOT TAKE.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHYS160
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His homework is very long. Super hard versions of the material covered for the week. With my workload there was no chance for me to master the basics, as I was thrown into the fire of physics with the homework. Get a good group who knows physics really well. Its a must to survive. Doesn't care what calculator you use. Test are simple.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHYC160
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dunlap is like reincarnated Einstein. Super smart and good with the material, but its probably the most difficult 160 professor at UNM. Take him if you want to actually work for your grade. Theres one homework due per week and its usually super evil.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHYC160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dunlap is funny, engaging, and his classes are interesting. The HW is pure evil but his tests are rather easy. The HW was so difficult that I didn't know how to attack the simple problems given on the tests. If you would like a more straightforward class this one probably isn't for you. The class will be more fun to attend than w other teachers

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHYC160
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you have no previous physics experience, then I don't think Prof. Dunlap is for you. I made that mistake, and I dreaded most of my semester in this class. Thing is, he didn't assign any basic problems to build understanding, only challenge problems. For students with a background, though, he is engaging and keeps you awake for the lectures.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHYC160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

His lectures are very interesting and engaging! He jokes around a lot and is very intelligent. Tests aren't so bad, but he gives difficult homework compared to other professors. I would take him again!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHYSICS160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dunlap is not a great teacher; teaching a subject like physics to relative beginners requires a very disciplined, methodical approach, and that just isn't his strength. However, he makes up for it with a passion for his field and a willingness to help his students. Don't be discouraged by the very difficult homework, tests are much easier.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHYC160
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class was very entertaining but sometimes Dr. Dunlap would go off on tangents and confuse things. His recitation was very helpful and he really wanted to help his students. Homework is really hard and you need to memorize all equations for the tests.