Ben Crowell - Fullerton College

Professor: Ben Crowell

Department: Physics

College: Fullerton College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHYS205
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Absolutely impossible class. Homework is INSANELY DIFFICULT (4 hours for 5 Ques.), tests don't reflect the homework or the practice exam. Lecture? There barely is one. This is a teach yourself class, and what do you teach yourself with? The textbook HE wrote. Everything is unclear: Labs, Homework, Chapters, Tests, You're confused 90% of the time.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHYS210
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The worst professor ever. His teaching is unclear and ineffective. You CANNOT do the hw and lab reports unless you attend office hours. Even if you do go to office hours, all he does is confuse you even more and belittle you for not knowing the answers. I ended up going to a different professors office hours and got so much more help.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHYS222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Worst professor Ive ever taken. Barley taught anything, and was not helpful in general. I dont recommend taking him

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHYS205
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I normally do not rate any professors but with respect, this has to be one of the worst professors Ive ever had in my life. The class is solely based on learning the material on your own and when you come for help, he does not even help and confuses you way more. Stay away from this professor.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHYS205
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I was really looking forward to learning physics. However, Dr. Crowell, doesnt teach it to his students. He does not lecture on any material. The homework is very difficult, and his exams are confusing. I dont agree with any of his teaching methods nor was I able to learn anything from them. Giving him your time, Is not worth your struggle.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHYS205
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took this class by itself (only unit I took)after finishing my Bachelor's in kines. I took multiple calc based math classes, but this was the worst teacher I had over 4 years of my undergrad. He was unclear in explanations and in-class examples were not reflective of homework/tests. After asking questions, i felt more confused&unheard then before

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHYS222F
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT TAKE HIS CLASS! If you take this professor so be ready to learn everything by yourself. He will not teach you anything in class. Dropping his class after receiving a 0 point for prelab question which is asking to predict even though my explanation was right. Lab report that you have to follow 60+ rules if dont want 25% reduce for each

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHYS223
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the worst prof. Ive ever taken. His lectures are awful, you'd learn more from reading the textbook than asking him for help or paying attention to his lecture. Grades harshly and expects too much from his students while teaching so little. Homework is extremely difficult, the tests are slightly easier but look nothing like his hw. Dont take

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHYS223
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you plan on taking any PHYS at fullerton college. don't take Crowell. Awful teacher in the sense he doesn't teach students. He expects lots from the students and grades hard. He wants you to go to office hours just so he can see how dumb he can make you look. Instead of teaching about anything he talks about how a smart person thinks vs a dumb 1

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHYS210
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The homework and labs are incredibly hard and time consuming. Almost impossible to do without tutoring or going to his office hours. This class take A LOT of effort and is very difficult. He will be a lot nicer to you if you always attend office hours, but don't expect to pass if you don't get tutoring in some way.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHY210
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This professor doesnt answer your questions. Get ready to teach yourself.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHYS221
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Knows his stuff, but that doesn't mean he's going to help you! If you don't understand something, he will end up helping you, at some point, but only after berating you and making you feel small for not knowing the answer. You'll need to make time for office hours too. Hard, but doable class. Beware though, he isn't a pleasant person to be around.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHYS210
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

You have to read the chapter before lecture begins, there is a quiz at the beginning of the class, and homework is due every class meeting. Be ready to derive a lot of equations. During Lab he does not help at all, he just repeatedly say reread the lab manuel. But he is very accessible outside of class. Go to office hours. Not an easy class! Beware

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHYS221
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Think of this class as an opportunity to teach yourself physics. The professor glosses over assigned chapters, labs, and homework. Imagine the last time you had to explain how to use a computer to your elderly parents for the upmteenth time. Prepare to be frustrated and underwhelmed. There were 7 people near finals! He shouldn't be teaching.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHYS210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Heres the thing about him: you need to understand his style-then its a breeze from there, but it takes some time (1month for me). He has a LOT of DIFFICULT homework, but his tests are a easier and all the other points can make up for test grades. Also hes VERY accessible. GO TO OFFICE HOURS. He cares. Everyone that failed didnt go to office hours.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHYS205
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Pros: Professor knows his subject Lectures are amusing Book/lab is free Cons: Doesn't know how to teach the subject doesn't answer questions unclear grading criteria Subject matter doesn't match the units or the type of course effort doesn't equate a grade MATERIAL IS EXPECTED TO BE KNOWN AT A HIGHER LEVEL THAN IS APPROPRIATE FOR THIS COURSE.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHYS223
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Crowell is an incredibly knowledgeable professor, and you'll be using his book (available online for free, by him!) frequently throughout the semester. He's definitely off-putting when it comes to how he dispenses criticism and how incredibly nit-picky he is, but I am now convinced he does that in an effort to ensure future student success.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHYS211
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

2nd semester in two part series. Material is more difficult than first semester and some of the ideas are consequently harder to grasp and apply. I was already used to his grading/teaching style, but if it's your first time, transitioning may be difficult. I definitely recommend having taken him before. Tests were easier but HW was pretty terrible.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHYS223
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

this is the professor that gives the least effort but expects the most. lecture consists of his personal beliefs instead of helping with the subject. avoid at all costs. you have to use his own written book which is a joke

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHYS205
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

It is a challenging class, but once you figure out how he wants you to study it gets much easier. Lecture is more discussion based, so those without prior exposure might be a bit frustrated initially. Go to office hours every week, do all the reading, do all the homework, and you'll do ok on the tests. He's pretty patient.