Kevin Smith - Boston University

Professor: Kevin Smith

Department: Physics

College: Boston University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PY313
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Mr. Smith, what a guy! This was my absolute favorite class. He is a model teacher. He isn't there to help you solve physics Problems, he's there to show you the beauty of physics. He does such a good job emphasizing the meaning of derivation and their consequences on the real world. Also, just great Irish voice, makes the world go round. 10/10

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PY313
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Smith is one of the best Physics professor I had at BU. He never use Blackboard. All test will be covered in lecture, but lecture is pretty heavy. You need to put time to study in study guide. Extremely helpful in office hours. Fact on PY313: about 5 people in each letter grade. Labs and homework are annoying which drag me down. Still got A-

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PY313
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Smith is a great professor. PY313 covers a lot of materials but Smith never surprises you on exam due to helpful study guides. Clear syllabus: Two midterms (40%) Finals (30%) Lab (10%) Discussion (10%) Lecture (10%). Final letter grade of PY313: 11 people get A-A, 15 get B-B+, 15 get C-C+, 3 get D. You need to put efforts in PY313.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PY745
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This course is definitely my favorite class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PY313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Good at teaching, but not a friendly person and is strict on rules. My only complaint about his teaching is that he goes very fast, especially in calculations. Other than that, he explains well. Tests require a LOT of studying and are hard. Book is used for HW and is also very useful for studying. Occasional quizzes in class to check attendance.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PY313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Best professor I've had so far. The material was extremely difficult but since Smith is so good at what he does, he inspires you to make your best effort.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PY313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

you cannot have a better professor for PY313.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PY313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He really is a phenomenal teacher. He makes an over the top effort to help you understand things. The material for the class I took was very challenging, but with some extra work and his help, it was made manageable.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PY313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Extremely clear lectures. At some point you might be feeling lost but just make sure you study his review sheets before the exam, that's how I got a good grade not being a physics guru.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PY313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Learned a lot, very enthusiastic about the material. The amazing irish accent is an additional incentive to show up to lecture. Make sure to study for the exams.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PY252
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The most amazing irish hardass you'll ever have. Prof. Smith is the Colin Farrell of the Physics Department. In all honesty, his hottness completely surpasses that of Raj Mohanty.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PY313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great class. He's an energetic and motivated Professor. Be sure to study his exam sheets, there is never anything on the exam not from the review sheet. So you should never be surprised come exam time. Also he only addresses the material covered in lectures, which are very helpful and explain a lot.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PY252
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Smith explains concepts really well. Super fair grader, his tests are long though and the avg is usually 60-70%. he gives out a sheet that tells you everything you need to know for the exams. homeworks aren't bad, gives weekly quizes in discussion and sometimes pop quiz in lecture. go to class!!!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PY252
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Study his Exam Study sheet like it's your business, especially all derivations. If he does it out on the board you can be fairly certain you'll see it on an exam.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PY252
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great professor, covers the material really well and makes things clear and about as interesting as this stuff is going to get. Tests are hard, lots of derivations, and of course you have to study, but that goes without saying. Great personality!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PY252
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

STRICT teacher, tough tests, he really tries to help you whenever he can but his tests are pretty picky (lots of derivations especially.) Teaches well and makes class entertaining (no demonstrations though.)

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PY252
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Good professor, covers a lot of material. But watch his study guides, whether they say to or not, know how to derive any formula he gives you. Take notes! If he spends time deriving something on the board, you will probably have to do it on the test.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PY252
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

awesome teacher. extremely clear and helpful. tests are hard but if you study you'll do fine.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PY313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is awesome. He knows the subject verywell. Exams are a bit hard but it is possible to get good grades if you work hard. He is the best professor I've had up to now.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PY313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Unbelievable professor. Does move fast but very easy to follow and understand. His tests are hard but are very fair and go according to his lectures. He makes the very boring world of Quantom Physics actually worth while.