Steve Danford - University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Professor: Steve Danford

Department: Physics

College: University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: AST23501
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Overall, this class should have prerequisites. The class itself is kind of interesting if you're into this kind of stuff. The teacher really does know what he's talking about, but he doesn't make adjustments for thous who are struggling. If you're good at math and science, take the class, if not, you may want to find another science class

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: AST209
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Danford was one of my best professors this past semester. He is so energetic about the material. He can go off on tangents but it's relative stuff. If you have any interest in physics or math or just have a curiosity for space I would recommend his class. It's definitely not an easy course and requires you to study.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ASTRONOMY120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Too many tangents and the tests were not on what was taught.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: AST209
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Danford knows his stuff. His passion for the course really shows in his lectures. He is hard and he expects a lot out of his students, but he is also extremely willing to help in any way he can. Don't go into this class expecting it to be easy. This course requires math and studying. Overall I really enjoyed the class, but it was work.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: AST235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dude is a pro. He will always answer your questions, no matter how inane. Yes, his tests are somewhat difficult, but there is a steep curve. He also gave an opportunity to score major extra credit, to the tune of a whole test grade. Even though he teaches out of the textbook, I didn't buy one and managed fairly well.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: AST209
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I recommend not taking his Solar System course. This course wasn't supposed to be one of my hard courses of the semester. I was taking Calculus at the same time and was doing better in it than I was in this class. His tests are not on what he goes over in class which is not fair. He goes off on these tangents because of his passion for astronomy.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: AST209
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Probably the worst professor I have ever had. Yes, he is smart and passionate about the subject but seems to not understand that students have other classes. Also, on his test he seems to think it make sense to give you more credit for reasoning than the correct answer. This makes no sense whatsoever. If at all possible take another class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ATY235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you are a freshman, I do not recommend taking a class with Dr. Danford. Not to say Dr. Danford is a bad professor - he is very intelligent and you can see he is very passionate about the subject. However, a lot of the information went over my head, and as a freshman, I wasn't prepared for the workload. He is a great professor, nonetheless.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: AST235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Fairly hard class if you have no background in Physics. Most of the class dropped. Great professor, very into astronomy. Fair grader. Automatic 100 for showing up everyday. Doesn't like multiple choice tests. Take his class over the Russian prof. He is very hard to understand.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: AST235
• 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:

The man is often too smart for his own good. What they don't tell you about this class is that math is involved. So if you are afraid of numbers in ANY capacity, you are setting yourself up for a DISASTER. The material is too weighty, and you don't think quantam mechanics and physics when doing stars, but he's really an authentically nice guy.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: AST235
• 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:

The tests were ridiculously hard and although I went to class everyday and paid attention, the class was way over my head. However,Danford is such a nice guy and he is always available and he wants to help and attendance counts as a 100 on a test grade so even though its hard,if you try you'll do ok.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: AST101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A great teacher. Like others have said, he loves the subject, but he will hold you accountable for everything he says in class. I loved this class, its not easy, but it is worth it to put the time in and learn what he has to teach you. Show up to class, and participate, ask questions etc. and you will end up learning all you need to know to succeed

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: AST235
• 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:

I would have to agree with the person who said that anyone who doesn't appreciate the work and effort that go into Dr. Danford's teachings should not be taking courses at the university level. Danford was incredibly patient; I have dyscalculia, and I spent countless hours in his rev sessions; he told me I was very bright & capable of doing the work

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: AST235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Great professor! He's hard, but does justice to the subject. He also teaches the course with the understanding that most people in there don't like science. Be prepared to read and take notes and study, study, study. He is well worth the work though. I have a much greater understanding and appreciation of physics and astronomy now. Brilliant man.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: AST235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He knows what he's talking about, but he doesn't always tell his information very clearly. It was very hard to understand his main points at times, and I had difficulty paying attention in class. I advise not missing any of his classes, and to record his lectures.

Rating # 16

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

he take off a lot . One of my lowest quiz grade was 1.5 out of 10. All i'm sayinh is that he's a hrad grader and would take off if u mage any grammar mistakes

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Don not take him if you can , he will fail you. He comes to class unprepared and does not know what he is talking about. He will confuse u and make it harder than it seem. Labs are supposed to back u p the lecture. He just sat there:-(

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: AST209
• 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:

Awesome professor - his enthusiam is limitless. The class I took was seriously weighed down by people who couldn't think for themselves; asking the difference between stars and planets, etc. The only thing that would make him a better prof is if he ignored stupid questions so as to not interrupt his lecture.

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Anyone who does not enjoy a class taught by Dr. Danford does not need to be taking classes at the university level. Are the classes hard? Yes. But by far the most inspiring class I have taken at UNCG or anywhere for that matter.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHY235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His class wasn't what I expected. He made it more complicated than necessary for nonmajors. You do not want to miss class EVER, take as many notes as possible and study, study, study for the tests! We did take a cool trip to an observatory though. Take this class w/ caution!