Tom Burch - Auburn University

Professor: Tom Burch

Department: Engineering

College: Auburn University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MECH3030
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Tests are 10 multiple choice questions (simple questions but insanely tricky and conceptual). Zero work required (doesnt take up hw). Must go to class because his random number calculator gives you a 25% chance of having a quiz each class. If you dont look at the old tests you probably wont pass. He hasnt changed the final in 6+ semesters.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MECH3030
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Burch's 10 multiple choice question tests make this class uniquely difficult, but he does focus on the conceptual aspects of the course. He makes the class interesting, I just wish my interests could reflect how well I do on his MC tests. It's also pretty nerve racking when there's a chance you can have a quiz every lecture day.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENGR2200
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Easy Tom is your friend. Don't get me wrong, by no means is this an easy class, and if you sucked it up in Chem 2 then get ready for this class to be a nightmare. Dr. Burch makes it about as easy as it can be made. Alas, still far from easy. All exams are 10 questions, multiple choice. You will need the book. Pop quizzes. Do the homework, seriously

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENGR2200
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Burch always had a positive attitude and an unique sense of humor in class! He gives the standard 3 tests and a final; all of which were 10-16 multiple choice questions each with a free question. He doesnt have a canvas page so you have to go to his office to see your grade and takes attendance through random/easy quizzes before class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MECH3030
• Grade Received: D+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

To the people, who thought this was an easy course with a good professor, I just dont know how. I dont feel he cares and I personally had a 69.5 at the end of the semester and he didnt round me up to a C. Get his old tests if you can, itll help a lot. He really doesnt teach well and doesnt work examples& when he does he only does 1 per class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MECH3030
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Honestly worst prof i've had yet at Auburn. If you're good at teaching yourself you may do okay but if not, take literally anyone else. Also if you have questions about homework problems, he may can get through half of 2 problems in class or one half of one if it's a little longer.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENGR2200
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Overall, Easy Tom is a pretty good professor. He was really chill about not giving quizzes if everyone had tests that day or if he could tell we really didn't want to take a quiz. Tests are 10 MC problems and he only grades 9 of them. Made 70's on every test and it usually led to a decent scale. I would highly recommend taking Tom for Thermo.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MECH3030
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Burch is truly a gem of Auburn University. He is the most down to earth guy and is more than willing to help you learn. Do not be afraid to go to his office hours for help or just to get to know him. He has a random number calculator that he uses every class day to decide whether or not there's a quiz. Go to class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENGR2010
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This was the first class I have ever failed in college, and I'm a junior in aerospace engineering. Burch's tests were ten multiple choice, ZERO partial credit, and were pretty much impossible. AVOID AT ALL COSTS.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MECH3030
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Burch is a very good teacher, presents the material in a practical way. He makes it interesting. Pop quizzes are random, so attend class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MECH3030
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Burch is a pretty decent lecturer, almost always explaining material in a way we could understand. His tests however were extremely difficult. All were 10 question multiple choice and the average test grade was always between 40-65. He offers a forgiving scale, but to me it seemed pretty arbitrary how he doled out points.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENGR2010
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Thermo is a hard class. Professor Burch is a decent professor for it. His lectures arent the best but he is very knowledgeable. The best way to get info from him is to ask questions, his lectures leave a lot out. The tests are very hard with averages in the 50s. The grading scale is based on the averages from the test, b/c nobody gets above a 90%

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENGR2010
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher - he truly makes you learn thermo. His tests are extremely hard and my test average for my class was never above the 50s. All tests are ten multiple choice and he gives attendance and quizzes at the beginning of class by generating a random number on his calculator. Extremely stressful class, but you will learn a ton.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MECH3030FLUIDS
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher. Hard class but he explains everything clearly and helps you the whole way.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MECH3040
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Heat Transfer was really straight forward. You either knew it or you didn't. There were no tricks or derivations involved. I would definitely take him for heat transfer.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MECH3030
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Burch is a great teacher. He is famous for the way he gives pop quizzes, but it does force you to stay current on the classwork. All test are multiple choice, but if you know what you are doing they are very straightforward. He is great in his office and always willing to help you understand concepts.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENGR2010
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Thermodynamics can be extremely difficult. Go to class, do the homework, and you will have to study a TON to get that A. It is possible, just be ready to put in the work. He scales at the end and has some grades in there to buff up your grade. The tests are all 10 question all multiple choice and are difficult if you do not know what you're doing.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENGR2010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Burch is a little different, but he really loves thermo. Lectures aren't very interesting or clear, but he makes plenty of jokes throughout at least. Tests are multiple choice with no partial credit, so guessing is your friend. There will usually be 1 or 2 concept questions per test. He is very helpful during office hours, though.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENGR2010
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

All his test are ten questions, multiple choice, open book open notes. Sounds straight forward, but a lot tougher than it sounds. He's an awesome guy though!! Super smiley :)

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENGR2200
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Burch's lectures are always entertaining and he has a fantastic sense of humor. The lectures are clear but sometimes don't prepare you 100% for the homeworks (and you will want to do the homeworks to be prepared for the tests/quizzes), so I highly recommend getting Chegg for this class. Attendance is "optional" but you could miss a random quiz.