David Dorfan - University of California Santa Cruz

Professor: David Dorfan

Department: TBD

College: University of California Santa Cruz

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHYS5B
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This guy is a genius and helped design the entire ATLAS / LHC program. He is the go to person for any question you might have and a rockstar at math. He's also helped contract for private companies in IC design, and is the smartest person I've ever met. Endlessly dedicated to his work, and still a nice guy. Invites students to his home and is great

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHYS160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Bunch of whiners. Get to work! Dave is a rarity. I learned more from him than any other teacher, EVER.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHYS5B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

The guy seems intimidating, but once you stop****ting yourself because of his rugged South African looks, he pretty manageable. One of the easiest As in my undergraduate career.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHYS5B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Exceedingly difficult exams

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHYSICS5B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHYSICS5B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He's a very interesting fellow. He always has fun stories and personal philosophies. But as a teacher, he sucks more than a black hole. Class basically consists of manipulating equations, then him messing up, then the entire class getting lost. The final made me want to cry. I got an A-; I don't know how I pulled that off.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHYSICS5B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

yeah, I too failed the class. Completely screwed up my GPA! Dorfan must have wanted people to fail with the way in which he wrote that final. I am glad this guy is gone from teaching, he really screwed people over!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHY5B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Hardest class on the planet.Everything that you hear about Dave Dorfan, its true. This guy is a GPA killer! His tests just make you want to give up.He's a great guy and sounds genuine about helping and challenging students, but he simply goes to far. The final was impossible, many people did not pass the class, and many people were shafted !

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHYS5B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

As a person and as a motivator, Dave Dorfan is one of the greatest teachers you will ever meet. Here I am though, probably on the verge of not passing this class and it was because the difficulty level is just ridiculous.It's demoralzing trying to succeed in Dave's classes. His tests are so hard that you really truly want to give up!Final sucked!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHYSICS5B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dave is a nice guy but hes getting old. I went to his OH a couple of times and everytime was like meeting him for the first time. Hes a very hard teacher up to the point where you just want to give up. His class is probably the only class where you learn alot but manage to lower you GPA at the same time.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHYSICS5B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Definitely the hardest teacher I've ever had. His lectures are vague at times, and his tests are extremely difficult. The last test we had, the passing score was above the average score. And then he gets off track during lectures to tell random stories, which, while they're sometimes funny, is not what I came to hear.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHYS5B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHYS5A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Without a doubt the hardest teacher I have ever had for any sunject ever. Abandon all hope ye who enter his classroom.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHYSICS5B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dave Dorfan seems to be on a trip about the school system. He doesn't like anything about the way he sees kids being taught these days and takes that out on his students to their own detriment. He strictly adheres to the "old" methods of teacher and can make things more confusing. If you're sensitive and need help, he could bite you or help a lot.

Rating # 15

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHYSICS6A
• 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:

Dave is one of the nicest teahcer's i've ever had. He helps the students who participate and put forth effort, and if one doesn't too bad for u. He'll write recommendations and is always looking to improve his lectures.

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Dorfan is harsh, but fair. He'll only help you if he has an eccentric interest in you. Like you say something funny, or you're dating his grandson... he plays favorites

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHYSICS160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

the average on his tests was 35% does that mean that the students where stupid or does it mean that he was a bad teacher??? his lectures where horable. he is unable to present a coherent lesson without loosing the class Gifted students do well in his class because they are gifted not because of him

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHYSICS6A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Extremely hard class.Dave is understanding when it comes to students, but expects you to know your stuff when it comes to physics. There's really no precise way of studying for his tests, but for sure know what the hell you are doing and how to use the formulas will gradually get u above average.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHYSICS6A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Extremely difficult class, but very rewarding if you stick it through. Condescending, hard, elitist but also very lovable. Funny yet very very hard. He expects a lot from his students but he is willing to be there for you in the clutch.