Michael Crivello - San Diego Mesa College

Professor: Michael Crivello

Department: Physics

College: San Diego Mesa College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHY195
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Only reason i give him a 3 is because of his labs. Very easy labs since he explains how to do the lab in detail with diagrams and explanations on the board. Very tough grader, if you forget units or show insufficient work on the exam, he doesn't give you any credit for it. 20 question exams with one extra credit. Best of luck if u take his class.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHYS125
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very difficult to keep up with, notes / lectures are very disorganized... no review for the exams.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHYS125
• 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:

The lectures are faster than most can keep up copying, with almost no discussion or questions allowed. No time. Makes fun of students who get up to throw something out or go to the bathroom. Threatens them with "noone will hire you" Very disrespectful and unapproachable. Questions are met with scorn. Takes points off for everything possible. RUN.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHYS195
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Gives good lectures with hands on demos. However, he expects too much of students. Prefers to stand over shoulders and mock/belittle rather than help during lab. His tests are ridiculous. Only 2 students finished Exam 1 and that was after he extended by 30 mins. Tests are mult. choice but you can't guess and he gives zero partial credit. Avoid!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHYS195
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dont make the mistake and do the homework last minute before the exams like everyone. Half of the class doesnt pass so just know that if you arent strong in physics you must get to the point where you can do the homework problems without looking at your notes and youll be fine. It helps to really think and challenge yourself while doing homewk

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHYS125
• 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 Crivello is an interesting individual, he kept me laughing during lecture, but you also cannot be easily offended by his humor. He had a lot of hw but the hw was literally like studying for the exams. He has practice exams which are extremely helpful and he has great office hours. I wish he was teaching 126 next semester! I'll miss him!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHY195
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He doesnt care at all and the exams are super hard and conceptual. He makes you buy wileyplus (120$) for homeworks. Tough grader and he does not curve the exams

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHY195
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the most nonsensical professors I've ever had. Makes you use Wiley plus ($100+) Lectures are basically on 3 problems. Doesn't label what's going on the board. No study guides, tests are extraordinarily hard. Completely scatterbrained and cancels last minute and makes you work around his schedule when he makes you miss assignments. A v o i d.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHYS125
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Crivello does not know how to teach physics. It seems like he made up a new style of teaching physics and it is not beneficial to any of the students. I often see a lot of lost faces in my class and even more struggling students.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHYS125
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Crivello knows how to explain the material to ensure you grasp all the fundamental ideas. It is important to attend all classes, read, and do the homework. The tests questions are often seen in the homework, *wink wink* He is funny and caring - but will make you work for that grade.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHYS125
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Needed a tutor or else I would not have passed the class. Physics is a hard subject, and Crivello is okay. Not the nicest professor, don't expect him to give you warm fuzzies. STUDY HIS STUDY GUIDES AND THE HOMEWORK LIKE THE BIBLE, they usually make up most of the tests. I would also try and come to class everyday, and don't EVER be late to lab...

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHY195
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great professor, gives out a lot of homework which helps to practice for exams. Homework is worth 25% of the whole class grade which helps or hurts your final grade.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHY195
• 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:

Now that I've taken other physics classes and had different professors I can say I' was lucky to take Crivello and have him tech me fundamentals. Very good lectures with organized notes and demonstrations. Tough grader on labs, but he gives you all resources you need, just gotta put in the work. Understand hw and do practice tests.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHYS125
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Now that I'm in 126, I realize how unecessarily difficult Crivello was. Lectures were vague and tests were beyond difficult. I don't usually struggle in these sort of classes but man!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHYS195
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Crivello is great at teaching physics. He is extremely organized and expects your work to be as well. Very clear in what he is looking for. Extra credit opportunities on tests, and sets aside class time for homework questions. He may come off as condescending at times, but that's more so only if you dont pay attention to what he instructs.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHYS125
• 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:

I was scared to take him, but I'm glad I did. Go to class, ask questions, and go to office hours. Nothing on the test will be a surprise as long as you keep up. Print the notes beforehand, preview by watching KhanAcademy, and take the homework seriously. The first test is the hardest (I got a B, then over 100 on the 2nd & 3rd), so don't fret!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHYS125
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Crivello is a real gem. His teaching style takes some getting used to but it's only for your benefit. Lectures are informative but not necessary. Labs are long and he's a strict grader for them. Some practice exams are online. Overall, it's a tough subject but he does a very good job in making sure you understand the material.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHY195
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You really need to be good at math and physics, if tou struggle a bit in something you're going to get behind specially because he goes way too fast in class, labs are really long and tedious, and finally he leaves a good amount of homework.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHYS195
• 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:

Need a solid understanding of physics or this class will be difficult and will require self teaching. Material covered in class/hw/lab is approx 40% of what's on tests. The rest will be scenarios/concepts/theory that you're expected to know without being taught. Disrespectful towards students who don't already excel at physics. Not a nice person.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHSIC195
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Crivello makes mechanical physics come alive, plus he's funny. He's excellent at explaining and demonstrating the concepts. I never liked physics before. If you do the homework and apply yourself, you can make an A. I wish he taught electrical physics too.