Don Mathewson - Kwantlen Polytechnic University-Surrey

Professor: Don Mathewson

Department: TBD

College: Kwantlen Polytechnic University-Surrey

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHY1100
• 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:

25% lab + 30% two Midterms (15% each) + 10% in class quizzes (drop 3 lowest and they are easy) + 15% project (two peer evaluations + 1 group project) His class is easy if you make sure you watch videos he posts online. Quizzes and tests are easy. Don is a caring guy and he speaks solid mandarin and Contonese !

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHYS1170
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of the best physics profs at KPU. Gives relevant homework and is willing to help on any problems that your struggling. He's very firm with deadlines, but he says he's just harder on us because we're engineering students.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHSY1400
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Don goes through material very quickly though and often refuses to help students when they ask. His questions are very vague for projects so it is easy to get confused and lost. In order to take this class you must be comfortable with driving, public transport and group work. Don will expect you to drive yourself to each field trip.. There's a lot!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHYS1101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Every professor here at kwantlen told me that Don is one of the best professor for physics. My personal take is, I don't mind Don's teaching if you can keep up with watching his videos and doing all the homework in class. But if you are thinking to get help from don, that my friend you are mistaken. Depending on his mode will not help you that much

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHY1101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

best of the physics teacher

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHYS1170
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This teacher is way off this semester and derserves low rating; very rude when you ask a question, sometimes completely ignores you. Seems to give random marks for projects/tests (Very rigid marker!). Sometimes very weird/cocky; seems to have a period occasionally lol; gets very grumpy sometimes. Rushs course materials. Best take other profs.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHYS1101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The course covers many topics, and naturally at many moments I found myself very confused at certain problems. He is willing to give precise answers if you ask. Take advantage of any time he asks the class if there are certain problems they need help on. His group work and projects were effective for my learning in-class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHYS1400
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Didn't learn anything from his irrelevant projects and he gives no clear instructions on his tests and projects. He doesn't even remember what he asked for for the projects.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHYS1101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Don is a really great guy but I don't like him as a teacher. He will answer your questions with more questions and will make you beg for the answersolution. Not easy to learn from. Final & tests are EXTREMELY long. Teaches quickly in class and can get confusing. Do not recommend. He is a nice and fun person though. Lenient marker.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHYS1170
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Super highly recommend. Workbook is awesome. 2 exams, best 5 of 7. Tests are identical to workbook, practice exams. Very lenient marking. Explains material extremely well. Had MasteringEng assigns, best 10 of 12. Tons of whiteboard problem solving in groups. Project was fun and easy. Final was same difficulty as midterms, best 8 of 10. GPA Booster.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHYS1101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Interesting Prof with fun demonstrations. His projects are a pain due to vague questions, and his group exercises are a pain at 8am. BUT he is a decent marker, his tests aren't too hard. Just don't expect much help in person or via email.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHYS1220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Shame on you if you didnt get 95%+ in Don's class. Best physics prof ever!!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHYS1101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Don is an awesome teacher. He goes by his workbook and the exam questions will be almost identical. Exams are quite easy since he teaches very well and always brings props and visual aides for maximum clarity. Put in decent effort in this class and you should walk away with at least B but I find it's highly probable you will achieve higher than B.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHY1101
• 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:

Don is simply the best teacher ive ever had. i always had to try at physics but he makes it so easy to understand with his workbook and teaching style, i finished with an A+.. if you have to take physics youd be stupid not to take him.. and now i got him for biophys next semester :)

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHYS1101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Don's exams are OK, similar to the practice ones in the book. However, if you need help, he's really no help at all, just stares uninterestedly at his computer and makes to action to solve problems... Is rude and cold outside of classtime. But easier to pull off an A than other profs

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHYS1220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Well he really knows his stuff; a brilliant person. But, he only teaches theory in class and no question solving at all but gives problems in exams and sometimes gives material that he hasnt really covered yet if u like to know the concepts/theory take him he is probably the best teacher in Kwantlen for that

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHYS1120
• 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:

He's an awesome teacher, but he's condescending as a person. His ability to do math in his head makes him think he is better than anyone. I didn't really like him personally, however, if you want to learn he's good

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHYS1170
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

the only excellent prof at richmond campus! he explains stuff clearly and his exams r very easy, similar to the sample midterms. 1 thing i really appreciated was dat Don let me write the final earlier bcuz of a time conflict in my schedule. And also cares bout his students' performance!....aced his class with an A+!!!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHYS1101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Don's the best instructor I've ever had for all my courses.He's excellent at explaining and simplifying stuff,extreamly helpful.He always tries to be nice and will really listen to ur suggestions.The only bad thing about him is that,he is a really slow marker,not for the exams though^^

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHYS1101
• 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:

How to Ace Don's class: about a week before his exams, in intervals of an hour and a half, redo tricky homework problems (to keep on top of this, while doing your homework, note which questions u feel are hard), study inclass notes (he asks theory questions), and do the practice exam in the text. If u do well on the final your mark will be boosted.