Phil Matheson - Utah Valley University

Professor: Phil Matheson

Department: TBD

College: Utah Valley University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHYS3300
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I've taken 2 upper division courses from Phil. He's the department head, and super smart, he just has a real hard time dumbing down the information to the students level. All of the exams I've had from him have been either take home, or group exams. He curves the grade so that the average is a B NO MATTER WHAT. His office door is always open though

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHYS2215
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I practically have to do the entire lab before class if I want to finish, but he gives full credit regardless of how much you turn in. Quizzes are difficult.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHYS2215
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

It was a lab class, so mostly homework done in class. He was very good at explaining the information though, and was willing to help you, as long as you don't tick him off with stupid questions. be respectful and inquisitive and you'll do fine

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHY101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

His assignments are easy. Go to class and listen, you can sleep if you like. Can't review his lectures (not posted online) never follows schedule. TESTS ARE IMPOSSIBLE, LITERALLY, BUT......He curves test like none other. For example a 35/50 on one test was an A, so just study at the last minute for the tests and beat your classmates.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHYS1010
• 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:

I first took this class with Robert Ridge. Both professors are good and give good demonstrations, but Matheson did more demonstrations and his slides had more images. As a visual learner that was very valuable to me. I understood much more in his class. Tests are in class. I recommend him to students who are single parents due to his flexibility.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHYS1010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He may be smart and know his stuff but he is a HORRIBLE professor and I love physics. He constantly talks down to the class and acts like he is revolutionizing your world view, or like you have never thought about the universe before. He rushes over formulas and never does them with you, he just shows a slide of how he did them.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHYS2220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the best teachers/lecturers I've ever had! Matheson is the bomb, and very considerate of the students he's teaching. Take some time over weekends to watch physics movies online-- grabbing the conceptual picture will help tons!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHYS2220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Extremely unorganized lectures. Nearly impossible to take notes from. Rarely has a physics demo actually work.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHYS2210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He expects a lot from his student you will need to work. However he will help you if needed. He usually grades on a curve, and a very kind one at that. He's friendly and will gladly have a chat about physics and how it works, especially if it helps your understanding in the class.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHYS1040
• 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:

Professor Matheson is a very smart and nice guy. He is more than willing to explain any question you have until you understand the concept. He gives difficult homework and test but grades it very graciously. If you do the work you will get an A in his class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHYS2210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Matheson is an extremely nice man, but makes no sense whatsoever. Because his lectures were so hard to follow most of the class was left reading the textbook, going to the Physics lab, and studying in large groups for hours upon hours.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ASTR1040
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Adorably dorky, but not a great teacher. What he teaches in class you understand, but his assignments - which make most of your grade - you can't understand. If you must take this class from him BE SURE TO COME TOGETHER AS A CLASS AND START A STUDY GROUP! Only way I have survived the semester.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ASTR1040
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Easy going nice guy but class was really boring he lectures the whole time and its hard to stay interested. Plus the subject is very difficult. Lots of homework reading and test. Don't reccomend for a general requirement class

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ASTR1040
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's fairly easy, and grades on a curve. He's a pretty mellow and nice guy. Even though you don't 'have' to go to class much, I think it helps because he does a good job at explaining concepts in the book

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHYS1040
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

There are quizzes every other day and assignments every other week. The questions are ridiculous. He asks things that don't make any sense. This class is boring. However, he lets you take the tests in class and lets you talk to students in the class. Avoid this class at all costs. I didn't learn anything.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHYS1010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A nice man that knows what it is that he is teaching. I don't understand the class at all, but it is enjoyable at times. The textbook doesn't explain things well, although we use it a lot. An expensive class. Maybe not a first choice class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHYS1040
• 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:

He is a great teacher! Cool thing was is he has actually been out in the feild before teaching! You will learn a lot if you come with the right attitude! I am not interested in Astronomy but he is, so it makes it more interesting. Don't take him if you fall asleep easy! I like his class, but go to class, and he like people who ask questions.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHYSICS2010
• 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:

AWESOME TEACHER---one of the best. He actually has a degree in physics--unlike some other physics teachers at UV-high (UVSC). He explaines things VERY clearly. I would highly recommend him.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHYSICS
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I found him very confusing. The text book is huge and he doesn't explain the concepts very well. If you can avoid him, do.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHYS2020
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He isn't very clear as a teacher and his tests are hard but he is very helpful. He is very generous grading as well. He won't fail anybody that tries.