Ken Elder - Oakland University

Professor: Ken Elder

Department: TBD

College: Oakland University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHY152
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Ken Elder is without a doubt a physics genius however he gives the hardest exams in the world. Be ready to put in multiple hours of work to get even a B. Quite honestly I was his class when quarantine just started and after the first exam. Good news, all the answers to his exams and homework can be found on chegg. Thats how I got an B+ in the class

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHY1620
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof Elder is a physics genius, but cannot teach it for crap. Went through lectures way too fast, and was not great at explaining practice problems. Homework was easy and on Chegg, and its how I learned the material. You can skip class and probably do just as well. I went to 4 lectures and did better than most. Final was not cumulative thank GOD.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHY1620
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Three 20 multiple choice tests total, no cumulative final. Allows a cheat sheet too. First 2 tests were graded out or 17. Homework worth 20% of grade.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHY1620
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He goes through his two hour lecture in thirty minutes and does example problems just as fast. Going to class is not essential to passing, as it really does not do a whole lot to go. Very smart guy with pretty easy tests, considering they are multiple choice. Just needs to slow down.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHY152
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is just horrible. You're lucky if you don't fall asleep during class. His tests are multiple choice. Yep multiple choice for physics LOL. The only way I passed was by doing the homework which was 20% of the grade. Test were stupid hard and only 20 questions long. I am usually an A student and struggled to get above a 2.5.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHY1520
• 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:

Not the easiest to get a good GPA in, but he is a good professor. He knows his stuff and does plenty of practice problems for each chapter and goes over web assign. Only thing is you really have to earn your grade. I did better than most on exams and will still get a 3.5 at the best. Texts are 20 MC, so get 5 wrong and instantly a 75.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHY152
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

To be honest this class went a lot better than expected. The material is tough, I nearly failed on the first exam. But, he gives you all the notes and stuff you need to study for. I mangaed to nearly ace the final exam, so it's definitely possible to pass. If you do the homework, really apply yourself, and ask for help you'll do just fine.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHY152
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Don't take elder terrible professor. Homework is nothing like the exam. You basically need to understand everything conceptually to do well in the class. he didn't even curve grades

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHY102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

hw is webassign, exams are about 9 problems per chapter, practice problems and youll do fine, you don't need to go to class but its helpful b/c he explains problems. Better than prof for 101, I reccomend

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHY152
• 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:

Do not take. Take a different professor. He is not approachable. He may smile in class, but when you go up to him he is not too friendly. I suggest you take another professor. The exam is not like the homework. It is very challenging.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHY152
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Everything you need to know for exams is on his online notes! Lecture is very dry and very clear. Elder tells you exactly what you need to know for the exams. Make a good formula sheet and you will do fine. 90% is a 4.0 and 4 exams are NOT cumulative

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHY152
• 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:

Horrible teacher, his notes are old as the hills. He knows this stuff but can?t teach it for beans! And he just narrates the solution manual. I would suggest not taking him. If he would put as much effort into teaching as he does research papers he would be a great teacher. But unfortunately he doesnt!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHY152
• 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:

Ken elder seems like he may know his material, but he doesn't. If you really pay attention you will notice that all he does is narrate. Even the homework, he doesn't know how to do, he just copies the solutions manual.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHY152
• 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:

Not a bad teacher. All of his notes are posted online and he gives you practice tests to study with. Three tests and homework, moderate effort into the class and you will pass easily.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHY152
• 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:

Good professor, allows the use of a cheat sheet on all tests. Three exams, six homeworks with no comprehensive final. Fair professor grading wise. Lectures can be a bit boring but all notes are online. Put the effort into the class and you can walk away with a good grade considering >90% is 4.0, >70% is 3.0.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHY152
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He really knows his stuff, but he can be boring in lecture. The material covered in the class can be very confusing, but if you follow his exampls and use the cheat sheet he allows, you should be just fine on the tests. Homework isnt too bad either, and he does go over all the problems afterword in class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHY152
• 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:

Elder was a decent professor. The lectures weren't very exciting but his grading system was excellent. From lectures, copy down and know his examples, know how to solve in-chapter examples and the homework problems. He gives you the opportunity to use a cheat sheet. Load it with the equations you used to solve problems. He's straight forward & fair

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHY372
• 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:

Honestly I started the class not liking him, but as the semester went on I got use to his teaching style and it all worked out. I would definitely recommend him as a professr, but keep in mind HE WILL CHALLENGE YOU!!!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHY351
• 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:

Good professor. Presents material clear and helps when students dont understand. Does not say word for word what is on the exam, but exams always consist of problems like those covered in class or on homeworks. Gives partial credit. Great physics professor.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHY351
• 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:

He is by far the best physics teacher I've had at OU. Elder was very patient and always helped during office hours. His exams were the same thing as practice tests only w/ different numbers, and he lets you use a cheat sheet. Just write out the practice test questions and answers on your cheat sheet and you'll get 100% on your exam.