Ken Wharton - San Jose State University

Professor: Ken Wharton

Department: TBD

College: San Jose State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHYS2B
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class gives me weekly breakdowns. I sit through every lecture taking notes and even watch back on lectures I did not understand. The homework had little to do with what Wharton talks about. This class will take a toll on your time and soul. It is beyond difficult. The pass rate of the first midterm was sub 30% before curve. Unacceptable.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHYS2B
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Prof is really nice and helpful even outside the class. If you are majoring in Physics I recommend him because you will learn a lot from him but if it's only for prerequisite take someone else. He goes over dense material really fast and expects you to apply these concepts on his exams when you barely had any practice on them.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHYS2B
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tried to explain everything but ultimately went through too many things too fast. Wasn't really good at breaking down difficult concepts. Exams were complex. Nice guy but had super high expectations, even during a global pandemic. He curves, but it's not enough to save you. Best of luck.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHYS51
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Litterally the worst at teaching. Lecture notes are all over the place! He goes way too fast and leaves no time for us to actually take in the concept.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHYS51
• 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:

Very enthusiastic about teaching students, knows his material, and works hard to make sure you succeed. Physics 51 is a difficult course, but he will try to give a lot of partial credit on exams. That being said, his lectures provide insight into how to approach problems, which are not in the textbook. 4 easy quizzes and weekly online HW.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHYS51
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Wharton is a super nice professor. However, his homework and lecture does not reflect the exam. His exam is combined all the material in one so the question carried a lot of material and confused students. For first midterm, He only provides assignments which is not enough for student to achieve on exam. A lot of student turned in blank space

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHYS163
• 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 Wharton is one of the best if not THE best professors I've ever had. He is what other professors should strive to be. He tries to give you insights into the material and not just teach from the book. He is helpful, encouraging and approachable. This might seem too glowing of a review but this is 100% how I feel. Always read before class!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHYS52
• 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 tries to get students to reach a conceptual understanding of the material and does this well. His tests reflect that and are very difficult if you do not truly understand the material. Instead of using formulas you often derive one. he does curve though so if you can meet the average you should be fine.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHYS163
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I've had the privilege of having this professor for many courses and I select courses that I know he teaches. He's is a great teacher from knowing the material inside and out (never hesitates when asked a question) to artfully crafting explanations of complex material (and he's very helpful and responsive to emails.) His tests are hard, but grading is usually lenient. Great lectures and enthusiastic. Nice guy.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHYS51L
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I don't know why people are bashing his lab. He's always willing to help and will answer any questions w/o getting annoyed, He tells you exactly what to have in your report to get an A, and is a friendly guy. Lab sucks either way, but he's cool.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHYS163
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Wharton is my favorite professor on campus. His lacking point is that his board-writing skills, but he makes up for it by providing the highest level of conceptual lecturing I've ever seen. He is very intelligent too, and more than helpful to those showing willingness to learn. If you have an opportunity, don't miss the chance to take his class

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHYS51
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

very nice to students, very smart instructor, really help students to learn the subject, one of the best professor I've known

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHYS51
• 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:

asked for such specific answers that he made everyone stay for the entire 2 hours and 50 minutes for every lab. if somehow you obtained the wrong answers, he made you redo the entire lab write up. DO NOT TAKE HIS CLASS IF YOU WANT A GOOD GRADE!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHYS51
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

His lab takes forever to complete, he might be a good lecturer but in lab he is exactly like Boekema. When you turn in your lab he checks every question and everything has to be perfect, if it isn't, he sends you back to redo... maybe even worse than Boekema. DO NOT TAKE FOR LAB.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: 51
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Exxcellent prof, but class is very hard. he tries real hard to help in office hours so go!! repeat got to his office hours

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHYS51
• 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:

Very hard tests, but has a nice curve...material is really hard and he tries his best to teach it.....does give pop quizes and all homework is online which doesn't really help you when it comes to the test...

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHYS120A
• 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:

Come to class, take notes, glean equations for your notecard. I'm an EE; material wasn't hard since I'd already learned it. Tests push the limits, but are manageable. Curves to a C+. Nice guy, ready to help. He does move quick; lots to cover...but it's surface-level stuff, all ideal, etc.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CS120A
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tests are hard, but he is an excellent lecturer. Very intellegent - should be at a much bigger name school. Doesn't talk that fast though - perhaps he has taken note on this comment.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHYSICS168120
• 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:

Very nice, very easy to learn from.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHYSICS
• 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:

VERY hard exams, talks too fast