Professors by Name | Professors by Rating | Professors by Department
| Rating | Quarter | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 99 | 20012 | Tough grader, but a good teacher. Tests are often the exact same problems on the homework. |
| 48 | 20012 | Not enough partial credit given on Exams... |
| 48 | 20012 | Horrible teacher. Trying to learn physics is hard enough on top of trying to learn how to read his jibberish hand writing. You must pay attention in class if you want to learn anything and his he gives no partial credit. A complete a-hole in all senses of the word. If you can avoid him, do so. |
| 53 | 20012 | Shaw is terrible!! He is bitter toward the world because he has no hair and can’t walk. Do not approach him for help on the homework because he will refuse to help. He is the worst professor that I have had at RIT. DO NOT get Shaw. |
| 48 | 20012 | Never had the guy but I'm gonna say hes a tool just cause everyone else did. |
| 88 | 20012 | First of all, I had Shaw for physics 1
Pros: Tests are usually replica's of the homework, homework solutions are handed out, so if you study them, you'll be fine. Also, you learn the course work pretty easily, as long as you FOCUS in class. Cons: You could get all the questions on the homework right and still get a 0. After the first few homework given, you will learn to follow the required format. If you take your eyes of the transparents for a minute, you WILL NOT be able to read what's there the next. So basically, you have to FOCUS in class. |
| 48 | 20012 | |
| 48 | 20012 | He doesn't like to give partial credit and is a very harsh grader. You have to know your stuff about physics beofre coming in or u will get your butt whopped. Stay away unless u know everything already, which is only like 10% of the people in RIT. |
| 48 | 20012 | he is ugly... need i say more |
| 48 | 20012 | Let's just put it this way...no partial credit. Hard to follow as well. Avoid..... |
| 71 | 20012 | He is an OK prof, but a very strict grader. |
| 48 | 20012 | |
| 53 | 20012 | Just three weeks into the new quarter, I've begun to abhor this guy as if were Bin Laden! He deserves to be tortured, then shot, for his cruelty, stupidity, and insensitivity. |
| 48 | 20012 | screw you |
| 61 | 20012 | Shaw is one of the most difficult teachers I have encountered. In order to pass his class you must FOCUS. His in class examples are fair, which is his only saving grace (and hence not an F). His homework is difficult and his tests are the same because it is all modeled the same. Is difficult to approach outside of class or questions about the tests/Homework at end of class and often will give you the same quip in class about the problem or will simply point to what he said was wrong and tell you it was wrong with little explaination. Overall, A difficult teacher to have, Avoid if possible If you can't study a LOT, and pray that you do well. |
| 95 | 20012 | I had this professor for Physics I. He IS a harsh grader, but the class isn't that difficult. The tests he gives are basically the homework with different magnitudes or angles. He hands out a solution packet to the homework, and if you study that, you'll get an easy A. Tests are always 5 questions long and you can omit one. He'll drop your lowest grade at the end of the quarter. Classes are boring but usually short. He has let us out 20 minutes early on several occasions. All you have to do is study his homework solutions and you'll get a good grade. |
| 85 | 20012 | Don't knock Shaw. He may not be the best teacher but his exams are modelled so closely after the homework problems (which he provides solutions to and works out in class) that you should do alright on the exams (formula sheet is provided). Maybe the people who are giving him bad grades didn't do the once-a-week homework assignments. |
| 53 | 20012 | He may know physics, but he does not know how to teach it. Makes himself very unapproachable, and belittles his students. Doesn't care how you do in the class. Avoid him at all costs. ALL COSTS!! |
| 85 | 20012 | This is the grade i recieved, and i was expecting a C. Everyone talks bad about him but I'd rather take him then most professors. HE GIVES NO WEBASSIGN, which I hate. If you go to class, copy the notes and study the hw problems you'll be alrite. And for the final, just study all tests and HWs, he gives you what each question is gonna be like on the test. I'd take him again. |
| 53 | 20012 | Not a helpful teacher. Difficult to understand his speech or his classnotes. His homeworks are impossible--even when I went to the Bates Study center for help, the tutors told me to go somewhere else because they couldn't do it. The fact that his tests are exactly like the homework problems only means that the tests are impossible as well. |
| 68 | 20012 | A very harsh grader. |
| 65 | 20012 | His tests are usually pretty easy if you study the homework, but it's really hard to actually learn anything from his classes. |
| 68 | 20011 | the tests werent too bad and were almost exactly like the hws. however, he is a horrible, HORRIBLE grader. takes off more for small errors than they r worth for u. 1 long problem i did on a test i did the whole thing and just forgot to write that the direction was above the horizen. i lost 25% of the points that the problem was worth! from a page full of work |
| 53 | 20011 | If you want to listen to bad bad jokes take this class... u wont understand anything except for the big fat F that he will give at the end. |
| 91 | 20011 | Everybody complains at this guy but people have to realize they can do MUCH MUCH WORSE (Its name starts with a K, thank god he isn't teaching anymore). You do the HW, study from it, and you're all set for his tests. Plus, he allows you to drop one so if you screw up, it's not a big deal. |
| 65 | 20011 | shaws homework is incredably hard. The tests are also equally hard. I could read a word of what he wrote on the overhead and everytime someone spoke up to write bigger, he would literally write the word "bigger" and go on the same way he was before. I do not recomend if you are not a genious. if so it shouldnt be a problem |
| 78 | 20004 | not quite as bad as everyone thinks. he has a different sense of humor but its not too bad. only problem, and its a big one, is he expects you to derive everything from a few basic equations without going over them as well as he should in class. his homeworks(if you can do them), will more than adaquetly prepare you for his tests however |
| 75 | 20003 | Not bad but a pain in the butt, wouldn't have him again if my life depended on it. |
| 65 | 20003 | Not a very good professor. Teaching is average to poor. The problem is the tests were just too hard. He would teach something in class, and the test question would be one "level" harder. Not a good experience. |
| 48 | 20003 | Both him and Covacks should be kicked out of RIT.
***NO PARTIAL CREDIT*** I was told on my final exam that if the answer is right then he goes back and looks for partial credit... meaning if you get the right answer he's still going to try and find a way to fail you. He is the grumpiest person you will ever meet. I've never worked so hard in a class and it was the only one I have ever got a 'D' in. Do not take his class... take a liberal arts and pick it up the next quarter. trust me you'll be saving yourself allot of time and money. |
| 75 | 20003 | He is a good instructor but the problem is that I don't really learn from his lecture. His teaching style does not suit me. Plus, he writes notes using overhead papers. I rather him to write notes on the blackboard instead. |
| 65 | 20003 | if you have a good memory and can memorize the homeworks youll do good on the exams. |
| 68 | 20003 | To put things into perspective, I am a physics major, and am still doing poorly in his class. His teaching style (for me at least) is not helpful at all. He flys through the notes on overheads, and never looks up to see if someone has a question. I have sat there with my hand in the air for 10 minutes and he never aknoledged me! I never tried to find him outside of class, though I hear it is nearly impossible, as he dosen't follow his posted class schedule. With grading, there is no partial credit on the homework, and very little on the tests (and trust me, when each problem on the test is worth 25%, partial credit is rather handy). Also, you must follow his assinine format or he gives NO credit at all on the homework. All in all, a not so good experience. Don't take Shaw if you care about your GPA. |
| 53 | 20003 | This Guy isn't nearly as bad as Kovacs, but also believe he should have done something with his life other than teaching. Perhaps torturing small animals. His attempts at humor are for his own ammusment. If you ever have to talk to the man in person, he is a TROLL of a person. on a pefect homework assignment (The first one he assigned) he gave me an F because i filled out the heading imporperly.#To this I mean I put the heading on the wrong side of the paper.# Why do these people want to teach?!? They obviously have nothing but contempt for thier students... |
| 88 | 20003 | He's hard, but I think does grade fair. You have to work for your grade in his class - but if you work hard, you can do well. Pay a lot of attention to the homework problems. |
| 99 | 20003 | I dont know what people are complaining about. I had shaw and I did very well in his class I got an A. If you just do the homework and understand the problems, then it is easy to get an A. His lectures are also pretty interesting because you dont fall asleep in his class. Plus I liked how he handled dumb questionaires who asked lots of dumb questions such as "What does arbitrary mean?" And for those of you who were in my physics class last quarter, I think you know what I mean. |
| 48 | 20003 | They did not have a letter less than F- so I had to choose it. He is terrible and make you feel like a moron. Dont ever take this guy. You will not learn a single word through his lecture because he does not give a crap about the student if they learn or not. |
| 88 | 20003 | Hi this is someone who will remain anonymous and still follow all the RIT rules and regulations (as represented by this site) while exploiting the RIT Professor Evaluation System. First I’d like to say our “president” (that would be President Felipe Giraldo) in his comments under Professor Kovacs is doing the same thing as I am, using this site to make a point. His grade of “A+” is no reflection on how he would rate professor Kovacs. In any event, what I really want to talk about is Student Government – or should I say some higher up individuals in SG who often act short sited with only the concern of themselves. They recklessly use technology, doing nothing good and are very SLOW, yes, VERY SLOW to realize the errors in their ways. I don’t want to name names here (although I probably should considering this is a naming site) cause I’m nice but I will say they are high up in office. To summarize, some people high up in SG are slow, uncaring, unkind, not open to alternatives, don’t deal with outside people very well, incompetent and arrogant. Guess your basic run of the mills idiots who should never have been admitted to RIT in the first place. You SUCK, go away filth!! I would like to see a lot of you LEAVE office immediately! Oh, anyone who may be reading this and one of these pathetic excuses of a person – if you are offended by what I wrote, if it makes you angry or upset, join the club buddies. Cause without even knowing it, you made this club. LEAVE OFFICE cause you are losers and suck a lot of junk!!! (hats off to the student senate though, you people a cool, many of you actually care). Hey SG people, I think my point has been made. Have a nice day. |
| 78 | 20003 | as far as teaching goes he does a pretty good job but classes are on the boring side...what else is new. is homework is hard but doesn't count much for ur grade. test are pretty much straight from the homework so if u understand it u'll do fine. |
| 95 | 20003 | I had this guy for lab one time, and that's the grade I got, so the grade I'm giving him. Just do the job you think would make your grandpa proud and you'll be alright.
Now, as a 'higher up' in SG, and as someone who thinks representative government is a total failure, I must respond to the anonymous coward below. My name is Chris Maj, email is abc1234, and I'm this year's Programming Secretary. I invite any and all to read my weekly report to the SG Senate at http://www.sg.rit.edu/news/articles/ for some actual facts of the matter. Note that these reports do not fully capture the drama of the events each week, where my removal has been a pending motion on the floor during several of these very, very important SG Senate meetings. (You know, with the kids trying to claw away at each other to get a pat on the back from Big Al and a phat recommendation for their job as CEO of a bank or something phucking retarded like that.) philter away |
| 99 | 20003 | We’re all in control of our own desire to learn. It’s a well-known saying: “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink”, such a saying applies here. Do we really think that Shaw would side with his profession, if he didn’t enjoy doing so? We’re all here to learn about a field, a field we’ll have the rest of our lives, and we’ll enjoy it.
Shaw weaves comedy into the art of physics, which purpose: to break the often-forming monotony: symptoms of frustration. Physics, for some, is a new way of thinking. Learn the homework, and you’ll get an A in his class, however to cast fault on the second party merits ignorance. Considering a majority of these harsh reviews, stem from such people, I find Shaw to be an excellent professor. Check Shaw out, RIT gives you time to drop the class. I’m sure, if you’re slightly civilized, you’ll find Shaw inspiring. |
| 53 | 20003 | Tenure is the only thing saving this guy's behind. He is prejudiced towards deaf and hard of hearing students and comes across as an anti-social bigot.
Testing wise, it's all or nothing - partial credit is an afterthought. AVOID AT ALL COSTS - for your sake... for your children's sake. |
| 85 | 20003 | (Experience=Physics 2) Do the homework (or study the answer sheets), understand the homework, and you are prepared for the tests. He only gives partial credit on questions he intended to do so for in the first place. His jokes are usually corny, but he's fully aware of that. Don't take him if you're a very intolerant person, because his jokes/comments may offend you. Oh, and unless my class saw an unusual side of him, he's not too hard to get along with (I never tried to get him out of class, though). Take voters' rants with as big a grain of salt as you would with an article on Slashdot critical of Microsoft. I would humbly requests voters not to ruin this reasonable service by peppering it with off-topic, political rants (ahem). |
| 95 | 20002 | decent teacher, seems fair, just do the homework, i got a zero on technicalities because of his homework format, but all that is needed is paying attention in class. |
| 65 | 20002 | Inconsistant grading, unreasonable expectations, and off-color jokes. |
| 88 | 20002 | Tough teacher. Homework is difficult and strictly graded. However, tests are mirror images of homework problems. If you understand the homework, you'll do well on his tests and in his class. Not the most accessible prof outside of class, but will answer questions if you have them. |
| 65 | 20002 | He doesn't teach only expects you to memorize his stupid and impossible to solve without the solutions. |
| 78 | 20002 | If you do learn the HW, you will get a good grade, simple as that. A little touchy on the test grading, but you will learn the basic concepts of the course. |
| 88 | 20002 | Homework == Exams with different numbers. Shaw is a funny guy, and very helpful in and out of class. He takes it slow (painfully slow sometimes) so that everyone understands the material. Good prof. Get him if you can. |
| 48 | 20002 | Tried to talk to him...didnt work. He and Kovacs go hand in hand. |
| 88 | 20002 | |
| 48 | 20002 | Learned almost nothing from this professor |
| 53 | 20002 | |
| 99 | 20002 | I had Professor Shaw for physics II and III. He is an exelent teacher. He goes over and over the topic until everyone should pretty much have it down. He i kinda strange, but his wierd mannor breaks up the manotony a bit. He is a tough grader on homework, no partial credit. But the homework doesn't count for much of your grade. The tests are great. All the questions come directly off the homeworks. If you can do the homework, there's no reason not to get an A on the test and in the class. Not only that, but you are allowed to omit 20% of the test and he tell you in advance what is going to be on them. As long as you keep up, you will learn a lot and get a good grade. |
| 53 | 20002 | |
| 91 | 20002 | Homework is hard but counts for very little of the grade. Full homework solutions are handed out in class and tests reflect the homework almost exactly. Most of the time he just changes the numbers. Not as bad as everyone thinks. |
| 53 | 20002 | This man's teaching style is horid. Thoughtless and unactive, you learn nothing in class, only on your own. Also, his grading scheme shows no consistency and is no where near a true reflection of a person's knowledge of the subject material. |
| 88 | 20002 | |
| 58 | 20002 | Dr. Shaw is an a***ole. He doesnt't read any email, asks studetns to sign up for office hours, then brushes them off when they come, refusing to anser any of your questions, and last year when I neede to take an exam early due to a school trip, he wouldn't allow it. Instead, I had to take it after I came back. |
| 48 | 20002 | Grading policies are inconsistent and seem arbitrary. Example: two students make the exact same mistake on a lab writeup; one loses 50 points, the other loses nothing. Also extremely lacking in people skills, often comes across as outright hostile towards the students. Avoid at absolutely all costs. |
| 48 | 20002 | Hates you because you are born ignorant of physics...do as he says in class: FIREBOMB HIS CAR!!! |
| 88 | 20002 | He's seems to be very hard. But he's very easy really. All the homework problems were solved in class. All the exams were based on the homeworks. The final was based on the exams. So if you do your homework... you'll ace his exams. And if you don't do your homework... well... bad things happen. He's somewhat arrogant... and NEVER be late with an assignment. |
| 48 | 20002 | He is COLD HEART toward students' need and their desire to pass the physics courses. I have tried hard and tried getting help from him in his office but he dust me off like a idiot! I wish I would never take him! Espically with his grading system, if you don't get right answer or follow his specifics, you get a ZERO! |
| 75 | 20001 | Do the homework. That's all. But beware: You could get a D in an exam just by making algebra mistakes: all physics correct, first algebra mistake B, lost a minus sign C, wrong exponent D.
Don't expect to love physics due to his courses. He reads off his papers so that he can't ever make a mistake. He could try to scare you although he is warmhearted. He just can't show it. |
| 75 | 20001 | I feel that I've learned a lot with this professor, but his grading is very strict. I recommend only if you're not prone to simple algebra or calculus errors. |
| 58 | 20001 | Doesnt care if his students learn |
| 68 | 20001 | Definitely a pain in the ass. Homework is absolutely impossible, whether you study the text or not. Test's are straight from the homework which is a plus, but his grading is vicious. Doesn't have time to answer questions courteously, makes the inquisitive feel stupid. |
| 53 | 20001 | He doesnt answer questions well and avoids contact after or outside of class. doesnt give much help on the homework and if you dont get the homework you have no chance in his class |
| 48 | 20001 | |
| 95 | 19993 | He s entertaining, and he explains things well. His homework doesn t have any partial credit, but he also gives almost a week to do it. Also, he may act like a complete a-hole in class sometimes but he s actually a nice guy outside of class. |
| 61 | 19993 | Psychotic, vicious, nasty. Also writes incorrect questions on tests. |
| 71 | 19993 | He is rather boring and not very engaging either. His test are fair and much easier than his homework. Make sure you do the homework because the tests are very similar. |
| 61 | 19993 | Too slow, assumes students are morons. No real understanding of how to each, couldn t make a rock concert interesting. |
| 81 | 19993 | Good teacher, homework is very hard but he uses easier questions on tests. |