4.2
Quality3.7
Difficulty72%
Would Retake375
Reviews72%
Would Retake
375
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
375 total ratings5
249
4
60
3
20
2
17
1
29
What Students Say
“Probably the best professor I have taken so far”
PHYS4A4B - 5.0 rating“Memorable lectures, clear concepts, excellent educator”
PHSICS10 - 5.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
48%
Textbook Required
51%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.33 avg changeRatings by Course
PHYSICS10
5.0
(10)4AB
5.0
(1)PHYSICS
5.0
(3)PHY4B4C
5.0
(1)PHYS4A4B4C
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
PHYSICS4A4B
5.0
PHYSPHYS
5.0
PHYSI4B
5.0
PHYSC4B
5.0
PHYS004A
5.0
Reviews (299)
hes real nice to the physics 10 students but with the physics 4 and 2 series, it's a different story. i was in 10 and he was funny and really helpful. did a lot of demonstrations. 3 tests and 1 final. final is 50% of your grade. lots of quizs and readings. fun class. hes strict with 4 and 2 series cause he expects you science majors are serious.
he is a good instructer but not the best.his exams are never easy.he is good at advising and giving guidance.
No Comments
Very tough. But you will learn all what you need from physics. Highly recomended to those who are majoring any engineering.
One of the best instructors I've ever met in my life! His teaching of physics may be unorthodox(i.e. painfully tough), but my understanding of physics has been very solid even after I have transferred to Cal.I guarantee you all will gain a lot from him(especially the office hours).
VERY good teacher. I hated physics before this class, but I love it now. Made physics logical and INTERESTING (which I thought was impossible before). He's a hard grader, but if you ask questions during his office hours, he will really explain it to you. Go to his office hours even if you don't have questions, cuz you'll learn a LOT anyway!
David Newton was the absolute BEST teacher I had at De Anza. He is very clear and strives to help the student thoroughly understand the material. His sense of humor is hilarious! Oh, and this guy looks like Harry Connick, Jr.! hehe
vrey good no expections
Newton has the ability to make me love physics even though it will kill my GPA. He will correct your thinking like no other, and physics will finally make logical sense. Advice: do all past exams, go to as many office hours as possible, and ask him questions! He is very helpful and funny! oh, and the more he likes you, the more he teases you... :)
one if THE best professors I had in my life. very clear, funny, and very fair grading. Remember the examples he gives in class, most are on the exams. Quizzes are general questions from the lectures which he also hint when he is talks about it. Final is literally the same questions from the first 3 exams.
he s the best teacher Ive ever hard, eventhough he s very hard.he made me understand physics is not as easy as I thought and actually I changed my major into physics.If you really wanna learn take him,It hurts to learn though(his phylosophy of teaching.I admire him and If I wanna be a teacher I want to do it as well a he does
HE IS AWESOME!! HE IS THE BEST PROF I EVER HAD. HE IS HELPFUL AT HIS OFFICE IF U HAVE A QUESTION. AND ALSO, HE IS NICE AS A PERSON!! HE OFTEN MAKES EVERYBODY LAUGH BY MAKING SOME WITTY REMARK. EVERYBODY LOVES HIS LECTURE. WONDERFULL!!
Mr Newton was very helpful to me. I am not a good math student, but if you study, do the work, and come to class every day, you will get no less than a C
Very hard very hard....His lecture was like philosophy and not really help.
Tooooo hard...
even u study like me.put A LOT OF TIME to study..spend every weekend to study.study all the notes and book..do all the homework + extra work.. understand the lab materials....u will still end up getting a D !!! HAHA good deal rite ?
helpful, interesting, fun, but damn hard....
Learn how to "study" from him. Learn how to study "Physics" for the first time in u'r life from him. Learn how to study "Engineering" from him. U won't get bored in a "physics class" for the first time. Learn specially phy 4B from him. Also, he is 1 smart man who pronounce Asian names quite good and bravely(he is smart). Funny & the best in DeAnza.
Newton's the best prof I've ever had in my life. He taught me how to learn not just physics but all other subjects as well cuz he emphasizes learning strategies that work for every class. He is also extremely clear and thorough in his explanations. Go to his too-short and invaluable office hours even if you understand. You'll still learn something.
Newton is an awesome teacher but only if you can tolerate his evilness. If he ever gives you a red chalk in his office hour, dont accept it. Also he likes to kill minkeys. If you wanna know what a minkey is, just ask him...
Awsome teacher.......he is the great among the all physics teacher.......if you hate physics he will make you to love physics......classes are fun.....helpfull...but exams are hard.......but if you do hard work you will be fine.....i got B in these classes.....strongly recomonded....
Greatest Physics teacher at De Anza, and probably the best instructor at De Anza period. His enthusiasm for the material is basically transferred to you. He is also one of the most difficult instructors, but I literally looked forward to his lecture. Man that sounds lame! But it's true. Highly recommended. On top of that the guy is hilarious!
This guy is a physics genius, but he tests at a level that is beyond most JC students, especially those who aren't strong in physics. Even if you aren't really good in physics, you could pass and possibly even do well in his class if his class is the only or only "difficult" class you're taking.
Newton is the best professor I ever had...what I gained from him carried me through graduate school.
He is an awesome teacher! VERY KNOWLEDGABLE IN PHYSICS and that shows on the exams! the exams are impossible but you can definitely get a C by failing the exams to a certain extent. pay attention to the lab b/c you need it for the final and how to use the equipments. good luck, i highly recomment this professor just WORK HARD!!!!!!!
goes too fast. Hard exams
This guy is HILARIOUS, yet a physics GENIUS. He inspired me to change my major to physics, especially when I had 4B with him. Yes, if you do care about your education, take him, but make sure that you'll be able to work extremely HARD for the whole quarter.
This was the hardest class i have ever taken in my life. Prepare to study countless hours for even a C. I suggest taking a different professor and just sitting in his lectures and using his online exams for study problems if you want to get an A the 1st time through. Go to his office hours, he is very helpful. Funny and an awesome lecturer.
No doubt he's the best.
Wow, what a wonderful experience!!! Everything seems so beautiful with this guy although I mostly disappointed at the first days of the quarter since he scared you a lot!! But he's not that hard, he just pretends it to make you study!! Trust me, his Exam are ok and his grading is easy!! He wants you to really understand the subject!! Great teacher!
A master teacher. A high school student could understand physics from him (in fact there were many high schoolers in the class). He knows his stuff really well! Someone who has never done math before can get an A in Physics 10 from Professor Newton! He is absolutely funny and makes class interesting.
A sage in the stage. A clown whose only purpose is to be liked by the students and be the center of the attention, he does not care if you learn or not. You will learn very little with this egomaniac. He does not post hw solutions, he is hard to find in office hours. The labs are confusing and full of errors...watch out! Good luck,you will need it!
Very good teacher. do work, or you will be worked. i tried not doing any work and i got a low grade T_T
Crazy smart. Makes haaard conceptual questions with no numbers until the end. Quite challenging. Don't show up late for quiz!
Very Very Very knowledgeable. He's such a sarcastic and funny professor. Sometimes I just show up for lectures, just because he makes it soooo interesting and fun!! But you must must study hard in his class! COOL PROFESSOR!
wow this class is extremely hard. prepare to devote at least 3hrs/day studying if you want to get an A. professor is good though, great at teaching and explaining problems clearly. funny sometimes. quizes every week. his hand writing can piss you off though cus its so sloppy and hard to read.
No doubt he's a great teacher! but that doesn't mean U get A. Even spend whole night before exam doesn't let you get A--(Too sleepy during Exam) I would take 4B at Foothill next quater. If you want to feel safer, let's go FOOT HILL! I am there!
Awesome hilarious Prof, I am so bummed that my class is almost over. If only I could take one of his classes without having to take his painful 4 series.
Mr. Newton's PHYS 10 course is as easy as it gets! He's more than a fair grader. He's funny. It's an overall laid back class. He may seem intimidating at times, but he's totally approachable.
This is physics for dummies. He doesn't expect much of you other than to show up for class. He makes physics interesting and applies concepts to real life situations that "dummies" can understand. The text is good for the quiz questions, but not worth the $. Copy them out of another student's book. It's not really needed if you just go to class!
He is the best lecturer I have ever seen. Its so hard to visualize E&M, but he makes you do it. You don't need to read the book, just follow examples, notes, and go to office hours almost on a daily basis. He gives a master understanding of concepts, better than the book, extremely conceptual. However, he is pompous, arrogant and sarcastic. His tests are extremely hard.
This guy is a genius he also plays counter strike!! Would recommend.
awesome teacher. both funny and intelligent. the only problem is that once you take his class, other teachers' classes seem so crappy. i'd say he is the best physics teacher in the world. wish he taught 4C/4D as well.
I only wish there was more story telling. He's pretty funny to; the kind of humor that makes you laugh at 5 minute intervals about the same thing.
this teacher is TOUGH! class first started out w/ about 50-60 ppl, ended up w/ bout 25ppl left over towards end of the qtr. have to study ALOT if you never taken phys before. tests are pretty hard and tricky. quizzes r based on hw probs. however he is a good teacher, knows what hes doing, and funny at times. prepare to STUDY ALOT in his class!!
can't write too much to tell you how cool this teach is. you will love to attend his class. you can feel you are leaning. His jokes are funny, too.
Good teacher, comes off strong at first until you start to get him. You must take notes as quizes, tests, exams are based entirely on them. Use the textbook as a resource, but you really won't use it much. He is extremely helpful in office hours and will expand on topics more in depth then he can in class. Is up for a students challenging him too.
overrated teacher. i took him by recommendations from my friends and his first exam was hard. It was a cheap shot considering his past exams posted had doable problems. also goes over the material way too fast like he crammed an entire chapter in 1 day and the exam the next day. great lab and lectures though. exams were hard ,but final is easier.
Newton is Hands down Fabulous teacher. Although it may take you a week or two to become comfortable with his style of teaching, he will always keep you in constant curiosity. My friend and sat back analyzing all aspects of his teaching and found him to always go above and beyond our expectations as a Professor. You will love Newton.
I am a high school student taking 4B. DONT come into his class expecting to get an A like I did, even if you get As in physics from other teacher. The book is absolutely useless in this class, he moves through the material insanely fast. He is a smart guy but tests WAAY TOO HARD!This has been one of the most depressing experiences of my life
An awesome teacher. Don't expect his class is like you study a night before an exam to get by. You need to go to class, office hours if needed, and work hard. You will earn more than what you put in. You can feel that you know what physics is by the end of the quarter. He is hilarious,too. I truly enjoyed his class. Highly highly recommended.
This is as good a teacher and as good a human being as you are likely to find anywhere, anytime. He is as good at his job as anyone I have ever seen. Also insanely funny. A lot like taking a class from Kurt Vonnegut, which is the highest praise I can think of.
WOW. hardest class i ever took! He tells you a million times that the only way to be sucsessful is to study EVERYDAY and do ALL the problems in the book and his website and he is absolutly correct. He is an excellent teacher as a teacher but if you need an A STAY AWAY!!! i studied my butt off for a C and was thankful
Hardest class I've ever taken.
Very bad teacher, not clear about anything. He's very picky when grading, wants you to solve problems HIS way. He expects way too much out of his students.
Very good teacher. Very clear and helpful. Highly recommended.
definitely a hard teacher, but i wouldn't want to take physics with anyone else. if physics interests you, i recommend him. you obtain such a deeper knowledge of the subject. he's one of the best teachers i've ever had, even though he's hard.
One of the two greatest professors of my life. Engaging, Charismatic, and Knowledgable. After taking this class, I am sure that Physics is the right career path for me.
Newton is the funniest teacher alive! I loved his class. Of course physics is difficult, but he makes is really fun and he tells some great stories. he gives pop quizzes so make sure you show up, but they're usually easy and just about the previous days lecture. Awesome teacher! Take him for sure!
Best professor i've ever had without a doubt. He's hilarious and if you listen and take notes during his lectures, you will do well, AND learn. He is an interesting guy that is super passionate about his subject. I'd recommend him without a doubt
I started out with 10 with him, progressed on to 2A with him (I was lucky!), and audited 4A and 4B a year later (I was taking 4C at the time). He is extremely tough on the 2- and 4- series, as they are meant to be tough, but easy on PHYS10. He knows what he's doing, and comes down nothing less than spectacular in his lectures and office hours.
Literally THE best teacher I have ever met! His class is hard, but he makes them interesting and fun enough that I want to learn more. Sometimes moody, but always funny.
Prof. Newton is knowledgeable, helpful and with great passion about Physics. He even lectures us during his office hours. I won't say the class is easy, as he mentions "In physics 2A,class attendence is mandatory so C is guaranteed; in 4A, class attendence is not mandatory so C is not guaranteed."
Still the best! And his wife is pretty dang smart too. :D
Trust me. He is the best teacher you'll ever find in your life. I transferred to UC, but still can't find any prof better than him. He is hilarious, constantly makes students laugh, a great lecturer, extremely helpful. Work hard, and it'll be a good memory when you look back in the future. I wish I could go abck to the days that I took 4A with him
he doesnt wear shoes in class. he's hot.
good teacher,but very hard.
Best Teacher in De Anza !!! :D
Best teacher in De Anza !!! :)
Mr. Newton is amazing. I've never looked forward to a class so much in my life. If he taught anything besides physics...I would take his class again in a heartbeat.
he is the most inspiring teacher i've ever had. im so sad the class is over and after having him as a teacher, you won't think any other teacher even comes remotely close to how good he is.
I always want to write something about him though I didn't have the chance to take his 4B class.It's probably the biggest loss for me.You really need to know HE IS THE BEST!His lecture is crystal clear and full of insights. His special notations, though seem to be unnecessarily tedious at the beginning, can save you from wordy explantions later on.
He's awesome and weird at the same time. He's a great teacher and makes physics actually fun. If you're taking physics 10, the class is an easy A.
This guy is the worst teacher ever. He doesnt do a good job teaching and explaining rather than that he kills the whole time goofin off and acting like a wierd stand up comedian, and having fun with his favorite students(who are basically dorks that laugh the most at his jokes!IT'S ANNOYING. However when it comes to testing he is insanely hard.
one awful experience. the whole time he literally tells you that this class is impossible, and trust me he will make it impossible. It's lik ehe tries to show how great he is for knowing all these that you cannot learn. take this class with him if you want to earn two letter grades below what you would have got with A NORMAL TEARCHER.
Mr.Newton is the best. His lectures are extremely helpful and enjoyable.His class needs hard work, don't expect to just come to the lectures and pass.Studying past exams and homework solutions are very helpful. Students who don't like this teacher are only sour losers who expect to get good grades without studying.This is physics not anthropology!
NEWTON NEEDS A LIFE.I'M SURE, HIS CLASS TIME IS THE HIGHLIGHT OF HIS LIFE. HE IS RUDE, UNFUNNY AND ANNOYING. HE IS PROUD OF THE FACT THAT HE IS SO HARD 70 % OF HIS STUDENTS FAIL! SOME LOOSERS WHO HAVE NO LIFE, AND STUDYING HIS CLASS IS ALL THEY DO, AND THE CLASS TIME IS THEIR HIGHLIGHT OF LIFE TOO, MIGHT GET A GOOD GRADE. BUT NORMAL PPL WONT!
i disagree with the people below me. yeah, it's not an easy A class, but you can pass his class if you can accumulate 60%, which can't be too hard. You don't need to study physics all along the quarter. He has office hours everyday, and you should go get help when you need. Doing his past exams is an absolutely must to do well on your own exams.
Professor Newton is awesome. His lectures are the best and he is very helpful. The best way to study for his class is to work all the past exams and his home work solutions. Physic is not an easy subject. For those people who dislike him because they think he is too hard they don't even study and are taking 20+ units and expect to get an easy A.
After taking PHYS 4A/B in 2004, I went to Stanford for undergrad. After all these years, Prof Newton is still the best teacher I've had--and I've had some pretty good lecturers. Though I got B's in his classes, I actually remembered and understood a lot of the concepts he taught. Thanks to him, I managed to breeze through physics at Stanford.
His class goes not very fast, but he teaches very clear. He truely understands what he wants to talk about.
Best teacher in De Anza.Netwon is awesome.u will know more abt Phys: if u take him.Clear concept and lecture but exam is hard.He has communication with his students.Go to his office hr and ask him questions,he will explain u clearly.Do ur HW and Pass Exam Solution.It helps u a lot.Higly recommend for Engineer Students!!!
This professor was the BEST i've ever had in any physics class. His lectures can be boring but he does his best to hold your attention. He is quite a character. I highly recommend him!!
I've never had a better teacher than David Newton. He wants you to learn, he wants you to do well. He's like a cross between Han Solo and House, and you'll leave class with a good knowledge of specific things that will kill you. Lectures are highly anecdotal and very funny. I understand so much more about the world from having taken this class.
Really nice guy but extremely inefficient at teaching. Doesn't follow the book & spends class time telling the same lame jokes over & over. Spends more time designing a problem than solving it, which leaves him rushed & making frequent errors or just not finishing. I understood the concepts, but struggled with his time constraints for quizz/exams.
Awesome teacher!!u will know more abt Phys: his test is hard but past exam solution and lecture are really help.great teacher! he is talking with his students if they don't understand the problems and communicating with his students. People don't like him is wanna get an easy A.u don't need to study Phys: all along the quarter.Highly recommended!!
He is very funny! Very interesting lecture. Phy 10 is not difficult but you still need to study. 20 quizzes in total through out the quarter. 3 mid-terms and the Final is 50% of the final grade.
one of the toughest teacher youll ever have. his lectures are crystal clear but spends a lot of time telling you how youll fail the class. exams are deadly becuase he doesnt believe that any problem is hard. thinks of a problem on the spot without knowing how hard it is to solve so youre screwed on the exams. had to drop along with 2/3 of the class
for those of you taking the 4 series with him, ignore all the comments from the physics 10. he treats phys 10 like preschoolers. its a whole different ballpark with the 4 series. look at the difficulty difference between all the phy10 and 4 series and youll see what i mean
hardest physics instructor ever! i have to spend one more quarter to get over the class and that delay the hell out of everything right now. dont take him, if you want to transfer with a high gpa, there are exceptions, if you are a genius, go ahead.
COME TO CLASS AND TAKE GOOD NOTES! I repeat, GOOD notes. You should write down everything Newton emphasizes because it WILL be on the test. His tests are comprised of exactly what he lectures. The book isn't that much of a help. He's a funny teacher and if you pay attention, you'll get a good grade. Final is a mix of recycled midterm questions.
TAKE HIS CLASS! He's very clear and funny, and not hard if you pay attention and take notes. He keep it interesting, and if you study your notes the exams are easy. When he explains physics, it's very clear. love him
EXTREMELY FUNNY!! I laugh like everyday in his class, funniest teacher ever and if you take GOOD NOTES, you'll definitely get an A! very clear, very easy quizes, definite A!
Newton's funny and his online problems're useful.He thinks his class's the top priority and students only takes his class. He has problems with number and his class isn't 6 units, more like 12. He usually spends half the time making jokes. He gave out a-20mins-quiz made by himself and spent the rest 30mins just tried to solve it. GPA killer indeed.
I believe Newton dedicates all of his life to the physics classes and this website; he even put his ignorant picture up. If you look carefully you'll notice that most of the comments which has low rating of easiness but high rating of the others were made by him. So I decided to rate the opposite, serve ya! He doesn't play fair so do we!
Very picky about the quality of student solutions. I ended up dropping, but Newton's thinking style has been an awesome intellectual influence. Maybe if I'd spent more time studying and compared my solutions to the ones on his website I could have gotten a decent grade.
Seriously, change the picture and change the way of your thinking. TOO MUCH IGNORANCE!!!! Remember that what goes around comes around. I don't think you are smart, you are just experience.You make it hard on people then someday you will receive the same things from them.
Welcome to death. That's all I have to say, I dropped before the W, my friends stayed in and are getting F's. Study hard and pay attention, I think you probably need to take his classes two times, first time to understand his style, second time to attempt it.
Interesting lecture, enjoyed attending class. if you want an A, you need to study. Easy C, fairly easy B with some effort. He is always available to help during office hours. He is definitely easier on Phys. 10 students, so if you are looking at him for phys. 10 don't be discouraged by comments from other physics classes.
Funny teacher very interesting lectures. Explanations CLEAR. Tests all come from his lectures and or homework. No surprises. If he didn't cover in class, you won't be tested on it. You do need to study a LOT though. But it's not hard, at least for the PHYS2 series.
This is far from an easy A class. However, do not be intimidated by him telling you how you are going to fail in the first 2 weeks, the class gets better.On the positive side, he is a GREAT teacher, definite the best physics instructor I have ever had in my life. I am now considering changing my major to Physics lol
Fantastic teacher. You'll really learn physics, and not just spam formulas like most other classes have you do. Encourages students to come in during office hours, very helpful. Only complaint is lack of time given on quizzes/exams make them, in my opinion, unnecessarily difficult. Also very funny, cracks jokes during lecture all the time. Take!
Pretty easy and interesting class. If you study your notes you should easily get an A. Final exam is derived from midterms and is worth 50% of your grade. Pretty much unless you slack off and ditch half the time you should get an A or B
He's hilarious. His lectures are never boring. His anecdotes give a lot context to the material. Very intelligent. You will learn your physics. He corrects "fuzzy" thinking and will make you challenge basic assumptions. Take good notes and study. He's always available during office hours. Great educator. He's got me really excited about physics.
One of the very best PHYSICS TEACHERS EVER. You will not fall asleep in this class. His teaching methods are outstanding and has funny/interesting stories to go along with every lesson. He is a very helpful teacher and the exams are extremely easy as long as you TAKE NOTES and STUDY THEM. You will love physics after you take this class :)
Very funny, and also very clear. His class is easy to pass as long as you pay attention to the lectures.
Great lecturer! His class is quite difficult and very demanding, but if you pay enough attention in class and do the previous exams carefully, you will probably be able to pass :) "A" is not impossible. prof. Newton is very funny and i enjoyed all the lectures i attended.
Lectures are very stimulating, crystal clear and hilarious. He cracks jokes all the time. NOT EASY! Prepare to study extremely hard. 2 exams worth 20% each, 1 final worth 40%, and 7-8 lecture quizzes worth 10% total. 5 lab quizzes worth 1% each, and 1 lab final worth 5%. Lab quizzes are fairly easy, as is the lab final.
Basically the most interesting class I ever experienced in my life. This class honestly can become a philosophy class for you if you choose to delve deeper into the stuff he says. He is VERY clear with the lectures and clearly knows the material back and forth. He's not HILARIOUS but will crack jokes here and there to keep your interest up.
Newton is very dedicated to his phys 10 students and it shows. To take full advantage one should go to his office hour! Definitely one of the best classes I've ever taken. Oh and he's hot.
This guy is so cool. You may have a pop quiz almost everyday for the first 8 weeks but its usually a definition that he day from the day before so easy to expect. As he once said "you have to be dumb to fail this class" but be warned that its pretty hard to get a B or higher.
"You'd have to be dumb to fail this class." -David Newton ... Honestly, a terrific teacher who, for the most part, understands that a majority of the students taking his class are only there to fulfill their G.E. requirements, thus, he steadfastly sticks to teaching the "concepts" of physics. The textbook - unnecessary; His words - like a gem!
He's the best and his class's the most interesting one at DA. I learned Physics since 13 years old and his class was the only one that ever made sense. I failed the 1st test because of my shallow Phys4A knowledge, which was necessary) But he inspired me so much that I studied at my best and passed the class. He also helped me with 4A concept.
No homework, but daily quizzes. 3 midterms and a final that is 50% of your grade. The midterms are straight from his lecture, so take good notes. His final is made up of the same questions from the midterms, and you're allowed to look at them during office hours. Interesting class, learned a lot, unfortunately, not enough to get an A. Great guy.
Damn...I will drop class right now.. first exam, half of students drop... he's lecture pretty clear, but not many information in it. BUT his EXAM simply Show you How the HELL looks like. He don't care about the students grade AT ALLLLLLLL. Go take his class and work super super super super super super super super hard, and Get C~~. Good luck.
The way he teaches Physics is a bit different from what I learned in high school.. but let me tell you.. he DEFINITELY helped me understood Physics. His exams are a bit tricky.. so I recommend you do your homework and ask questions. He's really funny. :) He gives you past exams to help you.. and you MUST memorize the formulas.
I had never taken physics before, but he got me to think about the world differently. I studied everyday and got an A plus. Others found him hard, I don't know why. I hated the idea of physics until I took 2A with Newton and now I switched my major and want to continue to take physics through grad school. I love Newton!
Very smart and very good teacher. Teaches subjects and concepts exceptionally well at an advanced level. MUST be smart and have a very good work ethic to get a B or A in this class. His tests are extremely difficult if you do not keep up with the lectures and do work outside of class and can get almost impossibly hard.
One of the best teachers I have ever had. His lectures are entertaining and informative. You must attend class to get a good grade. His tests and some quizzes are fast-paced but simple. Before this class I was thinking about engineering but now I'm certain. Phys 10 with Newton is indispensable for anyone planning to take more advanced physics!
Newton is high energy, spontaneous, and quite funny. These are great traits for a standup comedian, but not necessarily for a physics professor.
Newton is a hilarious professor who keeps the class interesting for most of the time. His teaching are crystal clear and there's no way you'll fail to understand his teachings. Overall a very charming person. His exams aren't difficult but you have to prepare for them. Final counts towards 50% of your grade, which is life saver for me.
The 2 sequence is more relaxable than the 4 sequence.The teacher made class more lively and interesting by his life experiences.His lecture was crystal and hilarious.But the exams were relatively hard:2 exams 1 final.If you have A in both exams,your A is very much secure.Final was relatively easy,based on the note.Start studying at the beginning^_^
Those who say he's good are just ignorant about their grades. Frankly, his lectures are great, but during exam, you might wonder if you're taking an upper division physics class. If you can get above 90 in his Phys 4B papers, you shouldn't be in De Anza anyway. Go his homepage and try'em. The exams are unrelated to the materials so no need prepare.
4A is more comprehensive than 2A that makes it easier to understand,especially torque and rotation. The teacher spent sufficient amount of time to go over the material in full detail.The exams that he made up were quite tricky in the way he asked the questions,so study the past exams and homework problems about 2 weeks before the exam.HAVE "FUN"^_^
4A is more comprehensive than 2A that makes it easier to understand,especially torque and rotation.The teacher spent a sufficient amount of time to cover the material in full detail.The exams that he made up were quite tricky in the way he stated his questions,so study the past exams and homework problems about 2 weeks before the exam.HAVE "FUN"^_^
Awesome Teacher. One of the best. Taught super well. Exams are easy if you prepare for them and pay attention in the class.
Super good teacher! Totally recommend him. He explain things clearly and he help to give a new perspective to physics. He can really relate to you because he knows how hard for it to study physics! Overall, awesome teacher! Although his test are pretty damn difficult, i'm sure he wants it for the best of us.
Obj Observ of MrNewton(not class) Knowledge-has mastery over material allowing creative & thorough discussion/presntat. complements ideas with humor and/or derive humor from ideas (that's mastery) Delivery-uses precise lang & analg effectively to explain complex ideas promoting easy understanding. X-factr-passion 4 subj and teachg evident
he's a great teacher for first time physics students. his final was extremely easy, just make sure to review the questions he did in class.
David is an incredible professor, he is passionate about physics and he knows a lot of stuff! The class itself is quite difficult, but I managed to get a B in the class by taking good notes and just studying them. Attendance is mandatory and he gives about 20 quizzes throughout the entire quarter.
attendance is mandatory. 20 pop quizes within the quarter. lectures are really important because he always says "this will be on the test...." overall great teacher!
If you want to learn the material you want to take Newton. Questions really make you think, but grading is very fair if not lenient. He rewards(gives points)for mistakes made in the right direction, or even if you did the wrong thing, but did that wrong thing correctly. He tests your physics, not ability to push buttons or crunch numbers.
challenges your physics thinking, which is much harder than cranking stuff out mathematically
I dund understand why people said he is hard,. get an A without studying too much,. coz I learned in lecture already,. instead of saying he is hard, I would rather say there aren't a lot smart students in DA. Easy A, highly Recommend. Physics is really easy.,
I am not a science major and this class is only for my GE requirements, but god! Newton is extremely fun and lively. Since Physics 10 is the easiest physics class, I did not study much, BUT taking good notes from his lectures is a must because most of his test questions are based on them. He is also extremely helpful during office hour. Recommend.
One of the best classes I've ever taken and I never liked physics. It's very conceptual. He's a fantastic lecturer: he speaks clearly, makes the class entertaining (not a day went by when I didn't laugh at something he said), and he's very helpful in office hours. No study guide, but the lecture matches the exam. No complaints. Fantastic class!
Excellent teacher. Newton really knows how to make you understand the material in and out. His exams are very fair and he provides a ton of past exams on his website, so students have all the tools they need to succeed. Great personality; makes you chuckle every couple minutes.
Most amazing professor I have had since my time here at De Anza! He gets you really interested in the subject and provides equally as interesting/enlightening examples. His charisma complements the format of the lecture very well, since there is no student participation. I didn't get an A, let alone a B in his class, but I learned a lot regardless!
Why didn't I have him for my high school physics....Though I got a B, but I learned a lot! He will makes you laugh and is also one of the teachers who I am willing to go to his office hours :)
This class is very helpful unless u don't care your grade. For your Gpa, go to find another one.
Very helpful. Put your mind to it, do the work, you're set. Comparable to high level universities
_Easy C. Often spend a lot of time to talk about non-relative objects. Pressure-full class for someone who care GPA because of tricky exams. Easy grade.
Newton is a good lecturer. He is very interesting and straightforward. Exams are based off of his lectures. The book is only needed for homework questions.
Wonderful teacher. Funny and engaging, and crystal clear with his lectures. Plus he's really nice if you go into his office hours. If you pay attention in the lectures (it's hard not to) you're golden. He's made me fall in love with physics, I highly recommend him. Textbook not necessary, as long as you find another way to practice problems.
Love his sarcasm: sexual and snide jokes really brighten up the class. 3 midterms and 1 final where the final is comprised of questions from those 3 midterms. No homework collected. Buying the book is unnecessary because you only need the practice problem exercises. About 22 quizzes/pop-quizzes, but they are all from the lecture.
I took the course in the summer; no quizzes were given and homework was not assigned. Our grade was based upon 2 50-question/point multiple choice midterms each 25% of our grade, and a 100-question/point multiple choice final worth 50% of our grade. The class is NOT an easy A, especially since the grade is only based upon 3 exams. No extra credit.
I took Physics 10, so it's not a "hard" physics class, but oh my god is he the best professor I've ever had in my entire life. He inspired me to pursue a minor in Physics. Although class isn't "mandatory", it's highly suggested, and he's such a great lecturer that he makes you really want to go to his class everyday. I suggest it for everyone.
Let's face it. Physics is not everyone's favorite, but Newton makes physics understandable, doable, and sometimes even enjoyable. He has a wonderful sense of humor and is very helpful in office hours. All of my learning came from Newton's lectures because the book is horrible. Tough exams, but they are doable. If you need physics, take Newton!
Phenomenal professor! Definitely gives you a sturdy foundation for any following physics class. An A is not impossible if you have the time. Don't take with a heavy load! 2 Midterms, quizzes, lab final make up 60% of your grade. Midterms are doable if you have understood all the homework problems completely. Invest time in a tutor-definite A.
Newton has very clear lectures and goes through many examples during lecture. His midterms are hard but doable if your able to do hw, lecture examples, and go through his pass exams you should do fine because a lot of his test questions come from these. Book isnt great to study from does a lot of calculus and he doesnt do any. wish he taught 2B.
His class is easy if you pay attention in his class. Pop quizzes are from lecture. Also, you need to take quizzes. Exams are based on lecture and homework. His office hour is all advanced physics students, but he will answer one question from each student and not based on level of class that you take. He is very nice and I would recommend!
Professor Newton... Man, hes by far the funniest teacher ever. He is so fun and he honestly can teach! Pop Quizzes were always definitions from his lecture class and you need to go to class everyday. His tests were somewhat hard but he knows what he's doing.
Awesome guy, easy grade for this class only that he teaches. If you don't want to fall asleep in class I recommend you take this guy. Knows his stuff. Just don't like the theories he comes up with. But this guy is good!
The guy knows his stuff. He knows what he knows, and he knows what he doesn't know. Very important when it comes to professors. Makes himself adequately available. Lectures walk a fine line between "entertaining" and "critical thinking". Would recommend for anyone who intends on pursuing physics in any regard beyond the class.
His confidence, humor and wit makes class an informative and intellectual comedy documentary. Always pulls pranks on the class, Newton: "You guys are saps!". But he's no joke; he lectures with brevity at an efficient, yet manageable pace. Pop Quizzes only ask about information that is crucial. I feel like I'm in a Harvard physics class.
His assigned quizzes are not bad but his exams are really hard. Even though I studied the past exams, I did bad on the first exam. If you want to protect your GPA, and take more physics, take another teacher but not Francis.
A lot of students dropped his class because most of them did bad on the first exam. Hopefully students who have a strong C must survive his class otherwise they will likely be lost there.
Awesome professor. Will change the way you learn physics. He's really funny, so class isn't all that boring with his lectures. You will learn a lot and finally understand classical physics. Tests can be tricky and there are quizzes almost daily for the mid-weeks of the quarter. I'd recommend him to all my friends.
I loved him, He's really pasionate about physics. And he knows his stuff. We didn't use the text book at all. All tests and quizzes were from the lecture. He has a bunch of pop quizzes but they are only like 1 answer questions that if you're paying attention will get right. His grading was fair. Will take him for future classes.
Thank you, Professor Newton! You've been a helpful professor. I'm so glad I passed both classes.
First, his sense of humor keeps me attracted to the lectures. Material isn't hard, but don't sleep during lectures. 3 exams and final is 50%, which its questions are from the 3 exams. Pop quizzes are extremely easy. Assigned quizzes' questions are exact homework questions. Tests aren't hard, but physics itself is slightly confusing. Take his PHYS10
Never a boring day at Prof Newton's class. You gotta know Physics if you can explain its concept clearly and that's what you get at his class. I love his class . Don't get me wrong, his tests are not easy and sometimes tricky and there are pop quizzes almost everyday in the middle of the term. I love his passion and of course his sense of humor.
awesome, very clear, best lectures ever. First time in my life I understood everything I'm studying (really understood) u have to understand everything to get an A in this class
If you can understand all the concept from the lecture, you can get B or better.
Newton is fantastic. He cares a lot, works to explain as thoroughly as he can, and is always open to help during his office hours. He pretends to act harsh to scare students, but he mostly just wants us to learn physics to the fullest. The quizzes and problems can be difficult, but that's more from Physics 4A being hard, not him being a bad teacher
LOVE THIS CLASS NEWTON IS HILARIOUS. Yes you have to work hard and study all the problems several times, but that's true of any physics class. Newton's office hours are always very full because the students know he is a very good instructor. Wish he had more hours offered to help though, not willing to stay extra. Fair grader and inspiring teacher.
Sick man, but brilliant, godly teacher. No need for a textbook, you should be constantly deriving formulas, rewriting your notes, taking his online exams for previous classes-developing a mammothically thorough understanding of the course materials . An A is possible, with great sacrifice. Good luck.
Before physics 4a with Newton I was convinced that I was an organized well adjusted student. Then 4A came. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS IF YOU ARE TAKING MORE THAN 15 CREDITS. ESPECIALLY IF THOSE OTHER CLASSES INCLUDE CHEMISTRY AND CALCULUS! If you want an easy A take physics at foothill.
Newton is a lot of fun, but his class destroyed me. He makes you WORK for an A, but also really learn. If you want an easy A, avoid him. But if you want to learn and have a good time, and are willing to work your butt off for an A, take his class.
The hardest, yet, the best teacher I've took. Actually, if you're paying attention and really trying to understand a path of his concepts - you should be fine. Don't forget to do some problems at home.
OMG !!! This class made me cry. I love NEWTON. HE is awesome but I'm sorry I HATE PHYSICS. People say that if you're good at math, you'll love physics. NO way. his lecture was clear but when it comes down to the hw, I was doom. I studied my ass off and redo the past exam probs many many times just to pass the class. PS DONT TAKE LAB W LUNA
I strongly recommend taking Professor Newton's classes. His lectures were clear and very well taught. Even though it was only Physics 50, the class was fairly difficult nonetheless. If you want an easy A, don't take Newton. If you want to have a strong understanding of Physics and actually learn the subject, take Newton.
He is the funniest but one of the most brutal instructors at De Anza. Exams are extremely tough and twisted and there is a very broad grading criteria. He kinda just feels what grade you deserve based on how well you display physics knowledge. Nothing like 5 points for defining system, 5 points for setting up equations, 5 points for algebra, etc.
I love this man! He is simply the BEST! Easiest class ever and fun! He is also really there for all his students. I wish everyone was like him at DA. I definitely miss going to his lectures. You won't regret taking this class. 3 midterms -- don't miss any and you'll pass with a C Easy quizzes everyday 1 final with questions from the 3 midterms
He is the best physics teacher I have ever had. His teaching style is completely different from others. However, if you wana easy A, I must tell you NO WAY for sure. Physics requires understanding. If you understand, you can do all of problems. If you don't , just study hard to understand. Mr. Newton helps me establish the way of thinking.
BEST PROFESSOR EVER. Helps with whatever you need and is there for you. The class itself is pretty difficult so you need to really work for an A. Great person and makes the lectures interesting.
Best phys professor I have ever had. He teaches you the phys in a way that you can understand it and doesn't just throw numerous equations at your face as you will derive equations on your own and understand why they work. I made this account just to post this. Expect to spend at least 12 hours per HW set. Work in a group!I had so many Aha moments!
Dr. Newton is an amazing teacher. He makes the material interesting and has a wicked sense of humor that makes the class a lot of fun. Don't get me wrong, it's a tough class. However, it's worth it if you need to take an awesome science.
It's a pick your poison kind of thing - Newton's the best teacher but he has THE hardest tests. I studied physics in India, but this class tests you on the next level. You have to really KNOW physics theory, the little details, that no other teacher will ask you. harder than UCclasses. People get 30's on tests, nocurve. Really hard really hard!!
4a is a class that you may have to take a second time to succeed. Professor Newton himself recommends it(especially if you are earning lower than a B on your first midterm). It may be a good idea for students to first allocate an entire quarter in attending his lectures w/o being officially enrolled in the class. You are more prepared this way.
Hardest class I have ever taken, but well worth it. Lectures were super clear and helpful and I didn't even have to buy a textbook. Just do all of the homework sets and study the past exams thoroughly (I did most problems at least twice). I felt like I really learned physics and he seems intimidating at first but really wants you to learn.
Prof. Newton is an inspiring, helpful and intelligent man that awoke a passion for physics in me. His lectures come to live by his energetic and fascinating style, allowing an early bird to be engaged in class during long hours at night. Memorable lectures, clear concepts, excellent educator. The best science professor I had in my life. Grateful
10/10 would physics with Dr. N again.
Amazing professor, one of the best if not the best instructors of my academic career. Teaching methods are very effective, has a great balance of comedic relief and content, and is very helpful should you seek his aid. I highly recommend this professor
Loved his class, loved asking questions. Best teacher I've had in a while, made me love physics!
This class was hard not going to lie. I have never taken any physics classes before this, and I was hoping it would be a good introduction to the material. You don't need a calculator, it's more theories than anything else. He is a great teacher. He was funny and intelligent, but the material is hard. I can't wait to take another class with him.
Not only does he teach you physics, he also teaches you the correct method to study for it. Newton/10 would take his class again.
Want to get an easy A+, take this class. Prof. Newton is quite entertaining. A super easy class. Newton is a good story teller, tells you varieties of story in Physics class. A super easy prof.
I would like to start off by saying he is NOT easy, but is a great teacher, never a dull moment in the class. He tells you exactly how to pass his class, it is just all up to you. EMPHASIS on his classES being hard in general. Oh and ask lots of questions. He makes me crack up, I think he does stand up on his free time.
He was my first physics professor. EVER. I had never taken physics before in my life. Scary. But in truth, Newton is such a wonderful lecturer and I learned a lot from his class. He is one of the most intelligent professors on campus and super hilarious as well. He is kind of intimidating, but is actually really helpful, so don't be afraid and ask!
I can talk about this person for hours of his excellent classes. Very very amazing professor that I have ever had. I love his lectures and his personality. Difficult exams and a little easier final compare to two exams. Definitely RECOMMENDED :)
Great professor. Really makes you work for it. I slacked off for most of the quarter and had to really work at the end to get that A. Really funny and sarcastic. You can tell he knows what he is talking about and really wants to teach you what you need. One of my favorite teachers ever
Had him as my lab professor, but not lecture. Probably one of the greatest science professors I have ever had. Lab lectures may sometimes be long, but he makes them interesting and insightful. Doesn't grade the labs themselves! Instead, he gives lab quizzes and explains what types of questions will be on them ahead of time. Ends class on time.
Prof. Newton is the best! Super funny and easy to talk to. I actually looked forward to his lectures, and he explains concepts well enough so you don't need the book. HW is not collected, but do the problems to prep for the exams, which are extremely hard. He is generous with his passing grade, but an A is hard to get. Labs are chill, take him!
Prof. Newton is a Physics king. His classes are hard but it's totally worth . very straight up on how to pass and how to study. If his class were a fruit it would be a tomato
Prof. Newton is the most rigorous teacher I've had in physics. His lectures are a pleasure to attend, and I always find myself smiling at the end. He is a tough grader, but he is also a legendary teacher. Anyone who does the work and follows his style can pass with an A, but, as he says, "You need to have the right thinking. Take your ego out!"
Most difficult class I've taken at De Anza, but also one of the most interesting. Mr. Newton is honestly a genius. Funny and very helpful if you ask questions. Assigned quizzes, easy pop quizzes, 3 exams + final consisting of questions all from the 3 exams. Really understanding the material is crucial; I recommend audio recording his lectures
Wicked hard teacher. On the first day he was saying 60% of students fail the first time. He's good but the work he makes you do it not worth it.
He may be doable for the 2 series but for the 4 series he is absolutely insane. Pop quizzes, crazy integrals, super hard tests, no curves. Take physics with someone else unless you want to get a bad grade.
This class is H A R D so be prepared. I failed my first time and got a C the 2nd time. He doesn't use a textbook so you have to take good notes. Also a funny guy. There's so much work in this class make sure you don't have too many units if you take him. Maybe my hardest professor.
Taken both Physics 2A and Physics 4A with Newton Taking physics in high school, 2A was a breeze, easy grader, easy teacher. Now instead of needing to find the acceleration of a block on an incline, you need to find the coefficient of friction of 3 spring-connected blocks while accelerating on an car that crashes into another car moving 30 mph.
really good at teaching, you will learn a lot. The class is very difficult though. He will not make it easy for you to get an A or even a B. I heard his 2A 2B 2C classes are an easy A though so only worry if you are taking the 4 series. If you are, then study study study
Possibly the best and most knowledgeable Physics teacher in De Anza. On the flipside, tests are very difficult in physics 4A. You need to spend lots of time outside of class to succeed. I got a B- and I was spending like all my time studying for this class. And I'm a physics major too.
I took Phys 2A with another professor and I barely got C...I DID NOT understand wth I was doing. Prof Newton understood this and he would reteach everything in one lecture plus incorporating 2B material. I went from dreading physics to genuinely interested because of him. Honestly, he is a bit difficult but he knows how to teach. Highly recommend!!
Most respected teacher in De Anza.
Easy A. Take him.
If you are science major, take him. His class prepare you well after you transfer. Thanks to him I can transfer to UCLA.
Professor Newton helped me truly understand physics. Don't miss class and go to his office hours. He literally changed my major and the path I want to take in life. There are only three exams and one final that pretty much decide your grade. THIS IS NOT AN EASY CLASS, BUT IT IS EXTREMELY REWARDING!
Best Physics Professor at De Anza. He's passionate about the subject, funny, and values clarity above all else. His lectures are interesting and he's a character. He expects you to learn the material in detail, but isn't afraid to explain the basics if you are struggling. He wants you to understand. Don't take if you're not willing to put in work.
De Anza's Harrison Ford
The most overrated teacher ever. Just bc he's the best phys prof at D.A. doesn't mean he's good. Can't stay on topic during lectures, unclear, not concise, bad resources, expects mastery of material without living up to his own expectations. Literally takes 2 hrs explaining every lab. If you LOVE physics, take him. Just need pass the class? don't.
Top professor. It is a pleasure to attend his lectures! If you can get through him you can survive at Berkeley, LA etc. he should improve his grading system because is a little unfair, but overall top quality professor
Builds a lot on top of PHYS 50 topics so if you don't have a strong foundation/understanding of concepts you can't handle this class. His lectures are all about how to think about problems and scenarios. I wouldn't say he's amazing like the other reviews but he's not really my cup of tea.
His class is very hard! However, he is very clear and thorough during his lectures making them funny and interesting too. However, he does make you work hard for his class. You have to put in lot of time and effort to succeed. He himself once said unless you take his class you wont know how hard it is. Don't know about 2 series 4A 4B are very hard!
I personally enjoy every single class which Prof. Newton's gives. He takes his subject very seriously and knows what he's talking very well. Especially, he's very caring about his students although he always says bad things about himself which is not true since he wants you to be serious about his class. Did I mention he's very funny at 9AM?
Prof Newton is a genuinely good guy. His lectures are engaging. Hes always making jokes and laughing. The content of 4B is really hard so be prepared to do lots of practice problems(he has all old test online) and pay attention in lecture. I think newton does a good job of trying to make the concepts make sense. Good luck!
One of the best Physics professors at De Anza. Physics is definitely a hard subject, but Newton makes his lecture engaging and entertaining so it's not so bad. Do ALL the past exams/quizs on his website, they help a bunch. Office hours are fun and beneficial, just get there early as it is always packed. Wish I'd taken him for all my physics classe
One word. Awful
worst professor at de anza
People gave him bad reviews because they did not get good grades. He already said in the first lecture, physics is hard. I have transferred to Purdue and thanks to him, every lectures seem very easy to me. Probably the best professor I have taken so far. Wanna get good grades? Go to his office hour. Period.
He is just awesome!!!!!
This teacher is good and hilarious! makes physics less boring :D If you are taking first time with him, you might not like him at the beginning because he is a bit intimidating and somehow goes to tangents between topics BUT... once you get the rhythm is very entertaining and the finals are not hard :)
One of the most respected physics professors at De Anza! Provides intriguing lectures and abundant study material i.e practice exams for the course. His classes are a whole separate commitment, which he emphasizes heavily. I personally recommend you follow a textbook(I used Giancolli) as a adjunct. Simple text going over problem solving strategies.
Best teacher I've ever had. Fantastic lectures and a comedic genius. Was never bored for a second. Makes you work for your grade, but through that, I've never learned so much before in my life. I got my first B, but I'm more proud of this B than any other A I've ever gotten. Reasonable grader. Really study the past exams archive on his website.
This is the first time I rate a professor 5.0. He's a genuinely good guy. And yes, he goes off topic during lectures. "So what?" That's why his lectures are engaging. Preview concepts, review notes, focus on ARCHIVE PROBLEMS, go to office hours, discuss with good students, then you may finally understand. Period. It's a pleasure to be his student.
Hard to pay attention to lectures and goes off in 5 different tangents. Pop quizzes if no one in class answers his random questions. Very test heavy, tells us tests are based off of the lectures and lectures are not very detail-oriented. He will mention a concept once and never mention it again. Be sure you'll see that on the exam.
Great class, Newton teaches so that the material is easy to remember and understand. Tests are pretty much from the lecture, so you have to take good notes. Stuff on the tests will be repeated and emphasized, so listen well. Newton is one of my favorite professors at De Anza, he is flexible and really nice if you get to know him.
Seriously a freak show. This guy is full of himself and frankly has lost it. He is one of the least efficient teachers that I have studied under - he talks about nothing for first 15 minutes of the 50 minutes and then class ambles with constant interruptions. Questions are NOT welcome. Could he be a good teacher. _NO_
This is as close to a 4-year college level physics class as you can get here. He mostly talks about the fundamentals in the lecture and you really need to read/exercise on your own to prepare for the tests/quizzes. I mean... In most 4-year colleges, the professors are not babysitters. They are not gonna take care of every single problem for you.
Definitely the best professor I've had while I've been in DA! Weekly quizzes that aren't too difficult if you keep up with the work. Really attentive to students and dedicates his office hours to a packed room full of students eager to understand key concepts better. Lab was pretty chill, if you finish your work early, you can get cleared to leave.
Best physics teacher at De Anza, though his class is tough as nails. It's the only place where I've seen otherwise good students taking the class for their second and third time. Make sure to DO THE EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS well in advance of the exams, and go to his office hours. Dave is a great guy, amazing lectures and pretty chill about labwork
Super eccentric, really funny. Love his lectures. Show up to class and you'll be fine. All of his test questions are answered in lecture. Clear about what's on quizzes. Lots of pop quizzes but they're REALLY easy, it's basically free points if you show up. I got a C because I skipped alot of lectures, physics 10 was a blast. Exams weren't too bad.
pop quizzes (automatic 5 /10 for writing name on paper) are straight out of lecture (what is __?/ what does ____ do?) and the assigned quizzes he provides all the question he might ask and chooses one. Has office hours before or after class. Textbook not necessary but personal choice to have. Final exam are questions directly from previous exams.
I took his Physics 4A and got an A, and currently taking his 4B (Math 1D helps). Aside from going to office hours, the most important tip for students taking his class is to practice his Exam Archive questions several weeks before the quarter starts. Study the solutions if you are stuck. It could very well mean the difference between a B and an A.
Honestly. I don't know how the hell you are supposed to pass this class. 2nd Homework quiz and everyone basically fails it. He covers a very small amount of material in lecture. But the rest is learnt through deciphering his long and messy solutions and doing problems he wrote himself. Take if you love physics. Pass if you're taking other classes.
Newton is probably one of the hardest but best professors I've ever taken a class with. If you do the homework sets and attend class, quizzes will be fairly easy. Tests are a different story, since it takes around 50-80 practice problems to feel "confident." Make sure you solve problems EXACTLY the way he does in class to get full credit.
Took Prof. Newton's 4a in fall, 2019. His lectures were amazing and I went to his office hour a lot. I learned how to solve a group of variant problems instead of just a particular one by doing his testbank. I didn't need to read the textbook because he is the walking textbook. He made me love physics from the bottom of my heart.
Before taking his class and read the ratemyprof and it seems very scary that he is very difficult, however, his lecture is very fun to learn and he skip all kind of the math/number stuffs. He focus on you understand the physic or not. If you like the physic take his class, it will be an easy A for you. If not, you will still pass as C. good luck!
Basically, this professor sucks. Don't take him if you haven't taken him before. The first week of classes are extremely confusing, he constantly get off topic, and grades quizzes extremely hard. He says that he gives "leniency", but if you solve the problem correctly, there's a chance you can get a 0. Don't take him at all.
David has lots of knowledge no doubt. but his tests and quizzes are very heavy. he gives only 10 minutes to finish the quiz and exam question. if you are taking more than 2 classes then do not take him. and never skip his class.
He is a funny guy and entertain the whole class but his tests are very heavy and hard to get full points. If you really like physics then take him.
Newton was the best professor I had. He assigns no hw so all your time can be spent on studying for quizzes/tests. He won't quiz you on anything he hasn't covered in class. He's super funny and makes learning physics fun. There's no such thing as a free A in a STEM class, physics is hard, you have to put work in earn your grade.
He will intimidate you, but that's to scare off people who aren't willing to put in the work. I showed up to a majority of the office hours, asked questions and solved every example problem >5 times before each exam and ended up with an A. He made me actually enjoy physics and learning how bizarre it all is, would highly recommend him!
Good professor. Requires a lot of time to study but is not impossible to get an A. He expects you to understand the topic and if you go through enough past exam problems, you will get the hang of it. Go to office hour if you need extra help from him. If you show that you understand a topic, he will grade leniently if you made some minor mistakes.
Great teacher. If you don't study like the previous people who said his tests are impossible, then don't take his class. Great teacher who expects you to put in the work. He's more lenient grading then he comes off as. If you put in the time studying and listening then passing is a cinch. Getting an A is different though.
Professor Newton is really great, and I enjoy the class. Lectures are 100% mandatory, and there is a quiz several times a week. There is never anything on the quiz that he did not cover in class, so as long as you go to class you'll be fine.
He doesn't keep on track during lecture. One or two examples will take him the full lecture. However, if you do work on your own, doing all of his practice exam and hw problems, you'll be okay. But if you are looking for a supportive prof, he isn't it. He counts down the minutes and if he ends late one day, he stops early the next day.
One of the best people ever to teach me. I had horrible experience in 4A (in high school), because my 4A HS teacher was horrible. But after taking 4B with Newton, I have had a lot of fun doing Physics. His class is tough and you need to read textbook (I used Halliday/Res/Krane), but his lectures are amazing conceptually and he keeps you entertained
I really enjoyed Professor Newton's class! He's a lively guy, so the lectures were fun. It's important to pay close attention because he can talk a bit fast at times but he makes sure to cover everything you need to know for quizzes and tests, he gives clear examples and he makes sure that his students have all the support they need to do well.
He doesn't give extra credit so make sure you're going to lectures. Lectures feel like your grandpa is yelling at you for not knowing something for 45 minutes at a time every Mon-Fri. He also talks really fast so if you have 0 physics knowledge you will be confused. That being said, if you have a phd in physics you'll be wrong 99% of time.
Great professor. Very funny and entertaining. He is rather difficult so be careful. He intimidates you, but for a good reason, and that is to scare away those looking for an easy A or only wanting to do the bare minimum. He focuses if you know the physics concepts or not so if you want to learn at a deeper level conceptually, I'd recommend him.
I am taking 4B with Professor Newton this quarter. Clear and engaging lectures, and is a reasonable grader. Tests are challenging, but that's how physics is supposed to be. I skip my online classes but his classes are the only ones I go to everyday. He really knows how to make online classes work. Take him. You won't regret it.
A gem teacher, I had a terrible experience in 4A and Prof. Newton was my salvation for 4B! Definitely take him, he is strict though, he makes you work to solve past problems. There are lecture quizzes every week + 8 exam problems every week starting from week 4. Funny and inspirational.
Top tier teacher of good character. He is very straightforward, respectable, and knowledgeable. The exams are challenging but that's because of the subject not because of him. His goal is to teach you, not to have an easy class, so he is really good at explaining and his lectures are time well spent.
I'm glad I got the opportunity to take Professor David Newton this quarter. Before that, I would always get away with too much free time but I realized to do well in his class, and any class in general, I needed to change my study habits. Yes, his class is tough, but that's because his goal is to make sure you learn, not to make the class easy.
Prof Newton is funny and has good lectures. That being said, his grading criteria is also very unclear, leaving you with more/less points than you deserve fairly often. Time should be spent on the practice problems on his site, as many test/quiz questions come from there. Textbook wasn't used/required at all, but lectures should be attended.
When he says that you don't need to read the book- he is joking)). I actively participated in lectures, read the entire textbook, did all post-chapter questions and some problems (not assigned), conducted experiments(!), watched Youtube explanations. I got an A. English is my 2nd language, so I liked Newton's clear exp. and wording (unlike Luna's).
He's the chill type of blunt and the cold type of nice. Teaching is clear, humor is on-point, makes class very interesting. Go through his archive like a dumpster raccoon, do all the practice problems on there and you'll be fine.
Best prof I've taken in anything. He's difficult: even passing was a struggle for many. If you want an A, you really have to work: I did endless problems, with a timer, 6-7 days/week, and always went to office hours. But I've rarely been so inspired. Almost a year later, I've retained more 4B material/concepts than any other class. Will miss him.
Newton is hands down the best professor I had. He explains every concept clearly and thoroughly, knows how to keep his students engaged and entertained, and makes you work for the grade. And yes, he's easier than Francis. You must be passionate and dedicated to do well in his class. What you get out of his class is definitely worth it.
David Newton is a very particular man with a very particular way of teaching. He does not assign you textbooks but instead tells you to study any textbook and hope for the best. The lectures expect you to know the basics. Dont take him if you have not done physics. There is no sense of structure and you will be at a loss :(
This class and professor are EXTREMELY disorganized. Students rely on professors for guidance and clarity. You get none of that in this class.
Mr. Newton can teach physics to you, but you'd need to read/practice a lot on your own too. Lectures are interrupted by yells & life lessons, so you won't get as much knowledge as you could've. He promises quizzes every day, but you'll have 2-3 a week. Quiz is just one problem, often similar to assigned HW or what was done in class. He's okay.
Lectures are usually interrupted by stories. Most problems he gives during his lectures are, as he says, "famous physics problems." Lectures give you the basics to do the problems but you have to do a lot of studying to pass. He gives 2-3 quizzes a week, usually problems he did during the lecture sometimes problems from his website.
THE BEST BEST BEST BEST Professor I've ever seen. I loved his lecture. If you are taking physics 50, definitely take him. I love physics now.
Do not take him if you are not proficient in Physics. You will be lost and he is not going to help you. He does not care for his students at all, his lectures are interesting but that's it. Nothing else will help you.
If you aim for an A then this prof won't suit it, since his lecture is mostly introducing the topic and moving on and you will have to figure out to do ~10 homework yourself, if you don't have a background in this, it is hell to do it. Office hour won't help at all.
If you want to learn physics, 11/10. This guy knows anything and everything about physics and will make you the same. If you're just trying to pass, 3/10. about 50% of the class will struggle to even pass the class because of how difficult it is. 3 hours of studying a day is the minimum if you want anything higher than a C.
This is the toughest class I've taken. A full-time job. Got me questioning my intelligence. Cool class and you will learn a lot from his lectures and hw. But to learn, you'll have to spend hours grinding on the problems he gave and try to truly understand them. But if u just want an A or pass, AVOID! Also, make sure u have people to study with.
Took this in 2016, sat as a guest in several quarters of 4B + 10 classes 2020-2021. In physics 10, I got a C on the first exam, which bewildered me. Never have I ever. Newton taught me how to learn.. and teach. I derive everything when I learn now and I can teach math better than some teachers because of deriving. Wish he taught 4B in 2024 (spring)
Newton is a very intelligent man but passing his class will put you through the trials and tribulations. If you don't have a deep understanding of physics you will struggle a lot in this class. It took me countless hours studying to even pass this class and my GPA was ultimately hurt.
idk how he got so many 5's. This is the HARDEST teacher ever. not hard to get an A, it is IMPOSSIBLE if you haven't taken physics before. I have A in every except this one, the things he expects u to know absurd. lecture not prepare you exam questions hw questions. Even TUTORS trouble with them. DO NOT TAKE HIM THESE OTHERS ARE BOTS I AM REAL.
I'd kiss Professor Newton if I could, but then I'd smack him, then I'd kiss him again followed by 1 more smack. this process would continue until the heat death of the universe because I can't decide if I love him or hate him. The good news is that for each inch your hairline recedes you'll be 1 step closer to becoming Einstein himself
This class is way too easy for me. Wish professor can make the quizzes and exam even harder.
If you though learning about the laws of motion was dull, think again - because Newton turns it into a comedy show that rivals the best stand-up acts in town. From his flamboyant Hawaiin shirts to his Birkenstocks, Newton's classroom is more like a circus tent than a lecture hall. Just remember to bring a spare pair of underwear to the exam.
Tough tough professor. He's fun but don't expect a good grade by any means. Put in a lot of time for this class.
Famous Words: "Computer Cancel"
An incredibly impressive physics teacher, although many students may find him challenging. If you have a solid foundation in physics, getting an A in this course is easy. You certainly can't get a free pass from him, but if you're a student with a good physics background, earning an A shouldn't be a problem. Physics has never been an easy subject.
Can't say much as I dropped before the midterm. It's a hard class but it's possible to succeed if you're a really dedicated student. If you arent a phys major I would steer away from this class. He straight up tells you if you want easy phys go to Foothill. Make this class your top priority or take 4B elsewhere. Grades fast, good lecturer.
After taking this class, I can confirm that it's ACTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE to get a A in this class. Be prepared to study physics at least 5 hrs per day apart from class time and still struggle to pass. Why go through all the pain when there are easier options. His class might seem fun, but it's NOT WORTH the STRESS! Get ready for a massive GPA drop!!!!
This professor is incredible. An absolute legend. He is literally the best professor I have ever took. He is very caring about his student, and he genuinely tries to help each and every one of his student. His office hour are always packed. Very helpful to attend the office hours. TAKE THIS CLASS IF ITS AVAILABLE. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!!
Newton is a LEGEND indeed. An A is actually possible if you put in enough effort. It sure is a hard class but what you gain from this is irreplaceable. A little bummed he isn't teaching 4C anymore though.
Don't take this class if you need an A. Even with continuous effort, I believe the best grade you could possibly earn in this class is a B. You must dedicate your entire time to physics and make this class your sole focus for anything higher. Fast grader and lectures were fun to attend. Receiving my final grade made me regret taking this class :((
This class is no walk in the park - be ready to grind! Professor Newton's lectures are top-notch, but you'll need to put in the work. Unstuckstudy AI and study groups are a lifesaver. Take this if you're serious about physics, but steer clear if you just want an easy A.
My big tip for success is to do all 200 exam archive (on nebula website) and HW problems without making any mistakes, placing you into B+/A- range. Most A students do all archive problems 3x to fully understand. Getting a solid A may require a bit of luck on solving 1-2 new problems on each test. I recommend study 1-2 months before quarter begins
Excellent professor on giving lectures. HOWEVER, he is also the MOST tough grader I have ever seen. On lecture, He is such a good speaker who can grab your attention and instill knowledge into your head. It is really satisfying. But on the exam, you have to solve all problems that you have never seen(Literarlly, by his own words). Good luck.
Lectures barely help with the tests, let alone understanding the concepts. He always tells you to do problems on his website if you want a good grade but there's no actual solutions. Yells at the class a lot during lectures, kind of as a joke but it gets very tiring and stressful. Started doing pop quizzes in class when he said that wouldn't happen
If you are looking to pass the Physic 4C class, TAKE HIM. You'll not find a better professor. Physics itself is very tough but professor Newton makes it very easy. He explanation and HWs helps prepare for the tests. You will regret not taking him cause he will make a hard subject easier. His others comments are old so trust me. Easiest A
This class humbled me. His lectures are pretty funny and sometimes unhinged, but he does make concepts a bit more understandable. If you're not sure about taking him, do a quarter with him (don't register for the class, just attend it). Just know that he teaches very differently from other professors.
Famous words: Study the archives. Don't make the same mistake as I did and skip his "optional" lectures, as he gave a lot of pop quizzes which brought my grade down. Lecture quizzes were (to me) harder than the exams, however I seem to be alone in that sentiment. Overall, do the homework sets, archive problems, and you'll be fine.
Take this professor if you want to fail physics.
toughest physics professor in De Anza. Don't take him
Worst professor I ever had. Everything depends on exam. Exam questions are too tough.
I do not recommend this professor. You will not pass the class.
his expectations for this class are absurd and he kinda gets lost in his own words sometimes. chaotic & goes with the flow and mood. he's hilarious, actually a pretty sweet guy, did make my life hell. can't hate him. well i do hate him, but i can't, but i could. my grade suffered and i spent a LOT of time studying. get ready to laugh, cry, & curse
The professor is really cool and a great lecturer. The material is difficult, and exams are okay. Do the archives and spend time studying, and you can definitely pass. Getting a B or an A is really difficult, but if you're willing to study a lot, it's possible.
BEST PROFESSOR EVER. If you are taking physics he is no doubt the best professor ever. I have taken another professor (a really well rated professor) before but theres not doubt that Newton is the best
Physics is really hard, but he teaches very well, and is funny. The most important thing is to study the archives on his website. To do well you have to really understand the physics through lots of practice, but once you do, you can do basically any problem he throws at you. Attendance only mandatory for labs but don't skip the lectures.
Really difficult class. The letter "C" does not reflect how amazing my exp was. The way he teaches is incredible (his style forces you to stay engaged). Note that it is a lot of work. The "textbook" is all of his exam archive problems on his website. Search "david newton nebula" on google and make sure to start doing those practice exam problems.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
48%
Textbook Required
51%
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B
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