4.4
Quality3.0
Difficulty100%
Would Retake92
Reviews100%
Would Retake
92
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
66
4
19
3
6
2
1
1
0
What Students Say
“Gives a lot of examples in class and will give real world examples if things don't make sense”
PHY130 - 5.0 rating“BEST PROFESSOR AT CMU”
PHY130 - 5.0 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
36%
Textbook Required
74%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.08 avg changeRatings by Course
PHY13013
5.0
(2)MTH152
5.0
(1)PHY1301
5.0
(1)PHS100
5.0
(1)PHS151
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
PHY1301
4.0
PHYS171
4.0
PHS130
4.0
PHS251
4.0
PHY170
4.0
Reviews (92)
Creative, good sense of humor, innovative teaching style, interesting
Anyone who starts class with music can't be all that bad
No Comments
He's sooooo funny
Very funny, is a great teacher, even though physics sucks
No Comments
The tests are hard! His lectures are good, the homework sucks too.
love the music, good practice exams, clear drawings
If I wanted an easy class I would have taken Intro to Walking
Makes physics as easy as it can be. very fun, cool, and hands on teacher. He teaches you the concepts before giving you problems unlike Fre Phelps
Makes it interesting and fun. Check out the practice exams, they are of great help. Wouldnt take physics with anyone else after having him.
Great class for left-brainers. Tries to bring in hands-on and real-world concepts. Leave class early if your work is done.
He is an awesome professor. He doesn't make his class impossible to success at. You'll love all the lectures. My advice is form a study group that's how I survived the class. He's very easy to approach so if you have any questions talk to him.
A very interesting teacher. You will learn a lot of information. Gives excellent notes. Always do the practice tests.
Dr. Finck is one of the best professors that I have ever had. He makes physics fun and interesting! I highly suggest taking him for physics!
I never took physics before. But with Finck, it doesnt matter! He helps you learn so easily with fun, entertaining examples. He keeps the class interested with his good humor and awesome personality
Excellent professor. Starts every class with music. Explains everthing very well. Tests easy if you do practice tests. TAKE FINK OVER PHELPS....believe me
Phenomenal teacher. Best of the best. He's a genius who has the gift of being able to explain things to anyone. Love the music before each class! Also one of the finest human beings that you will ever meet.
Excellent teacher. His visual aids are second to none. He's funny and entertaining. He is a superior professor. I would highly recomment taking one of his classes.
Great Teacher
He's a good teacher and entertaining. The online homework can be difficult. His test are actually easier than the homework.
Great, great, great prof. If you didn't understand physics in high school, I'd definitely recommend him. He could teach this subject to almost anyone. Do CAPA and don't wait til Sunday.
Great teacher, absolutely knows his stuff and how to get it across to students. Do not miss any class and you will do fine. Different lesson everyday, clearly explains everything you need to know for tests and homework. Recommended!
great prof. keeps you entertained, at least. music before lectures is interesting. if i could i'd take him for my other phy classes.
Very good teacher.
One of the best teachers at CMU. No doubt in my mind!
GREAT TEACHER! Good UP course. Music bf class is nice. He is funny and energetic! Clear with his notes. Dont need the book. For tests, just study the notes he gives in class. Go to class, study a little and its an easy A.
This guy is great. He's laid back in class, and plays music before. He is very enthusiastic and he likes to throw things. The material is tough, much more so than 130, but he makes it okay. Go to class and write down everything.
This class shouldn't be called physics of sports. Some sports are mentioned but thats because he makes a point to bring them up just so the class can keep its title. Homework is way harder than the tests.
GOOD PROF! i've never had physics before and didnt really think i'd like it but surprisingly i rarely got bored in his class. homework can be a little hard but you can get help on it. exams were okay. but i definitely recommend him!
I think Dr. Finck is quite overrated here. Yes, he's a nice guy who plays music before class. BUT, he's not that clear explaining problems during or after class. The homework is ridiculously hard too. When my neighbor (who's a Math major) gets stumped, that says a lot. The exams are ridiculous too.
Pay no mind to the last entry--this prof is GREAT!!! The homework is NOT that difficult if you use your brain and break down the problems. Also, prof is FANTASTIC with helping you out-he doesn't solve the problems for you but leads you in the right direction so you think for yourself. GREAT PROF!
Great Professor. The class is very tough, but he makes it as easy as possible. Do the practice tests that he gives before the exams. Final is not cumulative. Great professor, a MUST have if you have to take PHY 130!
Dr. Finck is the best! He is such an awesome professor! He's a little off the wall at times, but he knows what he is talking about. It is a hard class, no doubt about it, do the homework! The tests are really hard, but the homework helps out, and def. do the practice exams!
GREAT prof! take him if you can. easy way to get an A because he makes it interesting and understandable. CAPA is rough; dont procrastinate b/c its an easy way to get points. wait to buy the book...hardly used it because his points were clear.
Physics is never easy, but you have the best chance of an A with Finck. Do the practice tests, and go to class and you'll do fine. His notes are great, so don't buy the book, it is a waste of money.
I was a little pi**** that I got a B+, but he's a pretty good teacher overall. Finck is way better than Phelps, so I've heard. In fact, if Phelps is the only physics prof. you can get, then take physics in another semester.
The class is tough but this prof. is awesome. He makes the class fun to go to. There is no better person to teach this class.
I had really issues with Phelps, but Dr. Finck is such a great teacher I'm doing just fine. You learn, and class is actually fun (for a lecture).
Dr. Finck is an award-winning teacher. Great class and great prof but sometimes his taste in music sux. He needs some new tunes. Take Finck, avoid Phelps for Physics. Great guy!!
This is one of those courses that you will take and never do anything with it again for the rest of your life. For a 100 level course I found it to be quite difficult at times. Dr. Finck is a good professor though. If you are required to take this course take him.
He is a great professor! I learned so much. The class does require a lot of studying, but he makes it interesting. The experiments are a lot of fun. I took this as a 6 week summer class and it went at the perfect pace if you are a sciencey person. He is very willing to explain things more than once. It is a very hands on class!
Amazing
I put physics off until now (5th year) because it was so hard for me in HS, but I'm SO glad that I have Dr. Finck. He keeps you awake and is a lot of fun! Don't bother with the book; I've opened it a couple time for conversions that I could look up on the net. DON'T wait to do the HW until the last minute and make a good notecard to use during the
Awesome teacher! I would (and am) taking him again. Gives good examples and gives sample exams before the exams. Tells you what you need to know. Take him. Its a fun class with fun examples.
Face it, Physics sucks! It's difficult to understand for most and it's one of those classes that will be forgotten and never used again! It's hard to like a professor that teaches such a pointless class but this professor is pretty good at what he does.
He is the best professor you can get, not only for physics, but probably for CMU in general. Take this class if you have the chance.
Great teacher. Makes everything easy to understand. Only teaches you what you need to know. Take him.
Awesome prof! Made class interesting, fun, and related material to everyday events. I didn't buy the book, but I went to every class. Do the homework!! It helps your grade. It's done on lon-capa and you have a week to do it, with 20 tries per question! Should get 100% everytime. Exams are 15 questions, but they are directly from class notes.
this man is such a good teacher going to class is easy. if central hasn't given him every award under the sun, they should. as a matter of fact the United States should award this guy for being the kind of teacher our country needs to keep our head above water. Finck for pres!
I love this guy! I had absolutely NO interest in this subject until I took this class. He is so helpful and really cares about whether or not you learn. I wish there were more professors like this one. If you need any Physics department classes, take them with Finck!
Very tough course, but is very helpful. Probably best prof. to take for Physics. Don't have to worry about textbook. Not actually used for class, study only if you do.
I had a really hard time with physics, but Finck is such a great professor! He keeps the class interesting and does some pretty cool demonstrations. I wouldn't take physics with anyone but him! You don't need the book, and he curves which is helpful!
he was a really good teacher. he made the information easy and relatable
Great professor. Cares about students and is very thorough and clear with notes. Not a really easy class, but definitely doable. Just go to class, do the homework, and do the practice exams.
Very good teacher however the class is not easy. Make sure you do all the homework. Exams are hard, they are multiple choice so its either make it or break it. If you have to take PHY I suggest him as a teacher!
Failed the class, but plan on taking it with him again when he teaches in the Fall! I absolutely LOVE Dr. Finck, I just hate the class. He's a great teacher.. lots of knowledge. Seriously though... DIFFICULT class.
Good professor, the word "Eccentric" fits him pretty well. He is pretty silly guy, but he generally teaches pretty well. Show up to class, takes the notes down, and do the practice exams. If you do this, you should not get lower than a B in his class. You get to make a formula notecard for exams, just know how to apply the formulas.
One of the best teachers at Central. Provides sample exams before all but the last exam, is available to help with online homework, and genuinely cares about students.
Absolutely amazing professor!!! Dr. Finck is so helpful and so passionate about physics!! It is a very hard class and you have to attend every class to do well! Do the homework and go into office hours. He is a FANTASTIC professor!! He is very funny and made every class fun! He is so knowledgeable!! Take this class with him!!
AWesome Professor! Gives a lot of examples in class and will give real world examples if things don't make sense. Keep up with the homework and do the study guides, they help a lot on the tests!
Best professor I have ever had! The class and exams are challenging, but Dr. Finck makes physics applicable to real life and is hilarious! Keep up with the online homework, it helps your grade a lot.
very challenging course!!!! best prof. to take for it though
Best prof i have ever had at cmu. He's hilarious and makes his class fun and relevant to the outside world. I feel like i could apply what i learned to my daily life. Cracked me up all semester! TAKE HIM! AMAZINGG.
take this class, super fun and pretty easy
BEST PROF AT CENTRAL. He is the greatest guy ever, I absolutely loved going to class with this man. His demonsrations are great and he keeps everyone interested. I would retake this class just because I loved it so much! Finck unlike anyone else..
BEST PROFESSOR AT CMU. seriously, i wish he could teach every class i take. hilarious guy who gives the best demos ive ever seen, all relative to the class. STUDY THE PRACTICE EXAMS AVAILABLE. most of his exams are based off of the templates of older ones. i look forward to this class every day. you NEED to have this man teach you.
Amazing teacher! Pick Him!
Overall a pretty good professor. There are times on his exams where he'll do the ol standby of making all the answers potential errors you could have in your calculation, so watch out about that. Other than that, he does seems to really care about his students, even if he appears to be standoffish sometimes when you speak to his privately.
Definitely the best professor I've had at Central. You don't need the book just take notes and work on the homework and practice exams. The class is not easy but this guy is the best.
This guy is a total dork, but in the best way. He is very good at making things easy to understand and relating things to real life to make it more interesting. Don't get the book, you don't need it. ALWAYS go to class! If you never miss a class you will always have the answers in your notes somewhere.
Great stories. Great problems and examples. He makes you think and makes physics fun. Other professors should be required to go to his class to learn how to teach.
Dr. Finck loves what he does, and he makes physics fun and interesting. Online homework every week. Tests can be tricky, so be careful. He gives you old exams for practice. Otherwise, the class is a little hard, but Finck clears most of it up for you.
One of the best professors I've had at CMU! Always looked forward to going to his lectures even though it is a tough class. Take physics with Dr. Finck!!!
Dr. Finck is very much invested in teaching physics in an interesting and relevant way, with tons of physical demonstrations to keep things lively. Difficult tests but you get a notecard, and online homework was lon-capa but it was always do-able and he will help with it too if you go to office hours.
He seems like a nice guy and is really energetic about physics but his homework alot of the time is on problems we have never done and his test are extremely difficult. He does curve and you get a note card for test so there's that
Dr. Finck is by far the best physics professor. He explains the material very well, but then again, its physics, and if you have never taken it before, it is fairly difficult. homework: do it after every lecture, he gives questions examples that are tough homework problems. the tests are hard, but if you do the practice test, its the same layout.
Finck is a great teacher, I love his jokes because it shows he actually tries to engage the students. Only complaint I would have would be him being kind of standoffish if you ask him a question office hours. One time he actually asked me 'another question?'
One of my favorite professors at CMU. Made physics easy (or at least easier than it would have been). I really enjoyed having class with him. Lots of really cool demonstrations. Exams are a little difficult but he lets you use a note card on them so that makes it easier. The homework is sometimes hard but the tutors help a lot.
Dr. Finck is amazing! His exams are hard but he usually curves them.
Firstly, do not buy a book--you will not use it. Physics is difficult for me, but Dr. Finck made it more enjoyable and easier to understand! He is a very funny guy and provides tons of example problems in class to aid with homework. His practice exams are similar to the actual exams. If you go to class, do the homework and study, you will be fine.
Amazing professor, made Physics clear and, while not easy, manageable.
Dr Finck was a great professor! Cant wait to take 131 with him-he made physics bearable. Lots of online homework but very simple-it can be done from the notes. He lectures a lot, but its good notes. Don't bother with the book-you won't need it unless you skip class. Would definitely take his class again.
Dr. Finck is my favorite professor at CMU! Lectures are mandatory in order to pass but he makes them extremely entertaining. I am not a math / physics person but this class is easily my favorite class this semester simply because Finck is such a great professor.
He is so kind, caring and a great teacher. He can't teach you anything if you don't put in the effort, but definitely great for both PHY 130 and 131! I actually understood nuclear physics, and did well on exams. I'm not good at math, and I struggle with physics. He's funny and makes the class enjoyable. Attendance isn't necessary, I suggest going.
He is one of the best teachers I have ever had. Doesn´t matter what he is teaching, he will make it interesting. He does not require a text book but says we could use any physics book if we want to.
Dr. Finck was a really entertaining guy, and clearly very passionate about what he does. His lectures are really good and helpful, but he never posts notes or equations online, so attending class is absolutely essential. Difficult class, would have definitely appreciated more resources outside of class.
Exams and homework are difficult-- his lectures make material seem simple & easy, but be prepared to do a lot of studying outside of class because homework is much more difficult. He does curve, which is nice, but it is not that much. 2-3 percent. He is hilarious and accessible to students, and he makes the difficult class interesting and enjoyable
Dr. Finck is my favorite prof I have had at CMU. He is funny and very good at explanations and applications. His lectures are never boring do to his exciting demonstrations and passion for the subject.
Hilarious professor and makes learning a lot of fun with his examples and lessons that arent boring but rather funny and amusing. But you have little to be graded on so ever point counts
Dr. Finck cannot be praised enough. He is an amazing professor and is VERY good at teaching a fairly difficult topic. He's funny and engaging and is truly the best professor I will probably ever have at CMU. I had him for both PHY 130 and 131 and loved it. Rumor has it he is retiring next year, so be sure to take him while you still can!
I took AP physics in high school and scored a 1 on the AP test. I was so nervous about taking it again in college, but Finck made it seem easy. He gives you everything you need to succeed. Lectures are amazing and it's impossible not to like him b/c he puts so much effort into every single class. So sad he's retiring, but glad I got to take him.
Class Info
Attendance Mandatory
36%
Textbook Required
74%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.08 avg changeRatings by Course
PHY13013
5.0
(2)MTH152
5.0
(1)PHY1301
5.0
(1)PHS100
5.0
(1)PHS151
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
PHY1301
4.0
PHYS171
4.0
PHS130
4.0
PHS251
4.0
PHY170
4.0