1.6

Larry Oldewurtel

Science - Irvine Valley College

1.6
Quality
4.6
Difficulty
N/A
Would Retake
88
Reviews
1.6
Quality
4.6
Difficulty
1.7
Helpful
1.6
Clarity

N/A

Would Retake

88

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

5

4

3

3

10

2

17

1

53

What Students Say

I have studied 2 years of Mechanic and Dynamic at a university in the other country, and just got an F in his class

PHYS4A - 3.0 rating

This is the worst teacher I have ever had

PHYS2A - 1.0 rating
Class Info

Textbook Required

100%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A+

53% confidence
Based on 1 grades
Most common grades:
A+ (1)
Grade Distribution
A(1)B(0)C(0)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(0)
Based on 1 reported grades
A+: 1
Rating Trend

Stable

-0.11 avg change
Dec
Apr
May
Jun
Nov
Feb
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

PHYS4A4B

5.0

(1)

PHYSIC4B

5.0

(1)

PHYX2A

4.0

(1)

PHYSI2A

4.0

(1)

PHYS1

3.0

(1)
+25 more courses
Difficulty by Course

PHYS1

5.0

4A

5.0

PHYSICS

5.0

PHY20A

5.0

PHYSICS2A

5.0

Reviews (88)
3.0
4.0
PHYS4A
Jan 30, 2003

Extremely hard tests and assignments. Unorganized and belittles students.

3.0
5.0
PHYS1
Feb 17, 2003

hardest teacher,,,,,but you learn a lot from the course

1.0
5.0
PHYS4A
Mar 17, 2003

No Comments

1.0
5.0
PHYSICS4A
Mar 26, 2003

No Comments

5.0
2.0
PHYS4A4B
Apr 5, 2003

No Comments

1.0
5.0
PHYS4A
Apr 5, 2003

No Comments

1.0
5.0
PHYSICS4A
Apr 18, 2003

No Comments

3.0
3.0
PHYS3A
May 1, 2003

He definitly knows his stuff, but he gets easily annoyed with his class. As a student you just have to go along with him and only listen to what he has to say about the physics.

3.0
5.0
PHYSICS4A
Jul 17, 2003

He's exams are really hard....very very hard class to pass....

1.0
5.0
PHY4A
Aug 16, 2003

No Comments

1.0
5.0
4A
Nov 18, 2003

Never take his class...

5.0
4.0
PHYS4B
Nov 22, 2003

I ended up with an A, however I studied 3 hours a day, did all of the homework twice and rewied the chapters a week before the test. " I went from 20/20 vision to 18.75/20" and also learned to shut up and just do what I can to pass.

2.0
5.0
PHYSICS
Mar 2, 2004

Go to Saddleback to take physics with calculus. he is not a good tacher at all!

1.0
5.0
PHY20A
Mar 19, 2004

he is soo bored..and his test is soo hard and he doesn't curve it. I had the highest grade in the class and i end up with a B.

2.0
5.0
PHYSICS2A
Apr 2, 2004

Worse Proffesor I have ever taken. He explains things very poorly considering its a introductory physics class. He uses math and its manipulations to derive and explain things. Very hard to follow & produce on your own,especially in the middle of an exam.

1.0
5.0
PHYSICS4A
May 5, 2004

Never take any class with this guy!!! this guy will screw you up...homeworks and tests are hard and he gives you no partial credit for your work.. i hated him

2.0
5.0
PHYSICS4A
May 26, 2004

Incredibly difficult class. Test questions were much harder than any HW problems he assigned. Likes to belittle class as a joke. No curve. I spent more time studying for this class than all others combined but still got a B. Do not take this class.

1.0
5.0
PHYSICS4A
May 26, 2004

Very lazy teacher. never return e-mails. hard and long tests. he will cover less than half the chapters he tells you he is planing to cover. nothing personal against him,but he is bored of teaching. Oldwurtel, do the students a favour and retire. be fair.

3.0
4.0
PHYS4A
Jul 2, 2004

I heard the horror stories, but it comes down to the fact that he does know the subject, and if you're able you will learn. Bottom line...people hate Physics, and have trouble with it. Tests are tough, don't try to cram.

1.0
5.0
2A
Jul 10, 2004

Disappointing experience. He degrades students when asked for help. Does not explain the material clearly at all. He needs to retire!

1.0
5.0
PHY2A
Aug 26, 2004

the wrost professor ever, he thinks he knows everything and you would have a low self-esteem if you are in his class. Very unclear, test and quiz are so hard, book doesn't even help, get out of his class while you can. His not worth your time and $

1.0
4.0
PHYSICS4A
Oct 2, 2004

I found his homework problems to be of little help on the tests, and he never told us how well we were doing in the class after the first few weeks.

1.0
5.0
PHYSICS4A
Nov 15, 2004

I urge you not to take his class because you are gonna strugle more than you need..Worst teacher i ever met in my entire life..Oldewurtel,please reitre and let students can have more oppertunities to enjoy physics.Physics is fun subject but you are making students to hate it b/c you teach suck

3.0
5.0
PHYSICS4A
Nov 17, 2004

Yes this class is difficult! His tests and quizzes are extremely hard and you better know your stuff or else you're screw! Though I must give credit for his effort and enthusiastic in physics but most of the ratings are correct

2.0
5.0
PHYS4A
Nov 18, 2004

I think physics is interesting and all but the way this guy teaches it isn't. If you want a good grade in this class you would have to dedicate tons and tons of hours, which most of us students don't have. IVC needs a better physics professor

1.0
5.0
PHSICS4A
Nov 29, 2004

Students. Help other students by putting the wordout about this person. Oldewurtel shuoldn't be teaching. Don't take this class with him because it's very hard to pass his class. Physics is fun, but he will not put any effort in teachcing. He is bored and really boring. Very rude person

1.0
5.0
PHY4B
Jan 6, 2005

Holy**** run for your life. A.k.a horrible wurdel. this guy should retire. how can a teacher like him get the position of department head for physics? the worst professor ever. should be rated in the negatives!!!

1.0
4.0
PHYS20
Jan 11, 2005

if you want to sleep, come to his class

1.0
5.0
PHYSICS4B
Jan 12, 2005

Horrible horrible teacher. Don't take him!!!

1.0
5.0
PHYSICS4A
Jan 13, 2005

STAY AWAY!!! Enought warning!!

1.0
5.0
PHYSICS4B
Jan 15, 2005

this teacher should just retire and not teach at all. enough said!!!

1.0
5.0
PHY4A
Apr 12, 2005

No Comments

4.0
5.0
PHYX2A
Apr 23, 2005

this course is a required prereq, i'm not in it by choice. i find the material extremely difficult, but many people in class easily understand the concepts. prof. oldewurtel has gone out of his way to help me pass this class. he's incredibly supportive and is terrific one-on-one. give him a chance.

2.0
5.0
2A
May 3, 2005

im the type of student that likes professors that raise the difficulty of the calss as long as u understand the material inside and out... but this professor is by far one of the most rude teachers i have ever met... he is **** against male student.. (ima female student)

1.0
5.0
PHYSIC2A
May 4, 2005

OMFG DUNT TAKE HIM... A BIGGEST mistake i took him , now i am screw

5.0
4.0
PHYSICS4A
May 19, 2005

Hard but fair.

2.0
4.0
PHYSICS4A
Grade: A+
May 25, 2005

This guy is terrible. I got a B in the course but this was only due to outside sources. If this was my first experience to Physics I would have been screwed. I highly recommend a different teacher.

1.0
5.0
PHYSICS4B
May 28, 2005

take this class in saddleback. olderwurtel is horrible. i'm not saying this because of a low grade on the contrary i got an A in this class and this is because i've learned about electromagnetism before hand but im telling you this guy is probably the worst professor in the world. no amount of words can express how horrible a teacher is.

1.0
5.0
PHYSICS4B
Jul 23, 2005

you'll regret it!!! just don't!!! don't even think about it!!! JUST DON'T!!!

1.0
5.0
PHYSICS4B
Jul 26, 2005

please larry why don't you retire already!!!

1.0
5.0
PHYSICS4B
Jul 28, 2005

whoever gave a rating greater than 1 to this guy must be really screwed up in the head. this guy is nothing short of terribly horrible.

1.0
5.0
PHYSICS4B
Oct 7, 2005

just retire old man, you've done enough damage to the youth of america by teaching america and being head of the physics deprtment at ivc

1.0
3.0
PHYSICS4AB
Nov 10, 2005

Oldewurtel does not teach. He wants you to read the book and learn the material on your own. Unless you have the time to study excessivly or money for private tutoring, you're better off bendind over and taking it in the ass, because you'll be f**ked if you take him...

5.0
1.0
PHYSIC4B
Dec 14, 2005

He is the definition of a good teacher in my ideal,"he doesn't take roll" but the down side of it is that you have to know the subject "in depth" and no body does, so no body gets good grades 31 out of 37 student droped his class so the class was pretty small some "lazy-ass-individuals".I nailed it,Although I confess he is too old now,butI am smart

1.0
4.0
PHYSICS4B
Jan 11, 2006

He is WHACK. Don't take this teacher EVER.. drop while u can people. He doesn't put notes on the board EVER, you have to learn everything on your own and he sucks ass.

1.0
5.0
PHYSICS4B
May 18, 2006

He's been teaching for ever now,so physics is basically second nature to him,and he expects it to be the same for everyone else. Hence, many times he doesn't explain the topics as clear as they should be explained. The exams are extremely hard & they look nothing like the homework problems being assigned. So I wouldn't really recommend this guy!

1.0
5.0
PHYS2B
Jun 17, 2006

Terrible. Tests are much harder than anything he gives you beforehand. He doesn't test on each point individually; he combines them all into a few questions. Avoid at all costs. Teaches fairly close to the book, but the exams are nothing like the book.

1.0
5.0
PHYC4A
Jul 12, 2006

No Comments

2.0
5.0
PHYS04
Sep 20, 2006

horrible professor, doesn't want to teach it anymore, and he shows it. not very helpful, makes you feel useless when you're wrong, do not recommend, drop if you can...avoid him at all costs

1.0
5.0
PHYS4B
Dec 4, 2006

ok read his name... Larry OLDewurtel. I don't know how old he is but he's like in his 60's or 70's. If a lecture is 3 hours long, he spends 1 hour correcting his own mistakes or asking the students what he did wrong, even. And he spends the other 2 hours talking about rediculously advances concepts that you don't need to know. I'm getting a high B

3.0
5.0
PHYS4B
Dec 13, 2006

He is a good and kind teacher.

2.0
5.0
PHYSSECT
Dec 13, 2006

A nice guy on the outside, but a real jerk on the inside. Grades tests harder than any professor I've ever known. I swear, he TRIES to get you to fail the class. He won't let you keep tests he hands back. Uses the fact that 2 people are getting an A (one with a highschool 5.0!) to justify his difficult grading.

2.0
5.0
PHY4A
Dec 30, 2006

This class was my worst nightmare. everything was so random. he said worry about the physics and the grade will take care of itself, guess not since i got a d in the class. worked my ass off and put up with his insults in class and didnt even pass. take it somewhere else from someone else unless you have no other choice.

1.0
5.0
PHYS4B
Jan 16, 2007

he is the worst teacher that I have ever had. the tests are so hard and they dont come from notes or the problems he does in class. dont take him!!!!

1.0
5.0
PHYS2A
Jan 22, 2007

Can't recomend. This guy should have quit along time ago but sticks around to have an attitude with students and be a poor teacher. Very bitter guy and you don't get much from him. Another bad teacher at IVC. What are you doing about the quality of your instructors IVC?

2.0
4.0
PHYS4B
May 27, 2007

the worst teacher ever. I wish I never took his class.Im not sure if he knew what he was talking about in class.

3.0
4.0
PHYS2A
May 31, 2007

Oldewurtel expects you to come to class prepared, which pays off because he gives you plenty of chances to earn extra credit if you read ahead and can answer his little handouts. Exams can be a little challenging, but if you pay attention and study all of his handouts, you should do ok on the exams.

2.0
3.0
PHY4A
Sep 30, 2007

Horrible. He's not organized. The online HK is absurd. What's the point of buying an EXPENSIVE textbook if we're going to do tons of additional problems online? He wastes too much time on some exercises that have nothing to do with what we need to learn. Take the class somewhere else. The instructors at OCC or UCI are so much better!

2.0
5.0
PHYS4A
Nov 12, 2007

here's the deal. i dont hate the man because i think he's actually a very nice guy and i think he "tries" hard to be a good teacher. however, the class is pretty terrible. he lectures using only variables and letters, he doesnt explain concepts clearly, he grades INSANELY hard and pretty much makes physics as hard as it can possibly be.

1.0
5.0
PHYS4A
Nov 27, 2007

He is unable to complete his own assignments - says he can't do math. The tests do not resemble the class work in any way. Requests for help are met with mockery and sarcasm. Physics was going to be my major but after this class, I changed it to Computers.

2.0
5.0
PHYS4A
Dec 3, 2007

I have already graduated with a degree from CSUF and was taking this as a prereq for grad school - the worst teacher I have encountered in my collegiate career. He needs to retire - so unhelpful and unmotivating. Half our class dropped halfway through the semester.

1.0
5.0
PHYS4A
Feb 5, 2008

Theres too much to list. The lectures are the worst and will force many students to drop. At least take physics at Saddleback or OCC or whatever just this professor at IVC or else you will need an infinite amount of willpower to make it.

3.0
3.0
PHYS4B
May 23, 2008

This guy is the best! There are practically no labs and you barely cover ten chapters. Lectures can be dull at times. Very mello pace.

1.0
5.0
PHYS2A
Jul 2, 2008

This class is a TRAP, BEWARE, took it 3 years ago because he was the only professor available, MWF class starting at 8:00am, Got a F and wasnt able to recover b/c he was the only professor teaching it. RETIRE PLZ!!!

1.0
5.0
PHY4A
Sep 18, 2008

Honestly one of the worst professors ever! I think he's afraid to solve challenging problems in class. It's absurd listening to him complaining about not having enough time to cover all the chapters while wasting time walking around the classroom when we're doing some useless worksheets. Doesn't IVC supervise lectures at all?

1.0
5.0
PHYS2A
Mar 11, 2009

He is the worst professor on earth. Ever never take a class with him. That?s all I can say.

1.0
5.0
PHYS45
Mar 15, 2009

I'm an A stud. who studies 5-6 days/week,I got a C in his class. Unless you have an AP physics/calc background you will need to spend 30 hours/week min. to pass his class with a C.He puts Wizard of ID comic strip questions on his tests,on the final he asked us what ID means-The ID are idiots who are ruled by the wizard, what does that mean to you.

2.0
5.0
PHYS4A
May 27, 2009

Absolutely useless. Has some form of dementia, doesnt remember giving homework and he demands homework he hasnt given.

1.0
5.0
PHYS2A
Aug 6, 2009

Never ever take his class

1.0
4.0
PHYS2A
Oct 12, 2009

He is my worst nightmare. Let me make this clear- this class is NOT the class to take if u havent taken physics before. Dont look forward to LEARNING anything from the professor, because he does not TEACH anything. If u can teach urself to get through this class, do so. His lectures Will CONFUSE u. Unorganized and frusterating man. I regret so much

1.0
5.0
PHYS41
Nov 19, 2009

2nd Most idiotic teacher i have encountered yet. This guy is an old fart who cannot only goes over his examples and fails to realize that he has not taught the material to the class. The whole class is pretty much online called Mastering Physics. The tests are NOTHING like the HW or his worksheets. He is there to mock you and fail you.

1.0
5.0
PHYS41
Nov 19, 2009

2nd Most idiotic teacher i have encountered yet. This guy is an old fart who cannot teach and only goes over his examples and fails to realize that he has not taught the material to the class. The whole class is pretty much online called Mastering Physics. The tests are NOTHING like the HW or his worksheets. He is there to mock you and fail you.

3.0
3.0
PHYS4A
Dec 2, 2009

I have studied 2 years of Mechanic and Dynamic at a university in the other country, and just got an F in his class!

1.0
5.0
PHY4A
Apr 1, 2010

one word .. run away from this class

5.0
4.0
PHYS2B
Apr 23, 2010

Asks a lot of questions,studys to truly understands the textbook and MP materials, attends all classes, and you will do great. He is more than happy to help students.

4.0
5.0
PHYSI2A
May 12, 2010

Mr. Oldewurtel is an older gentleman. He really knows his physics but has some difficulty transferring this knowledge to the students. HOWEVER he is always very ready to help out after class & during his office hours & really appreciates students taking advantage of this availability. To pass one must definitely read the book & do the MP work.

1.0
5.0
PHYS2A
May 18, 2010

If you have ANY OTHER CHOICE, TAKE IT. This is the worst teacher I have ever had. The class started with 60 people and ended with about 10. Yeah.

1.0
5.0
PHYS2A
Oct 12, 2010

This professor is the worst i have ever had. He teaches in a way that no one understands and then when he asks a question in class and no one has an answer, he gets mad. If you have any other option, take it because you will not learn ANYTHING in this class if you have no prior experience in physics. HORRIBLE

2.0
5.0
PHYS2A
Nov 18, 2010

I can say with complete confidence that professor Oldewurtel is the worst teacher I have ever had. He offers zero encouragement or optimism towards his students. He teaches as if his students are all physics majors and expects you to understand his ill presented "examples" right away. You will have to teach yourself through the textbook to pass.

1.0
5.0
PHYS4A
Nov 30, 2010

I was stuck with this guy because his was the only class open when I registered. When you get to newton's laws, he doesn't explain why he's doing ANYTHING. He'll just throw numbers together and may as well say TA DA when he gets the answer like its a freaking magic trick. Everyone I've talked to who had him say he's the worst teacher they ever had.

4.0
3.0
PHYS2A
Dec 29, 2010

If you get an A all the way through, the final is optional. Stick with it. He is a gentleman, and he really wants to help you enjoy it.

1.0
5.0
PHYS4A
Apr 21, 2011

Don't take his class unless you already covered all the materials. There is no way you could get this lecture

1.0
5.0
PHYS2A
May 15, 2011

HORRIBLE! STAY AWAY! take physics at saddleback or occ if u have to. He talks down on students. is not helpful. Plays favorites. the person below who gave a good rating prob was a favorite. on the first day of class 45 ppl enrolled. on the final day 9 ppl showed up of those 9 ppl only 3 passed. you'll leave w/ a W or F

1.0
5.0
PHYS4A
Jun 15, 2011

Worst teacher in the history of physics teaching. His methods of teaching are super old school(dinosaurs' age), very incomprehensible and incredibly hard. His tests are just impossible to do.He counts every little hw/quiz and things that he doesn't even collect from you (you have to keep track).Lab book drops your grade, beware! stay away from olde

1.0
5.0
PHYSABC
Jun 18, 2011

There is nothing worse than him in the world!

2.0
4.0
PHYS4A
Nov 14, 2011

Easily the worst teacher I have ever had. Expects you to do things he has not even taught you to do.

1.0
5.0
PHYS4A
Nov 23, 2011

He knows his stuff and expects us to know it. The questions on test were totally on a different level than the worksheets. If you haven't taken physics 4a before then don't take him. this is a good class if you know everything. and i mean everything

2.0
5.0
PHYS4A
Feb 7, 2012

took him since it was the only available class for my timeslot. What a mistake! As you will read, lectures are a total waste. Handouts don't help with the more challenging probs in hw, and the exams are the same. only attend class to get dates on due/upcoming items. the mastering physics hw online is a nightmare. dropping tomorrow.

Class Info

Textbook Required

100%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A+

53% confidence
Based on 1 grades
Most common grades:
A+ (1)
Grade Distribution
A(1)B(0)C(0)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(0)
Based on 1 reported grades
A+: 1
Rating Trend

Stable

-0.11 avg change
Dec
Apr
May
Jun
Nov
Feb
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

PHYS4A4B

5.0

(1)

PHYSIC4B

5.0

(1)

PHYX2A

4.0

(1)

PHYSI2A

4.0

(1)

PHYS1

3.0

(1)
+25 more courses
Difficulty by Course

PHYS1

5.0

4A

5.0

PHYSICS

5.0

PHY20A

5.0

PHYSICS2A

5.0

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