2.7
Quality3.6
Difficulty23%
Would Retake88
Reviews23%
Would Retake
88
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
13
4
16
3
17
2
19
1
23
What Students Say
“Unclear calculations, just shows his own physics skills”
PHYS1111 - 1.0 rating“This class is definitely hard with any teacher, but Dr”
PHYS2212 - 2.0 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
38%
Textbook Required
42%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-1.32 avg changeRatings by Course
PHYS4251
5.0
(1)ASTROSECT
5.0
(1)PHYS1111L
4.3
(3)PHYS2111
4.0
(1)PHYS1112LAB
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
PHYS2210
5.0
ASTROSECT
5.0
PHYS2212
4.6
PHYS1111
4.5
PHYS2211
4.3
Reviews (88)
he's very shy and has a hard time getting the material down to the student's level
Dr. France is the smartest guy I know, but his class is hard. Anyone who tries hard will do well and his curve helps a lot. Guaranteed A or B if you try.
No Comments
he is a genius
Okay the guy has his PhD from Yale in physics. But still, he's a great teacher and he makes things easy to understand, but doesn't treat you like you're stupid. I thought his tests were going to be impossible but he makes them easier than you think. Nice guy and grades on curves...I'd take him again
He is a very smart guy but his class was extremely hard. I had to study more for this freshman class than i have had to for my 4000 level classes. Don't take him if you don't wanna work hard.
He provides an objective classroom experience and covers the topic of Astronomy without over-simplifying the material (as every other instructor at the school does). Yes, students score lower percents on the test, but Dr. France grades on a curve irrespective of percentage scores. Fantastic teacher.
He is too smart and doesn't know how to bring it down to the student's level. Overall, he just isn't a good professor.
eh, i still never saw the genius side of him, just complete arrogance. horrible professor, you can't tell what grading scale he uses so you dont really know if you aced his tests or not.
I am not sure what course the previous posters were taking. He was very clear on how grading was done.
he sucks at teaching! he may be smart but if you can not break the subject down to a student's level then you should not be teaching. plus he is never available to help students. he will shut his door and ignore the students knocking outside. do not take this man!
THis rating applies to Physics lab ONLY! I've heard he's very difficult in class, but lab is a breeze. He won't let you leave your final exam until you get the answers right.
ugh, can't stand him.
Very Good. Doesn't dumb stuff down
Makes you work hard, but can get an A even after F on first exam
His class seems really really hard but her curves a lot and he grades the project really easy. Students who have a 50 would have a B in the class...
Umm.. very boring. Had him for an 8 AM class last semester and it felt like a tooth extraction. His notes are not very clear and his lectures are just plain boring. Also, it's hard to get a good idea of how well you do because his tests are graded on curves. Has no personality and is too smart to be teaching on a college level. If possible avoid this class/proffessor.
Just show up every week and youll get an A
Boring...since when is a 35 a passing grade? His scale was totally bogus, but I made a B even though I techniquely failed half his tests...don't ask, even now I am still confused!!
He is a very difficult teacher. His lectures are boring and jump around a lot. And his tests don't have much to do with the lecture or homework. Plus his grading style is really bizarre.
Very Hard, b ut gives you many chances. Exams are staright out of lecture notes and are open book.
Very different from other astro profs. Covers diffrnt stuff. More intresting than typical astro course. Exams are multiple choice.
his lectures are boring and almost impossible to follow... but for him being such a smart astrophyscist, he gives the EASIEST TESTS! he gives you the study guides the week before the test and you just ask him the answers in class. the questions on the study guide are exactly what is on the test. EASY A
He is the most sinfully boring teacher I have ever had in my entire life...I have no idea why he still teaches, because I wanted to shoot myself everytime he spoke
the most boring professor on earth. his lectures are not worth attending. he does give out the test (minus answers) to study, so its easy to do well.
He's a nice teacher but he can be a little confusing and dull most of the time. Attendance is not mandatory and he gives a study guide the week before the test and kinda goes over it. If you need any other answers to the study, you can e-mail him and he will give you the answers!
Teaches different material than otherintro astro teachers
BORING TEACHER!!
Fun class. he brought General Relativity to a level we could understand.
Class isn't too interesting, lecture just adds some information to the PowerPoints he has online. Drops the lowest exam (only grades are 4 exams - can exempt/miss one). Offers study guide with the same question but not the multiple choice options - however very helpful if you have questions. Didn't use the book except for a reference when studying.
Not as boring as I was fearing. I thought he was very interesting, especially when it came to black holes and general relativity. Very good teacher and easy A.
The class is hard, but he knows his stuff, though he goes EXTREMELY quick during lecture, so you have to be on your toes. He has kind of a gay homework policy where he gives homework online, and the program only gives you full credit if you get the problem right on the first try. Curves 20-30 pts on tests though.
Lectures are based on powerpoint presentations. They are very hard but the tests are easy and he gives you a study guide which IS the test. Just study the guide. He drops one test, so if you do good on the first three you don't have to take the final.
Hard class, but interesting, especially the black hole stuff. Lectures are intense but really help you understand the subject matter. The tests are easy if you answer the study guide questions and memorize them.
It is a harder class than anticipated, but if you are willing to learn something new and fascinating, it is a very interesting class. The teacher is knowledgeable and all you have to do is to go to class every day and pay attention. I liked that I did not need to buy a textbook.
This class is definitely hard with any teacher, but Dr. France goes through the material extremely quickly,and doesn't know how to explain things in simplistic terms. He told us that he designed the course so that the high grade would be a 50. He has to give 40pt curves because the test scores are so low. AND it's open book! That says something.
He explains everything in a very complicated way. His tests are nothing like the HW he assigns, so other than busy work, there's no point in homework. I think he is fooling himself. If not for the fact that his tests are open notes and he gives 40 point curves, NO ONE would pass his class. That says something, and it's not good.
He can't teach things in a simple way and does not know how to make them interesting. He's a nice person but definitely should have took a different job; teaching isn't his strong suit.
took him for the LAB class. was very easy. He does not let you leave until he checks your lab and makes sure everything is right. never had to stay the whole lab class. exams are open lab manual, and there is no outside work for the class. EASY A.
What can I say? Physics is not my subject, but I can't blame Dr. France for that. He basically does the test questions on the board in class before the test. Pay attention and take good notes. DO THE HOMEWORK. This will raise your grade significantly. I pulled off a B in the class because of the final and homework. Hard, but good teacher.
I took France for my Lab through the Physics 1111 class. France is a good lab teacher, he will always make sure that your assignment is correct and that you understand the stuff. There are many moments that you will leave class early, which is very nice. Just go to class every time, and it is an easy A. The quizzes are tough but he curves them.
Easiest class ever. Didn't really discuss astronomy things though. It's all power points and he gives study guides that are basically the test. Boring as anything, but easy grade. He takes 3/4 test that we take. I never went to class and just did the study guides and made A's on the tests. Overall not bad, just Boring.
Don't take Dr. France if you don't have to. He is extremely unclear on how he calculated his answers and his tests are ridiculous. He curves tremendously but I honestly didn't learn a single thing and didn't enjoy it whatsoever so the curve wasn't even worth it. Plus the homeworks took up a ton of time.
This class is easy but man, it is boring. He just goes over power points every single day. For tests he gives you a study guide with the exact questions from the test, so naturally it isn't too hard to do well. I'd recommend it if you need a GPA boost, otherwise don't bother
Explains the subject clear and concisely, as long as you understand basic algebra and calculus you should excel. If not, spend time working the problems, and simply practice your algebra.
Don't get me wrong, Dr. France is a great guy. His class, however, was not my favorite. To be fair, I'm a fairly irresponsibly (okay, fine.. *really* irresponsible) student, and I should have worked harder and asked more questions. Too late now. *shrugs* Anyway, he's really nice, but hard to follow. Make sure you do the homework!!
Horrible teacher. Lectures all day every day and doesnt even give students time to ask questions. Our SI told us that he is teaching us stuff that doesnt even exist yet. The book is useless because he teaches from his brain and what he knows but you do have to buy it for the lab.
His lectures were really unclear for me, the only time I ever understood anything was when I went to tutoring. SI sessions and tutoring are a must if you take this class, and don't expect the hw to be much help unless you are taking it to the tutor.
This is probably one of the worst physics course I have ever had the misfortune of taking. The professor did a horrible job of explaining everything. He never took attendance and the homework grade barely helps your overall grade. Every test that was given had an average of less than 50%. The averages for his three test were a 45%,10%, and 42%.
Unclear calculations, just shows his own physics skills. Test are open notes and people make 20/450 points. Doesnt seem to enjoy teaching the intro course. Homework doesnt help grade, can only hurt it, and there is alot. Tests are nothing like the homework. If you dont want to learn anything then this is the teacher for you.
Doesnt seem to enjoy teaching, makes subject far more confusing than needed, rude, made me not want to even try to learn.
This course was awful, and the lectures were long with absolutely no engagement, he was rude to students, I did not feel welcome to go to office hours, he never expressed what his expectations were for his tests, and what gives you as a grade varies on what kind of mood he is in that day. Overall if you have another option don't take France.
I just took him, this guy is hell on earth. There are 4 grades in the entire class. The 4 tests we take. He drops 1. By far, hardest professor/teacher/grader I have ever had. The tests are many weeks apart from each other with lots of material. Every test is 8 essay problems. You pick 5 to answer. No study guides. Turn away. You have been warned.
No attendance, not one homework. Average of three tests that are all posted before you even take them. Sound easy? France is the worst teacher I've ever had in any level of school. Least engaged I've ever seen a teacher. Doesn't care about you at all. Doesn't respond to emails. Awful, drop before you take.
Be ready to take lots of notes. He posts his powerpoints online, but it has very little content. He doesn't give study guides, but he did post past tests. He drops one test, but be ready to study your butt off. I never went to his office hours because he didn't seem inviting. You can't eat or chew gum in the class. No phones in room on test days
The class is based off 4 tests, the lowest of which is dropped. The tests are 4 essay questions where you get full credit or zero credit, and he expects you to write a full page for each questions in a 50 min class. He monotone lectures the entire class from a PowerPoint with few words on it. Not willing to help you. FIrst C i've gotten in college
3 Tests which average out to your final grade. Posts the test (usually 1-5 questions) on his blog weeks before the Test and the averages are still always in the 70s. Me and a couple friends would spend hour researching those few questions and still struggle because he is so unclear in what he wants. DONT TAKE HIM. weird guy.
This is the worst Astronomy professor ever. He gives you quizzes over things you don't go over in class. I went to check my textbook to see if any material was in it, and there was nothing. He lectures the whole entire class period and doesn't make the subject seem interesting. He spends most of his time complaining about cellphones. This is 2019
I was looking foward to intro to universe but this professor made this class miserable. He is extremely intellegent and should not be teaching an intro course. He lectures the entire class about things that do not make sense. He does not take time to explain the material so we can understand it. There are many pop quizzes. Do not take this class.
Quizzes are the only grade you'll receive, and you have no idea what will be on them and when they will be given. Final will be relatively easy, just questions pulled off the quizzes
To be honest, Im not sure why this professor is frowned upon. Hes incredibly smart, gives you ten quizzes and only takes the top five, doesnt give you a midterm, and the final is the quizzes you took throughout the semester. One of the easiest classes Ive ever taken
One of the absolute worst professors Ive had. He doesnt care at all and makes the material so difficult to learn. I ended up with an A in his class only because I did well on homework and he gave bonus points on random attendance days. I failed every test and then he curved them and I passed. Its ridiculous I havent learned anything!
France was a good professor and is passionate about the work he is doing. He relates topics in class with real studies; including his own experience in science. Theres a weighted, 3 question quiz once weekly and a final. Attendance is mandatory because he only puts the basic concepts on the power points and not what the quizzes will be over.
Very boring lectures. Theres a quiz everyday that isnt hard if you know the PowerPoint verbatim. The quizzes are three questions which makes it hard to pass. He was also very rude when I tried to bring up genuine concern, and he carried that attitude towards me for the rest of the semester. Only got a good grade because of online learning.
Dr. France seems like a nice guy outside of the classroom, but is not the best teacher, especially for an intro-level course. I failed every exam, but the massive curves and grading scheme made me pass the class. Honestly, I haven't learned anything after taking this class. I would take PHYS1111 with another prof if at all possible.
This class was the hardest/worst class I have ever taken. The lectures are so confusing and the tests are almost impossible. Stay away from this class if you can.
Dr France's lectures are a little bit spotty, but going to SI Sessions is what helped me do well on the tests. On tests you are given 4 questions and only have to complete 2 and you get extra credit based off of any additional questions you complete. The class is manageable but I wouldn't take again.
Physics 1 was only passable because of the clear grading criteria and the SI instructor. Otherwise, I would not have gotten an A in the class. The lectures are super confusing because he goes through things too quick, expects students to remember everything from previous classes, and forgets to talk in Layman's terms. He is a nice guy, though.
France is caring and passionate. His lab isn't hard and he is VERY helpful! However, you must attend ALL labs since each is 10 points of your grade. There are no makeups for these labs. There are two exams, each two questions, that are easy and he still helps during these exams. He makes great connections to application of physics in real life.
He is very smart. Clearly, he understands the material but cannot teach others to do it. I just wish that he would show his work better. The formulas he provides are unclear. I think that he could be a better teacher but, he is not a bad person.
He is very smart but I think sometimes he forgets that he is teaching a intro class and not an advanced one. Hes great for lab just not lecture. If you dont do the homework you will not pass the class. Test are hard he doesnt do normal problems with numbers, so you do the problems with no numbers. I do not recommend
He teaches physics very theoretically so theres no actual numbers involved but this just makes it harder because the homework on Mastering is all numbers with clear answers. Definitely too hard for an introductory course.
I took France for the Physics lab portion and it was very fun. Easy and quick labs really open up your eyes to how cool physics can be. Pretty easy grader but you are expected to show up for every lab.
Do not take him for lecture. He goes through everything too fast and doesn't really explain things. The exams are only 4-5 questions long and do not contain numerical values, only variables. His exams are open notes, but they probably won't help you. He does curve heavily, but he should change his exams all together if everyone is failing.
France is a nice guy but when he taught it felt like he was speaking to me in a different language. Tests were almost impossible without having an SI instructor to help. I did everything I could to understand the material including going to the learning center but this course was difficult and hard to understand.
Your only grades in this class are 4 exams (one is dropped) and homework which won't help pull your grade up. He is a very nice guy, but I did not understand all that well in his class. Tests are open note, so be sure to take detailed notes. Tests are also completely open ended so its better to put down something on a test than leaving it blank.
This class is heavy attendence based. Your grade is made up of daily quizes throughout the entire semester and if you have an A before the final you are exempt. As long as you show up to class and do well on your quizzes you should be fine. He's not great at answering emails but you can always go to office hours.
This guy wins the award for the most boring prof ever. The class is really easy it is just so boring and he treats you like you're in middle school. He does not let you have your computer out during class or your phone or he will stop class and tell you to put it away. I don't see the point in this but it was whatever. Daily quiz for every class.
Dr. France is a nice guy. The PHYS1111 was probably the toughest class I've ever taken. I learned some interesting stuff, though. If you take this class, get ready to pay attention, and to do homework. Tests are tough but open ended and he gives credit wherever possible. It was hard but made me a better person!
Dr. France is very knowledgeable about what he is talking about. He stands and talks the WHOLE class period. It is hard to stay focus and you just sit, listen, and take notes. You take a quiz every class period which is very easy if you attend the class. It's honestly really not that bad. No tests besides the final.
This class is only attendance and he gives a quiz everyday before class starts at 9am so you need to get to class early everyday and he gives a final. He doesn't let you use computers or phones, if you have a phone out he will call you out in the middle of class. Everyday he only does power points and talks for the entire 50 minutes.
Lecture heavy. Quizzes each day for 70% of your grade and for attendance. Small knowledge quiz for 5% and only one exam for 25% (the cumulative final exam). Not difficult, just tedious. The daily quizzes make up the final exam.
Have to go to class every day, and have to get there early. Have a quiz every class and his quizzes start 1 minute before every class period. 70% of grade is a daily quiz. 5% is a random quiz about stuff you learn about in your lab, and 25% is an easy final. Class is very easy if you show up and listen slightly
This class was very boring. I'm not much of a science person, but either way, it was hard to pay attention because the whole class was a lecture every time, and we are not allowed to use electronics. However, it was also very easy to pass with an A, so I'm not complaining.
he was a fine professor, very monotone and lectured the whooooooole time in the saaame exaaact way. He wasn't horrible, but it got boring after a while. I think he is a great man and is a great person to talk to after class and is responsive in person. not in emails. Anyways, take this class for a very easy A. You can miss 8 classes and quizzes
Do not take him! With no warning he will give you an F at the end of the semester if he believes you were on your phone to much during the semester. He makes it impossible to learn because he is so boring and lectures the entire time. Worst professor and his procedures are horrible.
Very boring. Lectures the entire time and very monotone. you are not allowed to have your phone out for ANY reason. It must be on airplane mode and in your bag. No talking. No food (not even gum). So strict for no reason. He makes you take a quiz every day before class so get there at least 5 mins early. Not a hard class just so boring and tedious.
Very easy A. Not the best professor and he talks like he has a word count. You are graded by 4-5 question daily quizzes from what you learned the previous day aswell as a final (which he give you a very good practice test for). But its extremely boring and you can NOT use devices OR CHEW GUM. Other than that, easy A if you just go to class.
Class Info
Attendance Mandatory
38%
Textbook Required
42%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-1.32 avg changeRatings by Course
PHYS4251
5.0
(1)ASTROSECT
5.0
(1)PHYS1111L
4.3
(3)PHYS2111
4.0
(1)PHYS1112LAB
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
PHYS2210
5.0
ASTROSECT
5.0
PHYS2212
4.6
PHYS1111
4.5
PHYS2211
4.3