2.1
Quality3.6
Difficulty11%
Would Retake107
Reviews11%
Would Retake
107
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
5
4
12
3
23
2
34
1
33
What Students Say
“In a word, this teacher is dung-water”
PHY206 - 1.0 rating“She's a terrible teacher, NEVER take her class”
SCI109 - 2.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
91%
Textbook Required
46%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-1.18 avg changeRatings by Course
SC101E
3.5
(2)SCI118
3.0
(1)PHYS109
3.0
(2)206
2.7
(3)PHY201
2.6
(18)Difficulty by Course
SCI109
5.0
206
4.0
SCI190
3.8
PHY206
3.7
PHYS109
3.5
Reviews (107)
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I didn't seem to get too much out of class, and I always struggled on the homework, but she grades easy. You'll always get a 100 on your hw and on tests she gives you options and takes whatever you did best on.
I can't stand this woman. Completely useless during her office hours, puts questions on her tests she didn't cover in class and can't even solve the problems she gives for homework.
I don't recommend.. She lets people walk all over her in class, but unfortunately this is the least of my concerns. Her tests don't cover the material very well; "grade-boosting" group work has significantly lowered grades!; homework is poorly selected and rarely explained; AND, she circumlocutes around questions (and therefore never answers them!)
She is awful. The test questions do not cover anything she has gone over. Review problems don't help. She also says she will do things and then just doesn't do them. She cannot explain anything, including when to use any equations learned.
This might be the worst professor that i have ever had. Many people say that on here but this is no joke. Even thou she gives easy homework and group quiz grades the exams seem like there not even over what we talk about in class. If you have the choice take anyone else!!!!
Lectures can be boring, but she is a really easy grader. She lets out class early too, which is a plus. Tests aren't really that hard.
hopeless case..can't teach at all..spends her time talking about things that are not even related to physics..this explains why other professors are on chapter 4 while she's still stuck at chapter 1..hopeless hopeless hopeless..CAUTION!
HORRIABLE TEACHER!! Her homeowrk is pointless, she assigns problems, but does not grade them there all check greades. She talks about things that are not even realted to the current chapter, and moves very slow with the material. I learned nothing! Take anyone else if you have the option
I loved this class. I got a lot out of it and thoght TK was a great prof.
This class is a joke all class time is wasted covering useless information that is not on tests. Attended class roughly once a week in a 4 credit hour class and still managed a B- probably because i did not have to have a translator sit next to me in class.
She's almost impossible. Her tests have absolutely nothing to do with the material convered. She can't understand homework questions. She contradicts herself in one example problem. Avoid her if you can. If you have to take her, I hope you have at least taken a physics class before, otherwise good luck.
tough tough tough. avoid avoid avoid.
Not a good professor. Seemed uninterested in the class. She was sometimes even just rude. If someone gave a wrong answer, she would shut them down. Once, she (probably unintentionally) called a poor girl fat in a demonstration in front of the entire class. She curves the tests like crazy though, and if you do your hw, you should be okay.
class was difficult for non science majors. READ THE BOOK BEFORE CLASS!!! or else its hard to understand what is going on because she is very difficult to understand. i would not recommend.
Awful teacher
I highly encourage you to take someone else if possible. She barely knows what she is doing when explaining examples. The notes taken in class do not reflect the difficulty of the homework. She thinks she helps us with the review problems for a test, but in reality those problems do not accurately prepare you for the test.
Tharanga does not too much about physics. When she does examples in class she normally gets the wrong answer. Very tough to understand what she says. Gives hard tests. The people who do well are the ones who previously took physics. Good luck if you get her but try to stay away no matter what.
Nice but not the best teacher ever. students are never prepared for tests and the homework
She wants nothing more than to help everyone, all you have to do is ask. Do not expect to be hand-fed the answers. Yes, it requires some work, but as long as you pay attention and do the h/w you will be fine. I highly recommend this teacher. She is my favorite teacher and I hate science. Have study groups, take good notes, use book! :)
okay at first i was really freaked out to have her cause i have science... but she ended up being my favorite teacher.... so nice!!! read out of the book and you should get an A. She curves everything!!!
I do not like writing reviews but i felt compelled to with Tharanga. She really wants to help but the fact is that she does not. She just recently decided to have class sundays. Not a review class, but one in which new material would be taught. It is unfair to the people who take this class. Good luck if you get her.
Although she does appear to be a nice woman, she is extremely difficult to understand. She does not take the time to explain examples to students and gets annoyed when students do not understand or have questions. She is good one on one but not in front of the entire class. She does not know how to properly explain the text.
She does not know how to teach. Class time is wasted by her trying to understand our questions and then explaining useless information without explaining the important concepts. Her english is very hard to understand. when she is asked questions she often repeats what she said before that confused the class in the first place.
TK is the worst teacher I have ever had. She does not understand some things and she cannot explain at all. She gives tests and quizes with material she never covered. You can get a good grade but you will not learn much. DO NOT TAKE HER.
TK is a nice lady but pretty useless as a Prof. I never once opened my textbook or did homework and still managed a B- so its not hard. Just look at the posted slides and go to class if you want to. English = sketchy which is difficult. okay class
She is a very nice teacher, and she always wants everyone to do well, but she is not good at presenting the material. Tests are hard, but she does do a lot of in class hw that makes up for the tests. She also often curves the tests. She's not my first choice as a prof.
She was one of the worst professors i have had her review session were helpful but very much because she couldnt really explain the problems, she also would tell us the wrong answers many times so we would think we were doing everything we were constantly correcting her, she would take off random points on tests even though the answer was correct
Before going to this class I came on rate my professor and read TK's review. Little did I know that all of these comments about her would be absolutely right. She is a teacher that cant do a problem right let alone explain it. She turns easy problems into complicated ones which only confuses the class. DO NOT TAKE
Extremely nice lady. If I had questions, she always found the time to help. Offered review sessions. Many students chose not to go to them and complained about doing poorly instead. Very easy class if you pay attention. Curves test grades. I found this class to be very easy
sharp Indian accent and hard to understand, but test are same points as homework and she is always willing to help.
She's a really nice person and willing to help you whenever necessary, but she is VERY difficult to understand. She doesn't explain things well.
If you already took physics in highschool and know what you're doing, her class will be easy enough. Just do the homework and brush up for tests. You can get by with paying minimal attention in class. If you haven't taken physics or suck at it- do not take her! She will confuse the heck out of you.
Excellent professor. I found her lessons to be clear and easily comprehensible; I barely needed to read the textbook because of it. She goes out of her way to assist if you are having trouble. Has accent, but easy to understand. Grade is well balanced between tests and other work. The class was a breeze, and I would highly recommend her.
Tharanga is such a nice lady and means well, however her class is extremely hard. If you have not taken physics do not take her. The wording on tests and quizzes is confusing and her tests are very hard. She's a nice lady but not a good teacher.
She was awful at teaching the concepts and gave homework material that we had never seen before. If you took AP physics in high school you will have no problem, but if you are like me and haven't seen a lot of this stuff before; you will be in trouble.
She didn't explain one concept clearly the entire semester. Exam grades normally end up around 50% as an AVERAGE.. Doesnt return exams, doesnt prepare you for them either. Her tests consist of NOTHING you have seen before (hw, groupwork, etc). She is the professor everyone doesnt want to get stuck with DO NOT TAKE!
I just finished PHY206 with Dr K and it went well. Tough class. But she was very considerate and helpful. She wants you to do well. She would go out of her way to help you. Dr K. is a great teacher, very patient. TAKE HER CLASS ! I would definitely take her again.
She's a terrible teacher, NEVER take her class. She expects that her class is your only class and teaches to non science majors as if they were! She gets really confused and gives the same problems with different answers. She gets defensive when you as questions- and her English is very unclear. She's a bad teacher and a bad person!
This class was very difficult-DON'T TAKE. I hadn't any previous knowledge of physics and it was impossible for me. She moves at a rapid pace and doesn't explain things well. She is a nice person and wants to help, but she is just very bad at explaining things. If you have a background of physics you will probably do decently well,if not-good luck.
Tharanga is literally the worst professor I have ever had. The fact that the physics department still has her teaching is an abomination. She puts little effort into the class and takes roughly 2 weeks to grade ANY assignments including tests. She teaches simple concepts in class and expects you to know things you've never seen before on hw & tests
Tharanga is honestly the sweetest lady ever but so scattered. Takes forever to get tests back, she teaches right off powerpoints and doesnt really explain much. You have to teach yourself but the material isnt super hard and her tests are pretty much the same as the review problems. Genuinely wants everyone to do well, will give bonus group quizzes
Definitely would not recommend.Such a nice lady, but not a good class.Supposed to be for non-sci majors, but it was much too advanced.Tests very hard, and questions unclear.I had previous physics knowledge, but still struggled.We often corrected her answers and grading.As hard as I tried, I could not seem to do well.
A very nice lady. Wants to help, but frankly can't. Easy class but she makes it impossible. She is unorganized and unclear on just about everything. Has easy pre-tests and then the tests are the opposite
Seriously hardest science class of my life. she is the nicest lady but her accent is really hard to understand and she teaches like we all already know the material. going to the tutoring sessions is a must and you really need to read the chapters in the book. her tests and quizes are really hard a no one does well! good luck if you are taking her
She made no sense, I'm retaking at a different school and the teacher is so much more clear. Avoid her at all costs.
This class was easy as long as you put in any effort. Her exams were fair, and usually she gives a 15% curve before you even take the exam. Although she isn't always clear in the lectures, her out of class help is very helpful.
Has a lot of homework but will grade them very easy! Quizzes are usually open note/book or with partners. Exam questions are not difficult but makes you think. As long as you do the homework and take notes you should get a good grade!
Dr K was willing to answer questions but does not do your work for you. She is very passionate about her teaching and is helpful outside of class. Difficult course to study but upon further study of material and homework, the concepts does become very clear. Tests can be hard but they are graded pretty fairly.
A very nice professor. She is wiling to do her best to help. Sometimes she can be unclear. Her quizzes are open note or with a partner. Her tests can be a little bit challenging, yet she usually gives a 15% curve after each exam.
From Spring 2014 PHY206: - Prof. Kariyawasam taught at relatively high level. - She is enthusiastic, but she could teach the material in simpler terms. - The tests are not bad. Overall: Having her for a prof. isn't bad, but it may take some time to understand the lectures and the notes you take to do homework.
I had Prof Tharanga last semester. Hard tests, hard homework. The saving grace of the class was the posted online homework she did was extremely helpful for the tests. Not consistent for office hours, she was really helpful if you went in as a group or she had more than one person to talk too and you could listen in for office hours.
I took physics in high school so I knew all of the material coming in. I rarely pay attention and still have a good great. Her tests are easy but she explains things in a complicated way. If you know what you are doing take her because you can easily get over 100% of the test but dont expect to learn much.
She is really nice and will get to know you even in a big class. She is funny, and if you do the study guides before the test you will do fine. The questions on the test are the same if not similar to the ones on the tests. She drops one test.
She's a great teacher and her lectures, although long at times, are clear. Although some people say she's hard to understand at times, I never had an issue. She is very funny and will actually get to know you in a large class setting, which was nice to see. I'd take her class again for sure. Go to the review sessions and ask questions as well
She is very disorganized and sometimes she lectures us how University student should be which can be very boring to hear. She spends 10 mins giving students the homework back and then rush toward the material. She is kind though and i feel she is very knowledgable and can be better.
She is easy to understand. Toward the end of the semester she began to give unannounced quizzes during the optional review sessions. Tests consist of a few problems to choose from and at least ten multiple choice.
She never answers emails. Excruciatingly boring lectures (even though I find physics interesting). Gives note sheets for each chapter: sort of helpful if you pay attention each class. Tests aren't terrible except for the final which was unreasonably hard. Considering huge class, she's very good with names. She's cutenice, but I don't recommend.
Dr. K is a nice lady but often gets confused when she lectures leading to clarity issues for students. Lots of dates get changed around because she runs out of time and sometimes has to skip sections of chapters. Quizzes were easy and she gives group quizzes as well, but exams were pretty killer. If you're good at physics, take her. If not, don't
Amazing professor, easy grader in quizzes and average grader in tests. I would reccomend her.
She has a thick Idinan accent, which can be hard to understand at times but usually you can understand her. During lectures, she gets frustrated at students if they don't nod their heads whenever she teaches because she thinks we don't understand, which gets annoying because she constantly asks for responses. The class is easy if you pay attention.
Very confusing, and at times hard to understand. There is no sort of schedule at all to her class, due dates are changed around on a daily basis. Homework is relatively easy but come test time the questions are VASTLY different. She is a very conceptual professor, you really need to know the physics, you can't just plug-and-chug with equations.
Professor Kariyawasam's lectures were overcomplicated. She spent more time proving the equation rather than teaching you how to solve problems. she does give extra credit and most of her quizzes are group quizzes, but be ready to read the book because her lectures are dull and confusing.
Very enthusiastic, but not that great at teaching. Usually derives formulas on the board and does a few example problems that are easy, but when you get to the homework, it's 1-100, hard. It was pretty easy for me to understand her accent. Asks questions and expects you to nod as if you get it. If not, she calls on you. Quizzes are group quizzes.
Horrible lectues, spends too much time deriving equations that make absolutely no sense to someone that has never taken a physics class before. Also requires you go to class she takes attendance every day, if you skip more than 3 huge subtraction in your final grade. If you want to learn anything in physics this professor is not the one to take.
Do not take this course unless you are a physics major. She expects you to have a lot of previous knowledge before the exam and goes over a lot of material in a short period of time (3 chapters in a week). If you are very good at physics this is the teacher for you. The tests had an unrealistic amount of questions to answer.
I strongly dislike math so this class was not an easy A. To be honest, I chegged every homework, she let us take home our quizzes, and drop our lowest test grade. For 201 I was at a high C+ and she raised met to a B- and for 202 I got a B. Thats all I needed and didn't put much effort into this class, she's very nice but hard to understand.
very very unorganized. is not very good at teaching physics material in a way that is easily understood. test questions, homework questions, and questions done in class do not correlate. she gives extra credit and wants you to get a good grade though. if you are good at teaching yourself you will do good but if not I don't suggest taking her.
She's a very good teacher. She gives a lot of extra credit opportunity for each test, you get to drop your lowest quiz and test, and she cares about how you are doing in the class. She does give a lot of homework and quizzes but most of them are group exercises. If I had to take her class again I would.
In a word, this teacher is dung-water. All she will do is spend the entire class deriving equations using integrals that are completely irrelevant, unhelpful and confusing. When you ask questions on the homework or quizzes she gives very bad answers and it seems like she often doesn't know how to solve the problems she gives to you. Run away
An extremely good class if you all you want to do is pass. However, if you want to learn, you're going to have to do that in your own time. Her accent is hard to comprehend, she doesn't explain very well, and she just reads the slides. But if you study for the tests you'll have no problem, because everything else is take home.
Went to her office hours constantly only leaving more confused than before. Held on to a B for the entire semester until the final exam. Did lots of practice for the exam. Didn't help one bit. The final exam ended up dropping my grade by 10 total points. Talked to her about it and she did not care. Overall, very hard to understand and NOT good!!!!!
If you're not good at Physics like me this class is all you need. You do understand what she's teaching if you focus in class plus she is an easy grader. Be prepared for a lot of home work and quizzes though but they are really easy.
She has good days where she is very helpful and accommodating but for the most part it is just sitting through lectures (PowerPoint presentations copy and pasted from the textbook). She isn't very skilled at conveying conceptual ideas and would talk to my friend about her testing accommodations in the middle of class, which probably violates hipaa.
Professor Kariyawasam is not meant to be a professor. Her lectures are straight from her physics textbook, and rarely teaches outside of it. Also, half the time she will just face the screen or projection and mumble on for a long time. This is the worst class I have taken here so far. Do NOT take Prof. Kariyawasam
Dr. K is one of the absolute worst teachers I have ever taken. It is surprising that she still has a job here. She takes notes directly from the textbook and pastes them on slides and mumbles them to the class. She is unclear in her explanations and lectures on how to solve problems. I was consistently left more confused than when I started.
She is very unorganized and unclear with her instructions. Additionally, she is hard to reach out to for help and does not seem to grasp the concept of a question as she usually just repeats what she said instead of explaining it differently. She is also very unprofessional, as she was eating beans during one of our online classes.
First off I want to say that she is very smart and she knows what shes talking about very much so. However, this is not reflected at all in her teaching. She fails to communicate very often, does take-home quizzes that are due 3 hours after class, and when asked for help she replies do better on tests. Do NOT pick her for physics if you are busy
do not take unless you have taken ap physics in high school and have a solid understanding. great person not my favorite teacher. wants students to succeed but its impossible to succeed. tests are impossible. the hardest i have ever worked for a C.....
Kariyawasam is a genuinely nice professor, who cares about her students success and will help them individually. Her lectures however are hard to follow and do come directly from the textbook, just with less information. To get a good grade you MUST read the textbook before lecture so you understand what she's covering. Also go to SI it's great.
I have no doubt that Professor Kariyawasam is a wonderful person, however her class was a major struggle. Often times, after sitting through a lecture, I would be left more confused than when I started. I just ended up reading the lecture notes myself. SI sessions are an absolute requirement though. She will give extra credit for attending SI.
Professor K is a nice person at heart, but she bases her lectures on expecting you to understand. Very fast, doesn't explain things thoroughly. Gained an easier understanding on content by going to SI, which also gets you extra credit. Strong accent and difficult to read writing on the board.
Lectures were hard to follow, and although she had a microphone, she wouldn't use it. Makes it hard for students in the back to understand. She seems often busy, and hard to reach out for if you need help. Be sure you go to SI sessions, or you will not understand the material at all.
You really had to put in a lot of effort to be successful in this class. She is VERY inconsistent in grading. Makes little time for students. I had to talk to her multiple times about errors in the gradebook as she does not respond to emails. All test/ quiz/ homework problems are directly from the textbook, so tests and quizzes are straightforward.
Do not expect to do well unless you have already taken the class or can teach yourself the subject. Matt is the only reason we knew what was going on.
BRO she doesnt even make sense she doesnt know what she is doing at all she will literally ask the class whats going on. havent learned anything really struggling.
Physics is a hard class and SI sessions are crucial. She takes her dogs out when you go to her office hours and really cares about her students. True story. She talked about how much she cares about our success. Sometimes her lectures are confusing, but you just have to put in the work outside of class. Decent professor would take again.
Shes a decent professor. She cares about her student's success but sometimes struggles grading things on time. She gives group quizzes and Tests are pretty easy as long as you prepare. SI sessions are a must and gives you extra credit for them also gives extra credit for not missing class. As long as you practice outside of class you youll be good.
Worst professor that I have had at the University of Dayton. The physics department should be ashamed of themselves that they have her doing lectures. It is very obvious that she is just there for her research and could care less about teaching. If you think you can teach yourself and still have free time, think again. This class consumed my time.
This professor taught off the slideshow, attendance was mandatory and tests were difficult
Kariyawasam is a nice person, however her lectures are boring and hard to follow. There are group quizzes every week which are not easy. The tests are equally difficult and they are solo. Thankfully, she offers 1% EC on the test for each SI session you go to which is the only reason my grade remained an A-.
She makes the course way harder and almost impossible to learn. I was drowning under the loads of homework(graded), weekly quizzes and tests that she made very hard to study for. Every person I knew in her class had a low grade and had no idea how to do it. She seemed to fail to realize that students had more to work on than her class.
I could not get a break with this teacher. It is constant work almost every day, and the quizzes are challenging.
Worst teacher I ever had I never want her again she is the sole purpose of why my semester was so hard.
you have to teach yourself
Prof. Kariyawasam genuinely cares about her students and is a sweet person, but she is one of those professors who is too smart to teach a beginner level and doesn't understand why the class is struggling. Reads off slides and grades harshly (taking off many points for small mistakes). Gives LOTs of extra credit and is available when you need help.
It's obvious she's very knowledgeable about physics, however her lectures are just copied from the textbook, and she doesn't explain things very well. Go to the SI sessions, she gives extra credit on tests for every one you go to. Overall, however, I'd just avoid if you can.
She can't teach anything. If you never had a strong basis of physics avoid this class. She'll go over problems on the board without explaining them. However she gives lots of benefits with grades. If she sees a class did poorly on a quiz she'll take off a question. She gives extra credit with SI sessions and attendance. She's caring but can't teach
Easy class, bad professor. You most likely won't learn anything in class because she is too hard to understand and goes too fast. She gets upset easily and honestly shouldn't be a professor. I honestly feel like I did the minimum in this class but still had to teach myself mostly everything. Happy with an A- because I expected worse.
WOULD NOT RECOMMEND. Lectures are heavy, and exams are unreasonable in terms of time and question load. You have to either attend SI sessions or teach yourself to pass this course well. Professor K is absolutely abominable at replying to emails, I reiterate... ABOMINABLE. If you want a response you must approach her in person. Avoid at all cost.
unbelievable how any quizzes and tests there are in this class, cant go 2 classes without some form of exam and the homework took forever too. sucks at lecture I cant believe she still has this job.
Physics can be tough, but Professor K really cares about student success. Lectures can be confusing, but attending SI sessions and using unstuck study for study prep made all the difference. With effort, the class is manageable.
If you understand gibberish shes perfect for you. She actually teaches you nothing and doesn't help you outside of class. Everyone looks around during tests confused and lost. if you wanna enjoy college dont take this class.
I had her for Physics 206 and she was horrible. We had Si sessions which made up for it kinda because everytime you go to one you get an extra point on your exam and you get points for attendance. If you haven't taken physics before college do not take her because she moves so fast and does not care about the students who are behind.
Please never take this class worst professor possibly imaginable. Can't speak actual English if you can't teach yourself good luck. Actual so stupid Shes even allowed to teach pls don't take.
She is extremely nice and caring but her teaching style is very difficult to follow. I had her for lab and she graded very tough and didn't give much room for error. She does mean well but as I said is very hard to follow as the year goes on.
Took her for SCI190 Lab. Genuinely so confusing and not helpful. I would ask questions during labs and she would barely help or know how to help. I relied on my TA the whole semester. Whole grade is prelabs and labs. Attendence required or else you have to make up labs on your own. Do NOT take her.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
91%
Textbook Required
46%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-1.18 avg changeRatings by Course
SC101E
3.5
(2)SCI118
3.0
(1)PHYS109
3.0
(2)206
2.7
(3)PHY201
2.6
(18)Difficulty by Course
SCI109
5.0
206
4.0
SCI190
3.8
PHY206
3.7
PHYS109
3.5