Professor Ratings & Grade Distribution Data for Joseph Slawny

Joseph Slawny

Professor (2000 – 2012)
Virginia Tech (VT)
Physics

Rate Professor

 

1.8758

Overall rating

Rated by 153 students

2.50

Avg GPA

across 2 classes

Spring 2012 Schedule

No classes for this semester.

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Most Helpful Favorable Professor Review

Most Helpful Critical Professor Review

4

PHYS 2306 - Foundations of Physics I

Take Slawny's class. Don't think he's a good teacher. He's not. You won't learn very well from him, but you'll probably get a decent grade with minimal effort. I had Slawny first semester and then switched for second semester....
Read the full review >

Take Slawny's class. Don't think he's a good teacher. He's not. You won't learn very well from him, but you'll probably get a decent grade with minimal effort. I had Slawny first semester and then switched for second semester. The teacher was no better, but the grading was much harsher. Slawny's test are incredibly hard, but he curves grades like a champion. I'm talking a 40 curved to an 80. Physics is one of those terrible courses that you just have to get over with. I say go with Slawny for the grade, and screw learning the material.

Professor rated by: Mathematics Student on 1/17/09

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

+6 Helpful

2

PHYS 2306 - Foundations of Physics I

What a mess Slawny is. He is almost not understandable, and calls his class "a supplement to what you should be teaching yourself out of class." Not exactly what I was looking for. His tests are often curved over 40% because few are able to r...
Read the full review >

What a mess Slawny is. He is almost not understandable, and calls his class "a supplement to what you should be teaching yourself out of class." Not exactly what I was looking for. His tests are often curved over 40% because few are able to really comprehend his material, or the way he explains it. Find someone else. Anyone.

Professor rated by: Engineering Student on 12/8/08

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

+3 Helpful

Student Ratings 1 - 20 of 153

 

PHYS 2306

Foundations of Physics I

4

Take Slawny's class. Don't think he's a good teacher. He's not. You won't learn very well from him, but you'll probably get a decent grade with minimal effort. I had Slawny first semester and then switched for second semester. The teacher was no better, but the grading was much harsher. Slawny's test are incredibly hard, but he curves grades like a champion. I'm talking a 40 curved to an 80. Physics is one of those terrible courses that you just have to get over with. I say go with Slawny for the grade, and screw learning the material.

Professor rated by: Mathematics Student on January 17, 2009

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

 

 

PHYS 2306

Foundations of Physics I

2

What a mess Slawny is. He is almost not understandable, and calls his class "a supplement to what you should be teaching yourself out of class." Not exactly what I was looking for. His tests are often curved over 40% because few are able to really comprehend his material, or the way he explains it. Find someone else. Anyone.

Professor rated by: Engineering Student on December 8, 2008

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

 

 

PHYS 2306

Foundations of Physics I

3

invest in some KY. his test bend you over like no other. but slawny justifies this: "It would defeat the purpose of the test, if i were to prepare you for it".....

Professor rated by: Mechanical Engineering Student on December 11, 2008

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

 

 

PHYS 2306

Foundations of Physics I

2

Slawny...hes a funny guy. in a strange way. if you actually go to class (which..even though i did..theres honestly little benefit in doing..besides the clicker questions) and actually listen (and understand...which takes a couple days) to what he says.. um do well in lab and on the homework. try your best on his tests.. but dont worry too much when you get an 8/16.. because odds are everyone else did the about the same (or worse) and he'll curve it. dont put your feet on the backs of the chairs either.

Professor rated by: University Course Series Student on February 25, 2009

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

 

 

PHYS 2306

Foundations of Physics I

4

Slawny stresses the book, meaning if your in his class, do the reading for the day because he gives iclicker questions on the material for extra credit. Its also how he does attendance, so make sure you at least try a guess on all of the questions. The recitations give good examples, but the TAs are questionable for their attitude. Probably the best 2306 teacher, unless Chang starts teaching it

Professor rated by: Mechanical Engineering Student on November 30, 2009

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

 

 

PHYS 2306

Foundations of Physics I

3

The only reason to go to class is for the iclicker attendance quizzes. Learn from your TA in recitation and do the mastering physics. This is an easy class to sail thru and get a C. All the tests are t-scored so if you do just as poorly as everyone else you'll all get the same grade.

Professor rated by: Mechanical Engineering Student on November 4, 2008

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

 

 

PHYS 2306

Foundations of Physics I

2

You will NEVER understand what he is trying to say. The only way to pass the class is due to T-score and the fact that most of the questions come from Mastering Physics. Study the homework and make really good formula sheets for the test because they will benefit you in the long run.

Professor rated by: Civil and Environmental Engineering Student on September 17, 2008

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

 

 

PHYS 2305

Foundations of Physics I

2

Well heres the deal, the guy is very hard to understand, he has a thick polish accent I believe. If you have never had any AP physics experience, avoid this class at all times. If you had AP Physics you can read the book and not go to class and do ok because he weights hw 20% so if you do well on that your good. If your good at self teaching yourself and getting help when needed this will work for you because he is better in his office. Class is worthless. No one goes to it. I would recommend chang, but also Chang teaches way slower and doesn't cover all material, and you can be way behind in 2306. So if I were you I would take change and keep up on the reading in Slawny's class.

Professor rated by: Mechanical Engineering Student on February 15, 2007

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

 

 

PHYS 2305

Foundations of Physics I

2

Pros: The only good thing about Slawny is that HW is 18% of the final grade and he averages about a 30 point curve.

Cons: Slawny is terrible! He is impossible to understand. He says his class in a supplement to the book readings. Also prepare to get more than frustrate on his tests, or just leaving them feeling dumber.

If you don't want to learn the material and get an easy B- or C+ go for Slawny. But i would suggested Chang. All i hear is good things about him.

Professor rated by: Building Construction Student on April 22, 2010

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

 

 

PHYS 2305

Foundations of Physics I

1

Pros: Grades are curved a SHIT TON

Cons: You can't understand one word he says. He doesn't prepare for class. He's not very helpful. He doesn't teach.

I rarely went to class, never studied, and feel like I know absolutely nothing about physics. I failed each exam miserably, but they are curved so much that I got a B in his class. If you are like me and want to do absolutely nothing and get a decent grade, take his class.

Professor rated by: Chemical Engineering Student on May 6, 2010

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

 

 

PHYS 2306

Foundations of Physics I

3

He is a horrible lecturer who expects the students to have read the whole chapter beforehand and understand all the derivations he makes on the board. He is very confusing because he's old and polish so he is difficult to understand. Sometimes he doesn't make sense because he asks for questions, but if you ask one then he shuts you down if it isn't the question he wanted to hear.

Professor rated by: Mechanical Engineering Student on December 7, 2008

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

 

 

PHYS 2305

Foundations of Physics I

2

You cant understand a word this guy says, which makes it impossible to teach physics. sooo you basically have to teach yourself the material which sucks. tests arent as bad at Changs though, he just covers shitload of material. He uses a bell curve sytem for tests which i think is shit but depending on how you do, you can get a 30 % curve

Professor rated by: Aerospace and Ocean Engineering Student on April 6, 2009

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

 

 

PHYS 2305

Foundations of Physics I

3

Professor Slawny is a great tecaher his problem is his accent. When he talks he sometimes has trouble translating into English and he studders or says uhhhh until he figures out how to say it. If you want to do well in his class you need to read the book and his notes before hand so you can hear and understand the words he is using

Professor rated by: Aerospace and Ocean Engineering Student on February 5, 2009

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

 

 

PHYS 2306

Foundations of Physics I

2

nothing he says really makes sense. He knows what he is talking about but his accent is really hard to understand. I heard he wasnt that bad for first semester physics but dont get him second semester because nothing makes sense. i got an A in the first semester and am only passing his class because of the t score adn the homework.

Professor rated by: Industrial and Systems Engineering Student on October 27, 2008

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

 

 

PHYS 2306

Foundations of Physics I

1

Upon entering class slawny will make a gentleman's agreement with you stating that you will be hopelessly lost in his eastern european hell for the rest of the semester. If you have him, don't bother going to class, sit down and do mastering physics with friends in the class, and pray to god when test time comes.

Professor rated by: Mechanical Engineering Student on October 11, 2007

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

 

 

PHYS 2305

Foundations of Physics I

3

A very knowledgable prof, however he can be difficult to understand. HW can be difficult but he has a tendency to work problems and give plenty of help. Tests are medium difficulty, T score is helpful (mostly). Not as bad as people make him sounds. Good guy overall.

Professor rated by: Mechanical Engineering Student on July 21, 2008

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

 

 

PHYS 2306

Foundations of Physics I

3

All of the physics 2306 programs are horrible. Slawny curves on the tests and at the end of the year. His quizzes are usually easy. Read the book. Tests are impossible, so become good at guessing better than your classmates. Mastering Physics is hard.

Professor rated by: Industrial and Systems Engineering Student on February 5, 2008

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

 

 

PHYS 2306

Foundations of Physics I

2

He probably knows his stuff, but can't communicate it well. If you want to learn physics, don't get him. If you just wanna breeze by w/ a C, get him (it's so easy to get a C). If you want the A, haha good luck with that.

Professor rated by: Industrial and Systems Engineering Student on January 31, 2008

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

 

 

PHYS 2306

Foundations of Physics I

2

The accent is really difficult. That combined with the difficulty of the course makes Slawny's Phys 2306 very tough. That being siad, Dr. Slawny clearly knows his stuff and can answer any question you might have.

Professor rated by: Chemical Engineering Student on October 23, 2008

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

 

 

PHYS 2305

Foundations of Physics I

3

Slawny is actually a pretty funny guy, when you get past the accent. its really, really hard to pay attention in his class, so expect to learn most of the material while doing the homework

Professor rated by: Mechanical Engineering Student on May 4, 2008

Helpful Rating?

YES

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