AI Rate Professor

Physics

Michael Ragsdale

ASTRO10 · PHYS4A · NATSCI1A · PHYSC11 · PHYS2A · PHYSSCI11 · PHY4B · 33 lifetime ratings

AI rating
83/100
RMP rating
4.0/5
Take again
77.14%
Difficulty
3.1

The decision

Take him for astronomy or introductory science, but be cautious in higher-level physics unless .

Best fit · Effort For RewardFunny and engaging lecturesCaring and approachableEasy astronomy classesTough upper-level physicsExam-heavy grading
  • Astronomy and physical science reviews are highly positive, with , and engaging lectures.
  • Upper-level physics reviews are sharply mixed, with , and poor alignment between lectures and tests.
  • , and use study guides usually report a fair path to a good grade.

Key questions

Four answers before you build your schedule.

Is this an easy A?

FairEffort

70/100

Intro astronomy can be an easy A with attendance and study guides, but physics grades require real work and .

because there are no online reviews.

Is the course easy?

Beginner

68/100

Astronomy and intro science are often described as easy to understand, while physics is conceptually harder and faster paced.

Only in-person evidence is available, with easier reports concentrated in Astro-10 and harder reports in PHYS4A and PHY4B.

Is attendance flexible?

Recommended

62/100

, but students repeatedly say showing up, taking notes, and attending labs or quizzes matters for success.

; no online attendance evidence exists.

Is this professor recommended?

WorthIt

78/100

, but several physics students strongly warn against taking him.

Recommendation evidence is entirely in person, with strong course-level differences between astronomy and physics.

Course guide

See how this professor fits your week.

Grading

Fair

60/100

, and extra credit to harsh exam-heavy physics systems.

Format shift

, and the leniency depends heavily on course level.

Workload

Moderate

55/100

Astronomy work is manageable, but physics reviews mention lots of , and weekly exams.

Format shift

All workload evidence is in person, with heavier reports coming mainly from physics.

Teaching experience

Good

80/100

Most students describe him as , and passionate, though several physics reviews call him confusing or dismissive.

Format shift

Only in-person teaching evidence exists, and it is much stronger in astronomy and introductory courses.

Assessment method

FocusOnExams

78/100

Students frequently mention tests, quizzes, finals, study guides, and .

Format shift

; no online assessment evidence exists.

Luni fit check

Weigh these signals against your actual schedule.

Get help balancing workload, grading, and timing when no option is an obvious fit.

Course format

Compare the in-person and online experience.

Classroom format

In person

35 reviews

High confidence · Best fit for Effort For Reward

astronomy and intro science, but a much tougher and more polarizing experience in physics.

Main concern

Upper-level physics students report and .

What students said

“The and simple, his study guides do help a lot!”
Astro-10
“His lectures are NOTHING like the ”
PHYS4A
“The , but work hard and you should be fine.”
PHYS2A

Remote format

Online

0 reviews

Low confidence

No stored summary is available for this format.

Main concern

No main concern is stored for this format.

Exam style

Know what to expect from exams and major assignments.

Exam policies vary by course, with some student-friendly study guides or formula sheets but also strict closed-resource and .

Study GuidesWeekly ExamsNo Notes Or Textbook In Some TestsFormula Sheet In Some ExamsCurved Tests

Assessment risk

Standard

57/100

Low score means less forgiving assessment conditions.

In person

guides, physics weekly exams, and at least one test policy with no notes or textbooks.

Study GuidesWeekly ExamsNo Notes Or TextbookFormula Sheet AllowedCurved Tests
“The and simple, his study guides do help a lot!”
Astro-10
“there is no using notes or textbooks during the test.”
Astro-10
“he also let's you bring a sheet of all the formulas into the exam.”
PHYS2A

Online

Student evidence

See what students actually said.

Top student voice

“ easiest class I have ever taken and I retained a lot of what I learned in this class.”

Voice snapshots generated from 35 , and course-level differences. Credibility rating: High.

🎯 Teaching Quality

80/100

“Ragsdale's lectures were always fascinating and I was always interested.”

⚖️ Course Split

68/100

“His lectures are NOTHING like the ”

👍 Recommendation Value

78/100

“ and keep all of your exams for review, and do the !”

Theme 1

👨‍🏫 About Teaching Style

  • He explained things to be very easy to understand.
  • He makes Friday Labs fun, all of the and easy to keep up with lecture.
  • He tried to explain things in different ways to help you understand.

Theme 2

📈 About Difficulty And Grades

  • If I can pass with a C while seldom showing up, it's an easy A for anyone with .
  • .
  • The course is rigorous, but he breaks down the material in a very simple way.

Theme 3

🧪 About Exams

  • Do you love weekly exams with problems that were never mentioned before?
  • chances and he gives studyguides on every test.
  • The , but work hard and you should be fine.

Data context

See exactly what the AI read.

Analysis sample

35

Recent reviews read by the AI

33

Lifetime ratings

91/100

Evidence confidence

The analysis uses 35 detailed in-person reviews across many years and courses, with a .

Inside 35 stored ratings

Quality ratings

5 out of 525
4 out of 51
3 out of 52
2 out of 50
1 out of 57

Course coverage

Astro-109 reviews
PHYS2A9 reviews
PHYS4A6 reviews
PHYSC114 reviews
NATSCI1A3 reviews
Show 2 more courses
PHY4B3 reviews
PHYSSCI111 review

Reported outcomes

A range results lead the reported letter grades.

33 reported outcomes

A range

18

A+ 5 · A 11 · A- 2

B range

5

B+ 2 · B 3

C range

7

C+ 2 · C 5

D range

1

D 1

F

0

No reported values

No letter grade reported

2

Not sure yet 2