AI Rate Professor

Physics

Paul Houck

4B · 2B · PHYS2B · PHY2B · PHYS7A · PHYS4A · PHYS7B · PHYS2A · PHYS4C · 18 lifetime ratings

AI rating
39/100
RMP rating
2.8/5
Take again
42.11%
Difficulty
4.1

The decision

Take Houck if you already have a physics foundation and , but if you need structured grading and predictable test prep.

Best fit · Hardcore LearnerHard ExamsLate GradingLenient CorrectionsMixed LecturerPhysics Background Helps
  • as harder than lecture examples and often dominate the course experience.
  • Many students appreciate curves, corrections, , and flexibility, which can rescue grades.
  • Teaching feedback is highly mixed, with some strong praise but and .

Key questions

Four answers before you build your schedule.

Is this an easy A?

HardWork

42/100

An A is possible with , and , but students must study hard for difficult exams and uneven prep.

The one online review reports an A with effort, while and curves.

Is the course easy?

Challenging

26/100

The physics content and exams are challenging, especially for students without prior physics experience.

, while the single online review also calls the class fast and lecture heavy.

Is attendance flexible?

Recommended

58/100

Attendance is not always described as strict, but quizzes, labs, warm-ups, and .

In-person reviews provide most attendance evidence, while the online review .

Is this professor recommended?

Depends

45/100

Recommendations depend heavily on the student because some praise his support while and .

The one online review recommends him conditionally, while .

Course guide

See how this professor fits your week.

Grading

Fair

58/100

, and , but students still call exams hard and grading late or tough.

Format shift

In-person reviews strongly mention both leniency and , while the .

Workload

Heavy

25/100

Students report , and preparation demands in already difficult physics courses.

Format shift

In-person workload is repeatedly heavy, while the online review describes a fast summer pace with daily assignments.

Teaching experience

Average

45/100

Teaching is polarizing, with some clear and caring lectures but .

Format shift

The only online review is positive, but and often negative.

Assessment method

FocusOnExams

84/100

Reviews repeatedly mention midterms, finals, quizzes, exams, and as central to the grade.

Format shift

Both formats emphasize exams, with online evidence noting three exams and and finals.

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

18 reviews

High confidence · Best fit for Hardcore Learner

In-person reviews are mixed, with , and uneven , and flexibility.

Main concern

Students repeatedly report difficult exams and late or .

What students said

“Expect the .”
PHYS7A
“He was extremely late .”
PHYS7A
“ and ”
PHYS2B

Remote format

Online

1 reviews

Low confidence · Best fit for Hardcore Learner

The single online review is positive but limited, describing a fast lecture-heavy summer course with and three exams.

Main concern

Evidence is thin, and the course was fast and lecture heavy.

What students said

“Fast and lecture heavy class with 3 exams and .”
PHYS2B
“it really depends on the student.”
PHYS2B

Exam style

Know what to expect from exams and major assignments.

Exams are generally high-risk and harder than lecture prep, though , and some soften the impact.

Hard ExamsMultiple MidtermsTest CorrectionsNo Final In One Online SectionExam Corrections

Assessment risk

Strict

34/100

Low score means less forgiving assessment conditions.

In person

, a final in some sections, and correction opportunities, but do not clearly prove proctoring or open-book policies.

Hard ExamsFive MidtermsFinal ExamExam CorrectionsExtra Credit Corrections
“He gave 5 midterms and 1 final”
PHYS7A
“Expect the .”
PHYS7A
“Most of the questions in the warm-up and and more difficult than what he taught in the lecture.”
PHYS2A

Online

The one online review mentions three exams and , but does not clearly prove webcam, proctoring, Lockdown Browser, open-book, or closed-book policies.

Three ExamsNo Final
“Fast and lecture heavy class with 3 exams and .”
PHYS2B

Student evidence

See what students actually said.

Top student voice

“Expect the .”

Voice snapshots generated from 19 reviews, highlighting key themes in , and workload. Credibility rating: High.

🧪

34/100

“Expect the .”

🎯 Teaching Quality

45/100

“His lectures barely prep you for them.”

⚖️

58/100

“ and ”

Theme 1

🧪 About Exams

  • He gave 5 midterms and 1 final
  • , but not impossible and he grades leniently.
  • .

Theme 2

👨‍🏫 About Teaching Style

  • Lectures were well paced and descriptive - I never felt overwhelmed and used notes instead of the textbook.
  • The lectures consisted of doing two problems from the textbook.
  • his lecture is dry and not comprehensive.

Theme 3

⚖️ and Support

  • and corrections - an .
  • He was extremely late .
  • flexible with due dates, just be reasonable.

Data context

See exactly what the AI read.

Analysis sample

19

Recent reviews read by the AI

18

Lifetime ratings

87/100

Evidence confidence

The analysis uses 19 reviews across several years, but online evidence is limited to one review while and consistent.

Inside 19 stored ratings

Quality ratings

5 out of 56
4 out of 51
3 out of 53
2 out of 54
1 out of 55

Course coverage

PHYS2B4 reviews
PHYS7A4 reviews
PHY2B3 reviews
4B2 reviews
PHYS4A2 reviews
Show 4 more courses
2B1 review
PHYS2A1 review
PHYS4C1 review
PHYS7B1 review

Reported outcomes

A range results lead the reported letter grades.

13 reported outcomes

A range

6

A 6

B range

2

B 2

C range

2

C 1 · C- 1

D range

0

No reported values

F

0

No reported values

No letter grade reported

3

Not sure yet 3