Stephen Garoff
- School: Carnegie Mellon University
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
- Department: Physics
Number of ratings 16 Submit a correction
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Phys111
The class was not easy, but Dr. Garoff was very willing to explain things to try to help me understand what was going on.
33111F
Dr. Garoff may very well be a good physicist, but he is not a very good teacher. His explanations do not clear up misunderstandings, and often cause students to be even more confused. He often gives the impression that he doesn't really know what he's talking about but would rather make up an answer or obfuscate the issue than admit to not knowing.
PHYS111
Difficult class, requires a lot of effort. All classes are mandatory and constant test, quiz, hw, etc. Had a hw and reading due, online assignment, and quiz in class all on the same day. Not abnormal.
PHYS111
He is earnest in teaching, but earnesty is not equivalent to imparting actual physics knowledge. He has passion for physics, but his explanations are not very straightforward, and at times, confusing. I didn't have much of a physics foundation, so this class was hard. If you had a good physics teacher in high school, this class might be easier.
PSS111
He means well, I think.....But he is probably much better suited doing research somewhere, not trying to teach freshman physics. If you have credit, or can place out, DO IT. He posts old exams online, but they don't reflect the actual exams. His class is painfully boring, and unnecessarily difficult. Maybe do something besides show powerpoints?
PH111
Hope that you have a good TA for Physics 1, since you will learn everything in recitation. As for lectures, showing the solution to a problem on Powerpoint slides is not teaching physics. Neither is vaguely explaining concepts without making the connection between the math and the physics.
Physics I
This was a fairly difficult class, but it wasn't nearly as bad as Physics II with Swendsen. I didn't mind it too much.
33-340
Tries very hard and is quite approachable, although the intensity with which he approaches the material could be viewed as a negative quality if the student was not interested.
Phys. for
Sci
Reaallly hard class in general. He doesn't really explain well though. Good intentions, but hes sort of difficult to talk to. Kind of awkward in terms of communicating. Seems like a nice guy though.
33-111
Very difficult class. Garoff tries hard, but is not successful in explaining the material.
33111
Teacher does not explain everything that well, however recitation is very useful. Overall material of the course is difficult, hence the teacher will get a bad rating in most cases.
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