Sam Matteson
- School: University of North Texas
- Location: Denton, TX
- Department: Physics
- 2.8Overall Quality
- 2.8Helpfulness
- 2.8Clarity
- 2.7Easiness
Number of ratings 32 Submit a correction
IMPORTANT: Before your requested correction is reflected on the site, your request will need to be verified and approved by the RMP Site Moderation Team.
Professor Tools
Get 
PHYS 1251
I would never recommend taking this class from Professor Matteson! I absolutely love physics, yet this class was anything but. I cannot stress enough how terribly instructed the class was, and how VERY confusing the syllabus, lectures, notes, and online material was. I sent several emails and he never replied.
PHYS1270
Lectures are very unclear if you're not music or physics savvy. Referring to the powerpoints is useless because the examples provided are unclear and they are very wordy. Hard to study for this class. Very nice guy and tries to keep the class interesting with videos and demos everyday. Don't recommend if you don't music or physics well.
phys1710
Don't recommend. Lectures are useless, tests you over stuff he hasn't taught. He then admits that he forgot to teach you how to do the first question on the test but says you should know it anyways. Works problems like he is speaking to himself and not to a student.
phys1270
he is so unclear in his lectures, he expects everyone to be a music major and a physics genius. Extra credit is given for attending the lectures and the lab is easy enough, but super boring. i definitely don't recommend this teacher.
phys1111
Class could be boring at times, but for the most part, the tests were easy as was the lab section that went with this course.
Phys1270
He's terrible. doesnt post anything. the class is a waste of time. It's easy. don't learn anything from lectures. practice tests are basically the tests. He's been doing the same stuff for 3 years, and is getting no better. He needs to step his teaching game up, he's very forgetful to.
PHYS1710
Dr. Matteson is a really fun guy and I've always thought that he looks a little like and acts a little like Robin Williams. However, when it comes to learning physics from him, don't count your chickens before they hatch. You will not learn anything from his lectures unless you are already a physics genius before taking basic physics.
PHYS1270
Awesome teacher, will go out of his way to help you succeed. Loves physics & is easy to approach-- will answer questions intelligently but without making you feel dumb. Save yourself grief and read the textbook, he WILL put questions from it on the final.
Phys1250
Does not grade projects and exams during time he says he will. Group projects are impossible to conduct because no one wants to get together to work on them. Labs are a waste of time.
PHYS1270
You will pass if you do the projects, go to the lab, and come to class every time. Attendance is extra credit and that's why I passed. I made Cs on all the tests and almost failed the final, but I still made a B because of the projects, labs, and attendance.
PHYS1270
Matteson is not too bad. He is passionate about the subject but the material can get kind of advanced at some times without any in depth explanation for the student's understanding. The weekly labs are pointless and a pain. Go to the review sessions! The TA's will tell you what will/won't be on the exams and you can get your questions answered.
PHYS1270
Sometimes he does go a bit fast, but it's always smart to print off the "skeleton notes" that he has online. They are VERY useful in understand what is talked about daily. Attend the review sessions by the TA, very helpful. Attendance is not mandatory, but recommended...it's work half a WHOLE letter grade of final grade.
SCIT1251
Took Physics of Musical Sound with Dr. Matteson to fulfill my physical science requirements. Like the comments suggest he does mumble and go off course occasionally which can make it hard to understand what hes' saying, but he more than makes up for it by the clearcut directions and helpful notes he puts on blackboard. He's also funny and very nice
PHYS1270
Seems like he'd be great in a small class, but I have him for lecture and it's pretty dreadful. He knows his stuff but gets pretty off-topic. Seems like he's a researcher first and a teacher second, but once again, he seems like he'd be great in a small class.
PHYS1270
Very passionate about students learning - not just phys class but in general. Lots of demos; jokes are 'groaners' but you have to laugh. Extremely brilliant guy & really knows his stuff - may have hard time relating to those who don't speak phys. Wants students to excell outside of school. Extra credit for attendance.
phys1270
did not like this class but got a B. attendance is extra credit. just do the simple projects, go to class, and you'll be shocked by your ending grade. didn't like the teacher and hated listening to him. just do your assignments and go to labs and you'll be fine.
PHYS1251
I used to tech his lectures. I LOVE hearing about physics of sound, but not from this butt-hole. He may be an okay teacher, but he tends to be quite condescending. If/when I do take the class, I wouldn't take this guy unless there was no one better.
PHYS1270
Matteson is probably the most passionate teacher i have ever had. He puts a tremendous amount of work into his lecture and executes very well. He strives to be liked by his students and does a good job. He uses live demonstrations and youtube videos nearly every class period. You get bonus points for attending class.
PHYSACOU
while i can understand people giving prof. matteson a hard time for his "lack of clarity", it's simply because they are slow. he is a little bit scattered but this man knows his stuff. he has tons of energy and puts up a vivacious lecture every time, complete with full on demonstration. i've learned so much about music from this man. one of my favs
PHYS1251
Very unorganized. He posted test review less than 24hrs before exam. He had some cool class demonstrations. The book was useless. The test review had errors, so that wasn't really helpful. He gave extra credit for coming to class. He also passed out candy canes to eat while taking a final, ok? The labs were really easy!!
physaco
Dr. M is a nice guy. He is very unorganized, but he loves the subject matter. VERY easy grader. I didn't do anything and have an A in the class. Just meet with your learning group three times, go to class on test days, and you will be fine. Print off test reviews from website... They are VERY helpful
Phys1271
Poorly organized. Material was all there and rather straight forward, however he was always late posting stuff (review for the final was posted less than 72 hours prior to the exam, group project grades from september went unposted through the entire class). Class is rather easy if you study lecture notes, plus he gives extra credit for attendance.
Elec Physi
c
Matt-7-son is an average professor, expect to do work in his class. He might be a better alternative than Weathers, though.
PHYS 1710
His lectures stray a bit sometimes, but he is very helpful if you ask for help. Very nice man, but he sweats a lot, to the point that it was distracting. Tests are hard. STUDY.
Terms and Policy
Social
Copyright © 2013 RateMyProfessors.com, LLC.
Powered by mtvU and MTV
NETWORKS
