Andrew Debenedictis - Simon Fraser University

Professor: Andrew Debenedictis
Department: Physics
College: Simon Fraser University
Rating # 1
Overview:
  • Course: PHY101
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
He explains things very well and cares about whether we understand or not. His lecture notes are really nice as well and look like he put a lot of effort into them. One thing that might be a hit or miss depending on preference is that he sometimes teaches using symbols instead of numbers in his examples. Other than this, highly recommend this prof.
Rating # 2
Overview:
  • Course: PHYS102
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
I had Andrew for PHYS101 and was glad to see he was teaching 102 now. His online lectures include the neatest hand-written notes I've ever seen. He explains things very clearly, sometimes even a bit too much, but he just wants to make sure everyone is following along. I love the symbolic conceptual exams and not having to waste time on a calculator
Rating # 3
Overview:
  • Course: PHY101
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
I've always really struggled in Physics and was terrified of this class. Having Dr. Debenedictus made all the difference! He's an excellent lecturer that keeps things interesting but digestible. I really liked that he delves into the theoretical aspect of physics and leaves solutions symbolic - it stops the math from being a scary mess of numbers.
Rating # 4
Overview:
  • Course: PHYS101
  • Grade Received: B+
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Nice professor and easy to approach. I have always struggled with the theoretical side of physics, yet his notes were outstanding and in-depth. Assignments and projects were weighed more due to covid thankfully:) Overall great prof.
Rating # 5
Overview:
  • Course: PHYS102
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Everyone has their own opinions on the way he teaches, but let me speak about him as a person. He's the most understanding Prof. I've ever had. He understands life difficulties for each individual and can make adjustments accordingly. No other Prof. I've had has done this. This guy is a true gem. Symbolic exams though, so study theoretically!
Rating # 6
Overview:
  • Course: PHYS102
  • Grade Received: Not sure yet
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Hands down best online prof Ive had. Added a couple assignments to the course to take weight off the final. Clearly cares about our wellbeing studying online. Everything recorded, tutorial not mandatory, very descriptive helpful notes that read like hes talking to you. Midterm was just like the quizzes and hw. Highly recommend for online classes!
Rating # 7
Overview:
  • Course: PHY101
  • Grade Received: C+
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
he teaches good, but the exams materials are not what he teaches...
Rating # 8
Overview:
  • Course: PHY101
  • Grade Received: Not sure yet
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Andrew is a mix bag for me. He's definitely a good lecturer and he gives good examples. I'm not fantastic in physics, and I struggled quite a bit. Since he uses symbols and no numbers, you really need to understand each topic to the core. The TAs are pretty useless, and the assignments are difficult. The final is hard, so pray hard to the curve god
Rating # 9
Overview:
  • Course: PHY101
  • Grade Received: B+
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
His explanations are very confusing and he overcomplicates things. He also does barely any examples in class so doing assigned questions is really hard when you don't know how to apply the theories and equations.
Rating # 10
Overview:
  • Course: PHYS102
  • Grade Received: B+
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Andrew is an excellent professor who always is available to discuss with students their problems. He will even take physics questions that are not about the course material and always gives a respectable answer. Oh, and do sit in the front as he only writes on the chalkboard.
Rating # 11
Overview:
  • Course: PHYS102
  • Grade Received: Not sure yet
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Be sure to sit at the front because Andrew writes on the chalkboards for his lectures! He is very good at breaking down complex topics and also shows how to derive almost all the equations we use. He obviously loves his work and never shows any judgment when you ask for help. An all-around great prof who is caring and will help you succeed!
Rating # 12
Overview:
  • Course: PHY101
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Andrew is an amazing prof for my style of learning. He explains the core of subjects so you really get to apply them. I love that everything is symbolic. His lectures are easy to follow, engaging, and his writing on the chalk board is surprisingly clear. I'm bummed that he isn't teaching 102 next semester so I could take it with him. :(
Rating # 13
Overview:
  • Course: PHYS101
  • Grade Received: A-
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
It's amazing how he loves to overcomplicate the material. He talks and writes so much so, you lose track of the importance of the topic, which is annoying. He even admitted that he over explains things. The material isn't all that tough but you gotta believe me when I say I didn't bother looking through his notes bcos they're just too much. AVOID.
Rating # 14
Overview:
  • Course: PHYS101
  • Grade Received: B
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
A great prof! His lectures and exams are symbolic, which is not what most students are used to, but if you are having some problems understanding a concept, even if it's just a small thing, please go to his office hours! I was never that great at physics but I frequently went to his office hours and it was very helpful. Highly recommend.
Rating # 15
Overview:
  • Course: PHY101
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Really nice guy. Tries to make the lecture engaging with experiments. Go to lectures to understand what's going on, he's pretty good at explaining the material. Tests were fair.
Rating # 16
Overview:
  • Course: PHYS101
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
The material is extremely challenging especially if you lack a perfectly solid understanding of its pre-requisites. He will write everything on the blackboard with a chalk. He likes to over-complicate concepts when the course is for a first year undergrad. Midterm was fair, but the final was a disaster. He did scale the overall marks significantly.
Rating # 17
Overview:
  • Course: PHYS101
  • Grade Received: A+
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Andrew is a great prof and gives detailed lectures. He gives you time to catch up with notes and is open to questions. His notes are largely symbolic rather than numerical and he gives lots of example questions. He writes his notes on the board though and doesn't post them so I recommend sitting near the front where you can see. Textbook is unused.
Rating # 18
Overview:
  • Course: PHYS101
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Lecture notes written on chalkboard are very hard to read. Gives absolutely no feedback on work unless you track him down and ask for it. You need to buy the textbook, but never actually need it. I did not learn anything in his lectures and had to turn to the internet to learn concepts. Definitely the worst professor I've had yet.
Rating # 19
Overview:
  • Course: PHYS101
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
He enjoys overcomplicating concepts by digging into the core nature of what is being taught. All symbolic, no numbers. As good of an instructor he is, he also likes to take things way deeper than they have to be for a first year physics class. Missing a class would be detrimental to your learning since he never posts any of his notes online.
Rating # 20
Overview:
  • Course: PHYS101
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
His lectures tend to over-complicate matters because he likes to get to the core of a subject to make you really understand (which can be confusing). But if you go to his office hours, or any other time (since he's almost always in his office), he is SOO helpful and takes all the time you need to help you with all your questions.
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