Hardest courses in Physics

Reviewers characterize the class as inherently difficult with tough exams, though the workload is often manageable. Some note that finals combine many concepts, while others report strict grading with no curve despite low test averages.[1, 2, +2]

Exams frequently mirror homework and discussion questions, making practice essential. The material is inherently difficult, requiring substantial effort to grasp conceptual physics and problem-solving techniques.[1, 2, +7]

Exams are fair but include one or two tough questions that require significant thought and effort.[1]

The course is rated difficult, with exams often perceived as harder than homework or lecture content suggests. Success reportedly requires significant self-study, utilizing past exams, and completing all homework and labs.[1, 2, +2]

Several reviewers report that exams are significantly harder than lectures or homework, featuring ambiguous questions and topics not covered in class. The course is described as disorganized, with lectures that are useless, incoherent, or difficult to follow.[1, 2, +3]

Exams are high-stakes with no notes and minimal partial credit, while labs and homeworks involve significant busy work.[1, 2, 3]

Historical reviews of Thad Walker: Workload clarity depends on proficiency with Mathematica, which is required to understand the homework and exam expectations.[1]

The class is very tough, but homework carries significant weight in the final grade, making the challenge worthwhile for student understanding.[1]

Historical reviews of Vladimir Zhdankin: Exams are difficult but assignments prepare students well, with one review noting reasonable exam difficulty and another citing difficult exams.[1, 2]

Historical reviews of Ke Fang: Homework can be confusing and lectures difficult to follow, but the textbook is helpful and exams mirror problem sets.[1, 2]

Historical reviews of Dan McCammon, Peter Timbie: Reviewers rate the difficulty as high, noting that lectures are scattered or disorganized, requiring significant independent study to understand the material.[1, 2]

Historical reviews of Jeffrey Schmidt, Peter Timbie: Peter Timbie’s exams were described as incredibly difficult and unrelated to homework, while Jeffrey Schmidt’s course required copying formulas from practice exams to succeed.[1, 2]

Historical reviews of Irena Knezevic: Grading relies on three exams, but homework is important for understanding; one review notes excessive late assignments and difficult textbook readings as a burden.[1, 2]

Historical reviews of Jeffrey Schmidt: Reviewers describe the course as difficult, noting that quantum problems are bearable only with support and that exams are anxiety-inducing.[1, 2]

Reviewers note increased workload and tedious lectures, though one finds the course easy if they have prior physics background.[1, 2, 3]

Historical reviews of Oliver Schmitz: The course was rated as difficult, with a difficulty rating of 4, reflecting the challenges of the material and the online format during the pandemic.[1]

Historical reviews of Jeffrey Schmidt: Reviewers note that Jackson E&M is tough and assigns a lot of problems per week.[1]

Historical reviews of Mark Rzchowski: Homework is considered easy after initial thought, and tests are rated as reasonable in difficulty.[1]

Historical reviews of Duncan Carlsmith, Kam Arnold: The workload involves substantial homework and difficult lab reports, particularly those requiring MATLAB programming. Reviewers note that coding components are extensive and often feel disconnected from lecture content, requiring significant time to complete.[1, 2, +2]

Historical reviews of Brian Rebel, Michael Winokur, Yibin Pan: Exams are described as incredibly difficult, though some instructors curve grades generously. The workload includes dense textbook chapters and substantial homework, requiring students to dedicate significant time to digesting the material and staying engaged with lectures.[1, 2, +2]

Homework packets are long and exams can be difficult, but students can recover points through unlimited extra credit worksheet attempts.[1, 2, 3]

Homework is usually due weekly and relevant to exams, with TAs cited as helpful resources. Attending class is considered important, and using the textbook and labs aids understanding, though labs can be confusing.[1, 2]

Homework is reported as tougher than exams, with the course providing significant feedback on assignments.[1]

Historical reviews of Jim Reardon: Reviewers note that the work was challenging but independent, requiring students to solve problems on their own while receiving assistance when stuck.[1, 2]

Historical reviews of Gerry Bauer: Gerry Bauer's section required five exams, four quizzes, and weekly homework, which reviewers found disproportionately difficult for non-science majors.[1]