Current instructor
Original student reviews · all captured dates
The professor lacked communication skills. I had questions, so I emailed the professor multiple times just for him not to reply once. My only way to contact was through the TA, and when it was required the professor's assistance but again, there was no response.Rate My Professors ↗
Explains concepts clearly and at a level appropriate for an intro physics class. The class itself can be hard at times, but I found discussions very helpful.Rate My Professors ↗
good teacher who could explain things well. good at answering questionsRate My Professors ↗
Dr. Spike is a great professor. Physics is a hard concept to grasp (at least for me) but he made class engaging and helpful.Rate My Professors ↗
So much busy work. While good at speaking and knowledgeable in content, lectures are extremely large. You will very rarely be able to reach him beyond office hour sand class, including when I had an extreme personal emergency, with very limited accommodations. He is also very monotone and lectures can be dry, especially when demos fail.Rate My Professors ↗
Professor Spike was a pretty decent professor for 104, and I preferred his lecturing style a lot in units 1 and 4, he usually goes at a slower pace and emphasizes important concepts that you need for the exam. The labs and homeworks can get a little annoying but the course is setup with a lot of learning outside of class as well.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
General Physics is an introductory non-calculus course covering mechanics, heat, and waves, with applications to various fields including the life sciences.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Benjamin Spike
Benjamin Spike’s lectures were described as clear and concise by some, but monotone or confusing by others. Students noted he was kind and fair, though the class structure was sometimes disorganized with poor communication about grades. Exams were generally difficult, with one reviewer noting that showing work did not earn points. Several students recommended using the help desk, pre-class videos, or PLCs to succeed in the course.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Directed Study is an introductory-level mentored research project in physics.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
No recorded grade history
Senior Honors Thesis course providing mentored individual research and study for students completing Physics Honors in the Major.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
No recorded grade history
Distinct courses recorded per term
Explore courses taught by this instructor →| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2027 | PHYSICS 103 | General Physics |
| Spring 2027 | PHYSICS 199 | Directed Study |
| Spring 2027 | PHYSICS 682 | Senior Honors Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | PHYSICS 104 | General Physics |
| Fall 2026 | PHYSICS 681 | Senior Honors Thesis |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
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