Current instructor
Original student reviews · all captured dates
Of the 3 professors I had for 103, he was the best of them. He is pretty clear about what is on the exams and his slides are easier to follow than the other two professors'. After having the other two professors, I completely forgot any complaints I had for this professor. The class is concept heavy, discussions will save you in this class.Rate My Professors ↗
Thurs was just ok. Lectures were long and boring, but, he got the job done.Rate My Professors ↗
the "best" lecturer for physics 103, but probably the rudest one. has no regard for his students' wellbeing and views his opinion as above all others. uses personal issues to justify disrespect towards students and cannot admit his faults. rude beyond belief.Rate My Professors ↗
He was one of the worst professors I have ever had. I think I could've just showed up for the tests without studying and had the same result. I'm pretty sure he writes his exams while evil laughing in a lair. This class has made me contemplate my life decisions and want to drop out. Run the other direction. Evil Evil man.Rate My Professors ↗
He is a great professor who clearly goes through many examples to give each student extra practice. Physics is a flipped-class where learning is supposed to be done outside, but Dan does a good job of walking us through each concept.Rate My Professors ↗
i just got my exam back from dr thurs and i am incredibly disappointed. if you are taking phys 103 be prepared to make your own way. even then, don't expect to receive good scores and NEVER think you know what will be on the exam. he gave practice material that was incredibly misleading and not close to the exam, his reviews were unhelpful.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
GENERAL PHYSICS introduces mechanics, heat, and waves at the non-calculus level with applications to various fields.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Daniel Thurs is described as an amazing lecturer who provides clear examples and explains topics further when needed. His lectures include jokes, and exams are considered fair with a few tough questions requiring thought.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026PHYSICS 299 is a directed study offering an intermediate-level mentored research project in physics.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sample| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | PHYSICS 103 | General Physics |
| Fall 2026 | PHYSICS 299 | Directed Study |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
{
"instructor_uid": "instructor_468c19f88e69773c42fc15f4",
"source": "enrollment",
"source_instructor_id": "dpthurs",
"identity_basis": "netid",
"identity_status": "source_identified",
"name": "Daniel Thurs",
"email": "DPTHURS@WISC.EDU",
"first_observed_at": "2026-09-07 15:55:43.033547+00:00",
"last_observed_at": "2026-09-07 15:55:43.033547+00:00",
"ratings": {
"review_count": 58,
"quality": 2.48,
"difficulty": 3.88,
"quality_count": 58,
"difficulty_count": 58,
"profile_id": "rmp:2018793",
"source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2018793",
"match_basis": "exact_name",
"observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:45:45.530181+00:00",
"courses": {
"course_0a6dafcdaeb7c047d94f694f": {
"review_count": 9,
"quality": 1.78,
"difficulty": 4.11,
"quality_count": 9,
"difficulty_count": 9
},
"course_0102faba3a6a173105857f06": {
"review_count": 1,
"quality": 4,
"difficulty": 2,
"quality_count": 1,
"difficulty_count": 1
}
},
"bayesian_quality": 2.7824835342427168,
"prior_mean": 3.6596857835465957,
"prior_weight": 20
},
"current": true,
"courses": [
{
"course_uid": "course_0102faba3a6a173105857f06",
"course_id": "PHYSICS 103",
"title": "GENERAL PHYSICS",
"credits_min": 4,
"credits_max": 4,
"gpa": 3.046
},
{
"course_uid": "course_e7408088ce846157e10e35b1",
"course_id": "PHYSICS 299",
"title": "DIRECTED STUDY",
"credits_min": 1,
"credits_max": 3,
"gpa": 4
}
],
"revision": "e243353dcb7d79b7247ced91d69443ef4c2a6349",
"instructor_url": "/instructors/DANIEL_THURS"
}