Current instructor
Original student reviews · all captured dates
People whine and complain about Thurs because physics is a weed-out class and it's college physics. I thought he was great. Go to lecture, pay attention (he lectures well), take the class seriously. Devote time to learning/practicing the content and you'll be fine. If you want to make excuses for your own faults, then blame Thurs.Rate My Professors ↗
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 ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
Continuation of PHYSICS 103 covering electricity, magnetism, light, optics, and modern physics with cross-field applications; not recommended for physical science or engineering majors.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Daniel Thurs
Feedback on Daniel Thurs is divided; some students found his lectures clear and supportive, while others criticized the flipped format and exams for being excessively difficult and disconnected from course material. Several reviewers reported frustration with the lack of provided solutions and instances of grade management errors, such as multiple grade releases. Despite these concerns, others noted that TA office hours were helpful for understanding concepts.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Directed Study is an introductory-level mentored research project in physics.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2022: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=1 letter grades).
No recorded grade history
Directed Study is an intermediate-level mentored research project in physics.
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 104 | General Physics |
| Spring 2027 | PHYSICS 199 | Directed Study |
| Spring 2027 | PHYSICS 299 | Directed Study |
| 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": "2026-10-14 17:50:09.728220+00:00",
"ratings": {
"review_count": 59,
"quality": 2.51,
"difficulty": 3.88,
"quality_count": 59,
"difficulty_count": 59,
"profile_id": "rmp:2018793",
"source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2018793",
"match_basis": "exact_name",
"observed_at": "2026-10-14 19:18:50.625527+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": 2.8009350836699918,
"prior_mean": 3.65919358049647,
"prior_weight": 20
},
"current": true,
"courses": [
{
"course_uid": "course_0a6dafcdaeb7c047d94f694f",
"course_id": "PHYSICS 104",
"title": "GENERAL PHYSICS",
"credits_min": 4,
"credits_max": 4,
"gpa": 3.084
},
{
"course_uid": "course_b4dc5bf7933c55e385d55194",
"course_id": "PHYSICS 199",
"title": "DIRECTED STUDY",
"credits_min": 1,
"credits_max": 3,
"gpa": 4
},
{
"course_uid": "course_e7408088ce846157e10e35b1",
"course_id": "PHYSICS 299",
"title": "DIRECTED STUDY",
"credits_min": 1,
"credits_max": 3,
"gpa": 4
}
],
"revision": "fc1811fa52e581ea57a35c0cf3343f8740a8ffbf",
"instructor_url": "/instructors/DANIEL_THURS"
}