Home       Professor Search       Professor List       Evaluate a Professor       About Us       Contact Us       Horst, William  Cumulative GPA: 1.98/4.00 with 128 evaluations Presents Material Clearly: 2.22 Recognizes Student Difficulties: 1.96 Physics Department, Cal Poly, SLO Full Statistical Analysis Evaluate This Professor

PHYS 121 Freshman Grade Earned: D Required (Support) 11:20 pm, May 7, 2013 Report Evaluation		This professor knows quite a bit about physics, and he does have an incredibly dry sene of humor. BUT, he's pathetic. He is nowhere near friendly, discouraging, doesn't help much, and fails to recognize student difficulty. He does NOT curve anything in the class at all. The final grade is what you get, and that's tough shit. No changing anything. He complains a ton about how he has to grade torturously long problems...so why assign them? The class might be easy if you're good with remembering math and formulas, since he doesn't allow you to have them on any exam. Otherwise, cross your fingers and hope you will pass. The class average was 60.1%. TERRIBLE professor. No offense to Mr. Horst personally, but he really shouldn't be here at Cal Poly anymore.
PHYS 121 Sophomore Grade Earned: N/A Required (Support) 4:01 am, Mar 22, 2013 Report Evaluation		As I sit here in the library at 4am three hours away from taking Professor Horst's final I find myself staring in the face of an almost certainty of failure. This man is the only physics professor on campus who does not provide formulas for his students on his midterms and insists on creating midterms that will almost certainly end in the failures of his entire class. Im not going to say this man is the anti-christ but possibly just some sort of lower level demon. Prepare for crushing depression and boredom if you are somehow hoodwinked into his class. God speed and may the heavens have mercy on your soul.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: A Required (Support) 12:59 am, Mar 17, 2013 Report Evaluation		Horst was a great physics teacher. I had never taken a physics class before, and I'll be honest that this is not a good class for a first timer. It was intense, and I didn't get as good of a grade as I could with an easier physics teacher. Still, I ended up with an understanding of rudimentary physics far better than a lot of people in my later physics classes. He does not waste much time on conceptual stuff - It's mostly examples. This turns out to be good because the best way to learn physics is to do it - not talk about it. He also put a lot of problems on the board for us to attempt before showing us how he would solve it, which forced us to find our own way (often times giving a better understanding of it). His tests are hard though, no doubt about it. You will also probably not end up with a (relatively) good grade in the class. But - It will prepare you very well for later physics classes. If you care more about learning and the big picture than grades then Horst is for you. If you just want to float through physics, then it's not such a good idea to take his class.
PHYS 121 Junior Grade Earned: N/A Required (Support) 9:57 pm, Mar 14, 2013 Report Evaluation		Re-do the problems he does in class over and over again. If you do this, and you can nearly do the problems in your sleep, you will get an A. I got an F on the first midterm and an A on the second midterm. I know what I am talking about. Do the homework because he grades it, but after that throw it away and don't look at it again. Re-do the notes! Seriously, get out a white board (this is what I did) and re-do re-do re-do. Do this, and I promise you will be successful. Horst is great when you understand how he tests. Good Luck.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 9:31 am, Dec 24, 2012 Report Evaluation		Horst was, a fairly decent teacher. He clearly shows that he knows his physics, but also somewhat expresses his apathy towards teaching overall. He is a very dry humorist, and tends to complain at every problem gone through. The homeworks are fairly lengthy, and due weekly, but are quite good for understanding basic problem solving. He posts the solution guides for the homework, so office hours may not necessarily be a necessity. In office hours, he is not readily willing to negotiate grades, at all, and seems quite satisfied with a large percentage of students failing. Be sure to study the problems he goes over in class, as he writes the tests almost verbatim. And do not expect curves whatsoever.
PHYS 141 Sophomore Grade Earned: C Required (Support) 11:51 am, Dec 12, 2012 Report Evaluation		Great Professor. Explained the material very well and made difficult concepts vert clear. He used great in-class demonstrations. He was also very funny and entertaining.
PHYS 141 Sophomore Grade Earned: C Required (Support) 10:44 pm, Dec 11, 2012 Report Evaluation		Horst is not any easy teacher, but you will learn the a lot. I worked my ass off and barely pulled a C. Lots of examples in class. He tells you from day one to study the examples because they will pop up on the midterms and final, and that is no lie. I failed both midterms and finally realized I had to get it together, I barely slept for the weeks leading up to the final. I went over every in class example and did fine on the final. Overall Horst is a very fair teacher. As a student you will have to take some initiative in this class. Learn the material with the class, learn from my mistake and don't play the catch up game.
PHYS 141 Sophomore Grade Earned: C Required (Support) 9:13 pm, Dec 11, 2012 Report Evaluation		I thought Horst was a pretty decent teacher. There were 2 midterms and a final, and the questions were basically variations of problems he did during class and were written in my notes. There is homework every week but he puts the solutions online, which was nice to check your work/ copy down the right answer to get 100%. I probably could have done better if I had gone to office hours or studied the notes better, but in general physics is a hard class and I think Horst does a pretty good job explaining the problems.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: A Required (Support) 7:46 pm, Dec 10, 2012 Report Evaluation		Horst mainly makes up his own examples that we worked through during class, but also assigns homework worth 10% of our grade (easy to do well as he posts the solutions before it's due so you can check your work). 25% are 2 midterms, and the last 40% is the final. However, he goes VERY quickly in lecture so you have to be awake and attentive the whole time. His exams are EXACTLY the problems he does in class, but he mainly uses variables rather than numbers. To do well on the exams DO and REDO the examples from class, he only occasionally puts homework problems on there. He doesn't curve, but he does expand the range for grades the lower they get (i.e. range for Cs and Ds are larger). I did well in the class, but he is horrible at understanding student difficulties, so make sure you stay on top of the midterms; you only get 2 chances. In office hours he basically just does problems, but it is helpful if you need extra time to process how he solves the problems.
PHYS 141 Sophomore Grade Earned: C Required (Support) 7:49 am, Dec 7, 2012 Report Evaluation		His grading structure is completely messed up. He misspells words all the time. His notes are clumsy, disorganized, and unclear. He could not convey information any worse. You WILL rely solely on the book, which is terrible because his tests are so esoteric. You can tell Horst is just burnt out. I don't know what his problems are, but teaching a college-level physics course is just not the career for him. He gets some sick pleasure from giving hard tests: he uses them to punish students which I find unfair. And I am not saying this just because the tests are hard, I'm inferring this from his behavior. It's intimidating to ask questions in that class because he makes fun of students. One person asked a conceptual question in the class and Horst gave him a dry sarcastic remark, basically saying the kid was an idiot. Jesus Christ. I thought High School was in the past. I thought Cal Poly professors liked to teach and to help students out. I would give him more credit and possibly forgive him if he was a good teacher, but he is lazy and sloppy. In the short few minutes before class starts, he will either be talking to himself or to another professor, complaining about teaching. In short, do not take this professor. He is burnt out, sloppy, and poor at teaching. As a result, he is sadistic. I would be angrier if I didn't feel so sorry for him.
PHYS 141 Sophomore Grade Earned: F Required (Support) 7:56 pm, Nov 28, 2012 Report Evaluation		horst is a CREEPY guy! every day before class he would talk to himself o.O i felt really weird,anyway he is the worst professor! his notes were so hard to understand due to the fact he doesnt know how to write nice and clear, he is also always asking for help when he has to spell something on the board. he writes all over the board and you can barely keep up, he talks to the board rather than the class =/ hes a goofy teacher so i guess if you understand physics already you can have a great time in his class otherwise you will end up ditching his class for the last 2 weeks of instruction, just like i did . . .i knew only hope would help me pass the class, but "hope" doesnt grade my test, horst does. . . i had an EPIC FAIL! first f in my life!
PHYS 133 Freshman Grade Earned: A Required (Support) 12:24 pm, Jun 13, 2012 Report Evaluation		Horst is a hilarious man. He is extremely dry and will let you know exactly how hard his class is and how hard each subject he goes over is. His teaching style is basically just doing examples for the entire class. And most of the examples are derivations. The rumors are true about the tests, they are entirely based on the notes. One problem on each midterm is exactly a homework problem but don't study the homework because it will be a similar problem to what he's gone over in notes anyways. Some of the problems will be exactly from the notes, most will have a slight twist, and one or two will be very well hidden, but if you study the notes you will get an A. That being said, don't take this class because there are WAY too many problems to study. I got an A but I have never studied so hard for a class in my life. He makes sure to teach both of his lab sections so he can spend an extra hour and a half giving more examples. Both midterms had low D averages. If you don't study you will fail for sure. If you're willing to spend countless hours studying you can get an A, but I would recommend avoiding this class.
PHYS 133 Sophomore Grade Earned: N/A Required (Support) 8:48 pm, May 10, 2012 Report Evaluation		I have been getting every problem right on nearly every assignment. That being said, I'll be fighting for a C or B in the class. Horst is a horrible teacher, my knowledge is coming from my EE classes and reading outside of class (and not even reading the textbook he assigned by Knight which is almost as bad as Horst himself). My main issue is his grading, because I no longer expect to learn from professors themselves, especially from Cal Poly's Physics professors. My best example are his lab quizzes. I have gotten every lab quiz problem right. I am averaging Fs to Cs on them. Each one is worth 2 points and if you mix anything up, or have a - when you needed a +, you lose .5-1 point(s). So if your answer is 3 and it was supposed to be -3, you just got an F or a C. He also says he's predictable and that what you do in class will be what's on the tests and quizzes. This is not true. I spent my time studying my notes for the midterm and got a D, and that D was beating the class average by several points. Normally that would be good because of the curve, but Horst does not curve. He also does not allow equation sheets on his tests or quizzes unlike every other physics professor I have taken or heard about. He expects you to know every single formula by heart even though he tells us everyday that he can't remember them for the life of him. DO NOT TAKE HORST!
PHYS 132 Freshman Grade Earned: N/A Required (Support) 6:32 pm, Apr 10, 2012 Report Evaluation		Worst lab professor ever. he is only my lab instructor and not my lecture professor so he doesn't know what we are doing in lecture. his lab days consists of him giving a quiz on the previous lab's lecture, then lectures for two hours, then lets us work on the lab. basically, we stay for the full 3 hours even though the lab only takes 40 minutes to an hour
PHYS 132 Sophomore Grade Earned: A Required (Support) 3:27 pm, Mar 27, 2012 Report Evaluation		Don't take this guy!! And I'm not just saying this because I got a bad grade or because I hate physics. I got an A in his class and I enjoy physics but Horst is terrible. He's impossible to follow in lecture and he goes so fast you barely have time write everything down let alone understand what he's talking about. Seriously stay clear of this guy if you have the chance. If you do get stuck with him make sure you take great notes! Write every detail of every example problem he does in class especially the ones that he says he likes. His tests have problems straight out his notes so study them before the test. You basically have to memorize the problems to do well on the test which sucks because you don't really end up learning anything by the end of the quarter. Don't feel bad if you just copy the homework solutions he posts and turn it in for credit because none of the homework problems are on the test. Don't even bother studying them. Oh and whoever said he looks like Chevy Chase if a dumbass because he looks nothing like him.
PHYS 132 Sophomore Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 9:21 pm, Mar 21, 2012 Report Evaluation		I LOVED Horst. He is rediculously hilarous, although he doesn't try to be. The problems on his midterms and finals are easy because they are just the problems he did in class or lab, no need to even study the homework.Those who complain either do not come to class because Horst really dumbs down everything for his students and gives them so much opportunities, such as office hours.
PHYS 121 Sophomore Grade Earned: A Required (Support) 6:10 pm, Feb 27, 2012 Report Evaluation		Horst is a great professor. He really helps you grasp material you learn during lecture. Some complain about him because they don't pay attention and get anything out of the lab, however, his lab lectures have really helped me. He may have an awkward personality, but in office hours he does a great job showing clearly how to work out certain problems. Though he isnt the most exciting professor, he is very helpful.
PHYS 121 Sophomore Grade Earned: N/A Required (Support) 1:27 pm, Feb 27, 2012 Report Evaluation		One of the worst teachers I have ever encountered. Fortunately I only have him for lab, thank god, otherwise I'd probably have killed myself. Even though I have a high A in the class itself, getting almost 100% on all my tests, quizzes, and homework assignments, I am failing lab. For 2 hours AT LEAST before you can even begin the lab, Horst wastes everyone time maniacally talking to himself about material you MIGHT learn at the end of the physics lecture (like at the end of the quarter). You're also supposed to take notes on his incredibly fucking dry, epitome of boring crap, and then memorize all this new material so you can do well on his two point quizzes every week. It's the most retarded lab I've ever been in. Some people claim that his lab "lecture" helps in the class, but that's a load of shit. All the lab is doing is bringing my grade in the class down, which is stupid. I'm sorry I'm not a master of all the material that I haven't even learned yet. I'm sorry that I can't ace your final level quizzes. I'm sorry that I can't pay attention for 2+ hours while you ramble and ramble and ramble about shit that I have no idea about yet. Obviously I must be an idiot, even though I have almost 100% in the lecture section of the class. Honestly, what the fuck. I don't think I've ever hated a teacher so much in my entire life. I really hope he gets fired and I plan on putting in a formal complaint at the end of the quarter. This is just ridiculous.
PHYS 121 Sophomore Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 9:04 am, Dec 19, 2011 Report Evaluation		Easy work load. Only one homework assignment a week. No quizzes. Two midterms (the questions come straight from the lecture problems). The final was quite difficult. He made it out to be easier than it was. The biggest help for this class was working the lecture problems over and over and over again. Do that, and you're likely to get a good grade. Everyone loves Horst's ultra dry sense of humor.
PHYS 121 Senior Grade Earned: B Elective 8:25 pm, Dec 13, 2011 Report Evaluation		Horst is an interesting teacher but he really does want to help you succeed. His class is so straight forward and he doesn't try to trick you! He tells you that his tests are going to be exactly like the problems done in class and even tells you which problems in class are likely to be seen on the test. I didn't take this advice on the first test and failed and for the second test I made sure I knew the notes and got a 100 percent. He is also really approchable in office hours, if you were confused about how/why he did a problem a certain way in class you could ask him about it in office hours and he could explain it to you in a different way. Physics is a really difficult class but I felt like I learned a lot and am ready for Phys 122.
PHYS 121 Sophomore Grade Earned: A Required (Support) 12:06 pm, Dec 9, 2011 Report Evaluation		Loved Horst. I only had him for lab, but he really explained the material and did great problems to prepare you. learned more in lab than lecture.
PHYS 132 Freshman Grade Earned: A Required (Support) 3:18 pm, Jun 15, 2011 Report Evaluation		There will be many people who won't pass this guy's classes. However, it's really easy to get an A in them. Horst is so predictable. He even said so on the first day. He's ridiculously predictable. Here's how you pass his classes with an A: 1. Go to the lectures 2. Copy down everything. Every derivation, examples, any tips he says. Copy them down on your notes. Every single derivation, step by step. 3. Usually after a derivation or an example, he says whether or not he will expect you to know this for the upcoming midterm. If he says he really likes a certain derivation or problem, put a star next to it. 4. Start studying a week before the midterm. Study all of the examples. Write them on a separate sheet of paper and do them 2-3 times each to feel comfortable with them. As for the derivations and starred problems, MEMORIZE HOW TO DO THEM STEP BY STEP. Do each up to 10 times. They're likely to show on the midterm almost exactly they way he gave them out. 5. Kick your midterm's ass I walked out of the final confident that I got at least a 95%, and ^ is all I did. I couldn't help but smile when everything I expected to be on the final was on there. The same exact problems. If you want to get at least a B, you have to go to class every day and copy down absolutely everything he writes on the board. Definitions, examples, derivations. About 2-3 lecture days before a midterm, he lets you know what you should know. Write that all down as well and go through it when you study. The only people who fail this class are ones who don't go to the lectures or don't put in over an hour a week studying. And that's easy
PHYS 133 Freshman Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 2:30 pm, Jun 14, 2011 Report Evaluation		Horst looks like Chevy Chase. That alone should make you love him. His class is difficult--I don't think you will meet anyone who loved electricity and magnetism--but he did a good job of explaining concepts. His class was primarily memorizing derivations directly from your notes for all of the tests--don't even bother with the textbook. With homework worth 5%, lab worth 15% two midterms around 20% and a final worth 40%, this is a tough class, relying upon you performing under pressure. But Horst loves to hand out partial credit!
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 3:36 pm, Jun 4, 2011 Report Evaluation		He is a very good professor and goes over the basics of every problem each time he does it. He will always do things like explain out the units of a formula and explain where it comes from. The only thing is that his tests are usually really difficult. He tells you this on the first day as well as all the other reasons why you shouldn't take him. I would recommend taking him to a friend and to you.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: D Required (Support) 6:16 pm, Feb 27, 2011 Report Evaluation		I was not happy with WHorst. He taught only certain types of problems, and his tests were super difficult. Also, he didn't curve, and didn't mund that so many people failed his tests. If he had curved, I would have passed his class with ease.
PHYS 142 Freshman Grade Earned: B Required (Major) 12:35 pm, Jan 6, 2011 Report Evaluation		Horst is the shit. Take him. Love him. Every problem on every midterm and the final is directly from the notes. Take him for lab too. The extra work he does at the beginning is money. Take Horst. Live the dream. Eazy duz it.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: B Required (Major) 2:07 pm, Jan 3, 2011 Report Evaluation		He was an okay professor, but he made the content harder than it had to be. He wasted too much time on the easy algebraic math at the end of problems, instead of explaining what we were actually doing. I had taken AP Physics in high school and found it easy but Mr. Horst made this basic class waaayyy harder than it had to be. And its not that the content was much harder, he just didn\'t explain anything he did, he just jumped straight into doing it and getting it done as fast as possible. Def wouldn\'t recommend this guy if it\'s your first time taking physics. Homework due once a week, 2 midterms, and a final (no quizzes).
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 12:41 pm, Dec 16, 2010 Report Evaluation		I kind of wish I had Horst for a class where I didn\'t already know the majority of the material. From what I could tell he presents material clearly with a lot of examples in fact all of his test questions he will either do in class or will come from the homework. You will do example problems in class till you are blue in the face and if you do keep doing them you should do fine in the class. Be warned Horst does have a weird sense of humor that takes a while to get used too but does lighten the mood on occasion. If you learn best by doing a lot of examples Horst is definitely the teacher for you.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: C Required (Support) 3:31 pm, Dec 13, 2010 Report Evaluation		Horst isn\'t that bad of a professor, but he\'s not that great either. The homework is easy and the midterms aren\'t too bad. The final is pretty straightforward. If you\'re taking this class, DO NOT SKIP CLASS! The problems on the midterms and the final are almost exactly the same as the notes.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 4:52 pm, Nov 24, 2010 Report Evaluation		I got forced into his class and was kinda worried when I saw his rating but honestly his class was pretty easy. I only got a B because I never really did the homework. For physics 141 with him, it\'s honestly really simple for the first half. All of the stuff should look familiar since you learned most of it in calculus. I had it at 8 in the morning and I didn\'t find him that broing. He\'s pretty entertaining, just in an odd way. Also, he lets you know what stuff you need to know, and what stuff really doesn\'t matter. His tests are all problems you have seen before, only he changes up the numbers every now and then. All in all, I\'d say he\'s a pretty good professor.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: D Required (Support) 1:41 pm, May 24, 2010 Report Evaluation		Horst is a really nice guy who is willing to help his students out, but he lacks enthusiasm for what he\'s teaching. I sucked at physics to begin with but i got a tutor and tried to understand what we were learning and i never really caught on. he basically just does practice problems all during the class period and never really goes into enough depth with the actual concept. however, i got 100\'s on the homework assignments, 50\'s on both midterms and walked out of the final with a third of the questions even attempted and still managed to pass the class with a d (and no curve) so homework can help out a lot. if u enjoy working through stuff on ur own then horst would be good for you but if you\'re like me and need it to be a little more developed i\'d recommend someone else.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: C Required (Support) 12:28 pm, Mar 23, 2010 Report Evaluation		All of his midterm questions are directly from the notes. DIRECTLY. The questions are seriously EXACTLY the same. So go to class and take notes, and then MEMORIZE how to do the problems. Unfortunately, the final was on things we never got to learn. And I failed it. But I still got a C. Because I did all of the homework and did fine on the midterms. If you dominate the midterms, you won\'t have to worry about the final.
PHYS 133 Sophomore Grade Earned: C Required (Support) 1:22 pm, Mar 22, 2010 Report Evaluation		Horst is a decent teacher. His tests are fairly hard, just study all of the derivations he gives you in class and the rest of the problems are really basic.
PHYS 133 Junior Grade Earned: C Required (Support) 3:08 am, Mar 18, 2010 Report Evaluation		Horst is not the worst teacher. He does expect a lot out of you. To get a A in this course, you need to make sure to just study his lecture notes. Everything on the midterms and final was in the notes with minor changes. 5% of the grade comes from HW, 15% from lab, 20% each midterm, and 40% final. He is a really funny guy in a dorky way. If you take him, you\'ll like him cause you will learn the material very well. Just remember to take good notes!
PHYS 133 Freshman Grade Earned: B Required (Major) 9:56 pm, Mar 8, 2010 Report Evaluation		Horst really is a good teacher. All the people here complaining about him being to hard because they didnt put enough of an effort. I kinda expected this class to be easy for me because i was really good at high school physics and who isnt? but after the first midterm, that idea was quickly shot down. horst challenges you with some really fun problems and by the end of the quarter you might either love him or hate him for that. the only thing that can tip the scale in your favor is if you put in an honest effort to study for physics, maybe even for the 1st time as i had to. in all he is a really good teacher for those who are looking for a fun challenge.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: C Required (Support) 11:28 am, Jan 7, 2010 Report Evaluation		We all know that college physics is difficult, but the last thing you want is a professor who makes it much harder than it already is. However, Horst is just that, with hard examples in class, hard homework, and ridiculously difficult midterms. He takes eccentricities to new heights; beware: his definition of \"fun\" is NOT what you may expect in the normal sense, and he likes to put the most \"fun\" problems on tests. Another bad thing about his classes is that there is absolutely NO grading curve. For example, on one midterm in my class, the average was 66% and he did not curve the scores, while most other teachers curve for a similar average. What the heck? Last but not least, he repeatedly mentions on how he puts hard problems on tests and how students have failed his classes, but he does not address these problems and in fact just keeps making stuff harder. In fact, I felt lucky to get a C in such a miserable class. So the bottom line is, when you need to take physics at Cal Poly, AVOID HORST AT ALL COSTS!
PHYS 133 Sophomore Grade Earned: C Required (Support) 7:07 pm, Jun 29, 2009 Report Evaluation		Horst is a goddam boss
PHYS 133 Sophomore Grade Earned: A Required (Support) 2:03 pm, Jun 25, 2009 Report Evaluation		Although he tends to be rather negative during lecture, Horst really isn't that bad of a teacher. He tends to concentrate on ideas that he finds to be key instead of going over the whole spectrum related to the course, so lectures tend consist of going over many example problems dealing with these key points. The tests contain these problems and homework problems. Honestly, if you can remember how to do the practice problems in lecture and study the homework a bit, you should be fine on the tests. Also, if you're pretty bad at calc, you may want to avoid Horst, as some of the derivation-related problems involve some integration, and I've heard that some PHYS 133 profs don't really deal with much math. There can be some really ugly math in this class to deal with, but again, most of the procedures (for the physics AND math parts of each problem) will be gone over in class.
PHYS 132 Sophomore Grade Earned: C Required (Major) 11:56 am, Jun 24, 2009 Report Evaluation		Horst is a good guy and a good teacher. If for some reason you end up taking his class, you are going to learn, or you are going to fail. Horst really leaves it up to the students. I was dumb and bombed the first midterm then got my shit together and pulled off a C in the class. Go to class, take good notes, and study examples. Office hours is free tutoring and it is usually empty, go there and get some help if you need it. I suggest gettin on top of this class from the beginning before it rails you from behind.
PHYS 132 Sophomore Grade Earned: F Required (Support) 3:14 am, Jun 13, 2009 Report Evaluation		AVOID THIS GUY AT ALL COST. He is such a terrible teacher it is quite ridiculous. He talks and writes faster than you can keep up, and he does both at the same time so if you're the type of person that can't work things out while writing notes, you're screwed. Not only that but he seems like an asshole to me. One time he told us a story about how a girl came up to him after class asking if he could slow down during lectures, to which he replied "maybe you need to keep up instead of me slowing down." I had PHYS 132 with him around 5 quarters ago and let me tell you, he is BY FAR the absolute worst teacher at Cal Poly. Honestly I don't know why he still has a job, no one I knew in the class or people from other sections who had him liked him. EVERYONE I knew who took the class got a D or an F at the end of the quarter.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: F Required (Support) 10:50 pm, Jun 9, 2009 Report Evaluation		Horst is the worst teacher on earth. I had never taken physics before and he really was no help at all in teaching me. Everything i learned was based on the book and some friends and that wasn't enough. He grades midterms and final way too hard, barely any partial credit. Im taking physics 141 again right now and have a B+ heading into the final and can honestly say that Horst is the worst teacher i've ever had.
PHYS 133 Freshman Grade Earned: C Required (Major) 12:10 am, Jun 6, 2009 Report Evaluation		He's ok for lab. I wouldnt take him for lecture. He hates lecture, so thats prolly why. For lab though he's ok. Takes time to lecture on topics which helps out for lecture. He is really dry and boring though. But if you close your eyes while hes talking, you can imagine owen wilson teaching physics. He sounds just like him.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 5:01 pm, Jun 3, 2009 Report Evaluation		First, let me just say that I would highly recommend another teacher for PHYS 141, at least if you have not taken high school physics (which I had not). I studied really hard, and found it so difficult that I almost dropped the class after the first midterm, on which I got a 62, which is actually the lowest grade I have ever gotten on a test in my life (the class average was 64). I found that I did make a lot of stupid mistakes on that first test, and that a lot of it was based very closely on the notes, but the final was very hard. In-class stuff was pretty much just him presenting examples, and not really explaining what was actually going on. I was excited to take physics, but it turned out being one of the most boring classes i've ever had. The main problem with that class is that he has no sense of humor! I don't expect a comedian, but I have trouble learning if the teacher doesn't keep the class interesting. He says he doesn't curve, but I feel he must have, because I went into the final with a C, and I definitely did not get an A! IF YOU MUST TAKE HIM FOR PHYS 141, STAY AFTER CLASS, SEE HIM DURING OFFICE HOURS, AND DO WHATEVER YOU CAN to make and effort and show that to him. I think it might have an influence on the final grade, so perhaps he isn't totally soulless.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 9:15 pm, May 10, 2009 Report Evaluation		Cons: somewhat boring, exams are kind of hard, has little confidence in himself, despite knowing his subject very well. Doesn't curve Pros: the problems on the test are very similar to those on the homework and those he goes over in class, which tend to be very straightforward. doesn't spend half the class deriving one formula (you won't be asked to on tests) He tries to scare you in the first lecture by saying how many people fail and how hard he is, but emphasizes that to overcome this you need to go to the lecture, and he is right. GO TO THE LECTURES CONSISTENTLY AND YOU WILL BE FINE. I got a 60 on my first midterm, and pulled out a B in the class, so the fact that he doesn't curve wasn't really a huge issue.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: A Required (Major) 9:33 pm, Apr 23, 2009 Report Evaluation		Horst is really Predictable. I did take Physics AP in high school, but he really isn't that hard. Just study the problems he does in class and pay extra attention to the ones he says he really like. Last quarter every single problem on the midterms was straight out of the notes with the numbers changed. The final had stuff from the midterms and the notes. He event tells you the ones he likes and puts on tests. Also, Horst sucks at giving partial credit, he will say he gives good partial, but unless it is painfully obvious what you did wrong, you'll get off way more than you should. Overall, if you write down the problems he does in class and study just those and understand how to do them, it won't be that hard.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 8:13 pm, Apr 4, 2009 Report Evaluation		Everything on here is true, he doesn't curve even when the class average is in the 50's. I thought all the tests were equally difficult, but the final seemed easier just because the problems were very similar to the midterms,but a lot longer. Since, I already studied so much for the midterms it wasn't that bad. When he says something will be on the test it for sure will, so make a note and rework the problem over and over again. Not an impossible class, you just really have to work hard and his office hours are pretty helpful. Oh and he told us that we were going to die in less than 100 years and that if we fail this class it's not the end of the world and hopefully we could have someone the second time around who could explain it better what a pep talk.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: C Required (Support) 4:32 pm, Apr 1, 2009 Report Evaluation		DOES NOT CURVE EVEN WITH LOW TEST AVERAGES!! He does a lot of examples for his lecture. There's an easy quiz about the 2nd week of the quarter of which the score will be added to your first midterm's score, so ACE THE QUIZ! Homework is pretty lame and worthless. Tests are just slight variations of the examples he does in class. He'll even say/hint which examples will be on the next test, so put like a star next to the example when he does so. Tests are fairly difficult so either digest and understand or memorize how to solve his examples. The final is just as hard, if not harder, as his midterms but longer. So unless you're a genius, you will not have an easy time with his class and be prepared to study your ass off for a lower grade than you deserve.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: C Required (Support) 7:22 pm, Mar 26, 2009 Report Evaluation		super hard class. i had to work my ass off to earn a C in this class. the homework is worth almost nothing because his 2 midterms are half of your grade and the final is worth 40%. i went into the final with a 68% and came out with a flat C. so i either did super well on his "fun" final, or he actually may have curved my grade. however, that is rare if he curved my grade because he never curves anything even if the class average is a 60% on a midterm. he's an awesome teacher and his exams are only from his examples in class, that's another reason why the homework is worthless. the guy obviously knows physics better then anyone... however you have to as well in order to get a good grade in his class.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 11:33 am, Mar 24, 2009 Report Evaluation		First of all im not another Horst hater, but if you want an teacher who doesn't expect alot from you don't take Horst. He expects you to catch the tricks he throws in on tests and doesnt curve even when the class average for a midterm was 62%. He is brilliant at physics and expects his students to be too. Homework is very reasonable, only 10-15 problems assigned weekly for each chapter. Also there will be an easy ass quiz about week two that can give you up to six extra credit points added to the first midterm so be sure to take andvantage of it. Even though the test problems are difficult, if you take notes all year (very difficult though because of the annoying monotone he speaks in) there won't be anything on them thats not similar to examples done in class. Over all plan on working hard all quarter if you want to get an A or B from this goddamn genius.
PHYS 133 Sophomore Grade Earned: C Required (Support) 9:46 pm, Mar 12, 2009 Report Evaluation		Horst is a really great guy. He did an EXCELLENT job at going through examples and lectureing. BUT I was in his LAB class... It was really annoying that he made his lab class a second lecture. I found it to actually be a hard lab. We had to do full lab writeups that were out of 4 pts. purpose, method, data, calculations, graphs/diagrams and conclusion! I spent a lot of time working on my labs and he always graded them really hard. I never go a 4. for example he takes points off if you put the percent errors in the conclusion instead of the calculations. He also gives 2 pt quizzes each week that I actually had to study alot for. you have to memorize all the equations and the quizzes usually have either 2 medium questions or an easy and a hard one. if you do one thing in the problem wrong, he will give you a zero most of the time. He only gave me partial credit twice. For ex. if you do everything in the problem totally correct, but your calculator is in deg instead of rad... 0 pts. I put C for my grade... but i think i will probably get an S in his lab... bairily. The lab helped me (maybe) for lecture, but it was SO BORING having to listen to lecture twice! and having to be in lab for the majority of 3 hours basically every time. All in all i did like horst, but compared to basically all other lab instructors he is very very very unnessisarily hard.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 4:09 pm, Feb 27, 2009 Report Evaluation		I actually thought Horst was a very good teacher. I hate when teachers are extremely easy on you and tell you what is going to be on tests and quizzes. He really challenges your abilities, which is not a bad thing. I gaurantee you that after this class you will know physics better than most people. He covers almost every single type of possible problem there is. This guy's lectures are basically a bunch of examples. You definietly do not need to do alot of studying on your own.
PHYS 141 Sophomore Grade Earned: N/A Required (Support) 5:09 pm, Feb 25, 2009 Report Evaluation		I haven't taken the entire class yet, but I figured I might as well fill this out anyway. He's not too hard to explain. A lot of what is said on this page is true. Good at explaining, tests are hard. First midterm isn't too bad, but do the hw. You have to really know the material to get even a passing grade. His weekly homework is worth almost nothing in points, but it's really important if you want to actually understand what you're doing on the tests. All and anything on the homework can appear on the test and he doesn't get to everything in lecture. He will tell you, however, when he will NOT be including something on the tests. His lectures comprise of example problems. If you are a concepts person, don't take this guy. He's into math.
PHYS 121 Freshman Grade Earned: C Required (Support) 3:18 pm, Dec 30, 2008 Report Evaluation		well, i took AP physics in high school, and thought that the material was pretty similar to AP physics B. and this is just mechanics. I am really surprised that i got a C. Horst definitely isnt the best professor, but i dont think he is the worst either. Taking the lab section from him helped a lot, he gave small quizzes which were similar to lecture midterms. The only problem with his lectures is that i could NEVER stay awake, but I was sitting in the back and i didn't really feel the need to study. Big mistake. Sit in the front, do all your homework, and study a few days before the midterms and you should come out with a low B.
PHYS 133 Sophomore Grade Earned: N/A Required (Support) 3:58 pm, Dec 10, 2008 Report Evaluation		i don't know about his lecture but i wont sign up for his lab section ever again... such a waste of time to take his lab. this doosh lectures about 45 min about the stuff u will be learning in actual lecture and gives a quiz before class every week!! for average it took the whole 3 hrs to finish the lab each week.. some bullshit
PHYS 132 Freshman Grade Earned: D Required (Major) 7:13 am, Nov 12, 2008 Report Evaluation		Absolutely amazing teacher. However his class average was 66.6.... of course it would be. the man doesn't curve and his tests are absolutely insane. Every question comes from problems in class. I did every homework problem and studied my ass off for my D+. make sure you get an easy lab professor because he bumps your grade for a good lab grade. You will know physics better than anyone else after this class though.
PHYS 133 Freshman Grade Earned: A Required (Major) 11:55 am, Aug 25, 2008 Report Evaluation		This professor is definitely not bad at all. His tests are challenging but as long as you do the hw and study your notes you should be fine. His tests are mostly based on his notes so make sure to study those first and then the hw. He really knows his stuff and is really good at explaining things. So if you end up taking his class don't start freakin out.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: D Required (Support) 1:54 pm, Aug 19, 2008 Report Evaluation		At the beginning of the class he tells you that he is the worst teacher to have for this class and he is not lying. Take his advise and find a new teacher. The tests are way more advanced then the homework and examples he does in class so you think you know it all but then he will combine things that you have never seen before.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: C General Ed 3:43 pm, Aug 18, 2008 Report Evaluation		Worst teacher. Avoid him at all costs. First he starts off the class by saying he is the worst teacher, you should switch to another section, and if you don't you will probably fail. Second, half or more fails.
PHYS 132 Freshman Grade Earned: A Required (Support) 4:46 pm, Jul 8, 2008 Report Evaluation		Regardless of what everyone else says, Horst is a good professor. He explains material very clearly and stays on track. His tests are very hard -- like he says -- but they're almost identical to his in-class examples. Take good notes, and study those before the test (not the book or homework) and you'll do fine.
PHYS 133 Sophomore Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 9:21 pm, Jun 16, 2008 Report Evaluation		I don't know why everyone hates this man. The class is hard and a decent amount of work, but if you keep on top of it you will do fine. I didn't do any of the extra assigned problems and went into the final with an A. He explained the material very well all quarter long and I thought he did so in an entertaining way. I actually wanted to go to class. The only frustrating comment I have is I thought the final was ridiculously hard even though I studied for it a lot. Dropped my grade a full letter. Anyway I disagree with all the Horst haters and would take him again so long as I am willing to actually learn the stuff. Helpful in office hours too. Just know he wont give you an easy pass.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 3:11 pm, Apr 2, 2008 Report Evaluation		Horst is an excellent teacher. His failure as a teacher is the way he gives his tests and grades. The fact that he puts no curve on any part of his class helps explain the fact that he truly is a dick. However in class, the lectures are very easy to understand and he presents the information really clear. The tests are much easier if you go to class and listen to what problems he says will show up on the tests. He is predictable and if you take his class you will learn alot and most likely suffer.
PHYS 132 Sophomore Grade Earned: C Required (Support) 9:27 am, Mar 28, 2008 Report Evaluation		homework due once a week, 1 chapter at a time, lots of problems but worth it. no quizes, 2 midterms and a final, approx save value point wise. presents the material ok but likes to test on some really random concepts, particularly moments of inertia. not good if he gets behind, homework does not match class work so it throws you off a bit, also, not all material gets covered, i missed chapter 18 and 19 but still had a question from ch 18 on my final. he felt one lecture was enough to cover the chapter.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 11:42 am, Mar 25, 2008 Report Evaluation		First off, professor Horst has a weird sense of humor that your not sure if he is joking or he is telling the truth but don't get set off by it because he teaches well. Second, is a genius. One time he told us he feel asleep during a quantum physics test and pass with flying colors. Dr. Horst knows his stuff and he wants you to know it too. His tests are hard but if you go to class and take good notes, the test questions are right from what he lectures. He assigns weekly homework which was not bad at all. Be prepared to study of course because you won't pass with just winging it. Also, know your calculus and trig because you will need to know it for his class. My recommendation is to have some experience with physics prior to taking his class like a class in high school. Overall I enjoyed his class and recommend him to anyone who is willing to study and try hard.
PHYS 132 Freshman Grade Earned: C Required (Major) 7:55 pm, Feb 27, 2008 Report Evaluation		Horst is a pretty decent teacher and forces you to learn way more than any other teacher just to pass. The tests are ridiculously hard, and always include at least one derivation of a formula that he went over for 5 minutes in class weeks before. The class average on the midterms and final were in the low D range. I do not reccommend taking him, as he is by far the hardest teacher I have taken. He isn't a bad teacher, and definitely knows what he is talking about but if you are expecting to pass be prepared to study... ALOT.
PHYS 132 Sophomore Grade Earned: C Required (Support) 11:23 pm, Feb 11, 2008 Report Evaluation		This was a hard class, probably one of the hardest I've ever taken. I got a C- and I have a feeling that I had a D and he bumped me up because I bombed the first midterm pretty bad. Anyway, Horst gets a bad rap because he uses scare tactics in class. If you have Horst, allot PLENTY of time for studying physics every week. Go to all the lectures and take thorough notes because his example problems he does in class will be on the midterms or the final. Do all the homework, especially the hard problems at the end of each section because Horst's tests don't have any short easy problems, just 5-7 long multi-step problems. No formula sheets (except on the final) but if you really do all the homework the formulas will be fresh in your mind for the midterms and you won't need a formula sheet. I agree that it's hard to pass Horst's class, I barely made it, but just watch this guy work he's really good at physics and he treated the students in my class with respect even though it's obvious he's taken a lot of abuse from angry students in the past. BTW don't flame me for defending him, he knows his shit and wants the students who pass his class to know their shit too.
PHYS 132 Sophomore Grade Earned: C Required (Support) 5:47 pm, Jan 1, 2008 Report Evaluation		As others have said, first day of class he bluntly states his exams have too many problems to finish in one exam period and he DOES NOT CURVE exams. Our class averages were below 60% for both mid-terms that contained about 6-7 problems with multiple steps. The final was a catastrophe but at least he gave us an equation sheet unlike the mid-terms. Homework and lab grade count for next to nothing so bust ass on the mid-terms and hope to go into the final with at least a B because you will most likely fail it.
PHYS 141 Sophomore Grade Earned: F Required (Support) 12:33 pm, Dec 19, 2007 Report Evaluation		Horst is a bit quirky, but seems like a nice fellow. That is until he tells you he writes his problems so they are tricky and hard to get right. Well, at least he gives you a head up he is going to try to screw you. I can confirm Horst told his classes that a lot of the students should leave and focus on other classes because they were going to fail his class anyway. I can also confirm that Horst told us from the beginning a third of the class would receive an F. I guess I should have listened and dropped him from the beginning. This class contributed to my academic dismissal from Cal Poly. Had I taken another professor I would have gotten at least a C- based on my comparison of other students' experience with their professors and I would have been off AP. My major GPA is a 3.6 its too bad I have to leave Cal Poly now.
PHYS 141 Sophomore Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 11:57 am, Dec 12, 2007 Report Evaluation		OK, I took the class last year and failed. The first 3-4 weeks are all the stuff you should have learned in math or high school physics (I didn't take Physics in high school but i assume) So after that I basically blew off the class because I thought it was easy and bombed the next midterm and the final because I didn't do the work. When I retook it I signed up for STAFF as the professor (only one left) and guess what? Horst. So I went to class, payed attention, did the homework and studied, and got a B. He's not that bad, he just rushes through everything and writes hard tests and then screws you on partial credit, ya theres no notecard, but its PHYS 141, there are only like 4 formulas. Just ask him questions in class and he actually explains things pretty well, once you get him to slow down. I tried to come to his office hours twice and he wasn't there, so i don't know what thats all about. I also suspect he curves a little after the final cause I don't think I did well enough for a B. But I'm not sure. First midterm was ok, second kicked my ass, and the final was hard but you have a decent amount of extra time, so it can save you. Just ask questions and do the work. Or take someone else, that'd work too.
PHYS 141 Junior Grade Earned: D General Ed 10:19 pm, Dec 10, 2007 Report Evaluation		To the guy below me: I have had enough of people spouting of that stupid reason that someone does badly in a class. In my experience at Cal Poly each professor thinks their class is the only class the students are taking. Well news flash some of us have other classes and lives. Apparently, your 141 class was required by your major whereas with me it was general ed and I loathed every minute of Horst's class. About Horst: He collects homework once a week and the assignments are worthless. The tests are worth most of your grade. The final was easier than his midterms, but the midterms are designed to ruin you. Horst is a weird man and his exams are hard.
PHYS 141 Sophomore Grade Earned: B Required (Major) 6:59 pm, Dec 10, 2007 Report Evaluation		Horst was awesome. Try studying once in a while you losers.
PHYS 141 Sophomore Grade Earned: D Required (Major) 11:34 am, Dec 7, 2007 Report Evaluation		I had this final already with the guy below me apparently and all I have to say is I think Horst gets off on failing people. It's like he takes some sadistic pleasure in causing others pain. I guess I shouldn't be suprised though since horst told us the whole quarter he was going to put problems on the final that were near impossible ("fun" and "interesting") for us to solve.
PHYS 141 Sophomore Grade Earned: F Required (Major) 7:24 pm, Dec 5, 2007 Report Evaluation		fucking jackass, pure fucking jackass.
PHYS 141 Sophomore Grade Earned: F General Ed 6:20 pm, Nov 30, 2007 Report Evaluation		I really have nothing positive to say about this guy. No formula sheets, no curves, no fun. He actually told students in the seventh week to "Leave and not come back because you have no chance of passing this course." So I wont be showing up for his final based on his recommendations and seeing the past comments on here of people who went into the final with Cs and came out with Fs.
PHYS 132 Sophomore Grade Earned: N/A Required (Support) 1:23 pm, Nov 22, 2007 Report Evaluation		horrible teacher. He will admit on the first day of class that everything you read on ployratings is true: that he doesn\'t curve..EVER! and that he will give too many problems on exam and not enough time to complete it. Also no notecards or formula sheets. tests are hard, our first class avg was a solid F. 50% of your grade are midterms, 10% homework and 40% final. lab has no effect on grade.
PHYS 123 Sophomore Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 3:55 pm, Aug 2, 2007 Report Evaluation		Do not recommend taking; he was not the greatest at explaining things, and had a very short attention span. He even heard voices in class that would disctract him that none of the students could hear. His tests contained problems that were very difficult and had not appeared in either the homework, or in class. Straight grading scale even when the class average was 50% and my tests included point deductions that neither I nor he could understand. He does collect homework, and grades it very strictly, again deducting me for unknown reasons (Even once for somehow acting like a know-it-all through my homework; I thought knowing the material was the point in doing homework...) For a possibly crazy teacher that is not good at explaining and grades too strictly, I would definetly not recommend taking him.
PHYS 132 Freshman Grade Earned: N/A Required (Major) 1:21 am, Apr 20, 2007 Report Evaluation		Mr. Horst was a pretty good lab professor and I would probably take him again if I have the chance, he went over a lot of stuff which made the lecture section easier, I ended up with an S (S+, S, S- being passing grades). He gives a quiz at the beginning of each lab, usually with one fairly easy question and one fairly hard one. However I would never want to take him for lecture due to his stories of giving abstract and difficult questions on the tests. Note that whenever he says a problem is "interesting" or "fun" what he really means is that it is very hard.
PHYS 141 Freshman Grade Earned: A Required (Support) 10:28 am, Apr 10, 2007 Report Evaluation		Oh wow. The only reason I got an A was from AP Physics last year. Horst threw some hard problems on his tests. I can't complain about this guy, I think it was just a hard class. I'd probably take him again, but there's probably an easier prof out there.
PHYS 123 Senior Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 12:18 am, Apr 1, 2007 Report Evaluation		Run, don't walk, away from Horst. He clearly doesn't mind failing the majority of his class, as he does not curve tests where the average is a 58%, and says at the final "don't worry, I'd do you all a favor by failing you." His exam problems are sometimes out of left field, and grading is unclear. If you want to learn the material without worrying about failing, then take someone else.
PHYS 132 Sophomore Grade Earned: N/A Required (Support) 6:07 pm, Feb 14, 2007 Report Evaluation		He covered a chapter with lots of examples and quizzed on those same examples the very next week. Generally one was identical to the example in class, and the second question would be slightly changed (solve for a different variable). If you pay attention and take notes you should do well.
PHYS 121 Sophomore Grade Earned: B Required (Major) 12:42 am, Feb 6, 2007 Report Evaluation		Dr. Horst did a lot of sample problems in class--and had very similar ones on the tests. He did collect homework, which was bad if you procrastinate, but it did force me to stay on top of the material which helped me in the end. I liked that there were not any in class quizzes, just the midterms, and the homework points boosted me up, too. I'd take Horst...Physics is challenging for me, and I was able to get through it with him. He is always open to questions and is very willing to help!
PHYS 121 Junior Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 2:54 pm, Dec 4, 2006 Report Evaluation		The class isn't exactly riveting, but if you want to understand basic physics, and you are willing to apply yourself (a little... I never actually opened the book), then Horst is a good prof. Taking the lab section with him is also a plus... You will learn a lot with a little effort, which is generally my philosophy on how school should be!!
PHYS 132 Junior Grade Earned: B Required (Major) 1:12 pm, Mar 20, 2006 Report Evaluation		I thought Horst was a good teacher. He expects you to do the work and the work load is pretty tough but I think that is more the class than about him being a hard teacher. His examples were clear. I would recommend him
PHYS 132 Sophomore Grade Earned: B Required (Major) 8:44 pm, Jan 22, 2006 Report Evaluation		He makes physics interesting. I thought he was very helpful outside of class too. Only down side was that the class was too early in the morning for me.
PHYS 121 Sophomore Grade Earned: C Required (Major) 10:22 pm, Jan 18, 2006 Report Evaluation		good teacher. and thats saying something cuz I hate physics
PHYS 121 Sophomore Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 9:51 am, Dec 15, 2005 Report Evaluation		Horst can be a little weird at times, but he makes it so you can understand the material. Can be a hard grader but otherwise a good teacher. Explains physics really well. Go to class, do the homework, and you will be ok.
PHYS 141 Sophomore Grade Earned: D Required (Support) 12:01 pm, Dec 9, 2005 Report Evaluation		He is a fair grader and gives enough time for you to complete the homework, but has it all due at one time. This can be VERY BAD for those of us who have the bad tendancy to procrastinate. Also, don't take a 7am physics class. I'm not sure what I was thinking, but it is just a dumb idea unless you aced your high school physics class. But the class is do-able if you spend the time to do the homework in advance, read the book, and go to class. The same old jazz as for any class. I just stopped going because he was such a boring lecturer and it was 7AM IN THE MORNING! YOU CANT BE BORING AND TALK IN MONOTONE AT 7AM AND EXPECT PEOPLE TO LEARN..
PHYS 121 Sophomore Grade Earned: N/A Required (Support) 12:12 am, Nov 5, 2005 Report Evaluation		I can't vouch for his other classes, but for Physics 121 he somehow made physics understandable for me (which is a miracle in itself). his quirky and sometimes odd sense of humor keeps me awake against the most boring of material, and i like that he's sometimes scattered-brained, or gets perplexed by his own problems. kind of forces us to keep awake and do the problems with him. Also, i find his teaching style to be very helpful and informative. He does more sample problems than lecture notes, and is always willing to clarify on any portion of a problem. The tests may be hard, but working on homework and lecture problems makes everything so much easier. I recommend Dr. Horst to those who don't understand physics easily. Good professor!
PHYS 132 Sophomore Grade Earned: C Required (Support) 10:07 pm, Jul 28, 2005 Report Evaluation		Horst is a very fair teacher. He likes to derive things a lot, even in physics, but his tests come straight out of his lectures - there are no surprises. He has a quirky sense of humor. I would recommend him as a physics teacher - he is one of the better ones I've had. Just be prepared to work hard.
PHYS 121 Sophomore Grade Earned: F Required (Support) 4:58 pm, Jul 20, 2005 Report Evaluation		i understood the material yet i didnt do well.. i went into the final with a C and came out with an F. what a waste of 10 weeks.
PHYS 121 Freshman Grade Earned: B General Ed 3:42 pm, Jun 13, 2005 Report Evaluation		Professor Horst may not be the best professor in the world, but he is way better than most of the other evaluations you'll read. I had him for both 121 lecture and lab. He is more demanding than most of the other professors, and his tests are much harder, but he does an ok job of preparing you for them. He wasn't a terrible professor, but my life could have been a little easier with someone else. Make sure you do the homework, but the most important thing is to study what he went over in class. All of the problems on the test are what he did on the board in class. Also, be sure to start the lab a couple days before it is due because you might have questions. Overall, Professor Horst is an ok professor, I wouldn't recommend him, but if he is one of your only choices go ahead and take him. It's pretty much like an advanced algebra 2/trig class with some physics mixed in.
PHYS 121 Sophomore Grade Earned: A Required (Support) 7:00 pm, Jun 2, 2005 Report Evaluation		Mr. Horst is definitely a good teacher for Physics 121. His lecture always takes up the whole time period and he blazes through the questions, but ultimately this is good - because the more practice problems that he does on the board, the more prepared you will be for his tests. Just study the notes from lecture, and you'll be fine for the test. Even though he goes kinda fast, he'll always ask if there's any questions after each problem he does, or if there's any questions on the homework (there's a homework assignment for each chapter out of the book). But yeah, if a student says that he or she is stuck on a certain problem from the homework, he'll take the time to go through it on the board - even if it's from the assignment due THAT day. His tests are fair and there are no surprises as long as you go through the notes. Also, although he often seems stressed in office hours, he's very helpful and will make sure you understand how to do what you had a question on.
MATH 118 Junior Grade Earned: D Required (Support) 4:58 pm, May 12, 2005 Report Evaluation		Everyone who has commented about Horst and his ability to teach physics should not say a word concerning his abilities as a math 118 professor. Math was always my best subject throughout grade school. I was always in the honors classes and made great grades! I step into Horst's class and make the lowest grades of my life. It was not because I didn't do the homework, it wasn't because I didn't study my ass off for hours at a time, or that I skipped class! But you know that something is wrong if you get a test back and are above the class average with a D and there are many students in class who are already taking 118 for the second time! The test questions are much more complicated than anything presented in class, on the hw, or any practice materials he may give you! Don't take this teacher! And I would like to conclude this by saying that I have taken many hellish classes here at Poly, even physics (I had Cook and she was great), where I worked my ass off for my grade! I know what it takes to be a successful college student. Failing 118 with Horst when you have really put in the effort has nothing to do with someone not being ready for college...it's the instructor!
PHYS 132 Freshman Grade Earned: N/A Required (Support) 10:59 pm, Apr 25, 2005 Report Evaluation		Ill just say this...our first midterm the class average was a 46 out of 102...just a ridiculously hard test...and he refused to curve saying he would make it up by adding another problem on the next midterm. Yea, and partial credit is a joke. Go figure.
MATH 118 Freshman Grade Earned: C General Ed 8:07 pm, Mar 30, 2005 Report Evaluation		I wouldn't recommend this teacher. He rushes through all the material and always seems annoyed with his students. Math 118 shouldn't be a hard class, but if you take it with Horst, you will struggle. He is helpful if you go to his office hours however, but he still seems distracted. Try to take someone else.
MATH 118 Freshman Grade Earned: C General Ed 10:37 pm, Mar 15, 2005 Report Evaluation		Very intelligent man, he is definitely extremely smart in what he teaches. The problem is conveying the message to his students. Very apathetic at times too. The first day of class, he didn't introduce his name...rather listed reasons of why we should drop his course. Not very encouraging, I must say. "For all those people in his math class's that ripped on him, don't listen, there a bunch of idiots, just look at the math there taking and realize there in college." You can rip on us when you learn the difference between "they're", "there", and "their". Until then, realize that you're in college and don't know the difference between those words.
PHYS 122 Sophomore Grade Earned: A Elective 9:59 pm, Mar 12, 2005 Report Evaluation		Professor is way chill guy, take him for sure. Study the lecture notes and it's all good
PHYS 121 Sophomore Grade Earned: A Elective 11:32 am, Jan 4, 2005 Report Evaluation		Mr. Horst is as straight forward and clear to understand as Professors come. For all those people in his math class's that ripped on him, don't listen, there a bunch of idiots, just look at the math there taking and realize there in college. Just study the lecture notes and do the homework and its no problem. If you have any questions he's more than happy to give you some insight into the test and the problems you have trouble with. Overall. Mr. Horst is a little odd at times but truly a good guy.
MATH 118 Freshman Grade Earned: C Required (Support) 7:04 pm, Dec 15, 2004 Report Evaluation		mr horst, was a very average teacher. he goes really fast, especially if you havent learned the information yet. in office hours he is helpful only if you have him one on one. he comes off as an hardass in the beginning because he talks about not even supporting the class himself. he often is doing problems on the board and finds himself lost because of simple multiplication mistakes or is very unsure of himself with them. i wouldnt take him again if i could.
MATH 118 Freshman Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 1:49 pm, Dec 1, 2004 Report Evaluation		Horst is a nice guy, but teaches only by examples. So if u dont know the stuff or havent taken the class before you will be in trouble. I would recommend 116 and 117 if u havent had the material before, otherwise Horst is not a bad guy, just hard test!!!!!! He lectures by examples and there is homework due every week. His tests are a compilation of 20 of the hardest possible questions he can think of, which will take the entire 2 hours to complete. You will do OK if u have had this material otherwise I would recommend another teacher or class
MATH 118 Freshman Grade Earned: C Required (Support) 12:40 am, Nov 19, 2004 Report Evaluation		W. Horst !!! I have always had an A or high B in math my whole life, but not after taking math with horst. First off, i already took pre-cal and know my stuff i had an awesome teacher in high school. This guy knows mostly what he talks about but hesitates when presenting it like hes unsure about it. He gives you the basics about the concepts and then when tested on it he complicates the hell out of it. You get quized evey week, which are worth a total of two points and you get to turn in your homework the week after you get it assigned. There are two Exams both worth 100 points. The final is based off of everything in the course and extremely tough. This guy seems overstressed and hates the class. When you first go into the class he tells you all about how you should drop the class because it shouldnt even be taught. Then while going through the course he just isnt that great of a teacher and i highly recommend getting another teacher and if you get the class... IF decide to take him good luck and have fun!!!!
MATH 118 Freshman Grade Earned: N/A Required (Support) 10:15 pm, Nov 8, 2004 Report Evaluation		Horst is a good teacher who presents the course material clearly. His grading is clear and straightforward, and he does his best to help the students. He's not very confident but he does try to make sure everyone understands the material.
PHYS 121 Senior Grade Earned: A Required (Support) 6:38 pm, Nov 6, 2004 Report Evaluation		People seem to hate him in his math classes but for phys 121 he was a good teacher. Presents material, works problems, answers any homework questions in class. Seems scattered at times, but who cares. One homework assignment per chapter, 2 midterms and a final. If you can do the problems he does in lecture you will do fine in the class. He is really good in lab, does a couple more problems before starting the lab, he goes over these problems more slowly so if you don't get in lecture these help, one quiz a week in lab and a lab writeup each week-if you do everything on it then lab will not change your lecture grade. He likes things neat so type lab writeups and do neat homework. I withdrew from this class my sophomore year because my teacher was so bad, I got a A this time with horst. Im happy with it.
MATH 118 Freshman Grade Earned: N/A General Ed 9:32 pm, Nov 4, 2004 Report Evaluation		I'm appalled by the sheer amount of negative comments about this professor. He is a very good teacher, as he is brilliant and knows his material well. There are times where he goofs up on arithmetic or something, but we all are human and make mistakes. You can tell he's under immense amounts of stress, or just filled with anxiety, yet he manages to present the material with clarity. Currently, I'm probably failing his class, but it is because of my own fault. I would definitely have him as my 141 professor.
PHYS 121 Senior Grade Earned: N/A Required (Major) 2:11 pm, Nov 3, 2004 Report Evaluation		Professor Horst is a very smart teacher. During class he goes super fast, but definately will answer all questions. If you really want to see how willing he is to help you, just go to his office hour. He is helpful and bright, but I think he needs to take a few breaths... he always seems to be full of anxiety. Overall, he is a straightforward instructor. It's a shame that a few idiots write such awful things about a professor who will help you if you seek help. Maybe they were born jackasses, who knows?
MATH 118 Freshman Grade Earned: N/A Required (Support) 12:37 pm, Oct 26, 2004 Report Evaluation		The class isn't too hard as far as concepts go, but it does go fast. The first day of class he told us that he hates society and takes it out on his students, but it was just to scare us. He tended to be more intimidating in class, but I went to a lot of his office hours and he was really helpful. One thing that is important to know is that you aren't allowed to use calculators in his class, which can be hard at times, but for the most part you don't really need them. The homework load isn't overwhelming either. You turn in homework every thursday and it is 10% of your grade. If you have to take him, don't worry you'll be able to get through it, but if you can, take a different professor.
PHYS 121 Freshman Grade Earned: Withdrawn Elective 1:11 pm, Sep 27, 2004 Report Evaluation		uhh horst don't post for yourself you homofag
PHYS 121 Sophomore Grade Earned: A Required (Support) 5:37 pm, Sep 21, 2004 Report Evaluation		I am not rating Horst as a Math teacher, but as a Physics teacher. I thought I would hate the guy at first, but in the end the class wasn't too horrible. He presented the material clearly and did a ton of examples, which he later used on the midterms. He did not throw any surpises on the tests, although you do have to memorize equations for the midterms, which isn't too bad. If you want to do well in his physics class, go to class, do your homework, and study for tests. Kind of logical right? You don't really have to do any reading, since he lectures on everything you would need to know for the tests. Sure, he's not an easy A, but hey it's Physics. He's pretty good compared to the guy I have for 122.
MATH 141 Freshman Grade Earned: D Required (Support) 4:40 pm, Jun 17, 2004 Report Evaluation		Hey, I am definitely down to petition against this guy. What college professor has a class that gets a 44% midterm average and DOESNT CURVE???????? Thanks for ruining my GPA and college life......I think you better look at how YOU are teaching rather than tell your students that we should have done better.... what a fucking joke.
MATH 141 Freshman Grade Earned: F Elective 12:58 am, Jun 17, 2004 Report Evaluation		Wow. I failed this class again. And I know the stuff. Wow. Just wow. Goodbye Cal Poly because of this guy.
MATH 141 Freshman Grade Earned: D Required (Support) 12:27 am, Jun 17, 2004 Report Evaluation		Hey look! Horst's GPA is about as low as what he made mine!!!! THANKS FOR BEING A JACKASS HORST! AVOID THIS MAN!!!!!!!!
MATH 141 Freshman Grade Earned: D Required (Support) 11:45 am, Jun 16, 2004 Report Evaluation		I'm with you, just post up ur sn. Anyways, this professor is a joke. He really should not be teaching. I don't think he cares about his students at all. The first day of class he didn't even state his name or anything he just begam with "um...let's start on section 1.1." Everyone was like WTF. He gave a practice test for our first midterm to look over for and the class did fairly well (74 average). For the second midterm he didnt give us any type of review excercise and the average was 44. Then he told us "you guys should have done better." WTFWTFWTF, it's obviously somethimg that YOU'RE doing wrong, not us. Again he gave us no type of review excercise for the final. I am really pissed about my grade rite now because I know there were other teachers I could have taken over this guy.
MATH 141 Freshman Grade Earned: F Elective 7:46 am, Jun 16, 2004 Report Evaluation		Wow. If this guy fails me, I am going to sue him. If any other students are interested to testify, please respond via polyratings. This guy's final took me over 2 hours to finish. This is Calculus I not Calculus III...
PHYS 131 Freshman Grade Earned: A Required (Support) 2:57 pm, Jun 15, 2004 Report Evaluation		Horst has got to live with his mom, he is so unconfident during his lectures. The guy doesn't know if he is doing anything right up on the board and he was always nervous. I felt sorry for the guy. There is homework due every week, 2 midterms, and a final that will take all 3 hours!!!!!
MATH 141 Freshman Grade Earned: D Required (Support) 2:04 am, Jun 15, 2004 Report Evaluation		HAHAHAHAHA........what a bastard.........good luck with this guy...
MATH 141 Sophomore Grade Earned: F Elective 5:05 pm, Jun 3, 2004 Report Evaluation		this guy takes big black cock up the ass....and he loves it. i think i have a C in the class right now, but that's only because i work DAY AND NIGHT for most ofthe week...
MATH 141 Freshman Grade Earned: N/A General Ed 1:03 am, Jun 2, 2004 Report Evaluation		do'nt...jes do'nt....that is all (yes i know how to spell don't...but he doesn't even deserve that...)
MATH 141 Freshman Grade Earned: N/A Required (Support) 2:58 pm, Jun 1, 2004 Report Evaluation		AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ok, so I have always disliked math, but i plug away at it day after day...work my ass off......and always get a decent grade. I have NEVER recieved less than a B in a college level math course. So then I enroll in Dr. Horst's 141 class. Jesus. What the hell is happening. The quarter isn't over yet, so I don't have a final grade...however, at the moment, I am failing. Yes, FAILING. Me, who has never had a bad grade....FAILING. Granted, it is supposed to be a hard course........but, impossible? No, not so much. Horst does just that...makes it impossible. The average on our last midterm was a 44%. 44%!!!!!!!!! I mean, c'mon now...........you cannot blame the students for not trying hard enough when the average is 44%! And the homework.........oh dear lord....the homework. WAY TOO MUCH! And don't get me wrong, I am not complaining because I would rather be out getting trashed than do math problems......I understand that homework is the #1 way to do well in a mth course......but he assigns an incredible amount. The problem with it is that you spend so much time plugging away at it, that you have NO time to study for his tests which......as I said......are hard as hell. As a human being, I am sure Horst is a nice guy......but in class, all you see is a guy at the board speaking some other language as you sit there worrying how in the hell you are going to finish your 1,000,000,000 math problems by Friday. In conclusion, I obviously don't recoomend this guy. Not only did his class DESTROY my GPA, but it made so freakin stressed out that I HATED my freshman year of college........gee, I love calculus...
MATH 141 Freshman Grade Earned: N/A Required (Major) 2:59 am, May 26, 2004 Report Evaluation		damnit horst....don't comment on yourself... thinkin ure slick.... "oh yeah horst is a really good teacher you don't try..etc etc..." fuck you....u need to learn ure ass how to teach
PHYS 111 5th Year Senior Grade Earned: No Credit Required (Support) 2:46 am, May 26, 2004 Report Evaluation		http://pr2.sigkill.com/eval.phtml?profid=1108
MATH 141 Freshman Grade Earned: C Required (Major) 5:37 pm, May 24, 2004 Report Evaluation		I think Cal Poly students come out of highschool thinking college is going to be just as easy. College is supposed to be challenging and difficult. If it was easy what would be the point of paying so much money for a crappy education. Yes, Horst is a difficult teacher, but he is one of the few teachers that does what he is supposed to do.....teach the students. I learned a lot and even a bit about dedication and time management for that class. Cal Poly probably doesn't even pay Horst what he deserves and he still shows up every day, so quit your complaining students and appreciate that with hard work and dedication you can learn a lot from Professor Horst. Those that fail are those that complain! Those that fail are those that don't try!
MATH 141 Freshman Grade Earned: F General Ed 10:24 pm, May 20, 2004 Report Evaluation		don't take this guy, my friend in the same class is stressed with so much pointless homework they cut their wrists, i myself and tired of this guy, who let him teach here in the first place...
MATH 141 Freshman Grade Earned: N/A Required (Support) 9:42 pm, Apr 29, 2004 Report Evaluation		he is a child molester...that is all... horst=molester retarted when it comes to grading hw.... no partial credit lost 8 out of ten points for not distributing a negative...tell me... how GAY is that...fucker...
MATH 118 Freshman Grade Earned: F Required (Major) 9:40 pm, Apr 29, 2004 Report Evaluation		THIS GUY fucking failed me for not letting him molest me. gives WAY TOO MUCH homework, every homework is like 1-51 odd, 53 55 57 59 61 63 so it's really like 1-infiniti odd. FUCK THIS GUY he gives you so much homework and only grades some of it. i got like 0.5/10 on 5 assignments graded as one. I SPENT 4 HOURS DOING IT ALL. STAY AWAY. THIS GUY SHOULD BE FIRED.
MATH 118 Freshman Grade Earned: A Elective 9:55 pm, Mar 27, 2004 Report Evaluation		I have no idea why Horst is so unliked by many students, both as a teacher and a professor. He is by far the best math teacher I've ever had because he knows his stuff. He can show you how to do a math problem step by step clearly. During class, he may go pretty fast but if you just pay attention you should be fine. If you still don't get it, he has office hours where he'll go over it again till you understand it. It is easy to ask him questions because he seems to really enjoy doing these math problems over and over again. He is really a nice guy who wants to help you. He gives 2 midterms worth 25% each with 20 questions each. It is very similar to the study guide he gives you before the test which was nice. The problems are not hard, but I'm warning you, you might want to pull your hairs out during the test because it gets so messy and you have to be really focused. But that shouldn't be a problem because he gives you messy problems on both the practice guide and his notes. One thing I really liked about his teaching is he gives you plenty of examples of different kinds for you to try then he'll go over them after giving you some time with it on your own. His final is 40% and also not bad at all because there are no suprises. You'll have more then plenty of time to take the tests. Homework is 10% and it's pretty easy, just takes bit of time. This was a pretty fun math class overall.
MATH 118 Freshman Grade Earned: N/A Required (Support) 2:14 am, Oct 23, 2003 Report Evaluation		well, horst is one of those professors we all talk about as being the most boring person on the planet. His teachng style and voice make the 4+ hours a week you spend with him seem to drag on forever. You do however learn something, which is contrary to other classes and teachers along the way. Try to take whatever from someone else, you will be saving your time and sanity.
PHYS 132 Freshman Grade Earned: N/A Required (Support) 11:02 am, May 10, 2003 Report Evaluation		Definitely not your average teacher. A really nice guy, but he is unorganized. Sometimes I wonder if he even prepared himself for the day's lecture as at many times, he will question himself about whether he showed us the correct equations or information. Anyways, he is a nice guy and a fair grader. I just wonder sometimes who the hell gave him his credentials.
MATH 118 Freshman Grade Earned: A General Ed 9:28 pm, Apr 6, 2003 Report Evaluation		Prof. Horst is a nice person who seems to have too much going on. He works both at Cal Poly and Cuesta so he was always rushing in and out of class. His lectures consisted mainly of examples from each lesson. Homework is due every Friday and he grades 10 random problems so you have to make sure they are all right to get full credit. The tests are straight forward. He hands out a study guide before each test and DO them! They really help. Quite a few people seemed to get annoyed with him because of how he talks and his personality, but he is very approachable and is willing to work out any issues.
PHYS 131 Freshman Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 9:45 pm, Mar 31, 2003 Report Evaluation		Professor Horst should be avoided if at all possible. He is a unprepared professor who works for both Cal Poly and Cuesta Community College. This did not help one bit since he was hardly available for office hours. His lectures are extremely boring and not helpful. You practically have to learn the material by going to the lab and doing the HW. He has two midterms and a final. Fairly straight forward yet difficult. He claims to give partial credit yet he does not. He will not go over the exams and will simply give you the answers but not help you understand the material. The only reason my grade was a B was simply because he gives 10 percent for HW grades and 3 percent bonus for s+ in lab. You have to do everything exactly how he does the problems and never forget a minus sign to recieve full credit. This instructor is definitly not one to have if you have never taken physics before. Steer clear of him and you should do just fine taking physics. A little story to demonstrate another reason to avoid him. I went to his office hours and asked him to work out a HW problem that I did not understand. He did so and even let me keep the paper he worked the problem out on. The funny thing was, he was asked the same question during lecture and worked the problem a completely different way. Neither were correct...all it did was confuse the hell out of me.

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