James Kern

This class was all lecture, and his lecture sucks. He knows his physics, but you learn more from doing the webassign and reading the textbook. Whats worst about him is the test questions. He make you know vocabulary. You also have to learn the history behind all the major physicists and what they did. All he assigns is webassign so the only problems you get to do are number based problems, and then his tests are all abstract short answer questions. This wouldnt be so bad if it was physics I. Take him for physics I but totally avoid for upper level physics.

Take him if you want to learn physics. I had him for Physics I and he tended to jump between topics on the board, mostly filling it with proofs and small details. I'd imagine he's a better teacher for a higher level course, as he really seems to know the

I felt very lost in his class, but he was always willing to help. He curves grades really bad (which I feel that says something about the way he teaches) but for someone who is good at physics, its easy to get a decent grade. For those with poor backgr

Does a pretty good job covering the material. He's a bit anal on quizes but tells you that. The tests we had were all multiple choice. Attendance wasn't manditory, but quizes were random.

Great guy. Curves a lot but the tests are challenging. The final is easy if you have any idea of the course material. Take him...

Very strict when it comes to procedure and classroom behavior. Sometimes the WebAssign homeworks are easy, others they are incredibly hard. Grades tests on the physics you know rather more than the answer. Not very effective in truly teaching the material

smart guy but can't teach lower level classes

Dr. Kern was a decent professor. He can be a little nazi-like with the method you do your work; however, I learned alot in his class. Take him if you want to learn something. Grading kind of erratic.

If you are talking to somebody else and not paying attention, Professor Kern gets an evil grin on his face and will rip on and humilliate that student. It never happened to me personally but it was pretty funny. This guy is like Simon from American Idol

Good professor. Do your homework and you'll be fine. Curves every exam score.

Difficult to understand, doesn't explain concepts very thouroughly. Tends to bounce back and forth between topics on the board.

Alright professor, really willing to help. I found that he just didn't seem to connect with the class during lecture. Fair grader.

He seemed ok at first because he teaches the material well, but webassign is retarded and his idea of fair grading is anything but. He definately had students who he favored more than others. He makes you feel like you dont know the material when in fac

Kern is the man! I had him for Modern Physics and he was great at explaining the material. I got a B and really enjoyed the class.

watch it in his class your back in high school, no laughing or talking or he will blow up. and all he does is prove equations and say yep teach yourself

Professor Kern is a great professor, he knows the material, and gets it a cross in a way that the students can understand it, If you really want to learn Physics he is your man. However as a word of warning, he doesn't do many sample problems in class, an

I had him for Modern Physics. Do the homework (he collects notebooks). AT LEAST try every question and you'll get 15/15 for the quarter. He curves tests, but don't let it fool you. You have to know what you are doing to pass. See him outside of class for

Dr Kern's lecture is not only unstimulating, but not very useful. He has pre-written notes on the overhead. These notes are not only hard to read but lack good quality content. Furthermore, he blows right though the overhead notes. It is my understand

All his base are belong to us

This is coming NOT from a physics major or even a physics buff... And I am telling you - Dr.Kern is great! He is very fair on all his tests, on most tests I would've given myself fewer points than he did! His final exam for Univ.Physics II was cake, mul

Does what he has to do and not much more, can be very good at times.

I'll admit I had my doubts about this professor, given the many emotionally charged comments he's received. After taking his Univ Phys 2 class, however, I've come to the conclusion that no one has anything to fear from this guy. He presented the materia

In lab, Kern gives thorough notes about the lab b/f hand, is willing help cooperative students, etc. However, his grading is extra picky on labs, so be careful that you have a hard-working lab partner.

He isnt a bad professor. I would recommend him to anyone. His grading system isnt great, but he knows his physics and I trust his grading practices.

I have Kern for Physics I. THis is my second time I'm taking physics I, because I failed miserably when I took Shaw's "No Partial Credit" class. Having both teachers they are exact opposites. Shaw cared about the number you circled on the paper as your

Kern knows his stuff about physics, but he needs to work on his people skill. He does expect you to work hard, but if you can handle it its ok.

Has the potential to be a really good professor, but he just can't put it all together. Needs to improve his people skills. Has a few good and a few bad policies on grading.

Lecture isn't very stimulating. He doesn't do any example problems in class......

You will labor over his class. Then you will die. Impossible grader. He doesn't want to to use established physics formulas. He wants you to first derive the formulas from something very basic... then go apply them. Impossible guy!

Kern is a tough, but fair professor. He genuinely loves to teach and that's very rare in a physics professor around here. His classes are hard, but it's almost impossible to fail. If you want to learn a lot, while doing the work to show for it, take Ke

Let's look at some of the other comments: someone who complained the class was too hard after they stopped going... someone who complains that he grades by whether or not you know the material... and the rest either cannot spell or type... In actuality,

I had Kern for University Physics 2, 3. Received a C then a B, he brought me up to speed about physics basics. He expects you to work hard, no excuses. A real college teacher, RIT needs more like him

Dr Kern is an excellent professor. He is a straight shooter and doesn't mess around. Expect to work hard, and to be rewarded for your efforts. His grading policy is extremely fair, probably too lenient for those who are destined to fail. He is helpful and

Hi this is someone who will remain anonymous and still follow all the RIT rules and regulations (as represented by this site) while exploiting the RIT Professor Evaluation System. First Id like to say our president (that would be President Felipe Gira

great teacher, very hard... if you talk in class, if you are a derelict, DO NOT sign up.... if you are an idiot and like to post stupid messages about him, grow up... he is not a 'bulley' or a bully, but a well spoken physics professor who dislikes disre

First of all, he does not discriminate against anyone. If you are being disrespectful, you will be confronted (people should expect this more often anyways). His class is hard, but you cannot fail. Kern is a refreshing deviation from the normal instruc

Let's put it this way, as of right now, I probably have the lowest grade in the class this quarter. However, this is in no way through the fault of Dr. Kern. The homework policy is fair, the test questions and grading have been fair, and like has been sai

Excellent professor. Hard, strict, but fair and consistent. Lazy people don't like him because they don't work hard. Put in the effort and you'll do well, learn a lot, and have his respect.

From Intro to Modern Physics: This is a tough class, with a fast pace and rigorous material. Kern's presentation isn't particularly amazing or revolutionary, but he has a very solid grasp on modern physics and can answer questions well. Grades test in

Kern has a genuine desire for his students to learn the material. He presents it very well, and fairly expects his students to do their part in learning it. He's from the old school of thought: students should work as hard as they can and average effort

this guy's a prick. as a teacher, he's actually pretty solid. i feel like i've learned quite a bit. problem is, i can't stand to be in his class. he's condecending and arrogant, expecting us to have constants or equations "memorised by now, since we're us

When I had Kern for physics 2, he was a complete a**hole. He would throw up slide, read it to you, throw up another one, read it to you, and on and on... his grading was totally unfair, I got an 85 on a test because I left out a negative sign on ONE step

Prof. Kern definitely knows what he's talking about. However, he could be a little more patient when it comes to answering questions. He also makes your performance (or lack of it) to personal for my tastes. He devotes too much class time to trying to mak

Kern is awesome. Warnig: he is not easy. If you take his class you will learn a lot. It is hard to get an A but even harder to fail. If you show up to class you will undoubtedly pass the class. He is a great,but strict, teacher. He is always willing to he

An overall good physics professor. Benefitted from his mandatory recetation classes.

Enjoys humiliating students and commenting on how dumb our generation is, expectations are high but not unreasonable, tests are fair, would be a good teacher if he did not have such an unfortunate personality

He is willing to help you if you show interest in the concepts. Grading is unique and is based on the overall responses on tests. Tests are fair, if you fail, you should be ashamed. He has great knowledge of the subjects and thinks of ways to relay those

Ok, This course starts out all nice and stuff, everyone does pretty well on the first two quizzes (average in the 60's). Then he drops a bomb on us for the third quiz (average of 45) and after that, it's all over, folks. I went into the final with a 40-something average (one of the highest grades in class), and walked out for some unGODLY reason with a B!!! So he curved a LOT, but I won't guarantee it. I busted my butt for this class. I'm a senior and this should have been a cakewalk compared to Software Engineering or Modeling of Linear Systems...

Especially since it doesn't relate to Computer Engineering enough to require it.

His tests are above and beyond anything you can do for homework, so unless you sleep with this book under your pillow, pray for the good side of the curve.

You don't have to outrun the bear, just the other people being chased by it.

Kern really loves astronomy and it comes through in his classes. Give him respect and he will do his best to help you out. He generally curves this class's grade.

Exams are mostly multiple choice with a few problems where you need diagrams and explanations. Almost all test problems are based on the homework. He's often available for out-of-class questions.

His notes are on overheads - write fast!

(He teaches Physics also, I hear he's not as good for that.)