Brent Corbin
Department of Physics
AD
3.7
Overall Rating
Based on 95 Users
Easiness 1.5 / 5 How easy the class is, 1 being extremely difficult and 5 being easy peasy.
Clarity 4.1 / 5 How clear the class is, 1 being extremely unclear and 5 being very clear.
Workload 2.6 / 5 How much workload the class is, 1 being extremely heavy and 5 being extremely light.
Helpfulness 3.7 / 5 How helpful the class is, 1 being not helpful at all and 5 being extremely helpful.

TOP TAGS

  • Tough Tests
  • Engaging Lectures
  • Often Funny
GRADE DISTRIBUTIONS
47.2%
39.3%
31.5%
23.6%
15.7%
7.9%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

53.4%
44.5%
35.6%
26.7%
17.8%
8.9%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

53.4%
44.5%
35.6%
26.7%
17.8%
8.9%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

22.8%
19.0%
15.2%
11.4%
7.6%
3.8%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

19.1%
15.9%
12.7%
9.5%
6.4%
3.2%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

30.3%
25.3%
20.2%
15.2%
10.1%
5.1%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

28.6%
23.8%
19.0%
14.3%
9.5%
4.8%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

25.4%
21.2%
16.9%
12.7%
8.5%
4.2%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

26.2%
21.8%
17.5%
13.1%
8.7%
4.4%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

30.1%
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
10.0%
5.0%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

28.4%
23.7%
18.9%
14.2%
9.5%
4.7%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

29.7%
24.7%
19.8%
14.8%
9.9%
4.9%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

ENROLLMENT DISTRIBUTIONS
Clear marks

Sorry, no enrollment data is available.

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Reviews (77)

4 of 8
4 of 8
Add your review...
Quarter: Winter 2020
Grade: A
March 31, 2020

Professor Corbin is an amazing lecturer who uses humor and anecdotes appropriately to infuse life into an otherwise boring concept. He explains concepts extremely well and I feel that my understanding of mechanics definitely improved after taking this class. The weekly homework isn't to be submitted so it is entirely the students' responsibility to keep up with the class.
Corbin does not use any numbers in-class examples or tests so I'd recommend solving any question you come across in the variable form (For eg. if you're solving for final velocity, then come up with a formula for final velocity in terms of the other variables provided) and then plug in the numbers to see if you got the correct answer. This will get you used to solving questions the Corbin way.
The midterms were extremely difficult and had a median of around 50%. I would advise you to solve a lot of problems from the textbook (using the method I mentioned) to prepare for the tests. I cannot speak much of the final because I chose to skip it given the Coronavirus situation.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2018
Grade: N/A
June 13, 2018

Hardest class I've ever taken. The tests are impossible and most everyone does poorly. Don't get me wrong, Corbin is a great lecturer, but if you plan on taking him, just realize that even if you've done well in all your other classes and you prepare for the tests, you can still get crushed.
.
MT 1: average around 55-65, stdev 20 (normal dist)
MT 2: avg: 40, std dev 20 (140 scored below 50%)

I would highly recommend taking any other professor if you want to do well in this physics 1A. How well I did in the class did not reflect on how much I learned.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2017
Grade: B
Jan. 31, 2018

Corbin was an extremely interesting professor. His lectures are fun and he explains everything with the utmost clarity. He does not assign any homework which makes life easier. But his tests are a totally different story cause they are ridiculously difficult. People average at a 30% on his tests. However, you feel better cause everyone does just as bad so the curve is wonderful. If you're looking for an easy A Corbin is not the prof for you... but if you just wanna have some fun and actually learn physics go for him, even though you're GPA will take a plunge.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Fall 2017
Grade: N/A
Dec. 24, 2017

If you love learning take this class! Like everybody says, Corbin's class is very very challenging and you will likely find yourself frustrated with your results on the exams. Sure, it's a trial by fire, but you will come out of this class actually understanding physics. Corbin's lectures are actually fun to attend and his explanations are incredibly clear. The guy has a lot of personality and humor. DON'T blow off the homework even though it's not graded and not nearly as hard as the tests. If you can work through those problems quickly and accurately, you will be ok. Use them to build your problem-solving skills so that you will know how to approach the crazy questions on the exams and not panic. His tests aren't in the test bank, so don't bother. I highly recommend going to office hours (make sure to bring questions!). Conceptual issues are best addressed there (versus homework problems, which Corbin seems to prefer that you try to struggle through yourself because him telling you the answer doesn't teach you as much). If you put a lot into this class, you will get a lot out! Try to enjoy yourself and don't be too harsh on yourself when you get that first midterm back. When it comes to later courses, you'll be miles ahead of your classmates because you survived physics with Corbin.

Helpful?

1 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2017
Grade: B
June 14, 2017

I absolutely loved this class. Corbin is a fantastic lecturer and he really teaches you Physics at a high level. He doesn't go easy on you at all. He doesn't collect homework but you need to do the homework and study all the in-class problems if you want to do well in the course. My favorite prof so far.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2017
Grade: B
June 13, 2017

I loved Corbin. If you're the type of person who truly wants to learn and understand physics, Corbin is the guy to take. Many STEM classes focus more on teaching you a lot of stuff (counting dots) but don't show you how it all comes together (connecting dots). Corbin definitely does the latter.

I really enjoyed going to his office hours too. I didn't at first, thinking it would be unnecessary for an intro mechanics class; I later realized that Corbin's OH exposes you to all kinds of awesome material beyond the scope of 1A. The class is challenging, but the learning curve is very steep.

Helpful?

1 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2017
Grade: B
April 11, 2017

Like other reviewers have said, you need to come into this class with the understanding that it won't be an easy A. You need to be prepared to do problems, practice, and pay attention in lecture. Luckily, Corbin is a great lecturer, but in the end you must still be willing to put in the effort to really understand the concepts behind each question.

Overall, I would take 1A with him again because I learned a lot about how to study physics, but I would not take 1B or 1C with him because I'm not in a major that needs a deep understanding of physics anyways. Would strongly recommend for Physics/Mech E majors though.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2017
Grade: A-
April 5, 2017

Corbin's confusing. Honestly, I don't know why all the ratings seem so great about Corbin's clarity and all that. I felt like he made the math pretty confusing and it was hard to follow. I feel like he also crammed a lot of the topics in and I didn't feel like I had enough time to do the homework. I even got a good grade in this class and yet I still didn't like the way the class was taught.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2017
Grade: B-
Verified Reviewer This user is a verified UCLA student/alum.
March 31, 2017

The rumors are true this is possibly the toughest class I have ever taken at UCLA. Corbin is a solid lecturer that keeps me interested, mostly because I am frantically trying to understand the notes he is writing on the board, and speaks good English. Sometimes I wish he used a a mic because it is hard to hear the farther away from the front you get. The exams are nearly impossible and are very calc heavy especially the final. If you love physics and love complex math derivations on exams take Corbin. If you want an easy A go somewhere else.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2017
Grade: N/A
Feb. 9, 2017

Corbin is the best Physics professor I have ever seen. Although he always express his contempt towards math, he did indeed give the deepest mathematical explanation towards all the concepts. Even the text book fails to reach the level of his clarity. As a math major, I highly recommend the course to everyone who wants the "dark truth" of mechanics and to those who enjoy solving algebra problems containing only characters (without number).
His exams are fun :D

Helpful?

1 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2020
Grade: A
March 31, 2020

Professor Corbin is an amazing lecturer who uses humor and anecdotes appropriately to infuse life into an otherwise boring concept. He explains concepts extremely well and I feel that my understanding of mechanics definitely improved after taking this class. The weekly homework isn't to be submitted so it is entirely the students' responsibility to keep up with the class.
Corbin does not use any numbers in-class examples or tests so I'd recommend solving any question you come across in the variable form (For eg. if you're solving for final velocity, then come up with a formula for final velocity in terms of the other variables provided) and then plug in the numbers to see if you got the correct answer. This will get you used to solving questions the Corbin way.
The midterms were extremely difficult and had a median of around 50%. I would advise you to solve a lot of problems from the textbook (using the method I mentioned) to prepare for the tests. I cannot speak much of the final because I chose to skip it given the Coronavirus situation.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2018
Grade: N/A
June 13, 2018

Hardest class I've ever taken. The tests are impossible and most everyone does poorly. Don't get me wrong, Corbin is a great lecturer, but if you plan on taking him, just realize that even if you've done well in all your other classes and you prepare for the tests, you can still get crushed.
.
MT 1: average around 55-65, stdev 20 (normal dist)
MT 2: avg: 40, std dev 20 (140 scored below 50%)

I would highly recommend taking any other professor if you want to do well in this physics 1A. How well I did in the class did not reflect on how much I learned.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2017
Grade: B
Jan. 31, 2018

Corbin was an extremely interesting professor. His lectures are fun and he explains everything with the utmost clarity. He does not assign any homework which makes life easier. But his tests are a totally different story cause they are ridiculously difficult. People average at a 30% on his tests. However, you feel better cause everyone does just as bad so the curve is wonderful. If you're looking for an easy A Corbin is not the prof for you... but if you just wanna have some fun and actually learn physics go for him, even though you're GPA will take a plunge.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Fall 2017
Grade: N/A
Dec. 24, 2017

If you love learning take this class! Like everybody says, Corbin's class is very very challenging and you will likely find yourself frustrated with your results on the exams. Sure, it's a trial by fire, but you will come out of this class actually understanding physics. Corbin's lectures are actually fun to attend and his explanations are incredibly clear. The guy has a lot of personality and humor. DON'T blow off the homework even though it's not graded and not nearly as hard as the tests. If you can work through those problems quickly and accurately, you will be ok. Use them to build your problem-solving skills so that you will know how to approach the crazy questions on the exams and not panic. His tests aren't in the test bank, so don't bother. I highly recommend going to office hours (make sure to bring questions!). Conceptual issues are best addressed there (versus homework problems, which Corbin seems to prefer that you try to struggle through yourself because him telling you the answer doesn't teach you as much). If you put a lot into this class, you will get a lot out! Try to enjoy yourself and don't be too harsh on yourself when you get that first midterm back. When it comes to later courses, you'll be miles ahead of your classmates because you survived physics with Corbin.

Helpful?

1 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2017
Grade: B
June 14, 2017

I absolutely loved this class. Corbin is a fantastic lecturer and he really teaches you Physics at a high level. He doesn't go easy on you at all. He doesn't collect homework but you need to do the homework and study all the in-class problems if you want to do well in the course. My favorite prof so far.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2017
Grade: B
June 13, 2017

I loved Corbin. If you're the type of person who truly wants to learn and understand physics, Corbin is the guy to take. Many STEM classes focus more on teaching you a lot of stuff (counting dots) but don't show you how it all comes together (connecting dots). Corbin definitely does the latter.

I really enjoyed going to his office hours too. I didn't at first, thinking it would be unnecessary for an intro mechanics class; I later realized that Corbin's OH exposes you to all kinds of awesome material beyond the scope of 1A. The class is challenging, but the learning curve is very steep.

Helpful?

1 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2017
Grade: B
April 11, 2017

Like other reviewers have said, you need to come into this class with the understanding that it won't be an easy A. You need to be prepared to do problems, practice, and pay attention in lecture. Luckily, Corbin is a great lecturer, but in the end you must still be willing to put in the effort to really understand the concepts behind each question.

Overall, I would take 1A with him again because I learned a lot about how to study physics, but I would not take 1B or 1C with him because I'm not in a major that needs a deep understanding of physics anyways. Would strongly recommend for Physics/Mech E majors though.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2017
Grade: A-
April 5, 2017

Corbin's confusing. Honestly, I don't know why all the ratings seem so great about Corbin's clarity and all that. I felt like he made the math pretty confusing and it was hard to follow. I feel like he also crammed a lot of the topics in and I didn't feel like I had enough time to do the homework. I even got a good grade in this class and yet I still didn't like the way the class was taught.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Verified Reviewer This user is a verified UCLA student/alum.
Quarter: Winter 2017
Grade: B-
March 31, 2017

The rumors are true this is possibly the toughest class I have ever taken at UCLA. Corbin is a solid lecturer that keeps me interested, mostly because I am frantically trying to understand the notes he is writing on the board, and speaks good English. Sometimes I wish he used a a mic because it is hard to hear the farther away from the front you get. The exams are nearly impossible and are very calc heavy especially the final. If you love physics and love complex math derivations on exams take Corbin. If you want an easy A go somewhere else.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Winter 2017
Grade: N/A
Feb. 9, 2017

Corbin is the best Physics professor I have ever seen. Although he always express his contempt towards math, he did indeed give the deepest mathematical explanation towards all the concepts. Even the text book fails to reach the level of his clarity. As a math major, I highly recommend the course to everyone who wants the "dark truth" of mechanics and to those who enjoy solving algebra problems containing only characters (without number).
His exams are fun :D

Helpful?

1 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
4 of 8
3.7
Overall Rating
Based on 95 Users
Easiness 1.5 / 5 How easy the class is, 1 being extremely difficult and 5 being easy peasy.
Clarity 4.1 / 5 How clear the class is, 1 being extremely unclear and 5 being very clear.
Workload 2.6 / 5 How much workload the class is, 1 being extremely heavy and 5 being extremely light.
Helpfulness 3.7 / 5 How helpful the class is, 1 being not helpful at all and 5 being extremely helpful.

TOP TAGS

  • Tough Tests
    (39)
  • Engaging Lectures
    (35)
  • Often Funny
    (34)
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