Professor
James Larkin
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2022 - Profesor Larkin is VERY smart, but his lectures are structured completely around conceptual ideas, yet his exams are all problem-solving. It makes no sense how we are actually supposed to learn and practice the problem-solving. He maybe walked through a total of 10 problems the entire quarter. The homework also was not helpful and made us work through problems for hours that were not even included in the lectures. He was quite rude over email. The exams are difficult for no reason and include deep analysis and revision on variables we didn't cover in class, and he just expects you to know how to set them up. The TA's reviewed problems that didn't even appear on the exam. This is one of the hardest classes I have ever taken. There are much easier physics professors out there. Save yourself.
Fall 2022 - Profesor Larkin is VERY smart, but his lectures are structured completely around conceptual ideas, yet his exams are all problem-solving. It makes no sense how we are actually supposed to learn and practice the problem-solving. He maybe walked through a total of 10 problems the entire quarter. The homework also was not helpful and made us work through problems for hours that were not even included in the lectures. He was quite rude over email. The exams are difficult for no reason and include deep analysis and revision on variables we didn't cover in class, and he just expects you to know how to set them up. The TA's reviewed problems that didn't even appear on the exam. This is one of the hardest classes I have ever taken. There are much easier physics professors out there. Save yourself.
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2021 - This class is definitely an EASY A class. Just make sure you use professor Larkin's slides and the STUDY QUESTION GUIDE. You don't even have to go to the lecture at all. I didn't go to the lecture this quarter, but I go over all the lecture slides before the midterm (This way can save your time). Make sure you go over ALL the questions of STUDYGUIDE provided before exams, and that is very very helpful. Lots of questions come from that studyguide. Just try to answer all those questions in advance based on information you can find in the lecture slides, and you will get through the exam very easily.
Winter 2021 - This class is definitely an EASY A class. Just make sure you use professor Larkin's slides and the STUDY QUESTION GUIDE. You don't even have to go to the lecture at all. I didn't go to the lecture this quarter, but I go over all the lecture slides before the midterm (This way can save your time). Make sure you go over ALL the questions of STUDYGUIDE provided before exams, and that is very very helpful. Lots of questions come from that studyguide. Just try to answer all those questions in advance based on information you can find in the lecture slides, and you will get through the exam very easily.
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2024 - Prof. Larkin is very knowledgeable in this subject. The class covers some topics like special relativity and general relativity that can be hard to fully grasp, but Prof. Larkin does a very good job at explaining it. He is also available for office hours and is always willing to answer questions. I've been interested in astronomy since I was little, and although I'm not in a STEM major, I found the class very fun. I honestly loved it and the work load was super manageable; this is a great easy science GE!
Fall 2024 - Prof. Larkin is very knowledgeable in this subject. The class covers some topics like special relativity and general relativity that can be hard to fully grasp, but Prof. Larkin does a very good job at explaining it. He is also available for office hours and is always willing to answer questions. I've been interested in astronomy since I was little, and although I'm not in a STEM major, I found the class very fun. I honestly loved it and the work load was super manageable; this is a great easy science GE!
Most Helpful Review
*This is a review for Physics 11 Physics 11 with Larkin is literally one of the best classes I've ever taken. It goes through the intricacies of physics with zero math involved, so it's only concept based. Yet, by the end, you'll have a general idea of Einstein's theories, quantum mechanics, black holes, string theory, etc. Basically, the course will absolutely blow your mind and the fact that it's stripped of math will allow you to appreciate the beauty of physics without drowning yourself in the numbers. Professor Larkin himself makes the course extremely fun. He's an amazing lecturer and answers questions before you even ask. Everything he teaches is interesting. He's also very clear with the material exam wise. His powerpoints really help the lecture (although notes are still highly recommended) and he uploads study guides which will easily help you through the midterms. He makes himself extra available before midterms and thoroughly cares about his students. Do whatever you can to take physics 11 with Larkin, it is truly an eye opening experience. You will learn more about physics than you ever thought you could know.
*This is a review for Physics 11 Physics 11 with Larkin is literally one of the best classes I've ever taken. It goes through the intricacies of physics with zero math involved, so it's only concept based. Yet, by the end, you'll have a general idea of Einstein's theories, quantum mechanics, black holes, string theory, etc. Basically, the course will absolutely blow your mind and the fact that it's stripped of math will allow you to appreciate the beauty of physics without drowning yourself in the numbers. Professor Larkin himself makes the course extremely fun. He's an amazing lecturer and answers questions before you even ask. Everything he teaches is interesting. He's also very clear with the material exam wise. His powerpoints really help the lecture (although notes are still highly recommended) and he uploads study guides which will easily help you through the midterms. He makes himself extra available before midterms and thoroughly cares about his students. Do whatever you can to take physics 11 with Larkin, it is truly an eye opening experience. You will learn more about physics than you ever thought you could know.
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2016 - Larkin is one of the better professors that I've had so far. He seems to genuinely care about his students understanding the concepts. Lectures were very organized and clear. He does talk a little fast which makes it hard to take notes in class, but he does post his slideshows online, so I guess it's fair. Exams are heavily based on his review questions (which is provided a week in advance), so as long as you can answer those, you're pretty much guaranteed at least a B. I think this course is interesting for anyone regardless of their major as the professor makes the concepts very accessible to everyone.
Winter 2016 - Larkin is one of the better professors that I've had so far. He seems to genuinely care about his students understanding the concepts. Lectures were very organized and clear. He does talk a little fast which makes it hard to take notes in class, but he does post his slideshows online, so I guess it's fair. Exams are heavily based on his review questions (which is provided a week in advance), so as long as you can answer those, you're pretty much guaranteed at least a B. I think this course is interesting for anyone regardless of their major as the professor makes the concepts very accessible to everyone.
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2017 - Dr. Larkin is a great professor. Although he goes through his slides quite quickly, he is always more than happy to explain the material during his office hours. I would 100% recommend going to his office hours if you're having trouble. This class isn't a cake walk as it does require lots of reading and work but it's definitely worth it! All in all I would definitely recommend Larkin. I'm selling both books required for this class: The Story of Earth and A Short History of Nearly Everything! If interested text me at **********
Fall 2017 - Dr. Larkin is a great professor. Although he goes through his slides quite quickly, he is always more than happy to explain the material during his office hours. I would 100% recommend going to his office hours if you're having trouble. This class isn't a cake walk as it does require lots of reading and work but it's definitely worth it! All in all I would definitely recommend Larkin. I'm selling both books required for this class: The Story of Earth and A Short History of Nearly Everything! If interested text me at **********
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