Lipman is a genius, and you learn so much from just listening to him talk. He makes you understand how stuff actually works, not just memorizing crap for no reason. His classes are hard - tough grader, long homework with difficult problems which are most of the grade (remainder is big final project). But the payoff is learning invaluable skills

Good course, challenging. However, the professor is very obnoxious and full of himself. Expect him to be sarcastic and unhelpful when he thinks that you're being 'stupid', which is a terrible attitude to have when you're teaching a difficult course and can actually be counter productive to the learning of students.

Why did the physics department have a gravitational theory grad student be a TA for a course focused on FPGA? Research papers use the language "we" but points are taken off because of unprofessional language like that. You would spend 15 hours minimum per lab because they can be very tedious.

He's awful

I am currently taking him for Phys129 which is a computational analysis lab and let me tell you, Ive never had more work in my life. 15-20 hours weekly at least go into one homework assignment where he asks us to do things he has never once even mentioned. I took this class to learn programming and all Ive learned how to do is google everything

Too much work for a lab class. Also, not very understanding. Gave an assignment during finals week and expected everyone to finish it. Did not curve at all (I'm in CCS and didn't get full units, but I figure this means he wouldn't curve the letter grades if it was L&S).

Best physics professor I've had. Not super great, but comparatively, he was solid. Class was pretty useful, and tests were doable. Unfortunately for me, the final had a an almost identical version online. So some people studied that, and the average was brought up pretty high. I did alright but it felt bad knowing that some people had an advantage

I had 4 physics profs in UCSB. Lipman was the best among them. He derives almost all equations you will need in class, so there is not much room for confusion. However, understanding all of them is another problem. He has high expectations. If you don't work hard, you will not get a good grade.

Great professor who knows how to teach physics. Many don't notice but he will sneak in witty jokes in class. Best physics prof I've had here. Class is tough though.

Prof. Lipman's lecture is concise and focuses mainly on concepts, but it can be kind of dry sometimes. He is not necessarily the best lecturer l have had, however, he is the MOST responsible professor I've had so far. I have lots of respect for him after experiencing the issue with my lab this quarter. And he is also helpful during office hours.

He's not a very good lecturer but he is a fair grader and the homework is very similar to the tests.

Freedman's textbook is easier to understand and has a better index than the Physics 3 textbook used in Lipman's class.

Very clear and concise

Worst teacher in the world. Avoid at all costs. Homework and lectures have no correlation and he spends most of the lecture deriving equations.

I LOVED Professor Lipman! His lectures are so organized and clear. He teaches focuses on theory and concepts so you can solve any hw problem, and the homework is harder than the tests, so the tests really aren't that bad. Keep up with the homework! It can get stacked pretty fast, but you have at least three days to do them.

Spent a large portion of the class discussing conceptual questions which is cool and all, but thats not on the test or homework. Unless you're taking him for the PHYS 1 series AVOID!!!

Awesome awesome awesome. I've heard some bad things about the physics department but I'm so glad I had Lipman. Funny guy, tests are extremely fair, really wants you to learn. This guy knows his stuff. I give him an A+ and bonus points for personality

Best physics teacher. I took him for summer and I don't think I would have done as well had he not taught me. Physics is hard but his demonstrations are great. FANTASTIC

A tough class but Lipman's been the best physics teacher I have had so far. Doesn't say too much but he does actually teach what he puts on the exams. He made the tests open book but only with his particular book.

Lipman is a great teacher if you like math, proofs, and the why behind all of the equations you use to solve problems. If you're not so into that, you're gonna struggle because half the lectures are usually derivations, a quarter is demos and explanations, and a quarter is example problems. Exams were hard, study homework and use your intuition.

I really liked Lipman's lectures he was very clear and concise, but it seemed like he really was interested in the subjects too. I thought his derivations in class made more sense than the book, so it might be worth it to go to class those days, but the rest of the time you don't really need to go.

Even though 37 very hard multiple choice questions (1 midterm and 1 final) defined 80% of your grade, I felt that Lipman was a fair teacher. In lectures(which are completely optional), he's very funny and shows a lot of demonstrations. Sometimes condescending though. Homework was okay as well.

Lipman is smart, and pretty funny. If you love physics and are willing to put many hours into his class, you will enjoy it and do well. Exams are difficult, and there's only two, both multiple choice. Homework due 2x a week. If you need this class for your major and don't love physics, you might be better off waiting for an easier professor.

He's better than the average physics professor his test aren't that bad as long as you keep up and understand the homework really well