Donald Heiman is a Physics professor at Northeastern University rated 3.24/5 by 40 students, with 3.38/5 difficulty and 33.0% who would take them again (TRACE + RateMyProfessors + Reddit, updated July 2026).
Donald Heiman professor reviews and ratings: 3.24/5 from 40 student reviews at Northeastern (33.0% would take again). TRACE + RateMyProfessor + Reddit.
Don is an interesting guy. There is no clear grading criteria and he responds to emails with rhetorical questions. His TAs are ruthless graders most assignments you'd lose a lot of points with vague reasonings behind it. Also his exams were just based off of random facts from his PowerPoints which was pretty weird to be honest. He's okay at best.PHYS2371 2020-12-21 17:07:45 +0000 UTC
DON'T take him as a freshman. Admittedly I am responsible for one of the earlier, scathing reviews. But if you have some college experience under your belt his hobbyist teaching style, focus on concepts rather than grades, and enthusiasm for his field become endearing, refreshing, and a little inspiring rather than just frustrating.PHYS3600 2020-06-18 22:15:51 +0000 UTC
Teaches Electronics like he is a hobbyist. The topics seem to be glossed over a bit so some topics are more difficult to grasp. Homeworks were graded a bit stiffly, and you never knew why you were docked a point. He is an excellent lab teacher, but during lectures he tends to struggle. Overall - easy class if you stay on top of your work.PHYSU2371 2009-12-14 11:42:06 +0000 UTC
This professor is fun to work with and very knowledgeable. Good person to work with in a laboratory course -- he's especially good at troubleshooting circuits. He enjoys teaching and adds color to the lectures by citing interesting stories and side notes.PHYS371 2007-11-10 08:59:54 +0000 UTC
Physics isn't necessarily my cup of tea, but Prof. Heiman tries to make it as clear as possible. Works you through practice problems that are basically similar to the quiz questions. Go to class, it's the only way you'll get the concepts! Available and willing to help out extracurricularly... use it to your advantage!PHY145 2006-10-17 11:14:27 +0000 UTC
I agree with the first reviewer-- slow at answering questions from the class, and could have hearing problem. Really nice guy, super easy class. Great if you need to bang out your science elective for CORE. It's hard to go to class because it's boring and seems pointless. If you're halfway smart and read his class packet you'll do fine.ENERGYENV 2006-04-06 20:33:23 +0000 UTC
Tries to explain concepts using good examples. Somewhat slow on the uptake when answering questions from the class, but he'll try his best. Maybe he's slightly deaf. The problem with this class is the exams, because the problems on the exams are not like the problems he goes over in class. Overall, an OK class. It could've been worse.PHYU145 2005-12-16 19:54:00 +0000 UTC
One of the worst instructors I've ever had in my life. He never explains things clearly and he made things much more complicated deliberately to confuse you. He thinks that would make the students think.PHYS2371 2020-10-18 17:30:23 +0000 UTC
This prof gave incorrect on his lecture slides and did not bother to correct it. He gave us no practice problems for exam or final prep. When we asked him for the format, he said "some questions will be conceptual." He is never clear in giving answers.PHYS2371 2019-12-10 22:49:18 +0000 UTC
Didn't seem to take the class seriously, cancelled half the lectures before the semester started. Wasn't accessible, terrible at answering questions. Tests were easy but labs counted for almost the whole grade. TAs graded the labs and the grading process made little sense, it was a weekly coin toss with about a 20 point margin of error.PHYS2371 2019-01-30 16:09:00 +0000 UTC
Don Heiman knew everything he was teaching very well. He does have a problem communicating that information, but he does a pretty good job nonetheless. I had him for electronics, and most of what you learn will be through the labs, not the lectures. He's chill, fun, and very enthusiastic about electronics and physics in general.PHYS2371 2019-01-27 18:07:33 +0000 UTC
Donald Heiman has an average rating of 3.24/5 from 40 student reviews. 33.0% of students said they would take them again.
Donald Heiman's classes have a difficulty rating of 3.38/5 based on student reviews.
Donald Heiman has taught PHYS3600, PHYS2371, PHYS2372 at Northeastern.
Data updated July 2026.