Henry Smith is a Physics professor at Northeastern University rated 3.12/5 by 374 students, with 3.04/5 difficulty and 25.0% who would take them again (TRACE + RateMyProfessors + Reddit, updated July 2026).
Henry Smith professor reviews and ratings: 3.12/5 from 374 student reviews at Northeastern (25.0% would take again). TRACE + RateMyProfessor + Reddit.
Had him for ILS for physics 1. He definitely seems passionate about physics but isn't the best at explaining most things. It's an ILS course though so you shouldn't really be learning that much in it and just ask the TAs for help if he's not explaining well. Surprisingly tech literate for his age.PHYS1153 2023-05-03 15:44:56 +0000 UTC
Prof. Smith is easily the best physics prof I've had at NEU. He explained complex principles in multiple different ways until it stuck, and encouraged discussion and class feedback as he taught. He is kind, thoughtful, and makes the material moderately interesting. I would play double tuition for Henry Smith to teach every physics class here.PHYS4623 2018-12-11 13:48:14 +0000 UTC
I never had him as a professor, but he is amazingly helpful for my ILS for physics too. He's really nice and so willing to help, and he goes over all of the equations right before the quizzes, which is nice.PHYSILS 2012-10-14 19:37:31 +0000 UTC
useless. way too caught up in formulas. class doesn't match up with online hw or lab. cant answer questions clearly. doesnt understand real applications. real nice guy if that counts for anything. nu physics dept is a jokePHYS2 2011-06-09 08:36:15 +0000 UTC
class is useless. nice guy but he doesn't explain anything and the lectures are useless. could figure it out in physics 1, but am currently screwed in physics 2.PHYS1155 2010-10-26 21:39:34 +0000 UTC
Like everybody has said, very nice guy, kinda boring teacher. He rambles a lot and gets off track. He doesn't explain things very well, and he is poor at giving examples. The online ebook is helpful though. All the homework and weekly quizzes are online. If you are good at physics, you don't need to go to the class, just use the online book.PHYS1 2009-09-01 23:45:39 +0000 UTC
nice person but not a very good teacher.PHY156 2009-07-27 15:00:51 +0000 UTC
Not the most interesting class. He's nice, but you should sit in the front to hear him speak. He goes a little fast on the problems, but he takes them right out of the book. If you plan to not go to class, study the problems and DO THEM.PHY201 2008-11-15 15:51:01 +0000 UTC
No CommentsPHYPHY 2007-10-31 01:01:44 +0000 UTC
He is not the quickest of teachers.ELECTRONICS 2005-04-08 19:10:23 +0000 UTC
The class is a joke. If you have a Natural World core to fill, get him for Astronomy. You only need to ace 2 of the 3 exams to get an A for the course and skip the final. You only really need to go to class the week before an exam and you'll do fine.PHYU111 2004-10-06 08:47:16 +0000 UTC
he's such an easy teacher. i never went to class and i still knew what was going on. tests are just like practice tests...somewhat difficult final, brought be from an A to a B but he curvesINTROSCIE 2004-07-29 16:56:37 +0000 UTC
he's a really nice guy, he'll do anything for you. nobody goes to class, if you do, you'll get an A...but you'll be bored out of your mind. Take this class to be done with science requirement.INTROSCI 2004-05-03 15:05:39 +0000 UTC
Not a bad teacher. I had him for astronomy class. Talk to him and suck up, you will def. do well.ASTRONOMY 2004-04-06 00:58:22 +0000 UTC
Very mediocre teacher. Not the best nor the worst. He is pretty old though so is class is very slow and soooooooooooooo boring!PHY1521 2003-05-29 11:45:41 +0000 UTC
Henry Smith has an average rating of 3.12/5 from 374 student reviews. 25.0% of students said they would take them again.
Henry Smith's classes have a difficulty rating of 3.04/5 based on student reviews.
Henry Smith has taught PHYS1145, PHYS1153, PHYS1157, PHYS4623, PHYS1151, PHYS3603, PHYS1177 at Northeastern.
Data updated July 2026.