PHPE401 | PlanetTerp

Information	Review
Xinzhi Zhao PHPE401 Expecting an A- Anonymous 01/02/2025	Really nice and well-meaning professor but very new to the University of Maryland and understandably still adjusting. Lesson plans were well structured to begin with (daily handouts before class that tied closely to assigned readings) however it felt like you had to learn it all on your own as there was a lack of focus when she taught the actual lectures. I'm sure with time there will be more clarity however with our one in-person midterm everyone left the test wildly confused as the content we were directed to study was almost nowhere to be found, and there were questions worth 5-10 points based on random topics briefly went over once. Understanding and chill professor, make sure you take notes during class discussions to understand from your group if you were confused on a reading as it might be easier than asking her directly.
Xinzhi Zhao PHPE401 Expecting an A- Anonymous 12/24/2024	sweet lady, knows her stuff. she can ramble a lot in lectures, but she is very knowledgable and it helps because it is always about the topic. for a seminar class, you'll have to talk in groups every class about the handout questions, but i wish there was more class conversation. Also, the midterm was really bullshit and hard, but she reflected and realized that so it should be better next semester. That being said, the midterm is the only worrying assignment, everything else is chill.
Antong Liu PHPE401 Expecting an A Anonymous 12/13/2023	My favorite professor at UMD, the only classes that have really motivated me to read most of the dense readings just because of how interesting the discussions are. His classes are always so well organized and structured, he clearly put a lot of thoughts into his pedagogy. He also just had a great way of explaining all the materials and showcasing what makes them interesting.
Antong Liu PHPE401 Expecting an A Anonymous 05/08/2023	Great Professor. Down to earth, willing to help, and helps pad your points with the quiz and participation grade. The way he does group discussions every class really helped me learn the material. The essays can be tricky and while I didn’t personally reach out to him I’m sure if you went to office hours he would give you some really good advice without doing the essay for you. 10/10
Aylon Manor PHPE401 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 03/07/2023	Lectures outlined the readings very well and were easy to follow. Discussions during lecture were also pretty well facilitated. Grade was almost solely dependent on 2 papers which were both graded very easily. All in all, very easy class
Aylon Manor PHPE401 Expecting a B+ Anonymous 01/31/2023	Lectures were boring but the easiest and fairest professor I've ever had at umd. Just copy notes from the slides and your good

Xinzhi Zhao
PHPE401

Expecting an A-
Anonymous
01/02/2025

Really nice and well-meaning professor but very new to the University of Maryland and understandably still adjusting. Lesson plans were well structured to begin with (daily handouts before class that tied closely to assigned readings) however it felt like you had to learn it all on your own as there was a lack of focus when she taught the actual lectures. I'm sure with time there will be more clarity however with our one in-person midterm everyone left the test wildly confused as the content we were directed to study was almost nowhere to be found, and there were questions worth 5-10 points based on random topics briefly went over once. Understanding and chill professor, make sure you take notes during class discussions to understand from your group if you were confused on a reading as it might be easier than asking her directly.

Xinzhi Zhao
PHPE401

Expecting an A-
Anonymous
12/24/2024

sweet lady, knows her stuff. she can ramble a lot in lectures, but she is very knowledgable and it helps because it is always about the topic. for a seminar class, you'll have to talk in groups every class about the handout questions, but i wish there was more class conversation. Also, the midterm was really bullshit and hard, but she reflected and realized that so it should be better next semester. That being said, the midterm is the only worrying assignment, everything else is chill.

Antong Liu
PHPE401

Expecting an A
Anonymous
12/13/2023

My favorite professor at UMD, the only classes that have really motivated me to read most of the dense readings just because of how interesting the discussions are. His classes are always so well organized and structured, he clearly put a lot of thoughts into his pedagogy. He also just had a great way of explaining all the materials and showcasing what makes them interesting.

Antong Liu
PHPE401

Expecting an A
Anonymous
05/08/2023

Great Professor. Down to earth, willing to help, and helps pad your points with the quiz and participation grade. The way he does group discussions every class really helped me learn the material. The essays can be tricky and while I didn’t personally reach out to him I’m sure if you went to office hours he would give you some really good advice without doing the essay for you. 10/10

Aylon Manor
PHPE401

Expecting an A+
Anonymous
03/07/2023

Lectures outlined the readings very well and were easy to follow. Discussions during lecture were also pretty well facilitated. Grade was almost solely dependent on 2 papers which were both graded very easily. All in all, very easy class

Aylon Manor
PHPE401

Expecting a B+
Anonymous
01/31/2023

Lectures were boring but the easiest and fairest professor I've ever had at umd. Just copy notes from the slides and your good

Reviews for PHPE401