PHYSICS 1A
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Mechanics
Description: Lecture/demonstration, four hours; discussion, one hour. Enforced requisites: Mathematics 31A, 31B. Enforced corequisite: Mathematics 32A. Motion, Newton laws, work, energy, linear and angular momentum, rotation, equilibrium, gravitation. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 5.0
Units: 5.0
5 of 6
Most Helpful Review
For physics major students who take his class: go to his office hour. Because the class is so easy, nobody really goes to his office hour. This is beneficial for you because if you go, you will get a lot of attention from him. He's working with plasmas, and plasma in UCLA is pretty big so talk to him about research opportunities. Even if you are a physics major thinking about switching to engineering, research is beneficial as well. Go talk to him, he's cool. If you are not a physics major, the average score for the two midterms (about 68) is really low for pretty easy material. So I guess once you really get physics, you will do fine. If you are having trouble with homework, google it. See how other people did it. He changes numbers on the homework, but once you get it, they are all pretty easy. Have fun!
For physics major students who take his class: go to his office hour. Because the class is so easy, nobody really goes to his office hour. This is beneficial for you because if you go, you will get a lot of attention from him. He's working with plasmas, and plasma in UCLA is pretty big so talk to him about research opportunities. Even if you are a physics major thinking about switching to engineering, research is beneficial as well. Go talk to him, he's cool. If you are not a physics major, the average score for the two midterms (about 68) is really low for pretty easy material. So I guess once you really get physics, you will do fine. If you are having trouble with homework, google it. See how other people did it. He changes numbers on the homework, but once you get it, they are all pretty easy. Have fun!
Most Helpful Review
His lectures are confusing. He jumps from one derivation to another fully realizing that he does not intend to test his students on derivations nor are his students strong enough in calculus to follow. If you must take his class, expect to teach yourself the material. Also, if you happen to get a good TA, use it to your advantage. A lot of the time, the TA's are more helpful than the teachers.
His lectures are confusing. He jumps from one derivation to another fully realizing that he does not intend to test his students on derivations nor are his students strong enough in calculus to follow. If you must take his class, expect to teach yourself the material. Also, if you happen to get a good TA, use it to your advantage. A lot of the time, the TA's are more helpful than the teachers.
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Most Helpful Review
Professor Rudnick makes a complicated subject such as Physics an enjoyable and managable course to take. Physics is definitely one of my weak points, but Rudnick teaches the course in a very concise, effective, and easy way. He is also a funny guy- I mean he won't have you laughing on the ground- but he'll make you chuckle here and there. This guy is definitely not boring- it's hard to fall asleep in his class- there's always something going on (like important concepts!! ..or his demos, which he does almost ever day)... I would take Professor Rudnick if you can. P.S. that picture was definitely about 15+ years ago haha.
Professor Rudnick makes a complicated subject such as Physics an enjoyable and managable course to take. Physics is definitely one of my weak points, but Rudnick teaches the course in a very concise, effective, and easy way. He is also a funny guy- I mean he won't have you laughing on the ground- but he'll make you chuckle here and there. This guy is definitely not boring- it's hard to fall asleep in his class- there's always something going on (like important concepts!! ..or his demos, which he does almost ever day)... I would take Professor Rudnick if you can. P.S. that picture was definitely about 15+ years ago haha.
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Most Helpful Review
Summer 2024 - Martin is a really nice guy. He lectures very in depth and slowly. His homework is also very easy (all multiple choice). His tests were very fair and did not contain calculus at all. However, I recommend you do his optional problem sets to get a good grasp of the material. They are harder than the test questions but still very helpful.
Summer 2024 - Martin is a really nice guy. He lectures very in depth and slowly. His homework is also very easy (all multiple choice). His tests were very fair and did not contain calculus at all. However, I recommend you do his optional problem sets to get a good grasp of the material. They are harder than the test questions but still very helpful.
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2024 - Vladmir is both a great person and great teacher. Once you get past his heavy accent, he is a good lecturer. The class content is not very difficult especially if you took AP Physics. I will say his tests are very difficult and the class average are typically around 50% but if you pay attention in class and don't cheat on the homework its very manageable to get well above that. Vladmir's grading scale is very generous and he will most likely curve the exams tremendously.
Winter 2024 - Vladmir is both a great person and great teacher. Once you get past his heavy accent, he is a good lecturer. The class content is not very difficult especially if you took AP Physics. I will say his tests are very difficult and the class average are typically around 50% but if you pay attention in class and don't cheat on the homework its very manageable to get well above that. Vladmir's grading scale is very generous and he will most likely curve the exams tremendously.
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