This is probably the strangest class I have ever taken at UCLA. I read a review from a while ago, and that student mentioned how Regan does not know the material and that he doesn't want you to know it either. How can this be? He's mostly in charge of the curriculum, right? Well, the homework is rarely anything like the lectures. Going to office hours usually does not help with the homework because he doesn't know how to solve the problems half the time, and the other half of the time, he just refuses to explain how to do it. Unless a student starts working out the solution, you're only getting an answer if you go to TA office hours. The lectures themselves are mostly fascinating. He has a very unique perspective on physics, and despite my opinion of him as a lecturer, I can say "I think Regan is low key right." The exams are interesting. He holds true to his promise that if you do the homework and actually understand the process (or just memorize the problems), you should get at least some kind of B. That said, the exams are brutal when you're taking them. You can usually get a lot of points from partial credit, so finish each problem to the best of your ability. Just write formulas if you don't know how to even start. About half of the points on the exams come from questions very similar (or identical) to former exams he distributes. The other half come from questions that vary in difficulty from "yeah I could probably figure this out if I studied a bit more or wrote that one equation on my index card" to "how tf do I even start this" (looking at you, examons). As long as you can get most of the first 50 points and then get partial credit, you should have some kind of a B. The curve is quite generous for people who end up with some flavor of A as well.

Ultimately, I cannot really say I actually learned everything I was supposed to. This is kind of a crash course in quantum mech, stat mech, and thermo, which is an odd combination, especially considering each of these classes are their own upper division (quantum mech is actually THREE separate courses). It very much is a speedy overview, and the class is more about learning the exam questions (study the homework questions and the practice exams) than actually mastering content. Your TAs are a great resource since the textbook (Serway) is not that great. Aside from Regan's notes, the hw, and the practice exams, there are not many resources, and as a textbook enthusiast, I found that difficult to get used to. I do recommend Seway for the Bohr model stuff.

One of the most interesting and important courses in UCLA Physics undergrad in my opinion, as it gives you a taste of real physics after the intro courses. The breadth of this course intrigued me the most (covers a lot of ground), and despite its difficulty, it is nevertheless a highly enjoyable course. Homework and exams are challenging, but helps strengthen your knowledge of physics and builds the key fundamentals. Prof Regan is very enthusiastic and engaging in his lectures, although it is pretty fast-paced and hard to follow live without pre-reading the notes beforehand. Homework is interesting although it can be very time-consuming. Mastery of lecture notes is important, as it contains a lot of useful information as well. Great course and would definitely recommend!

Regan is a little unconventional. I really enjoyed the class though. We started off with some things that were quite confusing (some stuff combining special relativity and quantum mechanics, including a very complex lecture on deriving E&M from local gauge invariance) but everything was mostly explained by the end and it connected together pretty well. The homework is long and hard, so go to office hours (which are really helpful, also he sometimes covers interesting additional content not in the class). The tests were actually not that bad; they're almost identical to the practice midterm (and one question on midterm 2 was copied word-for-word from midterm 1). Lectures are both on zoom and recorded, but I'd recommend going in person. I'm looking forward to taking Physics 17 with him in the fall.

P.S. he hates ħ, ε, μ, and c. And Ben Franklin.

cool guy, take him if u want to learn, don't if u just want it easy.

most importantly, what I like about this professor is that he teaches well. He tests the concepts he emphasises on, and it is relatively easy to get an A in his classes without obsessing over them like most try-hards do
(yeah I mean the Knudsers.. who spend all their day in the physics building)

He is easily readable. You can tell what he will test you on by how big his smile is when he teaches the concept. Focus on the topics that bring out his ( inspiring but lowkey cringy) enthusiasm .... and you ll get the A