This class is less about learning how to design and build compliant mechanisms as it is about evangelizing the professor’s very specific and applicable approach to doing so. Mid-term and Final are each 35% of the grade, so do well on tests. Some concepts are introduced with no actual teaching (designing in CAD, how to do simple FEA, running somewhat complex MATLAB scripts) MSOL students without prior CAD, FEA, or MATLAB skills may struggle. The TA was not helpful and contradicted the professor at times, so be sure to lean on Professor Hopkins’ knowledge if you have questions. He was very reachable by email and you could tell he cared about the student experience.

This quarter he record all the lectures on Youtube, haha! He did not need to wake up early and give in person class, but postcard them all at the beginning of the quarter. It does not matter for we student, because I watch the record all the time due to the time difference. And he has office hour every week. The midterm is not very hard...even it is easy, very easy(But I got 93/100 lol). But the final is not very easy....Although I got 100, haha. But if you spend time read all the previous test and homework he provided, it is 100% enough to get 100. That is very very clear. It is fair, you spend time, and you can really get a high score.
And for the project, he posted at the beginning of the quarter, but I think the best time to start is after midterm and you watch all the videos. Remember stuff after Lec 10 will not be on final, they only work for project. This year's final is to design a 6 DOF system. You can modify one of the structure in his slides. (Remember not to share with your classmate)
Funny thing is, some students did not submit the project on time....?Prof feel that is unfair to previous student and others who on time, so....all the guys not on time get 0 for project. 30%!

Generally the professor is amazing, he created all the knowledge in this lecture! I never met a teacher can do that. He is teaching what he created in MIT's master and PHD! Good thing is the stuff is clear and designing is interesting. If time goes back, I would take this course again.