The best aspects of the course included the chal enging homework assignments and the interesting course material. The worst aspects of the course included the vast amount of material which needed to be covered and the lack of clarity in some of the professor’s lectures. Students found the homework assignments and tests difficult in comparison to what they were actually learning in class. The course would improve if some of the lectures were clearer and if the lecture notes were made available to students. The course would also improve if students were given more practice problems to help ensure they properly grasped al the concepts. Prospective students should have a background in tensor algebra and mechanics.

Students praised this course for clearly and effectively presenting complicated topics to students. Students also found the course’s textbook useful. Some students found that the course’s examinations included material that wasn’t covered in class or on homework assignments. Students suggested increasing the number of assignments while cutting down the time each assignment would take to complete. Prospective students should know that the course required a strong math background and that a good comprehension of basic structural mechanics was required.

Students praised this course for having an organized instructor who efficiently and effectively covered topics in significant detail. Perceived issues with the course varied and included some students who thought that the instructor moved at such a rapid pace that it was difficult to follow along. Students’ suggestions to improve the course included a widespread desire for additional feedback in the course. This included some students asking for quicker turnaround on graded assignments while other students wanted additional assignments or examples during lectures so they would be able to know if they’d mastered key concepts. Prospective students should know that students found it was an intense course that involved a great deal of math, specifically calculus.