The best aspects of this course included the book of lecture notes provided at the beginning of the semester, and the challenges -- particularly theoretical -- brought forth by the instructor during lectures; also, both instructors made their expectations clear while presenting the material in engaging, thought-provoking ways. Some students felt they would have benefitted from more focused, concrete examples in the systems section of the course. Other students felt that, at times, the instructors would either skip through or skim over important derivations. Suggestions included providing more concrete examples, focusing on applications, and giving students a book of “important concepts” for the controls portion of the class. Prospective students should know linear algebra and differential equations; they should not fall behind in the reading and that it’s beneficial to meet with the instructors during their office hours if they get stuck on difficult material.

Many students were able to easily follow Dr. Sarma’s lectures because of the examples provided and clearly explained concepts. Many students liked Dr. Miller as well, but they felt like they had to learn everything on their own because of his teaching style. There was really in-depth teaching of the systems and by the end of the course they could apply what they learned. The first half of the course was chal enging for students because it was complex and there was no textbook available for the second half. Suggestions for improvement include: more organization during Miller’s section, more real life applications, and switching the order of the course. Prospective students should be comfortable learning on their own.

The best aspects of this course included the engaging professors who were noticeably invested in their students’ success in the course, and the material that many students found interesting. Students emphasized there is a steep learning curve to this unique subject matter, and many claimed that better explanations of some of the early, important concepts would make the material more digestible. They suggested that more examples and practice problems might help alleviate some of the confusion. Prospective students should keep in mind that this is a math-heavy course that would benefit from a background in differential equations and linear algebra, and that staying on-pace with the course requirements is necessary for success.