MIT Subject Evaluations

8.07: Electromagnetism II
Fall 1998 Summary

Lecturer: Professor A. Nihat Berker
Recitation Instructor: Zoran Hadzibabic
Recitation Instructor: Davide Stelitano

Enrollment: 28
Number of students commenting: 12

8.07, Electromagnetism II, is a continuation of 8.02 and covers basic electromagnetic phenomena in more depth, as well as more advanced topics. Overall, students did not feel very powerfully about the course itself; rather, this was reserved for a few individual aspects of the course. In general, most of the students did not have a bad time.

Nearly everyone wanted to see the course go further and cover more new material, and many thought entirely too much time was spent on the material taught in 8.02 and 8.03. Beyond this, opinion was not as strong. A few students liked the content that was taught, while a few others found it boring.

Many students commented that the text book was excellent. Some students complained about the exams. Overall, most of the respondents found the course reasonable. They were extremely fond of the textbook, but wanted to see more new and different material covered.

Professor Nihat Berker, the lecturer for this course, received mixed to good reviews. A few students liked him and felt that he was enthusiastic. His blackboard technique was praised by some, as was his preparedness. Many people noted that the lectures came straight out of the book; a few felt that another perspective would be helpful, and some found this quite boring. In addition, two students commented that he went quickly; two others thought that he did not encourage questions and found this intimidating.

Recitation instructor Zoran Hadzibabic received mostly positive comments. Many commented that he was a good recitation instructor. More specifically, students felt he was fun and personable. Feedback about recitation instructor Davide Stelitano was not quite as positive. One student thought he was excellent and some found him okay. A few, however, did not like him. Students felt that he should explain his work on the blackboard, rather than just completing the problems there.

A few sample quotes from class members:

"Challenge us on our knowledge, not how well we take tests."

"Maybe go a little faster on 8.02 review topics and try to cover entire text during semester."