MIT Subject Evaluations

8.324: Relativistic Quantum Field Theory II
Fall 1998 Summary

Lecturer: Professor Barton Zwiebach
Recitation Instructor: Sergei Bashinsky

Enrollment: 7
Number of students commenting: 4

8.324 is the second class of a graduate-level three semester course on quantum field theory. It develops in depth the concepts introduced in 8.323, which is a one-semester self-contained course. Four students responded to our survey about this class, conducted in the fall of 1998. In general, they enjoyed the course, finding the lecturer particularly excellent.

The content of the class was seen by one student as interesting, but tedious. Another commented that it was a good mix of practical and theoretical concepts and mathematical background. A third, however, felt that sometimes too much time was spent on the underlying mathematics and wanted to see more time spent on the material at the end of the course. The problem sets were seen as long; one class member felt fewer problems would allow more understanding.

Professor Barton Zwiebach, the lecturer for this course, received great praise from his students. One commented that he made the ideas seem clear, and that in this class, this was not an easy task. A majority of the class described him as excellent; two class members specifically cited his handouts as outstanding, and another pair appreciated the summary handouts for the material which was not covered in the book. Others described him as clear and well-prepared. They appreciated his willingness to answer questions.

Sergei Bashinsky was described by one class member as an excellent recitation instructor, although he wanted to see more homework help in the recitation section. Another found him very hard to follow, in large part due to his thick accent. Also, his homework comments were seen as too general.

A few quotes from class members:

"I don't mean to sound too critical though, I absolutely loved the course and I think it's hard material to make clear yet somehow Barton did. I'm sad that I won't continue to have a class with him!"

"Professor Zwiebach is an excellent teacher. However, the subject can be very tedious at times. It's an immense help when he hands out handouts that have in detail the calculations and then he goes over the general structure. The Prof inspires my enthusiasm in the subject!"