Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Electrodynamics, Optics, and Special Relativity

Lecture/demonstration, four hours; discussion, one hour. Enforced requisites: course 1A, 1B, Mathematics 32A, 32B. Enforced corequisite: Mathematics 33A. Magnetic fields, Ampere's law, Faraday's law, inductance, and alternating current circuits. Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, light, geometrical optics, interference and diffraction. Special relativity. P/NP or letter grading.

Review Summary

Clarity
10.0 / 10
Organization
10.0 / 10
Time
5-10 hrs/week
Overall
8.3 / 10

Reviews

    Quarter Taken: Spring 2021 Online
    Grade: A+

    I found Kang to be one of the easier physics professors (after taking Corbin and Vassiliev for 1A/1B). Personally, I didn't click with his lecturing style, but reading the textbook and completing the homework problems was enough to score highly on his tests. Even if you do go to lectures, I would still recommend reading the textbook, since the homework problems come from it.

    The midterms weren't difficult except for the time limit. The problems were easy, but you had to work fast to complete them all. Kang did take student feedback midway through the quarter though, and he expanded the time. The first midterm was only 30 minutes, the second midterm was an hour and a half, and the final was 3 hours. Averages were pretty high, but Kang doesn't downcurve. Definitely recommend.

    Quarter Taken: Spring 2022 In-Person
    Grade: A-

    Kang is very clear and organized with his lectures and actually made me like physics. Tests were fair and the curve was generous. Would take a class with him again.

Course

Instructor
Zhongbo Kang
Previously taught
23W 22S 22W 21S 20S 20W 18W

Grading Information

  • No group projects

  • Attendance not required

  • 2 midterms

  • Finals week final

  • 100% recommend the textbook