Jon Mikkelsen - University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Professor: Jon Mikkelsen

Department: Engineering

College: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MECH325
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

MY second course with Professor Mikkelsen. For such a integral subject in mechanical engineering, it's disappointing how poor the lectures are. Disorganization is the name of the game in this 4 credit gong-show.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MECH325
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Jon is an inspiration and I really enjoyed his lectures. The assignments are not overly difficult but are made tougher coordinating with a group.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MECH325
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Mixed thoughts on this prof. Not a very good teacher, but his passion and enthusiasm for the subject is inspiring. Make sure you do the readings and work through all the tutorial questions and past exams, as he recycles a lot of questions. Consider lectures to be optional (but occasionally highly interesting)

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MECH325
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Ive actually defended Jon to people, before. I like his 2-per-term improv story lectures. I like his fluids and boats knowledge. But Ill be damned if I sit through one more bloody Speed-Powerpoint world record attempt of his. He and Powerpoint should not be allowed in the same room together.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MECH305
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I've never had my time wasted in lectures as much as in this course. There is no clarity and structure to lectures and many mistakes are made. There is a good chance no Stats will be discussed at ALL. Waste of my time, waste of my money, nothing learned despite trying.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MECH260
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Jon's a great professor. Always enthused when someone asks questions and willing to help at any time. He held review sessions for our midterm and final and really put in a lot of effort to help us succeed.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MECH260
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He doesn't teach much related to the course materials and his notes are just taken from the textbook. It is really boring to attend his class, especially when you feel extremely sleepy. But if you are a ships fan, he will give you great info on that front during his lectures.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MECH326
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

If you are unfortunate enough to take this class, you should skip every lecture and only attend the tutorials.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MECH326
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Mikkelson is the best professor at ubc. His notes are spectacular and his explanations are succinct. His mechanism notes are to the point and provide enough background theory to understand the fundamental principles. Of all the classes, his is the only class I don't fall asleep in.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MECH326
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I don't know quite how he does it, But Jon often goes overtime, falls behind schedule and seems to go at a lightning pace all the time. MECH 326 is unfocused, poorly organized and poorly lectured. The grueling three hour tutorial once a week is the only reason I actually learn anything in this course.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MECH305
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Lectures are rushed so you shouldn't bother trying to keep notes that is if you attend. Sometimes his worked examples in class use the wrong equations. He marks HW on a 0,1,2 scale but as long as you have all the question numbers and a couple pages you should get a 2. I wrote the same question twice labelled #5 and #6 and got 2. Worst prof so far.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MECH326
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Without any doubt, one of the worst, if not the worst, course I've taken in UBC. Extremely boring lectures where roughly 60% does not attend and those who show usually sleep/text. Difficulty of the final surpasses the MECH2 finals. Answers questions by answering a different questions and expects student to have very firm understanding.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MECH341
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Helpful guy, friendly. Doesn't have the typical "professor's attitude", and therefore very easy to talk to. Notes and diagrams are a bit messy, which may cause some problems, but he's very willing to clarify any confusions. Doesn't really have a strict deadline; Midterm was longer than it should have been. Says "absolutely" and "fantastic" a lot.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MECH305
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This guy is really boring. The notes are basically just a repeat from the textbook (which is awesome), so you should only go to class to get the info about the final exam, and to hand in homework assignments. He also coordinates the labs, but doesn't make sure all the broken apparatus gets fixed. He can also come across as a bit arrogant.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ME20X304340
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great guy, easy to relate to. Takes the time to help you out.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MECH260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very laid back, easy to relate to. Sort of on the same level as students socially. Makes him easy to listen to.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MECH20
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great guy, willing to help out, laid back, says "essentially" a lot

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: LABS45X
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Laid back, helpful guy

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MECH301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

very knowledgable, good teacher, cares too. Likes teaching

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MECHLABS
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Jon is a great guy; he is always willing to help, and his goal is to teach. These two traits, in combination make for one great teacher.