Paul Mikulski - United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD

Professor: Paul Mikulski

Department: Physics

College: United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SP211
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Paul is a puzzle. You can tell he very much cares about his students learning with a deeper understanding. This leads to his lectures being very confusing and his quizzes being borderline impossible (failed almost every one from after 6 weeks to finals). The upside to this, however, is you are prepared for the final. He is a generous final grader.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SP212
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

If you don't understand the theory, then you'll be lost to no end with him as a professor. He doesn't show you how to use and understand the equations which sucks because that is basically physics 2. His tests are hard and if you are a numbers kind of person, well he only uses variables.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SP212
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Prof Mikulski is one of the best I've had at the academy. Genuinely cares about how his students are doing and is very open and transparent about aspects of the class. Definitely develop a relationship with and put forth good effort and he will work for you. Always willing to communicate with students and help them out however necessary.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SP211P
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Always available for E.I. and provides open evening sessions several times a week (usually 2000-2200) if you need any help on homework or just need a quiet place to study. Genuinely wanted his students to get a good grade and will try his best to push your grade up if you are on the border. Couldn't ask for a better teacher.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SP211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Spends a lot of time lecturing about theory, which is interesting but sometimes confusing. Knows a ton about physics, and is willing to put in a ton of time to help you. One of the best teachers I've had, but you have to work for it and he'll met you halfway.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SP211
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

His lectures may be a bit confusing at times, but he is always available for EI. A great teacher who really cares about the success of his students

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SP211
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Mikulski is always there for his students and offered EI anytime one needed it. He would host evening sessions, and promoted an open academic environment. He explains theory in the first 15 minutes then allows the class to work openly on worksheets. Be expected to teach yourself for some parts of the course.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SP211
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Found the course material to be very difficult but Dr Mikulski is ALWAYS available for EI and is super helpful during sessions. Will give up to 5% of extra credit to overall grade. Hard grader but explains everything thoroughly. Would recommend and take again.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SP211
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He is a nice guy and his tests are very fair. Also writes the final so great to have before that. Confusing as all hell though. He'll help you out but just be ready to be confused the whole time before getting help.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SP211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great Teacher that is always available for EI. Pay attention in class and you'll do fine. Tests are multiple choice and no partial credit. Labs are more for understanding the material so there's no lab reports.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SP211
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

His tests are mc, no extra credit. To succeed: Pay attention in class, ask questions, do the Wiley Plus homework before exams. Go to his Sunday-night EI sessions to get one-on-one help with the problems. Have enough self-control to not waste class on your laptop and you won't have to work too hard outside of it. Oh, and you'll make an A.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SP212
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Knows a ton about physics, but tries to "tell a story" too often, instead of just showing how to use the equations. He probably is more available for EI than anyone I've ever seen. His tests are deceivingly difficult, because they are multiple choice.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SP211
• 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:

He is probably one of the nicest teachers you will ever have. He knows a lot about physics... but maybe too much. His tests are extremely hard and over half the class fails them every time. he is willing to give you EI all the time so it is possible to succeed but you have to work really hard for it

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SP211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great Prof! Truly cares about his students. Will go completely out of his way for extra help. Doesnt even leave his office until 10 at night. He will keep you awake during class also. Great guy, definitely recommend!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SP211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

If you've taken physics before and just have to suffer through this class because you failed to validate, it's great because he doesn't require any homework, and newer tests can take the place of old ones if you do better. I made and upheld a pledge to never work on the course outside of class and made a 98 or 99. Bad at explaining basic concepts.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHYS2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

What a great prof! The most approachable professor I've ever had, enjoyable to talk to, and more than willing to help students. sincerely cares about his students. come to class prepared for a unique class compared to other USNA classes, we didn't use numbers at all in SP212, just variable manipulation.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SP221
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very difficult teacher, but not because he is evil. He challenges you to blaze the trail, providing you with all the necessary tools. His office hours are IMMENSE! He is very approachable, one of the chillest professors out there. Work hard, take notes, and take advantage offers to help. It's impossible to get anything less than a B if you try.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHYS212
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I don't know what everybody's talking about, this guy is awesome, especially when compared to the rest of the core physics profs. Mikulski is clear, helps on all the homeworks, and prepares you well for exams.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SP212
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

RUN FOR YOUR LIFE.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SP212
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I wouldn't recommend him. He is a hard teacher and isn't easy to understand. He assigns homework that is at times almost impossible (he doesn't send the solutions out). In class he spends 45 mins going over the theory behind the equation he's 'teaching', and 5 mins with a crappy example...but you miss it because he put you to sleep within 2 mins