Rob Chai - University of California Davis, Davis, CA

Professor: Rob Chai

Department: Engineering

College: University of California Davis, Davis, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ECI211
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Absolutely clear in his lectures, everything is up on the board. Just stay on top of Matlab (or any other language), this course is pretty simple otherwise.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ECI135
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A hard class but that's too be expected. He is very energetic about the material. however. if you go to office hours and ask stupid questions he will drag you over the coals. Overall I liked him, just like most engineers, people skills are lacking a bit.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG104
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Thought I would enjoy this subject. Professor managed to make something I like boring. Required mastering engineering for hw, assigned around 30 problems a week, often with multiple parts each. A lot of work. Tests were 10 problems, multiple choice! Do not recommend.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class was one of the worst I had. we were forced to buy mastering engineering, which from my experiences before didn't work, which was true. We had obnoxiously long hw that didn't correspond to lectures or the midterm or the final. The midterm and final were multiple choice and absolutely terrible. I can't even say all I want to say here.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Chai knows the material well, but chooses to do useless derivations that don't help anybody all class. He gives multiple choice exams, which is unacceptable in ENGR in my opinion. When a pre-schooler can potentially get a higher grade than you on an exam, something is seriously wrong. One minor error costs you 10% on the midterm/final. I'd avoid.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENG104
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

Worst professor I have had at UC Davis. Incredibly long and difficult HW assignments. Easily angered, generally unapproachable during office hours. Resorted to TA's because I felt degraded when asking questions. Unheard of multiple choice ENGINEERING midterm/final. Essentially expects complete utter perfection. Learn from Fall 2013 class and AVOID.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG104
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

This guy has some serious teaching issues and anger problems. The exams are M.C. with no partial credit, the HW's are hard, long, and weekly. I honestly think the Dean needs to re-evaluate this guy as he doesn't fit within UC Davis. Midterm average was a 52%, got mad when asked what the STD DEV was. Please re-evaluate yourself Chai.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The homework load is tremendous. 20 - 30 multi-part online problems, like msstering physics. But hw time becomes study time so not too bad. multiple choice exam means no partial credit, similar to HW. Professor is impatient and belittling when you don't understand something right away. Overall, possible but difficult A. go to TA OH's

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG104
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Probably one of the worst professors at UC Davis. The homework is beyond impossible/really long and on masteringengineering-which is the worst site ever. He decided to give us a multiple choice ENGINEERING exam and final with no partial credit. Please avoid this instructor at all costs. DO NOT RECOMMEND!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ECI135
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Chai comes across as mean and intimidating but he's actually kinda nice. Just don't ask stupid questions in office hours or in class. The homework is challenging. But his TA goes over problems in discussion that helps. Midterm and final aren't too bad. Just go over the homework, examples in class, and discussion probs and you'll be fine.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ECI135
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

his lecture is completely interesting. don't come late or just stay at home! he will look at you like he's seeing a monster walking! his midterm and final are moderate. Office hours from the TA are extremely helpful (especially for your HWs). I highly recommend this class. This is a B+ class, I think.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ECI135
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's the man to take if you want to learn. Homework is challenging. But go to all the Friday discussions and the TA will help you a lot. Office hours for prof and TAs almost seem necessary to succeed. Midterm was straight forward. FInal was a lot more tougher IMO.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ECI234
• 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:

Classes are 2 hrs long but he teaches with such energy that you don't get tired. Plenty of homeworks but interesting ones; I had fun working on them. Didn't do well on the exams, but thoroughly enjoyed the course. I'd definitely recommend taking Dr. Chai's class on prestressed concrete.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

His class is mostly about derivations, but spends half of lecture going over examples, and he explains them really well. Homework problems were few but reflected exams well. Exams easy if you did the homework.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ECI135
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His class is pretty tough. You definitely have to go to office hour a lot. I, personally, go to the TA office hour a lot more than his. Try not to miss the lecture. He gives a lot of notes that are really helpful for the homework.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ECI135
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Somewhat disorganized with no set lecture structure. Not very approachable and sometimes "rolled his eyes" when people asked basic (yet still legitimate) questions in class. Exams and HWs are tough and time-consuming.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ECI135
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Not very approachable in office hours. In the past, he called someone stupid for making a mistake in office hours, even though that person got a high score on the midterm.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ECI135
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Pretty good professor, and the class is interesting if you're looking toward structures at all. HW was not based on the text, but I found it helpful for solving problems when my notes were insufficient.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ECI135
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

First of all, don't waste money on the textbook because he does not teach from it. His lectures were too theoretical and lacked examples (the book doesn't help either) The discussion helps you do the HW. He is EXTREMELY helpful in office hours. I started going to office hours and I ended up with an A- after a C on the midterm.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ECI135
• 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:

Good professor. Homeworks are somewhat challenging but greatly reflect the material on the midterm (not really the final though). Chai does a pretty good job presenting the material, but it's still a bit difficult! Chai is a good prof though... recommended