Satya Shivkumar - Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA

Professor: Satya Shivkumar

Department: Engineering

College: Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MTE512
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took this as an online class which was horrible. He clearly did not want to teach an online class so the answers on the quizzes were marked wrong even if the answer came up correct and he didn't email or call back which made it very difficult to have these errors corrected. Would not recommend for anyone looking to take an online class with him.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ME4814
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I was surprised by how clear and interesting his lectures were. The material he taught us was relevant and could be applied to other engineering projects. That said, he gives a lot of assignments and they are painfully long. He also expects you to watch hours of video lectures each week on top of class. His lectures bounce all over the place too.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ME5311
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The lectures were incomplete power points that provide nothing without the class itself. They are useless for review ahead of time, and useless for review after the class. The online exams had trick questions, double negatives, and straight from book definitions. The "mid-term" and "final" were normal quizzes that happened to count for a lot more.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ME4821PLASTICS
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

In a Shivkumar class such as Plastics you will learn more about material properties than you did in any other class, and then you will learn about the world of plastics. This guy packs tons of info into efficient, easy-to-follow lectures. Responds super fast to your email questions. People say he's difficult but I didn't think so. Great guy.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ME4814
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Quizzes and Homework due every week, 2 projects, and 2 exams. Exams worth 60% and are mostly based off of the questions he asked in the beginning of class. Pretty straightforward and a very interesting class

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ME5356
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

tons of useless work may learn a lot if the course is semester long

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ME5311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tons of work and videos. Do the work and you'll do well.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MTE511
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He assigns a ton of work and videos, but if you do it all and work to understand it, an A is possible and likely. He doesn't like using his office hours though. I am looking forward to more classes with him.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ES2001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

May very well be the worst class I have ever taken at WPI. Doesn't show up to his own course or office hours. The lack of caring and competency in teaching the class was astounding. The recorded content he had left a lot to be desired to say the least. Errors and typos were everywhere in the hw and exams. It was easy enough, but poorly managed.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MTE512
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

excellent professor with clear cohesive lectures and tests that reflect the lectures and homework. very helpful and available outside of class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MTE594
• 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:

THE BEST PROF. IN THE DEPT. If you work hard you will get an A. Gives so much work you but in the end it's worth it. Had him for 4 classes and he is one my my favorites.

Rating # 12

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Took two grad classes with Prof. Shivkumar. He is the best professor I've ever had - graduate or undergraduate. He is clear, helpful and you have to try really hard to do badly in his class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ME2820
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Always willing to help. Quizzes are very difficult but tests are a bit easier. Lots of work and a difficult course, but good teacher.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ES2001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

goes over everythng thouroughly in class, dont really have to even study

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ME4821
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Excellent professor. Homeworks take forever, and exams aren't the easiest, but he will teach you the material so well that you will leave feeling like you learned a lot. Always willing and eager to help students if they are even the slightest bit confused.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: IQP101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very picky with IQP project reports. Will make you work hard.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ES2001
• 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:

Nice prof. Even you miss the class, you can listen to the whole lecture from mywpi. Tests are easy if you do his homeworks and quizzes. A is not difficult if you are hardworking.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ES2001
• 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:

Good teacher. Seems interested in making sure students learn. Almost impossible to fail.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ES2001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Clear, easy tests, totally straightforward, takes responsibility for your learning, definitely not an irresponsible prof (if he misses lecture, he makes use of MyWPI very well to make up lost time). If you have a question, he is certain to NOT just give you the answer! Ask intelligent questions! He really cares about you learning! GREAT prof!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ES2001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Hw always has questions on topics not covered in class, always have to search for information to complete assignments. tests have obscure questions. you can learn alot, but hard to do well