Mikhail Agrest - College of Charleston

Professor: Mikhail Agrest

Department: TBD

College: College of Charleston

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHY201
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This man learned his love for physics from Andrei Sakharov, a Nobel prize winner. Agrest allowed us to 'shoot for your grade' during lab exercises, meaning that if you could successfully demonstrate the relevant principals of that particular class, then you did not have to write a tedious lab report. Awesome man. Lucky to have known him.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHYSICS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Excellent teacher and a good person.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Had Agrest for 101 and Lab, the man is a genius and genuinely cares about his class. I managed to pull off an A without even buying the textbook, which consists of his PP notes from the lectures. He teaches the material in examples and if you just remember how to set up the examples, you're golden. He is a nice guy and an excellent professor.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He first comes across as unclear and most in the class will focus on how he won't teach the way other profs do. BUT he really teaches you to learn the formulas and their derivations. He is VERY helpful (JUST ASK FOR HELP! sadly most won't). Most students are too lazy to realize,but he gives you everything you need to do well. Pity he will be gone.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101L
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not good at all. Has trouble explaining things, and will talk for an hour before beginning lab about nothing. Always took 3+ hours. Very amusing in that he often makes jokes that no one understands. Seems like a nice enough guy, should not be teaching a 101 class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I love this man. If you don't like physics he is your guy. THe tests are straight from his book, the homework is unnessacary, and if you get confused during the test go and talk to him he will give you "hints" that help you along the way

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Agrest is a very smart man. However, He does not know how to convey that knowledge to his students. Some people got it, but a lot of people had to teach each other the material. His "book" is the PP slides he uses during class, and I needed someone to decipher it for me. If you take him find a really good study buddy/group; you'll need it.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He means well and can tell he loves to teach. But the he uses calculus/trig 90% of the time as a mean to teach the 101 class. We had a sub one day and his way was MUCH clearer, as if it was a completely different subject. When Dr.A came back and taught the SAME EXACT chapter, the content was completely different. Cool person, horrible prof. for me.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHYS112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

The first few weeks of class I was so nervous because his lectures are impossible to follow, but after the first test I realized that it didn't matter because he is VERY liberal when grading. If you plan on taking more physics I wouldn't suggest him, but if you're just trying to get through your requirements he's your best bet.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• 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:

He is obviously really smart and knows what he's talking about, but lecturing to large groups doesn't seem to be his thing. His communication skills aren't great...he is teaching physics in a second language. However, when you ask him for help individually or in a small group, the light bulb comes on. Had him for a full year and loved him!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you want to waste 3 hours a week sitting in this class only to go home and teach yourself physics, then take this class. MEMORIZE the formulas, no matter how many time he tells you not to. Its the only way to get through it. He's very nice and tries to help, but is a really terrible teacher.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• 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:

Took 1 full year of his class. Hes an amazing prof. & he made everything so much fun & interesting to help me learn physics. His class is not easy, but if you attend it, you understand it, you study it, & if you have questions & go to office hours, he will help you understand no prob! He teaches CONCEPT! I hope eveyrone appreciates him! HES GREAT!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• 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:

INCREDIBLY smart man. Teaching physics in a second language is something that the kids who make fun of his accent could NEVER accomplish. Very involved and interested in making sure people understand. Also, he recognizes me every time he sees me. He's probably one of the nicest and most understanding teachers out there. Published his own book.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• 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:

A very caring & helpful man. His grading is different - you can get the numbers entirely wrong on every test Q, and if you followed the right procedure, still come out with a 95. He makes sure you understand the concepts rather than grading on correctness. He can be difficult to understand, but if you focus and really try, it's easy and even fun.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are a little difficult to follow but he tells u exactly what is gonna be on the test. Homework is only a suggestion not required. He is very helpful outside of classes. I would fight tooth and nail to get him for lab however, best ever.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• 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:

Ok, so he's from Russia and extremely difficult to understand, or at least I thought so. He will tell you exactly what is on the test, but its the lectures that are tough. I'm not all that interested in Physics to begin with and he doesn't make t interesting at all. Bottom line- he's difficult to understand, and i would say don't take him.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

So you will learn about nothing from this man, but he is the easiest grader I have ever known in my life, physics sucks, but take this man if you do not have a lot of time!!!Plus he's really nice!!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHYS102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

very confusing in lecture but he tells you exactly what will be on the test. so not too great for learning, but good for your grade.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

You pretty much will know exactly what to study for each test and you never have to study except for the 3 tests he gives and the final. You never really know what you'll make though. But he is usually a really easy grader. Going to class is pointless if you can get someone to sign you in because you won't learn anything in lecture.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He tells you the 5 problems that are going to be on each test.. all you have to do it is memorize 5 problems the night before the exam and you should make an easy A. I literally spent no time on this class and made an A. If you want to know physics, this it the wrong professor. If you want an easy A, he worked for me.