PHYSICS 102 (Physics) with Nathan Rasmussen
Physics 102 - General Physics (2nd half)
This is the second half of a two-series course. You need a C or better in Physics 101, and Math 107 or 108 or an ALEKS placement score of 75%. You can also be passing Math 140, 171, 202, or 206.
For most science majors, a general physics education is REQUIRED. Physics 101 and 102 are algebra based whereas Physics 201 and 202 are calculus based.
FOR BIOLOGY MAJORS: It is possible to take either 101 and 102, or 201 or 202. You must take each in succession. I believe you are not allowed to mix between the two (i.e, 101 and 202, or 201 and 102) from what I overheard. Always ask your advisor because they know your graduation curriculum the best.
Overall, this class isn't too bad but it definitely is more challenging that the first half of this course (101). It does cover a lot more relevant information like optics. One of those classes where you need to pay attention to the class or else you'll fall behind and will be fucked for your exams.
Nathan Rasmussen
Here's the breakdown: HE'S A GRAD STUDENT. Like I get it, it's only an general physics course, but I think it was a big mistake on the university's behalf because not everyone understands physics and that's super frustrating when you have a graduate student trying to teach a bunch of undergraduates.
Probably the best thing he did for us was weigh homework's the same as the final exam, which is essentially more than an individual exam so as long as you do your homework you should be fine. Nathan made the final exam multiple choice, which helped A LOT. It also helped that he allowed a cheat sheet (8.5x11, US Paper) of anything we want on it. We also had a BIG extra credit homework assignment that would be added to our final exam.
The final was probably the best exam I took throughout the semester for this class. The questions were simplistic and easy to understand. They contained barely any errors to create any confusion and they were straight to the point. Nothing wordy and lengthy. It was a great final. I wished that Nathan would've made all the exam questions similar to the final throughout the semester.
LECTURE: They were hard to sit through and he made it even harder to pay attention to. He talks pretty fast and literally takes his notes from the book and then proceeds to teach it to the students.
LABS: Didn't reflect the layout of lecture as closely as it should have. Probably because there's a lab director whom constructs that. Nathan has no power over the labs, so I guess I'll let him slide with this. Although, I literally learned more in my labs than I did in lecture.
Good luck.
F.