PHYS 1429

Physics lab isn't fun, and it's a lot of work for a one-credit course. There are three parts to each week of lab: a prelab, which is easy, untimed, low-stress, not too bad overall; a postlab quiz, which I can only assume is a manifestation of years of Maxim's suppressed anger that he projects onto his students by making them hate physics as much as he hates his job; and the lab report itself, which isn't bad as long as your group is competent. The labs are long and confusing, but the TAs are helpful so don't be afraid to ask them questions when you need help. The reports themselves are graded based on really weird and arbitrary criteria, so it's tough to do well on them regardless of how hard you work on it--honestly, my advice is to just be satisfied with an 80-85 on the labs and try to make up the points on other assignments.

The lab kind of sucks, but I really liked my TA's and my lab group. The pre-lab quizzes are easy, the post-lab quizzes are hard but definitely doable with another person, and lab reports are entirely dependent on the graders. I knew people who had much better lab reports than my lab group had, but our grader still gave us better grades. If you put the time in, an A- isn't too difficult to get.

It was nice that we knew what to expect each week of lab since it was the same. That's about all that was good about this course. First of all, this is way too much work for a 1 credit class. TA's vary for each section and you can get stuck with TA's who always run out of time and you never have sufficient data to do the lab report. I also think it is unfair since your TA's aren't even the ones who are grading the lab reports, so what your TAs tell you can be completely different from what the grader TAs are looking for. Prelabs are easy -- make sure you get 100% on those as it will give you a buffer for later. Postlab quizzes, some are bad some are easy. Definitely recommend getting a group together at the beginning of the semester to do them with (also just learn error propagation it will make your life so much easier). The final lab quiz was especially a killer and I think its ridiculous that it was assigned. Lab write ups are just a constant nagging assignment to do. It is supposed to be a group lab report so split it up in whatever way works best. It really depends if you get a good lab group or not. Luckily I had a good lab group and we didn't change all semester, but I know a lot of my friends struggled with people not pulling their weight. This lab is really just something that everybody has to do for a prereq and it sucks but you just have to get through it.

This class is way too much work for just one credit. There's a report due each week that is graded super unfairly. On top of that, some of the post-lab quizzes can be incredibly challenging and won't test the material covered in lab. The TA's that ran the lab itself were very helpful, but the TA's grading the lab reports were very strict and didn't offer helpful feedback as to why they took off points. Don't take this class unless you have to.

Absolutely awful class. Spend a good 1/3 of my total work hours outside of class on this one credit class. If you want an A, chances are you're going to have to write the entire lab report, as your group will probably be awful. You will have to make the decision: Have them help out with the lab report and write their sections and get a low grade, or do it all yourself for an A. I chose the latter; tough, probably not worth it to be honest. If you get a bad group, you'll have to weather the storm for 3 weeks and then maybe, just maybe, you'll get someone competent in your group. This class is a huge waste of time. The TA's are great though. TLDR; don't take this class if you don't need to, and if you do, be ready to spend 3+ hours cooking up a lab report every week.

Actual lab can be fun and helps understand concepts some, but overall way too much work for one credit. Tedious pre and post lab quizzes on WebAssign can be super easy, but normally very difficult. Each lab requires a lab write-up written by the group and there's always that member who doesn't pull his weight. Easiest way to make sure everything is done well and everyone does their part is to meet up, but that's always a pain to coordinate. Easy answer: don't take if you don't have to

So starting Fall 2016, instead of the lab manual during the section, your group is required to write a 2 page lab report (single spaced) for each lab. You change groups every three weeks. Max is a very nice (and super buff) person, knowledgeable about physics and approachable. But in my opinion, some things about this class can be reworked. Your grade is based on RANK, which (in my opinion, again) caters to the inherently competitive UVA student. That being said, always try your best on the pre and post labs. Overall, for a one credit course, this is an eh class required for all engineers and physics majors.. good luck.
- take the diagnostic seriously!
-try to figure out what the grader wants in the report

I took AP Physics, so I knew my stuff before enrolling. The class is completely dependent on your TA and you'll barely talk to Bychkov. The class can be a pain, but it's not hard. The Prelabs just use up some time but if you watch all the videos, you'll be fine. The postlabs are sometimes tricky, but mostly straight forward. (especially if you have a background in physics) The prelabs take 1-3 hours depending on the length and the post labs take an hour or less each. I kind of enjoyed this class because the equipment for the labs were much nicer than my high school. I was able to get a better understanding of physics. The thing I do not enjoy is that every lab feels rushed. They try to pack in as much as they can in those 2 hours. Not a hard class; however, I have one big complaint....

The class is graded based on ranks. The top whatever percent get A's... next range gets A-'s... then B+'s...etc. You always feel like you're competing with your peers and you always feel like you're "trying too hard' for the 1-credit class. You need to put an immense amount of effort and keep driving forward to get that A. Majority of the class ends with a B+. Because you work in groups for the lab and they take off random points, everyone ends with about the same grade for labs... thus your final grade is dependent on your prelabs and postlabs. tldr: don't fuck up = B+. pedal to the metal = A. Sometimes it's not worth putting that much time in one class. Just remember this is a 1-credit class and don't worry too much.
This is 1000x better than Chem Lab btw. Much more organized.

The experiments are interesting and stimulating, but your meticulousness will be important. The class is graded on a curve and that means you have to be on your toes all the time to get an A. Essentially, don't settle or put your foot off the pedal even if you're averaging a +/-90. I averaged a 92-93 as my final grade and got curved down into a B+.

Maxim himself is a good professor, but the lab is taught by TAs who often have English as their second language, so sometimes it is difficult to understand what they are saying.

Easy, but also super annoying. My TA was likable but didn't speak english very well which was frustrating at times. It's also really difficult to get full credit on labs--they often make point deductions for very trivial errors.

Pretty good lab. The TA's across the board are very helpful, kind, and encourage questions to help you succeed. The lab manual is pretty simple to follow and the quiz questions are more or less straightforward.

This class is ridiculously easy, but the professor, and in my case, my TA were an absolute nuisance. The concepts are really easy, just remember to do the pre and post-lab. I have to disagree with the review below me, Maxim is virtually unapproachable, and really seems to enjoy you struggle through the course when you make a genuine mistake such as missing either a pre/post lab. This class basically takes physics, and turns it into a monotonous cycle - just do exactly as they tell you and you'll be fine.

Bychkov, while a massive guy and slightly terrifying at first sight, is quite friendly and is a very reasonable person. However, you probably won't see him after the first day of lab, which is unfortunate. Your results with the class are almost entirely dependent on what TA you get. If you're like me and get stuck with a horrible TA (he was very awkward and his English was borderline unintelligible), don't hesitate to contact Bychkov with any questions or concerns - I copied him on everything I sent to my TA, and he always gave me a faster and thoroughly justified response.

Not bad, pretty easy lab credit as a whole.