[{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:54:17.352291+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQzMDU3NDM3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2367451","instructor_name":"Arganthael Berson","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2026-05-07 08:40:59 +0000 UTC","comment":"Prof. Berson is one of the best professors I've had in college and this is my 8th semester. He is clear, concise, knowledgeable, has a gauge of where the class is for knowledge, gives real life examples, and cares about his students. His lectures are amazing! He doesn't click through slides and he makes his own fill in the blank note sheets!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2367451","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:54:17.352291+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQyOTMzODMz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2367451","instructor_name":"Arganthael Berson","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2026-04-26 01:52:56 +0000 UTC","comment":"Prof. Berson is very helpful outside of class and knowledgeable about the subject. Go to his office hour and he will try to help with all efforts. The only issue I could think of is him using sharpies for class notes.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2367451","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:52:04.770097+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMwMDM3MjQ2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2316139","instructor_name":"Benjamin Peherstorfer","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2018-05-09 11:37:58 +0000 UTC","comment":"Solid lecturer, BUT DO NOT ATTEND LECTURE! He records all of his lectures and goes way too fast in person to really take notes and understand what he is talking about. Skip lecture and watch the recording at your own pace. Somewhat difficult material, but he does a good job with examples and concepts and the homework helps too.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2316139","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:46:30.629179+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTEzNjM1NzQ0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:812301","instructor_name":"Dan Negrut","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2007-11-12 00:37:08 +0000 UTC","comment":"Far and away the best professor I've had at school so far. really cares that everyone in class is understanding material as he teaches. Learns everyones' names and jokes around a lot in class. If you have the chance take a class with him.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/812301","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:46:30.629179+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTEyMDU2MjI1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:812301","instructor_name":"Dan Negrut","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2006-07-05 17:49:33 +0000 UTC","comment":"quick class pace, good reviews before exams, if you show up you have a good idea whats on the test.  HW is 30% of final grade because there is alot of it.  knows what he is talking about","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/812301","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:45:26.184328+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI2NTA3NDcx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1623831","instructor_name":"Darryl Thelen","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2016-05-08 22:19:29 +0000 UTC","comment":"Professor Thelen is a real down to Earth guy that wants to see people succeed. Homework problems were typically straight forward and stemmed from examples done in lecture. Exams were fair (not easy but not overly difficult either). Overall, Prof. Thelen did a good job teaching ME 340 and made the subject interesting.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1623831","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:45:26.184328+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI2NDY1OTUy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1623831","instructor_name":"Darryl Thelen","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2016-05-04 15:58:36 +0000 UTC","comment":"This class was very hard. You need Math 320 for this. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. I made that mistake. A lot of work but some interesting stuff. From some this is easy and others it can be confusing.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1623831","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:45:26.184328+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI1OTY3MDgz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1623831","instructor_name":"Darryl Thelen","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2016-01-19 23:52:59 +0000 UTC","comment":"His online lectures are super helpful. Pay attention to them especially for the multiple choice portion of exams, which tend to cover concepts he mentions in lectures you might forget if you didn't watch the video to review it. Do the work and understand the material and you should do well","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1623831","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:45:26.184328+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI1NzY2MDE1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1623831","instructor_name":"Darryl Thelen","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2015-12-18 20:22:36 +0000 UTC","comment":"The guy is clearly interested about the class subject, but didn't seem as interested in making sure people learned it. His In-class examples fly by pretty quick with little clarification, and he rarely made it through his full lecture plan for a day. The tests were fair in their content, but seemed binary in grading; don't plan on partial credit.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1623831","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:45:26.184328+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI1MzE4NDY0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1623831","instructor_name":"Darryl Thelen","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2015-10-31 12:52:58 +0000 UTC","comment":"I'm halfway through a semester of 340 with him now. The exams and quizzes so far haven't been tough at all, whoever said that must not have studied. Read the examples, review the moodle hws and you can't lose. Hw is easy, lectures are fun if not terribly enlightening.  Labs are useless, but I think they're getting rid of them. V responsive to email","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1623831","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":1.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:45:26.184328+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI0NTAwOTEy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1623831","instructor_name":"Darryl Thelen","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2015-03-25 14:41:37 +0000 UTC","comment":"Made dynamic systems interesting which isn't exactly easy.   Probably the best professor I have had at UW.   The course itself is difficult but his exams are fair (not easy but fair) and I learned a ton from the class.  ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1623831","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:45:26.184328+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIzNzg0MDY1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1623831","instructor_name":"Darryl Thelen","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2014-11-10 23:34:38 +0000 UTC","comment":"Thelen is awesome and a great professor.  He is really fun to listen to and seems excited to teach!  Shows awesome examples and makes a boring subject fun, something that is probably really hard to do.  Thanks Thelen!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1623831","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:45:26.184328+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIzMjA4MTg0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1623831","instructor_name":"Darryl Thelen","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2014-05-09 13:37:16 +0000 UTC","comment":"Darryl is a good teacher.  He is really funny and does lots of examples.  I would definitely recommend him.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1623831","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:31:15.903593+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIwOTk5MzM3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:491250","instructor_name":"John Moskwa","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2012-12-09 18:41:01 +0000 UTC","comment":"Brilliant? Yes. Nice? Yes. Good teacher? Good God no. Moskwa really cares and wants students to do well, but makes it extremely hard to do so because of his awful teaching style and inability to proc student interest and relay concepts. He is a research man not a teaching man. Avoid his classes if possible.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/491250","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:31:15.903593+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIwOTk5MzE5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:491250","instructor_name":"John Moskwa","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2012-12-09 18:38:29 +0000 UTC","comment":"He was a super nice guy once you get to know him. Utterly brilliant. But could be the worst teacher I have ever had. Couldn't relate to confused students. I would avoid if possible.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/491250","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:31:15.903593+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE3OTIyODE0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:491250","instructor_name":"John Moskwa","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2010-12-12 19:58:28 +0000 UTC","comment":"He is the worst professor in Mechanical Engineering hands down.  He never actually teaches anything and expects you to understand things he never tells you.  I think I'm with everyone in my class - avoid at all costs.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/491250","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:31:15.903593+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE3MTIyNDYz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:491250","instructor_name":"John Moskwa","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2010-05-04 21:57:57 +0000 UTC","comment":"Horrible professor.  Lectures are pointless and the book does little to help you out.  Doesn't help you during office hours and says that you should know the material already, even though he won't teach it to you and the book doesnt have it.  Aviod him.  I am getting A's or AB's in every other class, but struggling to pass this one.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/491250","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:31:15.903593+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTEzNzY2MDQx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:491250","instructor_name":"John Moskwa","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2007-12-06 21:55:34 +0000 UTC","comment":"I went into depression before every lecture. This guy is bad. Avoid at all costs. I learned more in one day by a sub than I did the entire semester. Smart guy, but never uses examples or actually teaches anything of use.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/491250","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:31:15.903593+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTEzNzY1OTc2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:491250","instructor_name":"John Moskwa","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2007-12-06 21:48:39 +0000 UTC","comment":"He is horrible, take ME 340 with a different professor.  He often loves to fly to washington, DC. before exams and doesn't little to prepare you.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/491250","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:31:15.903593+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTExODQ1OTYw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:491250","instructor_name":"John Moskwa","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2006-05-08 16:20:02 +0000 UTC","comment":"The notes from lecture are not very helpful. He is not the best at explaining the material. The exams are difficult and not related to material. The book is worthless. Think twice before taking him.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/491250","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:31:15.903593+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTExNzk5OTUy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:491250","instructor_name":"John Moskwa","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2006-05-01 20:24:10 +0000 UTC","comment":"It was clear the man knew what he was doing. Beyond that, he couldn't teach himself out of a house of cards in a tornado. Office hours lead to more questions than answers. Exams were nothing like material covered in lecture and neither was the homework. STAY AWAY.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/491250","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:31:15.903593+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI3MTQ2Mjc=","source_instructor_id":"rmp:491250","instructor_name":"John Moskwa","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2004-11-11 20:14:15 +0000 UTC","comment":"hes smart and clear in theory, but the course is real tough, and he doesnt do examples.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/491250","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:31:15.903593+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI2ODA1MjY=","source_instructor_id":"rmp:491250","instructor_name":"John Moskwa","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2004-11-08 21:31:08 +0000 UTC","comment":"extremely low exam averages, poor/no examples in class, lots of derivations during lecture","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/491250","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:18:59.878153+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQxMjE4OTc1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1941521","instructor_name":"Melih Eriten","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2025-05-08 23:46:01 +0000 UTC","comment":"The most unengaging lecturer I have ever had. I literally could not bear to pay attention during most lectures. I was bored, he seemed bored, and the lack of passion for teaching led to me not caring about learning the content until I had to know it for the final. He gives out very fair tests, and the quizzes on canvas are decent.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1941521","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:18:59.878153+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQxMjE4ODg1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1941521","instructor_name":"Melih Eriten","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2025-05-08 23:40:18 +0000 UTC","comment":"Melih is a very unengaging professor for this course. His lectures were so god awfully boring. His slideshows were just screenshots and random information that just felt copied and pasted. I never really understood the read world connections during the course. The first midterm was easy, but everything after that was very had to follow.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1941521","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:18:59.878153+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxNDAwNjM0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1941521","instructor_name":"Melih Eriten","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2019-03-04 04:05:47 +0000 UTC","comment":"Good lecturer, easy grader, helpful, and can be funny too. Not much more one can ask from just a really decent lecturer.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1941521","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:17:21.288417+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI4MjUyNjc0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1118831","instructor_name":"Michael Zinn","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2017-05-08 21:40:38 +0000 UTC","comment":"Not very difficult subject material, but the textbook was not very useful and most of the material needed to be learned in lecture.  Proff. Zinn talks very fast and in a condescending manner.  He is probably a very good engineer/ researcher, but I did not find his teaching style very effective.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1118831","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:17:21.288417+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE5Mjc1NzM2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1118831","instructor_name":"Michael Zinn","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2011-11-18 14:09:49 +0000 UTC","comment":"Really clear, gives out lecture slides that are helpful. Solid prof.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1118831","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:17:21.288417+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE4MTEyMzgz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1118831","instructor_name":"Michael Zinn","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2011-01-10 12:02:13 +0000 UTC","comment":"This is a tough class, don't let yourself get behind.  Five quizzes, drop the lowest one - 60% of your grade.  No midterms.  Professor Zinn is awesome.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1118831","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:17:21.288417+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE1MjE1NzM3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1118831","instructor_name":"Michael Zinn","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2008-12-16 22:11:38 +0000 UTC","comment":"Zinn is sick. Best teacher i've had so far. Funny as hell and wants you to do well","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1118831","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:17:21.288417+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE1MTg2OTg1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1118831","instructor_name":"Michael Zinn","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2008-12-13 22:59:38 +0000 UTC","comment":"He made a difficult class understandable. He goes very fast but if you keep up (for the most part)things make sense. He always helps students and answers questions. He wants the students to learn which makes him a good teacher.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1118831","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:17:21.288417+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE0OTMzNzA4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1118831","instructor_name":"Michael Zinn","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2008-11-03 19:30:10 +0000 UTC","comment":"Hands out printed copies of ppt's before start of lecture- which is good b/c he talks fast and then you can focus on understanding what he's saying instead of copying down the multitude of equations you will see in this class. approachable, jokes around with students, does good ex's. he came from industry so he'll tell you what's actually relevant.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1118831","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:14:21.693330+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIxMjgwMzUy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1408461","instructor_name":"Neil Duffie","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2013-01-21 00:55:53 +0000 UTC","comment":"Study his notes and previous tests and youll be fine on the tests.  Tests are usually straight forward.  Hw is harder than exam Q's and he gives you all answers for the hw.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1408461","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:14:21.693330+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIxMTk0NTE3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1408461","instructor_name":"Neil Duffie","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2013-01-02 00:50:08 +0000 UTC","comment":"He is a really nice guy, clear, and tries hard.  Occasionally he gets a little boring but all profs do.  Lecture slides are very clear, material is not hard, and the HW  isn't hard and the answer key sometimes helps.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1408461","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:14:21.693330+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIxMTM2OTg1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1408461","instructor_name":"Neil Duffie","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2012-12-20 13:27:24 +0000 UTC","comment":"UNDERSTAND THE LABS! I think this was the first semester with lab, but he asked a ton of questions about them on the midterms and finals, which I thought sucked but whatever. Material kinda blows, but that's not his fault. I didn't do particularly well but I wouldn't be opposed to taking a class with him in the future.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1408461","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:14:21.693330+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIxMTA0NjI3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1408461","instructor_name":"Neil Duffie","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2012-12-17 20:48:23 +0000 UTC","comment":"Very dry and confusing material. While teaching could be improved, teaching this stuff would always be hard.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1408461","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:14:21.693330+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE2ODkxOTg4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1408461","instructor_name":"Neil Duffie","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2010-03-21 12:56:48 +0000 UTC","comment":"Prof. Duffie is a nice guy but so boring! Every one of his lectures is pre-recorded on video which is a nice feature if you have to miss class.  Unfortunately every lecture is incredibly dry. The material goes way over everyone's heads and there's a lot of hand waving explanations. The homework is tough. Luckily the exams are manageable...sort of","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1408461","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:40.701244+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQyMzcwMTk4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2636943","instructor_name":"Xiangru Xu","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2025-12-21 23:08:43 +0000 UTC","comment":"Lowkey Professor Xu was really great. He was extremely competent and honestly, for the most parts, he has a big belief on if you did the work you will do good because every single problem on the test was very similar in concept to a practice problem, discussion problem, or lecture problem. He answered all 57 of my piazza questions in a fast time.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2636943","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:40.701244+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwNjE3MjY2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2636943","instructor_name":"Xiangru Xu","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2025-01-29 15:15:58 +0000 UTC","comment":"Straightforward, have to have good notesheet. Must use lectures and discussion for notesheet. Everybody saying exams were bogus probably did not go to discussion. Lowkey top 3 ME prof","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2636943","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:40.701244+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwNDExMDcy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2636943","instructor_name":"Xiangru Xu","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2024-12-21 23:00:43 +0000 UTC","comment":"Good professor, lectures are informative with lots of examples. However his tests are ridiculous. He loves breaking out brand new concepts on the exams that did not appear in lecture. He is willing to give lots of partial credit on exams however. Just beware studying the lectures is not sufficient. He WILL put some crazy stuff on exams. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2636943","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:40.701244+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM5OTY2MzIw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2636943","instructor_name":"Xiangru Xu","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2024-11-17 23:26:03 +0000 UTC","comment":"He is an interesting professor to talk to. He likes to argue to make points during the office hour but not to make meanful conversations. I don't find it helpful. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2636943","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:40.701244+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM4MjAzMjU3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2636943","instructor_name":"Xiangru Xu","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2023-09-05 13:36:36 +0000 UTC","comment":"Professor Xu's course was well structured. He gave lots of examples in lectures and discussions, but was rushed sometimes. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2636943","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:40.701244+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM3MjYwNzYx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2636943","instructor_name":"Xiangru Xu","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2022-12-29 20:38:42 +0000 UTC","comment":"Overall, I thought the course was decently taught w/ clear expectations - definitely could be tough, but exams (for the most part) followed in-lecture/in-discussion examples & textbook.\n\nLecture could be a bit quick at times, attending discussion is definitely a must for this class. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2636943","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:40.701244+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM3MjU0NzQ0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2636943","instructor_name":"Xiangru Xu","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2022-12-28 14:51:30 +0000 UTC","comment":"He said not to read the textbook, and that the best way to improve in the class is simply to put more hours in. His lectures are usually dry. There's a lot of filler and he tends to rush the actual new content. This class is definitely doable, but he makes it harder than it has to be.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2636943","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:40.701244+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM3MjEwNDUx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2636943","instructor_name":"Xiangru Xu","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2022-12-21 03:34:14 +0000 UTC","comment":"I wish I never took this course. Nothing is intuitive, he barely lectures properly. He is very harsh and heartless. The material accumulates and there are many equations to remember; the final is cumulative. I was copying discussion and online resources for exam. Terrible teacher, even worse person to deal with. >:(","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2636943","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:40.701244+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM3MjEwNDM1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2636943","instructor_name":"Xiangru Xu","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2022-12-21 03:32:43 +0000 UTC","comment":"This was the worst class I took in Uni. I hate the fact that the material was ruined for me due to the professor. I was not able to understand anything, the class was just plug and chug even though we could've been taught using intuition. The teaching style is very bad, he is harsh and always look intimidating. Nothing good.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2636943","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:40.701244+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1Njc5MzM4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2636943","instructor_name":"Xiangru Xu","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2021-12-31 00:34:42 +0000 UTC","comment":"The homework and quizzes set you up nicely to do well on the exams. He also provides plenty of material for practice work and was very easy to contact. He was very understanding about accommodations.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2636943","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:40.701244+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM0MTc1Mzk5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2636943","instructor_name":"Xiangru Xu","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2020-12-22 14:51:42 +0000 UTC","comment":"A lot of examples in the lectures and discussions. Homework is a bit heavy but very helpful for understanding the materials. Reading textbook really unnecessary.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2636943","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:40.701244+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM0MTUyMjQ2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2636943","instructor_name":"Xiangru Xu","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2020-12-19 23:59:47 +0000 UTC","comment":"I would not take Professor Xu again. Only elementary examples were given in lecture. The homework and discussion problems were not reflective of the exam short answer questions. The short answer questions were more in-depth and often included details we hadn't seen in lecture/discussion/homework. Exam practice probs were not given for the final.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2636943","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:40.701244+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMzODk1NzAy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2636943","instructor_name":"Xiangru Xu","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2020-11-27 17:56:55 +0000 UTC","comment":"Xiangru is a solid choice for ME340. He is approachable, and replies email quickly. The exam is fair if keeping up with the lectures and finishing homework by yourself.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2636943","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:40.701244+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMzODkwMDky","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2636943","instructor_name":"Xiangru Xu","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2020-11-25 21:18:04 +0000 UTC","comment":"Professor Xu was not very accommodating of students and did a poor job adapting to online learning. He consistently went over time on lectures and did not break down subject material well to make it engaging and interactive.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2636943","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:38.927526+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQxMjMxMjQ1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2952057","instructor_name":"Xiaobin Xiong","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2025-05-09 22:21:26 +0000 UTC","comment":"Lectures were rambling nonsense and never applicable to the homework. Xiaobin straight up told us that the exam was going to be nothing like the homework's and every single homework took hours and hours to complete. The practice exam problems never looked like the actual exam and the average scores on tests were 15 pts lower than the other class.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2952057","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:38.927526+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM4NzM0MDM0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2952057","instructor_name":"Xiaobin Xiong","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2024-04-12 01:28:23 +0000 UTC","comment":"Xiaobin was one of the worst professors I have had. Attending lecture was less than helpful, but unfortunately it was mandatory. He does not know how to teach, and highly prioritizes his research over teaching. Lectures consisted of him going on tangents about the slides while scribbling on them incomprehensively and mumbling at the front.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2952057","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:38.927526+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM4ODg3Njg1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2952057","instructor_name":"Xiaobin Xiong","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2024-01-16 19:12:58 +0000 UTC","comment":"He is absolutely the worst. 1 out of 5 is the lowest score on rate my professor, but never Prof. Xiong's.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2952057","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:38.927526+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM4ODc0MjU1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2952057","instructor_name":"Xiaobin Xiong","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2024-01-12 19:56:05 +0000 UTC","comment":"The examples in the lectures are too hard and he was just reading the slides. His role is more like a technician in his research rather than a professor at the university. Do not take his courses! ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2952057","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:38.927526+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM4ODEyOTgy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2952057","instructor_name":"Xiaobin Xiong","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2023-12-31 00:55:09 +0000 UTC","comment":"Xiaobin is the worst professor I have seen at this university. He keeps giving hard examples without any explanation and assumes the students already know that. Maybe research is his priority. He never prepares for the lecture and even uses slides from another professor.  Never take any course with him!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2952057","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:38.927526+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM4NzQ0MTM3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2952057","instructor_name":"Xiaobin Xiong","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2023-12-19 19:03:45 +0000 UTC","comment":"Xiaobinvhas hardly put any effort into this class. The homework, exams, and quizzes are all recycled from previous semesters, and another professor's name is still on the lecture slides.  For several new and challenging topics, he would just tell us it was \"very easy\" and \"common sense\" and circle things on the slides without any explanation.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2952057","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:38.927526+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM4NzMwNTAy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2952057","instructor_name":"Xiaobin Xiong","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2023-12-18 20:23:13 +0000 UTC","comment":"Coming from a normal AB-A student, worst professor I've taken. Admitted that research was his priority over teaching. Used a different professors old lecture slides and didn't prepare for our mandatory lecture and simply read off the slides, a waste of my time. Lectures, homeworks, and exams did not match up in regards to content.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2952057","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:38.927526+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM4Njk5NDYy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2952057","instructor_name":"Xiaobin Xiong","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2023-12-16 00:51:56 +0000 UTC","comment":"Genuinely the worst professor I have ever had. I have never rated a professor before, but Xiaobin is horrible at communicating, very passive-aggressive, and does not teach or clarify the necessary concepts to pass the course or do well on exams. Would never take a class with him again. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2952057","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:38.927526+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM4NDI3ODUw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2952057","instructor_name":"Xiaobin Xiong","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2023-11-21 22:28:02 +0000 UTC","comment":"Worst professor I have ever had. Doesn't really care about teaching and response to ever question is to go to discussion and that the class is hard. Goes out of his way to only present hard examples which don't help understanding. Attendance is mandatory, but I started going to the other professors lecture after his so I can actually learn.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2952057","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:38.927526+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM4NDI3ODI2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2952057","instructor_name":"Xiaobin Xiong","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2023-11-21 22:23:02 +0000 UTC","comment":"This is the first time I've ever written a review, but feel its necessary. Do whatever it takes to take this class with a different professor. He has no idea what he's doing or how to teach and is extremely lazy. He just posted a review exam for a midterm and then when asked about the answer key just said he doesn't have one so figure it out.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2952057","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:58:38.927526+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM4NDE3Nzgx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2952057","instructor_name":"Xiaobin Xiong","course_label":"ME340","course_id":"ME 340","course_uid":"course_30b7af243793fc0540887d4f","review_date":"2023-11-19 16:55:45 +0000 UTC","comment":"Take ME 340 with any other professor or wait a semester. Makes class harder than it should be. He might know the material but doesn't know how to teach it. Research is his priority, not lecturing and it shows. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2952057","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0}]