[{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:55:23.387006+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM5OTQxODI0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1688335","instructor_name":"Andrew Mikkelson","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2024-11-13 20:01:31 +0000 UTC","comment":"Andy is a beast","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1688335","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:55:23.387006+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM5MjMxNjE2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1688335","instructor_name":"Andrew Mikkelson","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2024-04-22 22:13:49 +0000 UTC","comment":"Ok lecturer, but not much passion for the subject. He's not very good at answering student questions. Everyone agrees the book is bad, but they keep using it. Exam questions are not very clear and the group project is time consuming. If Zhiyi Jiang is still a TA, choose him, he's more experienced with the course.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1688335","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:55:23.387006+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM2NzExMDEx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1688335","instructor_name":"Andrew Mikkelson","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2022-10-18 16:01:22 +0000 UTC","comment":"He does his best to make an extremely boring topic manageable. If you can get Zhiyi Jiang as your TA for this course do it, he is amazing. Exams are open book, closed notes which is weird but you can just write everything from your notebook in the textbook for the exam.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1688335","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:55:23.387006+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1NjAwODEx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1688335","instructor_name":"Andrew Mikkelson","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2021-12-20 00:24:21 +0000 UTC","comment":"Mikkelson is a professor that gives zero additional effort beyond 2 lectures a week. I would assume he has more important research to worry about. He is extremely lazy when it comes to assisting students, puts zero effort into helping beyond one sentence. Zero personality and a terrible lecturer. Class taught by the textbook and TA's.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1688335","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:55:23.387006+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1MjAzOTY0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1688335","instructor_name":"Andrew Mikkelson","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2021-11-08 05:15:59 +0000 UTC","comment":"He is so mean and his class is super boring, and his teaching is like telling a story before you go to bed, and u would fall of sleep u don't even know that. He is a super super suck professor. Please do not take his class if you want a happy colleage life. The most important thing is his sample exam would useless, and his exam is super hard.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1688335","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:55:23.387006+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI1MDIzNDc4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1688335","instructor_name":"Andrew Mikkelson","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2015-07-07 20:24:01 +0000 UTC","comment":"The most boring professor I have ever had. He reads the presentation to you word for word and is not interested in engaging with students or the subject matter. Avoid this professor if possible. Exams are incredibly long. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1688335","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:55:23.387006+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI0NzQ5MTAx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1688335","instructor_name":"Andrew Mikkelson","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2015-05-05 21:41:00 +0000 UTC","comment":"Lectures are fairly dull and boring, but contain essentially all the information you need to do well in the course","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1688335","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:55:23.387006+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIwODU2NzY0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1688335","instructor_name":"Andrew Mikkelson","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2012-11-18 01:33:22 +0000 UTC","comment":"Just stands at the front of class and reads lecture slides off the screen. Extremely monotone and boring.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1688335","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:55:23.387006+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE5NzgzNDg2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1688335","instructor_name":"Andrew Mikkelson","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2012-01-30 07:46:39 +0000 UTC","comment":"not bad","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1688335","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:48:09.479733+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM5NTkyNjU1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2800068","instructor_name":"Christopher Westphal","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2024-06-25 14:25:50 +0000 UTC","comment":"he's the type of guy you could get a beer with","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2800068","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:48:09.479733+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM4NTI1MjM0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2800068","instructor_name":"Christopher Westphal","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2023-12-05 20:23:33 +0000 UTC","comment":"Terrible experience. He is not knowledgeable on class material and it is very evident. Would not reccomend. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2800068","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:48:09.479733+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM2MzM0NzY1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2800068","instructor_name":"Christopher Westphal","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2022-05-13 22:49:13 +0000 UTC","comment":"It was a little rough at the beginning of the semester, but it was his first time teaching an admittedly difficult class.  The course itself was a bit of a trainwreck, but Westphal always made himself available and tried his best to listen to feedback.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2800068","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:36:50.151239+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI3MDgwNzg1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:540610","instructor_name":"Heidi Ploeg","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2016-10-26 10:38:00 +0000 UTC","comment":"This class is hard to explain. It needs to be changed. It covers so much stuff and it is difficult to put together. I am giving it my all but really worried if I will pass the class. There is so much work that is always due.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/540610","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:36:50.151239+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI3MDIxMzU1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:540610","instructor_name":"Heidi Ploeg","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2016-10-07 19:42:31 +0000 UTC","comment":"This class is interesting but the approach is not the best. It needs to be reworked. There is a lot to learn to and a lot expected of you. If they keep the same workload, it should be 4 credits.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/540610","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:36:50.151239+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE2NTk5NTgz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:540610","instructor_name":"Heidi Ploeg","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2009-12-18 22:09:19 +0000 UTC","comment":"Boring, bad lecturer, does little but ramble and gesture to slide after slide. Exams have both easy and random unfair questions. Only redeeming quality is how helpful she is in office hours. Probably not the worst out there but I wish I could've avoided her.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/540610","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:36:50.151239+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTEzNjIwMDY3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:540610","instructor_name":"Heidi Ploeg","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2007-11-08 13:37:52 +0000 UTC","comment":"I disagree with some of the ratings already done. She is a very good professor and likes teaching.  I would highly suggest for machine component design.  INCREDIBLY helpful with hw or any problems you're having with content.  Exams are reasonable but definitely not easy.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/540610","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:33:57.970246+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI1NjkyMTM5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:289783","instructor_name":"Jay Samuel","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2015-12-14 20:09:16 +0000 UTC","comment":"Dr. Jay was a staple at UW Madison for 35 years who retired in Dec. 2015. Through 3 courses with him (MSE 350, ME 314, ME 342) you quickly realize he is here to teach, and probably teaches the most students per year than any other faculty member.  He hand grades all the tests individually and really enjoys his students. Sad to see him go. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/289783","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":1.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:33:57.970246+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIzMDQzNjAx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:289783","instructor_name":"Jay Samuel","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2014-04-15 19:22:31 +0000 UTC","comment":"Does a terrible job presenting information.  You will learn everything you need to know from discussion.  Lectures will put you to sleep.  However he the curve is extremely forgiving.  It would be hard to get less than a B in this class.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/289783","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:23.798349+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxNjQ1ODQ3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2113160","instructor_name":"Kristofer Dressler","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2019-04-22 21:27:23 +0000 UTC","comment":"Everyone loves Dressler because he's funny and knows his students, but he's just not a good professor. He is disorganized and frequently makes assignments with mistakes in them. He focuses heavily on concepts in lecture and asks questions without ever giving answers. The material isn't too difficult, but he doesn't teach it well at all","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2113160","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:23.798349+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxNDAwODIz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2113160","instructor_name":"Kristofer Dressler","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2019-03-04 05:20:08 +0000 UTC","comment":"Dress is a great guy and I really enjoy his teaching style and he actually makes the material fun. His office hours are one of the best I've ever been to","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2113160","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:23.798349+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxNDAwODE2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2113160","instructor_name":"Kristofer Dressler","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2019-03-04 05:17:40 +0000 UTC","comment":"Has a very good style of teaching and is absolutely amazing outside of class. Not too much work and very fair grading. He's also extremely funny and makes the class interesting","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2113160","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:23.798349+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI5NzM4MzM5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2113160","instructor_name":"Kristofer Dressler","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2018-04-03 23:50:35 +0000 UTC","comment":"Great guy, can sometimes seem very disorganized but his lectures are some of the only ones I actually enjoy sitting through.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2113160","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:23.798349+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI3MTgyOTc2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2113160","instructor_name":"Kristofer Dressler","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2016-11-14 16:17:20 +0000 UTC","comment":"Dressler is hands down the best professor I have ever had. Amidst all the socially awkward, heavy accent, research driven, sh*t storm of professors that ME has to offer, Dressler is a breath of fresh air. He is an unbelievable teacher and he really really really REALLY cares about his students. His lectures are as entertaining as they are helpful.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2113160","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:25:23.798349+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI2MjQ5MDA2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2113160","instructor_name":"Kristofer Dressler","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2016-04-07 11:59:38 +0000 UTC","comment":"Great professor - makes lectures entertaining, tends to stray off topic sometimes and is sometimes underprepared for lecture but makes up for it by being approachable and easy to talk to. Another plus is that he really cares about students doing well so he's always there to answer question and help with concepts.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2113160","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:09:29.488239+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE4NTU5MjUx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:619283","instructor_name":"Robert Rowlands","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2011-05-09 13:34:42 +0000 UTC","comment":"Absolutely terrible professor.  Maybe the worst professor in the engineering department.  Does not teach, just reads his notes that you have to buy.  Never tries to help you learn.  Very stand offish attitude towards students.  Openly mean towards students that he thinks are asking stupid questions.  Avoid if possible.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/619283","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:09:29.488239+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE2MzE1NzE4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:619283","instructor_name":"Robert Rowlands","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2009-11-04 20:27:15 +0000 UTC","comment":"Absolutely Terrible.  Worst Professor at my time at UW.  Openly looks down on students in lecture and answers questions with "be an engineer - figure it out."","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/619283","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:09:29.488239+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE1OTg2NDY0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:619283","instructor_name":"Robert Rowlands","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2009-06-23 16:01:38 +0000 UTC","comment":"I attended every lecture and did not learn anything. He was openly abrasive and demeaning to students. He would not work through problems and would answer questions about the exams. Worst professor I've had. He will openly call on students and referred to the girls in the class as non-males. AVOID!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/619283","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:09:29.488239+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE1OTI4MzIz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:619283","instructor_name":"Robert Rowlands","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2009-06-03 15:46:58 +0000 UTC","comment":"Went to lectures the majority of the time and found them to be relatively useless.  Yes he tries to help, but often does not answer the question asked.  Will not work through examples, and provides absolutely no review material.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/619283","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:09:29.488239+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE1ODE0MTM3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:619283","instructor_name":"Robert Rowlands","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2009-05-11 19:12:26 +0000 UTC","comment":"Rowlands is definitely an old man.  However, his lectures are fairly straightforward and contain real-world examples.  He seems actively interested in helping student comprehension.  However, he will call on random people in class, so if that's not your thing, beware.  The homeworks take 2-3 hours a week and the exams are reasonable in difficulty.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/619283","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:09:29.488239+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTEwNzg4Mzkz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:619283","instructor_name":"Robert Rowlands","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2005-10-18 22:22:59 +0000 UTC","comment":"No Comments","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/619283","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:09:29.488239+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM4NTQxNjI=","source_instructor_id":"rmp:619283","instructor_name":"Robert Rowlands","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2005-05-13 15:19:37 +0000 UTC","comment":"7:45 AM class every time; 7:45 AM Final; openly looks down upon his students and is very abrassive to the idea of helping or answering questions (often will laugh at questions asked)","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/619283","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:08:41.331810+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE3NjQ4NzQ3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1420054","instructor_name":"Ryan Kershner","course_label":"ME342","course_id":"ME 342","course_uid":"course_b5cc447e8038efff870ea454","review_date":"2010-10-12 02:33:57 +0000 UTC","comment":"Nice guy, bad prof. He's approachable, encourages questions and interaction. But his lectures tend to be a bit convoluted, he doesn't do nearly enough examples and most of the things in the homework are not touched upon during lecture so you will be reading the book. Tests are open book, open note, but the books not great and his notes arent either","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1420054","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0}]