Current instructor
Original student reviews · all captured dates
Mechanics of Materials is a very difficult course, but Mikkelson is a great and engaging professor and teaches it in a way that makes it more simple and easier to understand. The lectures are early, but they are recorded. He goes through concepts and spends a good amount of time working on examples.Rate My Professors ↗
He is engaging in lectures and wants students to care and succeed. The lectures are all recorded and the slides are uploaded. He goes over lots of examples in class. He is funny and nice, and he clearly cares about the material.Rate My Professors ↗
Homework rubrics are never clear; grader takes petty amount of points off. Class exam should have been online or given more time. The exam practice question was way too simple for the midterm. The class is based on an outdated program that doesn't match what industry uses. I wouldn't recommend it for ME students.Rate My Professors ↗
I did not have Mikkelson as my professor, but after the first midterm, I started attending his lectures. And they were way better than my previous professor. He gives lots of examples, explains concepts well, and is a great lecturer overall. Exams are hard, but reasonable. It was well worth waking up early and attending his lectures.Rate My Professors ↗
Fun professor just a difficult classRate My Professors ↗
Engaging lecturers. Fast talker. Recorded lectures. Funny. Exams are hard, but for the most part fair. Required attendance in discussion.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
Mechanics of Materials Lab covers data processing and experimental testing of tension/compression, creep, fatigue, fracture, composites, combined stress, beam flexure, dynamic loads, and buckling.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Andrew Mikkelson is highly regarded for his clear explanations and use of examples, with one reviewer calling him one of their favorite professors. He is noted for having a great sense of humor and genuinely caring about student understanding.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026ME 342 teaches the analysis and design of machine elements, covering loads, stresses, fatigue, and power transmission components.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Andrew Mikkelson is frequently criticized for monotone, slide-reading lectures and low student engagement. Reviewers describe him as lacking passion and providing minimal assistance beyond basic instruction.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | EMA/ME 307 | Mechanics of Materials Lab |
| Fall 2026 | ME 342 | Design of Machine Elements |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
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