Professor: Lanou Course format: Lecture w/lab Number of respondents: 17 Total Enrollment: 48 Class Composition: Froshs: 11 Sophs: 26 Jrs: 7 Srs: 4 Concs: 0 Non-Concs: 14 Don't Know: 2

Instructor Average: 2.39 Course Average: 2.37

Are you an ambitious pre-medical student? Or do you actually enjoy physics? If you answered 'yes' to either question, Physics 6, 'Foundations of Electromagnetism and Modern Physics' may be just the right class for you. A strong background in calculus was considered essential for the course, and Physics 5 was mentioned as being useful, although unnecessary for some.

Professor Lanou was complimented for his in-class demonstrations and his sincerity in trying to help his students understand the material. Many respondents, however, felt that his style of lecturing was rather monotonous and unexciting at times. In addition, he was cited for performing too many unimportant derivations in class.

Students enrolled in the course spent anywhere from five to ten hours a week studying. There were two midterms, a final, four lab write-ups, and weekly problem sets. Many reviewers felt that the readings were relevant and essential to doing well on the exams.

As a whole, students were glad to have taken the course, if only for fulfilling their concentration requirements. Some felt that they learned a great deal, while other regretted even enrolling in the class. The professor did not observe Reading Period at all; in fact, he lectured throughout the entire week.

So whether you like physics or are simply fulfilling some sort of a requirement, consider enrolling in this course. It's a lot less competitive than Physics 4, but perhaps not as well-taught. However, many students recommended it over the other physics options, so think it over.

View PH/0006 in the Brown Online Course Announcement.