Professor
Mark Goorsky
Most Helpful Review
Summer 2022 - Professor Goorsky was fantastic! The lectures have plenty of helpful diagrams, images, and connections to the real world. He often asks review questions, which makes the class engaging. I definitely recommend attending in person, because there are so many fun demos (and you might get homemade ice cream out of the deal...). I spent the summer hundreds of miles away, but I wished I was there to see everything live! The lectures aren't just something you could get on YouTube for free-- it seems like Professor Goorsky understands that competition is out there, and he accordingly uses active learning, live demos, and more. There are weekly HW assignments, two quizzes, one midterm, and one final. The exams are timed and fast-paced (esp. the quizzes!), so make sure you know things well. Exams won't just have equation-based book problems-- there are lots of problems that will require you to have a full, in depth understanding, and be able to use reasoning and writing skills. Homework assignments have some book problems, and they also have more interesting questions: there'll often be at least one problem that requires you to use software (nothing too hard, but good skills to learn!) and one problem that requires a written explanation and research. The professor values deep understanding of real-world concepts, and although you'll often need to use equations, they're never the sole focus. While this might mean you have to study more than just equations, in the long run it's good-- employers don't have to pay computers, so why would they want someone who only knows how to use equations? I really appreciated Professor Goorsky's modern approach to homework and exams in this class, and I hope more professors take note.
Summer 2022 - Professor Goorsky was fantastic! The lectures have plenty of helpful diagrams, images, and connections to the real world. He often asks review questions, which makes the class engaging. I definitely recommend attending in person, because there are so many fun demos (and you might get homemade ice cream out of the deal...). I spent the summer hundreds of miles away, but I wished I was there to see everything live! The lectures aren't just something you could get on YouTube for free-- it seems like Professor Goorsky understands that competition is out there, and he accordingly uses active learning, live demos, and more. There are weekly HW assignments, two quizzes, one midterm, and one final. The exams are timed and fast-paced (esp. the quizzes!), so make sure you know things well. Exams won't just have equation-based book problems-- there are lots of problems that will require you to have a full, in depth understanding, and be able to use reasoning and writing skills. Homework assignments have some book problems, and they also have more interesting questions: there'll often be at least one problem that requires you to use software (nothing too hard, but good skills to learn!) and one problem that requires a written explanation and research. The professor values deep understanding of real-world concepts, and although you'll often need to use equations, they're never the sole focus. While this might mean you have to study more than just equations, in the long run it's good-- employers don't have to pay computers, so why would they want someone who only knows how to use equations? I really appreciated Professor Goorsky's modern approach to homework and exams in this class, and I hope more professors take note.
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2020 - Professor Goorsky is an amazing professor. He explains everything clearly and doesn't rush through the topics. After having a bad experience in 104, his passion for the subject material was refreshing and got me excited about materials science again. He genuinely cares if the students in his class learn the material and is always willing to help kids out. The practice exams matched up really well with the tests so they prepared you for all the types of questions you could see on the exam. The TA was also super helpful.
Fall 2020 - Professor Goorsky is an amazing professor. He explains everything clearly and doesn't rush through the topics. After having a bad experience in 104, his passion for the subject material was refreshing and got me excited about materials science again. He genuinely cares if the students in his class learn the material and is always willing to help kids out. The practice exams matched up really well with the tests so they prepared you for all the types of questions you could see on the exam. The TA was also super helpful.
AD
Most Helpful Review
Spring 2021 - You get to do some cool stuff with silicon wafers in this lab. Reports are easy and experiments are pretty fun. There is a group presentation and a final quiz as a part of the course evaluation, but both are easy enough if you've paid attention in class. Recommended.
Spring 2021 - You get to do some cool stuff with silicon wafers in this lab. Reports are easy and experiments are pretty fun. There is a group presentation and a final quiz as a part of the course evaluation, but both are easy enough if you've paid attention in class. Recommended.
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2016 - Excellent professor. I heard he won a best teacher award...I'm not surprised. Dr. Goorsky gives engaging lectures and his exams contain very insightful questions that tests the most crucial key concepts. I walked away very inspired, so inspired I left my old research interest to pursue semiconductor research. Silicon and GaAs are so cool!
Winter 2016 - Excellent professor. I heard he won a best teacher award...I'm not surprised. Dr. Goorsky gives engaging lectures and his exams contain very insightful questions that tests the most crucial key concepts. I walked away very inspired, so inspired I left my old research interest to pursue semiconductor research. Silicon and GaAs are so cool!