Professor Shivaram is an excellent guy. The course is not super well organized, but it teaches really applicable skills that can be translated to other fields. The labs are pretty easy - most of the work is just reporting data. The homework can be tricky, but Shivaram will offer as much help as you need. Extensions are generously given. The final project can be as fun as you want it to be. I had a blast. Overall, great course.
PHYS 3150
Electronics LaboratoryLast taught: Fall 2025
3.5 Rating
2.0 Difficulty
3.53 GPA
Instructor
3.0
Enjoyability
3.5
Difficulty
2.0
Recommend
4.0
Reading
0.5
Writing
2.5
Group Work
1.5
Other
0.0
Total Hours / Week
Hours 4.5
Grade Distribution
Average GPA 3.53
Students Measured 37
2 Reviews
4.00 Average
Instructor 4.0
Enjoyability 4.0
Recommend 4.0
Difficulty 2.0
Hours/Week 5.0
3.00 Average
This class is pretty easy and gives a great introduction to prototyping with basic circuits and microprocessors, very helpful as an engineer. You conduct a lab from a lab book (very helpful, written by Cass Sacket) every week and produce a lab report with a partner, most of the time you can finish in class. Bellave is arguably too laidback, he rarely teaches the class (mostly just assigns readings) and when he does, he's not the best at explaining things. Granted, the material is tricky. There were 3-4 short homeworks and he is a lenient grader.
Instructor 2.0
Enjoyability 3.0
Recommend 4.0
Difficulty 2.0
Hours/Week 4.0