Going to Russell Biagi (our TA) was basically the only way I could do the homework. Some of the homework problems pretty difficult; however, the biggest complaint I have is that the homework never related to the test questions. The test question are more conceptual. The class material is worth it though. It's important to a mechanical engineer. John Thacker is a good man. He's not a very good lecturer in my opinion, but if you go to him for help, he'll help you out. The finite elements lab portion isn't very hard.

Easy...just go to the TA sessions and they will do all the HW for you

The class centers around the lecture where he gives you detailed and lengthy notes that summarize the textbook. There are weekly problem sets due that you must go to the TA for if you want to do well on them (it is nearly impossible to get the correct answer by yourself). As far as the tests go, do your best to study for them but your efforts will likely prove futile.

Well it's a Thacker class so what ccan you expect. Reading from lecture notes, show and tell, awkward pauses, and long tedious hw. Besides that the class is doable. All the test were on collab this year and there are some complications with that. The test are mostly conceptual so make sure to know your bearings...no pun intended

Most miserable class ever. You wont learn anything.

Professor Thacker is overwhelmingly boring. He takes attendance so make sure you go to class. The homework assignments are impossible so just wait for your TA help session. Grading on the homeworks is arbitrary at best. The tests are miserable but everybody does poorly.

Probably the worst class I've taken at UVA. Material is dry and poorly covered. Thacker makes no attempt to make the class interesting and teaches it as if it were 20 years ago. Tests are poorly made and homeworks are inconsistently graded. Prepare for a miserable class.

You basically have to go to the recitation in order to do the homework and the tests are nothing like the homework.

This class is about as boring as they come. The material is ancient and aside from the occasional quirky joke, Thacker never fails to disinterest me, partially because of his teaching methods and also due to the dry nature of the class material. Homework can be a real pain, but the TA is great and really saves you a bunch of time if you attend his Office Hours.

Thacker just shouldn't teach anymore. you have to take it, so get a good homework group together. the tests have nothing to do with the homework. Ask him for a curve and he'll give it to you