Cates is probably one of the most, if not the most, engaging and entertaining professor you can get in UVa. He is very good at picking out the key points in the textbook, and knows when to elaborate on stuff where the book is lacking. He always carries a bag of awesomeness with him, and throws it at you whenever he desires. Missing a lecture feels like missing an episode of an epic series you are following consistently. He makes the class relatively easy for an upper-level physics class. I STRONGLY SUGGEST taking his class whenever he is still teaching it. Especially for advanced 2nd-years who are fresh out of intro EM, this will be a good and easier (not saying completely easy) transition from "baby" physics to the actual "hardcore" physics.