I'd give this professor a one star rating. If you are looking for a professor who will lecture and teach you the material than avoid like the plague because all you'll get is useless derivations of equations you'll never be tested on and handwriting that you wont be able to read. You will be teaching yourself from the textbook all quarter and good luck to you understanding waves and oscillations. He doesn't solve ANY problems in lecture and when you ask him about it, he says that you have a textbook that you could read the examples. Additionally, he has multiple "optional" sections that should mean hes not covering it yet he still does and expects you to know it for exams. Bottom line: If you are the kind of student who needs a professor with a guiding hand and shows you how to approach physics problems avoid this professor at all costs. If you are the kind of student who doesn't need lecture and just needs a textbook and a "nice guy", than this is your professor.

Dr. Holczer was a great teacher and he is very understanding! Take him for 5B if you can. You won't regret it.

Professor Holczer was the first person to help me understand physics. I had zero background in physics before coming to UCLA. I did okay in 5A, but with Professor Holczer's class I was finally able to truly understand concepts and feel confident in my work. His exams are open note and extremely easy - it is a lot like the hw problem sets and all exams are 48 hours. His lectures could be slow at times and his handwriting can be messy, but overall he is a great lecturer and is always ready to help students. He is very patient and accommodating, he seems to genuinely want students to succeed. I definitely recommend taking his class!