People silhouetted on the summit of Moosilauke

Michal Demeter Tvrdoň

Class of 2027
A proffesional snapshot of me waring a polo t-shirt, smiling and leaning forward, it was taken during the Thayer engineering career fair
Bio 

My name is Michal, but I often end up being called Michael. I am a '27 from Lozorno, a small town outside Bratislava (Slovak capital). I am an exUWCer. I am passionate about climate change and sustainability in general. I want to devote my life to making this world a little more sustainable. I am an incredibly curious person and I'll be exploring as much of Dartmouth as possible from hardcore research to different sports to American culture. Please enjoy my adventures and thoughts on Dartmouth!

Academic Program 

Electrical Engineering

Favorite Thing Right Now 

Nature

Hometown 

Lozorno, Slovakia

Pronouns 

He/Him

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Michal Demeter's D-Plan

What's a D-Plan?

    • FallHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: PHYS 15 Introductory Physics I, Honors Section

      From my brief experience at Dartmouth, what makes or breaks a class is the professor and—more importantly—their attitude toward teaching. The good thing about Dartmouth is that the chances are in your favor since professors are excited to teach and want to see their students succeed. In my case, PHYS 15 (Physics 15) was taught by Professor Miles Blencowe. I already wrote a blog post about him, but in a nutshell, he single-handedly managed to reawake my love for learning in the midst of a high-paced course load. We covered the basics of mechanics, general relativity, and quantum mechanics. The course has had weekly labs that aim to show the real-world applications of the theory we covered in class. My final rating for this class is 4.9 stars out of 5.

    • WinterHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: MATH 13 Calculus of Vector-Valued Functions

      Math 13 offers a perfect balance between being challenging and manageable. The course has enough workload to keep you engaged and fill a solid part of your day, but not so much that you can’t find time for friends. While the assignments provide valuable practice, they may feel like busy work for those who need less repetition. For a faster-paced option, Math 11 might be a better fit. Math 13 gave me a solid foundation in the Calculus of Vector-Valued Functions, enabling me to take courses like Physics 16 and various Engineering classes. It also introduced me to the value of Teaching Assistants (TAs) at Dartmouth, who host 2-hour sessions where students can ask questions, review the material in-depth, and get the intuition for the way vector-valued calculus works.

    • SpringHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: PHYS 16 Introductory Physics II, Honors Section

      Physics 16 was the hardest class I took in my first year at Dartmouth. It wasn't that the material was impossible, but for the first time, I had to confront the limits of my imagination. The course focused on electric and magnetic fields of charges and currents, and while I can usually solve problems if I can visualize them, this class threw me off. Concepts like the Poynting vector seemed simple at first, but when combined with changing currents and capacitors, I struggled to keep up; although Differential Equations (Math 23) isn't a prerequisite, I strongly recommend having a background in it. Every time a new equation appeared on the board, I had to jot it down to research later; many classmates with stronger math backgrounds had no problem, so don't be intimidated—just make sure you know the math. This class ultimately reshaped my D-plan. I decided to prioritize math courses, not just to get through the material but to gain a deeper, more fundamental understanding of the engineering concepts I'll encounter later. This course made me realize I want math to be second nature when I return to my engineering courses so I can truly grasp the principles behind the problems rather than just apply formulas.

    • SummerSlovakia, Alaska, and Bulgaria

      The goal of my summer was to take a break—not just from my goals but from my everyday grind in general. For the past three years, I've been operating at full capacity, constantly pushing myself. In that time, I've had the chance to explore different parts of the world, learn fascinating things, conduct research, fall in love, and fall out of it. I've experienced so much that I never really stopped to reflect. As Ferris Bueller said in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." So, I slowed down. I went hiking in Bulgaria (see my blog post about it) and traveled to Alaska—because who could say no to Alaska? I also spent a lot of time with my family, something I realized many of my college friends rarely get to do. They're so active and busy that they miss out on moments at home; I'm starting to realize that strategy might not be the best approach. Spending time with my family and taking it slow, reading books, and reflecting was my first step toward figuring out my place in the world. It felt like a strange, almost conflicting experience. On one hand, this was a betrayal of the carefree child inside me who just wanted to live in the moment. But on the other, it was a step toward becoming a better friend, a more thoughtful person.

    • FallHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: COSC-10 Problem Solving via Object-Oriented Programming

      Picking a favorite class this term has been tough since I’ve genuinely enjoyed all of them. I’m taking Linear Algebra (Math 22), Problem Solving via Object-Oriented Programming (COSC 10), and Cinematography I: Lighting and Composition (Film 44.09). Since I’m taking an art class, it’s been a more relaxed term in the sense that I’m doing more than just math and computer science. If I had to choose, CS 10 would be my favorite. The class is challenging, but Professor Timothy J. Pierson makes the material fun, covering object-oriented programming along with data structures and abstract data types. On the other hand thanks to my film class, I get access to Dartmouth’s media equipment, including a Bolex H16 film camera and 200 feet of Kodak color film, with development costs covered—truly a dream for a student cinematographer.

    • WinterHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: MATH 23 Differential Equations

      This semester, I’m taking mostly STEM courses—CHEM 5 (General Chemistry), ENGS 22 (Systems), and MATH 23 (Differential Equations). With two labs, it’s a relatively intense term. If I had to pick a favorite, it would definitely be MATH 23. MATH 23, in particular, stands out as one of the most useful classes I’ve taken. Over 10 weeks, we explore how relationships between variables affect outcomes and solve specific problems, offering a deeper understanding of how systems work rather than just how they are. Another reason I love this class is the professor, Robert Dougherty-Bliss. His energy and enthusiasm make the class not only engaging but genuinely enjoyable—I actually look forward to it!

    • FallHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: ENGS 92: Fourier Transforms and Complex Variables

      ENGS 92, taught by Professor Markus Testorf, is an advanced engineering course cross-listed with the physics department and goes in depth into Fourier Transforms and basics of signal analysis, and the use of complex variables in, for example, residual calculus. By far, this was the most involved class this term. The class isn’t purely theoretical; the focus is on the use of MATLAB, and the ability to solve real-world problems was a remarkable experience, though it came at the cost of a very intense workload. One of the defining moments was when I was in my Control Theory class, and we were discussing the Nyquist stability criterion, and I could derive where it was coming from. I find it extremely interesting how the longer I study at Dartmouth, the less I have to memorise, and the more the world around me makes sense.

    • WinterHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: ENGS 62 - Microprocessors in Engineered Systems

      ENGS 62, taught by Professor Jason Dahlstrom, is the second class in the sequence with focus on digital electronics. The class emphasizes hands-on experience with deploying AI on microprocessors and working with Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). A key strength of the course is its use of industry-standard tools to address relevant, real-world problems. What made this class my favourite was its flipped classroom format: we watched pre-recorded lectures in advance and used class time for hands-on work and direct support. This approach allowed for more meaningful interaction with the professor and deeper exploration of the systems, rather than getting stuck on small bugs. On top of this, Professor Dahlstrom was incredibly responsive via email and Slack. From my experience, that is the Dartmouth difference: at Dartmouth, the professors are there by your side to guide your learning.

Professor Dougherty-Bliss, a young man with shoulder-length brown hair, standing in a classroom wearing a gray sweater with a geometric pattern, smiling slightly as he looks off to the side. Behind him, a blackboard filled with complex mathematical equati

A Professor Who Makes Math More Than Addition and Subtraction
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Dartmouth professors truly make all the difference, especially when you have the opportunity to take them out to lunch and get to know them outside of the classroom. Read about my Differential Equations professor Professor Robert Dougherty Bliss.

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Posted 04/15/2025 at 9:00 AMAll Text Posts
The image shows a small ribbon tied to a metal railing, with its colors alternating between blue and yellow, symbolizing the Ukrainian flag. In the blurred background, a cityscape with soft, cloudy skies is visible, creating a peaceful yet poignant atmosp

From Reflection to Action: Standing in Solidarity with Ukraine at Dartmouth
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Join me as I work with the Dartmouth Student Alliance for Ukraine and later on February 24 for our vigil on the anniversary of Ukraine's invasion. As a campus, we are committed to fostering understanding and compassion in the face of adversity.

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Posted 03/6/2025 at 9:00 AMAll Text Posts
Max Kade in the winter

My experience living in the Max Kade Living Learning Community!
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When I arrived at Dartmouth, I assumed dorms were the only housing option. It wasn't until sophomore year that I discovered Max Kade House, a German-themed Living Learning Community, and realized what I had been missing.

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Posted 02/26/2025 at 9:00 AMAll Text Posts
An empty road in the Bulgarian mountains, lined with dark green trees, during the golden hour with misty air.

Hitchhiking and Chocolate: How I Ended Up Traveling to Bulgaria
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If someone claimed they hitchhiked 600 miles in two days without spending a dime on transportation, would you believe them? You might wonder why anyone would do that. My answer: Dartmouth connections and sustainability.

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Posted 09/27/2024 at 9:00 AMAll Text Posts
I am in the center of the image holding a camera standing above a forest. I am recording a video for my film class, and the corners of the image are yellow because of the yellow gloves my friend wore.

Week 7 of a Dartmouth Term: How I Ended Up Learning about the Television Around the World
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This blog explores how taking classes outside my major at Dartmouth helped me grow personally and academically. Taking a film class made me more creative, curious, and highlighted the value of diverse learning experiences at Dartmouth.

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Posted 08/23/2024 at 9:00 AMAll Text Posts
An image of the Thayer school of Engineering, includes a large glass walk way between the Cummings building an the Engineering and Computer Science building.

With Great Resources Comes Great Responsibility
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Dartmouth is special because it offers abundant resources with little risk or cost. This environment allows passions to flourish, as students have the time, resources, and security to take the necessary risks and grow in their chosen fields.

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Posted 08/18/2024 at 9:00 AMAll Text Posts
People standing on driftwood holding yellow bags to collect plastic waste that washed out onto the beach. Right next to it is a black helicopter, ready to life away.

Fighting Plastic Pollution in Alaska
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Today, I am reporting from Kayak Island in Southern Alaska. I've come here to clean up the island, removing plastic pollution that washes up on its shores. This incredible opportunity was made possible thanks to Dartmouth.

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Posted 08/13/2024 at 9:00 AMAll Text Posts

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