Brian Peterson - San Jose State University, San Jose, CA

Professor: Brian Peterson

Department: Mathematics

College: San Jose State University, San Jose, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MATH31
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is the easiest and nicest professor you can have for Calculus 2. His quizzes and tests are easy as long as you pay attention in class. He let you know which will be on the tests, and his problems are much simpler than those homework problems in the textbook. His grading system will surprise you in a good way :)

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MATH30AND31
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Outstanding math professor; he's clear, concise, and unlike other professors, his lectures won't leave you lost and confused. Though it's true Peterson doesn't push for overall mastery, he advocates mastery in important topics which is arguably more valuable if you value your sanity. He is easily the best professor for the calculus series here.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MATH31
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Some say his lectures are boring but if you honestly like math it'll be fine. Peterson is a great teacher and he explains everything really clearly with enough examples. The quizzes and tests aren't hard because he tells you what's expected of you on them.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MATH31
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

As a math oriented person, I disagree. Your grade mostly depends on the weekly quizzes, two midterms, and a final. Even hw is not assigned, it is recommended that you keep up or better, form study groups. As for the lectures, he should have explain the hard or new material better. Other than that, I would recommend him if you are a good test taker.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MATH31
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Peterson is a very good professor. He is extremely clear and knows his subject matter. There is one aspect of his class I can criticize; He is too easy. He does not push his students to study and master the subject, although the average student may appreciate that. He generally puts up easy problems on exams and allows for a cheat sheet.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MATH32
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Good prof. He is clear and looks a bit like Santa Claus. He grades his quizzes fairly and easy. He has a very good scale. He drops some of the lowest grades. Overall, I would give him a 90%

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MATH31
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great professor. A grade of 45-65 is a C and he teaches the lesson very well. The final isn't comprehensive either. If you do the suggested problems (not required), you should be able to pass or even ace the exams. He will go too technical at times, but his lectures are still easy to understand. If not, raise your hand and he will make it clearer.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MATH31
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

The curve in this class is great. However, his lectures are all over the place. For instance, he starts an example and does not finish it. He defines a term, but does not finish writing the definition on the board. He also did not mention anything about using any cheat sheets on the exams. So, some of comments below are misleading! :(

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MATH30
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Easy but lectures put you to sleep.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MATH30
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Quiz every week. Allow 1 cheat sheet in test. He is just the easiest Math teacher. However, it's impossible to get his A+. Because I literally got 100% for the whole course, but in order to get his A+, it's 103% whereas he never gives out any extra credit opportunities. A is easy, his A range is 87-100. Don't even need the workshop.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CALC1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This has to be one of the BEST teachers i've had. I struggled in Pre-Calc (with a different teacher), but Calc1 with Peterson was a breeze. You'd think it'd be harder than Pre-Calc, but so much of your experience DEPENDS ON THE TEACHER. He makes it SO SIMPLE and so easy to understand. He is very clear regarding the content of his tests. Get him!!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MATH30
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Prof Peterson is awesome! Such a sweet man. He makes Calculus easier than it actually is. I feel like he wants everyone to get As in his class. Allow 1 cheat sheet AND a derivatives table AND trig values table. You literally don't have to study anything. As long as you practice his hw and know how to do it, A is guaranteed. A+

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MATH30
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Awesome Professor! Pretty easy class if you pay attention and practice on the optional homework assignments. Final exams were fairly easy.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MATH31
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great at lectures. He gets really specific, so it helps. Homework is not required, but you should do them in order to get practice and be comfortable doing problems. Come everyday so that you don't miss any important information. His grading scale makes a low grade seem pretty well.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MATH142
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

It was professor Peterson's first time teaching this course, so taking that into consideration, he didn't do a bad job. The lectures were a little all over the place at times, but he is sincerely interested in the subject which helps. Do the homework in groups because they aren't easy! Just make sure you do your own work or he will know.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MATH3
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He's a really good Professor, hw is optional (not graded) and has an amazing grading scale (85% A-), highly recommend him, He's extremely nice and will answer any question you have, and lets you have a page of notes front and back for exams!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MATH31
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great math professor. He explains everything very well but maybe too thorough at times. Very favorable grading scale. Homework is optional but recommended. Weekly quizzes. I will definitely take him again if I can!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MATH30P
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great calculus instructor! He loves what he does and is a freakin genius! He is really passionate about math and wants everyone to succeed. He gives quizzes once a week and he doesn't take attendance. A C is 45% or higher (EASY)! He always reviewed material and answered any questions students might have. Also, outlined what will be on tests.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CALC30W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Really helpful, makes the math easy, Tests are a little difficult, but if you use your cheatsheets right you will be fine..Best grade scale ever

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MATH30P
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

he is my first calc teacher at sjsu,he really makes me love math(i use to hate it because i got bad grades in hs). i got As on quizzes and midterms, if you read before the class and do hw after class, it will be very easy for you. i can see he is very passionate about his job, and very clear on quiz and midterm, fair grading, just a nice old man