Colleen McGraw - Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA

Professor: Colleen McGraw

Department: Mathematics

College: Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MATH54
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

This professor is NICE but it ends there. She talks entirely too fast and I couldn't understand anything she was saying at all! It's really hard to find a good Math Professor at SMC and forget Rex Perez He's NOT any better! The only Good Math professor I ever took at SMC is Professor Sheida Rahmani! It's sad she's the only one worth taking!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MATH54STATS
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

McGraw is a phenomenal instructor as she is in tune frm start 2 finish. I took 50 + 54 crs under her guidance. Super helpful lab (that is optl) led by McGraw. Online hwk (mando) + bookwrk optl. She gives great food 4 thought w/ inspo impromptu speeches thru crse w/ real-world connections. Prof is as invlvd as u r; meaning she will help you succeed.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MATH50
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Professor McGraw has a fast teaching style but will give multiple examples to understand material. Online homework and in Class work is important for your grade do them to help on the exams as well. Exams can be tough but her accessibility in the math labs and in class can help you out. On exam days she'll go over any questions you may have.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MATH54
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Threatened to call campus security on students who crashed the course. Had plenty of extra seats in the class. Wouldnt let kids join who needed it to graduate.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MATH50
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Great lectures that made learning math fun! Gives great specific feedback on exams and hwk assignments that are your guides throughout the course. Do online hwk, class handouts, and you will succeed. McGraw is accessible outside of class and will help you. Math Workshops, math practice is key. Get class materials, read syllabi and plan accordingly

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MATH54
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Clearly mentioned at the beginning of the class that there is no extra credit. She doesn't care about your perrsonal live instead she grades what she think you earn. Also, she seem often to be very unconcentrated during her lectures and makes multiple mistakes while explaining problems. Make sure she graded your assignments (exams) correct.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MATH54
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She has her heart on the right point, but unfortunately one need more to be a teacher just knowing the material can't make you a good teacher. She knows what she is talking about, but she has a very fast pase when it comes to talking. Also, she goes over the material with you but again she rushes trough it rather than trying to explain it to you.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MATH54STATS
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Professor McGraw is a great teacher! It's not a easy class, but if you do your homework (HW in the book is optional, but most test questions come from there so do it) you'll be good. I cannot urge you enough to go to her review sessions and/or office hours she's really helpful. There's no excuse not to get an A in her class. Take her!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MATH54STATS
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Prof McGraw is super clear and will answer any question. She does move fast and missing a class (especially during winter) is basically shooting yourself in the foot. She makes an effort to really help her students and knows probably 80% of the class by name (which I find impressive for a non-discussion class). She's the best.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MATH54
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Took in Fall 2016. McGraw seems indifferent, but isn't. 3 exams and 1 final. Easy WITH some practice. Final exam replaces lowest exam. Online HW due before exams. Classwork WS/project easy points. Offers PLENTY of help in office hours. If you have a class with a SI Leader named Nicolai, you are lucky. Go to every session and you will get an A.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MATH7
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She is one of the best math professors at SMC!!!!!! She is really helpful and her lectures are clear! It's not an easy-A class but if you study and do the HW you will be fine! Take her!!!!!!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MATH54STATS
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you have to take Statistics, take it with McGraw. Her lectures are long and she talks super fast, but she truly cares and is willing to help. She tries her best to answer all questions. She is very nice. 3 tests and a final. The final replaces your worst grade, so you can bomb a test and still be okay. The homework is due at the end of year.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MATH54
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I thought this class was pretty standard. She's great because she's so straight forward and wants to help her students. You can totally see it. Honestly, this is no easy A class, you have to put in work.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MATH54
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

She's easy going, sometimes not strict on dates, organized lectures+ good materials, she gets some of her test questions from the textbook+online hw : She stressing a lot on doing the book hw but its not really necessary if you understand the in class assignments and online hw: And she makes the test really easy no multiple choices

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MATH54
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Pros: - easy going - relates stats to everyday life - clearly explains the material - exams are like the online/textbook hw - extra credit (rare, but it's there) Cons: - talks rather fast Tip(s): - if you want to pass/receive a decent grade (in any stats course), do the homework! Put in the effort and stay motivated! A obtainable!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MATH7
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took Calc 1 with Professor McGraw and it was HARD. I got an A in the class so here are a few tips: Get tutoring in the Math Lab and individual tutoring on campus. Professor McGraw talks FAST so make sure to read and understand the chapter BEFORE she even teaches it in class! Overall a fair but tough grader.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MATH54
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor McGraw is very down-to-earth and friendly. She is extremely knowledgeable and explains the concepts in a clear and concise way. Every step of the processes are explained, including how to use the calculator. As long as you pay attention and try, you can ask her for help understanding anything!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MATH28
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I wish someone told me in the beginning of this class that her online reviews are exactly the tests, would've done way better. she talks SUPER fast it's very hard to keep up with her, the only reason I even passed was because I hired a tutor. Tests are fair tho, I guess of all the options she is the best teacher, idk. Study A LOT to pass!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MATH28
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The math department at SMC needs a serious overhaul. The pre-req class to this one, Math 26 did not prepare me for this course and there was not enough help available on campus. The pace is fast. I would advise not taking this class with a heavy class schedule. The teacher is ok. Nothing too surprising on exams. UCLA extension is the better route.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MATH54
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I assure you she could break the world record for fast speaking. Professor McGraw can talk and write very fast. Despite that I can assure you that she really cares about her students. She goes over every concept a couple of times, in tiny baby steps. Super fair grader, final replaces lowest score. Take her if you want to learn statistics!