Ben Fine - Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT

Professor: Ben Fine

Department: Mathematics

College: Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MA217
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Ben Fine spends most of his time telling stories about his life. However he barely teaches the material. I struggled because I had never taken a stats class. I went to office hours and put in effort but he still did not help my grade and gave me a C. If you got a background in the subject take him, if not be prepared to teach yourself.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MA0011
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Fine gives out problem sets that are exactly like the test. Take notes in class and put effort into understanding those questions and you will do fine. Fine tells funny stories for the majority of class but still manages to get through all of the material on time. If you are looking for an entertaining and efficient teacher, take him!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MA0119
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Ben Fine is a great professor. This is a very good class for students not interested in math because he doesn't teach that much. He spends 90% of class time telling stories. Your grade is determined by 3 problem sets and 3 tests. The tests are almost exactly the same as the problem sets but he will let you retake the tests until you get above a C.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MA217
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Not a huge fan of him. Told stories 90% of class time. Had to learn the material by myself outside of class. One good thing is he wants you to succeed.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MA171
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I had him for both Calc 1 and 2. He's good if you don't really need math for your major but math majors should avoid him because you will not be prepared for Multivariable Calculus.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MA272
• 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:

Dr. Fine is the best. Spends 95% of the class period talking about his life growing up in NY and all of the crazy characters he has encountered at math conferences around the world. His stories are hard to believe but hilarious and insanely entertaining. Also take classes out to a hearty breakfast at the end of the semester. Oh and you learn math

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MA171
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

tells stories most of the time. unless you have prior calc experience, it is hard to catch on to his lectures. he assigns problem sets that lay out his exams, so if you do them and go to office hours to make sure they're being done right, you can easily do well, you just may not get much out of the class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MA171
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

If you want to learn calculus don't take his class he tells stories the entire time and then tests you on material he never taught you. He gives no extra work to average in with your tests. You never have to show up to class because you won't miss anything because he never teaches.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MA17
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Fine was great! If you need an easy extra math course I would recommend. He tells stories throughout the whole class so you only end up doing like 40 minutes of work. He gives great extra help, and every test is exactly like his problem sets. Study just those for tests and you'll get an A. Homework not mandatory but helps a lot.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MA17
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Fine is a fantastic teacher at Fairfield University. He really cares about his students and takes the time to get to know each student. If you put in effort, go to office hours and show him that you are trying, he will do everything in his power to help you out. Tests are also counted twice, so they can either make or break you.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MA0017
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Ben Fine is really nice and funny guy. However, he tends to get off track and jumps between long 45 minutes stories in between lessons so it is hard to focus. If you miss an exam he is not helpful and will fail you, he never answers emails, and he never has office hours. I would not take this class unless you can teach yourself most of the material

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MA351
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Will let you make up any exams. He is very flexible and such a great professor. His exams are basically his projects which he gives solutions to. Just do well on the projects and use that to prepare for the exams and you are all set. His final exam is just a third exam which makes things so much easier.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MA
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This is a great teacher and really does what ever he can for his students. If you need any kind of help with homework just stop by his office and he will walk you through how to do it. Attendance was not a grade but he would know if you were there or not.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MA228
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Really great professor! He is hilarious and tells funny stories and jokes all throughout class. I actually looked forward to going to this class. He is also a great teacher. Three problem sets and three tests, and the tests are very similar to the problem sets. If you have trouble, he is very helpful at office hours. Take him for math!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MA228
• 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 is a classy guy. his tests are not too hard as long as you show up to class and write down his notes. he loves to tell stories and he does know everyone's name.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MA217
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Funny prof, loves to tell stories and get to know the students. Projects are almost identical to the exams which makes the class easy & very little hw besides projects. Takes class out to breakfast at the end of the semester!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CALC226
• 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:

Funniest teacher and very help full when doing work

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MA226
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Fantastic professor who really knows his material. He is an amazing mathematician, but also just a great guy. Tells stories and jokes (sometimes for most of class), but we never had a problem getting through all the material for the semester. He's always late, grades easily, and you will be entertained.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MA125
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This man is an absolute hoot. His teaching often comes to a grinding halt for him to tell you a hilarious story, a history lesson, or the latest Red Sox loss. Unless you REALLY suck at math you will probably be able to get through the class alright, though it helps to know some beforehand. He knows your name even if you never speak. TAKE HIS CLASS.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MA125A
• 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:

He is a great teacher. has a lot of stories and gets to know each person individually if you try and do the work you will do well in his class. he gives you a lot of chances to make up tests and if people say they hate him its because of his stories. I made sure i took his class. BEST CLASS EVER