Craig Tapley - University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Professor: Craig Tapley

Department: Business

College: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: FIN3043
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The class wan't too bad, you just have to practice the material a lot. He makes all of his exams the same as the previous semesters, so what you get in the previous semester exam is what you will probably get in the actual exam.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: FIN3043
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

TAKE THIS OVER THE SUMMER. I cannot stress enough, that if you have a summer to take this over please do. Dr. Tapley's tests are ridiculous.. Extremely hard and there is always a curve. The key to doing well is doing all of the old practice exams 1000 times.. which is why I suggest the summer. However, it's very straightforward.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: FIN3403
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Probably the best class I have ever taken at UF. That being said, Professor Tapley's class is not an easy A, you really do have to work for it if you want it. He provides a lot of materials, utilize them or die. If you don't do the practice problems, you will fail the class. Got a B+ in the class. This class should be mandatory for all students.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: FIN3403
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Tapley's FIN3403 course may be known as "the hardest undergraduate business core class," however, he is brilliant. He knows finance like no one else. Some of the times he may present you a million different ways to look at a problem, which can be beneficial, but also a little confusion. All in all, he is a fantastic professor. Best at UF.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: FIN3403
• 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:

I wish all business classes were like this one. You'll be fine as long as you do a ton of practice problems. His exams are really straight-forward, he gives you a ton of resources and practices problems. He even goes through the exam beforehand and tells you exactly what questions will be on it. An easy A as long as you put in a little effort.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: FIN3403
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

You need a tutor or extra help, you will not find it through the lectures they are a not a good resource or use of time. Learned zero in this course

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: FIN3403
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Study, study, study.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: FIN3401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Tapley knows how to teach this course. I do suggest using a tutor program to get an A though. He provides you with enough fluff to get the required grade. He always curves the average to 75 which helps if you beat the average.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: FIN3403
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I feel like with this class you either get it or you don't. You do need to study a lot for the class. I honestly didn't learn much but rather memorized how to take the tests

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: FIN3403
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

stayed on top of the readings and attended every lecture. left class more confused than when I came

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: FIN3403
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Watching the lectures is not a necessity. The topic papers and course project take more time than you think. If you do and understand all the practice problems, you'll get an A. This class takes time and effort, but the A is well within reach.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: FIN3403
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Class is hard but certainly doable. I never watched any lectures, did tutoring zone weeklies instead and ended up with an A. Do all quizzes, topic papers, and the course project; they make up a big chunk of your final grade.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: FIN3403
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Tapley was definitely built for finance, he knows it like the back of his hand. With that being said, this class is difficult, but manageable. You need to set time aside and study throughout the semester. There is not time to cram this material, I assure you. It helps to study with a partner. Tutoring zone is useful in this course.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: FIN3403
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Went in to the first class with the goal being "learn about finance." After the first exam it changed to "Just pass." After the second exam it turned into "Damage Control." This class is ridiculously hard and time consuming. If you don't need it, don't take it. Went in to the final exam hoping for a big curve just to avoid retaking it later.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: FIN3403
• 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:

Not sure what everyone is ranting about. I took three difficult engineering courses this semester and this class provided a nice, easy, interesting break. Lectures were extremely well-done and often incorporated real world material. I never once used the book all semester, the projects were fascinating, and exam questions were predictable. Awesome!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: FIN3403
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great Professor, very difficult class. Buy the book of test questions from Target Copy and do EVERY PROBLEM. Reading the text is optional, it wont really help on the exams but may give you another point of view. Stay on top of this class! Do the quizzes, papers, and project and get a 100% on them. Your test scores will probably be low. BIG CURVE

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: FIN3403
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Difficult class, but you learn a bunch. I'd say the level of difficulty for each exam is in this order: second<first<final

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: FIN3403
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Do not buy the book! He gives detailed notes and practice probs. This class is hard as all hell. Got a 44% both times on the exams, and 2s on the quizzes so with the curve I barley passed getting a 70. Lol you all reading this will think you are gods and will own his class, but he will own you. If you do not have to take this then dont!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: FIN3403
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr.T mentions often he's teaching us critical thinking, but his finance exams have nothing to do with critical thinking since they're not debatable. Here's critical thinking: Any instructor requiring a curve to pass students isn't teaching effectively. SUM'11 420+/- students. Exam 2 with curve: 80 A/A- w/o 12, 60% < C. 50% Failed. It's ridiculous!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: FIN3403
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Tapley is a great professor that is passionate about his class and encourages students to participate in class (class of 70+ students). However, unless you are a Finance major like myself, or otherwise are required to take this class, do avoid. Said to be the hardest intro course in the business school. It is duable. Good luck!!!