Donald Pfaff - University of Nevada- Reno, Reno, NV

Professor: Donald Pfaff

Department: Mathematics

College: University of Nevada- Reno, Reno, NV

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CALC181
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is OLD! His lectures are very boring, but I forced myself to go, which paid off. He explains things in a weird way, which takes a while to get used to. He gives out a lot of take home tests that I got good grades on. I always showed up to the discussions 10 minutes early so all of us can compare answers. The tests are not that hard.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MATH181
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very hard to understand unless you already have a steady foundation in Calculus

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MATH181
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Calc 1 is pretty simple. Why do I have a B in this course? Because I would rather watch two flies doing the dirty than attempt to listen to the Pfaffinator take 20 minutes to make one simple point. The guy makes mistakes during lectures, yet he hypocritically demands perfection on tests. Also- Hawaiian shirts should be a CRIME.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MATH181
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

if your looking to simply pass calculus with a c, you should take this class. to get a c, you need between 60 and 80%. If you are trying to get any higher than a c, its extremely difficult. He is really bad at lecturing and his TAs are even worst. You will find yourself spending lots time either at the math center or learing from you book.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MATH181
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I don't understand how people could be complaining so much about math 181. Calculus I is super easy. It can totally be self-taught. Granted, a good teacher does help, but calc is so easy that a teacher is not even really necessary. I miss calculus. oh the woe of a bio major who cannot fit more math in his schedule.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MATH181
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He doesn't teach very well and it is pretty hard to understand his lecture specially if you have never taken calc. I recomend a reference book, they are much easier to fallow, also he lets you use a formula sheet aka cheet sheet so use it as much as you can! his test are almost the same as the practice ones!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MATH181
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I've never failed a class in my life until this one. I hate this professor. His lectures are impossible to understand, His notes are impossible to read, his quizzes are impossible and his tests are hard. I basically failed the first test, e-mailed him about my grade, and he said there was no hope. Who says that to a student???!?!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MATH373
• 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:

Worst teacher I've ever had by a long shot. Terrible lectures, impossible homework, no sympathy. I was worried about my grade, asked him for help in his office hours a couple weeks before the final, and the things that HE HIMSELF told me to do did not help at all. He could care less about you, don't take him!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MATH181
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

the average for his first test was a 60% and he curves to a C so don't plan on getting an A unless you can teach yourself calc

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MATH373
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

So, I have mixed feelings about him. Everyone who has taken him for an upper-division class love him. Everyone in his lower-divisions hate him. I'm somewhere in the middle, I guess. This class is quite difficult if this is your first theory class. Expect a really high score on your 1st midterm, then a really low one on the second. I'm getting a B.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MATH373
• 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:

Horrible! If you want a good grade, take someone else. If you want to learn, take someone else... He doesn't seem to care whether or not people understand what's going on in the classroom and has a mocking, rude tone when answering questions. No thanks.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MATH182
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This guy doesn't even care at all. And he's been around so long the school isn't do anything about it. worse teacher Ive had at Nevada and I highly Ill have any worse.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MATH181
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Im just going to reemphasize this last comment, as it is dead-on

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MATH181
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is just a bad teacher period. Get someone who can actually teach you calculus instead of jerk you off. You will not learn jack.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MATH181
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This is a difficult class but Pfaff was a good teacher. If you go to his office hours he will help you, but dont expect him to just give you the answer, he wants you to get it yourself. He gives quizzes but they are take home & a lot harder than the real test. There are only 3 tests so you have to do well on them. Do the HW, it will help a lot.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MATH127
• 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:

He is a nice guy but I really did not like him as a math teacher. What he lectures on in class is hardly relevant to the test. If you have a choice between teachers, do NOT pick Pfaff unless you want a low grade or can teach it to yourself.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MATH181
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's pretty much your average professor. One time, he left his mic on when he went to the bathroom...quite a funny beginning to class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MATH182
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

his style of teaching wasn't very helpful to me. his lectures were really boring, it was really hard for me to stay awake. I think as long as you pay attention and go to class everyday you can pass.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MATH182
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

worst teacher i have ever had! i timed how long it took him to start talking about something useful: 20 min to get to the subject at hand. i would recommend not taking him, and if there is no choice, don't go to his lectures. by far the worst math teacher i have ever had.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MATH182
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Worse teacher ever! His lectures are very confusing. Hes always late for class. If he's the only one teaching a calc course this semester, wait til the next one so you dont have to go through the misery.