Gary Buls - St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN

Professor: Gary Buls

Department: Mathematics

College: St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MATH452
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He held me to the highest expectations. He was also generous to a fault. Thanks for making a difference.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CALC221
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

By and large, you can't rely on the textbook. He hates the textbook and is required to use it. He uses Mathlabbut the Help buttons will lead you astray. None of the tutors at SCSU seem to understand his methods, so he is the only one who can help you if you get stuck. I saw him after class each day and came in on days we didn't have class for help.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MATH222
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Buls is easily one of my top five, or even two, teachers. I have an A and the only thing I have left is the final. It gets a little faster as you go, but he ensures that you know the material. Buls is super friendly, but that doesn't mean he just hands out grades. I really enjoyed the class; the real rating--at minimum--would be an 8/5.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MATH222
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Definitely one of the best professors I've ever had. While his class is EXTREMELY RIGOROUS, his goal is to restructure your mind so that it can not only do mathematics, but put them on paper. His notation takes some getting used to, but it really does work wonders. MyMathLab is used frequently, and Maple should be purchased for easier use.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MATH222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This was my hardest class this semester and was pumped when i got a B. If you take this class you will be swamped with homework and it almost was the end of me. He is available outside of class. Take advantage of that.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MATH222
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Most hardest class I have taken, not because of the material, but because of the level of work he gives. He treats the class as a 5 credit class and assigns homework as if we don't have any other class. As for how good he is, he is a great teacher, but his shortcomings are immense amount of homework, and his format that you have to follow.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MAT222
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Buls is very strict about how you present your work. However, 99% of it is for your benefit! You WILL learn CALC 2 in this class. This is my 4th math class at SCSU and this is the first teacher that has taught me anything useful. The work takes time, but it's not unreasonable. The tests are only to prove theory and are not complex. I recommend!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MATH222
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Buls is a hard grader, and there is a substantial amount of homework. However, i felt he kept class interesting and he really did care about his students. If youre willing to work, hes not a bad choice.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MAT222
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I can't help it but agreed with some of the comments I read about this Professor. First, he load you with homework like you have no other classes that require your time and about his grading, super awful!, you have to line things up the way he wanted them or point off.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MATH112
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I ended up taking his class again, If you scroll down I posted 10/26/15 (I think). I got a C- last semester and for some reason I couldn't wrap my head around the class, but this semester everything is right there! I haven't taken the final yet but I am at a B+ so I am hopeful. If you try and show effort he is a easier grader. Expect to work.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MATH112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Would not recommend at all! Points off for not doing what he wants even when you get the right answer. Didn't learn anything because he is too concerned with having write-ups with complete sentence instead of just solving the problem, his says "if you give this to your friend he wouldn't be able to solve it". Easy concepts but he makes it 10x hard!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MATH112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I regret taking math with Dr. Buls. He wants everything his way. Expect to suffer! If you don't write everything he wants and still get the answer he doesn't care. He has problem sets which are though and are nothing more thanwaste of paper because he only wants you to write on one side. I have not learned even simple concepts. Stay away from hi!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MATH112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

All I can say is run away, avoid avoid avoid him, he is the worst prof ever. I was really good in math, but since ever i had him i hated math for the rest of my life. very tough grader. Get ready to suffer for nothing. he takes off points for not following his way. pls JUST AVOID HIM.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MATH112
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Mr. Buls is a very tough grader. He doesn't teach directly from the book, and he likes things done his way. Even if you get the correct answer, if you show your work in a way different than from his, you will get half or no credit. He knows what he's talking about, but he assumes everyone else picks it up right away as well. Would not recommend..

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MATH 112
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Buls explains the material fairly well, but he is an extremely strict grader. You can have all of the answers right but lose a lot of credit because you didn't do it the way he likes it. He also assigns unusually large amounts of homework and doesn't seem to care about the students very much. I would only take a class with him as a last resort.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MATH 112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took Buls as my first college math class so maybe I'm just not prepared but from what I've heard from other classes no one grades like him. Everything has to be in specific notation. There are assignments everyday 3-4 problem sets per chapter. He is a very tough grader but if you ask for help he is willing to help and explain.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: 222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He likes proof and things written exactly as he likes it. It takes a while to get used to what he wants but he gives good feedback on tests and assignments and always returns these quickly.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MATH115
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Teaches as if this is a 400 level class though it is a 100 level. Assigns 3 hours of homework per night (minimum) 5 days a week. Moves too fast through sections. Starts moving on to new material before you even have time to process what you just learned. Intense, unapproachable, & rude. Avoid taking this class with him at all costs!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MATH115
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Don't take this professor unless you're looking for a lot of work. Although it is a 100 level class, the professor makes it feel like a 400 level class. Fine teacher, but not very good with people and not very willing to help.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MAT222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took Calc II with Dr. Buls, and he really makes you put your nose to the grindstone. He wants you to understand what you are doing. I actually understand calculus because of him, not just how to do it. He gives detailed feedback on tests and significant assignments, so I always understood exactly where I went wrong if I messed up a problem.