Gregory Schwartz - Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA

Professor: Gregory Schwartz

Department: Mathematics

College: Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CALC124
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took Calculus in high school, and this class made me confused. He's really passionate about math, but if you aren't a math major don't take his class. If your algebra and pre-calculus skills are not good, this class will be brutal. He's willing to help you during office hours. You need to put a lot of work into this class to do well.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MATH124
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Homework did not help with exams at all. Exams were way too long to finish in 50 min and were 75% of class grade. Office hours were inconvenient. Seems like a nice guy thats passionate about math. Teaching style is just a little wonky.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MATH156
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I would not take this professor again. When he describes math problems he skips steps and assumes that all the students know this already. I took my first math test and I completely did horrible on it. He does not give credit in showing your work. The homework is too much and it doesn't correlate to the test. The test is much harder.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MATH124
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tests do not relate to content, appears to take joy in confusing students. Tutors not able to answer questions or problems. Class average is 70% some are taking for second time. That www allows this style of teaching where failure is expected and learning is your problem is inexcusable. He is a senior instructor that does not belong in classroom

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MATH124
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took the 8 am Math 124 based on the ALEKS placement after taking a year off of math. It was rough, to say the least. There was daily homework which we would go over for half the class time and his lessons were mostly examples of how the subject would work in specific cases. Leaving the tests to have much harder questions than any of the homework.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MATH125
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I'm not great at math, but by working hard and studying hard I was able to pass this class. He is a great prof who is very available and willing to help students in any way he can. He is very passionate about Math and tries hard to make sure everyone in the classroom understands the subject matter. Read the syllabus!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MATH125
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tests are super unlike homework and he throws in "trick questions" all the time. Tries to make homework problems, ends up impossible solutions. Didn't go over any homework whatsoever unless pestered about it. Cool guy, but he suucks at teaching math. I will see if I pass. I learned less the second time through calc ii. I feel stupider when I leave.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MATH224
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Greg simply doesn't care how his class does on exams. He gives tests that are significantly to long and incredibly difficult. Every two out of our three exams were significantly to long. The final exam was a mind bender that left the entire class without finishing him cutting us off 20 minutes after the 2 hours had already been up. Do not take.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MATH224
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Multivar calc is already hard enough, but my preferred learning style did not connect with Schwartz's method of teaching. He puts problems for new material on the board, lets the class solve it, and moves on, with little teaching. Class time is directed by the understanding of a couple smart people and if you're not one of them, you're left behind.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MATH124
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Schwartz is very passionate about math and gets excited whenever his students show interest. I was finally able to understand calculus because of him. He explains the math behind nearly everything, which is really helpful. Schwartz is the best!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MATH157
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Challenging class but Schwartz will really work with you to make sure you succeed!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MATH224
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A great professor. Homework wasn't required, but he gave 'pop quizzes' to make sure we were keeping us, but he did drop the 3 lowest scores. Tests were hard, but he gave you good feedback on what you did wrong. He gives lots of good examples in class and works through them with you. It definitely wasn't an easy class, but I learned a ton!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MATH124
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Wow what a great professor. He spends a lot of time making sure the students understand the material, and won't move on until they do. Makes hilarious pun accidentally during lectures. He is very easy to listen to, and incredibly helpful on questions. He teaches very conceptually, which results in an overall understanding of material.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MATH157
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class was one of the hardest classes I have ever taken, but not because of the professor. The material was hard to understand. He was definitely helpful and willing to help, but the exams were of course much harder than the homework, so if you don't understand the material fully, the exams are pretty tough.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: 156
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The best way to sum up my experience in this class is: I went to his office hours for help and he straight up said "No, because then you'll know how to do it." Intentionally tries to trip you up with trick questions on exams. Overall a terrible class. AVOID Schwartz, take this class at the comm college with someone who cares about your learning.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MATH224
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

NO CLARITY. This was by far the hardest class I've ever taken at Western, the whole class was struggling throughout the entirety just to get above 70% on the tests! At one point the class average was 69.7%; about half his class couldn't advance so he wound up curving the final! Bizarro tests and impossible quizzes, with home work taking 5 hours.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MATH156
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Schwartz is a pretty great teacher. Sometimes he messes up in examples or trails off from what we're supposed to be learning but the tests are fair. Pretty big homework load, but do able. If you do the homework it will prepare you for the test and you should come out with a decent grade!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MATH124
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Schwartz is the best math teacher I've ever had. Nice guy, super approachable, uses really clear examples and encourages class participation to aid understanding. He probably has a bunch of bad reviews from a while ago but he switched up his teaching style and it improved a lot.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MATH157
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Schwartz is the man. Exams are challenging, but fair. People who say anything else don't study or understand the concepts. He is extremely clear and his lectures are easy to follow and interesting. If you are struggling, he is very helpful in office hours & really cares about his students! Great WWU professor:)

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MATH125
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you're strong at math he will be a great fit for you. If you're not the strongest at math, he might not be the right choice. He's helpful and his tests are pretty close to what the homework is. He is a hard grader, but if you work hard, you'll do really well.