Joseph Previte - Pennsylvania State University - Erie, Erie, PA

Professor: Joseph Previte

Department: Mathematics

College: Pennsylvania State University - Erie, Erie, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MATH250
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

It's very hard to pay attention in his class. He normally expects you to be as good as he is and remember everything you've learned including that one thing your old professor mentioned once.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MATH220
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Matrices is a tough class no matter who is teaching it. He does his very best to make sure kids understand. He was always very helpful and willing during office hours.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MATH140
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Breaks down things so its much easier to understand. Takes his time during lectures so information is easily understood.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MATH140
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

1. He is one of the most genius professor at Erie. 2. Always have time for student. 3. Teach really fast, that shows how smart he is. To tackle this problem, write down anything you don't understand, ask him after class. He is a bit slower when out of class. 4. If you think you up for some challenges in math, take his class. If not, then don't.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: 250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Excellent professor, very intelligent, incorporates humor into rather dull subject matter, very understanding. He even wrote the book for the class that lines up directly with the lessons and homework for a fraction of the price. Trying to get the school to open a calculus class with him next semester. Will try to take his classes again.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MATH141
• 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: N/A

Comment:

Dr. Previte is probably my favorite professor at PSB. His class was challenging but he is very thorough. He is very good at helping you understand the material. I went to his office hours a few times and he was down to earth and super helpful. He gives homework quizzes which are about 2-4 problems, and the test questions resemble these problems.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MATH230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Can't stand him. Cocky, makes lots of mistakes and slams your questions into the ground and makes you feel stupid. Don't listen to anything he says; he tries to scare you saying you'll fail if you don't do every problem in the book.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MATH230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Good professor but very difficult. Never struggled so hard to get a C in my life. The second half of the course is a lot worse than the first.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MATH141
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very Very difficult exams...However to compensate for the difficult exams he is very helpful in office hours and will go as far as reteaching an entire chapter if you really need the help. I've even seen Previt teach another student a section cause the student skipped class. I dont know anyone else willing to reteach a section for a kid who skiped

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MATH140
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Several years ago I took Calc I my freshman year with Joe Previte. Explanations shallow and confusing. Acted like we already knew that material and he was reminding us. Made students work in groups teaching each other instead of him teaching us. HOMEWORK WAS GRADED. Math homework should not be graded! WORST teaching technique, WORST math prof EVER!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MATH230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Took him over the summer, had to drop it halfway through because I was sick. Class was very fast-paced. Homework was difficult and graded harshly. In-class examples are long and drawn-out. Exams are MUCH easier than homework. Professor can be intimidating and hard to approach because he just seems like he doesn't care. But not a terrible lecturer.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MATH230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He hated this class more than the students could have. Plus, he intentionally assigns some of the hardest problems in the book for homework. He had no enthusiasm for the material OR that the students were(not) learning it.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MATH251
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Previte is probably one of the smartest professors at Behrend, and though Differential equations can be a difficult course, but Previte made it as understandable as possible, the exams and homework were straight forward. He actually inspired me to change my major from engineering to math, and I would seriously recommend taking one of his classes.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MATH251
• 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:

Previte is clear, helpful, and his tests are manageable. Take him, you won't regret it. Be forewarned that if you don't attend or do homework you will fail; but a serious student/engineer will have no problem passing this class or getting at least a 'B'.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MATH251
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The class is a tough one. I kinda struggled in this math class, and i believe it's for these reason. a) the class depends on writing good notes (his notes can be different from the book's). b) the book is horrible. c) I'm not used to having to go to office hours to understand what's going on in a math class, but it seems necessary for this one!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MATH251
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Awesome math teacher. Best i've had so far. Do the graded homework and you will get an easy B. Tests are hard but not confusing.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MATH312
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This was the big one! Real Analysis: proof of calculus, hardest class of undergraduate studies. He-previte is very tough, but very fair. His hw/teaching style is to see if you really understand the material, and he tests common misconceptions... Study hard, very hard, and go to office hours. He is more than fair and makes you learn!sincerely,309

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MATH230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Fair and fun teacher, but there is homework graded on correctness

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MATH432
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His proofs tend to be rather informal. However, if I don't understand the material, he is more than willing to help. He gave worksheets, which helped alot ( the book is horrible ).

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MATH140H
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The pace is pretty quick and sometimes explanations aren't too clear. If you go to office hours, he's always willing to help and explain anything to you that you're confused on. Office hours are the key to this class. Great guy and very intelligent professor.