Leslie Smith - University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI

Professor: Leslie Smith

Department: Mathematics

College: University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MATH320
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She knows exactly what she wants you to know and she knows how to explain it in many different ways, so if it didn't make sense the first time she'll try to explain it differently so that everyone understands. Her exams are very difficult

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MATH320
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Excellent professor. Math 320 is a very difficult class, but her solid teaching makes it very doable if you're willing to put in the work. She's not an easy grader, and the exams will be very difficult. She clearly cares about whether or not students are getting the material.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MATH322
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Smith was great, one of the best Professors I have had, especially in the Math Department. Her lectures are very well organized and she puts all of her notes online for review. Her grading is fair and her tests are what one would expect; never any curveballs or anything. I highly recommend her

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MATH322
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She's Amazing, just look at her CV. She's Brilliant, and an amazing professor. She will put the effort in to make sure you understand the material.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MATH320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The course content is not that difficult, but she makes this class a nightmare. She is the type of professor who emphasizes derivations and theory rather than calculations. Her tests award very little partial credit. You will know the material well at the end of the course, but she makes this class impossible. Create your schedule around her.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MATH320
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She's very good at explaining the material. Everything is explained theoretically at first, just hang in there until she does examples and it will make more sense. The homework questions in the book are worded completely differently than the lectures. What you do in lecture is what will be on the test, not problems from the text book.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MATH320
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She's insanely smart and a good and interactive lecturer, but the derivations often put me to sleep. She emphasizes understanding over rote calculations. Study the practice exams and know the notes inside out to do well on exams. Curve was merciful in my case. Would recommend picking another prof, but it's not the end of the world if you have her.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MATH320
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Yes, she derives each equation used in class. However, her notes are clear, organized and she does ultimately give good examples and lays out clear steps to proceed with a problem. Her tests are tough and require you to remember everything you've ever learned in math and strong problem solving skills but overall they extremely fair.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MATH320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Leslie is very intelligent and expects a lot out of her students. She teaches all the concepts using general terms and proofs and loves putting those on the test. The course material really isn't that difficult but the way she poses her questions requires you to think about what she's asking you to do.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MATH320
• 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:

She is very willing to help and is very smart; however, sometimes the lectures show that she is too smart. She goes very quickly and it is hard to keep up. I feel like i learned the basics in class and really needed the homework to do well.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MATH320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She knows the topic that she is teaching very well, but sometimes will jump to conclusions, so it is very important to ASK QUESTIONS in class, which she is very open to. Overall, a fine professor who if you keep up and ask questions, will get you through the course more prepared than most professors. Difficult class, but worth it.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MATH320
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Terrible teacher, she expects half of the class to fail. Lectures are dense, and more of a researcher than a teacher.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MATH320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The only reason some people may not give her good reviews is because all engineers are ready to be done with math by the time their last math class comes around. Her lecturing skills are great, and her final curve is better than each individual exam's curves

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MATH320
• 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:

Makes class much harder than it needs to be. Ridiculous curve (on one exam 3 kids out 90 or so got an A). Hearing from other students who have taken 320 with other professors, Smith teaches it much harder. Wouldn't recommend.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MATH320
• 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:

One of the best math teachers I've had. She's really good at teaching but not always good about finishing a topic before putting it on an exam. Grades exams with very little partial credit. Tests you on proofs and concepts not just your ability to solve problems mechanically.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MATH320
• 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:

Great professor, teaches extremely well and with enthusiasm. grades exam extremely hard though

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MATH320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

During lecture, she always gives great examples that are easy to follow. Her explanation on topics makes the book easier to read (if you like to read the chapter after you go to lecture). Most importantly though is that if you do her practice exams, you are guaranteed at least a B in any given exam

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MATH320
• 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:

Interacts with students to really ensure that they understand the material. Tests can be tricky, but the concepts on the tests represent material learned. She cares about the learning of her students and presents great examples in class. Even if you don't get an A, you will learn a great deal from this professor. Strongly Recommend this Prof!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MATH320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Terrible professor. Is not clear about what she wants on exams, makes about 10 mistakes per lecture which she annoying laughs at, and will not listen to student's concerns. Avoid at all costs.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MATH320
• 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:

Prof. Smith always tries to connect with the students, strongly encouraging questions and reacting to any comments. Unfortunately this also means you better be somewhat attentive, as she will notice if you're dozing or whispering.