Paul Graves - Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA

Professor: Paul Graves

Department: Mathematics

College: Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MATH54
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He talks a lot and goes on a lot of tangents. If you are someone not that good at math, he is not for you. When people asked questions he was quite mean to "stupid questions." Very test heavy, 60% of grade comes from three tests.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MATH54
• 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:

I'm warning you if you generally struggle with math, do not take his class if you are just trying to get through quick. The majority of your grade will be from 4 total tests. I put in sooo much work and time and still fell short. Regret signing up for his course so much.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MATH07
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Worst professor in math department, he will brag that he never got a D while in college, talks about tv show, movies, politics instead of math during class, talks about how easy this class should be when he makes it very hard. He will not answer your questions, he is rude and disrespectful with students. Avoid him, his mission is to ruin your GPA

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MATH54
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT take this class if you are interested in spending the entirety of the class learning. He wastes AT LEAST half an hour per class lecturing to stroke his own ego, and alludes to you all being stupid despite taking an intro class. I've never reviewed any professor as they weren't bad enough to warrant one but seriously do not take this class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MATH20
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's the best math teacher I have had at SMC. He is really funny and really cares if you pass the class. He likes to go off on tangents occasionally but they usually tie back in to math. He emphasizes taking responsibility for your own grade and creating good study habits. As long as you do the homework you should have no problem on the tests.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MATH20
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Pros: Drops lowest test score if final improves overall grade, tries to connect with class, test problems derived from homework, really knows his stuff. Cons: Condescending when answering questions (if you have thin skin, he's not for you), strong math background OR strong self-study skills are necessary. No hand-holding.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MATH20
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Ugh. I was so over this class within two weeks. I'm good at math naturally but this guy made it seem like it was alien space science. Very little that he said made sense. We had a sub one day that got more done in one day than Prof Graves did in two weeks. His grading is confusing and strict and he seems to care too much about stupid things.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GEOM32
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is one of the worst math teachers I have ever had. If I could go back I would never take this class ever again. He is uncaring for his students and is very vague with instructions. Does nothing to help and if you ask a question he will not give you a straight forward answer he wraps it in another question making it harder. All in all don't take

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MATH21
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Im reading a lot of negative remarks but in reality this is what most university professors are like. If you can buckle down and do what needs to be done, you'll be okay. Im an english major and I took stats, and ended with a B. He's not a good professor, but hes not satan either, he'll understand your situation if you put in the work.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MATH21
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Super rude. Has given snarky, unnecessary comments when you're trying to approach him with questions. Do not recommend, has been condescending and also critiques other professor's teaching methods. There are better math 21 options than this guy.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MATH07
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He usually talks about other subjects than Math during class. There aren't enough examples in class because of that.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MATH20
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The most arrogant professor I've ever had. Took his class about 5 years ago. Graduated already but felt I needed to warn people. He is a horrible professor.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MATH07
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Graves is the one that made want to pursue my engineering studies . It is true that he goes off subject from time to time but at least he made his lectures funny instead of boring. he is VERY VERY helpful, and gave us a lot of extra time to ask questions. He'll make u work for it, but at least u'll get it effectively .

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MATH8
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You can manage passing this class without even attending the lectures because he spends 80% of the time going off on tangents and the rest quickly going over a section. Don't expect to get a good grade unless you plan on teaching yourself the material. Also, makes you feel dumb when you ask a question.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MATH8
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Assigns even-numbered homework problems "to remove the temptation of peeking at the back of the book." So if you want to do your homework and have no idea whether you're on the right track until you see your exam scores, by all means take his class. Spends half the class just chit-chatting.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MATH250
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Amazing teacher i love the way he point out my flaws and mistakes. I love that he blames all of us for doing horribly on our tests its so encouraging! When ever i ask a question its so funny when he explains it the same way and doesn't clarify at all. If i wanted my hopes and dreams destroyed again 10/10 would take again.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MATH8
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the worst classes I have ever taken. I had a class that was 2 hours and 20 minutes long and he spent 20 minutes going over the math and 2 hours going off on tangents. Seriously DO NOT TAKE if you actually want to learn about calculus.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MATH7
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Amazing professor. Don't pay attention to those bummer! Dr grave is so charming and funny. Always there to help you. So recomended!!!!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MATH21
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is one of the worst math teachers I ever had! His lectures are boring and hard to follow. His tests are brutal, and are worth a lot of your grade. He talks a lot about himself, and makes the simplest things sound so difficult. I regret taking his class, I had to take it again with another teacher. Don't take this class!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MATH7
• 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:

He is a very smart person, but is a very bad professor. He is very sarcastic, which made students hold back questions and comments. If you did ask a question, he would say something like "I don't understand why you're having trouble with this problem." He also speeds through the material, so much so that we were 2.5 weeks ahead of schedule. Avoid!