Philip Gwanyama - Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL

Professor: Philip Gwanyama

Department: Mathematics

College: Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MATH118
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I wouldn't recommend taking Gwan if you haven't taken precalc before because he moves pretty fast. Show that you care at the beginning of the course and he will respect you and be willing to help you out. He calls out students who are on their phones and will pick students randomly to do problems, so come to class prepared. Overall great guy.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MATH131
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Gwanyama tags you as a bad student if you don't show him that you care above and beyond the first week of class. I did fine in his quizzes but couldn't pass his tests, so he flunked me. His explanations are very fast and he is not approachable during office hours he cares more about giving you a lecture on being a bad student than teaching you.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MATH131
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He gives the whole period for tests and his lectures are super easy to follow along to. He includes lots of his own problems on the test which he gives as examples in class during lecture. 10/10 would take again. Their are no surprises with him study your notes and do the hw and you will be fine. The best in the MATH department at Loyola!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MATH131
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He is the best math teacher I have ever had. All I studied were the notes and I got an A in both 131 & 132. Make sure you understand how to do the online hw and you will do well because his quizzes and exams are based on the notes and hw. He is very helpful during office hours and I wish more teachers at Loyola were like him. Highly recommended.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MATH131
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Philip was a fantastic teacher. I learned a lot from him. His lectures were simple and easy to understand. He got right to the material and showed you what you need to know. The tests and quizzes are just like what he does in class. The homework was sometimes harder than assessments because it is online and he can't control it. Best Math Professor!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MATH131
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

After taking math 117 and 118, this professor was the best for 131. He actually applies the WebAssign to what you are learning. He teaches quickly but will stop and help if you ask for it. Overall I would recommend him just be prepared to do the work of a college level Calculus class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MATH131
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

AMAZING!! I didn't do well in math in high school but got an A in this class. He's hilarious, laughs while he's teaching at literally nothing (he just really likes math I guess), and makes everything easy to understand. You get a formula sheet and can use it on every quiz and exam. Attendance is part of the grade but very little (5%), easy A

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MATH131
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Honestly you are not going to find a better cal prof. than Gwan. He allows questions in class and is very patient and caring. He doesn't explain concepts as much but does a lot of practice problems which helps. Sometimes he skips through certain steps but if you ask him he will clarify. He is very clear on what you should know for exams

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CALC131
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Super caring professor! He moves very fast throughout his lectures so you have to attend class and pay attention. However, he makes sure that everyone is on track in class and that no one is confused/falling behind. He gives weekly quizzes and study guides for the exams. Takes attendance. He makes calculus understandable allows you to make up work.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MATH131
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The class consists of weekly quizzes, exams & WebAssign assignments. I would say he is the most lenient math professor I've taken as the WebAssign assignments are all due at the end of the semester and sometimes on the day of a quiz he'll announce it will be online instead and is due by next class. Lectures are fast but he provides tons of examples

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MATH131
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Weekly quizzes, his lectures are hard to understand because he goes fast through each example or sometimes fails to explain details, but you can always ask questions in class. He'll call you out with questions in class if he sees you using your phone or talking. To pass the test you have to study, usually the way to study is with the homework.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MATH131
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

this class is a complete joke. Seriously if you can't get an A (B+ at WORST) and you are premed, you should already start looking into other careers. He has weekly quizzes, and three exams and a final. He drops like 3 out of 10 quizzes. He gives recommended homework that you don't have to do, but if you do them and understand you will Ace the exam

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MATH118
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Really not that hard of a class, but philip can be pretty confusing especially if you have never taken pre calc before. He is unorganized and randomly calls on people for answers so be prepared in class. He is very nice but i definitely would've gotten a better grade if he were clearer and more organized during lectures.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MATH118
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Class consists of 3 exams, weekly quizzes, and final, does not check homework. Good: makes math entertaining, does a lot of examples problems, easy grader, encourages questions. Bad: difficult to understand, quizzes are short but are worth half an exam, teaches stuff that isn't in the textbook.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MATH131
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you don't get Widener just take Gwan Easy A if you know what you're doing. His Tests do not have any trick questions to them. There is no assigned hw just practice quizzes and tests online that are almost identical to exam. Overall, if you think you're good in math take him. Gwan is also hilarious. One of the best teachers i had this semester.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MATH118
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Had him for MATH 118 on the WTC. If you already know the material coming in, you'll do fine- tests/quizzes aren't very difficult. If you're learning the material for the first time, do not take him. The classes consist of him doing problems on the board straight out of the textbook and he struggles with basic math.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MATH118131
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

if you can't learn from Gwan, you'll never learn the purpose of math, and how his giggles power you to LEARN.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MATH118
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT TAKE. He seriously does not speak english, does not understand how to teach, and isn't a nice guy. I could learn precalc better from a juice box. He'll take away your phone if he sees you on it and has strict computer rules. I had to learn everything for the tests completely from the textbook, and his tests are completely unfair. AVOID!!!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: 131
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof Gwanyama is a really good person, sometimes he is not the most clear teacher, but if you pay attention you will understand everything. Also you can go to his office hours if you don't understand something. He will help you and wants everyone to have a good grade. Would recommend him

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MATH118
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

On the day of a quiz or test (which is frequent) if you go to his office hours beforehand he will not help you what so ever. He writes very sloppy on the board. The entire class looks confused and frustrated half the time because in addition to the frequent math mistakes he makes, and the poor writing, he zips through problems without explaining.