Sheldon Kovitz - University of Massachusetts - Boston, Boston, MA

Professor: Sheldon Kovitz

Department: Mathematics

College: University of Massachusetts - Boston, Boston, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MAT130
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

GO TO CLASS AND SI SESSIONS. You will struggle in this class. You have a test or a quiz almost every week. He also gives challenges problems but those are also hard. He was the better teacher put of the two that taught math 130

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MATH130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Definitely a nice guy, but a terrible lecturer. Most of the students can't follow along what's he saying. The HWs and quizzes get you ready for the tests, but I used youtube to do everything because listening to his lectures was pointless. Thank god I took the pass/fail.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MA130
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He teaches too fast! So fast that the majority of the time you wont understand much. His tests and quizzes are so hard! Dont get me wrong he is a very nice man but good luck on passing....

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MAT130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is a very nice man, the only thing is that he goes too fast that I cant keep up. If you are used to going over a topic and then having homework on that topic for that day, dont expect this class to be that way. You will have the homework first, get graded, then go over the topic. Google is whats helping me get through this class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MATH130
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The way he setup the homework and the practice tests, you can really tell that he cares and wants his students to pass. Go to his office hours if you don't understand the math. Youtube helps too.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MATH130
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He goes a little fast when explaining the material and his lectures have no flow to them, so you'll have to pay full attention in class to understand what is he saying. Homework is 6% of the grade and the tests are 32%. DO NOT FAIL THE TESTS, otherwise your grade could be dropped two letters. He's caring and helpful during his office hours.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MATH130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of the worst professors Ive ever had for math. He assumes everyone is following and isnt very clear when he teaches. Jumps around to too many topics in one class and expects people to follow. The vibe of the class is just gross.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MATH125
• 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:

This professor is very scatter brained and doesnt get back to emails. Grading is VERY confusing and he doesnt use blackboard. He also doesnt go over any homeworks so everything continues to be confusing. Its very easy to get lost if you arent in every class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MATH130
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Kovitz gives handouts explaining concepts, so hold onto and read those, especially for review, but with notes alone you'll struggle. His notes were all over the place, very disorganized, written messily on the board with chalk. Do challenge problems and quizzes for EC. Also he has this tick where he always sniffs and he may have a chalk problem.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MATH130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I took math 130 fall 2016. I never took precalc before in high school and had no prior base of calc. He ASSUMES you know everything. Test and final is your whole entire grade. I had B+ in class going into final and it drops your grade because it is extremely tough. If you don't know calc we'll DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MATH130
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Kovitz is a easy going guy, there are three exams and then a Final. The exams are true and false around 10-12 questions each. Quizzes are extra credit and challenge problems are extra credit. He is awesome dude, always willing to help students. If you are not good at math go to si sessions and visit him in his office hours he will help!!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MAT130
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Loved this guy. Super nice. I am not good at math and got 100 on every test. Only attended a few classes. Gives thorough practice tests. They're all you need to study. Use khan academy. Tests are 92% of the grade. Homework is 8% but you only need to do 8 out of 20 assignments to get 100% for homework Also gives 6 quizes as EXTRA CREDIT!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MATH130
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very easy-going guy.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MATH130
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Im a math major and i dont know whats going on in this class right now. Hes a nice man and the grading is easy but im lost. Im using the internet to answer all the questions on the homework. Probably pass/failing this class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MATH130
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

GREAT PROFESSOR

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MATH130
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Kovitz is a very nice man. His teaching methods are old fashion & he can be very confusing. He jumps around a lot & moves very fast. If you don't have a strong background with algebra, you might struggle. The way he grades gives you a good chance of passing. Drops 2 test. Final is hard but the study guide is exactly like the final so use it!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PRECALC130
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Clear presentation, no need for a textbook and gave lots of opportunity to raise your grades. I learned a good deal from Kovitz and am happy that I took precalc with him. Just pay attention and do the homeworks!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MAT130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

CONFUSING!, goes over material superfast. Jumps around everywhere. If you are average at math, he will confuse you even more. Sometimes is lenient on grading, once he notices EVERYONE is NOT getting it. (Which happens often )

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MATH130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You have to see the tutor if you want to get anywhere in this class. He puts up practice tests and quizzes on his website and they are almost exactly like the testsquizzes he gives. He is also very helpful if you see him in his office, he is very willing to help. I would take this class pass fail if you feel like your having trouble with it.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: 130
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very weird interesting teacher. You will have to teach yourself most of the material because he is very confusing and jumps around too different topics. Gives home works and extra credit but does not boost grade to much. Final is worth 36% of your hard and is hard test. If you take this class. Good luck.