Simon Goberstein - California State University Chico, Chico, CA

Professor: Simon Goberstein

Department: Mathematics

College: California State University Chico, Chico, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MATH330
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I took him for a Methods of Proofs class, which is already a hard enough class. I never knew what my grade was as he never posts online. Quizzes are based on homework and tests are brutal. He is somewhat fair at grading and drops 2 assignments but that hardly helps. He has an accent and doesn't explain what he is doing on the board very well. Run.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MATH118
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's very detailed when it comes to grading on the homework and quizzes. He doesn't really explain concepts of the materials learned he just gives you the formulas. Quizzes are mostly based on homework, highly recommend making your own study guide before taking his quizzes. Also you don't pay for textbook.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MATH220
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Hard Grader, very smart professor. If you do every homework problem you and can recognize them on the tests then you will succeed. The quizzes are pretty rough. I felt like there was not enough time to digest all of the material and homework before doing the quizzes. I would not take him again.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MATH118
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I was pleasantly surprised, he is helpful and readily re-explains things in other ways if you ask. The lectures on the board are clear and to the point, and homework has a generous amount of time to work on. The tests were not hard, if you did the homework. Fail to show up to class, and you will eat it; but showing up every day passed (for me).

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MATH465
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Probably one of the worst professors I've ever had the displeasure of taking a class with. If you want to sit in class while he dryly lectures at the board while writing proofs down and not learn anything, take his class. If you actually want to learn the material and not have to teach yourself everything , look elsewhere. Avoid him at all costs

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MATH449
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I would rather kill myself than take another class with him.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MATH240
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He was one tough professor you couldn't afford to mess with. Brilliant but arrogant. Fair but intimidating.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MATH420
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I have made it through Advanced Calculus, Complex Variables, and Modern algebra with Dr Goberstien and I am sad to say I have learned near nothing. I dont know what the definition of a limit means, I don't know what the definition of a complex number means, and the most I know about Groups is what I learned from a geometry class. Horrible professor

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MATH360
• 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:

Professor has had his head in the clouds of higher algebra for too long. Never got to non linear equations or any interesting applications, purely went over proofs of boring theorems.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MATH121
• 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:

A very knowledgeable professor. his class could be challenging, but anyone could easily pass if he puts some effort in it. He is a very interesting person, he knows many short cuts in math that are helpful to the students . also very helpful in office hours.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MATH217
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Goberstein is a math genius. But it seems like it's hard for him to 'dumb-down' the concepts to a level where students can grasp them. LOTS of proofs (which are confusing), but he's willing to help students during office hours to understand the topics. Also grades fairly (drops the two lowest test grades).

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MATH220
• 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:

A math genius. His tests are straight forward. Must do homework to pass the course.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MATH217
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is the worst teacher in Chico State. the best grade that you can get in his class is c+. That is if you work 6 hours every day. I have taken math 120, 121, 260, and 220 and I got A's in all of them but I got c- in this class. Avoid him if you can. I took this class with 5 of my friends. I am the only one who passed.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MATH101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He only teaches methods that make sense to him. The methods the book offer are easier to do and to understand. I recommend THOROUGHLY reading the book's explanations & examples bc things will make a lot more sense than anything he teaches in class. Homework every day. Tests are short but worth a lot. You get to use one page of notes for the test.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MATH101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Cant understand him when he speaks, but definately an entertaining class trying to understand him. Not really approachable outside of class if you need help. Tests are only like 6 problems but he grades hard and each problem is worth like 15 points! try to avoid this class!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MATH101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Nice guy but I didn't understand anything he said mathwise and wouldn't call on people when they raised their hands for help.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MATH101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Well, I have absolutely no idea what these people are talking about. It seems to me, the people who say he isn't a good teacher are the same people who dont show up and should still be in high school. Goberstein was a great teacher, the only reason i received a B+ in this class is because i was lazy and didn't do allot of the homework.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MATH250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He was one of the worst teachers I ever experienced. As a math major I had 100 units of straight A's VEFORE his class. Avoid if at all possible!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MATH107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS OR ANY CLASS BY THIS PROFESSOR. This is by far the worst teacher i have ever had. He teaches the class like he expects everyone is a math major, and if you dont understand something and ask him to repeat it he will stare you down for a while and then call you dumb. he is mean, impossible to understand and extremely unhelpful.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MATH317
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

harsh grader on quizes, never returns points for faulty grading. communication can be a problem regarding expectations of types of problems, showing work, and even the material covered. often late to class. if you like math you will probably like him since he is a math genius, but if you want someone to make math fun for you, try someone else.