Bruce Hughes - Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Professor: Bruce Hughes

Department: Mathematics

College: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MATH2500
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Bruce will be the guy you want in your freshmen year. His 2500 will definitely provide a wonderful memory for your freshman year. Homework is extremely important and time-consuming (expect 6-12 hr/week), but the tests and finals are almost gimmes. Study groups are a must for 2500. Take it only if you truly love mathematics; liking it is not enough.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MATH2500
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Hughes is a very nice person and knows the topics really well. It can be quite fun to take his MATH 2500 class, but the workload is quite large, and the homework can be graded tough sometimes. It is not an easy A, so don't take this class unless you truly love mathematics.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MATH2500
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Good prof haha very hard though

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MATH3200
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Intro to topology was the best math class I've had at vandy and Dr. Hughes has been my favorite professor. He presented the material clearly and really cared about the class. But also this was a tough class because we had 10 proofs per week that consisted of 70% total grade. I would recommend this class but know it's a lot of work

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HONS1850
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

The class was Knot Theory, and it was entirely lecture-based. While the material was tough, Hughes did a good job presenting the information clearly and reviewing last class's material at the beginning of each class. Very little homework, only test is the final (not too hard), and two papers (5 page, 10 page). I had a good experience with him.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MATH2500
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Hughes is the best. MATH2500 is difficult and not meant for people who don't truly enjoy math, but Professor Hughes' quirkiness makes it fun, and he will round your grade up if he can tell you're putting in effort.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MATH2500
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Hughes is helpful not only in class but also after class. His class math2500 is so inspirational that made me determined to get onto the math honor track. As long as you do all the required work in his class, you are going to get a nice score.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MATH2500
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

My favorite class I've ever taken. I learned so much and Hughes is a fantastic teacher. The class is EXTREMELY difficult but EXTREMELY rewarding. Homework is hard and takes a long time, but it ensures you really understand the concepts covered. He posts test reviews before the test which are almost always spot on. If you love math, take the class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MATH2500
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Amazing professor, great at imparting information, sassy, cares about students, makes advanced math topics interesting and challenging without being repetitive or too complex to understand. Best course I've ever taken by far.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MATH2500
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Hands-down the most difficult class I've ever taken. Weekly homework can be pretty tough and the material is very dense. But Prof Hughes gives great and interesting lectures, and his quirky personality makes the content bearable. Super interesting if you love math; if you just like math you'd better take 2300

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MATH2500
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you want to take this class, be sure you are deeply in love with math. Lectures and homework are difficult but he gives sample problems before tests and tests are pretty easy. Hughes is very organized and helpful and also super cute (makes fun of his own quirky sense of humor, hands out candy on Halloween). Work hard and have fun.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MATH2500
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are far too fast and make little sense. I left class each day not knowing what had even been taught. The homework is incredibly difficult and also not at all what's on the tests. He expects you to read and do problems from the book in addition without assigning it. He's a nice guy, but do yourself a favor and skip this course.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MATH2500
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Amazing professor. Has an awesomely quirky sense of humor. Class is extremely hard; only for people who absolutely love math. However, the challenge is very well worth it if you put in the effort and want to go further in math. Very rewarding class despite its difficulty. Work with your classmates and go to office hours to succeed. Prof is helpful.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MATH205
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Amazing man. Hands down the best math teacher I have had. He has a very quirky sense of humor (i.e. throwing random hearts and stick figures on hw assignments or alluding to crippling grade school playground mishaps). Make sure to go to office hours. He is so willing to help out and he's always there! He gives out the PERFECT amount of hw.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MATH205
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This guy is amazing. He is doper than dope. I come in 10 minutes late, no questions ask. Discuss ideas IN CLASS IN MIDDLE OF LECTURE. Wanna zone out? Use laptop? Phone (reddit)? DO IT. He knows his stuff and he's there to help you learn it, together with you. Classiest of the classy. Put some work in, and you'll get massive returns. He's also cute.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MATH205
• 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:

205 isn't the easiest math course out there, but Bruce will keep you interested enough to want to put in the time. Homework is challenging but fair, and the test questions are very similar to the study guides. Not to mention that he's hilarious in his own quirky way. If you survive the course, you'll want to have him again for 242.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MATH242
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This class was surprisingly easy. After the first month the homework was short and easy. Homework makes up a large part of the grade. He is helpful.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MATH205A
• 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:

Brucey is extremely good at communicating the ideas of theoretical, proof-based, and sometimes abstract mathematics. Extremely helpful outside of class, and also gives great advice to math majors about coursework, research, contests, etc. Great prof, and his quirky personality make it all the better.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MATH205
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Class not for the faint of heart. If you aren't interested in abstract, theoretical math, get out of the class. However, if you love that stuff, this class will be incredibly rewarding. His lectures are engaging, and he's so helpful in office hours. Amazing teacher - I took his 242 class and like it even more.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MATH205B
• 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:

Professor Hughes may teach a very difficult class, but he teaches it with extraordinary prowess. His lectures are dynamic and engaging, and he is always willing to help you if you don't at first understand them.