John Fonseka - The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX

Professor: John Fonseka

Department: Engineering

College: The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENGR3341
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I actually signed up for this service to leave this professor a good review; I felt the bad reviews skewed the view of his class. His notes are very clear, and he cares about students understanding the material. If you go to every class and take notes, I don't see how this class could be one that you would fail.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENGR33341
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Examples in lecture much simpler than quizzes or test problems. Doing homework not very helpful. Strict grader, no partial credit. Bad lecturer

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENGR3341
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Three exams and pop quizzes, the class is relatively tough with the grade being scaled so that a 50 is equivalent to a C-. Be prepared to study the text book as the examples he uses in class may be confusing and can overcomplicate certain topics. The homework isn't graded but if you don't do it the chances of passing are slim.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENGR3341
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Grading scale is pretty lenient. Final grade is curved up by 10% so an 80 is an A-. Tests are also curved so that the best exam is 35%, second is 30%, and worst is 25%. There are pop quizzes but its usually not a surprise. No graded hw, but its important to do in order to do well on exams. Overall great professor and not a terribly diffic course.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENGR3341
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Fonseka is a horrible professor because he gives little to no partial credit on exams. If you want any decent partial credit, your answer has to be very close to perfect. He takes attendance with a sign-in sheet. 3 exams each with 4 questions. He gives pop quizzes which are graded by the, teaching assistant, who gives little to none partial credit.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENGR3341
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Fantastic professor! Lectures are easy to follow. Does lots of examples that are similar to whats on the tests. Tests are easy plus he curves at the end. Pop quizzes are a little difficult but if you do well on the first test which is the easiest its worth 40% so youre set for the class. Final not cumulative. Definitely recommend for engr 3341!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENGR3341
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you go to class and pay attention, and then try at your homework, I don't see how it's possible to fail this class since he brings an A- down to an 80 instead of a 90. Also, he is extremely helpful, and despite his handwriting, gives pretty good lectures.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENGR3341
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Fairly interesting lectures at the beginning, said only 5 quizzes at the beginning of semester (pop quizzes) but changed to 8 and made 3 bonus. DO GOOD ON FIRST EXAM! very easy and worth 40% of grade, exams really are not that bad, I spent extremely little time studying (Never studied for a quiz) and did ok. Do good on first exam!!!!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: EESC6352
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Overall, a great instructor. I loved that he wrote everything on the board instead of using PPTs. Only complaints are he spent too much time in the beginning and rushed 3/4th of the material at the end and he didn't follow a textbook (just his notes). Tests weren't too bad, but tough grader so not much room to mess up. Gave a 5% bonus quiz as well

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: EESC6352
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Worthless course under most difficult professor. Hectic class , horrible exams , extremely difficult grading criteria 55+ is B- , takes most of the time. No definite textbook, course is useful for nothing and I suggest to avoid this course, if it is a core better take under another professor. Very bad at grading. Difficult to pass

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: EESC6352
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Course work consumes lot of time but coursework is not useful. Simple things are explained in complicated manner. Professor makes everything complicated and he does not respond to mails. He doesn't curve and he is not accessible to the students. He takes too much time to grade the mid terms and troubles students with pop up quizzes. Better avoid it

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: EESC6352
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Course is of no use , too much workload no projects, difficult grading policy. Better to avoid this course because it is not useful for interviews. There is no prescribed text book to study. Courses work is too hectic . Don't take this course in 3rd or 4 th semester. It is better to take this course under different professor

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENGR3341
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the best professors at UTD

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENGR3341
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Extremely difficult tests. Grades on a heavy curve, (A 80 and up, B 65 and up, C 50 and up). Your letter grade in this course will be about on par with your GPA even if your test percentages in this course are 20-30% lower than those in the rest of your courses. I found this to add way too much unnecessary stress, wouldn't recommend.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENGR3341
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Fonseka is a great professor. He is very helpful, and his lectures are actually clear and enjoyable. However, his tests tend to be really difficult. Also, his pop quizzes are deadly and sometimes do not coincide with what you learned in the lecture. Do not fall behind and read his notes BEFORE EVERY CLASS. But Fonseka is the man.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENGR3341
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Fonseka is very passionate about teaching! He always come prepared and ready. His tests are fair if you pay attention and take notes in his class. I recommend taking Prob Stats with him!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: 3341
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Fonseka is a good professor. The accent is a little thick at first, but you get used to it. Ask questions in class to get him to slow down and go into more detail! The entire grade is based on tests and quizzes, so don't expect to pad your grade with homework assignments or projects. The first test might seem easy, but they get more difficult later

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: EE3350
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very easy to follow lectures. Exams are straightforward. Attend lecture because he gives pop quizzes. He's helpful and available to ask questions. Really great professor.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: EE3350
• 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 professor is amazing! He teaches so well! His exams are not easy though. The biggest problem is his grading policy, 50% or above is passing in his class. But for those that want an A, you're going to have to make sure you do everything correct. Including exams, and quizzes (which are a surprise). Overall, this is the best prof for this class.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: EE3350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Great professor in every way. You just need a 50 or better to pass the class so there is a heavy curb. Was great for Prob/Stats and Com Sys (same style for both classes). However, his quizzes are pop quizzes (hard) and his tests are VERY hard. DO NOT DO THE HOMEWORK FOR THESE CLASSES!!! GO OFF THE NOTES AND QUIZZES!!! He is a fair guy!