David Protas - California State University, Northridge

Professor: David Protas

Department: Mathematics

College: California State University, Northridge

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MATH351
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The best teacher at CSUN. One time he was a sub for my multivariable calculus class, and the difference between the usual professor and Prof. Protas was the difference between the foggiest night and the brightest day. He explains things so clearly. I was like, I GOTTA take a class with this guy. I did and it was an absolute joy.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MATH255A
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class was not hard but he made it hard. The material was not difficult, the way the class was oranized was. Decent amount of Wiley HW and 3 exams+final NOT ACCESSIBLE tried to reach out to him many times and he blew me off . I rate him 0/10, you can make it through learning on your own but that's frustrating. I would take someone else.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: 255A
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

3 midterms (20%each), hw is 10%, & cumulative final is 30%. at first he may seem hard to understand because he whispers but his notes cover everything that's gonna be on the tests and also tests q's are similar to the hw. code is needed for online hw and he curves tests. tests are kind of easy if you study the hw well.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MATH280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Clear and concise lecture, but whispered for the first 5 weeks of the course. Messy handwriting but he says everything aloud so listen carefully. Hand picked homework problems that resemble the test closely (avg hw per section 7 problems.) No curve, no homework points, no calculator, 5-6 problem exam... TIP: go to the book and do similar problems.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MATH280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Protas is so kind. All the homeworks were about less than one hundred problems, and you must do it to do well in the test because the test are very similar to the homework. He focus on the theories more than the examples witch made me can't understand a thing from him. He doesn't curve.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MATH262
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are extremely dry cut textbook style teaching, where he doesn't really explain much, just kind of copies what's in the book onto the board. Deducts points like a madman and has extremely messy handwriting. He means the best, but I think he's forgetting it's a math class, numbers don't lie. P.S. TERRIBLE HAND WRITING. RELY ON YOUTUBE/TEXT.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MATH351
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This professor is amazing! All his lectures were clear, he was always very thorough when explaining things. The homework, including the one assigned on Moodle, actually HELPS you and is not just there as "busy work". Not sure if this class is considered hard or not but I got an A and I know its because he's a great professor.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MATH350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Math350 is one of the hardest math classes as an undergrad, regardless of the professor. That being said, Prof Protas is one of the best professors I've had a CSUN. He cares for his students, is always available for help, and encourages questions. Don't let super low test scores discourage you, just do the work and you'll pass for sure ... I did

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MATH250
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Your grade is based on three tests and a final. There are no quizzes and the homework is optional, but very helpful. He's a good teacher and explains everything well, but sometimes it can get a little boring and if you're not paying attention you can get lost in his somewhat messy writing. If you study your notes and do the homework you can pass.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: 262
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

OMG! I passed - I'm dreaming! Impossibly long & boring lectures, but must confess, Prof. Protas is a sweet old man (means well) Exams are nerve-wracking! Avg. grade 50ish. Hard exams, proofs are a nightmare. Studied my butt of before exams only to be heart-broken. Curves, incredibly. I still can't believe it. I got a B! Youtube everything!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MATH280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is unclear in his lectures. Doesn't answer questions throughly to make students fully understand.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MATH350
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Protas is a MUST for Math 350! He is very sweet and answers any questions that you have. HW is weekly from the book & his own problems. His tests are very hard but he grades using larger brackets, so a 50% is a C minus, etc, so you can still get a good grade. You need to memorize all of his examples & theorems from class. I got an A-. Recommended!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MATH350
• 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:

This is supposed to be the hardest math course in the upper division coursework, but yet it didn't feel like that. It is still hard no doubt, but he simplified it as best as you can. Good luck trying to find a better professor for this class

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MATH262
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Not very exciting as a teacher and very difficult to hear. Had to try to find methods to keep myself awake because he speaks too softly. For a lecture teacher, he isn't my first choice. He seems like a nice professor, but he doesn't seem all too passionate about the subject he teaches, and that's what I look for in a teacher.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MATH150B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of the best math prof. i ever had. Very clear and if you are confused just ask him a question. Test are based off notes and homework. The curve is great. May be a little boring at times but hey its math.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MATH280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is very organized in his lecture and note!!!!!! Very straightforward!!!! Tests can be a little tricky but one can do fine!!!! Know what to do and u will get high grades!!!! RECOMMENDED FOR MATH 280!!!!!!!!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MATH280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

The class is pretty difficult in the beginning and some of the concepts seem very abstract, but Protas's tests are very straightforward and clear. If you can do the hw problems on Webwork and in the book, then you'll be fine. I got an A with a bit of effort. Hw is optional, there are 3 midterms (60%) and a final exam (40%). Take it with Protas!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MATH150A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Explains very well. I would recommend him to anyone else. Fair Grader. Would want to take him again.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MATH280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The class is a very dry, boring class. He tends to teach mostly the theory rather than the applications of it, which may be beneficial for some, but for most of the Engineering students in the class, it was hard to understand some of the concepts without examples.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MATH250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

One of the best professors in this department. He is not too easy not too hard but more on the easy side then the middle. HW doesnt affect the grade unless your on the borderline of a grade. Basically listen and do good on your midterms and youll be fine. He explains the concepts extremely well.