Grant Gustafson - University of Utah

Professor: Grant Gustafson

Department: TBD

College: University of Utah

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MATH2270
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof. G is a really nice guy, and he is clearly a Linear Algebra expert. However, his lectures often go into tangents. He also explains overarching concepts without showing an example on how to solve homework problems. Definitely read the book for that stuff. However, super lenient exam grading and participation-based homework make it easy.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MATH2270
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I'm a little surprised by all the negative feedback. Professor Gustafson doesn't teach to the lowest common denominator, but in doing so he adds value and rigor. My advice, watch the MIT lectures by Strang and read the section before going to class. He's a gentle grader and practically gives you the test beforehand. Fairly easy A.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MATH2270
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This man needs to be stuffed in a dark candle lit corner of the university were he can be found happily giggling as he's on the verge of discovering proof for the next millennial problem. The quintessential example of a professor whose lost touch with teaching and needs to be left for research. As geometric as LA is not once did I see the man draw.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MATH2270
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Absolutely awful lecturer - slow paced, easily distracted. Dr. G is a brilliant man, but does not translate well to lectures. Spent much more time reading and learning from the textbook than class. Easy grader though.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MATH2270
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I would take a class from literally anyone other than Gustafson. He couldnt even understand his own assignments or examples. Lectures are not helpful and have no structure. He drags you through a terrible semester project. Only upside was that he puts almost exact replicas of the exams online so its an easyish A.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MATH2270
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Honestly? A perfectly decent Linear Algebra professor. A lot of issues come from the fact that the material taught in class doesn't align well with the text. Could have used more discussion of difficult concepts, less on easier concepts. Gives clear and specific exam reviews, thorough homework. Y'all are just mean.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MATH2270
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

G is such a nice guy but such a bad teacher. I learned LOADS more from just reading the book myself. The maple labs and group project seem like a complete waste of time, but he's an easy-ish grader. His tests are very similar to previous semester's tests. Most students in my class stopped attending and just taught themselves from the book.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MATH2270
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

25% of the grade is based of Maple projects and labs that he gives almost 0 instruction on. Doesn't respond to emails asking for further info on this. Classes are disorganized. Sets tests & labs for times outside of classtime that are very inconvenient (7:30 am). Unclear in class. Often just reads the text aloud. Just read the book yourself :(

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MATH2270
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I've never met a more disorganized, inscrutable, hard to understand teacher. G is a nice guy, but I would leave his class more confused than when I entered it. He is unclear in class goals, project goals, he often doesn't understand the questions student ask. I found it more helpful to read the textbook and learn on my own. Wouldn't recommend :(

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MATH2270
• 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:

Dr. G is awesome. Very friendly guy in class and in office hours. Lectures can occasionally go off on tangents, but they are enjoyable. Tests and HW were straightforward. Maple labs are interesting. Lots of resources to study for tests. Expect to do some proofs on various properties. Also, get started on the final project EARLY. Find a group fast.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MATH2280
• 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:

Clearly knows a lot about the topics covered. However, you may find yourself 30 minutes deep into lecture only for him to say "oh, but you don't have to worry about that, I just think it's cool." His tests are crazy long, but provides you w/ practice exams that are identical to the real thing. Home works are long, quizzes are take home.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MATH2270
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. G can get a little confusing during lecture, but I think that's only because he really knows what he is doing so the complicated bits feel easy to him. He is clear about expectations and all materials are available online. For me, his study guides were perfect examples of what the tests would be like. This class was super straightforward.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MATH2270
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I finished the semester feeling like I hadn't learned enough about Linear Algebra. Dr. G doesn't answer questions very well, and I guess one of my biggest complaints is that his homework and study guides don't accurately represent the exams. That is, the exams were proof-heavy, but his lectures, homework, and study guides were "proof-light."

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MATH2250
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I think people will be unfair to Dr. Gustafson. First of all, Diff Eq and Linear Algebra is tougher material than Calc 1-3. Linear Algebra can be quite abstract and non intuitive and you continually jump in and out of it throughout the course. All material cannot be covered in class, he does his best, good test reviews, Read whole book!!!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MATH3150
• 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:

This is a hard class that will not make sense to most engineers who take it. It's one of those classes that you must check the box but will never see in your career. He is very hard to follow, I ended up ditching class every day and using his practice exams. He pretty much tells you what is on the test, you can prepare and pass pretty easily.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MATH2250
• 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:

I'm surprised that so many people didn't like this class. Gustafson sets his students up for success with extra credit homework problems and awesome practice exams. The lectures aren't incredibly helpful, but the class is very manageable. Anyone who has gotten to this level of mathematics should be able to pull of an A, barring laziness.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MATH3150
• 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:

THIS IS THE WORST TEACHER I HAVE EVER HAD OF ANY SUBJECT SINCE I BEGAN KINDERGARDEN.it seems you must first possess a PhD in math just to understand his lectures.there were many moments of awkward silence during lecture when he would ask a question as no one had any clue of what he was talking about.a monkey could teach math better than he does.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MATH2270
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Way boring. I didn't bother going to class, I just did the homework and memorized his practice exams. Easy A.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MATH2270
• 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:

Professor Gustafson is THE WORST PROFESSOR I HAVE EVER HAD during my 8 years of undergrad/grad education. His constant smile is misleading, rather it hints at a deeply dysfunctional mind. He drug us through over 400 pages of text, invented extra Maple labs and a group project. He is condescending and has a BRUTAL GRADING SCALE. AVOID AT ALLCOST

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MATH2210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Not the hardest nor easiest professor you'll get but a grade is still a grade. My class with Gustofson was at 7:30am and therefore I slept half the time and through the discussions(not needed). My strongest suggestion is go to class do the homework and practice his past exams.