Thomas Cusick - University at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo)

Professor: Thomas Cusick

Department: TBD

College: University at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo)

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MTH141
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His lectures followed the textbook. While his tests and grading where fair, he didn't go out of his way to give extra help. You will need to spend time each week to make sure that you understand the material. Otherwise, it is easy to fall behind. If you need help, the university has a lot of resources to help you with freshman level math classes.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MTH419
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tough class, good lecturer

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MTH311
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Cusick is generally a poor lecturer . He usually comes across as unprepared and unenthusiastic during class. He is not willing to help struggling students, and he often reiterated how you need to naturally be skilled at math to do well in his class. His tests often poorly reflect what is done in class. That being said, do read the notes to prepare.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MTH419
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

A great lecturer

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MTH141
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you haven't taken AP Calc in high school don't take this class with Cusick!!!! He basically reads from the textbook so his lectures are dry and confusing. He'll assign the hardest homework problems and put very difficult problems on the tests as well.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MTH309
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Cusick's lectures are absolutely dreadful. It's the rough equivalent of a mathematical storytime. He just reads straight from the textbook and when students ask him questions, it seems like it's the first time he's seen the material. At one point, I just stopped showing up to class and teaching the material to myself. Exams were cc'd hw questions.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MTH311
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Ask questions & go to office hours. If he knows you and knows you're putting in the effort, it will help you a lot in the long run. Was really nervous for this class (and theory in general) and he made it bearable. It's tough but doable. Attend class always. Exams can be tricky but if you study, you'll do ok. Grading criteria unclear.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MTH311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

No finals, 3 exams counts 20% for each, quiz and HW count 20% each. easy A class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MTH309
• 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:

Generally good. The class is difficult in and of itself but he teaches DIRECTLY out of the textbook so bring it with you to lecture. Tough class but its doable if you study.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MTH419
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I don't think Dr. Cusick put much effort into course preparation and when a student asked for help about a problem in the texts he would fudge his way through the problem. Consequently, I had to learn as best I could on my own. Total waste of time and money.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MTH311
• 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's handwriting so difficult to read...I regret I have chosen this course and no review material for exam..no answers to problem hws....terrible.!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MTH311
• 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:

The only word to describe Cusick is "troll." He hates you, he's miserable, you cannot understand him, and he does not want to help you. His class was my worst experience at UB!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MTH435
• 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:

Way too hard :(

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MATH535
• 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:

Dr. Thomas Cusick is one of the best professors I have ever had. His explanations are very clear, he cares for his students and is always willing to help. His Cryptography course is simply beautiful!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MTH535
• 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:

While not the easiest class, he turns an already interesting subject into something uniquely enjoyable. He talks of the history behind the subject matter, always entertains questions and brings new developents into the standard material. Undergraduates who take the 435 variant are offered extra credit on all assignments as well. Great experience!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MTH309
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

what! i am a math major and i couldnt understand what he was trying to teach... it was hard as hell. not an easy class.. annoying even,,, dont get behind

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MTH141
• 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:

absolutely horrible. he stands in front of the class and mumbles to himself. he doesn't show you how he does things, and he expects the class to know everything already. i went in liking math, and left hating him and math. if you have the option do not take this teacher.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MTH309
• 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:

You know what? Do not take his class as long as you are in difficulty. The last thing you should do is taking his class. I got the lowest grade of my university life and I am thinking of taking the same class of another teacher next semester. That is necessary to increase the gpa. It is 4 credits and really affects your gpa.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MTH141
• 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:

First Calculus class I ever took, and what a mistake taking his class. He is very boring and teaches straight from the book. There was almost no curve, and I pretty much had to teach myself calculus. It sucked!!!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MTH141
• 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:

Cusick isn't the greatest professor, but his class is doable. While there is not much of a curve, he gives very fair tests and is very liberal about partial credit. This class is a challenge if you haven't had calc before, but just do the homework and make sure you understand everything and you'll do fine. HOMEWORK IS KEY!