Gabriel Niculescu - James Madison University

Professor: Gabriel Niculescu

Department: TBD

College: James Madison University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: DATA200
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Most of the lectures consisted of Dr. N coding while we helplessly try to decipher what he is doing. We were promised to be proficient in Python by the end of the course, but most students weren't able to read in a file until the last week. Grading was unclear and we had no idea how to do the homework, so we were told to look up the answers online.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: DATA200
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

So this was the first time this class was taught, and it was miserable. Extremely disorganized course, no clear assignment criteria, and I learned basically nothing. The man coded in front of us every class, which is by far the worst way to teach programming.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHYS247
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Scatter-brained and doesn't give clear instructions about labs or expectations. Lenient with late work and when grading lab books, but the whole class still ended up being stressful. If you don't know python, get at least one lab partner that does because you're expected to know how to code going into the class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHYS247
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I don't really know what to say about this class. Dr. Niculescu is brilliant but also very scatter-brained. We were like guinea pigs for a "data analytics type" course. The class honestly would be fine if the layout was more organized and the objectives for the lab were clear cut. Unfortunately, that was not the case, thus making the class painful.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHYS121
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Whatever you do, get him as a teacher. Easiest class you'll ever take! I dont know what these people are talking about because attendance wasn't mandatory and you you have so many homework and labs that it is literally impossible to fail!!! So good.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHYS121
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class was really hard but he basically makes it impossible for you to fail. You cant really understand him but hes super nice and understanding. There is 2 test, labs, and one group presentation at the end where the class grades you. You also get to make cheat sheet for the midterm and final , but still study bc he isnt a very good teacher.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PBC2170
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

HE IS THE BEST TEACHER I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE! HE HAS TAUGHT ME SO MUCH EVEN IN OUR FIRST SESSION. WOULD RECCOMEND 10/10

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHYS121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Here's the thing. Physics in general is hard no matter who you take, BUT his grading makes it impossible for you to fail. He gives a 100 on everything (labs, hws, quizzes) which is roughly about 40% of your grade. His tests are hard but it's not impossible. Got a 70 and an 87. He is very willing to help so always ask questions! He's super nice!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GSCI101
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

HORRID teacher. He tries to act like hes making it easy, but his tests are on things that he never even taught. Avoid him.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GSCI101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Niculescu is awesome! He's really laid back, but you learn pretty much nothing from this class. His tests are hard as hell, but as long as you show up to EVERY class, you won't get less than a B even if you fail all his tests.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHYS260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Gabi goes hard on the lecture, trying to relay all info in a few seconds. I don't think he believes in steps when solving problems. You just have the problem and the solution, nothin' but. The way I like it. Swag.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHYS270
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I've taken hard physics classes but I did alright in them because I understood what the professor expected. This class wasn't too hard, I just had no idea what he wanted from us. Very unclear expectations and very difficult to understand in class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHYS240
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A very hard professor. You MUST know Calculus if you want to pass his class. Otherwise, you're better off dropping it. Do everything and study! This class should be #1 on your to do list if you have him. Put in the effort and he'll help you! Don't try and you WILL FAIL. Good luck!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHYS240
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very hard content. His lectures are not very helpful and he goes through examples way too fast. Attend class, do all the hw, show ALL work on tests, and do all the extra credit and you will do alright. Huge curves at the end of the semester.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHYS240
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He plain & simple is not the best professor. The class is already hard enough without factoring in how confusing his lectures can be. However, go to class every class period because he gives a lot of extra credit. The class has an extreme curve at the end of the semester. Learn on your own using the book & Google and you can pull off a good grade.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHYS240
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The class is hard! allowed a cheat sheet for tests . tips: read the book! dont worry if the class average is 30% he does curve it. do all the problems from the book he usually takes test questions from there. GO TO HIS OFFICE HOURS when he gives u practice tests in class he'll help you figure them out and he usually puts practice test ?'s on tests

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHYSC240
• 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:

Good luck if you get this guy. I cant even do his hw because it has nothing to do with his lesson. I would suggest switching out immediatley!!!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHYS240
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

... goodluck anyone who has to take him. Got an A in the class, really nice guy, but be prepared to put at least 15-20 hours studying per test to do well (well is like a 50%) major major curves

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHYS240
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

don't even think about taking this class without calculus. seriously. even still, the class isn't impossible, he's supposed to root out the weak but study hard and you'll get through.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHYS240
• 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:

He is from Romania so understanding what he is saying can be a bit confuzing. I would recomend sitting up close (this will probably be a class size of 80ish). His bad rep is mostly because the course is hard NOT because he is a bad teacher. Mostly lecture style teaching.