Ian Knowles - University of Alabama at Birmingham

Professor: Ian Knowles

Department: TBD

College: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MA440AND441
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I'm so glad that I got the opportunity to take Advanced Calculus with Dr. Knowles. The material itself is quite challenging, but Dr. Knowles is extremely accessible outside of class, and very helpful and knowledgeable. I would recommend him for any math course at UAB

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MA252
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Maybe a bit dry, but he is a very helpful professor overall. He really wants you to succeed.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MA126
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr Knowles' classes consist of lectures and tutorials. He teaches new material in lectures and helps with any problems in tutorials. His homeworks and test review sheets are extremely helpful so I highly recommend keeping up with those. He gives detailed feeback for homeworks and is always willing to help. Has a good sense of humour.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MA252
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very caring professor. 7 homework assignments/projects and two midterm exams. Dr. Knowles is a very fair grader and provides good feedback on returned assignments.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MA252
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Knowles truly cares about his students. I took him for both MA126 AND MA252, both classes were equally enjoyable. Dr. Knowles lets students use a page of notes on all tests. Although he gives a good amount of weekly homework he goes into great detail when grading it. DO THE TEST REVIEW!!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MA126
• 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:

He lets you use an 8.5x11 sheet of paper (typed) front and back on tests. The homework and review set you up for success on the tests as long as you do them. Make use of the tutorials and the math lab and replicate his approach for solving problems on homework and tests and you will be fine. He is a good professor and will take time to answer ur qs

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MA126
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Okay, listen hw is 30% of the grade but its graded for ACCURACY. You get to drop the 2 lowest. The tests are like 6 questions, and you get a review sheet. The review sheet sometimes didn't even match the test, but we got to drop a test grade. He's pretty forgiving when grading but I wouldn't take if you need easy hw grades to boost tests.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MA126
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is one of my top 3 professor I have had in UAB. His homework is 30% of total grade which helps a lot and no attendance. test is 5 -7 long problems. Provided review sheet which covers all the questions shows in test! He is such a great grader that I never meet before. Only deduct 1-2 credit for mistakes even this question worths 10 points!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MA252
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

You will have projects due almost every week. They are not hard though because he goes over them very well in class. If you ask him a question he will help you! He will stay after class to talk with you, and will work with your schedule! He likes to tells jokes too! He was by far an amazing math professor at the school!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MA252
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The guy knows his stuff, but he is one tough grader. I'll have to retake the class :-(

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MA252
• 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:

Dr. Knowles is one of the best math teachers I have ever had! He never hesitates to review information the class needs to succeed. He is approachable and friendly and obviously has a love for math.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MA126
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He's got an Australian accent and is always smiling. I'm shy, but I don't find it hard to approach him. Cal 2 is a hard class, but I think this guy is one of the best professors you can take to survive it. Tests were 5 longer problems, and he gave review sheets with those problems on them a week before he tested us.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MA126
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He frequently used examples that did not really help you in solving the more difficult homework problems and was not really great at explaining how he was getting specific answer to problems. His tests are not that bad though and he is a funny guy.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MA252
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Knowles is a great professor. If you have the chance to take him, do it. He is always available if you need help with an assignment, the tests are open notes, and he would rather you turn an assignment in late and completed than half completed on time and won't take off points. He is an easy grader. Overall, one of my favorite professors!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MA252
• 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:

Dr. Knowles...thank you. It's professors like you that make me have hope in this realm of college. I wish more professors were genuine and sincerely put their entire selves into their teachings. Thank you for everything. You deserve a cold one!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MA252
• 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:

Favorite math teacher. I took him for MA 252 (differential equations). He knew the material really well and was very helpful. I went to his office numerous times outside of class and he was always happy to help. He isn't strict about turning in homework on time, the tests are open notes, and their is always a practice test. Highly recommend

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MA125
• 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:

My favorite math professor. Explained concepts in an easy to understand manner. It had been 8 years since I took a math class and I jumped into Calculus I and I think I owe some of my grade to his teaching style. His handwriting is on the messy side but I sat up front anyway.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MA252
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

If you have to take differential equations at UAB, make sure to take Dr. Knowles. He actually "created" the class so to speak, but don't take it with his grad student professor or anyone else. He works out all of the projects in class and his tests are open book and open notes. Similar practice test problems are given and can be used for the test.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MA125
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Best teacher there is. Always willing to help, goes through examples thoroughly. And gives practice tests, plus if you don't do well on everything and make a better grade on the final he will give you that grade. Great man, great teacher. If you're smart you will take him.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MA440
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr, Knowles is a very good math teacher. He is accessible,interesting, and pretty good at explaining things. His main fault would be that his hand writing is hard to read so taking notes can be a little difficult. Just be humble and try your proof as if you act like you know it all then he will make ya look silly by grilling you a bit.