James Leffew - University of South Florida

Professor: James Leffew

Department: TBD

College: University of South Florida

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: EEL4102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Best professor I ever had at USF. TOUGH but FAIR. NO curve but not ridiculously hard tests. Youngest test pilot ever in the navy, was going to pilot training in the Air Force so had a competitive but great rapport and respect for him. Learned things you cannot find in books..... BRILLIANT Professor! Actually had him for probably 3 classes.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: EEL4743
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

20 years later I can say this is hands down the worst professor I've ever had. Don't listen to all the fanboys praising this guy just bc they idolize him. Every single person on here that rated him high would fail his class if they didn't use his old tests. The only "hard work" they put in was finding his old tests.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: EEL4744
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Awful class and incredibly strict grader

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: EEL4744
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Logic review was intimidating but we weren't tested on it & I learned more than a whole semester in Logic Design w/ another prof. He went out of his way to help us learn. Go to Every Help Session you can. Rework every example until you Understand. Ask Questions. And follow directions. Just like a JOB, do things the way the boss wants to see it.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: EEL4744
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Be prepared to do lots of practice problems for Microprocessors. Go to every help session you possibly can. He will let you know exactly what to study for on the exams. Very kind, but a little harsh at first. Take time to get used to his teaching style.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: EEL4705
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Top notch professor. Class of 96'. 20 years later I can still go to a white board with nothing more than a marker and derive any logic problem to the amazement of my peers.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: EELXXX
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Great professor. As you can tell by all the comments posted, he is not an easy A. When you get an A in his course, best believe you earned it. Dr. Leffew can teach any class in the EE department and always willing to help with any course whether he is teaching it or not. If you find a mistake on a test, he will review with you and update if needed

Rating # 8

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

one of the best person. hard professor though. all my years of studying, I have never learnt in 1 class that much The amount of things I learnt in 4 years of college is less than what i learnt in 1 semester with Dr. Leffew

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: EGN3420
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He was very hard, but only because we did not do what he said. Please listen to what I will say if you want an A. PAY ATTENTION to how HE does the problems on the board. If you do not do it like he does, you will get a bad grade. Make sure you use his notation. The ?'s are easy but will be time consuming because no calculators. Finished with an A.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: EEL4705
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Looking back on the 20 years since graduating, Dr. Leffew was by far the best professor I have ever had. He teaches real-world; expect nothing less from a Navy test pilot. Some of his statements have stayed with me over the years. He's very hard, accepts nothing less than the best, and if you want to make it in life, take all of his classes.

Rating # 11

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

you should already be studying for that first quiz but you'll be happy for the opportunity when its over.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: EEL4102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Avoid at all costs. Dr. Leffew is a brilliant mathematician. However, he can not teach effectively. He insists on using the most difficult methods and is nitpicky with grading. This is a proof-intensive class. The book will not help much. Expect to study tests from previous years and go to office hours, help sessions, etc. Avoid at all costs.

Rating # 13

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Dr Leffew is a walking computer where his textbooks are on his brain and his marker is the only way that he can show you the path to success. He is the only teacher in EE that can teach you a thing or two. Everyone fails their first exam, its a way he will see how many students are dedicated to stay and learn and how many are there just to pass.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: EEL3100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Leffew is a great teacher, but his classes are very difficult. He will teach you things you can not find in any textbook, and that will make you life much better after school. If you go to him out of class, he is very helpful.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: EEL4744
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Leffew was one of the best professors I had at USF. I would only put Dr. Wiley up there with him. This guy can walk in with his Coke can and marker and teach any course at any point. He is not for the ones that like things spoon-fed to them. If you like things spoon-fed, get out of Engineering.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: EEL3100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I am amazed at all the positive comments about Leffew on here. He was the worst teacher I have ever had, period! If you can take someone else, do it. I'm sure most won't heed this warning, but you'll wish you did! Almost everyone will fail the first of three quizes, then play catch-up the rest of the semester. Good luck, if you decide to take him.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: EEL4102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

3 quizzes are your only grades. I'm not wholly sure why so many EE students are so swoon with Dr. Leffew, considering how strict he is about notation and doing things HIS way. I like going to him for help, but his grading is nitpicky.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: LSA1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Go to his office hours and ask questions. You will learn a lot more than you think.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: EGN3420
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Toughest teacher I've ever had. No way around him if you want your EE though.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: EE4102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Excellent professor. Go and talk to him.. You may learn something.. Very easy going and is willing to talk with his students. Tests can be challenging though- sometimes it's all or nothing if he doesn't see that you understand it on an exam.