3.6

Ian James Cromb

Economics - Queen's University at Kingston

3.6
Quality
3.1
Difficulty
33%
Would Retake
111
Reviews
3.6
Quality
3.1
Difficulty
3.5
Helpful
3.6
Clarity

33%

Would Retake

111

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

43

4

24

3

17

2

15

1

12

What Students Say

He makes you feel like you're un-learning

ECON110 - 2.0 rating

This class is A LOT of work

ECON110 - 3.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

21%

Textbook Required

57%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

95% confidence
Based on 20 grades
Most common grades:
B (5)
B+ (5)
A+ (4)
Grade Distribution
A(7)B(6)C(0)D(1)F(0)A-/B+(6)
Based on 22 reported grades
B: 5
B+: 5
A+: 4
A: 3
Common Tags
Get ready to read (10)
Skip class? You won't pass. (6)
LECTURE HEAVY (5)
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS (4)
Lecture heavy (4)
Test heavy (4)
Caring (3)
Clear grading criteria (3)
Rating Trend

Declining

-1.65 avg change
May
Oct
Dec
Jul
Sep
Jan
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

ECON310

5.0

(1)

ECON440

4.5

(4)

110A

4.0

(1)

ECON110

3.8

(84)

ECON111

3.7

(3)
+4 more courses
Difficulty by Course

ECON

4.5

ECON111

3.7

ECON112

3.7

ECON110A

3.4

ECON310

3.0

Reviews (111)
4.0
2.0
ECON110A
Feb 4, 2002

Good teacher of a boring subject.

5.0
2.0
ECON110
Feb 5, 2002

very clear lecture style

3.0
2.0
ECON110A
Feb 5, 2002

Lectures are boring. He has to get to the point and cut out the fluff.

3.0
2.0
ECON110
Feb 6, 2002

Good for a laugh or two. Watch him not show up for his last class of the term.

4.0
4.0
ECON110
Mar 2, 2002

clear lecture, good prof

5.0
5.0
ECON110A
Mar 23, 2002

Cromb's a good prof. He also relates theoretical economics to real-life situati

5.0
3.0
ECON440
Mar 24, 2002

awesome prof. great with students.

5.0
1.0
ECON440
Mar 24, 2002

Great prof, very approachable and easy going

5.0
3.0
ECON110
Apr 9, 2002

No Comments

5.0
1.0
ECON110
May 13, 2002

No Comments

4.0
1.0
110
Jun 16, 2002

He's so hot

5.0
2.0
ECON110
Aug 12, 2002

No Comments

5.0
3.0
ECON310
Aug 24, 2002

GREAT TEACHER....dynamic teaching style..

3.0
3.0
ECON110
Sep 8, 2002

Gotta love that secret stash of coloured chalk.

4.0
4.0
ECON
Grade: A
Sep 22, 2002

No Comments

5.0
2.0
ECON110
Sep 30, 2002

Fantastic prof. Probably one of the best profs I had in my 4 years.

4.0
2.0
110A
Oct 17, 2002

great!

2.0
5.0
ECON110
Oct 23, 2002

No Comments

1.0
4.0
ECON110
Nov 16, 2002

No Comments

3.0
5.0
ECON110
Dec 4, 2002

he's sweet i just feel bad when no one laughs at his jokes

5.0
2.0
ECON110
Jan 11, 2003

No Comments

5.0
2.0
ECON110
Jan 13, 2003

No Comments

5.0
3.0
ECON110
Feb 2, 2003

very nice guy

5.0
2.0
ECON110
Feb 6, 2003

probably the best economics professor, cool guy really

4.0
2.0
ECON110
Feb 6, 2003

right wing = fun

1.0
2.0
ECON110
Mar 9, 2003

No Comments

1.0
5.0
ECON
Mar 12, 2003

very mean, complete lack of compassion

3.0
3.0
ECON110
Mar 17, 2003

Not bad. A little boring, but clear and well organized lectures. Makes bad jokes=good obviously votes for CA=better

5.0
3.0
ECON111
Apr 2, 2003

This professor is FAR better in every aspect than Ugurhan Gazi Berkok.If you are going to take Economics, you better take it with Ian Cromb, cause he is cool and you will learn something. Econ is tough so if your in Engineering, take another elective!

5.0
2.0
ECON110
Apr 8, 2003

Just AWSOME

4.0
2.0
ECON110
Apr 9, 2003

No Comments

4.0
4.0
ECON111
Apr 11, 2003

ECONOMICS SUCKS SO MUCH

1.0
5.0
ECON110
Apr 21, 2003

If you believe that a country should have anyone besides the CEOs of its 100 largest companies running it stay away from this prof. He is arrogant, and doesn't allow for debate. Also for a 1st year course he doesn't lecture about contrary theories.

5.0
4.0
ECON110
May 1, 2003

He's always right! Isn't he?!

5.0
4.0
ECON110
Nov 7, 2003

Refreshing to have a right-wing professor for once at Queen's. It gets tiresome hearing the same socialist propaganda coming from the mouths of every professor in both politics and history at this school.

3.0
4.0
ECON110
Nov 11, 2003

complete jackass. full of himself, indifferent to students, waste of time.

5.0
2.0
ECON110
Dec 8, 2003

Even though econ is a boring course, he makes the best of it and is a fantastic lecturer.

5.0
5.0
ECON110
Dec 14, 2003

No Comments

5.0
2.0
ECON110
Feb 9, 2004

Funny guy. Good at explaining topics to students.

4.0
4.0
ECON110
Feb 19, 2004

Better than Berkok but the course sucks

5.0
4.0
ECON110
Mar 10, 2004

The best prof at Queen's. Knows the material, can teach, and is simply amazing. I have not yet missed a single lecture. His confidence in the subject is motivating and engaging!

5.0
3.0
ECON110
Mar 19, 2004

First of all, I don't advice anyone in Engineering to take Economics as electives, but if you are interested to do so, you had better enrol in this guy's class. He is the perfect prof to teach Economics. Very knowledgable and smart.

5.0
2.0
ECON110
Apr 7, 2004

Easy, boring class but taught very clearly by this prof - answers questions, explains confusing concepts repeatedly, makes good notes. I still fall asleep though.

5.0
1.0
ECON110
Apr 13, 2004

Good teacher. Very clear. Explains everything very well. Too many notes from the book. That is probably the problem with the course though, that everything needed is in the book anyway.

5.0
3.0
ECON110
Jun 18, 2004

If you can make it through econ, he'll be the guy to help you.

5.0
3.0
ECON110
Jun 30, 2004

Great lectures (one of the few classes I have actually enjoyed here.) If you don't understand something he will explain it until you do. One of the few Prof I know who can actually teach!

5.0
3.0
ECON110
Jul 30, 2004

Cromb made the class vivid and fun. Has a sense of humor that is greatly appreciated in a monday morning 8:30 lecture. The assignments for the class are well thought out and follow in steps. Great prof!

5.0
4.0
ECON110
Jul 30, 2004

best econ prof out there. Hard course though. Requires good understanding of the concepts to do well.

5.0
3.0
ECON110
Aug 3, 2004

Dr. Cromb is awesome. He cares about the students, and he is one of the best profs I've had in first year.

4.0
3.0
ECON110
Oct 10, 2004

great prof

5.0
3.0
ECON110
Nov 2, 2004

Amazing proff. Makes lectures worth attending.

5.0
3.0
ECON110
Nov 7, 2004

it's hard to listen to his explanations when you're taking down the overhead notes, but if you see him in his office, you realize that he's brilliant and very helpful; the course is challenging and the assignments are a tad stressful; most of the TAs are very helpful

5.0
4.0
ECON110
Dec 10, 2004

He is honestly the best teacher I have ever had, he's just so silly and great. I love him!

5.0
2.0
ECON110
Dec 12, 2004

ya he's awesome. totally clear, very helpful. too bad econ is horrible --- waste of a good prof

5.0
3.0
ECON440
Jan 24, 2005

AMAZING!!! i love his classes!

4.0
3.0
ECON110
Mar 19, 2005

Cromb is a great prof. He brings humour and clarity to the material. He also follows the textbook very closely, which is helpful when studying or doing the assignments.

1.0
5.0
ECON112
Mar 31, 2005

the reason why he is bad is because many students complaiend to him about how bad berkok is and he still does nothing about it. i hate him for making us suffer. maybe he just doesnt like engineering students.

2.0
2.0
ECON110
Apr 21, 2005

I hated every second in this class. The subject is dry and so was the prof. Take another section if you can or just read the textbook cause that is all he teaches.

3.0
3.0
ECON440
Apr 25, 2005

First year sucks and doesn't reflect Cromb's character. Cromb genuinely cares about his students and really enjoys teaching. A really fun guy if you get to know him. That said, he doesn't seem all too bright, and you're never really sure if he understands (or has even read) the articles...

5.0
4.0
ECON110
May 18, 2005

The best

4.0
2.0
ECON110
Oct 1, 2006

I have never taken Economics before, but he goes fairly slowly and explains things. The first assignment is kind of a shocker but you can find everything in your notes and textbooks. He's cute for being older.

5.0
1.0
ECON110
Sep 10, 2007

Amazing prof. His teaching style is relaxed and fun, and he makes himself very approachable. If you ever want any help just ask.

5.0
1.0
ECON112
Jan 19, 2008

Cool guy

5.0
4.0
ECON110
Sep 16, 2009

VERY GREAT !!!

4.0
3.0
ECON110
May 29, 2010

Econ 110 was a pretty easy course - one that you could skip and still do well in. First exam in December was fair, if you studied you did fine. Exam in April murdered me but it was curved (I think). I still have nightmares about that exam. Oh yeah, the assignments are EASY. Not worth a lot but a definite grade booster.

5.0
2.0
ECON110
Oct 19, 2010

"He operates in the shadows."

5.0
2.0
ECON110
Feb 11, 2011

Very approachable and he presents his material really well so it appears easier. But honestly, I don't think you need to attend classes to do well in his class cuz most of the material is from the textbook.

5.0
2.0
ECON110
May 7, 2011

awesome (colorful) notes

2.0
3.0
ECON110
Jul 12, 2011

Dull subject, dull professor.

4.0
2.0
ECON110
Aug 19, 2011

dull subject combined with a dull professor= less than a quarter of the class attending, still used overhead projectors, basically repeated the textbook

5.0
2.0
ECON110
Nov 10, 2011

His classes may be a bit boring, but he is definitely one of the best profs in term of getting the concept to stick in your head. He is one of the few profs who actually seems to care about his students.

4.0
2.0
ECON110
Dec 10, 2012

True that classes get boring, and you can learn the material from the textbook, but nevertheless a good and fair prof

1.0
5.0
ECON110
Mar 6, 2013

Cromb made Econ the most boring class of the entire year. It is not surprising that in a class of over 400 only 20 students show up for lectures. He makes the subject overly complicated and boring. You know its bad when the majority of the students have to sign up for coursecram to pass the exam.

4.0
2.0
ECON110
Jul 6, 2013

While Professor Cromb's lectures do get tedious at times, he's a good, solid prog that will take time to help you out as long as you make the effort to seek it.

4.0
1.0
ECON110
Jan 20, 2014

Cromb is a really great guy and knowledgable prof who is always happy to help those that ask for it. Taking 110 with him wasn't particularly thrilling, but that's because of the material and not so much his style.

3.0
4.0
ECON110
Feb 4, 2014

If you are an Arts student interested in taking this class because you liked freakonomics, do not do it. Economics is just not interesting at all. You have been warned. He is a fine teacher though if you know you are into economics.

3.0
5.0
ECON110
Jun 24, 2014

This class is A LOT of work. The assignments are brutal and take a long time and the quizzes are challenging. He would outline questions on the assignment in class so that was helpful. He seemed to make econ overly complex though. It is easy to get lost in his lectures. Nice guy though.

2.0
4.0
ECON110
Grade: A+
Oct 28, 2014

He makes you feel like you're un-learning

5.0
2.0
ECON110
Grade: A+
Dec 20, 2014

This guy really knows his stuff. People say that he doesn't, and most people don't go to class, but they ALL END UP REGRETTING IT. If you want to know the material thoroughly, go to his class! If you have questions, go to his office hourstalk to him after class. I'm also very grateful for the pre-exam forum he opened up so we can ask questions.

1.0
4.0
ECON110
Grade: B-
Apr 12, 2015

This guy shouldn't be teaching, doesn't explain anything, only talks about theories in class that don't even show up on the exams or assignments.

1.0
2.0
ECON110
May 8, 2015

I feel like I un-learn sitting in his lectures. He completely contradicts the textbook and I could better spend my 3 hours a week doing basically anything else. It's pretty easy to hit the A range without going to lectures though.

3.0
4.0
ECON110
Grade: B
Jul 18, 2015

Great guy who knows his stuff... but a TERRIBLE lecturer. Especially when this is one of those courses that you have to go to class for.

1.0
3.0
ECON110A
Dec 29, 2015

Contradicts the textbook, but a brilliant economist. The theories taught in class don't show up on the finals, quizzes, or assignments. Read the textbook and use Khan Academy.

1.0
5.0
ECON112
Mar 28, 2016

Very,very boring. Get very sleepy at the 3 hours evening class. Most of the students skip the lectures.

3.0
3.0
ECON110
Dec 11, 2016
Wouldn't take again

I have only been to his class few times in the whole semester. His classes are boring and the seats are uncomfortable to fall asleep in. Maybe he's an experienced prof that he's not that passionate about the class anymore. He gets his word done.

3.0
4.0
ECON110
Grade: B
Apr 2, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Crombs is a smart man and knows his economics - however, many people skip his lectures, myself included. They are very boring, especially with such boring topics (fundamentals of economics). I also feel bad because as he tries to make jokes and be personable, literally no one laughs.. come on! Give the guy a break! No one participates @ lectures.

ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
LECTURE HEAVY
4.0
3.0
ECON110
Apr 16, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Cromb is a really smart guy! He really knows his stuff. He is super available outside of class and is very approachable. Lectures, while not always thrilling (but its intro to econ so that is to be expected) he presents material clearly. He also tries to be funny by making dated pop culture references, which is kind of hilarious.

ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Hilarious
2.0
4.0
ECON110A
Grade: B
Jan 8, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Not the most inspirational guy. I can really tell that he cares a lot about economics, but I can tell that he doesn't really like to teach first-year economics. There's a lot of reading directly off the slides, and everything on the slides is straight out of the textbook.

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
GROUP PROJECTS
LECTURE HEAVY
4.0
3.0
ECON110
Jan 13, 2018
Would take again

He is enthusiastic and passionate about what he's teaching. He is also very approachable, he is very helpful after the lectures and during his office hours.

Respected
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Caring
4.0
4.0
ECON110
Mar 29, 2018
Would take again

Lectures are bit boring... But I mean it's ECON. Really friendly person if you ask him a question after class :)

Respected
LECTURE HEAVY
4.0
3.0
ECON110
Grade: A-
Jun 6, 2018
Would take again

Good prof for an intro course

Skip class? You won't pass.
Clear grading criteria
4.0
3.0
ECON110
Grade: B
Jun 12, 2018
Would take again

Professor Cromb displays his love for econ while also losing the focus of his students. It's a hard subject to understand yet he does his best to make jokes and ask students if they have any questions. He is very available/helpful during office hours and wants his students to do well. Exams are tough but quizzes and assignments are very manageable.

Get ready to read
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
LECTURE HEAVY
2.0
4.0
ECON110
Nov 6, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Literally what is economics

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
TEST HEAVY
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
4.0
4.0
ECON110A
Nov 27, 2018
Would take again

Pretty good prof - lectures are really heavy and lots of notes/graphs. READ THE TEXTBOOK or you won't understand whats going. Cromb clearly cares about Econ and tries to make it as interesting as he can. Work hard on the assignments. Quizzes are pretty easy. Not a course you can take 'lightly'

Get ready to read
Caring
LECTURE HEAVY
3.0
3.0
ECON110
Grade: B+
Apr 18, 2020
Wouldn't take again

the most boring prof ever had

Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
Lecture heavy
4.0
3.0
ECON110
Grade: A+
Jun 10, 2020
Would take again

Good prof, he is very experienced, helpful and explains the material well, it's just hard to make an econ course interesting. While the lectures are kind of boring, if you show up and take notes you shouldn't have a problem

Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
Clear grading criteria
3.0
4.0
ECON110A
Dec 26, 2020
Would take again

He is a good prof for sure. you can tell he is passionate about econ and understands the content well. however, he kind of downplays all of the content and makes it look a lot easier than it actually is. I'd say this course is quite hard but gives you a good understanding of the introduction to economics. this course IS CRAZY GRAPH HEAVEY THOUGH.

Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
Lecture heavy
2.0
4.0
ECON111
Mar 24, 2021
Wouldn't take again

If you're actually interested in econ then this review probably won't apply. The material is boring and lengthy. The prof literally just reads off of the powerpoint's for each class so it's basically useless. Theres a quiz every week, and big assignments when there isn't a quiz. I don't recommend, it was just painful honestly.

Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
1.0
5.0
ECON110
Grade: B+
Apr 27, 2021
Wouldn't take again

This course is the definition of living hell. Its like riding a bike, but the bike is on fire and on its way to hell. The prof cannot teach online to save his life! Someone would have to pay me to take it again.

2.0
4.0
ECON110A
Grade: Not sure yet
Oct 25, 2021
Wouldn't take again

How can you make economics boring? The guy knows what hes talking about, but man he teaches at 1mph. Beyond that, he has not once dived into economic issues, or anything beyond just math. You are never challenged; he teaches at surface value. Incredibly disappointing, given how fascinating the study of economics is.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Lecture heavy
Caring
2.0
3.0
ECON110
Jan 13, 2022
Wouldn't take again

As an introductory Econ course, couldn't get much worse. Wannabe physicist at times, seems to forget that Econ is a social science. You could feel him losing students with the over fixation with quantitative models complicating what should be simple concepts to explain. Made Econ a lot more boring than it is, defo dissuaded many from this major.

2.0
2.0
ECON110A
Grade: A+
Jan 28, 2022
Wouldn't take again

Very low effort prof. Simply reads slideshows for lectures. Very boring. He does know what he's talking about, at least.

2.0
3.0
ECON110
Oct 17, 2022

Ever wanted to teach yourself Econ? Well this is your chance. Lectures are next to incomprehensible, time would be MUCH better spent staying home and reading the textbook. Props to him though, I've never seen anyone memorize and recite a powerpoint as well as him.

Get ready to read
2.0
3.0
ECON110
Grade: B+
Jan 5, 2023

Though Cromb is clearly a knowledgeable professor, that does not make this class any less unbearable.

Get ready to read
Test heavy
2.0
3.0
110
Grade: A
Apr 22, 2023

Lectures are absolutely insufferable. Attendance went from over 200 students to about 20 by the end of the year. Thankfully you can learn the material better from his slide, the textbook, and the internet anyways. Attendance is definitely unimportant

Clear grading criteria
2.0
3.0
ECON110
Grade: B+
May 10, 2023

Cromb's lectures put me to sleep every time but his slides are amazing (they get posted dw). The course itself is pretty interesting though if you study. Weekly quizzes and a few assignments. Mid and final exam's worth quite a lot so beware if you aren't a test taker (like me). if you aren't pursuing an econ major this is not a bird so stay away.

Lecture heavy
Test heavy
Graded by few things
1.0
4.0
ECON110A
Grade: D+
Oct 29, 2023

If u have this man as a professor, may God have mercy on ur soul.Exams are 50%, the quizzes are 30, and each assignment is 10 which isnt that bad admittedly.He does nothin but read off slides and is completely useless.U will have to teach urself.The quizzes wont let u return to answered questions. good thing 2 get dropped, but youll hate it here.

Get ready to read
Test heavy
Graded by few things
3.0
3.0
ECON110A
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 8, 2023
Would take again

Obviously knows a lot about economics but isn't engaging at all. He's very monotone and his lectures are often boring. If you took high school economics this class with be a breeze, otherwise get ready to read the whole textbook. Lectures are a waste of time if you read the textbook, take that extra hour to sleep.

Get ready to read
Graded by few things
2.0
4.0
ECON110
Grade: A
Jul 15, 2024

Read from his powerpoint every lecture. Kind of rambles at the front so it can be hard to keep your attention on everything he saids. He is very knowledgable and does sometimes try to explain things in the simplest way.

Tough grader
Test heavy
3.0
3.0
ECON110
Grade: B
Sep 29, 2024

Prof Cromb basically read off of the slides the whole entire lecture, the slides were quite boring but not horribly difficult to understand. The assignments and quizes were easy and the TAs were very helpful. Final exam was tough.

3.0
3.0
ECON110
Grade: B+
Jan 6, 2025
Would take again

The lectures can be dry, but staying engaged and using resources like unstuck AI alongside the textbook can really help grasp the material. Expect a fair workload but manageable difficulty.

Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

21%

Textbook Required

57%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

95% confidence
Based on 20 grades
Most common grades:
B (5)
B+ (5)
A+ (4)
Grade Distribution
A(7)B(6)C(0)D(1)F(0)A-/B+(6)
Based on 22 reported grades
B: 5
B+: 5
A+: 4
A: 3
Common Tags
Get ready to read (10)
Skip class? You won't pass. (6)
LECTURE HEAVY (5)
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS (4)
Lecture heavy (4)
Test heavy (4)
Caring (3)
Clear grading criteria (3)
Rating Trend

Declining

-1.65 avg change
May
Oct
Dec
Jul
Sep
Jan
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

ECON310

5.0

(1)

ECON440

4.5

(4)

110A

4.0

(1)

ECON110

3.8

(84)

ECON111

3.7

(3)
+4 more courses
Difficulty by Course

ECON

4.5

ECON111

3.7

ECON112

3.7

ECON110A

3.4

ECON310

3.0

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