4.2
Quality2.6
Difficulty75%
Would Retake168
Reviews75%
Would Retake
168
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
168 total ratings5
113
4
21
3
3
2
12
1
19
What Students Say
“Overall, it's decent, but the course lacks rigor”
MTH263 - 2.0 rating“Jamal was a decent teacher at best”
MTH261 - 2.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
78%
Textbook Required
12%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.69 avg changeRatings by Course
MATH003M
5.0
(2)MATH271
5.0
(5)MTH181182
5.0
(4)MTH182
5.0
(2)NVCC71327193
5.0
(2)Difficulty by Course
C
5.0
MTH261
3.8
MATH152
3.0
MTH182
3.0
MATH151
3.0
Reviews (167)
Very clear in teaching, expert in his feil, very helpful, organize, creat a motivation class environment, He is my favorite so far
Nice and helpful very clear easy to understand
Best math teacher I've ever had. He sincerely wants his students to understand, and will teach in a way that anyone can understand. He's very funny and experienced. He's been teaching since he was 19, and he created a calculus formula that is used widely now. Take this class, you won't regret it.
Easy to get along with, helps with any problems and clarifies everything
Very helpful, explains things in a way that is easy to understand, genuine caring attitude. If you need 181 don't take anyone else!
Professor Shajaiah is one of my favorite professors at NOVA. He is very helpful and makes sure you understand everything. You are allowed to use calculators on tests, which some professors don't allow. He also gives points to help raise your grade. Great Professor. I recommend him!
very helful, very clear in teaching. You will never looz hope in his class. So far my best professor
Disagree with his "Star System," which is used to calculate you Class Participation grade. This grade counts for 15% of your total course grade and is calculated by stars he gives out to students for solving new concepts during the lecture hour. The grading curve is set by the person with highest amount of stars, rewards fast learners over hardwork
excellent... i recommend him
Best math teacher I've had in years!!!! I came from a high school that was known for it's horrible math program. He made everything so simple and easy for me to understand. He does a lot of examples in class and can get the lesson across pretty effectively. He can be funny at times and tell random stories. TAKE HIS CLASS!!!!!!!!! He's awesome!!!
Best math teacher I've had in my life. He made everything so simple and easy for us to understand. He does a lot of examples in class and can get the lesson across pretty effectively. TAKE HIS CLASS!!!!!!!!! He's awesome!!!
Awesome teacher, really helpful and works to give you a better grade. Keeps you interacted and class participation is a key.
Crystal Clear in teaching and very helpful
Crystal Clear in Teaching. I never understand math or like it before this class.Recomend Strongly
Dr. Jamal is simply great! I have dreaded Calc since day 1.It is a very hard class, but he is super helpful and makes the class barebale. He works with you for the grade you need, just show him, you try.Trust me, if I got an A, ANYBODY can in Dr. Jamal's clas. Definitely recomend!
I had been dreading this class for the past 10 years, but boy does the professor make a difference! I actually learned and he is very nice and understanding, especially if you show that you care and want to work for a good grade. I went in just wanting to pass this class, and am leaving with an A! Take him!
Professor Jamal is one of the best math teachers ive ever had. He gives you a lot of homework but if you end up doing the homework it helps you get points towards your exams! He tells you about his personnal life and tries to connect with you indivdually not just as a class. He is extremely funny and inspires you to become a better student!
Amazing professor, best in teaching math. he loves what he does and makes sure everyone understands. he gives study guides and exams are based on that. he is very helpful and very easy to contact. scoring good grades is easy in class if you work for it. i would definitely take his class again. i just love him
He loves math and knows a lot of little facts about it-- which he will always tell you. His accent is hard to understand sometimes, but tries his best. A pretty easy class, plus you get "stars" which are added to your grade. A fairly easy class, got an A.
Very helpful. Essay to undersand.
Excellent and Amazing professor, the best I have ever seen in teaching math. He loves what he does and makes sure everyone understands.He is very helpful and very easy to contact understand. I would definitely take his class again. i just love him
Awesome Professor, I recommend you to take him. A lot of extra pints and stars help to push the grades. Just follow him in class. A lot of extra points for homework . I got 100% in all exams . Very easy. I am going to complete my other math classes with him. he also raises the level of student to Virginia tech. I you really want to learn take him:)
awesome teacher..!!!
Prof. Jamal Shajaiah has to be the best Math teacher I have ever had. He is very helpful and accommodating. If you go to class and make a real effort, you will pass. He hands out a lot of bonus points towards tests & finals which can easly bring your grade up a letter or two. Absolutely a great teacher.
He is by far the BEST Math teacher I've ever had. He really wants his students to do well and explains concepts in a way that's easier to understand than the textbook. GO TO CLASS, its fun (and I hated math), he makes math fun, and he gives stars and bonuses in class and on homework to help with your grade. TAKE HIM FOR ALL MATH, you will LOVE HIM!
WOW!! By far the BEST math professor out there. Very clear and understandable. He tries to help every student out. He gives A LOT of extra points towards your exams and final. Just make sure to do the homework prior to attending class. I took this class over the summer and I didn't expect to pass but I did! He's got a lot of stories to tell too!
At first he was hard to understand with his accent but you got used to it and I'm horrible with accents. Great teacher gives tons of extra credit, I am taking him again for 182
Mr. Jamal is absolutely one of the best professors I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He is extremely helpful, very nice and patient, and funny. He loves what he does, and wants you to succeed. The class can be challenging; I am by no means a math genius, however, I got an A in both courses. If you can take any class with him you must!
Mr. Jamal is absolutely one of the best professors I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He is extremely helpful, very nice and patient, and funny. He loves what he does, and wants you to succeed. The class can be challenging, I am by no means a math genius, however, I got an A in both courses. If you can take any class with him you must!
I would take calculus with him again if I had to! He is very clear, and he will not "speak Chinese" to you :) His tests can be a little rough so make sure to do all the homework and ask all the questions you have.
He is the best 181/182 teacher! I waited two semesters just to take him. He offers extra credit on every test and really makes you feel important. He is really chill and explains problem in the most simplistic way possible for this class. He is always there during office hours to help
His class is really hard. He gives a lot of extra point in class to add on the exams but those exams are extremely hard. He explains alright, he has an accent so it could be difficult to understand him sometimes. He is willing to help during the office hours. If you are really good in math then take his class otherwise don't. TEST ARE REALLY HARD!!
He was horrible! Wouldn't slow down or explain when asked to. He just wanted to do harder problems rather than go over stuff in the book- " this isn't high school" he'd say rather be a teacher. He shouldn't teach! This would be better as ELI than him "teaching". He's rude and you can hardly understand his accent!
Excellent professor, great for science and engineering students who are willing to learn, gives tons of extra points (stars). His exams are a bit challenging but without challenge you might aswell go for some art major!
Take him!! he is great, he know Math in and out. he is funny old man, "Anyone who is super intelligent, come to the board and solve " lol, "oh wow amazing" lol i like his phrases in Indian ascent.
This professor is great, he knows the material better than any math teacher I have ever had. He gives extra credit points and will slow down until the class understands the material. He does have an indian accent but it isn't an issue to understand him. He is a humorous man. I highly recommend you take him!!
HE is soo good. very easy to understand he dumbs it down the lectures. he makes sure everyone understands. he gives lots of extra credit to the point you can fail test but still get an A. he is willing to help after class.
Person who said he is a horrible teacher, I feel sorry for your life! He is amazing and so helpful. He wants his students to succeed and does everything and anything to assist you. He gives so much extra credit that its virtually impossible to fail his class. Do study guides and homework .. Aside from an amazing prof. hes an amazing person!TAKE HIM
Prof. Shajaiah is a reasonable teacher. Yes, it is true, his tests can be a bit challenging. But also also gives extra credit to make up for it. Believe me, I am not Math genius and I did ok and ended up with a decent grade because he saw that I was trying.
I had this professor on Thursdays from 4-6:40. Taking a math class this late and this long, I would not recommend. Professor Jamal got sidetracked by telling the class about the content applied to real life. Which had its benefits, but he would stop in the middle of a problem and explain this. He's a great teacher if you are able to follow him.
Amazing professor! I have always struggled in math, but he really breaks down the problems and helps you step by step. He makes sure the whole class understands, he really cares and is enthusiastic about teaching. Nice, approachable, helpful. I would love to take him again!
He's amazing! Will do anything to help you out! Wish he was at the loudoun campus. Make sure to listen in his class and take notes and you'll do just fine BUT be sure to show up to class.
I took his class for the 8 week mth 181 & 182. He's the only one that teaches it within ONE semester! So its a good deal! He's VERY helpful and WILL explain things if you ask him before/after class or OH! He's pretty nice, but if you miss his class theres no hope. Talks about himself a lot bc hes really smart. Tests are HARD AF but its worth it.
Go with caution with Dr Shajaiah. lots and lots of homework. easy lecture, with a lot of philosophical approaches, that often turn out to be ineffective. He loves to tell funny stories ( truthfulness is questionable). he makes exercises very easy during class. However, you will be surprised during exams with some rocky old school stf.
I'm going to echo the review from 9/5/2016. The tests aren't truly reflective of what is gone over in class. The tests are MUCH more difficult. Extra credit given to make up for the fact that the tests are hard. Why not just take questions from the book? Attending only helpful for extra credit. Be prepared to teach yourself from book.
Professor Shajaiah is the best professor you will ever have! He cares about all of his students. If you are falling behind, he is very approachable. Don't be scared to ask for extra help. He is funny and provides examples that are helpful in the real world. I would definitely recommend him.
Taking this class has shown me that I'm just not meant to take a higher level math class. The material is really easy, but the tests are almost impossible. I've tried to seek additional help with little success.
I love professor Jamal, he is so helpful
Jamal has been my best professor at NOVA so far. I've been to 3 different campuses and had an abundance of different teachers, he has been the most influential. I personally suck at math and Calculus scares me but he cares about how well you do and helps you every step of the way. He is the best teacher without a doubt, you can't fail his class!
If you have to hold a students hand to get them through the material, what will happen when they're in a 300 level class and won't get that personal attention from a professor.
Good, but tough professor. Study over your notes and be sure to do all the homework. If you need help, Professor Shajaiah is good about meeting during his office hours.
He is an awesome professor! He gives amazing lectures. He helps you if you ever need help! He is one of my favorite professors!
The best Math Professor I have ever seen
Professor is very easy. Very fair grader. Wants you to pass. Show up to the OH they youre good
I would highly recommend Dr. Jamal for any math class. Calculus is tough, no matter how good you may be. He does a really good job explaining the material and teaches you ways to solve tough problems in a simpler manner. He does what he can to help you pass the class, you just need to be willing to work hard for the grade. 12/10 would recommend!
good professor.
Absolutely love his class! He really cares, and wants you to pass. Will help you really understand the material. He doesn't take attendance but if you show up you get stars that are extra credit points that count toward your test grade. Go to Office hours and you will do great. He is willing to help. Dr Jamal is a very smart man.
I love professor Jamal, he's such a great professor. I took MTH181 with him and I absolutely learned a lot, he gives tons of extra credit and is fun. Looking forward to have him as my professor again in MTH173
The best Math teacher I have ever seen in my life
Best math teacher I've ever had! Not tough on grading, but encourages participation/learning vs. memorization so if you don't understand a concept it will show. He tries very hard to help his students understand the material and will explain multiple ways until he's sure that you can tackle any problem. Fun guy. Take him! Work hard and enjoy :)
He is very passionate and loves math. He give us short cuts that make is easier to understand. I don't think I could have gotten through this class without him. I appreciate the time he took to explain the difficult problems.
Really great about helping students understand material. Would often go on a tangent but other than that was a really good professor. Make sure you show up to class the extra credit really helps and the hw and reviews will most likely be on exams
Funny! Ton of extra credit. Ex. If u have 20 pts from hw and participation, and u get let's say an "80" on the test. U go up to "90" on the test. Tests are hard though and he tells u that. If I was to study more, I would have gotten a better grade. He is way better than other math professors.
Most of my class failed their tests as he teaches how to use CALCULATORS but not actually deciphering WORD PROBLEMS. I had great difficulty in this class and even all of the students expressed concerns.
I love love love Jamal!! Hes easily one of the best math teachers Ive had. Hes friendly, funny, and he makes having an almost 3 hr math class tolerable. The way he explains things is very clear and he makes sure to go slow so everyone understands even if hes behind on his syllabus. All the hw was extra credit that counts toward the tests.
Precalc was tough with him, but everyone enjoys the guy. Smart and funny with a cool Arab accent. Lots of experience in the field and cool stories. The tests are hard but he does offer bonus points for tests every day of class. Its hard not to enter tests with at least 10 bonus points unless you never attend class. Hard class, but good guy.
This professor is amazing I had him for math 163 and 271. He is amazing he takes the time to go over questions you dont understand. I always went to his office hours after class to go over questions. He also gives extra points on tests and tries to help the students out. I would definitely take this professor.
Jamal was the best math teacher I have ever had! He finally taught me concepts I failed in high school (truth tables). He gives extra points for answering questions. He helps EVERY student. He has his own methods of solving some problems which is so much easier than the textbook. HE IS THE BEST. ( I had him for 181 and 182 and he made both easy.)
For this class, the professor really wanted people to pass so he set up a certain system in which they get bonus points for the exam. The homework is pretty different from what you learn in class, so that made it a bit difficult. If you did the study guide for the exam, you should be fine on exam day. Always come to class so you can get stars.
Professor Jamal is a unique professor. He talks, a lot. However, if you show up to class and do the in-class work, he gives extra credit on the exams. Overall, if you show up to class and do the in-class work, you'll get an A.
Extremely caring professor that truly wants to see you succeed. Teaches the material well, and although math can be difficult he gives many opportunities to bring your grade up from homework, extra credit, etc. Like any other math class, you need to put the work in. But I highly doubt there is a better math teacher out there.
Dr. Jamal was a decent teacher at best. Hes very slow at grading and even though he says hes available to be contacted he really blows at responding back quickly. I wouldnt recommend this class if youre looking for an in depth explanation of calculus because it feels like he makes things up as he goes. Find someone better
He is the best Math professor. Just attend his class regularly and do the assigned work. He gives you opportunities to improve your grade if you do not do good on exams. It is an easy A if you follow his instructions and yes he gives extra credit too.
He is by far the BEST math professor in Nova. This dude loves to give extra credit, AND I MEAN LOVES. you'd be super dumb if you drop out of his class. you could literally get an F on the test, but the number of extra credits he gives will bring that test grade up to an A. I wish I could have taken him earlier, so I could have taken him for CAL 2.
A prof who gives a ton of extra credit does not necessarily imply best professor. I bombed all of the exams and still managed to get a B in the class because of the extra credit but did I learn the material, absolutely not. If you are pursuing STEM then don't take him but if you want an easy A then by all means take him.
I'm terrible at math but I was able to do well in both classes that I took with him. The material and tests can be really hard but he's very helpful and gives lots of extra credit during class that helps on the tests so it's important to go to class to understand the material and get the extra credit.
Webassign, Stories, Extra credit in stars by notebook participation (get correct answer) for exams, knows certain subjects fairly well others maybe not, will help after class during office hours, doesn't respond quickly with emails, you will need to know some of the subjects beforehand. Sums it up, if you get a good class you will have a good time.
He gives hours of homework every class and is never available outside of class to answer anything even though he claims to have office hours. If you try to email him he takes forever to respond if at all, hated the class, would recommend taking some other professor.
He is really nice and likes to give EXTRA credit. You need to show up to class to get a good grade, but its pretty easy! I would take him again! He is always telling stories and he cares about students! The only thing is that he doesn't respond to emails fast!
He is worth it! Take his class! gives extra credit and he's super nice!
This class was a joke. It was his first time teaching 154 and he just seemed confused half the time. He is sort of helpful and gives a lot of extra credit for tests. Really nice guy but he gets off topic A lot. I basically did nothing the whole semester and ended up with a B.
He is the best!!! I hate math with all of my heart but with him was so easy to understand. Do all of the HW, and be on class everyday to have the stars. He makes the class so fun and entertaining. I wish I can take another class with him.
Amazing professor, the best I've had so far. He's very knowledgable on the subject he teaches and wants you to do well. He does make tests difficult, but if you stay after class, or go to office hours if you need help, you'll pass. Don't take this class if you're looking for an easy A, only if you're ready to work hard.
Professor Shajaiah is an amazing teacher and is more than willing to help you if you are struggling. He gives extra credit on tests and ensures you understand the material before moving on. He also holds after class time to earn more extra credit and help ensure you get a good grade. I took his 12-week course and highly recommend him.
Jamal Shajaiah was an excellent professor, the best math teacher I have ever had. His lectures were very clear and easy to understand and he goes the extra mile to explain. I took AP Calc in HS and didn't do very well so I was concerned about going into Calc I in college, but he made things so easy to understand. I would recommend to anyone!!!
He's a great Professor!! Very funny, very good at teaching, and he really cares about helping the students learn. 11 out of 10!!
There was tons of extra credit during class in the form of stars. If you're in class and you do the work, he'll give you extra credit. However, the extra credit counts for whatever he wants it to. There's not a ton of homework, but the exams are literally pulled out of thin air. It's nothing like the class work, or the little homework.
This professor is my favorite that Ive had so far at NOVA. He was incredibly understanding and would re-explain lectures, give extended time on homework/assignments if the class agreed that we needed it which was often because the course itself is challenging. He gives extra credit just for writing notes and helps during exam. He is very funny.
Super understanding and lenient when it comes to grading and due dates. Talks a lot so sometimes hard to follow the class, but answers questions when asked. Homework is on pearson and you had multiple attempts to get a 100. Tests also online sometimes with a second attempt available. extra credit!! great teacher, enjoyed him
Professor Jamal is one of the best professors I have had at NOVA. He is caring towards his students and will make a best effort for everyone to understand. Even while we online, he made it easy for us to learn because he has a white board that he does the problems in front of you. Just make sure to participate in class, he gives extra points!
He is the best!! You will not regret taking him at all. No one is more caring he wants everyone to not only pass but get an A in the class. Math is so hard but he makes it fun and enjoyable. TAKE HIM HE IS THE BEST. coming from someone who has never done well in any math class, hes the best.
he is very heavy on participation, and gives extra credit for just having camera on and asking questions. he uses a white board during lectures, which i know helped me a lot personally. he knows how to break down and dumb down work so that it can be explained to anyone at any level of education.
Professor Jamal was one of my fav professor, you have to participate in class for extra credits, the homework was on Pearson and he would give us 2 to 3 weeks to do our homeworks, we had 4 exams, which was 50% from what he taught us on class and 50% was like really hard questions. Overall his lectures was understandable.
Pro Shah is very understanding & supportive .I have never witness any Pro like him at nova. He wants all his student to learn and pass. Gives MAX EXTRA POINTS for attendance and camera that can be used for your exam score. I was having Issues with Pearson , he gave ext on HW and TEST. BEST PROF EVER .PLEASE TAKE HIM YOU WONT REGRET , EASY A :)
I was expecting an easy class by reading the reviews. I was wrong. I cannot emphasize how many issues there have been with this class. The homework is nothing like the tests, with some of it not being in the unit. The exams are so easy to cheat on and the extra credit system is appalling. The prof. boasts about 25 years of teaching yet hes clueless
The prof will try his hardest to make the hardest test possible. Participation is so important, if you participate you are not going to pass. Get ready to spend every minute of your life fixing the professor's mistakes. An entire chapter full worth of homework every week. Tangents at every zoom session,and relying on tutor. DON'T TAKE IT.
super easy prof take him if you can
This is probably the single best professor I've had going to NVCC. He genuinely cares about the student understanding the material over anything else, and he genuinely cares about the material he is teaching. I currently live with a medical condition that makes concentration very difficult, but this professor manages to get me to understand!
Professor Shajaiah is such a caring professor! He gives extra credit in the form of stars with participating in class and counts towards exams. Can make a few errors in class so just keep an eye out for mistakes, but he wants everyone to pass, dont be afraid to ask questions. I recommend taking him in-person.
This professor is the worst. He has some dumb point system that makes you feel as if you are in kindergarten. The points never add up correctly and he doesn't even know how to count them. He waits to put in grades until the end and gets easily confused by names. But if you want to pass take it But I did meet the love of my life in his class
He's very caring towards students and he'll try the best to push the grades up. But he's not a good lecturer because his notes is a little disorganized and it's hard to understand the materials sometimes. No reviews after every chapter. Hw is easy. Although he is not a good lecturer, I would take him again because he offers a lot of extra credits.
If youre not good at math please dont take this class. You will have to work hard on the homework and test. Especially the test do not add up with what he is teaching in class. He also has this point system of participation that is basically what can save your grade if youre not doing well in exams. But please reconsider it was not worth it.
This class is a lot of work, but the professor is very willing to answer any questions that are in class as well as setting up office hours to go over the material more in depth. This is not an easy class by any means, and get ready to PARTICIPATE as he gives LOTS of extra credit that really help your grade on exams. Overall, he's very kind.
Humorous and caring professor. I've never done well in math yet his explanations opened my eyes to math despite his accent. Take him for an easy A. If you care about top-tier math instruction, most professors at NOVA aren't going to satisfy that. Best math professor you can sign up for at NOVA these days.
Although I only got a C do not think he is a hard grader my grade was completely on me and he is a great professor who gives good clear lectures and is student-focused constantly asking us to solve problems and show him in order to make sure we are all learning and on track and he is willing to give extra credit if he knows you are genuinely trying
BEST MTH professor at nova. He cares about his students and want them to succeed. Make sure you do the WebAssign HW asap since it adds up. His tests are the best, 20 multiple choice question and on top of that he gives extra credits that can be added towards ur test scores during class if u attend, turn camera on, and participate. TAKE HIM ASAP!!!!
This course had four exams which will be dropped the lowest one and final exam. And it also had homework in cengage. He really cares each chapter and he review before the final exam. Please participate in every class that makes you grade up. Participation, homework, and exam are the most important in this course. I recommend to take this course.
If I could rate him higher I would. He cares about his students and is able to breakdown the toughest problems into plain and simple English. 10/10 recommend
The best professor I have ever had so far. He knows how to explain and on top of that his exams are not hard at al. If you get B in his class that mean you were not serious,lol.
He's a great professor would take him again very easy if you pay attention and do the practice problems with him honestly he is very caring towards his student you should take him if you can. Also very understanding if you let him know ahead if you can't take a test hell just let you take it another day.
TAKE HIM! Easy class! He cares about his student's success. If you pay attention, ask for help when needed, and attend classes, you will get an A. He gives you many opportunities to bring your grade up. He gives extra credit to those who participate in class.
Listen to me. If theres an opportunity to take this prof for any of your required classes, take him even if you aren't strong in math. You will pass just attended class regularly, do h/w and try to participate. It will all be in your favor at the end. I am not strong in math but I got a C. I am satisfied with the grade. If I can pass, so can you.
He pretend to be nice but from my own experience he is boring always talk about himself, he is one of the worst don't waist your time and money
This professor is amazing! He cares and is very helpful with explanations. He gives a lot of extra credit, as long as you can do the practice problems in class which he explains the process on. He focuses on individual students if they need help. He has an accent but it's not hard to understand.
He isn't mean or anything but his teaching style isnt the best. He goes off-topic a LOT, mostly storytelling which takes up a lot of class time. Skips through a lot of important presentation slides regarding formulas which leaves us clueless during the quizzes. Luckily, he does do extra credit activities and reviews hws to better our grades.
Professor Jamal is the absolute best professor I've ever had PERIOD. His way of teaching is clear and efficient he doesn't waste anyone's time so our classwork is either the homework or the textbook itself. He has a genuine passion for math. I hated & knew nothing about math but I love it now. He cares for his students and always accepts feedback.
Professor Jamal is a math wizard. Hands down! Always suggesting inovative solutions to math problems. He loves teaching and he is committed to students success. He is a hard working professor who is always willing to throughly help with anything that is challenging and genuinely care that we understood the material. He is also very inspirational.
Coming from someone who hasn't taken math since 2020, this class was difficult. I did not like his teaching style as it was too fast paced for me. The professor would solve problems quickly on the white board and on to the next. I wish he gave students handouts so that we can refer back to. How can I rely on my notes if I didn't catch all of it?
Professor Jamal is the best honestly. Not only is he funny but he also is a genius in math. He tells a lot of stories in class, but it only helps you to get to know him better and all the things he has done. He did pretty well in teaching math, and he is super understanding. If you need an extension on an assignment 9/10 you will give it to you.
Best calculus teacher Ive ever had. For normal exams, no lockdown browser, no camera. You can do the exam whenever you are ready but it has to be before due date. For final exam, no lockdown browser, you have to attend zoom on time and turn on your camera. During the class, you will get an extra point for every time you turn on your camera!
He is kind and intelligent extra points for turning your camera on lots of homework take the exam on your own time without submitting the work drops your lowest exam score at the end of the semester Lectures are ok Can't finish your homework on time just email him, he got you
Math being my hardest subject I would say I struggled to retain the information. However, Professor Shajaiah is amazing! Do the homework on time, participate and he'll ensure you pass. He gives a lot of lectures but he really wants all his students to pass! If you have him for this course you won't regret it. He gives extra credit for partipcation.
I would recommend taking Professor Jamal! If you show him you have passion, you will receive an A grade. I took my precalculus and calculus 1 with him, which were excellent. If you want an A in his course, stay after his class and introduce yourself. He sometimes forgets your name, so as long as you can talk to and converse with him. Take him ASAP.
He loves to tell stories which makes class fun. Participate and show effort and he will liberally round up your scores. The site used for homework and tests is not very good but he is understanding of that. Do yourself a favor and take Professor Shajaiah, especially if you struggle with math.
I took his MTH161 in person and MTH263 online, and you can see the difference between the two. He's a genuinely caring and good professor in person, he takes his time and encourages people to slow him down. He isn't totally familiar with the technology and online is always different, you should take his in-person classes for the best experience!
BEST PROFESSOR FOR MATH
Professor Jamal was a very comprehensible teacher for Calculus 1. He provided us with the materials we needed to succeed in his class. Very caring for his students and did all he could to make sure we understood the material. Would 100% take the class again.
Professor Jamal's class is very easy All you have to do is participate during class and study outside of class if you participate during class ,You will 100 percent pass with an A grade .If you participate you get extra credit points which teacher will add to exam of your choice . 4 exams 1 final.
Best professor ever. Take him. Never in your life will you regret it!!!
does have decent amount of homework in class from alek- but overall practice and it will be fine. he does take attendance
Freestyles his lectures, may not cover all course objectives in class. System of extra credit (*) is entirely dependent on being a quick learner. If not, you must study the objectives before class to succeed, or you'll be lost. Ambiguous deadlines and expectations at times. Easy going. Exams are difficult. Lenient grading. Takes attendance at end.
Y'all he seems like a cool person, but he's not the best planner. He rushes through the material. Doesn't explain things and then expects you to know it. He does allow for formula sheets, which is nice. I just don't think I would take him again.
He is the most caring professor I have ever met. He truly wants you to pass the class. And would present any extra credit for you to pass this class. He is fun, smart, makes the class so easy to listen. Calc 1 was hard and I didn't really have time to study at all, but I understood everything clearly during the class and still passed the class!
Best professor I had ever had at NOVA. Teaches clearly and makes sure class understands material before moving on. Gives extra credit! Very interactive, we work on problems together and he goes over material explaining. Super kind and caring. Willing to work with you NOT against you like many professors here. You'll pass math with this professor.
I was having issues outside of classes and Prof. Shajaiah was extremely understanding and gave me a chance to prosper in his class! I would take him again in a heartbeat. There was lots of homework on Pearson which was about $60. Take him if you struggle with math!!!
He's the best professor at Nova! He's caring and genuinely wants you to pass the class. There's a lot of hw on Cengage but he extends them without penalty. He gives extra credit if you attend zoom meetings for exam reviews. Highly recommend him!
He gives out lots of extra credit and some exams he will allow to be taken in person. Please take him, he is amazing!
Dr.Jamal is the best math instructor at NOVA. I took his online class and he made learning cal fun. He is super understanding, very responsive with emails, gives extra credit, and before any exams he has zoom meetings to go over some practice problems. Dr.Jamal is a very sweet and caring instructor and his class was super easy.
Dr. Shajaiah was an excellent professor. If you are struggling, he will show you new tricks to better understand calculus, and put everything into easy layman's terms to understand. He will answer every email and get back to you with help if you ask for it. Extra credit is available after every test. He wants students to succeed.
Overall, it's decent, but the course lacks rigor. It felt more akin to high school calculus rather than college-level. If you're aiming for an easy A, go for it, but if you truly want to grasp calculus, there are better alternatives available. Sometimes refers us to Khan Academy videos which I find hilarious and to simplex.
Overall, my experience was good. He offers a lot of extra credit, which boosted my grade from a high C to a high A. Sometimes the lessons were a bit hard to follow, but using Doctrina math videos helped me understand the tougher topics.
The WORST NOVA teacher I have ever had and arguably one of the worst teachers I have had in my life. He is unorganized, abandons students in the middle of class, does not respond to questions or emails, and does not keep up with his own due dates. My entire class had a horrible experience under him and all of us were cheering when we were freed.
The professor is a nice person, funny, but often spent most of our 1hr 45min lecture telling entirely unrelated stories. You spend most of the class listening to him talk about his life and his children's lives. I have taken 3 pages of notes in the 4 weeks I have been taking this class. You'll have to teach yourself. Very disorganized.
I took this professor for mth 154 and 245 he's a good professor always gives extra credit and is flexible with due dates. We get homework on person my lab and tests are also on there.
Professor Jamal makes calculus surprisingly enjoyable. His classes are easy if you engage with the material - go to lectures, use the textbook, and try Unstuck AI for quick concept explanations. He's super helpful and understanding, always willing to provide extra support. Definitely take this class if you want an easy A!
Take professor Jamal and failing the class will be your dream!!!!! BEST PROFESSOR EVER!!!!! I LOVE PROFESSOR JAMAL <<<<
If you struggle in calculus, take HIM! He's very caring and wants students to succeed in his class. He'd give you extra credits if you participate in his class. He's willing to help students even outside the class. If you have any questions, just go to his office hours. He's AMAZING!
If you like to cheat and not learn the material take him as most of the people in his class with A were cheating. He promises stars will be added but in reality if you accumulate a lot they won't be added.
No lecture, no structure dropped out in first month. I can't believe ppl are glazing him like this.
I have no words.
If you want to learn math don't take him. He tells himself he is not good at teaching. Coming from a harder and better professors class. His class was too basic and not even useful for the next level of math and physics I have to take.
Don't do it to yourself! Not worth it especially if you pay out of state tuition to learn and end up wasting your time like this. I am glad I'm not the only person who mentioned he didn't give stars even though you had them. He really isn't great at teaching the material and I don't like how his class is filled with cheaters.
Oh wow. I thought it was only his business class which was like this.
Most good reviews here are fake and misleading. He literally can not deliver lectures. He will not be teaching in class. Does hw probs from cengage during lecture time, no explaining any concept. I dont recommend him. The class cheats. He knows and expects it. Otherwise there is no way u can even pass this class. Because u dont learn anything.
Usual NOVA standard. Students find an easy A class (you CHEAT get A). Take him if you dont value your time and money and have no passion for your major. He's a good person I think it's the college itself that has no standard and is all over the place, not knowing what to do. I feel sorry for NOVA students at this point.
Worst professor at NOVA, every lecture he taught felt like he didn't prepare a thing, he would talk about the topic for 5 minutes and then give us a homework problem to do to waste time, couldn't even do the problem himself sometimes. Exams are taken online because he is too lazy to grade papers, have to cheat to get a good grade on the exam
He's easy to reach during office hours for a question, and comes from a good place. Just do the homework, study, and you'll pass.
Average online nvcc math class. Goes through examples in class. I'd say hes way too lax with his exams. I don't condone cheating so if you want to really learn then I'd pass on this prof. I hard recommend going ahead and review materials before class cause you'll be left behind should you get stuck. HW is similar to tests so review those heavily.
He is a passionate professor and likes to teach. If u need to pass a class then he is the one. He does make sure u do learn the material. He even does problems w the class that he dont know the answer to. He is a nice professor and gives u opportunities to redo hw/quizzes if asked and gives extra credit. He does want his class to pass. Best teacher
I had a great time in Professor Shajaiah's class! The content for this class is pretty tough, so you do have to make sure to pay attention, but Professor Shajaiah makes sure you understand everything before the exams. Make sure you complete the Pearson homeworks because they do count towards your final grade and can make a big difference.
MTH 261 - Applied Calculus I is a fun and stress-free math class. The professor makes concepts easy to follow, offers extra points daily, and keeps homework simple yet helpful. The final exam is fair, ensuring success even for those who don't love math. Highly recommended!
The laziest professor I have ever had the misfortune of taking. I find it hard to believe that he is unaware of the cheating that takes place during the exams. He also gives us answers to quizzes. You won't learn anything and will be ill-prepared for the academic rigors of a university. If you lack integrity and enjoy free handouts, take him.
one of the best professors I have ever had. He will stay for office hours and explain everything to you. Just don't forget to do all Pearson and the quizzes. Just take him it's worth it.
One of the best professors I've ever had he is very patient and caring towards the students and the way he gives examples while teaching help you understand the materials better. Shows he cares about all his students and helps equally, and his grading is amazing.
He is such a good guy, he does have an accent but it's kinda soothing and still understandable. Ignore the negative reviews, you would need to teach yourself apart from attending the lectures but, the tests are exactly how the quizzes are set up. homework are done in aleks and so is the exams. If you want to pass the class and get an A, take him.
Best math professor in Nova. He's students learn a lot. He's style is good for learning. Not stressful.
he extends deadlines and gives stars for extra credit
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
78%
Textbook Required
12%
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