3.5

James O'Connell

Mathematics - Pace University (all)

3.5
Quality
1.8
Difficulty
13%
Would Retake
100
Reviews
3.5
Quality
1.8
Difficulty
3.4
Helpful
3.6
Clarity

13%

Would Retake

100

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

45

4

16

3

9

2

14

1

16

What Students Say

No disrespect, because teaching CANNOT be easy, but holy Jesus, I cannot help myself

MAT130 - 2.0 rating

makes math so much more complicated than it needs to be

MAT104 - 1.0 rating
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

55%

Textbook Required

76%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B

71% confidence
Based on 7 grades
Most common grades:
B+ (2)
A- (1)
A+ (1)
Grade Distribution
A(1)B(1)C(1)D(1)F(0)A-/B+(3)
Based on 8 reported grades
B+: 2
A-: 1
A+: 1
Not sure yet: 1
Common Tags
Skip class? You won't pass. (2)
Tough Grader (1)
GRADED BY FEW THINGS (1)
Clear grading criteria (1)
TEST HEAVY (1)
LECTURE HEAVY (1)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.68 avg change
May
Jun
Nov
Jan
Apr
May
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

MATH127

5.0

(1)

MAT104MAT

5.0

(1)

MAT111

5.0

(1)

STAT

5.0

(1)

MAT

5.0

(1)
+21 more courses
Difficulty by Course

130

5.0

MAT102

3.0

MAT103

3.0

MAT104

2.1

104

2.0

Reviews (100)
5.0
2.0
MATH104
Nov 15, 2001

Very easy usually teaches earlybird classes but it's worth taking A

1.0
5.0
MAT130
Nov 16, 2001

Horrible

5.0
1.0
MAT130
Nov 19, 2001

VERY Easy A, slow, clear, but very very boring.

5.0
1.0
MAT104
Grade: A-
Jan 13, 2002

Best math professor. Easy A. Thankx proff o'conell. you're the best professor

5.0
2.0
MAT130
Jan 21, 2002

Great teacher, if you pay attention you'll get an A...but boring !!! very boring

4.0
2.0
MAT104
Feb 19, 2002

great teacher. Undersyands your not a math major

5.0
1.0
MATH127
Mar 27, 2002

Very easy on non-math people. But too slow for me.

1.0
1.0
MATH104
Apr 23, 2002

if you never were in the circus, take his class!

5.0
1.0
MAT130
Apr 24, 2002

Very good for everyone, He is the best if you want to get a good score.

5.0
1.0
MAT104
Apr 25, 2002

BEST MATH PROF AT PACE/ MAKES SURE EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS/ A++++

5.0
2.0
MAT117
Sep 10, 2002

He's the best math prof. His tests are very simular to notes.

4.0
1.0
MAT117
Sep 10, 2002

Dr. O'Conell, you are the BEST!!

5.0
2.0
MAT104MAT
Grade: B+
Sep 19, 2002

The best math professor. No need to buy a book, just study notes. A

5.0
1.0
MAT111
Oct 8, 2002

The best teacher. Tests are easy but final can hurt u if u don't study well

5.0
1.0
MAT130
Oct 10, 2002

Getting an A is easy - it's staying awake that is hard

5.0
1.0
MAT130
Oct 13, 2002

No Comments

4.0
1.0
MAT104
Oct 23, 2002

No Comments

5.0
1.0
STAT
Nov 5, 2002

Do the HW, tests are straight forward, no tricks, participate, practice!

5.0
1.0
104
Nov 7, 2002

The Best math professor

4.0
1.0
MAT130
Nov 13, 2002

Can you say EASY? Very well taught.

5.0
1.0
MAT104
Nov 13, 2002

easy A

5.0
1.0
MAT130
Nov 13, 2002

You will know an awful lot about the silver reserves of the US...

5.0
1.0
MAT104
Nov 14, 2002

don't buy the book...very easy A. Boring but easy!

2.0
1.0
MAT131
Dec 12, 2002

If I didn't know what I was doing I would be lost. He constatly makes mistakes.

5.0
1.0
MAT104
Jan 3, 2003

notes=exams all there is to say

1.0
5.0
130
Jan 17, 2003

TEACHES AS THOUGH PPL ARE STUPID...SHOULD BE FIRED.....EASY A....F I R E D !!!!!

5.0
1.0
MAT130
Jan 23, 2003

Please come on time will be stuck in your head forever but he could care less.

5.0
2.0
MAT130
Jan 30, 2003

Very Easy Teacher, helpful and primers= tests. No midterm unless it's necessary!

5.0
1.0
MAT130
Feb 11, 2003

Really easy. Take him if you're not too good in math. Will prepare you for Calc.

1.0
3.0
MAT117
Feb 28, 2003

Idiot! kept erasing his notes and losing his train of thought. Waste of my money.Pace should be ashamed to charge$1,560.00 for this type of prof.

1.0
1.0
MAT104117
Mar 28, 2003

Easy A, but you learn NOTHING. If you have a question, don't even bother asking. He is incapable of providing clear answers. Test are almost identical to homework.

5.0
1.0
MAT
Apr 6, 2003

I took him for MAT 111 & MAT 117. He is the best professor PACE has ever had. If we would have more professors like that, we would never have a person who does not know math. He hard questions in such an easy language that a 2-year old can understand.

4.0
1.0
MAT104
Apr 28, 2003

NICE PERSON, MAKING MISTAKES ALL THE TIME, TESTS ARE FROM HIS NOTES DIRECTLY.

2.0
1.0
MAT130
May 8, 2003

great professor... explains everything so clearly... easy A kinda boring though... tests are easy straight from notes

2.0
1.0
PRECALC
Sep 29, 2003

If you want credit for a Pre-Calc class with Pre-Algerba work, take him. If you want a challenge,find a real prf...

5.0
1.0
MAT117
Oct 23, 2003

Great teacher, helpful to students who are not that great in math, who are all you weirdos saying he is easy, why dont u go back to your old country, not everyone is looking for a challenging class, some of us actaully like having a helpful teacher...Dang

2.0
1.0
MAT130
Nov 19, 2003

If you like laughing this is hte professor for you. One class I corrected six of his errors, and before I corrected the last error he asked me if the answer was right, which it wasn't.

4.0
3.0
MAT130
Nov 19, 2003

he is ok. i love the fact that "micheal" is correcting him constantly. he also is covered in chalk within 15 minutes - literally makes a mess of himself, but hes a good person. I personally think he has an anxiety problem, or he takes too man

4.0
1.0
MATH130
Nov 19, 2003

hahaha yeah if micheal wasnt in the class maybe i would stop by class more, The professor is really mellow and its scary but if ur slow or stupid take the class and get ur GPA up

4.0
1.0
MAT130
Nov 20, 2003

Besides the fact that the annoying MICHAEL is in the class its an easy A.The test questions come directly from the notes.We spend 2 hours on 5 math problems that are so easy.Take this teacher if you wanna boost up your GPA.

1.0
1.0
MAT104
Dec 13, 2003

The exams are repeative from year to year. I failed the first time around and the second time i had all the answers and he didn't remember a few weeks later I was back taking the class again.

5.0
1.0
MAT130
Dec 20, 2003

He is great professor,explains everything in details.If you aren't good at math take him, he will refresh your memory. Tests straight from his notes. So don't miss a class.

5.0
1.0
MAT130
Dec 27, 2003

Very easy teacher. If you don't get math at all then take his class because after it you will. Only problem is that the class is very slow and boring but very easy.

4.0
2.0
MAT107
Apr 4, 2004

If you have no concept of Math, take him. He explains things so easily and clearly. However, he is extremely BORING beyond belief. Easy grader and gives 3 tests plus a final. Hint: Study hard for the final!!!

3.0
2.0
MAT107
Apr 19, 2004

You cant hear him, his voice is all messed up. He doesnt explain things as clearly as he should. but everything is right out of the notes. he certainly knows his material. Take him if you have a clear understanding of math.

3.0
2.0
MAT104
Apr 20, 2004

Not very audible & not always clear. Doesn't always explain things the way it should be; Explanations starts in middle; Tests are easy & taken from class work. A bit unkind at times & gets frustrated if you ask too many ?'s.

5.0
2.0
MAT130
Apr 21, 2004

Hey he's an 80's man. Of course his voice is gonna sound weird. But other than that, you should be greatful that he gives you a clear review before the test.

3.0
2.0
MAT104
May 12, 2004

Knows his math but you can tell that if you have alot of questions he will be a little upset. The very good part is that the questions on the exams are from the questions given in the class, the exact ones!

4.0
2.0
MAT107
Aug 29, 2004

you can get by without the textbook

5.0
1.0
MAT117
Oct 29, 2004

Take him, he is awesome. he is one of the best math professors at pace, plus he is american! no offense,but you can understand him!!! TAKE!!!!!!!!!!!

3.0
2.0
MAT104
Nov 9, 2004

Don't ask 2 many ?'s he's likely to get frustrated and tell you to go to tutoring like he did me. A bit abrasive at times but will try to explain the best he can. Xouris is a MUCH better profesor in all math classes. Got 'A' in O'Connell's class after going to tutoring.

5.0
1.0
MATH
Nov 11, 2004

i loved the guy very easy

5.0
1.0
MATH104
Jan 24, 2005

VERY EASY professor but very boring. He will try to explain the topic until everyone understands it. TAKE HIM IF YOU GET A CHANCE!!

5.0
1.0
MAT104
Jan 31, 2005

Awesome teacher. Take him if you can manage getting up at 7:20 in the morning, but believe me, its well worth it.

5.0
1.0
MATH103
Apr 22, 2005

If you don't get an A in his class then you really shouldn't be at Pace. He gives you the answers the day before the exam. TAKE TAKE TAKE.

2.0
3.0
MATH103
May 11, 2005

Professor looks like he is on crack. Doesn't listen to what you, the student has to say and doesn't really care if you understand what he is teaching or if you give effort in class or on tests. Everybody says to take him because he is easy. Not tht easy and not very nice either. Cranky OLD man.

3.0
1.0
MAT104
May 15, 2005

Easy A!!!!!

1.0
4.0
MAT117
Sep 9, 2005

If you are trying to take his class beware. His grading will only base on 4 exams: 3 tests & Final. If you decided to take his class make sure you double-check his grading. Even if you did the work and get the right answer but if you miss one thing he will mark it wrong or might give you a penny partial credit. He is the type of person who will pas

5.0
1.0
MATH103104
Nov 17, 2005

Professor O'Connell is a great math teacher. He takes his time to teach his students every step, he writes notes on the board, and he answers your questions. Just listen to him and you will learn alot about math and pass all his test with an A.

5.0
2.0
MAT130
Jan 23, 2006

Very helpful and very sweet. No real homework and tests aren't hard...they're basically the same problems that are done in class. I recommend this prof. to anyone who wants a good grade(and doesnt want to work hard) =)

5.0
2.0
MATH130
Feb 7, 2006

He's very nice, a tad forgetful at times. And don't be afraid to ask questions, he always goes over everything, perhaps too much. Great teacher, you'll learn to like Math after taking his class. He makes it easy.

5.0
2.0
MAT104
May 6, 2006

Good Math professor, easy tests, but he usually teaches early morning classes.

5.0
1.0
MATH103
May 25, 2006

Very sweet and caring about students. A little forgetful and cares about attendance. Easy grader, i didnt do well on the two tests but must have done well on the final because i ended up with a B+. Take him very easy.

5.0
1.0
MAT104
Nov 7, 2006

He teaches slow and make sure everyone understand. Easy A class and you can ask him questions whenever in doubt. Very approachable professor. Take him!

5.0
1.0
MATH104
Nov 14, 2006

EASY this professor is the sweetest and the easiest math professor! def take

1.0
4.0
MAT104
Jan 25, 2007

Awful professor, he makes TONS of mistakes, gets flustered when u ask too many questions & most of the time he's checkin with students to see if his work is right on the board! Tests were easy but the final was completely different from what he went over in the review. Everyone in the class looked confused.

1.0
2.0
MATH130
Mar 15, 2007

No Comments

5.0
1.0
MAT104
May 12, 2007

Come on, people, you can not complain. Of course, he is a little bit strange, but other professors would not spend so much time on the problems. He does not use the book, although is strict about attendance. Tests and the final are straight forward from the notes. Look, if he is too bad, why there was a full 7:20AM class? If you a genius in math a

5.0
1.0
MAT100
May 2, 2008

he is the best teacher in math he really teaches you math, plain and simple

4.0
3.0
STATS117
Aug 26, 2008

I had him for stats over the summer and I was apprehensive over this class but he explains slowly. Study your notes exams are straight out of there. Never bought the book-no need. HW he gives but he does it on the board the next day for you. Might pick on students randomly. Easy professor if you go to class.

5.0
1.0
STATS117
Sep 11, 2008

next easiest math professor at Pace after Beran. tests come strauight from notes just study for final thats not that easy! do hw can be helpful and dont buy book

2.0
1.0
MAT130
Oct 21, 2008

No disrespect, because teaching CANNOT be easy, but holy Jesus, I cannot help myself. He tried to give me a 68% on a test when in fact I earned a 80% because he made mistakes in checking answers. Go over your tests because he may make mistakes, and you may reiceive a lower grade than you really deserve.

5.0
2.0
MAT130
Oct 23, 2008

he practically never uses the textbook, so don't buy it. He explains everything he does, sometimes more than necessary, but overall he is helpful. Each test problems come from the notes so best to review before exam.

5.0
1.0
MATH130
Nov 2, 2008

He explains things very well, but pay attention because he makes mistakes. Paying attention in itself is the hardest part of the class, as well as getting him to grade the test correctly and fairly. He is helpful when it comes to explaining math, but otherwise he is a stalwart. Do not buy the book, he sometimes gives book questions, but very rarely

4.0
1.0
MAT130
Nov 14, 2008

He's pretty clear with the material and like everyone said his notes are all you need to study from. His tests are fair and there are no trick questions, very straight forward. I'd take him again.

2.0
3.0
MATH104
May 10, 2009

Here's the bottom line with O'Connell - worst math professor at Pace! The classes are extremely boring, he teaches as if he's half asleep, final exam is impossible. You honestly will not learn anything from this guy. DON'T buy the the textbook. DON'T waste your time or you will regret it!!!

2.0
1.0
MATH102
Dec 10, 2009

Awful, Awful, Awful. This teacher does not understand the material himself, so you can imagine how horrible he is as a teacher. He doesn't grade the tests right- make sure you double check him!!! This class is mandatory at Pace, but I do NOT recommend taking him. The only plus side is that he is an esy grader.

1.0
5.0
MAT104
Dec 20, 2009

WORST PROFESSOR EVER. SO BORING. makes math so much more complicated than it needs to be. confuses himself all the time. doesnt know what he is talking about half the time. doesnt know how to do simple math. gets mad when you ask questions, and then doesnt even answer them correctly. he doesnt use the text book. horrible grader

4.0
3.0
MATH104
Jan 11, 2010

This teacher is very good. He knows the material well and he goes over it a few times so that the students really understand it. He is very nice and if you do not understand math or if it is not your best area, he will help you learn it and understand it. Easy grader, doesnt use the textbook much, gives homework but doesnt check it. He does revi

3.0
2.0
MATH100
Nov 11, 2010

Worse math teacher ever. Makes mistakes on the board all the time. Class is so boring, people fall asleep. Don't buy the book, he never teaches out of it. Avoid this class if you can.

3.0
1.0
MAT102
Nov 17, 2010

Horrible Professor! He spoon feeds you. There's no work in the class. I took a test and couldn't understand a question, so i asked him and he gave me the freaking answer. If you want an easy A, take his class. If you want to benefit and become an overall better student, stay away!

1.0
5.0
MAT102
Jan 10, 2011

unfortunately he was not the easy grader people have bragged about. Recently, been hard to understand and tells you to do a problem one way, but when you do he marks it wrong on exams. not helpful, should think of retiring..he tries to be nice but dont be fooled

4.0
1.0
MAT117
Sep 7, 2011

Take this professor. Everything we did in class was on the test, sometimes the exact problem. Homework is optional, attendence is optional. Everything is crystal clear, he's an easy grader with partial credit, and he goes over it so many times, it's impossible to fail his tests.

5.0
2.0
MAT104
Feb 3, 2012

Amazing professor that will never give up on you and make sure you leave knowing what you need to do well in the future.

5.0
1.0
MATH100
Grade: A+
Nov 26, 2013

Very helpful. teaches at a slow pace, reviews a lot. allows you to attend his other classes to study. Cares if you get it or not. messes up on his own problems sometimes. doesn't allow you to eat in class

3.0
2.0
MAT104
Apr 10, 2014

Teaches really slow but easy to understand and not difficult at all. It is really easy to get a good grade. This professor is really old, but you shouldn't have any problems with him.

2.0
1.0
MAT205
Feb 24, 2015

I am currently a freshmen taking O'Connel's class. Senior year in high school I was in AP Calculus so math comes easy to me. One word to describe this class and professor is "SLOW". He moves like a snail and uses different color chalk to do problems (which may be helpful to some students). However, the material is extremely easy

4.0
2.0
MAT104
Apr 17, 2015

No homework, tests are straight and EXACTLY from the notes. EXACT. Don't really need the textbook. If you take notes and actually study for the tests I promise you will get an A. It is extremely difficult to pay attention in this class, so if you can't learn by studying on your own, this class is not for you. Nice man but boring class.

1.0
3.0
104
May 8, 2015

By far the worst professor I have had in my entire academic career! Stay clear because his class is a waste of time! You will not learn and he will make offensive jokes. I would not recommend taking him because he yells at you when you ask for help and he is never clear. He will not answer your emails and you will always be left in the dark. AVOID!

2.0
3.0
MAT103
Jul 7, 2015

He is a super old guy. Makes so much mistakes while teaching . promises to give everyone A- if you do good on the last two assignments I go a B. Says he will drop the lowest score and then doesn't . Currently in a grade change conflict w him. I would avoid him if you don't want the confusion. And he goes on rants about life and waste time.

3.0
1.0
MAT104
May 4, 2016

Yes, he is old but what he writes on the board is EXACTLY what you will get in the test!! easy class, fair grader. I would recommend him for everyone.

2.0
4.0
MAT104
Grade: Not sure yet
May 9, 2016

O'Connell interrupts class to give irrelevant "life lessons". Doesn't give help when asked. Just gives you formulas but doesn't explain how to find the numbers within the problem. Makes topics seem more difficult than they have to be. Refuses to teach w/ a calculator. Will not let you use an easier method even if you know one. Avoid at all costs.

2.0
5.0
MAT104
Grade: D+
Jun 20, 2016
Wouldn't take again

Boooooring. This class was so boring. All we did was sit and watch the professor write questions and answers on the board in colorful chalk. Don't get me wrong, he is a decent person and he is willing to guide you if you need it. Just not during class. It takes him 20+ mins to set up and take attendance. Spends 30mins talking about his life.

2.0
1.0
MAT104
Nov 8, 2016
Wouldn't take again

His lectures are boring and never make much sense, if you ask questions he will just ramble until you forget your question. doesn't explain the basics very well. DON'T BUY THE TEXTBOOK. However his tests are very fair and are EXACTLY what you do in class. Don't take if you need to understand it, but it's an easy A if you just need to pass.

1.0
5.0
MAT104
Grade: B
Jan 12, 2017
Wouldn't take again

He had no clue what he was doing and his instructions were very unclear. There is an end of course excel project that even the tutoring center didn't understand. People have told me that instead you should take this online and get the credits transferred.

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
1.0
2.0
MAT104
Jan 18, 2017
Wouldn't take again

He only sticks to what the book says, so if you have a question, he cannot answer it. It is like he is deficient in his own teaching matter. He messes up a lot and rarely notices until someone calls him out for it. I DO NOT RECOMMEND.

4.0
2.0
MAT104
Grade: B+
Jan 22, 2017
Would take again

He's a really sweet older gentleman. I'm not good in math and I did really well in his class. Just show up take notes and review them for the test and you'll get good grades. I appreciated his method of using colorful chalk on the board to explain topics. Definitely recommend for anyone not good in math.

Clear grading criteria
2.0
4.0
MAT104
Apr 4, 2017
Wouldn't take again

For someone who doesn't pick math up fast, I would not recommend. He doesn't spend much time explaining problems, he'll refer you to look at the text book for more information. He takes attendance everyday. Everything he does on the board is what is on the exams. Take notes and start a class group chat for exams!!

Skip class? You won't pass.
TEST HEAVY
LECTURE HEAVY
1.0
2.0
MAT104
May 14, 2017
Wouldn't take again

He's very rude to students. Makes mistakes constantly. Cannot provide any extra explanations beyond the textbook. He talks down to students. He misplaced one students test and told her that she didn't give it it. when a student had a complaint about a quiz he said loudly in front of the class that "your just upset because you didn't do well."

1.0
4.0
MAT104
Grade: C
May 26, 2017
Wouldn't take again

I made the mistake of taking this class because I'm usually a great math student and thought I'd be fine despite all reviews I read about him. DON'T MAKE THIS MISTAKE. Loves to go on tangents about an imaginary party in Brooklyn and how the Chainsmokers and Ariana Grande are the greatest artists. He doesn't use email either. Your GPA will DROP!!!

Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

55%

Textbook Required

76%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B

71% confidence
Based on 7 grades
Most common grades:
B+ (2)
A- (1)
A+ (1)
Grade Distribution
A(1)B(1)C(1)D(1)F(0)A-/B+(3)
Based on 8 reported grades
B+: 2
A-: 1
A+: 1
Not sure yet: 1
Common Tags
Skip class? You won't pass. (2)
Tough Grader (1)
GRADED BY FEW THINGS (1)
Clear grading criteria (1)
TEST HEAVY (1)
LECTURE HEAVY (1)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.68 avg change
May
Jun
Nov
Jan
Apr
May
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

MATH127

5.0

(1)

MAT104MAT

5.0

(1)

MAT111

5.0

(1)

STAT

5.0

(1)

MAT

5.0

(1)
+21 more courses
Difficulty by Course

130

5.0

MAT102

3.0

MAT103

3.0

MAT104

2.1

104

2.0

Similar Professors