2.3

Jim Adams

Mathematics - Saginaw Valley State University

2.3
Quality
3.4
Difficulty
20%
Would Retake
100
Reviews
2.3
Quality
3.4
Difficulty
2.5
Helpful
2.2
Clarity

20%

Would Retake

100

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

9

4

19

3

15

2

27

1

30

What Students Say

He seems to know the material but cannot teach it

MATH140 - 1.0 rating

He is all over the places with lectures

MATH081 - 2.0 rating
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

0%

Textbook Required

83%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B

65% confidence
Based on 5 grades
Most common grades:
A (2)
Drop/Withdrawal (2)
B+ (1)
Grade Distribution
A(2)B(1)C(0)D(2)F(1)A-/B+(1)
Based on 8 reported grades
A: 2
Drop/Withdrawal: 2
B+: 1
B: 1
Common Tags
GRADED BY FEW THINGS (3)
Skip class? You won't pass. (2)
TEST HEAVY (1)
Tough Grader (1)
Tests are tough (1)
EXTRA CREDIT (1)
Clear grading criteria (1)
Lecture heavy (1)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.37 avg change
Oct
Nov
Apr
Dec
Dec
Apr
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

ALEGBRA103

5.0

(1)

MATH132B

5.0

(1)

MTH120

4.5

(2)

MATH104

4.0

(1)

MATH121

4.0

(2)
+22 more courses
Difficulty by Course

103

5.0

INTERALGE

5.0

MTH120A

5.0

PHYS107A

5.0

MTH

5.0

Reviews (100)
5.0
1.0
MATH103
Sep 5, 2002

Very nice and is always willing to help!

4.0
2.0
MATH104
Sep 13, 2002

No Comments

2.0
4.0
MATH103
Sep 13, 2002

No Comments

1.0
4.0
MATH120A
Sep 17, 2002

No Comments

3.0
3.0
MATH120
Oct 14, 2002

No Comments

1.0
5.0
103
Nov 4, 2002

suckiest teacher I have ever had

4.0
4.0
MTH120
Nov 9, 2002

okay...only difficult if your not a math person

1.0
5.0
MATH103
Nov 12, 2002

Doesn't teach material. Goes at the pace of Superman. Terrible Prof.

3.0
2.0
MATH103
Nov 12, 2002

Seems to care more about getting done w/ material,not if you understand it

4.0
4.0
MATH120A
Jan 9, 2003

does everything very fast, but he gives lots of extra credit

1.0
4.0
MATH120A
Feb 5, 2003

Way too fast. I am a math person and still too fast. Needs to teach the material

4.0
3.0
MATH103
Mar 12, 2003

He went fast but was very helpful if you actually took the time to ask him a question.

4.0
1.0
MATH120A
Mar 12, 2003

He's a good teacher. Quite easy and gives lots of extra credit. Curves lotsa tests. haha, he gets chalk everywhere!

5.0
3.0
MATH120A
Apr 6, 2003

Not foreign+++++, will answer your questions during or outside of class

5.0
3.0
MATH120A
Apr 7, 2003

Very nice guy, goes a little too fast in explaining things..doesn't really give you a chance to write notes down. But all in all, he's a good professor.

2.0
4.0
120A
Apr 9, 2003

VERY odd man, moves very fast, gives tons of extra credit on tests, but are still tough. i got way over 100%, but i'm good at math, and a majority of the class got D's.hes good at making simple things confusing.

2.0
4.0
MATH120A
Apr 17, 2003

No Comments

4.0
1.0
MATH120A
Apr 24, 2003

I think that with the extra credit that is offered in this class everyone should do good!! It is impossible to fail this class...I feel that if you do the homework, you can use the notes on the exam, and go to class you will do fine!!

2.0
5.0
MATH082
Apr 29, 2003

Very unclear....moves way to fast. Hardly curves test at all ecspecially when the class average is a 42%. I would not recommend taking him for math unlessyou are really good at math. Good Luck!

1.0
4.0
MATH120A
May 2, 2003

I found him to go way too fast. Not only that, I was unimpressed with the fact that he didn't take time to know the students. SVSU is known for its small and personal classrooms and teaching styles. I look forward to taking the class with a better prof!

1.0
5.0
INTERALGE
Jun 14, 2003

Yuck!!He is awful!! He explains too fast and expects everyone to get it. He quickly writes up the problems and then says"Got That?" and then he continues on. AVOID HIM!!!

3.0
4.0
MATH121
Aug 28, 2003

Goes through the material too quick, and seems to care more about getting through what he planned on doing rather than if the students understand the material or not. I don't recommend him

4.0
2.0
MATH103
Nov 7, 2003

show him that u want to do well in the class (pay attention and take good notes)- stay after class for any questions- he likes that. overall pretty good.

1.0
5.0
MTH120A
Nov 10, 2003

i hate him! i hate him! i hate him!!!! the extra credit and take homes are impossible. he just expects everyone to understand instantly. if you struggle at all with math, STAY AWAY!

5.0
3.0
ALEGBRA103
Nov 13, 2003

He moves a liol fast but he loves to teach and is moe then willing to help u out after class if u ask. u have to study hard n have some idea on the mterial before attending class. stay awake n get there on time, he likes that.semieasy quizes every tues

2.0
4.0
MATH120A
Nov 17, 2003

he moves very fast and it is difficult to follow what he is trying to teach....if you are not great at math i would recomend finding a different professor

4.0
3.0
MATH120A
Nov 18, 2003

Mr. Adams is an average professor. He definitely helps you if you ask him and most of the time he leaves the last half hour of class for questions. He also grades very leniently and boosts most test grades. The homework assignments are a bit hard.

1.0
5.0
MATH120A
Nov 19, 2003

If you are planning on taking this joke of a professor, either find a different one or run to the nearest bridge and jump off of it. Take home assignments are impossible and even the math center people don't know how to do half the crap he comes up with!

1.0
5.0
MATH103
Dec 9, 2003

this is the worst professor i have ever had he blazes through the material and then expects people to get it even after explaining it wrong!he expects everyone to be a math wiz dork like he is! stay away!!!!!

2.0
3.0
MATH103
Dec 14, 2003

AHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! The board learned more than the class!! I could see my life sliping away from me during this class. I hated this class!!!!!!!!!

5.0
3.0
MTH125
Mar 14, 2004

If you actually apply yourself he is just fine. Those that do not want to try will fail. If you ask questions he will answer, but it is apparent when you don't listen and are chatting for 30 minutes then ask questions that he is annoyed.

5.0
1.0
MATH121
Mar 24, 2004

Adams is a good teacher. The only people who think he's hard are the ones who talk all through class. I did FINE in his class... and if you pay attention, you will do fine too.

4.0
1.0
MATH103
Apr 8, 2004

He is a very easy teacher whether you go to the class or not. He gives review sheets of what is on the tests, and they are very direct. He does his math work a little different, but it is really easy to follow.

1.0
5.0
MATH125
Apr 13, 2004

He is horrible

4.0
1.0
PHYS107
Apr 13, 2004

Easy class, easy to understand. Taught like a math class, so easier for those who liked math.

4.0
2.0
PHYSIC107
Apr 16, 2004

I was a bit nervous about taking the class but I quickly found the content and instruction to be "not so bad". He runs the Physics class much like a math course and you can tell he is pretty smart at math. He has a little different strategy so

4.0
2.0
PHYS107
Apr 22, 2004

The class is super easy if you like Math... and even if you hate Math I'd say you'll do well. Just pay attention, ask questions, and do the homework. The labs weren't too bad except for the pre-lab work (yikes).

4.0
3.0
PHYS107
Apr 30, 2004

He's hard to understand, and even harder to keep up with. But, if you need his help he's there. He helped me whenever I needed it and was genuinely excied about doing so. Give him a go!

1.0
5.0
PHYS107A
Grade: A
Aug 30, 2004

He is not a good teacher at all. He goes too fast and expects the students to understand, but just confuses them even more. The only good thing is that he lets you use some notes on the test.

4.0
3.0
MATH140
Sep 14, 2004

He knows the material well just doesn't present it well. Lets students use notes on tests but he adds stuff he told you wasn't going to be on the tests. Don't take in spring or summer. VERY HARD!!!

2.0
4.0
MTH125
Oct 20, 2004

Students must catch his simple arthimetic errors. Very unhelpful, very unapproachable and very unclear with examples. He makes simple questions very complex and belittles students when questions are asked. Does not give any partial credit. Don't take this professor if at all possible.

2.0
5.0
MATH120A
Nov 6, 2004

I am not the best at math but I have made all A's through my 4 years of college. I am not finished with his class but I currently have barely a C. His homework is nothing like the tests and he doesn't even really teach in his class. Avoid taking him if you don't know Algebra really well.

2.0
5.0
MATH125
Nov 8, 2004

He is an absolutely horrible professor when it comes to math. He makes the easiest problems so complex and I would be fooled if he could get a B in the class. I am usually really good at math so for maintaining a B in the class is not all that bad but I would really recommend not taking him.

1.0
5.0
MTH
Nov 9, 2004

he is the worst teacher i have ever had in all of my college experience. he really makes you hate math and he makes your math anxiety even worse when you ask a question. i had to drop the class and retake it with sharon (adjunct)

1.0
4.0
082
Nov 15, 2004

the wrost teacher i have never had. He dose not know how to teach what he knows. He has hard time explaining and goes against the book alot. I would never tell any one to take him...in fact stay way from his classes. If you want to understand math take some one else.

4.0
3.0
MATH103
Nov 18, 2004

I would say that over all his class is not that difficult. You dont ever have to do the homework. However as easy as his class will seem while you are there, it is very difficult to do well on the tests. He really knows math, but he has a hard time teaching it so you understand.

1.0
3.0
082
Nov 22, 2004

pry the worst math class i have ever taken...i would recommend staying AWAY from this prof!!!

5.0
3.0
MTH120
Nov 23, 2004

Just pay attention to him and ask questions if you don't understand. He is more than willing to take the time with you if needed. NO, you can not sit in class talking and doodling if you would like to pass. I ended with an A- and I tried to pass, didn't expect it to be easy. He is worth taking.

2.0
4.0
MATH120
Grade: B+
Dec 11, 2004

I had him for Math 120, he's not really a hard professor he just can't teach. He does let you use notes on his tests but sometimes you're notes are really confusing. There are a lot of times where he'll mess a sample problem totally and then go back and re do it... bring an eraser!!!!!

3.0
3.0
MATH120A
Dec 14, 2004

This prof is really intelligent, but he can't explain his genius. He knows SOOO much, but he can't get it down to an 'average person's' level....Unless you can figure it out on your own, and you can figure out extremely complex problems, I wouldn't reccommend him.

4.0
2.0
082
Jan 6, 2005

he is not that bad of a teacher...people say he is the worst but if you just pay attention to him you'll do good. i always sucked at math, and i ended up with an A in the class. if you have time for him, he has time for you.

1.0
5.0
MATH103
Feb 8, 2005

This teacher has some serious issues with his personal life. He was crabby because of his kids and took his frustration out on the students.

2.0
5.0
MATH120A
Apr 12, 2005

Class is hard & I am good in math. Last semester @ Delta I had 119 & got an A in the class as of right now I have a low C & I am worried about passing. We are graded on tests, I got C's on all. The final is comprehensive & I don't remember anything from the beginning of the course.

1.0
4.0
PHYS107
Jul 26, 2005

Seriously, this man is some sort of a moron. I dare you to try to understand him about anything.

2.0
4.0
MATH103
Sep 1, 2005

No Comments

3.0
1.0
MATH103
Sep 4, 2005

he's an ok teacher not to bad....I just understand math

3.0
2.0
082
Sep 16, 2005

hes a nice guy just pay attentio nand you should have no porblems

2.0
4.0
MATH125
Oct 22, 2005

This guy appears to be a genius, but just can't teach. He doesn't know how to bring it down to an average person's understanding. Unless your a genius in math yourself, I recommend not taking him. Not very good at answering questions either.

2.0
1.0
082
Nov 7, 2005

He is a very clumsy man. You will definately get a good laugh from the class, even though it is making fun of him. The class is easy, but he isnt all that good at explaining things.

4.0
1.0
MATH082
Nov 15, 2005

He's a nice guy despite the fact that he stumbles a bit. I mean, if you can't get math, then you're dumb.

2.0
3.0
MATH125
Grade: B
Nov 16, 2005

He is so unorganized in his teaching. You are better off skipping class and teaching yourself. The class itself is not that hard but the way he teaches it just confusses you. Avoid his classes.

2.0
4.0
MATH125
Dec 1, 2005

The class is really not confusing, but the teaching methods for this particular course is the complete opposite to remarkable. Confused and neglective are two aords that come to mind when describing this professor.

2.0
3.0
MATH103
Dec 7, 2005

He's a nice guy, but tends to complicate things more when he's teaching. I was lucky I had already known most of the stuff in the class. Eight tests and 20 quizzes is what we're graded on.

3.0
3.0
MATH125
Mar 14, 2006

I had to drop this class because it didn't have anything to do with Math 082. He's a nice guy who'll help you after class, but is very hard to follow in the classroom. Likes to say "I'm such an idiot!" and "Watch me so I dont do anything stupid."

1.0
3.0
MATH082
Apr 11, 2006

not ennny help with work

3.0
3.0
MATH125
May 9, 2006

Nice guy, not as nice of a teacher. Adams has a hard time explaining the material, which in turn confuses EVERYONE in the class. If you're good at math, you'll be fine. If not, PLEASE take this class with someone else.

1.0
4.0
MATH103
Nov 30, 2006

By some insane miracle of God this man became a professor. I'm pretty sure that I could teach this class better than he could. He's confusing, awkward, not helpful when questions are asked, he explains easy stuff for an hour and goes over the hardest stuff in 3 seconds. DO NOT TAKE HIS CLASS!!!

1.0
5.0
MATH120A
Dec 6, 2006

yeah, this guy is pretty awful. He spends time on the stupidest things and then says that it is a problem we will never see on the tests. He doesn't explain things well at all, and makes the easiest things difficult to understand. The math center people can't even figure out his quizzes.

3.0
1.0
MATH125
Apr 18, 2007

He is a friendly guy, but not the greatest at explaining things. His class goes by so slow and he reviews simple things for long periods of time. But he does try to help us with anything we have trouble with if we ask.

1.0
5.0
MATH125
Apr 21, 2007

He seemed like a nice guy, so I feel bad saying this...but he really is a terrible teacher. Things I already understood, he tried to explain and then I found it confusing. He makes everything complicated. He also gets sidetracked by silly details. I honestly do not understand how he is still teaching.

1.0
3.0
MATH125
Jun 10, 2007

Completely boring... And he makes simple errors that a math prof shouldn't make... I found myself corrcting his math alot.. but it was a pretty easy class as long as you can stand the boredom

1.0
1.0
MATH125
Nov 15, 2007

He just doesn't make anything clear.

3.0
3.0
MATH120A
Nov 19, 2007

Your grade is based on quizzes and 3 tests. He concentrates a lot on formulas and you get marked down on the tests for mistakes, even if your answer is right. Pay attention to everything, and don't skip class because you will miss something important. This hurts you when he grades. Most test problems include more than one thing you learned.

1.0
5.0
MATH120A
Dec 7, 2007

This is the worst professor EVER! I hated going to class. He was impossible to follow and made the simplest things confusing if you want to fail out of college please take him! If not don't. Why in the world doesn't SVSU fire him!

2.0
4.0
MATH120
Dec 26, 2007

I had him for my first math class at SV. Would not recommend for first class. FAST PACED, tons of notes, hard tests, and not helpful! I don't think he likes his job. He shows very little expression/enthusiasm. HW and test questions can seem impossible. Best of luck if you end up with him!

2.0
2.0
MATH120A
Jan 11, 2008

Not as bad as everyone says. He can be confusing but very easy grading scale. I got over 100 percent in the class

3.0
4.0
MATHMATH
Apr 12, 2008

Alright... prof adams... well he is a very nice guy. Quiz every other class (helps keep the grade up) like every 103 class... its hard. at least for me, this is my second time taking it. I found myself using my old notes to help me study. His examples are long and dont seem to cover all the material. Can be confusing if you dont like math at all.

3.0
3.0
MATH125
May 10, 2008

Nice guy. Easy to pass his class. Gives a lot of take home quizzes. Very boring lectures. Doesn't have an attendance policy.

3.0
4.0
MATH103
May 30, 2008

Complete slob. All over the place with discussion. Big complainer about the math dept, which is on probation by the state, and to the authors of the textbook. Comes to class mad about something from the night before and takes it out on his students with a bad attitude. Still I passed the class with an A-, but the man just isn't that nice.

2.0
4.0
MTH103
Jun 17, 2008

This guy is all over the place with his lectures. Half way through the class period he ends up going back to a past example problem saying he forgot to teach us another step to teh problem. Very confusing and not helpful. I agree that he is always angry when he gets to class!

1.0
5.0
MATH125
Nov 18, 2008

UGH this guy is SO confusing. He walks into class and starts writing on the board without even explaining what he's doing. His note are extremely confusing. Do not take him or his class if you aren't a math person..he will make you hate math even more.

2.0
5.0
MATH120A
Dec 15, 2008

Adams was the worst professor I have ever had. I busted my butt in this class and to get the grade I got seems almost unfair. His attiude and character are terrible and its almost like he doesnt want to be there in the first place. Please everyone, avoid this guy. He ruined my first semester at college, and I'd hate for him to do the same to you

2.0
2.0
MATH125
Jan 8, 2009

very dull class. went very slow. prof did not help make it interesting. often over explained to the point of annoying

2.0
5.0
MATH103
May 12, 2009

Nice guy. However that is the best I thing I can say about him. Expects students to know everything he flies through or does not cover when he makes mistakes almost every day. He told me that "My priority is to get through the material so I can't focus on the details". Only at SVSU, probation for years and nothing changes!!

2.0
3.0
MATH081
Oct 11, 2009

He is all over the places with lectures. he speaks to the whiteboard and doesn't engage in the lecture with his students. everyone falls asleep in his class and he doesn't even look at the students when he's talking.

1.0
4.0
MATH081
Nov 18, 2009

this guy is a joke. he looks like he just rolled out of bed. the first day he came in with a cast on his arm sweatpant shorts and a huge bandaid on his leg. hard to stay focused in class and does not help at all. never explains what he is going to do, just starts writing. he makes me hate math more then i already do. do not take.

3.0
2.0
MATH135
Feb 2, 2010

I am currently taking Adams for the second semester. I barely had to work at it and never paid attention but still got an A. As long as you do all the quizzes and homework, even though it isnt mandatory you will do well.

4.0
1.0
MATH120A
Aug 14, 2010

He is rough around the edges but if you are decent at math he shouldn't be a problem. I took my first math class with him at SV and recieved a 99 percent. You just have to show up and listen. If you ask questions he will answer them, just don't be shy about it. He talks a lot and pretty fast but ask him to reword something if you can. Easy Teacher.

2.0
3.0
MTH132
Oct 11, 2010

so confusing, explains too much

2.0
4.0
MATH120B
Dec 17, 2010

Test were very hard. I did the homework in the book,but still did bad on his exams. there are 11 quizzes, he drops the lowest score. There are 3 tests worth 100 points each. Then the final exam was 150 points. Avoid this Teacher

4.0
2.0
MATH125
Sep 15, 2011

if you show up and ask questions he definitely helps you. i think he is one of the best math educators i've ever had. a little effort goes a long way in his classes.

3.0
3.0
MATH120A
Nov 1, 2012

Not the best lecture-giver. Competent at the course, though, and helpful if you ask questions.

1.0
5.0
MATH120
Dec 9, 2013

Very hard to understand to unorganized.

5.0
2.0
MATH125
Grade: A
Jan 4, 2015

Professor Adams is said to be a terrible teacher but everyone who is saying that obviously did not want to put the work in for the course. Like every math course you have to do the work and put in some effort. He is willing to help and is by far one of the best math professors at SVSU. I would definitely sign up for another one of his classes!

1.0
5.0
MATH140
Grade: Drop/Withdrawal
Oct 22, 2015

Worst professor ever. He seems to know the material but cannot teach it. I needed this class for credit but I had to drop it after the first test when I had a 41%- the class average was 48% He said he wouldn't curve it because it was our fault for not learning the material. He is very unprofessional as well with his clothing and attitude.

1.0
5.0
MATH120A
Grade: Drop/Withdrawal
Nov 15, 2016
Wouldn't take again

He is a very smart guy but is absolutely horrible at teaching. The only way I would recommend him is if you are good at teaching yourself. he does not thoroughly explain the material and skips steps. half of our class dropped out.

Skip class? You won't pass.
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
1.0
5.0
120A
Apr 18, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Awful. The worst professor that I have ever had. Doesn't teach and just expects you to learn the material. Makes frequent mistakes in examples. Gives no feedback on exams. The entire course was based on four exams. I wouldn't recommend Jim Adams to my worst enemy.

TEST HEAVY
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
1.0
5.0
MATH120A
Grade: F
Dec 11, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Jim Adams is absolutely the WORST professor at SVSU. In my class, out of 23 people only 2 were passing. He refused to curve grades because its our fault for not learning the material presented. He stands in front of the board while lecturing so you cannot take notes and then he hurries and erases it so there is no point in going to lecture.

Tough Grader
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
Tests are tough
5.0
3.0
MATH132B
Dec 5, 2019
Would take again

Study guides are just like test, I recommend reading the chapter before his lectures. The only reason I can see people doing bad is if they dont try to learn. If you have any questions on quizzes or homework he will answer them in his office hours. The class averages for our test were always above 80.

Skip class? You won't pass.
EXTRA CREDIT
Clear grading criteria
2.0
3.0
MATH125
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 19, 2022

I can't really say much about him because he disappeared after the first day of class. Never came back and had a sub prof for the rest of the semester. Other than that, the first day of class was very confusing and he was very unorganized.

Lecture heavy
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

0%

Textbook Required

83%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B

65% confidence
Based on 5 grades
Most common grades:
A (2)
Drop/Withdrawal (2)
B+ (1)
Grade Distribution
A(2)B(1)C(0)D(2)F(1)A-/B+(1)
Based on 8 reported grades
A: 2
Drop/Withdrawal: 2
B+: 1
B: 1
Common Tags
GRADED BY FEW THINGS (3)
Skip class? You won't pass. (2)
TEST HEAVY (1)
Tough Grader (1)
Tests are tough (1)
EXTRA CREDIT (1)
Clear grading criteria (1)
Lecture heavy (1)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.37 avg change
Oct
Nov
Apr
Dec
Dec
Apr
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

ALEGBRA103

5.0

(1)

MATH132B

5.0

(1)

MTH120

4.5

(2)

MATH104

4.0

(1)

MATH121

4.0

(2)
+22 more courses
Difficulty by Course

103

5.0

INTERALGE

5.0

MTH120A

5.0

PHYS107A

5.0

MTH

5.0

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