Awful professor. Admits he tries to trick you on quizzes. Randomly picks two problems on the homework to grade so if you miss those two problems and get the rest correct, congrats you just got a 2/10 for completion. Entire course is 300 points with a 120 point final so goodluck. Avoid this guy if you can.

Worst professor I have ever taken. He flies through lectures, only grades 2 questions on the homework. Quizzes are open note but over 70% of the class gets a C or lower. Cumulative final that is worth 120 points out of the 300 total points for the course. This class is required for all business majors. Find another professor. AVOID professor Zhou.

The quizzes are extremely difficult, the homework is long and nothing like the quizzes. The lectures are boring and he rambles on without explaining. Be prepared to read the book and his slides because you wont understand his lectures. You'll hate this class even more the second time you take it

Stay away from Zhou. Takes his class & job WAY too seriously. It's a PRINCIPLES CLASS FOR CRYING OUT LOUD. Assigns these extremely long homeworks, picks 2 questions to grade. That's right, 2. Quizzes are nothing like the lectures or homeworks. Final exam? Oh yeah, it's worth almost half of ur grade. NIU, what ru doing? U really messed up w/ this 1.

Awful

Very indifferent to student's condition. Grading two questions is arbitrary. He does not want to do this course but do we have to suffer for that?

WORST TEACHER EVER! He does not care about his students (60% of class failing). Quizzes are nothing like what is taught in class. Hard to understand because of accent. Final is worth almost half of your grade (120 out of 300 points). Not a good look for NIU.

Unless you already have a good Finance base do NOT take this professor. He may have the knowledge but he barely gives extra credit and makes grading tough. 40% of your grade is final. He gives 20+ questions for homework but randomly checks 2 of them. Also, attendance counts in your grade.

Lei Zhou tries to ruin lives. I was a finance major and was in love with the program. Finance 320 is supposed to be an INTRODUCTORY PRINCIPLES COURSE! He treats the class like his graduate class. The quizzes are 100 times harder than the homework and nothing like the examples. He sets the class so at least 40% of students fail. Good luck passing.

Funny guy, only good thing to say. Quizzes/tests are actually open note/book, but still so hard that it doesn't help much. Content seemed more appropriate for high level finance classes. His content was beyond the text sometimes. Everyone studied their butts off only to get taken in the Final today. Dropped me from an A to a B, needlessly hard.

DO NOT TAKE HIM! He is the worst teacher I ever had. Final is 40% of the grade and he makes it hard.

Took FINA 320. Was given tons of homework in which only 2 questions were graded. Tests were much harder than lecture, sample problems, & homework. Would just state quiz questions will be more tricky to aid in our learning.

Worst teacher I have ever had at NIU. grades 2/45 homework questions and the final was worth 46% of the class. Doesn't care if students pass the class.

Honestly, Worst teacher I ever had. I hope I never get to take him again.

STAY FAR AWAY!!!!!!!! This man makes it his mission to make sure students fail. This is not an intro level class, rather it is a graduate level class. By far the most difficult course I have ever taken. Professor does not care about the students. You have been warned.

He only grades quizzes which arent cumulative. But the final exam is and its 40% of your grade. There are online lecture slides and homework with solutions, but they arent graded.

zhou's tests and quizzes are so much harder than the lectures

Really bad - This is a fundamentals course and for those who are not majoring in finance, it is a really hard course, especially the way he makes it. Hello, please remember that all your students are not finance majors, so your curving policy goes out of the window when comparing with finance students. Stay away from this professor!

Zhou went to china and we didnt get class for like 3 weeks. his quizzes are hard and the homework takes along time to do. his final is worth like 50 percent of your grade. really crazy. its also hard to understand what he says so bring your headphones to class. good luck

Zhou sucks. I couldn't keep up with his lectures in person and would just listen to the online lectures instead. Only grades are quizzes and the cumulative final thats worth 40% of your grade. Plus 20 attendance points. The examples he gives in class are way easier than what he throws at you on the final. Don't take this class, your GPA will suffer

Easy problems for examples and homework. 10 times harder problems on quizzes and exam. The only exam we had was the final. Worth 40% of your grade. Pretty unreasonable. There's a curve too. So just be smarter than the rest of the class. About 50% of the class got a C or below. Really wish NIU would listen to our concerns but nothing ever changes.

It was really tough to understand to his lectures. Problems on Powerpoints and somewhat homework were easy but on the TEST they were really difficult! Whenever we would ask for him to explain a problem or work on it he said he couldn't because he was going to run out of time and we should go to the GAs for help.

Did well on all my quizzes and bombed my final exam. Possibly one of the hardest final exams Ive taken. Instead of wanting his students to learn. He puts traps in quizzes and final.

Only grades are attendance and exams. The powerpoints only cover 30% of what is expected of you to know for the exams. The only way to learn was to look at his homework solutions and see if you could understand the work. His expectations are way too high and prides himself on failing students. you will see content for the first time on exams.

Easily the worst professor at NIU. He makes an introduction class almost impossible to pass. He prides himself on tricking you on exams (he has bragged about it before). The only grades for this class are attendance (1 point) and exams. He goes through his slides and doesnt take the time to show us how to work out the problems. AVOID AT ALL COST

The final is worth 40% of your grade, the first day of class he went through rate my professor and explained why him being rated so bad is ok and he doesn't need to change anything about how he attempts to teach.

Zhou is the worst. 300 pt class where 20 pts is attendance, 40% of it is the final and the rest 160 is divided into 5 40 point quiz. This class is so hard, and do not know how I passed. He barely explains anything in class, and his exams are so hard. Go in for help with the tutors, study the hw/quizzes, and mock quizzes. Finance dept sucks so much

Zhou has to be the hardest professor I've taken. His quizzes are tricky and hard. I recommend doing the homework and quiz and understanding the work of both to succeed in the class. He gives tons of extra credit points and curves the quizzes (usually 2-3 points) along with the final. Don't take this class lightly and study hard. He is very willing.

This professor doesn't teach the material. He goes over 20% of material needed to pass the class. This class is basically SELF TAUGHT. If you only try to go to class and pass the class, it is nearly impossible without already having a deep understanding of finance. Avoid this professor at all costs. Honestly, I'm surprised he still teaches at NIU.

This is my 3rd time taking the class. The class is so hard and the quizzes don't match with his slides. Good luck. I almost passed this last time I took it but miss it by a few points. Zhou is very hard.

You're reading this because you have heard that this class is hard. You have heard right my friend. Buckle your seatbelt and get ready to straight up not have a good time. The final is worth 40% (Yes 4 0) of your grade. I would consider saying 10 Hail Mary's prior to attempting the final. And hey, if you pass let me know and we'll grab a beer.

Zhou's attempt at teaching so that his course releases a "quality product" of student falls flat and becomes an impractical introductory course at best.

I had to retake his course after the first time. The only way I was able to learn the material was to read the book. His lectures did not provide any good information that would be tested on. I went to him in office hours and never got the help I needed. I would suggest finding someone in the class that has a good understanding before the class.

He disciplined, shamed, and yelled at students for using the bathroom. Never wanted to return to his class or the university after he embarrassed me and others for doing so. He did not want to help when I or my classmates had questions. He was unprofessional and rude. It was a disappointing experience and I hope no one else has to experience this.

What a horrible experience. He was hands down my worst educational experience including middle school and high school. He was very rude and very very unhelpful. I got a lot of help from the other students. And things he complicated unnecessarily were explained much better by them. Avoid him at all costs.

One of my hardest class, the professor test/quiz is so hard that half of the class fails and he does not give curve. Do the practice quiz and study hard and expect test/quiz to be extremely hard and each question make you think.

If you are not a finance or accounting major do not take him, his quizzes are really hard and account for 40% of your grade, he also makes you take his quizzes during a very specific designated time(9:30-10am) which is extremely annoying since they are all lockdown browser anyways.

taking this class for the FALL 2020 semester. Have to retake again this upcoming spring because I did not pass the class. It's ridiculous that he's the only option for FINA 320 at NIU. It poorly reflects their business program. This guy is a TERRIBLE prof. Our ONLY grades this semester were exams. No curve. This prof is a hack. Wish I could rate 0.

Wants you to devote your entire time to his class. He didnt curve any of the quizzes this semester. This class is not good for you mental health as you will be extremely stressed out and have anxiety throughout the whole course. At this point I think NIU doesnt care since they get more more money from students having to retake the course.

The grading structure of this class is ridiculous. Didnt curve any of the quizzes this semester didnt take into consideration we are in the middle of a pandemic and students are already feeling stressed out. Gave out a 3-point curve on the final and that is it. Ended up with a D was only 4 points away from a C. First class I have ever failed.

Took the class online, where the only grades you get are tests you take in lockdown browser with respondus monitor. Normally he gives a curve on the tests (based on the highest scores in the class, so if the highest was a 97 - everyone gets 3 point curve). Unfortunately cheating is rampant and it ruins it for the people who actually don't cheat.

Worst class I have ever taken.

His lectures are pointless to attend because it is just him rambling on and not making any sense. Expects you to understand everything even without him teaching you. Quizzes count for the whole grade and I did not do good on a majority of them, then the final is worth 40% of your grade thankfully I passed.

A 210/300 is required to pass FINA 320 with a C. Complete memorization of every detail is required to barely pass. I nearly failed risking my anticipated graduation date. I lost my 4.0 GPA & had to quit my job amid a pandemic in order to pass this class due to the ridiculous time commitment. Zhou argued over the BOOK facts, so why make me buy it?

I used the tutors almost every day last semester. I put blood, sweat and tears into this class just to come up 2 points short of a C. Professor Zhou makes fun of you when asking for help, and tries demoralize you with every chance he gets. NIU clearly wants you to lose your chances of getting a business degree by putting him in your way.

He teaches from a top his head and relays information that can be contradictory to the textbook. He doesn't even have his answer keys done correctly for his homework all the time. He just berates his students instead of offering help for his tests, which are all that matter to him anyways. He demands that his students devote them selves too.

Zhou is by far the worst professor that I have h his entire class is graded upon 4 quizzes and the final exam. He is useless, I emailed him asking him a question on the HW(nongraded). He simply responded that we had gone over the problem in class. The only way to pass is to memorize the quizzes doing the practice quizzes an absurd amount of times.

Any horror stories you hear about this class are true, be prepared to lose sleep over FINA320. My mental health has been at an all time worse because of this class and their is no other professor that teaches this course. Only way to remotely pass the class is by doing mock quizzes and practice problems religiously even on days you dont have class

Dr. Zhou is a fair professor in that he is clear with what is expected of you. However, this is easily the hardest class I've ever taken. I broke down crying twice while studying for exams. There is absolutely no reason for a 300 level class to be this difficult.

Professor Zhou is a joke. He teaches a introductory level course like a graduate level course. The first day of class he spent 40 minutes explaining why his rating is so bad and that the fail rate for his class over the last 3 years is 35-40%. If you want to pass this get ready to teach yourself. Take it online and your life will be way easier

Lei Zhou is the worst professor I have ever had at NIU. I am so glad the semester is finally over, since this class made me miserable. I understood none of the content he "taught" us. He was also not very remorseful with changing the times for our final. He also knows that majority students fail his class and does not care. DON'T TAKE HIS CLASS!

Professor Zhou is tough, He has homework assigned which is not graded, and has mock quizzes which aren't graded either. They are supposed to help you with the actual quizzes and just a heads up .. the final is worth 40% of your total grade :). Goodluck!

He is lazy. A lazy teacher who couldnt care less about students. I hope the business school does something about this teacher. He would be a joke if it werent so sad. I learnt nothing after struggling all semester long. He contributed to my mental health problems .

I would never take this course again.

One of the worst professors. All bad reviews are true.Don't understand why he is a teacher. He uses a teaching method called 'fear motivation'. Makes everyone feel uncomfortable by indirectly calling his students stupid. Class grade only consists of six exams, which are very hard. Must rely on the mock quizzes,sample quizzes,and homeworks to study.

Good luck. You're gonna need it

one of the most uncaring professors I have ever met. Was not willing to help at all. Will ignore your emails, brag about how many people fail his class, and wont give any leeway with grades. Doesn't care if you fail, will just say "try harder, or do better next time". Extremely disappointing to see a professor not care about their students success

The videos are useless. HW and PQ are the only things that help. He doesn't teach you, teach yourself. Too hard for no reason. More of an Algebra course than FINA. Doesn't prepare you for his tests. If I knew I would have to go through this course to get my major I wouldn't have picked this school. WORST course in my four years of college.

As a human being, Professor Zhou is a good man. However, the inability to understand that his class is far out of the realm of difficulty of a normal class at NIU is quite annoying. If you spend hours a day on this course, you will succeed. However, if you are in a time heavy semester with courses and activities, good luck.

This professor is terrible. Expects you to learn the material all on your own & doesn't explain any of the correct answers. Just read the question during the lecture give you the right answer and move towards. The only thing that is considered grading is the tests which are 5 tests and a final exam. Terrible class for a business marketing student.

Studied hard for all mock quizzes, quizzes, and exams. Did NOT matter. Everything on tests was completely different and questions made you jump thru hoops and read backward basically in order to even understand what they were asking for. Put in hours of study time and watched all lectures and did all homework, and barely passed the class.

doesnt explain.

Extremely confusing, Expects students to watch multi hour "Pre lectures" every week before class, Every point matters. The worst I have experienced so far

His lectures are useless so he forces you to go by having attendance and pop quizzes. You are pretty much expected to learn all the content on your own. not a fun class if you can find another professor please do.

Worst "teacher" I've ever had. You essentially teach yourself. Exams are a million times harder than the homework, lectures, and even mock exams. This class ruined my mental health and sent me into a major depressive episode. Ridiculous that this course is required for every business student, regardless of major. Good luck to every future victim.

I can confidently say that NIU offering Zhou as the only 320 professor is a ploy to make everyone stay at the university longer. I'm shocked no admin chair sees the average grades and think the curriculum of this class is fine with the only points being tests and quizzes. You have to teach yourself a ridiculous amount of content cause he won't.

Very nice lady but omg she is a terrible teacher. Lectures are the most boring thing ever, you have to use McGraw Hill and you only get 3 attempts on each homework which counts for 20% of your grade, and her tests are way harder than they need to be. Once you get start getting into the bank liquidity unit it feels like the class is in Chinese.

He is a very funny guy. But he requires you to watch hour long lectures with questions embedded to test your knowledge but then doesn't put the answers. This has been the only class that your whole grade is only your tests. I feel like other majors (other than finance) in the COB were set up for failure. overall you have to teach yourself

honestly just study hard and if you dont you arent passing the class

He is just a bad professor, nice person though. The only thing that motivated me to study hard was that I did not want to have to take him again for a whole semester.

All class grade is quizzes / final. He uses the same material every semester - (You would think since he doesn't have to grade anything or make new assignments he would spend more time teaching his students rather than playing kahoot every class. ) Nice guy just seems like this class is a joke to him / as well as to the rest of COB faculty

Lei Zhou should not be the only FINA320 professor available at NIU. His teaching style is completely lacking. You watch a video, teach yourself the content, and then come to class and do three practice questions, a pop quiz, and a Kahoot! The homework takes about 10 hours, and doesn't even count for a grade but you'll fail if you don't do it.

You can do all 10 mock quizzes each module, do each homework problem, ask questions in class, and STILL fail. This professor's teaching method is a joke. He brags on the first day about how half the class fails each semester - even shows the actual stats. The "curve" he put on each quiz was an additional 2 points max this semester. Good luck :/

Only way to pass is DOING THE MOCK QUIZZES (all 10) and getting all the points from pop quizzes, extra credit not worth it.

Sounds like an episode of South Park.