3.5
Quality3.8
Difficulty51%
Would Retake174
Reviews51%
Would Retake
174
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
67
4
39
3
20
2
29
1
19
What Students Say
“I definitely agree with the fact that he is an excellent teacher and is super passionate about math in general”
MATH7A - 3.0 rating“Definitely do not recommend”
MATH7B - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
36%
Textbook Required
71%
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Predicted Grade
B+
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5.0
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5.0
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5.0
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5.0
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Reviews (174)
New teacher. Tough class. Not easy to follow the examples he provided on board.
math is just plain hard! u would survive his class if u try...fair grader, grades depend on the class and not by percent. lectures are long and he speaks pretty fast and writes pretty small, so u have to pay close attention!
i would recommend him even though i'm not getting the best grade. Very easy going teacher and my first class where there is no roll call!
He is a easy going guy who exhibit a passion for math. HOWEVER, he lecture about WHATEVER is on his mind and have abosolutly NO EFFECTIVE teaching method. He answers any question you have and will get to the buttom of it. However it's not very helpful.
He's laid back But He knows his stuff. TEACHES THEORY of Math. His teaching method matches my thinking method. I believe that your success in his class is dependent upon you. Practice problems, follow his lecture you'll do fine
It's really a hard time to read his handwritting on the board,he cannot speak clearly. Otherwise the tests are pretty fair for me.
he is very easy going guy but when u see his test, i bet it make u sick. his tests are very hard. he is fair grader alrite..
Not the best teacher. Take someone else besides him.
what a worthless class; wastes all his time doing Proofs and talking about TOPOLOGY. what's the point. tests are semi fair, he curves, but you will NOT KNOW YOUR GRADE IN THE CLASS until you get your transcripts. find another teacher!!
Very Hard!!!!This guy is very good at Math ,but You can't understand him.
Wonderful teacher. Really, really knows his stuff.Wants students to learn, will go over material over and over and over if you don't understand. He is really nice and he really cares. Take him and learn.
Kinda slow n boring lecture, but he really knows the material..and nice tests also
Teacher during the day, biker at night.
It's nice guy,but the test too hard.
whoever gave him 5s r lying n just want to screw u over, making u take the class n dropping it like myself. his tests r extremely hard, no one gets enough time to finish properly n the way he explains things are too deep, abstract n complicated. DONT TAKE
What a terrible teacher, I dropped his class after a few days taking it. Why? because he has no sylabus, came to class unprepared, unorganized... he's smart, I'm sure, but he does not have teaching technique, everything is very abstract... do not take
very clear,fair grading system
he is a very good and dedicated teacher overall, you have to respect that somehow, he is so patient on working probs with students and being very helpful and clear on explaining things, I would recommend him for students who really want to learn!!!!
I signed up for trig and instead got his boring interpretation of math philosophy. I got a B in his class and barely remember anything. Overwhelms you with useless info. Tests are unreal,uses his own wierd curving and it barely helps.What's a unit circle&
Math material not too hard, but tests tricky - be prepared for anything and make sure to study lecture notes. Grading is fair and he's willing to help you with whatever needed. Nice guy & good mathmetician, but lectures slightly boring.
I've never ever dropped a class in PCC, except for his, why? because he is insane! Talks about theories and laws and even scientific stuff that doesnt even apply to math! he's too smart, that hes wierd and hard, oh and he smokes and rides a motorcycle and comes in with old boots and clothes.
Good teacher, but also challenging. Emphasizes geometry and is more abstract than you are used to from 5A/B; if you plan to go on in math, this will be useful later. Grades based mostly on tests; generally assigns all odds in the book but doesn't care as much about homework as exam scores.
do all the work get a B study another 20Hr get an A
he is damn smart. however, you know, they are math 5c and 10, so if you think you are lazy or dull, forget about his classes. oh, by the way, he does curve the class and grades people very fairly.
He is very boring. I slept through most of his classes, but still passed because of his grade curving system. If you study hard, you can pass this class without paying attention in class. By the way, all you idiots need to learn how to spell and write at least somewhat complete sentences. Don't just go on a rant.
So today I walked in to take my trig final. Chaffee says this final is pretty easy! LIKE HELL! 50% of the people in that class failed the final. He's a good teacher and I know the stuff. But his test are so hard. The highest grade I ever got on one of his tests was a freakin C! But he curves in some esoteric way that no one understand!
prof. Chaffee You are so sexy. you never get better lecture than his from any teacher for that class fee. he is only recommanded those who really wants to learn. Stupid grade thiefs dont take his class. you will be wasting his time.
he's very smart and you'll learn a lot from him and he's one of those math teachers that really explains derivations and doesn't just give the formula, if u wanna learn math take him
Chaffee is an EXCELLENT math teacher. He takes difficult concepts and builds up to them in the lecture so that you understand each step. He answers all homework questions on the board (and in office hrs.) and reviews the last lecture at the beginning of class. Tests are hard, but curved generously. Do all the HW & study his proofs to get an A or B.
He's a cool teacher, who can be easy to talk to.
He is a pretty boring teacher because he takes forever to go over one lesson but he does eventually get his points out there. You have to turn in your homework every monday. However, he does not take role so I guess that's one good thing about him. His test are hard, no calculators for sure so be prepared for it.
he seems that he does not really care how a student is doing in the class, theirs no extra nothing, homework is do,but it doesn't even cont as points, the only think is the hard test that cont,take some one else if ur not a math major,
this classs is hard!!. Ur gotta work ur ass off so if u are working and going to school stay away. The grade is base on how the class scores. SO put it this way.. the people who score bad on the first testes will drop and the smart ppl are left and bringing up the class average. IF u want a B or better good luck may god be with u....
Like some people have said, this teacher really does know his stuff but it takes him the whole class meeting to get through one formula explaining WHY it works instead of HOW. Seriously. Sometimes hard to understand because he mumbles a lot and is quite monotone. Has handwritten exams and not sure if homework even counts.
this clas average grade is B,so u put your effert to take this class , at least u can pass it.
No Comments
Wow. by far the worst teacher i've had in my life. Do not take this class even if your life depends on it. Unless you can teach yourself, do not take this class. 1/2 of the class time is spent on proving formulas, which other teachers don't require you to do. Bad idea to take him if math is not your thing
he is really hard, he using almost half class time to prove a stupid fomula..and on the test he always let us to prove formula thats already on the book..so stupid..dont take his class...
Lyman is not a great teacher as other math instructors at Pasadena City College. He isn't too helpful when it comes to homework. His tests are handwritten which shows poor professionalism. During lectures, he literally spends half the time on proofs and definitions instead of step-by-step assistance. I do NOT recomment this instructor.
It may be because I knew the majority of the material, but I really enjoyed his class a lot. Not because of what he taught, but his dry sense of humor. I wouldn't recommend it to people who don't want to do a lot of work though. He's really nice though, and does homework problems on the board.
he is really good teacher, very helpful and not very hard!
i failed this guy's class. his tests are pretty lengthy and unprofessional. honestly i thought he was tough, take someone else.
This guy is a geek, but he takes mathemathics to a whole new level. I actually like how he wants us to know how to prove and define math concepts. It's not dead and boring just like memorizing the formulas because he emphasizes understanding. I personally like him really well. Take him if you really want to learn or if you're a geek yourself.
Forget about him if you wanna get good grade. Specifically, Lyman with low grade!!!
He is a very good professor, knowing maths concept extremely well. Test is a little hard.
personally, i just started this class like 3 days ago, however i can make a safe assumption that he is a good teacher. he's so energetic, witty, and goes in depth with the material. teaches the history behind it, so you grasp a better understanding of the material given. plus, he's so nerdy...i love it!
No Comments
a perfect teacher for maths..right man for the right job..specialisation..yeah thats what m talkin abt... i think i dont knw abt the test been tough or easy...but i got an A...m very proud of my grade..plp u better recognise i got an A..dumbos....
Awesome class no matter how difficult. Not a class for easy grades. Prof. Chaffee breaks down conventional math into an exercise of logic and critical thinking, beyond standard rules given in math. Expect to be challenged into thinking about math in a different way. He's always willing to work with you to help with understanding. Tough tests.
His class was tough at first but as time goes by his exam was getting easier than first.
Dude, of course the last tests were easier. most of the class was failing! but then the final really crashed everyth. i didn't have problems in calculus b4 and i do very well in my other classes, but this class will ruin my GPA. i won't say if you want a easy A, instead, I'll say if you want a B (or even a C), u sure will have to study REAL HARD
THIS TEACHER WAS A HORRIBLE TEACHER! I GOT A 'D' and i went to class even though half the class dropped out bc of him. he doesnt care about math he cares about WHY its math.. 'Y EVERYTHING' and doesnt make any sense at all. hes so boring WITH A MONOTONE VOICE!! boring class. I STARTED NOT GOING AFTER A WHILE bc u dnt have to go
He cares mainly why things work in mathematics. He gives good examples but has a monotone voice so it gets boring after a while. The tests are somewhat easy if you know what you're doing and know certain definitions
He is very unprofessional in almost every way. The syllabus has no course objectives, no information about exams, grading standards, or topics to be covered. He does not grade homework or give feedback of any kind. Very horrible if you are not good at math and need someone to help you develop. He also gives random takehome exams without warning
First of all, he didn't even finish the book. His tests are tough... You really have to know the stuffs, plus more... He always surprise you on his tests. He curves the class, though you don't even know where you are standing b4 you take the final exam. A smart guy, but not a good teacher.
This teachers so boring and his tests are really hard.Take lots of notes and sit up front to understand everything he says.
People are making him out to be worse than he is. He explains what u need to know very clearly & obviously has extensive knowledge about what he's teaching & a passion for it. He expects a lot from his students so always be prepared. If u really want an A, you'll have to work for it, but it's attainable. Dont be lazy, pay attention & you'll be fine
great teacher if your not good in math he explains everything really clearly and in detail can be a little boring if you already understand the material his class is a lot easier if you do at least most of the homework
Worst teacher. Test r hard, don't know what 2 expect on them, Talks a lot but it's hard 2 understand him. Curves grades, that's the only good thing and that's how I pass the class because I honestly didn't learn anything. Worst teacher, stay away from him if you want 2 learn. If u just want to pass the class take him, but he is boring as hell.
Gives pretty hard tests. Very relaxed about homework, just says to do as much as you need to do, so most of grade is based on tests. Gives good clear lectures, but can get boring.
possibly one of the worst professors I've had at PCC, and I've taken quite a bit of classes here. His class is not hard, he is just not good at teaching you how to do the problems. I visited him during his office hours and he seemed impatient with my questions.
i liked his class. it was hard and i go a c on the first test, but only because i didn't do the homework. i've taken other teachers at pcc and, trust me, compared to other teachers this guy is way more qualified to teach this. he's funny too.
funny guy, enjoyed his class.
Just to get it out of the way, no, he's not an easy prof. BUT, his lectures are very good. Pay attention, and he will help you truly understand math. He is passionate about it and he knows his material. His exam grading is worrisome, but he's actually very lenient at the end. Also, depending on the class, homework might not be required, score!
very funny yet boring. his voice is so annoying. his lectures are so clear but not memorable so you do not learn anything. tests are so hard im good at math and getting low C's. doesnt tell u what ur grade is in the class. gotta wait til its posted online. doesnt take role. again..very boring!! enjoy the headache u get from his voice
This guy is AWESOME!if u have a sense of humor he is HILARIOUS!His test r hard BUT u can correct ur mistakes and get credit for it!He knows what hes talking about when teaching! YOU WILL LEARN! I got a B and now Math 131 is easy peazzzzy! thanks Lyman! Before this class i hated math! i still do but now its soo much easier!!
LOVE HIM! Quirky and very insightful about mathematics and its origins. Intimidating at first, but a really fun and down-to-earth guy. Changed my whole outlook on math and I learned a lot about how and WHY math works. Would definately take another math course with this professor!
waste your time and money.
Talks way too much. hushes you when you talk. doesnt take role. boring. hard to pay attention.
Lazy, Slow, likes things his way. On the test he'll ask you about terms that he makes up. I think he is better off teaching higher level math rather than an easy one because an easy one he makes it super hard.
He can be very funny when he's in the mood but the issue goes beyond his personality. He does explain things clearly but the tests are just out of this world hard. Besides, he's in a bad mood 70% of the time and that really will take the enthusiasm of this class to people who are not good at math. Try someone else if you need proper instruction =/
chaffee is a really good teacher, you just gotta show up everyday and do your homework. he does not take attendance nor does he use XL, the book is much easier. his tests are hard but if you devote the time you can get B's. he seems a bit odd and affected, likes to talk about his young supposed hot wife. i would take a math class with him again.
Well well well..there goes chaffee. Just to start,F+++ Yeah he knows what he is talking about. With him you'll make 20 steps forward in math. He is not rude actually try often to make jokes, although boring lol. Beleive me, you take this guy, your next math course will eba walk in the park. his lecture is clear as water. use basic examples to expla
Mr. Chaffe's a good professor, but very difficult. Although attendance is not mandatory, you should go to EVERY CLASS because whatever he lectures on should be on the exams (which are very difficult). Be prepared and committed for his class. He is not an easy A.
He is a nice prof, but really not easy. He could explain stuffs clearly, but always surprice u on the test.
I had him for 10 and 22 (both As). I thought his tests were pretty easy compared to other math classes I took (5C and 55) but they are less strait forward if you are bad at thinking. So if you want less computation and more proof based tests i recommend him, but if you just want to work hard and definitely get an A take someone else.
If you care about understanding math, take Chaffee. He emphasizes theory and proof. Excellent lecturer, can answer any HW problem with ease. Funny and smart guy, very interesting class. If you want an easy A dont take his classes. For math majors he is a must
Hard teacher, one who argues with Socrates who is God of the math department. Do not attempt taking him for short semester cause its just hard. If you do pass him you are in very good condition for future math classes.
Eccentric professor. Very clear lectures; you will definitely understand subject. Tests and final are very difficult. Friendly and funny, but serious too. Spends time to explain if asked. Unfortunately did not cover all material (I was looking forward to his explanation of rotation of conic sections as well as parametric equations.)
He is hard,certainly.Median score of our 1st test was 22/44,meaning only 50%.If you want a teacher that jokes around and easy A,this is not the one.Stay sawy!If you want to improve math or need more math classes at PCC,he is the one.Passing his class can boost ur confidence.Don't be afraid of challenge.He helps a lot when you ask him questions.Good
he is very hard..but he is a great teacher..he knows his material so well. He speaks in a mono tone way but hes a chill prof..if you really really want to learn take his class. its hard but you learn a lot. hw is easy also..collects it once a week..very helpful.
Well, I only attended this class for several weeks. I dropped out for personal reasons/issues. But JESUS GOD, his class is dreadful! He lets the class out early, but he talks TOO MUCH and TOO DEEP. I want to LEARN, not listen to the "PHILOSOPHY OF MATH"! I understand his intentions and wants us to learn, but it just wasn't for me...
This guy is awesome. Funny lectures, clever examples. Explains WHY certain mathematical rules work, which leads to a better understanding than just memorizing them. His tests are tricky and heavy on arithmetic. No calculators, but you can correct exams for more credit and redo homework as well. I wish he was still teaching 131.
I took this class a few semesters back and this class was hard, so I dropped since I had a high D. Back then, I was a really lazy student but if I tried harder and knew what I was doing, I could have got at least B or C. But this is not an easy A class, that's for sure. Chaffee might be extremely hard, but at least he is not as hard as Gallup.
If I can take this teacher again for all of my math classes, I would. His "philosophy of math" did help me remember the rules & such. Tests were not easy-peasy. Homework were online & I barely used the book. This teacher will help you improve your math knowledge & skills, that's if YOU want to be improved. You gotta do your part too.
chaffee is really laid back. he really explains all the rules of math and shows you why they work so you dont have to just memorize them. if you try and do all the homework youll be fine. only had like 4 exams and a final. homework is online so pretty easy class.
This professor is very passionate about math and all things math related. He really wants you to gain a deep understanding for what you're doing instead of mere mechanical work. He is a hard professor, but he makes sure that by the end of his class your algebra skills are spot on! Also, NO CALCULATORS!
This guy knows what he's talking about. He will definitely give you a clear idea of why things work and what they are for. He will not waste time teaching you stuff you do not need. His test are HARD. I got 30 out of 50 for most of his tests and did well on the final receiving an A for the course. If you really want it, you can do it!
If you're thinking about taking him, then TAKE HIM. I will almost guarantee he will change your life, maybe. Atleast your perspective on math. At the beginning it may be slow but it's gonna get a little bit faster and a wee bit intense as the semester goes on (may be an understatement). But he's really great, so take him!
His phylosophy of math is really abstract and deep, I never imagine that a person would teach math so deeply. He can explain the definitions clearly. His tests are a little tricky. there are short answers and calculations, so listen to him carefully, you will be OK.Must do the assignments and exam corrections
He knows what he teaches.Yes,linear algebra is hard n abstract, but he can explain it clearly.Tests are hard, TRUE,but still somewhat doable.He was pretty nice on the final.Homework is every single problem in the book, which is insane, but mandatory to get a good grade.I don't think he cares whether you complete all assignments or not. Recommended!
Great instructor.
Great instructor! He explains with detail and breaks things down for easy understanding. The textbook is only used for homework. Everything you need to know is taught in class. Tests aren't as difficult as everyone else says, though it can be very tricky and requires you to think. It shouldn't be a problem if you pay attention in class.
Great professor!He teaches math in a complete different way since he wants you to understand math not only to compute. The class is hard since the material is hard, but after his lectures everything makes better sense. I will be happy to have him as my teacher again!
He is really great professors. His lecture is clear and he really emphasizes the importance of definitions of mathmatical concepts. His tests are pretty tricky but they are doable. Moreover, he gives you some points if you show him works even though you don't get answers. Therefore, do your best, and you will be fine.
Good professor. First test was difficult, average after that. Study a lot. Get used to no calculators.
Mr. Chaffee taught the only math class that I have passed at PCC - and I have taken a lot! He is hilarious!!!! He is also really helpful and cares about the students who want to pass. I mean who would't want a rock star teaching you math?! LOVE HIM. take his class!
Worst Professor I have ever had. He gives a lot of homework. Doesn't give any examples of how to do the homework, he just talks and talks about how math was created. I did not learn anything from this class. I recommend don't take this class if your not good at math.
Chaffee makes you think b/c he wants you to think about math at a deeper level. He's more theory than computations b/c he expects you to practice the computations on your own, hence, the titanic-load of hw. The person below probably didn't put much effort. That's why s/he didn't like the class. Chaffee's tough but he's one of PCC's best math profs.
If you have a chance to take someone else, do not hesitate at any cost. I've never received lower than a B mark in any Math courses and I have finished up to Math 5C now. His lectures during class comprise of derivations or nonesense about the history behind everything.. little about actually doing problems or anything beneficial for exam.
It wasn't the subject matter that was difficult, it was the fact this teacher was so cute, it was hard for me to stay focused!!! He is super nice, loved his glasses and tattoos. Oh yes, he taught math too and it was great.
Prof. Chaffee is an awesome teacher. He takes the time to help his students and makes sure we understand the concepts before each exam. I hope everybody can experience a math class like his.
Outstanding instructor and very helpful. Make should you do all of the homework and asked question. You have to work for your grade. He is one of the best instructor on this campus.
he got on the table to explain the z plane in relation to time and space, later that class day i pied him in the face for a campus fundraiser, ive never had more respect for a professor in my life.
I respect Chaffee alot. He assigns the whole book for hwk but it's so you can practice the application of principles and apply your mechanical training to real life scenarios. He follows curriculum but he gives you more ideas to contemplate while teaching you "why". Exams were proof-based and filled w/ word problems. Hard but forgiving teacher. A+
this class itself is really though, but with his help you can do it . he would spend the whole lecture time if he needs to explain homework problems and he lets you corrections for the tests which is really nice. im just waiting to take his math 5B class
he miss a lot of classes and i meant about 3 weeks worth of class, his test for in which he actually was there are doable but chances are your not going to get 100% but you do get to do correction for a better grade on them . His final was the hardest test ever ,even with 2 hrs it wasn't enough to completed
His test are not extremely difficult, you get to do corrections for a better grade. The final was a monster. he did miss a lot of class due to illness. Do as much problems from the book as you can so you can understand the material and study the definitions those will save your life during tests. He is the only one that teaches at pcc so yea
This class is setup so that students don't pass the first time. The school makes up the book and shows one example. I had to drag it out of the teacher and he would get mad because we didn't understand it! All of these teachers ONLY want you to do to them. 75% of my class were taking it again! Set up for failure! Take it at another school, not here
Actually a good prof. Lots of hw, but gives easy tests. Not too hard.
He is a good teacher, and He knows everything about math. He assigns homework. You just do those homework. then, you will be fine. Also, be active in the class.
His Discrete Mathematics course was the most fun math class I've ever taken in my life. I love his style of teaching. He is super cool (he rides a motorcycles and is in a band). When he talks he just draws you into his world of math. Only bad thing is that he'll often show up 30 min late and his way of grading/curving will forever be an enigma.
Chaffee teaches math like it should be taught. It's something to understand, not memorize. It's hard to get a good grade on his test, but he lets you do test corrections, and as long as you show actual effort he'll give you a good grade. He can be intimidating, but don't be scared, he just wants to see some effort and participation. Amazing teacher
Just had him for my 2nd semester of college. Never in my life have I had a math teacher with the same level of passion that Prof. Chaffee has. As long as you understand the homework problems and pay attention during lectures, you will do fine on his exams. I am sure this is what allowed me to breeze through his final exam with an hour to spare.
I definitely agree with the fact that he is an excellent teacher and is super passionate about math in general. However, the only problem that I had with this class was he was almost a little "degrading" in a sense that if you provide an answer to one of his questions during lecture and it's wrong, he WILL make you feel stupid.
I get that he wants us to understand math rather than memorize, but he only gives us an explanation of the formula (which is already stated in the textbook) and does not teach us how to apply it. Therefore, we do not know how to do our homework so he spends half of the next class taking questions. Definitely do not recommend.
He is so bad.... dont take him... dont.
Honestly, I didnt like his class at all in the beginning. By the end of the semester, there was about 9 people left in the class. Test averages were low because they were a bit hard but pretty sure he curves b/c I wouldn't have gotten an A in the class other wise. He cares for his students and can be very inspirational! I would take him again.
He has a temper so if you don't answer the question, he yells at the whole class. But if you answer the question wrong, then he makes you feel not good. And he literally assigns the whole textbook and he assigns even sometimes so you don't understand. BUT he gives test correction opportunities and curves. Don't know how I got an A.
Overall, I had a great experience taking 5A. Be prepared to work REALLY HARD because although I took Calculus in high school and passed AP exam Calculus is NOT an easy subject, so don't expect to pass this class without working hard. He doesn't assign any work, but don't procrastinate and practice problems from the textbook and ask questions.
Chaffee is a rather strict person, but a good professor. He is open to questions about course matter and will spend a lot of time on it for you. He emphasizes understanding over raw memorization. There are 3 exams and 1 final; how he grades is definitely unorthodox. Hw is not part of your grade. Make sure to know definitions and do all the homework
I am not sure why he gave me an A since I never paid attention and would just text my friends and work on the homework due that day in class and did horrible on the exams. I was completely lost for about 75% of the semester. I appreciate the A though and he had an interesting perspective on math which I enjoyed listening to. He's really funny too.
Very hard class. His lectures are based on proofs and he barely did any examples in class. I would read the chapters in the text book and teach myself basically. He will make you feel stupid if you ask a question or if you can't answer his questions. Tests are pretty straight forward. LOTS of homework. Be prepared to study a lot for a good grade.
Chaffee is the dopest.
In depth, fast paced lectures about concepts and reasoning behind every step of a calculation. Was extremely difficult for me and hard to follow for a while, but got through and gained a greater understanding for math. Tons of hw- DON'T fall behind. Do as much as you can, not worth much but goes toward TEST CORRECTIONS! Curves final grades
He is a grate for the students truly want to understand math. It is a very hard class because he push you to think more, which things behind the formula. He is also hard to follow, so you have to pay extra tension. I recommend do a preview before the class. And If you are a ESL student under ESL 4, don't take his class.
Professor Chaffee is a great guy. Always available during his office hours in the math center (you should be in there every week). He does lecture a lot but gives small breaks. Take good notes and do all the hw he assigns because they help a lot on the test. Tests are not hard if you study. Best thing about him is A on the FInal A in the class.
He's kind degrading and appears frustrated when you ask questions. I appreciate the fact that he loves math, but don't make your students feel bad about them being confused.
Chaffee has a fantastic understanding of mathematics and a natural way of communicating it to his students. Go to lecture, participate, and you will learn. At times, he can seem intimidating, but don't let this get to you-he will respect anyone for trying. Great teacher, would highly recommend, especially for the serious math student.
Professor Chaffee is the best math professor I've ever had. He taught me how fun math can be. Sarcastic in the best way - super dry humor. He knows his stuff like only Socrates does (also highly recommended). Push past the classic Chaffee eye roll - he'll answer your question and help you learn the concept.
He is a big teddy Bear if you can get around his "serious," side. He loves to teach math and cares for students. Take him and be patient because he will sit down one on one and teach.
I just wanted to give you a heads up, to not repeat the same mistake that I did. I would have gotten a better education with someone else. If there is another professor that you can take, take it. but if you don't have any other option take him. But I wish I did not take him. My GPA got really bad.
A very disorganized professor. You never know what chapter is covering and have no idea what he is talking about. Im good at math but I found his way very ineffective and dicouraging. He doesnt care about student
He has the most brilliant math lecture in PCC. He always try to teach you more, but his exam questions are quite basic, so don't stress out, enjoy it!
Your grade consists entirely of tests, with his "corrections" the worst you can get on a test is a C, but the questions are extremely difficult. You have to put in a lot of time every day so that you can absorb the material well, as the class goes pretty fast. It's very stressful, take another professor. Smartest man I've ever met, but bad teacher.
I had a really easy time for this class, there's no homework or quiz at all, the class attendance doesn't even exist, there's only exams and exam corrections. A Chinese guy in my class only show up on the test days, cheat on every exam using his phone, professor never looked up during the exam. Lecture wasn't very helpful, I'll just read the book.
Professor Chaffee did a great of thoroughly explaining the mathematical concepts and why certain approach was used to solve a problem. He fast-paced but as long as your paying attention that shouldnt be an issue. There are no quizzes, and most of your grade is based on tests which you can correct for points back. I highly recommend him!!!
Some students like Chaffee's humor, but his teaching style is pretty polarizing: disorganized with test dates, posts assignments sporadically, takes forever to grade exams, etc. His hands off teaching style is not uncommon at 4 year universities, but you have to be self-motivated and disciplined to do well in his class.
If you are a math/physics/engineering major, you ought to take him. His in-depth lectures really train your brain to understand math terms and the beauty of Lin Alg. There were second parts to exams, which consisted of proofs you can turn in the next day. The only downfall was getting the book but I was able to get it on PDF. Amazing professor!!
I took his discrete math class online & it was a lot to handle (math is not my strong suit so I really struggled). His lectures are not very engaging so it's hard to keep up. The tests are really difficult (there are only 3) & each homework assignment takes hours to do. My heart goes out to him though, he seems like a really nice guy! :) :(
Math isn't my strong suit, but go to his office hours for questions. He doesn't expect you to know it right away, so he welcomes questions from hw or tests during class. 2 test and 1 exam, test corrections will hopefully save your grade. Read the section before class. If your looking for an easy A, take another prof.
each HW assignment takes 3-5 hours to complete and was NEVER GRADED. He only relies on test grades for the final grade. I wouldn't be surprised if he never opened any of the student's HW assignments.
Prof Chaffee is the best math teacher I've had. He has a way of explaining complicated mathematical topics in a way that just makes sense. He's always happy to answer questions. Your grade is almost entirely based on tests, but you can do corrections which bumps your grade up a lot. If you are driven & want to learn math in a whole new way TAKE HIM
He gives out good lectures for the concepts in the linear algebra textbook, but there are still a few issues. Namely, exam dates are not announced explicitly on Canvas, there are no clear due dates for the exam analyses, and he chooses not to enter the exam scores into the Canvas gradebook. Take MATH 010 with another professor instead!
Professor is a cool guy but his lectures arent very good so be prepared to teach yourself a lot of the material. Your grade consist of only a few exams and homework assignments which arent graded until the end of the semester. Its almost impossible to fail the class since he offers test corrections but the exams are hard and take up a lot of time.
You will not have time to do anything other than reading and preparing for the few exams just to get a C. The amount of work you have to do in this class to pass is not worth it.
Best math professor i've ever had. Great at explaining everything. If there's something you don't understand in another math class he's willing to spend time look into it and explain it to you. No pressure on the exams. He's awesome. Take him!!!
I haven't taken a calculus course in a while, but Dr's Chaffee class made me appreciate the "why" behind math. I highly recommend his class if you're planning on majoring in math. Stay away if you insist in relying on rote memorization. His take-home tests are computationally tedious and time consuming.
Excellent calculus professor. He challenges the class to think critically and learn so much. Tests are easy if you take them seriously.
Great professor! He goes through the proofs of each concept and explains ideas with clarity. Exams are challenging and engaging. The only issue was that it was difficult to access grades as they weren't posted on Canvas. Would take him again.
Good professor, makes concepts easy to understand especially if you ask questions. Attendance isn't mandatory but go to every class if you can. Not accessible over email but is always in his office. Test corrections, but doesn't upload grades until end. Ask questions, keep up on homework. Heavy class but doable. Understanding if you talk to him.
Homework is not graded, but mandatory if you want to stay alive after the exam. Everything is based on 3 midterms and 1 finals. There is also take home portion of exams, which is kinda good as you are forced to study for the exam before the in class part.
Took 5AH too - easy A. CONS - never replies to emails, uploads grades on the last day of school & does not upload on Canvas until you remind him. Tests were lowkey found online but he still graded them hard. He wants you to explain everything on the exam. Not mandatory attendance but go sometimes just in case. PERK - take-home exams & no hw.
The goat math professor. Very funny and personable guy. Took him for honors and even though I didn't get the grade I wanted, everything felt fair. Lectures are super in depth and he will make sure you have a good understanding of everything if you apply yourself. Definitely recommend. Grade is dependent on exams that are difficult but doable.
professor never posts information on canvas. Uses the blackboard in class to write constantly and doesn't use a computer. The exams are self-generated and difficult. The questions are basically different from the practice ones. There are also a lot of proofs to be provided. Homework is not graded, only exams.
Professor Chaffee is extremely forgiving and accomodative. His class really prepares you for true understanding of Calculus (multivariable), not just superficial. As such, the exams are super challenging if you don't know rhe section like the back of your hand. I know I deserved a C in the class but somehow ended with a B..
Professor Chaffee is a good professor for those like me who procrastinate on homework but understand material quickly. The grade is based entirely on tests, most of which are based off the lectures and example problems he goes over in class. If you see him in the math center, don't be afraid to ask for help, he was very helpful when I was stuck.
Professor Chaffee taught calculus very well in that he made complicated concepts tangible, applicable, and understandable. Although our grade was based solely upon exams, he grades exams somewhat leniently and does a great job preparing us for them and guiding us when lost. Even though homework isn't graded, be sure to practice a lot to do well.
Tests 100%. mid-easy. No challenges/ do hws/ never accessible through canvas. He is always in the MSC but he never replies on canvas nor updates your grade. You don't knowt your grade until the term paper is out. . Also, he kinda spent too much time on one chapter that he literally spent one lecture for integral, area, and volume of the graph.
Professor Chaffe is excellent, and again I emphasize, excellent, at making you understand the actual concept behind calculus. Grades are entirely based on 4 exams + final, somewhat challenging but he grades VERY leniently. He doesn't use canvas though and there's no extra credit opportunities, but again his lenient grading makes up for it. Take him
One of my favorite professors ever! I took him for 5C and he was great. Explained concepts very well and was very accessible. He can go a little fast at times, but he is always willing to answer questions and go back. Graded by a few tests, but if you know the content, they're not too hard. Corrections are also available for (minimal) credit.
Professor Chaffee's 5C class is challenging but rewarding. His lectures are clear and he grades exams leniently. Textbook is required, but unstuck AI and practice problems are key for success.
Disorganized and kind of pretentious
Laid back but in a disorganized way. Prioritized being relatable over actually teaching the class. Literally IMPOSSIBLE to get in touch with outside of class.
He's helpful & goes in depth to explain concepts. Teaches well but if u value ur GPA, it's risky. I took AP Calc BC & got an A- there but got a B- w/ him (but his was honors). Doesn't give study guides & his tests can be challenging & lengthy. Gives half of class for tests. Max % u can get from test corrections is 5% but he does curve final grade.
He puts the most difficult questions on the test. Not sure if anyone could get an A by only doing the practice problems in the textbook.
The most disorganized professor I have taken. Very smart but also cynical. Never knew my actual grade in the class. Would show up to office hours late and his desk is so disorganized. Fortunately there was extra credit and large curves on exams.
The worst professor I have ever taken at PCC. I was given only three exams. We combined the final with the last chapter which was worth 200 points. No one in the class was prepared for the hardass final because he lectured two days before the final exam. There was not enough time to study, it was cooked. disorganized, he does not care about you
Grades very leniently, but is extremely disorganized. His made a mistake in grading one of my exams and I had to bug him to fix it. I wish he also assigned us more homework as I felt not well prepared for exams. Does have a good sense of humor though.
I've taken 25 classes at PCC with a straight 4.0 and this class I recieved a B. I did all the test corrections, the extra credit project and got the following scores on the exams, Exam 1,2,3,4: 93, 85, 88, 84. Very disappointing, unorganized, pessimistic, unmeaningful, and wrote sloppy - could not read the board. I advise another professor.
Let's start off with the only pro, although his exams are difficult, he is somewhat of a lenient grader and you usually do better than you think you did. now. he is the most unprofessional and disorganized instructor I have truly ever seen. Does not post anything on canvas, says he will post announcements (never once did even after we asked him)1/2
2/2. Not only does he make exams the second half of class after a new lecture, but the first exam he told us we needed a blue book 5 minutes before it started. So the entire class had to get up and use the break to go get one, no announcement ofc. He's rude, asks insanely broad questions & yells at you for not giving the specific answer he wants
Take another professor.
uhhh Grades were solely based on three chapter tests (each worth a 100 pts) and one final (worth 200 pts) Make sure to do the assignments even though it is worth 0% on your final Because he debunks pretty well in-class (and during office hours) if you ask him questions All in all he is pretty hilarious Loved his in-depth lectures
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